Thursday, January 31, 2013

A Backward Look - CR Dickey DESTINY Magazine article 1948

Article from Biblical Treasures (Volume I) page 124– C. R. Dickey

 

INTRODUCTION

 

                The Staff at Destiny Publishers, having read all the articles written by the late C. R. Dickey (Christina R. Dickey) found in DESTINY Magazines from July 1938 to October 1967, received such a blessing from her writings that we wanted to share the information with all who are seeking God’s wonderful truths.  We are hereby publishing all her articles in two volumes, which we believe you will find most inspiring and of genuine interest and value.

 

                Her knowledge of the Scriptures was unbelievable so she must have had a very close association with her Lord, as she certainly became a champion for His cause.

 

                Our late beloved editor, Howard B. Rand, realized her talent as he published many of articles in booklet form.

 

                The reader should take into account the time element when each article was written, which was from the late thirties to the middle sixties.  We found her articles to be up to the minute as though she had written them yesterday.  Her writings on various subjects are backed up with Scripture verses, as well as with quotes from reliable sources, when making a point.  From her writings, the Lord surely made use of her God-given talents.

 

                Although we do not have any knowledge of her background, we do know that she was a Congregational minister.  Her sermons given must have been of interest and value to her congregation.  We are sure her articles contained in this book will do the same.

 

A Backward Look

 

                Everyone who drives an automobile knows that safety depends upon the backward look as well as the forward look.  Disaster may result quite as often from not knowing what is behind as from not looking ahead.  And so it is in guiding the course of nations.

 

                An illustration now much in the news is the Palestine situation.  Only a few people, comparatively speaking, realize how quickly the flame smoldering in that region may explode in the face of the world, involving our country in the deadliest war of all time.  The danger is all the more imminent because our leaders of State, uninformed and even misinformed by leaders of Church, do not know the background of the issues involved.  They boldly move to portion out the land of sacred history to Jews and Arabs, because they have never looked back to determine the real ownership of the land, and the origin of the conflicting participants in the Palestine struggle.

 

                Speaking to His servant nations of Israel, after their redemption by Christ and their lapse in forgetfulness of their very origin, God said through the Prophet Isaiah:

 

                "Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.  Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled:  who among them can declare this, and shew us former things?  Let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified or let them hear, and say, It is truth.  Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen."  (Isa. 43:8-10)

 

                Who indeed can "shew us former things," and bring forth witnesses able to declare the truth and justify their words?  In Isaiah 51:1-2, the Lord commands us to wake up and take a backward look in order to find out who we are, and from whence we came.

 

                "Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord:  look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.  Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you:  for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him."

 

                This message is clearly addressed to Israelites of the Abrahamic covenant:

 

                "Awake,  awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the ancient days, in the generations of old."  (Isa. 51:9.)

 

                However, they are a very different people from the Jews, who are now generally regarded as Israel.  The Israel people addressed in this chapter are ignorant alike of their past and their future; consequently, they have lost direction both as to their origin and their destiny.  They are urged to study their beginning and trace their ancestry to Abraham and Sarah, because they no longer remember their genealogy or their ancient history.

 

                Now what Jew ever forgot his Abrahamic lineage -- or permitted anyone else to forget it?  Although usually maintaining silence on the subject, orthodox Jews are aware of the fact that many present-day Jews are not of Israel-Judah stock.  They are Jews only by religious or political affiliation with Judaism; yet these proselytes, in company with the posterity of those Jews who Christ condemned for unbelief, claim descent from Abraham and Jacob, and clamor for all the special privileges divinely promised to a redeemed and regenerated Israel.

 

                Let us look further in the characteristics of these latter-day Israelites of Bible prophecy.  They are people "that follow after righteousness...that seek the Lord."  Thus they have already been the recipients of the Gospel, as stated in Isaiah 51:5:

 

                "My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth."

 

                They are not a scattered people without a country; they are Christian nations, some of them dwelling in the Isles, who recognize and employ -- though imperfectly at the present time -- the principles of Divine law as the foundation of stable government:

 

                "Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation....The isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust....Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law."  (Isa 51:4-7.)

 

                In the fourth chapter of Romans, the Apostle Paul explains the relation existing between redeemed Israel and Abraham.  In part he says:

 

                "For what saith the scripture?  Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness....For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith....Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all;  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.  Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken,  So shall thy seed be....Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."  (Rom. 4:3-25.)

 

                Hebrews 11:11-12 confirms the faith of Sarah also as a vital part of Israel-Christian heritage:

 

                "Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.  Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable."

 

                Now it is this faith and righteousness of Abraham and Sarah which distinguishes the latter day redeemed Israelites of Isaiah's prophecies from faithless, unbelieving Jews.  The numerical expansion of Israel in the Christian era is also not applicable to Jewry.  The prophets visioned Israel as being a nation and company of nations forever, with the Lord's throne in their midst, occupied in every generation by a regent from the line of David, until the return of Christ as King.  Bible prophets including our Lord, saw the Jews cast out of the Kingdom and continuing as a scattered remnant, few in number, without a nation or a throne.

 

                Jeremiah saw latter-day Jewry as "evil figs, which cannot be eaten," that is assimilated.  He describes them exactly as the world has known them for almost two thousand years, in this remarkable prophecy:

 

                "And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them."  (Jer.24:9.)

 

                These are the people who are laying claim to Palestine, presumably on scriptural grounds.  It is in their interest -- and because of their domineering pressure -- that our government officials have foolishly intervened to effect the partitioning of the land to Jews and Arabs.  The twofold results of this folly are clearly stated by the prophets.  First, the Jews will not succeed in establishing a Jewish State and homeland in Palestine.  Their failure is written in Jeremiah 24:10, which concludes his vision of the "evil figs":

 

                "I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers."

 

                This fate was pronounced against Jews who once held an inheritance in the land.  How much more severely will it apply to usurpers who "Say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan" (Rev. 2:9).

 

                A second result of meddling in Palestinian affairs concerns the United States.  The course our politicians have taken will be the direct cause of untold distress and tragedy for our own people.  Writing of catastrophic events immediately preceding the return of Christ, Zechariah states that Jerusalem will be the storm center of contention and confusion.  Then, in following declaration, he warns the nations to refrain from interference in the dangerous situation:

 

                "The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel....Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.  And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people:  all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it."  (Zech. 12:1-3.)

 

                Through Isaiah God points out that Israel's leaders are responsible for the consequences.  They betray the people into the hands of treacherous conspirators.  The Prophet writes:

 

                "His watchmen are blind;  they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber."  (Isa. 56:10.)

 

                Blind, ignorant, dumb, asleep!  What a charge against the national and spiritual leaders of God's Israel who He redeemed by the blood of His Son on Calvary's cross!  No wonder the Prophet calls us to wake up and look back -- to our birthright in Joseph.  (See Genesis 48 and I Chronicles 5:1-2.)

 

                Nothing would do more at this moment to clear the atmosphere of mental fog than for citizens of this country to take a look into the past and find out the actual meaning of anti-Semitism.  What a bugaboo it has become through deceptive use!  When all the camouflage is removed, the term "anti-Semitism" simply means "against Semites."  Who, then, are Semites?  Semites are the descendants of Noah's son Shem.  Therefore, anti-Semitism, meaning literally antagonism toward all the descendants of Shem, cannot be applied honestly to a small segment of people called Jews, many of whom are not even of Semitic origin, as we shall see.  It is true that Abraham was a Semite, being in the direct line of Shem; but there were ten generations from Shem to Abraham --- all of them Semites.

 

                Furthermore, Abraham himself was the progenitor of several distinct racial strains besides the Israelites.  First, there was Ishmael, son of Abraham by Sarah's maid Hagar, whose descendants have been identified as the Arabs of today.  Next there was Esau, Jacob's twin brother, who became the father of the Edomites, known also as Idumeans.  Then another separate line resulted from Abraham's six sons by Keturah.  All these Abrahamic peoples and their descendants to this day are Semites, although they are not Israelites.  Thus in waging their campaign of hate against the Arabs, the Jews themselves are really anti-Semitic in a big way.

 

                Arabs know about their Semitic background and claim Abraham as their father.  They are taught in the Koran that Abraham built the city of Mecca for Ishmael.  This seems credible when we consider Abraham's deep concern for Ishmael's welfare.  Actually, Arab leaders are amazed by Anglo-Saxon stupidity on the subject.  Jewish leaders, too, are much better informed on these racial origins than Christians; but the success of their plans for world domination depends upon keeping Christendom blindfolded and sympathetic toward their aims, by sending out a steady stream of unholy propaganda regarding the Holy Land.

 

                As a matter of fact, neither Jews nor Arabs hold an exclusive right to Palestine.  To whom, then, does Palestine belong?  We shall not take time to quote all the terms of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as stated in such passages as Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 17:1-8, 15-21; 22:15-18; 26:1-5; 28:1-4; 35:9-12; however, anyone not familiar with these passages should study them carefully.  This perpetual, unconditional covenant guaranteed that Abraham would father many nations and kings through Sarah's son Isaac, and that "all the land of Canaan" would be included "for an everlasting possession."  Their posterity would also become an innumerable multitude and possess the gates of their enemies.  In confirming the covenant to Jacob at Bethel, God changed his name to Israel, and added this significant decree:

 

                "A nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land."  (Gen. 35:11-12.)

 

                It is just at this point in the progress of God's covenant with Israel that both Christians and Jews need particularly to take a studious and unprejudiced backward look.  This is the spot where we lose the key to Israel's history, especially in its relation to the greatest nations of our own day.

 

                For more information on the development of the "nation and a company of nations" promised to Jacob-Israel in Genesis 35, we must turn to Genesis 48.  In that important document the dying Jacob confers his Israel name and birthright upon the two sons of Joseph, declaring that Manasseh would become a "great people" and Ephraim would become "a multitude of nations."  Furthermore, Jacob states (v. 16) that the future nation and company of nations of Manasseh and Ephraim will carry the name Isaac in fulfillment of Genesis 21:12, "for in Isaac shall thy seed be called," which they do at the present time in calling themselves Saxons; i.e., sons of 'Saac.

 

                Two points stand out clearly in studying the terms of God's covenant with Israel:  a) the birthright included a title deed to all the land granted to Abraham in the original charter, which comprised Palestine and probably a considerable portion of land east of the Jordan; b) at the end of Jacob-Israel's life the birthright was conferred exclusively upon the House of Joseph.  This tremendously important fact is established not only in Genesis 48, but in Genesis 49:22-26, and in I Chronicles 5:1-1.  The latter leaves no room for doubt in this declaration:

 

                "For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's."

 

                Thus the land of Palestine was mandated by the Lord God Himself to the nation (great people), and company of nations, to issue from Joseph's two sons.  To them also was committed a sacred trust and responsibility, namely, the administration of God's laws for Israel, that through their obedience and righteousness all the nations of the earth might be guided and blessed.  Ephraim is destined to take the lead in administration, but Manasseh must share the responsibility under God's plan and direction (Gen. 48:20).  An unbiased review of history will show that the United States and Great Britain are the only nations that meet all the specifications for the House of Joseph mentioned by Moses and the prophets.

 

                The question now arises, If the foregoing statements are true, do the Arabs have any claim to Palestine as a homeland?  While Arabs hold no covenant deed to the land, they have two valid claims to live in it:  one is the right of conquest and continuous residence for 1300 years; the other is a right based on the promise made to their forefather Ishmael that he should be permitted to "dwell in the presence of all his brethren" of Israel, since, he, too, was Abraham's son (Gen.16:12).  The Lord said to Abraham:

 

                "As for Ishmael, I have heard thee:  Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.  But my covenant will I establish with Isaac."  (See Gen. 17:18-21; 25:16.)

 

                Arabs, therefore, are not to be deprived of their right to live in the Holy Land.  In fact, they have a stronger claim to that privilege than the aggressive Zionists who are determined to dispossess them.  What about the racial background of these internationalists -- now calling themselves Zionists and claiming to represent the whole House of Jacob-Israel -- who are responsible for the present upheaval in Palestine?  Lest we should be accused of prejudice, we shall let a Jewish industrialist answer the question.  His answer needs wide publicity and constant repetition until the truth begins to take root in Christian thought.  The following paragraphs are quoted from a letter originally written to the National Economic Council, Inc., and reprinted in DESTINY Magazine for January 1948:

 

                "Popular ignorance of the real basis of political Zionism is beyond calculation.  Vaguely most Christian Americans have the idea that the Jews claim Palestine because it was the 'Promised Land' in which they lived for a period of a few centuries that ended 2,000 years ago.  And the thought of a people returning to its 'homeland' seems emotionally satisfying and good.

 

                "But here are facts most Americans do not know:  Political Zionism is almost exclusively a movement by the Jews of Europe.  But these Eastern European Jews have neither a racial nor an historic connection with Palestine.  Their ancestors were not inhabitants of the 'Promised Land.'  They are the direct descendants of the people of the Khazar Kingdom, which existed until the 12th century.

 

                "The Khazars were a non-Semitic, Turko-Finn, Mongolian tribal people who, about the 1st century A.D., emigrated from Middle Asia to Eastern Europe.  There they created one of the largest kingdoms of their time.  At its greatest extent it covered an area of about 800,000 square miles.  About the 7th century A.D., the King of the Khazars adopted Judaism as the state religion, and the majority of inhabitants joined him in the new allegiance.  Before that date there was no such thing as a Khazar whose ancestors came from the Holy Land....

 

                "In view of this fact, what becomes of the cry for 'repatriation' to the 'homeland'?  These Eastern European, Yiddish-speaking Jews have no historic or racial connection with Palestine, or, for the matter, with the other Jews who existed in other countries for thousands of years prior to the Khazar conversion.

 

                "At best, the cry of truly Palestinian-descended Jews for a return to the 'homeland' would be highly dubious....And if the claim of Palestinian-descended Jews is so dubious, what of the claim of Khazar-descended Jews?  Would a single Christian support their trek back to the 'homeland' or want to oblige them by expelling the Arabs, if it were known that these Eastern European Yiddish-speaking Jews who form the Zionist group practically in toto, have neither a geographic, historic nor ethnic connection with either the Jews of the Old Testament of the land known today as Palestine?

 

                "If the Jewish claim to Palestine is tested as the only other remaining ground, the religious, it may be summarily and finally replied that religiously both Christians and Moslems also have religious roots there.  The reason it is called the 'Holy Land' today is because Jesus of Nazareth lived and died there.  To Christians He is the Son of God and Saviour.  To Mohammedans He is a great prophet.  To official Jewry, He is an executed blasphemer."

 

                There were other non-Israel infiltrations into Jewry besides the Khazars of European Russia; among them were the black Jews of Malabar and Abyssinia, and the Mongoloid Jews of China.  Perhaps the most important of these infiltrations, from the standpoint of influence, is the intrusion of Esau's descendants into Jewry.  As David Davidson says in a lecture titled Palestine:  Esau Claims Possession:

 

                "The people of Jacob exist today in the English-speaking peoples.  Today, the race of Esau survives and persists, absorbed in that remnant of the Israelitish tribe of Judah known as the Jews.  The latter fact of history is disclosed by the Encyclopedia Biblica, and is acknowledged by the Jewish Encyclopedia....

 

                "The race of Esau were the Edomites of Old Testament history and the Idumeans of New Testament times, and included the marauding Sinaitic tribe of Amalek.  The dominant physiognomy and aggressively intrusive characteristics of the race were derived from the native stock of North Syria through the 'Hittite' wives of Esau. and by subsequent intermarriage between the Edomites and 'Hittites."  After the Edomites (or Idumeans) were absorbed into the remnant of Judah, after 130 B.C. but mainly in the dispersion following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., the Edom-'Hittite' physiognomy eventually emerged as the European Jewish type of physiognomy -- falsely called 'Semitic."...

 

                "Herod the Great was an Edomite and became the first Idumean 'King of the Jews."  As such he sought to destroy our Lord at birth.  At that time the Idumeans had been comprised in the Jewish state and had been Jews in religion for over a century.  They dominated the whole of Jewish life and our Lord, in revealing the nature of the Herodian or Idumean Domination, refers to the 'leaven of Herod' as the antithesis of the 'leaven of the Kingdom of God.'  In the 'Revelation of Jesus Christ' (Rev. 1:1) the effect of the intrusion is referred to as 'the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan' (Rev. 2:9).

 

                "The Idumean intrusion has brought a blight upon true Jewry and has placed an undeserved stigma upon the name Israel.  Behind the mask of Idumean physiognomy neither Jew nor Christian can discern what is true and what is false in Jewry, except by their respective works....Josephus, in describing the conditions internal to the Roman siege of Jerusalem, reveals how the race of Esau (as the Idumeans) were mainly instrumental in inflaming the hatreds of the three internal factions of disintegration, which three factions have their counterparts in the three politico-economic world factions today."

 

                From such reliable evidence we may safely conclude that Zionists, for the most part, are a nondescript mixture of races masquerading as Israel.  They did not originate in the tribe of Judah and their ancestors did not belong to the Kingdom of Judah which disintegrated at the time of the Babylonian captivity.  Zionists are denounced as impostors by such prominent orthodox Jews as Benjamin H. Freedman and Dr. I M. Rabinowitch, who see in political Zionism a false, alien element working toward the destruction of everything stable, decent and spiritual in human society.  It is this contradictory element in Jewish history which is so confusing to Christians.  C. F. Parker calls attention to it in a recent article in which, after referring to modern Idumean-Hittites and their claim to be the seed of Israel, he says:

 

                "It is remarkable that pogroms against the Jews have constituted seeming contradictions.  If the first Jesuits were Jews, as indicated, why should they persecute their own people?  If, however, they were Edomites masquerading as Jews, their desire to eliminate Judah is easily understood....

 

                "Central Europe has been a prolific source of contradictory elements in Jewry, and this can only be explained through a duality within that people:  the false seeking to destroy that cherished by the other.  Communism, the product of Marx, and allied teachings, promulgated and supported by numbers of Jews, are odious to the Orthodox....The two elements are quite incompatible; and it is only with the pious, religious element of Jewry that Christians have anything in common in their acceptance of the Old Testament, and their belief in a Divine, as distinct from a Herodian, Messiah."  (The National Message, London, England, January 3, 1948.)

 

                Zionists, therefore, have no claim -- scriptural or otherwise -- to the land of Palestine.  Arabs have no ownership in the land, but they do hold a scriptural right to live there in peace, as we have seen.  Even orthodox Jews, who stem from Judah hold no scriptural mandate over Palestine.  Far from being the whole of Israel, they are only a small portion of the one tribe of Judah.  Furthermore, the birthright -- carrying with it the Israel-Saxon name and mandate over the covenant land -- did not go to Judah, but to Joseph's two sons.  Therefore, by Divine edict, mandatory powers over the Holy Land belong solely to the "nation and company of nations" of Ephraim and Manasseh or, in other words, to Great Britain and the United States.  And there are no Arabs, Zionist Jews, or Judah Jews in the House of Joseph.

 

                The tragedy now arising out of the situation lies in the fact that Christians in Britain and America do not realize that the mandate belongs to them.  We cannot escape divinely-imposed responsibility, however, nor will we escape the tribulation which is sure to follow willful disobedience.

 

                We accept erroneous ideas with alacrity because we do not take the time or trouble to find out the truth.  A case in point is the Balfour Declaration.  Most of our people have been convinced by Zionists, and even by Christian leaders, that its terms have been violated by the British Government.  But have they read it to find out?  Anyone who investigates for himself will know that the Archbishop of York declared the truth when he said:

 

                "No pledge was ever given by the British government that Palestine should be handed over to the Jews.  The pledge of the Balfour Declaration was that within in there should be established a national home for the Jewish people without prejudice to the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities.  This promise has been faithfully observed.

 

                "Palestine today is the home of over 600,000 Jews....Without the good will and the active protection of the British government, it would have been impossible for the Jews to have made this home....

 

                "When I visited our Forces in Palestine last March (1946), the country was like an armed camp in which everyone was incessantly on the alert.  By unscrupulous and violent propaganda many of the Jews, especially the younger men and women, have been worked up to such a condition of hysterical fanaticism that they have been brought to believe that Great Britain was responsible for the awful sufferings of their race in Europe."  (From report of the Anglo-American Committee of Enquiry, in York Diocesan Leaflet.)  *In 1948 Israel became a state!  Fig Tree?

 

                In like manner many high government officials have been sold on the partition plan for Palestine.  Perhaps we should say that some of them are not convinced that the plan is necessary, fair or feasible, but they are consenting to it under the pressure of political expediency.  Will they be tricked and pushed into sending U. S. troops to Palestine?  If not, they will be squarely up against the alternative of leaving the gate wide open for Russia to take over the Middle East and its vast resources when Britain withdraws from that area.  Either course threatens disastrous results.

 

                Informed people in all nations wait with apprehension to see the outcome of United States participation in the Palestine debacle.  It is truly a colossal blunder on the part of irresponsible politicians which promises nothing but dire consequences for the world.

 

                "Blind, ignorant, dumb, asleep" -- so the Prophet described the national and spiritual leaders of latter-day Israel  nations!  If United States government officials had been standing by Britain in upholding our share of responsibility in the Palestine mandate, instead of bargaining for Jewish votes, the present crisis could have been averted.  If the Church leaders had been teaching this generation the truth about God's plans for modern Israel, we would have enlightened and courageous statesmen guiding the nations toward peace instead of war.

 

                We now begin to see why it is so important for Christian-Israel nations to know their origin.  No wonder God commanded us to examine our racial beginning in Abraham and Sarah.  Today our very existence as free peoples is jeopardized by wholesale ignorance on this vital subject.  If Anglo-Saxons should suddenly come to a realization of their Israel-Joseph origin, the vehement flame of Zionism would be extinguished swiftly by a mighty wave of righteous indignation.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Joy and Peace in His Truth

Be pleasing to God. Live His Way. Find Peace and Joy in Him.

His Way is found in His Word, line by line, chapter by chapter. Jesus is the Living Word.

John 1:14 KJV And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Jesus is the ONLY One who was born through woman, through the bag of waters AND lived perfectly in service to God. He showed us the Way, He IS the Way. We all may try our best, but we fall short of His perfect obedience and love. He is the only one who could offer the perfect love sacrifice of The Lamb, whose Precious Blood covers the doorposts of our minds and forces evil to Passover us.

Exodus 12:5-14 KJV 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded , your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Hebrews 10:1-14 KJV 1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come , and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect . 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered ? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith , Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure . 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool . 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Jesus is God in the flesh, Immanuel=God with us.

Isaiah 7:14 KJV Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel Matthew 1:23 KJV Behold , a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Emmanuel is Immanuel, just in Greek instead of Hebrew language), John 14:9 KJV Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

He served His people while in the flesh, and opened up salvation to 'whosoever believeth in Him' John 3:14-17 KJV 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up : 15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish , but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

Salvation is now available to the House of Israel and all the nations to any individual who 'will believeth in Him' no matter under what man made government they may be living in Matthew 27:51 KJV And, behold , the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake , and the rocks rent Mark 15:38 KJV And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom Luke 23:45 KJV And the sun was darkened , and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst

With His ultimate service of laying down His flesh life to those who were so confused and riled up, they killed the Messiah. Jesus The Christ, did not have to lay down His life. He had power to take it up at any time, but He served the will of God by serving the will of the people, to His flesh death. In that sacrifice He rent the veil of the Holies of Holies and 'whosoever believeth in Him' is allowed direct access to our Father through prayer and repentance in Jesus' Name, our Intercessor against the accuser of this world.

Revelation 12:10 KJV And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down , which accused them before our God day and night.

Likewise, He earned the role of our King of kings and Lord of lords in our hearts. He did not have to. As our Creator, He could've made us all robots who automatically love Him.

Hebrews 12:1-18 KJV 1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard , lest at any time we should let them slip . 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape , if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness , both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come , whereof we speak . 6 But one in a certain place testified , saying , What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying , I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is , the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted , he is able to succour them that are tempted

But, He did not make us like robots without feelings and emotions. We learn, grow, mature, change all the time in what challenges we are going through or overcoming, in what we are learning. He showed us a challenge on how to have joy in our lives with Him when we choose to try to mature in His Way.

John 15:11 KJV These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full He wants us to have JOY. Jeremiah 33:9 KJV And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it

Isaiah 9:1-8 KJV 1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.

The only Way to do that is to live His Way, with Him as our King of kings, Lord of lords. Only His Word is infallible and will help us navigate and slice away lies from Truth that truly feeds the soul.
2 Timothy 3:16 KJV All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Heaven is His throne, the earth is His footstool.

Isaiah 66:1 KJV Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool : where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

Acts 7:49 KJV Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool : what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Mark 14:58 KJV We heard him say , I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

There are different levels to that. He is King of kings, Lord of lords, so He rules in heaven and in earth over ALL.

Ezekiel 18:1-4 KJV 1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying , 2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying , The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge ? 3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. 4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth , it shall die

He deserves and earned our respect and love and the position of our King. He did not have to and could have subjugated us all. But, He loves us and wanted our love to be genuine. He did not have to earn our respect as the very best possible King, but He did so through ultimate humility of service.

Isaiah 53:1-12 KJV 1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed ? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised , and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken , smitten of God, and afflicted . 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed . 6 All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed , and he was afflicted , yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb , so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief : when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors

At the one level, Jesus gave us power over all the power of the enemy in His Name in our own personal lives when we have faith in Him and His promises and through His Name.

Luke 10:19 KJV Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you

He always shows us the Way through. God and you make a majority, no matter what struggles you are facing.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

He wants to help us through our struggles, but He is a gentleman and will not interfere unless we ask and seek Him to be in our lives and we work to meet His very reasonable qualifications of us asking and repenting/trying to learn to do better to be pleasing to Him when we fall short. And when we fall short as we learn and grow, when we repent, He forgives and wipes clean. We may remember so we can learn from it, but He does not want to hear about it ever again. To bring sins forgiven up again is to doubt Him. Faith in Him and His promises require that when He says 'clean', He means it.

He loves us that much that He came through in the flesh to teach us this and to show us that He does not ask us to do anything that He had not done, Himself. He lived in the flesh in perfect humble service to all of us to the point He laid down His life when in our immaturity we were riled up, emotional and wanted Him gone, The Light that showed us our weaknesses which is painful.

John 3:19-21 KJV And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

The Light of our lives, the Love of our lives, sees our weaknesses and when we realize that we are not perfect and we fall short in front of the One we love most and most want to please, that is a very painful moment, but He laid down His life to show us that He will not mock or be cruel to us in our imperfect love for Him.

Luke 23:34 KJV Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots

Even when we deserved it and when the cruelest intentions of murdering His flesh came against Him, as He was on the cross, He only taught and forgave. He is long-suffering and wills that ALL come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 KJV The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance.

The cross was the ultimate lesson that when He or His disciples (disciplined in study in His Word and Way) are teaching they are to turn the other cheek as He taught "the disciples".

Matthew 5: 1 KJV And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying... Matthew 5:39 KJV 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also

He taught this to those who would be teaching His Word and Way and does not include self defense from attacks that come outside of teaching. In other words, if a person becomes riled up against you because of teaching His Word and you caused them to be riled up, then turn the other cheek so they are not offended so much they turn from God, let them be offended with you so they may still investigate God's promises when they calm down.

If someone means you harm in evil intent and it was not caused by you teaching God's Word, then self protection is required by God in order to preserve the disciples/teachers so they can continue to teach.

1 Timothy 5:7-8 KJV 7 And these things give in charge , that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel

Luke 11:21 KJV When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace.

The cross was also the ultimate lesson that His Word comes to pass exactly as written.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

As Jesus was on the cross, He was teaching Psalm 22. The events written by King David, a thousand years before, with Divine guidance, were coming to pass, exactly as prophesied a thousand years before, right down to the Roman soldiers gambling for his robe. What profit would the Roman soldiers have in following prophesy? It was by Divine guidance that all Scripture was fulfilled as written, even through those who most likely did not know Scripture.
Psalm 22:18 KJV They part my garments among them, And cast lots upon my vesture.
Matthew 27:35 KJV And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
Matthew 27:46 KJV And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying , Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15:34 KJV And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying , Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?


(note: Jesus never called God, 'God', He always called Him 'Father' as an example to us Matthew 6:6-13 KJV But thou, when thou prayest , enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly . 7 But when ye pray , use not vain repetitions , as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come . Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen )

Psalm 22:1 KJV My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Then at the end of teaching Psalm 22, He concluded with "It is finished"

John 19:30 KJV When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said , It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The word "finished" in the original language of Greek of the New Testament before translation into English is 'teleo' # 5055 in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Greek Dictionary, which means 'done'. It is also the word 'accomplished' in John 19:28 KJV After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst

Psalm 22:31 KJV They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this

Psalm 22 ends with the Hebrew word for 'done' which is 'asah'. #6213 in the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hebrew Dictionary.

"It is finished" = "He hath done this".

Do not be confused, though, our Father is not impotent against evil and there is a time appointed where He will pour out His wrath on those hard heads that will not hear His Word, continue to rebel and do evil. As our King, He protects His own from the cruelty our immaturity and/or choices inflict on ourselves and each other. There IS a point, as written, where He has given the lessons and we either learned or we have not. The choice is ours.

Hebrews 2:3 KJV How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

If we have learned to personally/individually train our minds and become self disciplined in His Love, in His full Word, His Way, with the end goal of being able to fully experience the range of emotions that we were naturally born with in discipline and the safety of His love, then we have the JOY of Him.

John 14:22-23 KJV Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

If we have not bothered to learn and are like wild toddlers flailing around at every whim and emotion, hurting ourselves and hurting others through our lack of maturity, training, and discipline in His Word, He HAS to rein us in, in His timing, in order to protect us as well as those around us. Sometimes spanking us and showing us through what we understand, (even when we are out of control like a toddler), 'strength', that we are NOT as powerful as Him and we are NOT in control of anyone or anything but ourselves, but He is above all.

John 19:11 KJV Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Even that tough love discipline is in Love, teaching us our boundaries. As any parent, we can understand how He probably wishes to never have to discipline us and it most likely hurts Him more than us to need to discipline us which is why He went to such extremes to show us His love and willingness to forgive with such a simple request that we think about it and repent and try to learn to be better. 7 x 70 times He will forgive, as long as we repent.

Matthew 18:21-22 KJV Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

But if in our toddler stubbornness, we refuse to submit to His Way or to even try, He will discipline. We have no power against anyone who has faith in Him and calls on Him for protection unless it is given from Him.

John 19:11 KJV Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Luke 10:19 KJV Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

But for those who do not call on Him or trust in His Name, His Word, His promises, we can hurt each other, but even allowing that, He is allowing discipline, so hopefully we WILL turn to Him and appreciate His protection over us thank Him and ask Him for it and mature and become people others want to be around.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Luke 17:19-21 KJV 19 And he said unto him, Arise , go thy way : thy faith hath made thee whole . 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come , he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

WE are to be actively involved over what we can control, which is ourselves and our reactions to events around us and our choices. WE choose to study and be disciplined in Him...or not. WE choose to personally investigate His promises and His Word...or not. What we lose when we choose to not do these things, is Him now and in the eternity and eternity with all our friends and family that have decided to have faith in Him, in His promises, in His Word and do actively work to be pleasing to Him and have Him in their lives. That is a seriously harsh and lonely decision for a soul to make.

2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

When we choose Him, we are never alone, He is always with us and it is a joy to know that His love is fully available to all we love, too.

Hebrews 13:5 KJV Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

One sign of maturity that God appreciates is when we trust Him enough to thank Him for keeping us in line, knowing He only allows what we need.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV But without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

When we become 'abel'/able, or mature, our emotions can still be enflamed and jealousies over loved ones or God, can temporarily override our sensibilities, but as long as we stay strong in Him and His promises, repenting when we go astray, asking for His guidance, He bridges that gap in ourselves and carries us across. The temptations pass over us, (1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV) though our minds pass out in such strong emotions and passions. HIS Passion, covers us as evil passes over us where our passions become too much for us to handle on our own.

James 5:17 KJV Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

Cain's offering was not pleasing to God, Cain did not work to be pleasing to God or trust in Him, so when his emotions of jealousy were riled up, he tried to destroy his brother Abel by murdering him.

Genesis 4:1-8 KJV 1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived , and bare Cain, and said , I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect . And Cain was very wroth , and his countenance fell . 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth ? and why is thy countenance fallen ? 7 If thou doest well , shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well , sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him

As though removing what he falsely believed caused those emotions (Abel) would fix the hurtful feelings that he was dealing with of his work being rejected. Those feelings that hurt us are feelings of disappointing God and those we love. Removing those we love, trying to remove God, does not fix those feelings. They stick with us no matter where we go and can be a heavy burden, until we repent to God in Jesus' Name and open our hearts and minds to learn and mature.

Isaiah 1:18 KJV Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

How can you reason with God if you don't know what His promises are? There is only one Way through and that's His Way, in decisions we make for ourselves to self-discipline in His Word and Way. When we choose Him, He will guide us in His Way to the Light, to forgiveness, to relief in His love and even to JOY in learning how to mature to the point we can experience the full range of our God given emotions with Him and each other-safely in His love. That's not safe without discipline, without His love, as Cain's actions show. IF we choose to go it alone without God, we do not have His protection and this world can be very cruel.

2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

We can actually be very cruel to ourselves, too, by choosing this path.

Abel is still alive. He is with God having died in the flesh while working to be pleasing to God and through no fault of his own his flesh life was taken. Cain is still alive. When his flesh died and he returned to God, Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 KJV 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed , or the golden bowl be broken , or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it, he had committed a sin that was not forgive-able in the flesh, 1 John 3:15 KJV 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him, he did not get to be with God and is on the other side of the gulf in heaven. Luke 16:19-31 KJV 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores , 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass , that the beggar died , and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died , and was buried ; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said , Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said , Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted , and thou art tormented . 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed : so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot ; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said , I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said , Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent . 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded , though one rose from the dead

Cain is awaiting, as we all are, the millennium of teaching and the final Judgment Day Revelation 20:11-15 KJV 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. 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 those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 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. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Jesus went to the ones on the other side of the gulf and taught those there.

1 Peter 3:11-22 KJV 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled ; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so , that ye suffer for well doing , than for evil doing . 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient , when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing , wherein few, that is , eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

One can hope that Cain has realized being without God or those who love God and His Way is a much worse situation than working to be pleasing. And he has truly repented and is working to mature and will be acceptable in God's Kingdom and find JOY there with loved God and loved ones. One thing is for sure, God will ultimately judge fates of each soul in His timing. It is written.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 KJV 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

That choice is ours to investigate, reason with, study His Word or not.

2 Peter 1:7 KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

John 3:6 KJV That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.


John 8:31-32 KJV 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

John 13:38 KJV 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice

John 14:6 KJV Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

John 14:1-4 KJV 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Bambi for breakfast


Bambi for breakfast
Originally uploaded by RoseThistleArtworks

Well, this little guy was waiting for me this morning when I went out to feed the farm animals. I think he's the 6 point that dropped his antlers here a while back. It looks like the winter and rut season's been rough on him. It's really cool to be able to see a wild creature like that so close. His little hooves are so black and shiny and his eyes are so sweet.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Wild Deer for breakfast


Wild Deer for breakfast
Originally uploaded by RoseThistleArtworks

Geoff went to feed the llamas the other morning and this wild deer stuck around. Her herd ran over the hill. But, she decided she wanted some grain, too. So she stayed around and ate right out of the bucket in his hands. Animals trust Geoff in an amazing way I don't think I've ever seen before

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Jesus the Christ, Immanuel "God with us"

Merry Christmas!

This is the day Christians celebrate when Jesus the Christ first dwelt "with us" in the flesh. Jesus' birth and conception IS written in the Bible.

The Old Testament foretold of this time that we celebrate.

Isaiah 7:14 (King James Version) Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

And the New Testament recalls this prophecy in Matthew 1

Matthew 1:23 (King James Version) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

The exact date of Jesus' conception and birth is determined with a bit of study in His Word.

Luke 1 (King James Version)1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, (translated this name means most beloved of God), 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: (this course is a set week of duty in the Temple, 1 Chronicles 24:10, it was June 13-June 19) and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias(Elias in Greek, Elijah in Hebrew), to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years . 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, (Gabriel translated means, man of God), that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. (June 19th was the weekly sabbath and no traveling allowed, so he would have left for home at the earliest June 20th. He was an old man stricken in years, at least two-four days travel to get back to his home. That would put conception of John at June 24th) 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying , 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, (John was now in the womb six months and this date is December 25th)27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold , thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of his father David: 33 And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. (Hebrews 5:5 and Hebrews 5:6) 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (note that she did not doubt this was to happen, as Zacharias had. She wondered how) 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, (note that Gabriel is saying Elisabeth is Mary's cousin. Elisabeth was of the daughters of Aaron as in Luke 1:5. That means that Mary's mother, Elisabeth's sister was Levitical and in Luke 3, Mary's lineage shows her father was of Judah, through David's son, Nathan. The words 'as was supposed' mean 'by law' like we say 'in law' today to describe married into family), she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; (the baby John, six months in the womb, recognized Jesus in the womb of Mary) and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on them that fear (revere or respect) Him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; 55 As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. 66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. 76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Six months later, September 29th, JESUS was born at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles and circumcised on the 8th day. The shepherds were with their flocks, working in the fields, when our Saviour was born.

Christmas is a very special time of year when our Lord and Saviour first dwelt with man, conceived this day in the womb of Mary.

A precious gift of great love offered in freedom for each soul to choose from God to the world.

Ezekiel 18:23 (King James Version) Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

2 Peter 3:9 (King James Version) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to repentance.

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 15:11 (King James Version) These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.


Merry Christmas!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

What is Judeo-Christian? How does that align with John 14:6?

The following is an article written by CR Dickey sometime between 1938 and 1967 - Article from Biblical Treasures (Volume I) – C. R. Dickey. For more information on her from the editors of Biblical Treasures (Volume I), refer to the bottom of this post.

The question asked is "what is Judeo-Christian" as so many site America's founding as and how is that so in light of John 14:6?

THE ENTANGLING ALLIANCE OF JEWS AND CHRISTIANS

One of the strangest and most inexplicable movements in approximately two thousand years of Christian history is developing rapidly and almost imperceptibly in our midst at this time. Scan the church notes and news items of lectures in any large daily newspaper for abundant evidence of the reality and growth of an amazing confederacy of Jews and Christians. Jewish Rabbis are frequent speakers in Christian pulpits. The National Conference of Christians and Jews has become a going concern which influences the policy for the major portion of American Protestantism.

Unthinking church laymen accept this situation without even feeling the need of a shock absorber. To them it seems a friendly gesture based upon brotherly love and mutual goodwill. Christian ministers and laymen sit at the feet of Rabbis today rejoicing that they are not as the narrow-minded publicans and sinners. They feel virtuous and proud because of what they term their liberality and tolerance. If an earnest Christian, who cares more for discovering Divine truth than for the tradition of men, ventures to point out the incongruities of such fellowship he is pounced upon with charges of religious bigotry and racial prejudice.

It is not necessary to beat a retreat in the face of such charges if one can be sure that his position is supported by the teachings of the Scriptures. Truth may be “crushed to earth” for a time, but it is sure to “rise again” as inevitably as the handwriting on the wall by the finger of God. In any discussion of this subject there is only one important thing to consider and that is the message of the Bible. What does the Christ of Christianity have to say about this problem? What counsel regarding this matter did the Lord’s chief ambassadors leave for our edification?

Before attempting to answer these questions, let it be understood throughout this discussion that the writer is voicing no personal prejudice nor dislike of the Jewish people. Neither is it stated or implied that all Jews approve of the motives and methods of certain leaders among Jewry whose activities, if not curbed, will bring both Judaism and Christianity into further disrepute among men and into a greater measure of Divine judgment. Let us keep in mind also that leaders of Protestantism who disregard the counsel and warnings of our Lord are equally guilty in making alliances detrimental to His church. As these Protestant officials do not truly represent the main body of Christian believers, so do we recognize that officials of Jewry may fail to represent the majority of their people. While our Lord denounced the crafty and designing officials, He had compassion on the multitude. His example inspires the intent of this discussion.

The Apostle Paul, master interpreter of the Gospel, writing to the Galatian Christians, sounded a warning that could not have been more timely for the day in which it was written than it is for our generation:

”Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Gal. 5:1.)

Now what was this “yoke of bondage?” It was the saddling of Judaism to the Christian church. Everywhere Paul carried the Gospel of Christ he was followed by Jewish enemies who attempted to control and confuse the Christians. His entire Galatian letter is a powerful dissertation and warning against the entangling alliances of Jews and Christians.

That Jewish leaders are making friendly overtures to Christian churches is evident throughout the country. They are subtly identifying themselves with Christians from the pulpit, on the lecture platform and in the press. A prominent Jewish writer and lecturer is quoted by a reporter as saying in a lecture recently, “Between Christians who are Christians and Jews who are Jews, there can be no differences; we want the same things.”

A Rabbi, claiming to be a pastor of the first American Hebrew-Christian Synagogue, speaking in a church, made the following statements which are quoted at random from notes made at the time: “We have combined Judaism and Christianity….The Jews have their sects, Pharisees, Sadducees, Ashkenazim, Sephardim, etc., today the same as in Jesus’ day….The Rabbis have changed the Old Testament….I lived my whole life without the Bible….The Rabbis consider the Talmudic law more important than the Bible. They use the Torah and Talmud instead of the Bible. The background of the New Testament is Talmudic teaching.”

It was a strange sight to behold in a staid old church, but the Rabbi made a brotherly love plea, then took up a collection and guileless Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists gave contributions to carry on the spurious work of combining Judaism and Christianity.

Let us now compare a few statements from the Lord Jesus on this subject: “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Saducees. Beware of the scribes.” Luke, in Chapter 20, tells of the chief priests, scribes and elders coming to Jesus questioning His authority. Jesus told the parable of the wicked husbandman and concluded with these words:

"He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others.” (Luke 20:16a.)

Now study the result which followed:

"And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected. The same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on Him; and they feared the people for they perceived that He had spoken this parable against them. And they watched Him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor.” (Luke 20:16b-20.)

Matthew 15 records another controversy between Jesus and the leaders of Jewry:

"Ye hypocrites, well did Esais [Isaiah] prophesy unto you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men….Then came His disciples, and said unto Him, Knowest Thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But He answered and said, Every plant which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matt. 15:7-9; 12-14.)

From a most casual reading of the Gospels, it is evident that Jesus never identified His work with the program of organized Jewry. If in doubt about this, read carefully John 8. Among many significant statements on that occasion ponder these two statements:

"Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me….He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” (John 8:42 & 47.)

Paul did not identify himself and his work with Judaism after his conversion. He makes this clear in the first chapter of his letter to the Galatians:

“Ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: and profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who…called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem.” (Gal. 1:13-17.)

In 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, Paul adds further evidence on this point:

”For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own country men, even as they have of the Jews: who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”

Peter almost became entangled at one time but was set on the straight and narrow path by Paul who tells us:

”I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.” (Gal. 2:11.)

Some readers may resent the placing of twentieth century Jews in the same category with first century Jews. Have they not changed in 2,000 years? And does not this classification pronounce harsh judgment upon our fellowmen? There have been changes, to be sure --- but not in unregenerate human nature. And it ought to be possible to face facts without passing judgment, harsh or otherwise. Perhaps we can get a clearer perspective by asking some other questions. Have the radiance, power and fruitfulness of those first century Christians been improved during 2,000 years of experience? On the contrary, we find ourselves struggling in the midst of our modern civilization to duplicate the courage and spiritual power of those first Christians. Then again, has sin changed or disappeared in the course of twenty centuries? Is unbelief any different now from what it was when Jesus walked among men? Have the results of rejecting Christ undergone any perceptible changes?

If Christ only has power on earth to forgive sins and regenerate human lives, will someone explain by what process the Jews of today, who still reject Him as Redeemer, have become essentially different from what they were in 30 A. D.?

One need not hesitate to affirm that the leaders of Jewry are not carrying on God’s work, regardless of how pious they may seem, because Jesus says if they were doing God’s work they would recognize Him as the promised Son of God. Do not be deceived by the complimentary things which certain Rabbis and writers are saying about Christianity. Notice that, while they are getting quite “chummy” with Jesus, the man, they are as far away as ever from the Christ who is to take the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob forever. Matthew tells us:

"While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ?” (Matt. 22:41-42.)

The Jews are still silent on that question.

In the record of events leading up to Peter’s denial of Christ, we read:

”Peter followed Him afar off, even into the palace of the high priests: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.” (Mark 14:54.)

This suggests to one’s mind that the palace of the high priest was the farthest point of departure from the Lord. Evidently Peter went in at the back door to sit with the servants. The times do change men’s methods. Today the chief Rabbis are invited to take the seats of honor in the Lord’s sanctuary; though still unbelievers, they sit among the counselors and take part in directing the program of His blood-bought church.

In former days the controversies between Jews and Christians centered in circumcision and in the Talmudic interpretation of laws and ordinances. Modern Jews are not concerned so much about these ancient problems. The emphasis has changed. Now their interest is centered in persuading the Christians to set aside the authority of the Scriptures, substituting therefore “liberalism” --- meaning what? --- atheism and paganism camouflaged.

This is the snare which has most intrigued the leaders of Protestantism. Several volumes could be written about the results that have been accomplished already along this line; for example, the sowing of false doctrines through universities and seminaries into every American hamlet; the control of publicity channels; the propagation of such movements as the Fellowship of Faiths where the Son of God is reduced to the position of understudy of Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, Indian fakirs, and Persian Bahaists.

A chief Rabbi, speaking recently at a Business and Professional Women’s Club dinner, stated as one of her objectives the “elimination of unfair and untrue statements about Jews in Sunday school literature” --- obviously meaning by this that certain teachings of Jesus must be barred from publication in Christian literature. The work of deleting the Scriptures is under way on a big scale; one such abbreviated Bible, published by a Jewish firm, is being widely advertised by Christian publications and its circulation further enhanced by the Book-of-The-Month-Club offering it as a gift. Attend a meeting in a Christian church which is to be addressed by a Rabbi and observe how the ministers select the hymns, the Scripture readings and the prayers to fit the tender sensitivities of the Jewish brother. All mention of Christ is painstakingly avoided in deference to the visitor. Does God laugh or weep at such strange reversion on the part of men who claim to be redeemed by the sacrifice of His Son on Calvary?

Strange to say the present objectives of Jewry are not new. They bear a striking resemblance to those met by Paul. Writing to Titus, Paul advised:

”For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” (Titus 1:10-11.)

Then he cautioned Titus to warn the Cretians:

”Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:13-16.)

The Scriptures abound in warnings against Christians forming entangling alliances with unbelievers of all kinds --- Jews and non-Jews:

”Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Col. 2:8.)

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?...Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord.” (II Cor. 6:14-17.)

Christian leaders must either separate themselves from the evil influences of the enemies of Christ or be overcome by them. The promotion of Jewish-Christian relations on the basis of present-day trends is unfair to the Jews themselves, who will never be brought to a saving knowledge of Christ by such unscriptural methods.

The answer to a vital question is hanging in the balance --- Will Protestantism continue to stand fast in the liberty of Christ, or, will it become increasingly entangled in the bondage of modern Judaism?
===========================
INTRODUCTION

The Staff at Destiny Publishers, having read all the articles written by the late C. R. Dickey (Christina R. Dickey) found in DESTINY Magazines from July 1938 to October 1967, received such a blessing from her writings that we wanted to share the information with all who are seeking God’s wonderful truths. We are hereby publishing all her articles in two volumes, which we believe you will find most inspiring and of genuine interest and value.

Her knowledge of the Scriptures was unbelievable so she must have had a very close association with her Lord, as she certainly became a champion for His cause.

Our late beloved editor, Howard B. Rand, realized her talent as he published many of articles in booklet form.

The reader should take into account the time element when each article was written, which was from the late thirties to the middle sixties. We found her articles to be up to the minute as though she had written them yesterday. Her writings on various subjects are backed up with Scripture verses, as well as with quotes from reliable sources, when making a point. From her writings, the Lord surely made use of her God-given talents.

Although we do not have any knowledge of her background, we do know that she was a Congregational minister. Her sermons given must have been of interest and value to her congregation. We are sure her articles contained in this book will do the same.