Written 8/19/21
We’ve heard a lot about the Pharisees but who exactly were the Sadducees? And what do they have to do with understanding God’s truth? The Sadducees were mostly aristocratic men who represented a Jewish sect during the days of Jesus. They only focused on the written Law, and shut down oral tradition. They denied the existence of spirits and the resurrection of the dead. Basically the Sadducees were like Pharisees, but denied the existence of the supernatural. They didn't believe in angels or demons, nor in Heaven or hell. If you have ever read the Old Testament then you will know God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He created all things, including His sons - angels and humans. Let’s face it, a demon is simply an fallen angel who operates in rebellion. And Satan is the worst of them because he is the most prideful of them all. Which explains why Jesus is the most beloved, because He fully trusts God and follows His Will - even above his own. Humanity is no different. Adam and Eve displayed pride and rebellion in the Garden of Eden. And because God is supreme, totally void of inferiority - he cast pride and rebellion out from His presence and allowed them to suffer the consequences of their decisions. Heaven is the place where God resides. It’s the place where His glory shines. Hell, well - it’s the opposite of that. It’s the place without God. Hell is the place where the chaff will burn - once all the wheat from God’s Seed has been harvested. In this section of Matthew, we see the Sadducees approaching Jesus with this question: “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. There were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?” I don’t know about you, but when I initially read their question, along time ago, I thought, man - that is a good question! How is Jesus going to respond to that? But over the years, God found a way for me to gain humility so that My heart could be open to receive His truth. This is how He answered it. "You are IN ERROR BECAUSE you do not know the Scriptures OR the power of God.” Let me just stop! This is a mic dropt! This is the point when all of us should drop to our knees and bow down to God! This is exactly how men fall away from God! They think they know it all! They must not have read the story of Job! Especially at the end of it! Obviously, if these Sadducees knew the scripture and not just the rules, and if they believed that God was sovereign, as what His Word says, then they would have never even asked the question. They would have spotted God, in the flesh, when they saw Him. They would have responded like His disciples did. They would have picked up His cross to follow Him. Nonetheless, they had a good question. So let’s see what else Jesus said. "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.” Let’s stop once again. Take that information in. When we go to Heaven we will not be married, nor will we marry. I believe it’s because we will all be bonded with Christ. We will all share in His glory. We will be like the angels in Heaven - immortal beings who spend all of eternity worshipping God. He continued on, “But - about the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said? ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.” Matthew 22:23-33 Holy shit! Did Jesus just say that Abraham, Issac and Jacob are still - alive? Is this how Moses and Elijah showed up at the transfiguration of Jesus? Is this how Enoch and Elijah were taken into heaven without ever experiencing physical death? Could this be how Stephen was able to see Jesus when he has was being stoned to death? Is this how he endured murder and was able to forgive those who were murdering him. Was Stephen already in his Spirit instead of being in his body when this was happening? It’s quite mind-blowing! But it’s simple! Is it not? Friends, it is time to stop the denial, and learn the truth. I beg you, while there is still time, Get into scripture and learn who God is! He wrote a book for you! A book that was scribed, through many men who were led by His Spirit. Earth is just a place that God has loaned to us. This earth will soon be gone, and will pass away to eternal death. The Lord will create a new Heaven and a new Earth - One location to share in His glory. This truth was given to John during his revelation of Jesus. Eden will be restored - it’s God’s promise to us. Read the 22nd Chapter of Revelation. God, in His sovereignty, has shared the end of the story. I implore you, pick up His story - the true HISTORY - and start reading it. The end of this age is coming soon. This is what He has been saying to me. May He bless those who read these poems, and believe.
0 Comments
Can you imagine ever receiving an invitation
to the most extravagant party that could ever happen - a party that beats a red carpet event; a party that is greater than anything you could ever dream of? I know. I know - I'm a girl! So it’s probably easy for me to imagine how I would react - I would make it my soul mission to find the perfect dress. Well, this poem is a story about such an event. It’s about Jesus’s wedding banquet, that takes place in the glorious Kingdom of Heaven, with the Bride of Christ! And it's about all the people who have been invited, but not chosen. Listen to this. Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.” “The king sent his servants to those who had an invitation to tell them to come, but they refused.” “So he sent more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet." Can you believe his invitation was totally ignored. The majority of creation walked with Pride and totally forgot about God. I'm sure this what led to the Great Flood! So then, God sent more of His servants to extend the invitation, by giving the people more information about what was to come. But once again, “the people paid no attention and went off - one to his field, another to his business.” Pride never left! The creation was still led by selfish intent. “And the rest of the people who had been invited, seized the king’s servants, mistreated and killed them.” I can only imagine how the king must have felt. It's such a relief that He did not just blot us out! “So the king sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.” Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’” God had invited the whole human race to participate in his marriage vows. But then humans fell into pride - the creation wanted to be like God. After the Flood, God extended the invitation to Abraham and his descendants, through the blood line of Jacob. Most of the Jews refused to listen. They did not see Jesus as their coming king; they did not hear God declare “This is My beloved Son.” And they definitely did not pay attention to the timeline given to Daniel by the angel Gabriel. Not only did they kill Jesus, but they killed his servants through hearts of murderous intent. The Holy Spirit was not in them! So the king told his servants to find anyone who wants to participate, whether they are good or bad. He extended his invitation to all Gentile nations - Oh look, we are right back where we started from. The whole human race has been invited to come! “So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.” This must have finally blessed the king’s heart. “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, “Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes? The man was speechless." (Not one word came out of his mouth) “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:1-14 Can you imagine showing up in Heaven, not wearing your wedding dress? Can your imagine showing up in filthy rags - the clothes God saved you from? It’s no wonder the king kicked him out! If you haven’t already figured it out - This story is not about sitting and watching Jesus get married. No! That is not it at all! This story is about YOU and me getting ready to marry Jesus, as His pure and blameless Bride. This story is about responding - to His proposal to love Him above everything else. Do you think the King of the Universe would allow just anyone to marry His Son? Do you think the king is bad or good? God is the definition of love. He represents everything good! If you are a parent to a daughter or a son then imagine how you would feel if the person they love showed up to their wedding, in a ratty old shirt, stretched out yoga pants and worn out tennis shoes. How would feel if they came to their wedding still wearing filthy rags? Wouldn't you be wondering, "Where is the dress?" How you would feel if you had invested every last cent to make sure their wedding was absolutely perfect. Imagine the disrespect. Wouldn’t you want to ring their necks? Can you imagine the look on your child’s face when the one that they love acts with such dishonor and disgrace? They would probably want to run and never look back! Let me ask you this, What if the Bride is called, but she does not make herself ready to partake in the wedding feast? What if she forgets to put the wedding date in her calendar? What if she has other things on her mind like focusing on this world instead of the next? What if she saw Jesus and said yes - but then turned her gaze towards another love interest? What would happen if she followed her flesh? Would she exchange true love for lust? Or will she grow old with Jesus? She would be just like the 5 virgin brides who did not have their lamps ready and burning. (See Matthew 25:1-13 for more information on this) The Bride of Christ is the Ekklesia, the called-out assembly who keep their eyes focused in Christ. They are the congregation of believers who responded with “yes” then did not divert their attention from Him. They carry God’s Holy Spirit - His spiritual DNA. There is nothing that can turn away their gaze. They are fully devoted and fully in love. The Bride of Christ gives birth to God’s chosen race. She is a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession. You may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 You see, I believe everyone is called and invited to the wedding banquet but few are chosen to remain with Him. God knows every heart and He can see under our garments. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are completely exposed to Him. He knows if you have chosen His Son. It will be quite evident because you will be indwelled with His Holy Spirit. He can see, hear, taste and smell the blood of Jesus. He can reach out and touch you and know who you are. There is no deception. He is not like Issac - a man who was easily deceived by his own son, Jacob. Jacob, the man who pretended to be Esau. God knows every inch of our hearts. He knows if we truly love Him. He knows if we are genuinely in love with His Son. These are the ones He calls Chosen. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to Son-ship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and his will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession - to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:4-14 Amen and amen! Bride of Christ - Have your lamps burning, and have plenty of oil on hand. The Lord is coming soon! “Teacher,” the Pharisees said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. We know that you aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” Jesus knew what these men were trying to do. They wanted to trap him between earth and Heaven. They wanted Jesus to offend Caesar so He would be killed on the spot. They wanted him to be known as a Zealot - who would work diligently to defy the Roman king. “Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.” Luke 20:20 Yes! Jesus knew they were trying to trap him - Calling him a man of integrity who teaches God’s truth. Saying, “You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.” But what they did not realize is that Jesus knows everyone's heart. He even knew Judas was going to betray Him, yet He washed his feet at His Last Supper. This speaks to Jesus being as an image bearer of God! Jesus responded by calling them hypocrites. It’s the most used term he used for them. A hypocrite is a person who says one thing but does another; who treats those in power differently than those who are not. A hypocrite is a person who gives advice but fails to follow their own guidance; who preaches tolerance but judges others who don't conform to their ways. A hypocrite is a person who promotes a holier-than-thou image to offset a reckless heart. A hypocrite is a person who feels justified to set a trap with murderous intent. The men did not like that Jesus did not pay attention to “who people are.” Jesus did not care if a person was possessed by demons, or if the person was the king himself! Jesus loved everyone He came into contact with. He showed mercy to the great and the small. Jesus said, “Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.” Matthew 22:15-22 Jesus was not there to stir up strife. He knows darn well the difference between Heaven and Hell. He knows that His Father has absolute authority so if Caesar is a ruler then it was granted to him. Many Zealots objected to paying taxes with Roman money. They viewed it as a form of idolatry. In fact, I agree. However, Jesus does not condemn it. He says give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is Gods. The image of Caesar was not a demand to worship Him. It was just a demonstration of what the power of the air gave him to own. This reminds me of what Daniel endured while serving the King of Babylon. He followed the Babylon laws and took a high position in their government - while worshipping God with His whole heart. Some would call Daniel a hypocrite, but God saw Daniel as a man after His own heart. “Give to God what is God’s”, serves as a reminder to to focus on our relationship with God and to worship Him as an image bearer. We are to live as image bearers - honoring God with our own image. How can we do this if we are stirring up strife? How can we do this if we are causing division? The scripture says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2 “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:6-7 Hey Christian -
I have a question. What is your big picture vision? Where are you heading? What does the Word of the Lord look like in your life? Have you been delivered from the snare of Satan? Are you the Bride of Christ, expecting Jesus to return? Are you carrying the Maranatha cry? Maranatha is not a Bible study. Maranatha is not an event or a transitioning trend. Maranatha is not a fading fad. Maranatha is the heart beat that can be heard in Heaven, from the Heart of the Bride of Christ. Maranatha Is the Holy Spirit growing inside the womb - getting ready to rise from the tomb! Maranatha is the expression of the gene of faith that comes directly from God’s spiritual DNA! At the end of this age, every nation, tribe and tongue will say Jesus, Lord please Come! With one accord, we will lift our voice, and cry out to the Jesus, Lord we need you now! Across the globe, there will be a great witness. Many will die “In the Name of Jesus.” This is the Great Commission that Jesus gave to his disciples. This is the heart position of the Lord’s return. Together, in one accord, we will advance His glorious kingdom. Together we will stand. We will not run! The End of Age has been slow because people have been listening to the wrong son. One way to discern a false teacher is to see if they leave out the Revelation of John. God’s DNA grows in spiritual maturity as His cells grow in unity to perfect the whole body. “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:1-4 Shallow, sentimental unity will not endure the tribulation that is about to come, We need to get ready - the Antichrist is about to be born. You need to make a decision, and it needs to happen fast - Do you want to be married to Christ, or do you not? The Maranatha message is as simple as that! Do you love Christ above all else? “Now as Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-- at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:3-51 After Jesus expressed His anger
on the people who were desecrating the Temple of God, in the city of Jerusalem, Jesus went to Bethany. Bethany is a small village located less than 2 miles away from Jerusalem. It’s on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives. And according to scripture, it’s where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. They were all Jesus’s good friends, and Lazarus is the man who Jesus raised from the dead. In 1517, Bethany was captured by the Ottoman Empire with the rest of the area that lies between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea, and Bethany was renamed al-Eizariya. In 1922, the village was comprised of 506 Muslims and 9 Christians, and today it is mostly made up of Arabs who are Sunni Islam. Bethany is part of the region known as the “West Bank.” The "West Bank" was a name given to the territory west of Jordan - after it was captured by Jordan in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Jordan held the territory until 1967 when Israel took it over during the Six-Day War. After that time, Israel and the Palestinian Liberal Organization, created administrative districts, knowns as areas with varying levels of autonomy. Bethany (or al-Eizariya) is in Area C, and accounts for over 60% of the West Bank. Israel maintains control of security and citizenship. So basically, many Arabs live there but is under the foot of Israeli troops. The Israeli army enforces security while the Israeli community continues to grow. These Israelis who live in the West Bank are known as settlers, because they are colonizing what the Arabs believe to be their land. I might as well mention the Gaza Strip because its another area of confusion, at least it was for me. While the West Bank is located west of the Jordan River and east of Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip is a small territory, along the Mediterranean coast, that lies between Israel and Egypt. Gaza is controlled by Hamas, an Islamist party, and is under Israeli blockade but is not under the foot of Israeli ground troops. Now listen to this - Iran and Turkey support groups such as Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) for both geostrategic and ideological reasons. Iran aids, arms and funds Hamas to expand its regional influence. Iran sees Israel as a usurper of Muslim lands and as a threat to Islam. Iran also views Israel as an extension of the United States. The Islamic Republic calls the United States “Great Satan” and Israel “Little Satan.” Iran views Palestine as an organ of their own body, and does everything it can to support the Palestinian nation. In 2000, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, “The Palestinian people must continue the blessed Jihad and stand against the enemies of Islam. The Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah must continue the struggle in a united way. Indeed, the only solution is the elimination of the root of this crisis, which is the Zionist regime imposed on the region.” iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2018/jul/09/iran-hamas-and-palestinian-islamic-jihad In August 2018, it was reported that Iran was transferring some $70 million a year, or $5.83 million a month, to Hamas, the ruling party of the Gaza Strip. For 15 days in May of 2021, we saw an outbreak of violence in the region of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. The crisis was triggered on the 6th of May, when Palestinians began to protest in East Jerusalem over an anticipated decision of the Supreme Court of Israel. The decision led to the eviction of 6 Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah, a once elite neighborhood of the Palestinian people, that is now home to many Palestinian refugees. On May 7th, Palestinians threw stones at Israeli police, who then stormed the compound of the al-Aqua Mosque, using tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades. The violence coincided with the Muslim Night of Destiny, also known as the Night of Qadr, and the Israeli national holiday, Jerusalem Day. The Night of Qadr is an Islamic belief that commemorates the night when the Quran was first sent down from Heaven to the world and also the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad. Its exact date is uncertain but it is known to be one of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. Muslims believe the Night of Destiny comes with many blessings and mercies of God. Its the night sins are forgiven, supplications are accepted, and the annual decree is revealed to the angels, who carry it out according to Allah's Grace. Anyway, the crisis prompted protests around the whole globe, and sparked reactions among leaders of the world. It's no wonder, the Lord sent His warning, in 2020, when the world went crazy and humans could not breath. I wonder. How did “Great Satan” respond? Let us see. On May 10th. Hamas gave Israel an ultimatum- withdraw security forces from the Temple Mount complex and Sheikh Jarrah. When the ultimatum expired without a response, both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad launched rockets. Some rockets hit residences and one hit a school. Israel then began a campaign of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip; some 950 targeted attacks demolished 18 buildings including 4 high-rise towers, 4 hospitals and 40 schools. As a result of the violence, many people were killed. Over 4,000 rockets were fired at Israel, but over 90 percent of the rockets were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome. God is amazing, is He not? Calls for a ceasefire were first proposed on May 13th by Hamas, but rejected by Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Five days later, France, along with Egypt and Jordan, announced the filing of a United Nations resolution. I wonder - why was America not involved? What was Biden’s stance? A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on May 21, 2021. But on June 16th, balloon bombs were launched from Gaza into Israel causing fighting to resume. I wonder - What is happening now? America's comment to the United Nations was this, “we will not support actions that we believe undermine efforts to de-escalate this war.” apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-israel-palestinian-conflict-business-government-and-politics-479bd6f033ae398736299e91667a21f0 You see, Palestine had previously broke off ties with America during Donald Trump's presidency, and they rejected his Middle East peace plan as biased towards Israel. But when Joe Biden took office, he promised to restore aid to the Palestinians that was cut off by his predecessor, President Donald J Trump. The PLO consulate had previously covered Palestinian affairs until 2019, when it was merged with the new embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. As of today, in Washington DC, discussions are now open with the PLO. www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-usa/biden-pledge-to-reopen-plo-mission-in-washington-faces-legal-hurdles-idUSKBN29Y1FB Who would have thought Bethany, a small village East of Jerusalem, at the foot of Mount Olive where beautiful fig trees grow, would grow leaves, but not bear fruit. Perhaps this is what is happening in Israel, and in America today. The nations whose foundation were based on the One True God and His Son are now known as the nations led by Satan himself. In the morning, Jesus was hungry, so He started walking back to Jerusalem. He saw a lone fig tree standing on the side of the road and got excited. One would guess that He must have been relieved to see the fig tree in bloom, it’s foliage would have signaled that there certainly would be early fruit for Him to eat. Unfortunately, Jesus’s anticipation must have quickly led to frustration, when He saw the leaves had no figs. Rather than the tree feeding Him, the tree would leave him in starving mode. Scripture says He cursed the tree and said, “Never again will fruit come from you.” And the fig tree suddenly died. The disciples asked, “How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once?” Jesus said, “I assure you, if you have faith and do not doubt or allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen (according to Gods will). And whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:18-22 You may wonder - How can cursing a barren tree, have anything to do with faith to move mountains or to continue on with prayerful intent? Well, the answer is not found in the leaves, but in the fruit that is produced. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22 You see, many things can masquerade as the real thing, but upon closer inspection they prove to be false. Jesus had just entered Jerusalem with tons of people shouting "hallelujah and amen." People came from every where to lay their garments down. But when Jesus entered Jerusalem he saw the most obscene thing. He saw God's chosen people desecrating the temple of God! After growing anger and wielding a whip, Jesus took a break and walked out to Bethany, Upon returning to Jerusalem, Jesus was let down again. The fig tree on the side of the road showed leaves - meaning it was ready to produce fruit, but when Jesus approached, it was completely barren. Bethany - the town that sits at the foot of Mount Olive, had a fig tree that was as good as dead! I mean, without fruit, who can live? You see, when we operate in the flesh, we do not produce the fruit of the Spirit. "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:16-21 God’s Will has always operated through men and women who follow Him. God oversees the nations and puts people in charge to carry out His plans. For some reason (and who am I to question) Satan has been given authority to rule over the world UNTIL Jesus returns. Many heads of state will rise to destroy the coming kingdom of God. But the time will come, when the Lion of Judah returns. At the appointed time, Jesus will raise His friends from the dead. “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; but is restrained only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near - at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away UNTIL all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY WORDS will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 #Maranatha Lord, Come! Hey you -
Are you ready to hear another parable? This ones about a landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, then He dug a winepress and placed it inside of it - and then He built a tower to protect it. Then the landowner leased it to vinedressers who were supposed to care for the vines while he was gone. He had to go away on a very long journey. But when the harvest season approached, the landowner remembered his vines, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. But the wicked vinedressers took his servants and beat them and killed them, sometimes with stones. So the landowner sent other servants, more than the first, and the tenants did likewise to them. Then last of all, he sent his son to them, thinking, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son coming, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they cast the son out of the vineyard and they killed him. Can you imagine what the landowner will do? Now if you are a Christian, and you know the Parable of the Tenants, which is often referred to as the Parable of the Vinedressers, then you know God is the landowner, and Jesus is the Son, and the tenants are the humans who do not believe. Jesus said, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes.’ “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” Matthew 21:42-44 This is just another way to say that every human being will trip over Jesus. Every human will have an opportunity to submit to Him. A person will either die to self and love the Lord with all their heart, or they will be crushed beneath weight. Do you understand? The cornerstone is Jesus. Jesus is the cornerstone of God’s foundation - the Mountain of Zion. Jesus is the vertical plumb-line upon which every other living stone is built on. But most people deny this glorious work. Most people are like the chief priests and Pharisees who deny the parables that came out of Jesus's mouth. , Instead of being transformed by the Word of God, people take offense. Instead of reflecting on who they really are, they long to kill the messenger - the one who prophecies about the kingdom of God. Listen to me - The Lord is coming soon. Most of you don’t believe me, but I am telling you the Lord is about to bring His hammer down! We may not see it in our lifetime, but there is a price to pay! All who deny Christ will suffer the curse. Every day I look to the sky, waiting for an opening to see Jesus in the clouds. Every day I whisper to Him, saying, "I am waiting. Lord, Come.” Do you know that I hear the voice of God? Every time I read His Word, He instructs me to write a poem. His Spirit not only gives me understanding and wisdom, but He gives me the words. None of this is on my own. Except of course, my decision to obey God and spend time with Him. I pray each day that hearts will be changed. I pray for the people I love, and those I don’t. I pray for people to submit their lives to Jesus Christ - the author of our faith. I pray for eyes to be opened instead of hardness of hearts. I pray for impurities to be stripped away. I pray for purity of heart. I pray for all God’s children to say, “Hallelujah and Amen.” I pray for mankind to understand that Jesus is the GATEWAY into Heaven. Read the words that came out of Jesus’s mouth, and find out for yourself. You can hate me all you want, but I am only the messenger of the Landowner - sharing His Words with you. I am only a servant of God who does what I have been instructed to do. Scripture reference: Matthew 21:33-46 Written 8-13-21
There once was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ The son said, ‘I will not,’ but later he changed his mind and went out. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. So - “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” Which of the two did what he was told? This is the parable Jesus spoke of in Matthew 21:28-31, when the Pharisees were giving Him a hard time about claiming to have the authority of God. The Pharisees - aka “Hypocrites”, as also described, responded and said, “The first.” Well, duh! Of course! Isn’t it obvious? Actions always speak louder than words. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” I wonder how they must have felt? The "morally good" were passed over by the "filthy rags." Then Jesus said, “John the Baptiste came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.” Matthew 21:28-32 And yet, the Hypocrites stayed obstinate. What a wicked, wicked heart they must have had! When you read this, What truth do you think Jesus was trying to prove? What reality did Jesus want the Pharisees to understand? Well, this is my interpretation - please let me know if you think I am wrong. There are people in this world, People I work with and people I know, who claim to be Christian - who say they love God - but have no idea who He is. They do not even know what His Word says. They believe ALL ways lead to Heaven, and ALL religions are just expressions of the same God. They say the Bible is only partially true, because it was written by many men, and it was written a long time ago. They only focus in on the works of Jesus, rather than the supremacy of who He is. They do not believe the blood of Jesus is required to enter into Heaven; they say that since God is love - everyone gets In. They do not believe that a good God would send anyone to hell. They believe that morality and good deeds is the work that is needed to obtain the kingdom of God. And they call themselves servant leaders, because they lead with kindness, and they believe that church attendance through traditions and rites of passages brings many rewards. They say that universal love and humanitarian efforts are the ultimate form of love and human expression. They say this is the evidence of God. They truly believe with all their heart, mind and soul, that they are doing the work of the Lord. But the truth is, they are working for Satan. You see, This is how people deceives themselves. They think the human condition defines the love of God, when the Bible says that is not really true love at all. When a human decides that they know best, and live, love and laugh according to their own pretense, then they are placing their own thoughts higher than God’s. These type of people have disobedient hearts. They are the disobedient sons that the Bible speaks of. They are like the second son who said yes to the father’s request, but then walked away and ignored Him - to go play in another field! Yes, this son is God's creation, for every human was made in His image, but this type of son chose to walk away from God. According to scripture, this type of son is led by idolatry and rebellion. You see, most humans believe they can determine righteousness, and thus, they determine what is considered just. Just like Saul did when God said, “Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.” 1 Samuel 15:3 Saul allowed Agag, the Amalekite king, to live. And destroyed all his people with the sword. Saul and the army spared the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs - everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.” 1 Samuel 15:8-9 “Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” 1 Samuel 15:10 When the prophet of God went to Saul to give him the word of the Lord, Saul said, “But I did obey the Lord. I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.” But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:20-23 You see, Saul was deceived. He thought he was doing a good thing, but he did not follow the instructions of God. In the eyes of man, Saul was just - well, somewhat. He showed a little love, by sparing the life of the king; and he showed love towards God by offering Him a special sacrifice through the choicest of meats. And yet, God declared him as disobedient. Saul did what was wrong in the eyes of God. He did not listen. We must remember that the Father’s greatest command is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind, and to love people. But i ask you, if you don’t know God then how can you truly love? How can you truly do what He says if you don’t even know His Word? You see, the Pharisees lived a life that appeared right, but they were called hypocrites by the mouth of God. God knew exactly what was in their hearts, but they had no idea what was in His. Do you? Jesus, fully God and fully human, was standing right in front them - and yet, they still could not see Him. I ask you, "Do you?" Written 8-12-21
Christianity is an interesting thing. It’s the one religion where people are expected to swallow their pride and be a doormat for all mankind. Well, this morning we will learn that is the farthest thing from the truth! It is true - we are called to swallow our pride, because anything selfish is not of God. We are called to be humble, gentle and kind; and patient too - and to bear with one another in love, in all that we do. We are called to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through a bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 And we are told “To put off falsehood and speak the truth in love, and when we get angry, do not to sin.” Ephesians 4:26 Let me remind you - sin is anything that separates us from God. A sin is any heart or mind position that gives the devil a foothold. That draws us into his stronghold. The majority of scripture shows Jesus operating in peace all the way up to His crucifixion. But there is one time, when He acted out in anger and it was completely justified - because He is The Righteous Branch and man was spitting on God's Temple! Listen to this - “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” Matthew 21:12-13 Well, I noticed that Mark and Luke make the same report, but John is the one who describes it best! Listen to this, it’s gets even more intense - “When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” What a strong image of Jesus! Jesus was standing in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount, operating in wrath, wielding a whip, and driving the out the wolves! For a minute, we are given a glimpse of the protective side of our Good Shepherd! The Lamb of God became the Lion of Judah! What a great foreshadow of what is to come! This is what Jesus said to the hypocrites... I am going to take it slow... “Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen BY THE GATE, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters BY THE GATE IS the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:1-3 Don’t you get it? Jesus is the ONLY WAY to Heaven! He is the ONLY WAY to God! He IS the Gate - And His Father's House IS the sheep pen! And anyone who thinks they can come in some other way is deceived. When the goats and wolves come to the gate, Jesus will say, “Depart from Me, for I never knew you.” “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of sin." Matthew 7:21-23 “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” John 10:4-5 Let's repeat what Jesus just said, in simple terms. Sheep know their shepherd’s voice. Children of God believe in Jesus and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. They pay attention to all the trees of the heart, and they know how to discern the type of fruit growing inside of them. If you believe what I am saying, then you are a part of the royal priesthood, and you will see the glory of God. If you don’t believe this to be true, well then, “to hell with you.” It breaks my heart, but it is not my decision. Every person is afforded free will. It’s the Word of God. And I believe it. Do you? Jesus said, Very truly I tell you, I AM THE GATE for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I AM THE GATE; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD I know my sheep and my sheep know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. (Could Jesus be referring to the Jews and the Gentiles?) The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:1-5, 7-18 When Jesus displayed righteous anger, He acted as a Good Shepherd. The Jews responded to him and said, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. "After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken." "Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need ANY testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” John 2:13-25 You see, Jesus knows. He knows the heart of every person! He divides the sheep from the goats, and He protects his sheep from the wolves! All the while He obeys the commands of His Righteous Father! God’s children are not doormats. They belong to THE royal bloodline. Their pen resides in Heaven. And ALL God’s children said AMEN. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. Hosea 14:9 Last year,
while writing poetic sermons from the Gospel of Luke, I wrote two poems called, “East of Jerusalem” and “The Lord Has Need of It” in reference to Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olivet. I have to say, they were really good. I invite you to read them on my blog called “Breaking Strongholds.” I wrote them in September of 2020 when the world was spinning out of control. This morning, I am focusing on the same event - not from Luke perspective, but from the way Matthew explains it. The scripture says, “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:1-11 So, this year in 2021, the Lord is showing me the significance of the donkey, the colt, and the white horse. Donkeys portray symbols of service, and symbols of suffering, humility and peace. They are also associated with the theme of wisdom, such as the story of Balaam's ass in Chapter 22 in the Book of Numbers. Donkeys are sturdy, very sure-footed, they are often used to carry people down the steep edge of a canyon, because people, on their own, are more likely to fall. Over 500 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, “In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo:” Zechariah 1:1 And Zechariah said, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 Let us never forget - The Word of the Lord existed from the beginning of time! The Word of the Lord creates all things and sets the thoughts of God into motion. Donkeys are known as domesticated horses, and are usually used to get important work done. The donkey is often great service to the plowman, while he is sowing seed and tending to his field. In addition, donkeys are typically associated with common men, and the goal is always to operate in peace while living and working in the same space. On the other hand, horses are warriors! They are typically the animals used to transport men long distances, to engage in war and bloodshed, and controlled by militaries and kings. So now it makes total sense to me, why Jesus would request a donkey and a colt. The donkey must have been used to help Him get over Mount Olivet, and the colt must have been the animal he rode in on while entering East Jerusalem. I mean, why else would Jesus need a donkey and a colt? He certainly would not be riding in, straddling both! And let us not forget how John saw Jesus coming back - “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.” Revelation 19:11-13 I have a Word for anyone reading this. PREPARE - for the Lord is Coming Back! Written 8-10-21
Did you hear the story of the two blind men who were sitting by the roadside, when they heard Jesus going by? Their sense of hearing was really good, especially since their vision was out. It’s really incredible - Jesus always gives humans a way to recognize Him when He is around. When the blind men heard Him, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” So not only did they hear Him, but they knew who Jesus was and they knew what Jesus could do. They knew that Jesus was the Son of David, and they knew that Jesus was the Coming King who could grant mercy on those in sin. They knew the prophecy that was delivered to David by the prophet Nathan. They knew that Jesus was the eternal King who would build a house that would stand forever on the Name of the Lord - on Mt. Zion, the Holy Mountain of God. They knew that Jesus was the royal King who would rule His Kingdom with scepter in hand. They knew His Kingdom would rule all nations from the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. They knew that Jesus was the beloved Son of God, who would take on the iniquities of the world. They knew the Word of the Lord. They knew Isaiah said, “He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; all have turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5 They knew the words of Nathan, “I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forevermore.” 2 Samuel 7:12-16 And they knew the Word given in Isaiah 9, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” But the scoffers in the crowd rebuked the blind men. When they heard the men speaking, they told the men to shut up and sit down. So the blind men did what only they could, they shouted all the louder to be heard by Jesus over the crowd. I just love this! Not only could the blind men hear really well, but they used their voice to shout to the Lord! Hallelujah and amen! When the Lord puts His Name inside your heart (and your mouth) there is absolutely no way another man can shut it down! And how great is our God? He always sends out two witnesses to spread His Word! Two witnesses to sow His Seed and testify to Him! Two blind men made themselves ready for Him. Two blind men prepared for His Coming! Guess what? Jesus heard them! Scripture says, Jesus stopped, called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” What an image of Jesus as a beautiful servant! When Jesus heard His Name, He stopped. He gave them His attention, and he asked them their need. “Lord,” they said, “we want our sight.” And Jesus did what only He can do. He had compassion, and touched their eyes so that they could see. And then, immediately after receiving sight, the two blind men looked upon Jesus, and followed him, I imagine for the rest of their lives. Their names had changed. The two blind men no longer existed. They were now followers of Christ. If you have not seen Jesus or heard His voice, I ask you this question, "Have you placed yourself in position to prepare for His coming?" "Will you be able to recognize who He is?" "Do you have knowledge of the Holy Spirit?" And if you do, "Are you willing to raise your voice?" "Are you willing to shout over the crowds?" "Can you withstand the scoffers who tell you to sit down?" Do you have the courage to stand against them? My prayer is that you do. References: Matthew 20:29-34 Isaiah 9:6-7 2 Samuel 7:12-16 Genesis 49:10 |
Archives
April 2022
|