The Breaking of Bread

The breaking of bread is important in the gathering of the early christian in their fellowship with Christ.

At first glance, the breaking of bread would mean sharing of meals together, each one receiving foods from one another. 

It's like the boodle fight which is a military style of eating where long tables are prepared and food are on top of the banana leaves. 

Viands and rice ready to eat using your bare hands, jugs of water are prepared on the side to wash hands before the "eating combat". With the signal to start the boodle fight, everyone aims for his/her position.

But what is the basis of today's breaking of bread done religiously during a fellowship within the church?

1 Cor 11:23 For I have received from the Lord, that which also I delivered to you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread:

1 Cor 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1 Cor 11:25  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

1 Cor 11:26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he shall come.

1 Cor 11:27  Wherefore, whoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

1 Cor 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

1 Cor 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

Come to think of it, if the breaking of bread is eating of meals until midnight then they are wasting their time staying together.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them (ready to depart on the morrow) and continued his speech until midnight. 

To know more of Christ teachings that comes from the father himself is to break his gospel piece by piece and we can not do this if we just eat meals and literally drink his blood.

Lk 24:35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known to them in breaking of bread.

What comes in the mouth goes in the toilet and what goes in the heart by hearing the word of God makes him a better person and a chance to become a children of God.

Mt 15:17 Do ye not yet understand, that whatever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

Mk 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all kinds of food. 

Mk 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 

Mk 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Mk 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness;

Mk 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. 

The bread are the teachings and the cup of blood are the sufferings that goes with it in following Christ. Logically, we can not be justified by eating bread inside the church coming from supermarket and bakery for we have houses to eat and to drink.

The Vine and the Branches

Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making wine, jam, juice, jelly, grape seed extract, raisins, vinegar, and grape seed oil. Grapes are a non-climacteric type of fruit, generally occurring in clusters. 

The health benefits of grapes include its ability to treat constipation, indigestion, fatigue, kidney disorders, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and prevention of cataract.

Why this fruit bearing trees was used as an example of Christ to explain our relationship with him? The vine and the branches are inseparable for without the vine the branches will not bring much fruit. Christ is the vine and we are the branches thus we can do nothing without him.

Jn 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The one leading the Apostles is Christ. The disciples duty is to follow him wherever he will go while preaching the gospel.

Lk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

The obvious thruth is that, they can do nothing without him so it is but correct to say that John the Baptist and his disciples can not be credited of performing the baptism alone without Jesus.

Jn 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,

Jn 4:2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)

Even in the manner of preaching, the disciples were assured by Christ to be given a mouth and wisdom that can not be rejected by the listener.

 Lk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer. 

 Lk 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

The assurance of his presence in the preaching and in the baptism extend up to the end of the world.

Mt 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 Spirit. 

Mt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.

If Christ is with us always even up to the end of the world, he is therefore the one talking when the minister is preaching. If one can do nothing without Christ, no flesh can glory in his presence. Indeed Christ is the leader and head of the Church of God and we are the unprofitable followers and servants.

The Struggle

Our life is like a game of sports. It usually requires more than one participants competing either in teams or competing as individuals. 

Sports are usually governed by a set of rules or customs which serve to ensure fair competition, and allow consistent adjudication of the winner.

While sports are governed by a set of rules our struggle in life as Christians has written laws to follow which will be the sole basis of judgment in declaring who the winners are.

In Sports, the struggle is between man against another man. In life, the struggle is between the inner man and the outer man.

Rom 7:14-15  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that I do.

It's an struggle between good and evil. The evil being the strongest in the world.

Jn 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

But knowing the Gospel of Christ as the basis of judgment at the end of the race, we should strive to stay within the parameters of the Gospel to ensure victory. 

Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of  men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

1 Jn 1:3  That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 

While it seems that life in this world is a journey wasted in favor of the spirit.

2 Cor 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man is wasted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 

Let us go on with our life unto perfection, knowing that we profit nothing from the flesh.

Jn 6:63  It is the spirit that reviveth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The Way of the Lord

Listening and following God is beneficial not to Him but to us in the long run. Afterall for by his act we were given existence in Christ Jesus to do those good works which God before made ready for us so that we might do them.

Making it clear to us that we are to put ourselves under rulers and authorities, to do what they are ordered and  be ready for every good work.

Tit 2:12 Teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and piously, in this present world;

In a relationship for example, it is the desire of God for us to have focus, to be free from anxieties for the unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, on how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, on how to please his wife, and his interests are divided.

1 Cor 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

This teaching is the same with the homosexuals and the lesbians like the eunuchs. The marriage is between a man and woman for God created they. If they are not comfortable with that then be holy and forever remain single with a promise of reward from G0D better than man and woman.

Is 56:4 For thus saith the LORD to the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even to them will I give in my house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

The covenant of sabbath to Israel is the old testament; the new covenant or the new testament for the Christians is the gospel of Christ as the old is now obsolete.

Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and groweth old is ready to vanish away.

But marriage is not an instant reunion. It must have a serious preparation and planning, like an engineer who will build a house or a nation that will go to war with another nation.

Lk 14:28-30 For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he hath sufficient to finish it? Lest perhaps after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Lk 14:31-32 Or what king going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an embassy, and desireth conditions of peace.

This is not a situation we viewed in movies where after a boy meet a lonely stranger girl at the bar, the next romantic scene is in bed. Jacob courted his wife Rachel and waited for 7 years without sex and another 7 years after the deceitful switching of  Leah made by Rachel's father Laban.

Gen 29:16-18 And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah was tender-eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and well-favored. And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

You see, marrying a stranger or foreign woman not permitted by God is a disaster. For clarity, stranger in this verse are the ungodly and the unbelievers.

Lev 22:12 If the priest's daughter also shall be married to a stranger, she may not eat of an offering of the holy things.

1 Kings 11:1-5 But king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said to the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in to you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon cleaved to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

So what is the lesson here? The lesson is to be patient. Remember that patient is a virtue. Don't be in a hurry in jumping into a relationship. Have trust in the Lord that someone is on your way; when you are prepared and be ready to marry.

Prov 19:14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

For what can you gain when you bear sons and daughters that you can't raise and feed. They are souls valuable in the eyes of God more than the value of the whole world.

Mt 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

This is the way of the Lord. AMEN.

Devil's Nest

There are places which are not allowed by God for all Christians to stay or hang around. 

All locations that patronises bad habits like drinking, gambling, smoking, womanizing and the likes are prohibited in order to have a clean heart with a meek and quiet spirit; having no reason to shame between God or men, which is in the sight of God of great price. 

As we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, we are indeed commanded to abstain from all appearance of evil. 

1 Thess 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Gal 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The question now is this; Why are we commanded to shy away from those places? And the answer is very simple; the devil knows who are the men with the mark of God.

Acts 19:13  Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them who had evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

Acts 19:15  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

You see, the devil does not even know their peers having the same mark of the devil. Having them know you, frequenting therefore in the nest of the devil may render you outnumbered and may be tempted to commit sins.

Don't follow then the devil, follow Jesus Christ instead.

Jn 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Included in those prohibited places are the place of worship built by men where devils are grouped and nested together.

Mt 23:15 A curse is on you, scribes and Pharisees, false ones! for you go about land and sea to get one disciple and, having him, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

Except the Lord shall build the house, they labor in vain that build it. The house built by Jesus Christ, as commanded by God the father, is the Church of God.

Ps 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD shall build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD shall keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain. 

1 Cor 10:32 Give no offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Other than the Church of God, do I have to name names of churches where devils nested and grouped together? Surely, you will know them by their teachings.

1 Tim 6:3-5  If any man teacheth otherwise, and consenteth not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness,  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, from which cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing gain to be godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Move away from them, for they are teaching other gospel other than the one preacheth by the apostles and ministers of Jesus Christ.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Day of Judgment

A christian evangelist who predicted that the world would end on Saturday is sticking to his guns - despite getting it wrong before.

Harold Camping, the 89-year-old leader of Family Radio Worldwide, claimed Judgment Day would fall on May 21, 2012 after adding up numbers in the Bible.

Mr Camping, who previously said the world would end in 1994, said in January: "Beyond the shadow of a doubt, May 21 will be the date of the Rapture and the day of judgment."

I hope people haven't sold their businesses and given up their day jobs. Right Rev Dr Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham

The retired civil engineer, from California, is a subscriber to the belief that Jesus Christ will return to Earth to gather the faithful into heaven in a moment known as "the Rapture" - signalling the beginning of the end for the Earth.

The coming of our lord Jesus Christ is not yet the end of the world, though dead in Christ shall rise first then we which are alive shall be caught up together with the risen dead.

1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1 Thess 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Remember that not all dead shall rise and not all living shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

Lk 17:34 I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed; the one will be taken, and the other will be left.

Mt 24:40 Then will two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Mt 24:41  Two women will be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Your may ask then, why is there such first and such remaining? What is the rational of it?

Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The first resurrected will lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years for they shall be priests of God and of Christ for the remaining lives not caught up. They will preach the gospel free from harm because they have a glorious body which cannot be subdued, killed of beheaded by nations where Christianity is entirely prohibited.

Phil 3:21 Who will change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself.

And when the gospel of Christ is preached in all nations, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.

Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years have expired, Satan shall be loosed from his prison,

Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and encompassed the camp of the saints, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 20:15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

For Jesus Christ must reign for a thousand years, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 

1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1 Cor 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued to him, then shall the Son also himself be subject to him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

What I would want to say about the impudent prediction is that, his guessed is not good enough and surely like the last, it will turn out to be a hoax again.

Mk 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.

Why not try guessing the month or the year, for it is clearly written, the day and hour are not known to any man, not even to angels in heaven, and to Christ himself.

Way of Salvation

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ starting from Abraham can be found in Matthew 1:1-16.

I wonder and I am sure you also want to know, How can Gentiles be made partakers of the salvation promised by God to Abraham?

Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Note that this is not in all thy seed but only to the one seed which is Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Gentiles are given the chance by God to become partakers of the promise made to that one seed of Abraham which is Christ.

Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

One may ask, what about the seeds between Abraham and Jesus Christ? How can they become partakers of the promise made to Abraham? God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants for the good deeds he made to Abraham.

Gen 20:14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

Gen 20:15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.

Gen 20:16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.

Gen 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

Gen 20:18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

Like Abimelech, the Gentiles can do the same with Jesus Christ.

Mt 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Mt 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Mt 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Mt 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

Mt 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Mt 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mt 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Mt 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

It is very clear that generations from Abraham and Christ Jesus including the Gentiles are partakers of the promised salvation only when they become part of the body.

And what about Angels?

Heb 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

In the day of judgment, we will judge every Angels performance.

1 Cor 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

The way of salvation therefore started from Abraham to Jesus Christ and to Gentiles down to the Angels of God.

Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

For us not to miss a shot, though shooting one to another is permitted, shoot at the flock, that way, we can never miss any single shot.

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Spaghetti Monster

The Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) is the deity of the parody religion the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster or Pastafarianism. Created in 2005 by Oregon State physics graduate Bobby Henderson, it was originally intended as a satirical protest against the decision by the Kansas State Board of Education to permit the teaching of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution in public schools.

After Henderson published the letter on his website, it rapidly became an Internet phenomenon and a symbol for the case against teaching intelligent design in public schools as well as religion in general. Pastafarian beliefs—generally satires of creationism—are presented both on Henderson's website (where he is described as "prophet"), and in The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (written by Henderson and published by Villiard Press in 2006). The central belief is that an invisible and undetectable Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. The Gospel includes a creation myth, set of commandments, and guide to evangelizing, and discusses history and lifestyle from a Pastafarian perspective.

Eccles 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

The prohibition for making graven images as gods is the second commandment next to having none other gods before Him.

Deut 5:7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

Deut 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:

Ex 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things, and introducing, created in 2005, the styrofoam made for thermal insulation and craft applications that resists moisture - the Flying Spaghetti Monster called Pasta Mama Mia.

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Allegedly, It was created by an intelligent man as a protest against the teachings of intelligent design as an alternative to the intelligent theory of evolution including religion taught in public schools.

1 Cor 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them up to an evil mind, to do those things which are not right;

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Jer 3:25 We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.

O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Third Heaven

I thought all along, when I was still a child, that there were seven heaven up above us. The Scripture mentioned that there are only three (3), the highest is called as the third heaven.

2 Cor 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

2 Cor 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

The third heaven where Saint Paul was caught up is also the paradise talked about by Jesus to the other man nailed on the cross beside Him.

Lk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

This is the place where God the father dwell. Jesus told this to His Apostles.

Jn 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Jn 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The second heaven is in between the third heaven and the heaven that can be seen by our naked eye.

Mk 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

If the power that are in the second heaven are shaken, much more to those in power underneath.

Lk 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for apprehension of those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

The second heaven and the heaven underneath shall be removed as it is both shaken.

Heb 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Retaining only the heaven not shaken where God and the Son dwell. The third heaven called Paradise.

Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.

Let not your heart and mind be troubled.

Jn 3:13 And no man hath ascended to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven.

Even the Apostles who died in spreading the gospel of Christ are not yet in heaven.

Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins, and goat-skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

Heb 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

The living and the dead will have to wait for the coming of Jesus, when the mansions that he prepared are all ready for us to dwell. Remember, they (the Apostles, including Mary) without us should not be made perfect.

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Loot

Before its a fiery fight. Man against man, kingdom against kingdom, descendants against descendants. Fight between life and death against flesh and blood. The winner will plunder everything including wife, sons & daughters and servants of the loser.

Those who are with the Lord are of great advantage so they are commanded to give to their brethren and to the Levites (the priest at that time) 10% of the loot including the income derived from it.

Josh 22:8 and spoke to them, saying, “Return with much riches to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, with gold, with bronze, with iron, and with very much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.”

Even the Levites who received the 10% of the loot will give the 10% of the 10% to the lord.

Neh 10:38 And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse.

Now, is the 10% still applicable?

Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

And this is the new law by our new priest Jesus Christ.

2 Cor 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

For there will be no priest that will again rise because Christ has an unchangeable priesthood.

Heb 7:24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

How about the fiery fight against flesh and blood, is it still applicable?

Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

We don't struggle physically but to reason and righteousness. Can we fight Satan and his cohorts with deadly weapons like guns or spears? Remember that they are eternal because they are spirits.

Because of this, we should put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. This is what we all suppose to have as a faithful Christian.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Eph 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Eph 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Eph 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

And Apostle Paul said.

Eph 6:19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Eph 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Avatar

What I know about the battle between good and evil that is to happen on the end times is like that of the movie Avatar where wild beasts are used to conquer enemies. Adding the fact that the book of Revelation speaks of beast having ten horns and seven heads and a leopard with feet like a bear and a mouth of a lion and had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

To be able to stand against all the strategies of the devil aka the beast, we are commanded to put on the whole armor of God.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Like a gladiator who is ready to face the enemy, we must have the following armaments.

Ephesians 6:14-20 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

It is after all a battle of righteousness by the word of truth not the usual battle we used to know.

Revelation 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.

But how can you win a battle when you read word of God on this post and just shrugged it off? It's like saying "who cares" or "what the f@$# you are saying".

The Father

Take note that an existing law may be re-affirmed, superseded or changed to a more appropriate law. It is a transition from the law of Moses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Luke 16:16 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

There was an instance in the Bible where the Prophets like Abraham are called Father in the Old Testament. This is one justification used by Catholics why they are called Father.

John 8:53 Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?”

And Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples and to scribes and the Pharisees saying:

Matthew 23:9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

Above is a good example of a change in law but below was a superseded law.

Deuteronomy 14:8 Also the swine is unclean for you, because it has cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud; you shall not eat their flesh or touch their dead carcasses.

This is the new law.

Matthew 15:16-17 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?

Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man.

Acts 11:7-9 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’

Now the priests want to justify their position saying.

Let us not concentrate in one aspect only which is the word Father because there are three that must be considered for us to be holistic in our thinking.

1) do not let yourself be called MASTER

2) Do not call anyone on earth your FATHER

3) …nor should you be called TEACHER

Matthew 23:9-11 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

There was no law in the entire Bible especially the new testament that the prohibition of calling anyone a father was superseded.

But for the Master and the Teacher is this;

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

As the Scripture said, God has appointed them. Who are we to question it?

As Paul said to his letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 4:14-15 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

This is not like a father and son relationship where when your son begotten a son then you are the grandfather and when the grandson begotten a son then you are the great grandfather. If we are not allowed to call anyone a Father then logically we are all sons of the Father or just brothers. Isn't it that they call Jesus Christ "bro" or brother?

The word "as my beloved children" is just like saying likened to. Although it connotes a father and son relationship but still they don't have the authority to be called father or even used it as a title in their name. Have you read in the entire Bible that the Apostles used Father as a title? In fact Paul was called by Peter beloved brother.

2 Peter 3:15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

Do Priests have the same authority with God or a higher authority over Jesus Christ and the Apostles?

Hebrews 7:23-24 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

If they call Jesus Christ as our forever & unchangeable Priest "Bro" then it's a weird doctrine to call themselves "father" or "holy father" or "most holy father" or "reverend father".

A very unstable father. lol

Overtime

Be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring in fierce hunger, seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

Job 1:7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

While Satan is walking on earth back and forth, his cohorts also travel over land and sea to recruit members.

Matthew 23:15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

Also working overtime is the man of God who run to and fro to preached the gospel unto all nations and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Acts 15:36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.

Finally, Paul finished the race and won.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Like Paul, let us continue the fight of our faith and return back to righteousness. Let us matched the working of Satan & his cohorts overtime.

Apostles Gone

Apostles sent by God become a spectacle display to humans and angels alike, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die.

1 Corinthians 4:9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

They left a book of legacy for generations to come sealed by David that can only be read by a blessed reader.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Anybody can ask a question or a reason of their hope and he will read the answer straight from the book of the Lord - No reference in any other book whatsoever.

Isaiah 34:16 “ Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail; Not one shall lack her mate. For My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them.

1 Peter 3:15 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

The blessed reader is the only person who can explain everything to everyone and everywhere in the world the entire gospel of Christ.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

By the blessed reader, the Apostles can still preached even unto the uttermost part of the earth up to the end of the world for everything that they have seen and heard was translated and written for us. But, Who will be our Apostle and High Priest when all the Apostles are all dead and gone?

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

Hebrews 7:24-25 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

What we need is a reader, not Apostle or Priest for we have Christ Jesus that continues forever and can not be changed. If there is one claiming to be, then, he is a fake and a liar.

Lyrics:

Where have all the Apostles gone, long time passing?
Where have all the Apostles gone, long time ago?
Where have all the Apostles gone?
Fake Priests pick them, every one
When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?

Circumcision Of The Heart

Never thought that the gospel was preached to Abraham beforehand.

Galatians 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.

Abraham was circumcised at the age of 99 years old - a covenant between him and God.

Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.

Genesis 17:10-11 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.

For he who is keeping the law, it is circumcision and will become uncircumcision when he breaks the law.

Romans 2:25 For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.

It's not the cut of a knife that makes a Jew. You become a Jew by who you are.

Romans 2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Abraham is a Gentile and was circumcised of the flesh, and so are we.

2 Corinthians 3:6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Unprofitable Servants

A servant of God is one who expresses submission to perform services for free. So that when a servant is accepting a fee for services rendered then he is more of a businessman treating the word of God as a merchandise for sale.

Luke 17:7-10 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

It is therefore a must for all servants of God to preach the gospel for free making this calling to serve as unprofitable.

2 Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

Such were the apostles of Christ compared to pastors, priests and preachers of today who are receiving money as payment, call it stipend, allowance, complimentary, accommodation or whatever, it's the same banana.

Born Again Christian Full Gospel

Christian is one who professes belief in Jesus as Christ, one who follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus or one who lives according to the doctrines or teachings of Jesus.

One of Jesus teachings to be born again is the baptism in water and the spirit. How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?

John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

But after the baptism in water, to never thirst, one has to drink the living water Jesus shall give which is a gift of God known as the gospel of Christ.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

Being born in spirit, we must worship God in spirit and in truth.

John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

If they call themselves born again christian, Is there a Christian who is not born again?

Some would pervert the gospel of Christ preaching another gospel disguised as full gospel which is another form of deception.

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Born again christian full gospel is a not sure sort of doctrine conceptualized by people who are not biblical at all.

The Man of God

With the sprouting of preachers, pastors and priests calling themselves holy, most holy and reverend, knowing who is who is very hard to distinguish. This was prophesied in the scriptures, warning us "the next generation" before hand.

Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

We have the saying that the fish can be catch by the mouth, the same with preachers, pastors and priests. They are caught by the mouth even without knowing their works in secret.

John 7:18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Our basis of faith is written down for us, that our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Logically, any rituals or religious customs not written are from man's invention and definitely not from God.

Psalm 102:18 This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

Hearing great wonders and marvelous things from anyone to strengthen our faith which are not written, that man is speaking of himself, therefore, he is not the man of God.

Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Prisoner Of The Dark

2 Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

The gospel being sealed, God who commanded light to shine out of darkness will also call us out from darkness to light.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Who can say that the LORD is the strength of my life, my light and my salvation?

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Everyone who does evil things hates the light. They will not come into the light. They are afraid that what they do will be seen.

James 3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

Not until God chose you to be his people, you are a prisoner of the dark.

What is a prayer?

Prayer is to make your requests known to God.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Jesus prayed to the father in a place called Gethsemane.

Matthew 26:38-39 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

The apostles devote themselves to prayer. They pray together with Mary the mother of Jesus & the members of the Church.

Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

For choosing an Apostle to replace Judas, the apostles prayed to God.

Acts 1:24-25 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

There you go readers, Jesus Christ, Mary the mother of Jesus, the Apostles, women, brethren, all prayed to God.

How about kneeling to anyone other than God? Are we allowed to kneel at anyone?

Acts 10:25-26 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Paul heals a cripple in a place called Lystra, whereupon the apostles are reputed to be gods.

Acts 14:14-15 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

John was rebuked for worshiping an Angel.

Revelation 22:8-9 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Take a closer look at ourselves now. Look at who are we praying & kneeling to: Man, Saints, Mary, gods made of gold, silver, stone, wood, bronze, and the latest are idols made of styrofoam. Do I also have to rent my clothes to show my disapproval?

Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

Can a wood hear your prayer?

Isaiah 44:13-17 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house. He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto. He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

Are idols made of silver and gold can hear your prayer?

Psalms 115:4-8 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

Can a stock or stone hear your prayer?

Jeremiah 2:27 Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

Jeremiah 2:28 But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Psalms 102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?