Deception and Discernment

Excellent
Michael Furchert

Former Resident of East Germany

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.  - Matthew 28:19, 20

Fantasy, Fortune, & Fresco

Son4 alerted me there was news coverage of the opening conclave parade, and curiosity caused me to tune it in.  He was particularly eager for me to see the jester costumes the guards were wearing.  Colorful.  Festive.  Amusing.  

Soon, I had to mute the television, because the devilish, repetitive chant was clearly something I didn't want in any room of my home, much less entering my ears.  I was to later learn they were chanting a rote prayer to numerous dead people, asking their help.  No wonder I couldn't bear to hear it.  Have mercy. 

I continued to watch for a few minutes, though, intrigued by this pompous ceremony and the attendant garb.  I studied the lace skirts -- to me an enigma in men's clothing -- and wondered over God's provision squandered on elevating mere men and garnishing their opulent palaces, when people are living in earthen or woven huts, many ill, starving, dying.  "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."  The Lord Jesus Christ, Christian: what a fearsome thing it is to take His name in vain.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but taking His name for a religion in opposition to the God of the Bible, teaching the traditions of men, promoting pagan practices, living lavishly, and denying the sufficiency of the shed blood of Jesus Christ in payment for sin, seems frightfully forward and froward.

Stunned I was, when the camera went tight on the ceiling.  I had to look away.  Admittedly, I stole two more glances, because I couldn't believe I was actually seeing "that."  I was.  Numerous corpulent, naked men.  If there were women included, I didn't notice them with my furtive glances.  Totally naked men.  On the ceiling.  In a building called a chapel.  Pornographic paintings in a chapel?  Whose chapel?  Most assuredly, not God's, for it was God, Himself, who clothed the first man when sin entered the world through Adam.  It must have been awfully important, as it was later cemented by written instructions to keep the body covered. 

Naked men.  A roomful of men in lace skirts, and naked men painted all over the ceiling of the large, garish space.  Yes, I'm still a bit overcome by the depravity and by the sore knowledge that even some true Christians seem to believe nakedness in any art form other than photography is fine.  ...I've paused long here, trying to make sense of that.  Fail.

These are perilous times.

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.   And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Matthew 23:9-15

Knowing God

lifewithoutlimbs.org

Note: These films are included on my blog solely on the merit of their contents.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (John 1:10)  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

Twitter Bible?

Earlier in the day, I'd told Son3 and Son4 I was working on creating a list of prominent elements in each chapter of the Book of Revelation, so I might see at a glance what occurrences were in which chapters and perhaps better understand the chronology of events, for there are divisions in the book that cause it to not be a strictly chronological read.  When they came that evening to the living room, and I was again planted in front of my computer, Son3 asked if I'd finished my task yet.

"No, but I'm getting close."

"Hey, you should do that with the whole Bible," suggested Son3, who obviously had no clue how laborious had been this process in a single book.

"Yeah," said Son4.  "You could call it The Twitter Bible and just post it a book at a time on Twitter.  And I know what you could write for Revelation: 'Uh-oh!'"

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.  Revelation 22:20, 21

Jesus in the Bible

Transcribed from the video of Tom Horn’s lecture posted here

Genesis:  The Prophesied One, the divine seed of the woman, who will crush the serpent’s head and redeem mankind to God

Exodus:  The Passover Lamb

Leviticus:  The High Priest, making intercession for man in the Holy of Holies

Numbers:  The Cloud by day and The Pillar of Fire by night, that guides the covenant people

Deuteronomy:  A Prophet like unto Moses, that will arrive in the fulness of time

Joshua, Judges, Ruth:  The Captain of Our Salvation - The Judge - The Lawgiver - The Blessed Kinsman Redeemer
 
I & II Samuel:  The coming Messiah, exalted by God with power

I & II Kings:  The King who will reign with ultimate power

I & II Chronicles:  From the Tribe of Judah, typified by the temple with wisdom greater than Solomon

Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes:  The Dayspring from on High - The Lord Our Shepherd, whose kingdom shall be from everlasting to everlasting

Song of Solomon:  The Bridegroom, whose marriage to the bride is faithful and forthcoming

Isaiah:  God with us.  The Seven-Fold Spirit of God is upon Him.  He heals the blind, makes the lame walk, unplugs the ears of the deaf, becomes a Light to the Gentiles, dies as a guilt offering for sin, but rises from the dead to live forever.

Jeremiah & Lamentations:  The Righteous Branch

Ezekiel & Daniel:  The Son of Man, coming in the clouds of heaven

Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi:  The Pierced Son - The Burden Bearer - Mighty Saviour - Cleansing Fountain, who becomes a Priest and a King

Matthew:  A Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger; the fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah, born of a virgin

Mark:  Miracle Worker

Luke:  Perfect Physician

John:  Only Begotten Son of God - Lamb of God - Bread of Life - Light of the World - Door to the Sheepfold

Acts:  Ascended Lord - Judge of the living and the dead

Romans:  The Root of Jesse - a Rock cut out without hands - an offense to many, but the Deliverer to others

I & II Corinthians:  First Fruits of the Church

Galatians:  He sets us free.

Ephesians: The Head over all things - Cornerstone of the Church

Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy:  The Image of the Invisible God, who meets our every need - Mediator between God and man - Soon Coming King

Titus & Philemon:  The Blessed Hope - A Friend who is closer than a brother

Hebrews & James:  Author and Finisher of Our Faith - Key to Patience and Wisdom - Blood that washes away our sins
 
I & II Peter:  Living Stone - Chief Shepherd, who watches over the Church

I, II, & III John:  Everlasting Love and Eternal Life for those that know Him

Jude:  Only Wise God - Our One and Only Saviour

Revelation:  He arrives!  Alpha and Omega - First and the Last - Manifested Word of Almighty God - Bright and Morning Star - Lion of the Tribe of Judah, that hath prevailed - King of Kings - Lord of Lords, whose appearance shall shatter the schemes of occultic spirits and evil men with the brightness of a thousand suns, and at whose coming EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW and EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father.

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  John 1:1-4

Jesus - No Other Foundation

Excerpt:

After the investiture with the scarlet papal robes, the vest covered with pearls, and the mitre studded with precious stones, the new Pope is conducted to the altar, before which he prostrates himself in prayer, bowing as before the seat of God.  ...We read: "The Pope rises, and, wearing his mitre, is lifted up by the cardinals, and is placed by them upon the altar to sit there.  One of the bishops kneels, and begins the Te Deum.  In the mean time the cardinals kiss the feet and hands and face of the Pope."  This ceremony is commonly called by Roman Catholic writers "The adoration;" it has been observed for many centuries, and was performed at the inauguration of Pius IX.

...At the coronation of Pope Innocent X, Cardinal Colonna on his knees, in his own name and that of the clergy of St. Peter's, addressed the following words to the Pope: "Most holy and blessed father, head of the church, ruler of the world, to whom the keys of the kingdom of heaven are committed, whom the angels in heaven revere, and the gates of hell fear, and all the world adores, we specially venerate, worship, and adore thee."  Read More...

 

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.  (I Timothy 2:5)  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.  (Hebrews 9:24-28)  I am the LORD [Yehovah]: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.  (Isaiah 42:8)

From the comments section: And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.  But the word of God grew and multiplied. Acts 12:21-24

 

Who Is He?

Excerpt from a lecture by Tom Horn

 

Note: This film is included on my blog solely on the merit of its content.

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.  Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.  Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.  Behold, we count them happy which endure.   Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.  James 5:7-11

Big = God ?

Good article about the benediction at the 2013 Inauguration

"We have been getting a lot of emails at the ministry lately asking about Biblical discernment.  How do we figure out what is from God and what isn’t?  Actually, it isn’t that difficult."  Read... (no longer active - see below)

UPDATE: from the Wayback Machine - http://web.archive.org/web/20130805044039/http://markcahill.org/news/0213news.html

 


 

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?  Psalms 42:1-2