I'll be hanging out with my alien buddies for the next week or so.

I'll be hanging out with my alien buddies in Roswell, New Mexico and spelunking their neither regions for the next week or so. I may post from there... or I may not... it depends on the Mother Ship...


Have a great Memorial Day everyone!

I Am: Discovering the Real You

I Am

Doesn't Matthew 24:34 Say Y'shua Would Return In The First Century?

Welcome to Thus Say the Prophets!

Matthew 24
Doesn't Matthew 24:34 say Y'shua would return in the First Century?By Ben Ruach HaKodesh (John of AllFaith) � 05.25.10
Matthew 24:34 says:

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

I am occasionally asked variations of this question:

"Considering Matthew 24:34 and the fact that the prophecies were not all fulfilled in his generation, doesn't this make Y'shua a false prophet?

No.

But it does highlight the importance of understanding context.

Matthew 24 is Y'shua's second most important sharing of prophecy. The first being the Book of Revelation that he revealed to John his disciple.

Let's take a few minutes to consider what the Master was saying in verse 34.

Chapter 23 ends with Y'shua (Jesus) explaining that due to their unbelief HaShem (the God of Israel) will be (would be) turning away from Israel for a time (compare Romans 11). Then in chapter 24 he continues (remember the chapter and verse numbers were added later to make referencing easier, they do not exist in the originals):

Matthew 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the age? [the Greek here is clearly "age" not "world").
24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you....

The rest of this chapter records Y'shua presenting an overview prophecy about what would occur prior to the End of the Age in response to the question by his talmidim (disciples).

Verses 5 and 6 speaks of Simon bar Kokhba (who the Jews accepted as Moshiach (132-136 CE) and others who claimed the role of Moshiach and led many people astray.

Verses 7-9 speaks of the chaos his hearers would experience leading up to the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash (the Second Temple) that, as he predicted in verse 2, was destroyed in 70 CE by the Romans. Following the Bar Kokhba Revolt all Jews was barred from Jerusalem.

Verses 10-14 speaks of the persecutions the Believers would experience and also the heresies that would lead many astray (Y'shua describes these false teachings as the Nicolaitan Heresy elsewhere -- Revelation chapter 2 and 3).

At verse 15 the Master cites the Daniel 9 prophecy about the coming false Christ (Daniel 9:27), the Antichrist (II Thessalonians 2:4), who will commit certain atrocities during the final seven years of the age (the Tribulation Period).

Verses 16-20 gives advise to those who are alive at that time and who witness this abomination. Y'shua says they are to flee Judea (Israel) and head for the hills (many will go to Petra according to related prophecies) as is described at Revelation chapter 12 where Israel, as a woman, gives birth to a son (the Kingdom) but must flee Lucifer's wrath for three and a half years.

Verse 21 refers to this period as the Great Tribulation. The Master actually uses it as a descriptor rather than a name, but this is where we get the term: the first three and a half years are called "the Tribulation" and the second just-shy of three and a half year period is known as "the Great Tribulation".

Verse 22 tells us that this seven year period of tribulation will be unlike any other in terms of severity and that without divine intervention everyone on earth would die. Around 3/4 of the population will die during these seven years even with divine intervention! To save the Jews (the Elect) however HaShem will directly intervene in human affairs (with the War of Armageddon). He will destroy the Novus Ordo Seclorum of Rex Mundi (the global empire now being established).

Verses 23-25: Rex Mundi will be proclaiming himself the Messiah and many will believe him. The false prophet will be singing his praises and blasphemous heresies will abound.

Verse 26 specifically speaks to the belief by certain groups that Y'shua has entered a heavenly sanctuary in secret. This doctrine is directly rejected here.

Verse 27 tells us that when the true Moshiach comes it will be apparent to everyone then alive.

Verse 28 tells the condition under which Y'shua will return: Armageddon: For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Verse 29-31 says that immediately after the War of Armageddon the Kingdom will be established.

At verse 32 Y'shua addresses the logical question of WHEN all this is going to happen, which was their initial question.

From a different version of this same conversation Y'shua says:

Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Even Y'shua could not tell them exactly when the end of the age would come. Only HaShem knew that. However he did know and share the conditions that would be prevailing at the time. This information is what he shares in Matthew 24 (and Mark 13) so that those alive at the time will know and not be left in the dark (II Thessalonians 2:).

We continue with the next verses in Matthew 24:

Mathew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

So now, he says, understanding the overall future as presented, I will answer your question:

When you see the "fig tree" putting forth its leaves again, THAT will be the final generation of the age. That generation will not pass away until all the prophecies he just shared have been fulfilled. When the context is considered this is the clear meaning of these verses.

As Bible students witnessed the rebirth of Israel, the fig tree, in 1948 we knew that the final generation had finally dawned. The only possible question has to do with certain rather obscure prophecies where the phrase "Zion" is used. These prophecies COULD mean the generation in question will be the one that witnesses the Jews regain Jerusalem (1967) which would make it the generation of 1967 rather than the generation of 1948. In either case, both dates are well behind us now and we are fast approaching the revelation of Rex Mundi and the Kingdom that Y'shua will establish just shy of seven years later. This is why the now emerging Global Union is so intent on dividing Jerusalem. Y'shua and other prophets say that once Jerusalem comes back under Jewish control it will never again be taken from them (compare Zechariah 12:8-11):

Luke 21:24 And they [the Jews] shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

If Barry Sotero (aka Hussein Obama) manages to give East Jerusalem to his Muslim brothers many believe it will mark this as a failed prophecy. The unity of Jerusalem is a HUGE deal.

The question though had to do with verse 34. Our generation will not pass away until the prophecies are fulfilled. We are the first generation that could accurately say this because we have witnessed the rebirth of Israel.

Verse 37-39 tell us that some people will recognize the times and, like later day Noah's, will be (are) preaching this truth to the world.

Even so, Come Master Y'shua!

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A Catholic at JTA: They need our support!

Hi, my name is David. I'm the guy who hits the "send" button on all these solicitations you receive from JTA.

People who know me sometimes ask, "You're Catholic, but you work for JTA! Why?"

The most obvious reason is that my wife is from Israel, and we are proudly raising our six-year old twins as Jews. Believe me, I'm the one who insists on going to shul every Friday.

There are less obvious reasons, though, why I work at JTA. Of course, it's an exciting challenge to be part of a team trying to figure out how a traditional news organization will survive and thrive in this digital age.

More importantly, though, it is what JTA represents: a group of people working on behalf of a scattered community to make sure that the community's stories are told, that dangers are anticipated, that devastation is acknowledged, that opportunity and triumph is celebrated.

This is about the most talented group of people I've ever worked with. They could be working anywhere (and probably for higher salaries!), but they choose to work for JTA in an effort to keep the Jewish community informed and connected.

Yes, it is a little odd being the only Catholic at JTA. But the cause transcends these kinds of differences: service and dedication to a greater good on behalf of your community, your colleagues, your family, your history. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

With your generous donation right now, you will help ensure that future generations will enjoy and be enlightened by JTA. I don't know what kind of device my kids will be reading the news on when they are old enough. But, I do know that I want them to be able to read JTA so they can better understand the community of which they are a part.

Thanks so much,

David Billotti
Director of Communications

P.S. Last year at this time, we had raised over $25,000. We're about $10,000 short of that milestone right now. If every one of the tens of thousands of people receiving this e-mail gave as much as they could afford, we would reach our goal for the first half of 2010 and then some. Can we count on your support?

Nuke Free Middle East = Jew Free Middle

We All Need A Helping Hand Sometimes...

The Not-so Sacred Web Book of John Not the Apostle (http://www.allfaith.com/Humor) We All Need A Helping Hand Sometimes...

Who's the boss? Another great Drybones

What Happened?

Breakup Of U.S. Is Inevitable, by Chuck Baldwin

Welcome to Thus Say the Prophets!

Breakup Of U.S. Is Inevitable
by Chuck Baldwin
(also posted on my web domain HERE

The following piece is by Chuck Baldwin.

Chuck Baldwin has many important things to say. Much of what he writes needs to be heard by the American public and most of what is says here I completely agree with (hence I am sharing it).

But as with articles written by his associate Paul Ron, whenever I share something by Baldwin I always feel the need to remind people that Chuck Baldwin (like Ron Paul) advocates abandoning Israel to destruction by al Ikhwan (the Muslim Brotherhood) and has made many statements that at the very least strongly implies antisemitism. Chuck Baldwin, like Barry Sotero (aka Hussein Obama) is an avowed enemy of Israel. Electing him US president would be disastrous for both the US and Israel. This needs to be remembered.

Therefore I am not and do not endorse him in any way beyond acknowledging that he has SOME very important insights. This is a case in point. Assuming he is planning to run for president again in 2012 I will not be voting for him (and if he is planning to run this piece will probably be a final nail in his political coffin, its well worth a read).

(Source: E-Mail)
This column is archived at
http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=1592 (for the uncut piece: I just cut out a tirade against women in the military)
All emphasis etc. mine.

Breakup Of U.S. Is Inevitable
By Chuck Baldwin
May 19, 2010

People all over America are discussing freedom's future. In short, they are worried. In fact, many are actually talking about State secession. In coffee shops and cafes, and around dining room tables, millions of people are speaking favorably of states breaking away from the union. Not since the turn of the twentieth century have this many people thought (and spoken) this favorably about the prospect of a State (or group of states) exiting the union. In my mind, this is a good thing.

Even many of those who oppose the prospect of secession understand the increasing tyrannical nature of the current central government in Washington, D.C., and that something must be done about it.

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines tyranny as "1: oppressive power . . . 2: a government in which absolute power is vested in a single ruler . . . 3: a rigorous condition imposed by some outside agency or force. . . 4: a tyrannical act."

Even a casual observer would have to conclude that most of the actions proceeding forth from DC today match at least Webster's 1st and 3rd definitions of tyranny. Besides, who would argue the advantage of the tyranny of an oligarchy over the tyranny of a monarchy? A tyranny of many cannot be distinguished from a tyranny of one in most cases--especially not by those poor souls who are at the point of the spear of Government's cruelties.

The fact is, there is collusion between Big Government and Big Business (as each feeds and profits off the other) to strip the American people of their God-given liberties. Without a shadow of a doubt, had America's Founding Fathers not sagaciously cemented the Second Amendment into the US Constitution, the Jackboots would have marched over us years ago.

That freedom-loving people are reaching a point of frustration--and even fury--is quite understandable. And State secession is, very properly, the last best option for freedomists to maintain fidelity to the principles of liberty. All of America's founders understood this--all of them! And millions of modern-day American patriots are just now beginning to become reacquainted with this great, historic doctrine.

[JoA: "freedomists?" He made that up! --- hehe]

However, whether one subscribes to the doctrine of secession or not is quite immaterial. The breakup of the US is inevitable! Short of another Great Awakening, nothing can stop it. And given the spiritual deadness of most American churches these days, the prospect of a modern-day national revival seems remote at best.

[JoA: As the prophets foretold for the last Days: Revelation 3:14-19.
So hear what Chuck Baldwin is saying: He honestly expects the God of Israel to grant us a Revival after the U.S. helps destroy the nation He re-established for His Chosen People Israel as the prophets foretold!!!
-- Like that's gonna happen!]

It is a historical fact that no empire can sustain itself. And America is more and more becoming a global empire. For the sake of simplicity, I ask readers to ponder this question: How can one sustain a global economy without global government to manage and control it? Answer: One can't.

This is why elitists in politics, economics, and the military have been calling for global government for decades. People such as George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Walter Cronkite, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, David Rockefeller, Henry Kissinger, Gideon Rachman, Warren Christopher, Walt Rostow, Richard Gardner, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Robert Pastor, et al. Furthermore, organizations such as the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the Bilderbergers, and the Trilateral Commission are constantly promoting regional or global unification. Moreover, institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and, of course, the United Nations (UN) all contribute to the escalation of globalism.

I have written two previous columns outlining much relevant information on this very real promotion of globalism. See them at:

http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=84

http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=86

Therefore, it is safe to say that, for the most part, America's foreign policy is (and has been) controlled and manipulated by globalists.
Accordingly, America's armed forces are used more and more as international policemen to patrol the streets of the world on behalf of this international cabal of merchants and politicians. The cover for this is the mantra of fighting an international "war on terrorism." But the real agenda is, keeping our troops fighting in perpetual war so that they might be available to the globalists at the UN and US State Department (not to mention countless "off the books" operations being run by the CIA and a host of other agencies) for the purpose of maintaining the "global economy" (and only God knows how many illegal enterprises).

Perpetual war also allows the Machiavellians who desire to turn America into a police state to increasingly encroach upon constitutionally protected liberties by keeping the populace in a perpetual state of fear. After all, as long as our troops are "over there" fighting (and making) enemies, we will always need Big Brother to keep us safe "over here." And the only way he can do that is by putting us all in cages; but hey, it's for our own good, right?

........ [cut]

In its attempt to entice illegal aliens (a necessary component to the globalization of America) by providing them with almost complete and universal welfare benefits, the Empire has saddled the states with a monstrous debt and has planted the seeds for its own fragmentation.

The American Southwest is a boiling caldron. Revolutionaries, violent criminal gangs, agitators, drug runners, human traffickers, and agent provocateurs--all loyal to Mexico--have been allowed to freely unleash their anti-American vitriol to the point that, in desperation, the State of Arizona is now trying to fight back. It is probably too little too late, however. Both the central government in Washington, D.C., and the national news media are sympathetic to the cause of La Raza. Look at how those brave legislators and governor in Arizona have been lampooned by the national press corps.

The call for the "reconquista" of America's great Southwest will continue to escalate. It is all part of the globalists' plan to regionalize the United States. The template is already in place. CFR's Robert Pastor has already done the legwork. The North American Community (or Union) is past the drawing table stage; it is now being implemented. The NAFTA superhighway is being built and La Raza has been unleashed on the frontier. It's only a matter of time.

Furthermore, take a look at the staggering debt that this government in Washington, D.C., has burdened the American people with. To talk numbers is meaningless: they total more than we can possibly begin to fathom. These numbers shock sensibilities and strain comprehension. In this regard, toss away all notions of partisan politics. Both major parties in DC have forever plunged our children and grandchildren's future into a chasm of indebtedness so deep that it can never be recovered. Never!

Yet again, perpetual war has accomplished its purpose: unmitigated debt has allowed international bankers to print and loan vast sums of paper money that can be used to further their dreams of a global economy, complete with a mutually palatable system of burgeoning global governance.

I say again, the American empire is not sustainable; the breakup of the United States is inevitable. It is only a matter of time. The real question is not IF the US will breakup, but WHEN and HOW?

Globalists are already planning America's breakup. Indeed, their plans for the future global economy DEMAND that America fracture. So, all of those who want to parade around and pontificate about the "unconstitutionality" and "impracticality" of secession can do so to their hearts' content. It changes nothing. The breakup is coming.

What is yet to be seen, of course, is if there will be enough states (the last vanguards of liberty) with the foresight to recognize the rise of tyranny and globalism as it approaches, and muster the courage and fortitude to do what principled patriots and lovers of liberty have always done: draw their line in the sand for freedom. Call it what you will; debate the definitions and language all you like; it all comes down to the same thing: either men fight for freedom and independence or they allow themselves and their children to be sold into slavery. At some point in the future (how far in the future, no one knows), we Americans will, once again, have to face that decision.

In the meantime, keep talking about freedom around your coffee tables; keep writing about freedom in your books and columns; keep praying about freedom in your churches and closets; keep dreaming about freedom in your hearts and minds. Real freedom--where a man can be left alone; where a man can keep what he earns; where a man can make his own choices; where a man's property is his own; where harassing agents of an oppressive central government are nowhere to be found; where a man doesn't have to sell his soul in order to sell his wares; where a man's worship of God is not subject to political correctness (or the IRS); and where a man can actually exchange commerce and correspondence without the prying eyes of Big Brother--is worth any price.

ANY PRICE!

As Barry Goldwater said, "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice."

Amen! And if the pursuit of freedom requires the extremism of secession, I say, LET IT COME!

[cut]

(c) Chuck Baldwin

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Please Help Circulate: "Barack Obama's War Against the Jews"

Dear DHFC Supporter,

Israel is in peril - and with it America's security.

For the first time in Israel's existence, we have a president who is determinedly working against Israel and our indispensible alliance. Barack Obama has pressured Israel to surrender to the demands of her enemies (and ours), and turns a blind eye toward the real threat of Iranian nukes. He has shown bald-faced contempt for Israel's democratically elected prime minister, while bowing and scraping to her thuggish enemies.

We must act now to stop the Obama administration's betrayal of one of our most loyal and valuable allies. Make no mistake: when Israel falls to Islamic enemies, we are not far behind. To our enemies, Israel is the Little Satan and America is the Great Satan, and both of us must be destroyed.

The Freedom Center has been fighting on Israel's side for over 20 years. And now, as the crisis deepens with Obama's intensifying hostility, we are stepping up our response by publishing a new pamphlet - "Barack Obama's War Against the Jews" - to focus attention on the critical position in which the Obama administration has put Israel.

We need to raise $150,000 in order to get this pamphlet to press and distribute half a million of them into the hands of Congress, the media, community groups, college students around the country through our campus network, public officials, activists, and ordinary citizens. Will you help us meet this goal?

Please follow this link right away to make a contribution if $25, $50, $100, $250 or more to support this campaign. With your contribution of $50 or more, I will send you a copy of "Barack Obama's War Against the Jews" when it is released.

Publishing this hard-hitting pamphlet will show how wrong headed the White House is in its scorn for Israel's security needs. "Barack Obama's War Against the Jews" documents the way in which the President has methodically undercut Israeli security and used American power not to defend this fellow democracy but to weaken it. I guarantee that you will be surprised and appalled by how determined the White House campaign against Israel has been.

We will not sit idly by and allow history to repeat itself with another genocide, this one masterminded by the mullahs of Iran. Please support our campaign today with your contribution of $50, $100 or more. Any amount you can give will help.

Israel needs our help. But America also needs Israel's help. If Israel can no longer trust us, we will lose perhaps our most important partner in the war that Islamo-Fascists are waging against both of us - one whose intelligence resources have enabled us to prevent carnage within our own borders. We must act now to preserve this alliance that has served both countries so well over so many years.

Please stand beside me once again in this important battle.

Sincerely,

David Horowitz
President & Founder

P.S. For your contribution of $50 or more, I will send a copy of "Barack Obama's War Against the Jews," a new pamphlet to be published, and I will keep you up to date on where the pamphlet has been distributed and its impact.

Thank you again for the support you have already given us.

A Question for my Biblically Knowledgeable Friends About Women

Variations on this question have been coming to me lately from diverse places so I thought I'd ask for the opinions of my biblically knowledgeable contacts (and others of course).

I realize there are potential "landmines" with this topic so while I'd prefer to have this discussion here, I also invite replies via e-mail or the in-house mail service (depending on where you are reading this).

Yes or no answers are fine, but I'd appreciate a bit of "why" if possible, including biblical references, church tradition, personal experiences etc. I'd like to know what YOU honestly believe and why.

1. Does the Bible allow women to be pastors?

2. Would you regularly attend services (and/or join) a congregation lead by a female pastor?

I look forward to your replies.

While I am mainly thinking about Christian churches with this one, I'd be interested in other traditions as well, female rabbis, imams, gurus and so on.

Shaalu Shalom Yerushalayim

Shaalu Shalom Yerushalayim

PRAY for the PEACE of JERUSALEM!

!!!!!Shabbat Shalom!!!!

Why Do Catholics Call Their Priests "Father"? Jesus Said "Call No Man Father!"

Welcome to John of AllFaith's
Nicene Christianity Pages

Why Do Catholics Call Their Priests "Father"?
Jesus Said "Call No Man Father!"

Another Q & A with John of AllFaith -- 5.13.10

---

Questioner: Betty
Category: Misc Religions
Private: No
Subject: Catholics
Question: Why do they get you to call their priests Father. When our God said,"Call no man your father for you have one who art in heaven." To me 'no man' means everyone. He never once uses the word Except. So aren't they committing a sin getting people to do it. Therefor people doing it are committing a sin. Am I right or wrong?

My Reply:

Hi Betty,

The reply I feel to led to offer you is a bit long and includes several biblical passages. Simply stated:

As a believer you are called to serve God fully according to the Light He has given you.

If one does not agree with Catholic doctrine and traditions one should not belong to that denomination.

My longer answer;

Paul wrote:

I Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Paul referred to himself as the "father" of those he taught and said he was one of a few such "fathers." The term "father" in this context merely refers to an elder under whose authority one is. The term is far older than Catholicism.

Your referenced verse says:

Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

In context Jesus is saying that we are to stand as individuals before God and not rely on others for our connections with God. The word "master" ("kathegetes" in the original) means "rabbi" or teacher and yet we read:

I Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers...

Paul says God calls some to be teachers. Jesus is not saying not to call our teachers "teachers" nor our spiritual fathers "fathers." He is saying to properly view them as teachers and elders while remembering that our primary loyalty is to God alone. Our only mediator is Y'shua (I Timothy 2:5). Context is essential as we "rightly divide the Word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15).

Another example: Catholics "forbid" their priests, nuns and brothers from marrying even though Paul says specifically that is forbidden:

I Timothy 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

But then again, he also says:

I Corinthians 7:8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I [i.e. single and celibate].
7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Catholic priests, brothers and others choose to embrace the vow of celibacy as Paul recommends and yet they are "forbidden to marry."

We must "rightly divide the word of truth." Celibacy in the service of Christ is admirable and the Catholic Church requires it of their most trusted ministers.

Now consider this question, I assume you worship on Sunday and do not honor the Sabbath (which is sunset Friday to sunset Saturday) and yet we read:

Genesis 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

GOD then reiterated the importance of the Sabbath as one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11) which along with over a hundred other Bible verses tells us how we are supposed to honor the day He sanctified at Genesis 2:3.

According to the New Testament Y'shua honored the Sabbath as did his Apostles and their spiritual children and yet today only a tiny percentage of Christians obey this clear biblical command. Why? There is no biblical command to stop honoring the Sabbath nor are there any instructions to worship on Sunday nor even a single example of anyone ever doing so.

So why do most Christians say we are only supposed to obey nine of the Ten Commandments? Why not all ten? This is one that puzzles me. It seems clear enough in the Bible but most Christians never even question this.

I think we do well to understand and apply the following wisdom:

Romans 14:4 Who are you that judges another man's servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand.
14:5 One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
14:6 He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks.
14:7 For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself.
14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
14:10 But why do you judge your brother? or why do you set at nought your brother? for we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

... 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteems any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

... 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
14:18 For he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (My paraphrase for clarity of the Authorized King James Version).

So my sister,

Accurate doctrine and being biblically correct in what we do and believe is vitally important. Keep prayerfully studying and seeking ever greater Light as the Holy Spirit leads you... We are told to search the scriptures and confirm that our beliefs are harmonious with the Word by the Spirit of God (Acts 17:11 etc)...

And...

Serve God fully according to the Light He has given you without judging others. They too will give an account to God one day.

Doing this is not always easy!

Hope this helps,

~ John of AllFaith

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Send Facebook A Clear Message: Anti-Antisemitism is NOT OK!

Send Face Book A Message:
Anti-Antisemitism is NOT OK!

The Facebook TOS forbid hatespeach, inciting violence and similar things, but when it come to Jews and Israel... it seems like anything goes! This is NOT a call for censorship, it is a request that Facebook maintain a fair policy on this topic. Overt racism, sexism, anti-Islamic posts, certain political opinions etc. are forbidden so why does Facebook allow antisemitism to flourish?

Please Sign This Petition!

http://www.aish.com/v/93393689.html

We can find 1,000,000 people who don't believe in Evolution before June!

We can find 1,000,000 people
Who don't believe in Evolution before June!

Click Here To Sign!

(Its a Facebook Group Page)

It would be a cool testimony if they can get this!

Boycott Comedy Central ... But Not South Park

Boycott Comedy Central ...
But Not South Park!
Watch this 9 minute Video
and Join the Boycott!

The Hollywood left has always been subservient to intellectual fads and ideological uniformity. But with Comedy Central censoring South Park's gentle parody of Islamic censorship, the mainstream media has jumped aboard this liberal ship of fools. In a world where anything goes as long as it doesn't hurt the sensitivities of our most violent enemies, what's the future of free speech in American art? Watch the latest Poliwood and comment here: http://pjtv.com/v/3516

http://www.pjtv.com/v/3516

The Informal Fatwa is bad... M'kay?

AllFaith Flix: The Remastered Revert or Die: An American Dream
Andrea's Dream

Shabbat Shalom Megamix

Shabbat Shalom!

Y'shua of Natzeret Honored Shabbat

Y'shua's Disciples Honored Shabbat

Shabbat Shalom!

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made;
and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it:
because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."
-- Genesis 2:1-3

Havenu Shalom

About All Those Christian Denominations...

About the Denominations...

Another Q & A with John of AllFaith -- 5.5.10

---

Questioner: Melanie
Private: No
Subject: Denominations
Question: Was the idea of denominations something that Jesus ever talked about or instructed us on in the Bible? I conducted a search on Bible Gateway and that particular word is not found in the Bible. Denominations seem to have divided Christ church and people. Some people seem to worship their denominational beliefs more so than the teachings of Our Lord and Savior. So where did the idea of breaking up Christ church into separate denominations come from and what did Jesus say about it in the Bible. For that matter did Paul even discuss the need for it in the Bible? I've heard it said that one thing satan fears most is church unity and that denominations divide the church. With those two thoughts in mind,,could it be said that maybe denominations were one of Satans best ideas? If all the different denominations vocus on fighting over the way they interpret the Bible they then loose their main focus which should be on reaching a lost and dying world. What then did Christ say about this subject?

My reply:

Hi Melanie,

Q: Was the idea of denominations something that Jesus ever talked about or instructed us on in the Bible?

A: This is an important question with far reaching ramifications. I'm not sure how much information you want so this will be cursory. You are more than welcome to write back.

Not only did Jesus and his disciples not start denominations they didn't even start a religion.

Jesus and his disciples were all Jews. Jesus specifically says that he did not come for non-Jews:

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

And again

John 4:22 Ye [Samaritans] worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Jesus came to teach his people (the Jews) how the Written Torah was intended to be observed (and that the Oral Torah -- Mishna etc) should not be viewed as inspired as they did (and still do -- with a few minor exceptions like the Karaite Jews). After his resurrection he instructed his Jewish disciples to grant access to what is best described as reformed or messianic Judaism to the Gentiles (no relation to the modern Jewish sect bearing that name nor to those Christian groups than call themselves Messianic today):

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

What he taught was "reformed Judaism" with himself as pascal (passover) lamb and sacrifice and as eternal Cohen Gadol or High Priest of all humanity.

Paul describes this in some depth in Romans chapter 11.

Then about 35 years or so after his resurrection, as Jesus foretold at the end of Matthew 23 and the beginning of chapter 24, in the year 70 the Romans sacked Jerusalem and all Jews -- including the followers of the Way Movement of the Apostles -- were forced to flee Judea.

This critical event opened the Way to ever more Gentiles as potential converts. Unfortunately it also made scriptural authority and doctrinal purity difficult to maintain as the leadership of the movement had to live in hiding and most converts lacked formal training in the teachings.

The dispersed Believers as well as Pagans of various types began getting together, sharing beliefs and cultures and the teachings of Jesus and his followers began to transform and lose their Jewish basis. Sometimes deliberately sometimes due to lack of teaching and sometimes to avoid persecution changes crept in and were embraced.

One of the two biggest threats to the Gospel Message at the time was Gnosticism (various teachings that denied Jesus had come to the earth as a real person but was instead sort of a manifestation of Eternal/Ethereal Light/Truth. This was presented in various ways but essentially sought to divide everything between matter -- false and spirit -- truth).

The other major threat to the original Way was that posed by people who wanted to merge the Way with Roman Paganism in various ways. Although this next point is debated and debatable, this was in my understanding the Nicolaitan heresy warned about in chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation.

In 312 CE the Nicolaitan views triumphed when the Roman Constantine the Great claimed to have had a vision of Christ authorizing him to lead the Way and rule Rome. Constantine established the Vatican and called for various counsels and invited the leaders of all the religions of the Empire to discuss their beliefs. In time his efforts established what came to be known as the Universal Church ("catholic" means universal). While establishing this new global religion the Jewish foundations of Jesus' Way were largely removed and doctrines were adopted that sought to unify many of the more influential religious beliefs of the day. Hence Catholics (and most subsequent Christian denominations) honor the four major Pagan holidays, use various Pagan symbols, worship on Sunday (day of Constantine's god Sol Invictus Mithra) rather than on the biblical Sabbath and so on.

In time the Roman Empire came under heavy attacks from various sources (including Islam) and the Catholic Church eventually split East (Eastern Orthodoxy) and West (Roman Catholicism).

There were reportedly underground churches seeking to maintain the biblical Way taught by the Apostles but this can't be proved to any conclusive degree. From what is provable whatever form of the Way existed prior to Constantine died out.

In 597 the Church of England was officially formed and eventually the Elizabethan Church in England (Anglican) declared its independence from Rome on several grounds circa 15/16th century (its a long story). By this point many people in the Church of Roma felt Papal tradition, hierarchy and power had robbed the Church of its spiritual power and many different forms of protests were being seen throughout the Catholic lands.

In 1517 Martin Luther issued his 95 objections to Catholic practice and what is now known as the Protestant Reformation began. Luther, John Calvin and others eventually left voluntarily or were excommunicated.

The Baptist church's origins are debated but most likely the original "Baptists" (who were not directly related to the Anabaptists as some believe) splintered away from the Anglican Church (hence they are not technically Protestants as many people assume) [-- Note that this question was asked in the Baptist section so i included this point.]

One reason the Papacy was so successful in uniting the Believers was the absence of any accepted authority. The Believers knew the Church needed clear direction to re-unify it and Rome seemed to offer so much (plus they eventually began killing all who refused to accept their authority).

Most of the Reformers and Protestants that came later not only refused to accept Papal authority but maintained the doctrine of "Sola Scriptura" which is to say that only the Bible is the authority of the Believers, not a pope, not a church body. With this belief individuals began studying the Bible for themselves and disagreements began to arise about its "true" meaning. The more skilled and knowledgeable Bible teachers inevitably drew followings and the various denominations began, each believing they were restoring the "true Church." This is why there are now so many denominations.

Denominations therefore are not biblical however seeking doctrinal accuracy and purity is. The denominations for the most part stem from honorable and sincere desires to better serve God and their very existence reflects human weakness and highlights our need for the Savior and his Coming Kingdom.

Q: I've heard it said that one thing satan fears most is church unity and that denominations divide the church.

A: Surely Lucifer uses the fragmentation among the believers for his own purposes, however those who are sincere want true understanding. As sincere like minded Believers come together the diversity sometimes increases however doctrine is vitally important according to the Bible. To the best of ones ability and knowledge we are supposed to seek and to believe and to put into practice the Truth according to the Light granted us by the Holy Spirit as individuals as well as in groups.

What must be understood is that despite the negatives involved in there being so many denominations, according to the biblical prophets the coming Antichrist is going to unite all the religions, including most of the Christians, into a global religious system known as Babylon the Great. This coming world religion is condemned in no uncertain terms and is described by Paul and in more depth by John in the Book of the Revelation.

Satan uses anything and everything he can to defeat the Church. If all Christians agreed he would claim we are brainwashed and incapable of thinking for ourselves (that accusation is already prevalent even with the great diversity of beliefs). He is a liar and a deceiver.

The secret to reaching the lost and dying world is what "I" am doing. What "you" are doing. I need to be reaching out to the lost according to the gifts God has granted me. You need to be reaching out to them according to the gifts He has granted you. This can be done within denominational structures or outside them (personally I don't belong to any denomination). Don't be deceived by the growing ecumenical movement. God is One. Serve Him as He leads whether from within or without the denominational structures. Share Jesus' free gift not ones denomination: Jesus and him crucified.

Hope this helps,

~ John of AllFaith

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