Consider Jesus.

 Consider…  If you are asked to consider something what are you being asked to do? To consider something is to think over what you are being asked to consider. If I ask someone to consider using a red paint and not a yellow for a project they are doing, I'm asking that person to contemplate doing something different. The person could outright say they have no need to consider it because their mind is set on the yellow, or they could say they'll give it some thought and then take the time to actually do so.  People are asked to consider all sorts of things. Some of the things we are asked to consider only need a few moments of consideration, other things might need a lot longer period of consideration. 

We are told to consider Jesus….

Heb 2:17  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. 

Heb 2:18  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. 

Heb 3:1  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 

Heb 3:2  Who was faithful to him that appointed him,  as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 

Heb 3:3  For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 

Heb 3:4  For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 

Heb 3:5  And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 

Heb 3:6  But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 

Consider…Christ Jesus. 

Consider everything about Him.

Consider that HE IS FAITHFUL.

We must HOLD FAST the confidence.

We must HOLD FAST the rejoicing of hope.

We have to CONSIDER our Savior and you know what? It has to be a DAILY consideration. A DAILY comprehension as we consider Jesus- that HE IS ABLE TO SAVE US!  He is NOT making it possible for us to save ourselves! He's not giving us the tools to save ourselves! He wants us to COME TO HIM, so HE CAN SAVE US.  We are to consider HIM constantly and all that means.

There is a verse -

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

We work out our own salvation by.. Considering JESUS and ALL He has told us, all He says to us in His word, all He exhorts us to do, to say, to be. We have to live as HE wants us to live. When we fall short, and we do, we have to consider that our Savior will forgive us, and help us in all ways towards our salvation. We can't allow the consideration of our Savior to ever cease. 

Satan would have us rip our eyes off Christ and put them onto ourselves. Satan wants us to look at our failings and despair that we will ever be what we know Christ wants us to be. Christ wants us to look at Christ, not ourselves. Christ wants us to find HOPE in Him and we can only do that when we look to Him and consider Him. We are wretched, miserable creatures on our own, Christ is our only hope.  

Christ will give us all we need- and we must go to Him for our needs and recognize when He supplies them, and thank Him, never allowing ourselves to believe we are able to save ourselves without Him. 

All by His mercy, His grace, His righteousness, His love, His forgiveness! All through HIM! May we consider Him, please Lord, may we consider You always! Amen!!!!!!!

(Excerpt)

Christ and the Pharisees -OR Christ's Faithfulness in Sabbath-Keeping.

BY A. T. JONES.

[Religious Liberty Library, No. 18]

The one thing for us all to do all the time is to consider Christ Jesus.

In him all perfections meet; in him we find faithfulness on every point; and if you want to be faithful, and want to "hold out faithful," just consider Christ Jesus who was faithful, and draw from him faithfulness. 

We are to draw from him faithfulness, as we are to draw righteousness and every other virtue. He is to be unto us faithfulness, just as he is to be unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

"Wherefore . . . consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to him that appointed him." Heb. 3:1

This verse begins with a "wherefore;" that is, for this reason; and the reason is expressed in a previous verse. "Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a [original illegible] and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." "Wherefore," that is, for this reason, "consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful." Heb. 2:17,18

That is true in everything, and to us, especially now, is it emphatically true; and we are to consider his faithfulness in connection with the Sabbath of the Lord, and its keeping, if we would be faithful in the keeping of it. The Sabbath

means Christ, and Christ means the Sabbath. 

The Sabbath is the Lord's own sign of what Jesus Christ is to men; and we are to consider him in respect to it, and his faithfulness in keeping it.

And along with that we are to consider his faithfulness in keeping the Sabbath under persecution and at the risk of his life, and in giving up his life even, rather than to give up the Sabbath of the Lord. Because it was for not keeping the Sabbath to suit the Pharisees and the scribes and the doctors of the law, that he was persecuted first; and when he persisted in his way of keeping the

Sabbath, that is, the Lord's way, in spite of their persecution, then they went about to kill him. And when he would not give it up, then they did kill him. But God raised him from the dead, and took him to 'a world where he can keep the Sabbath without being annoyed, and without "disturbing" anybody. 

When Jesus came, he did not come in exactly the way that suited the Pharisees and the scribes and the doctors of the law; nevertheless they were not certain but that he might develop into that after a while. Consequently they studied his course for a considerable time, without making any positive opposition against him publicly. In fact, for about eighteen months of his public ministry, this people were studying him, and looking to see what would develop. Of course as he did not come according to their ideas, they would have nothing to do with him if he did not develop into what would conform to their ideas. And they watched him to see how the matter would come out. But he made no great demonstration of putting himself forward or calling attention to himself; he simply went on quietly teaching and healing the people, doing good everywhere that he went. They could not very well find fault with that, and it would be all right if in the end he should develop into what they expected.

But when a year and a half had gone by, his fame had spread through the land, and had attracted the attention of the Pharisees, the scribes, and the doctors of the law, as well as the common people. By this time he had attracted their active attention, their interested attention, and their selfish attention, too; because as they watched him in his course, they saw not only that he did not

develop into what they expected, but, on the contrary, they saw that he was gaining an influence with the people in a way that was not playing into their hands; and that as he went on longer, the people were drawn more to him. They hoped that if he did not develop into what they wanted,-in fact, they thought, they really supposed, that if he did not develop into what they  expected,-then, of course this would be evidence in itself that he could not possibly be the Messiah, and therefore his work would come to nothing.

But there appeared in his words a something that held the attention of the people-the common people. And they were glad to hear him again when they had heard him once; for his words were mildly spoken, and with a simplicity that everybody could understand. He did not speak in the learned, highflown utterances of the doctors of the law and the scribes, but always used language

that the people could understand. They did not have to use a dictionary to find out the meaning of the words that he used. His word was in simplicity and with power, and it clung to the people and remained with them, and had a tendency always to draw them more and more to him. 

The Pharisees and scribes seeing this, began to see that they would have to do something if they were to save their own credit with the people. So at the end of the first year and a half, near his second passover, that event occurred which is recorded in the fifth chapter of Luke; it is also recorded in the second chapter of Mark; but Luke's record has a point or two in it that Mark's has not.

It was the time when he was in the house teaching. A great multitude had gathered about the house, and some men came bearing a man sick of the palsy. They could not get through the door for the press of the people, so they went up on the housetop, and took up the tiling and let the man down at Jesus' feet, and Jesus said, "Thy sins be forgiven thee." Now the record is this:-"And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them." Luke 5:17. 

As Jesus said to the man sick of the palsy, "Thy sins be forgiven thee," these Pharisees and doctors of the law began to reason and murmur in their hearts, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And instead of following the logic of their own proposition,-that nobody could forgive sins but God alone, and here was one who was forgiving sins, and therefore he was God with them,-they took the other course, and said, "This man is forgiving sins, and therefore he is a blasphemer." 

But we read:- "That ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth

to forgive tins (he said unto the sick of the palsy). I say unto thee, Arise, and lake up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God." Verses 24, 25.  (End Excerpt)

Sabbath Keeper's Death Sentence.

 Because Jesus revealed the way of true Sabbath keeping which was contrary to the Israel leaders of His day, they wanted to put Him to death. They USED the Sabbath Keeping of Jesus against HIM. Jesus kept the Sabbath faithfully as God intended it to be kept and He even pointed out the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders, but they were too blinded by their own arrogance and too deceived by Satan to see the truth right before their eyes.

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

Mat 12:1  At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 

Mat 12:2  But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 

Mat 12:3  But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 

Mat 12:4  How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 

Mat 12:5  Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 

Mat 12:6  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. 

Mat 12:7  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 

Mat 12:8  For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 

Mat 12:9  And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 

Mat 12:10  And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 

Mat 12:11  And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 

Mat 12:12  How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 

Mat 12:13  Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 

Mat 12:14  Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 

(Excerpt)

Christ and the Pharisees -OR Christ's Faithfulness in Sabbath-Keeping.

BY A. T. JONES.

[Religious Liberty Library, No. 18]

Jesus Christ was persecuted because he did not keep the Sabbath to suit the Pharisees, the scribes, and the priests, in his days on earth. Christ was not only persecuted, but he was rejected, and a robber and murderer was chosen in his stead, and he was crucified, because he would not keep the Sabbath to suit the Pharisees, the scribes, and the priests.

Although Lord of the Sabbath, himself, yet he was denounced as a Sabbath-breaker, was spied upon, was persecuted, was rejected, and a robber and murderer chosen in his stead, and was crucified, because he would not conform to the narrow, bigoted ideas of the Sabbath held by the Pharisees, scribes, and doctors of the law.

All this is worthy of peculiar attention in every way just now, when the Pharisees, the scribes, the chief priests, and the doctors of the law, are making such a great stir over the Sabbath question, and are spying upon, and persecuting, and imprisoning people as "Sabbath-breakers," who are actually Sabbath-keepers, according to the plainest word of the Lord, and according to the lifelong example of Jesus Christ himself. In view of this it is well to study

the life and example of Jesus in this matter. 

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him." Heb. 3:1, 2. (End Excerpt)

Rewarded.

 

THE FAITHFUL REWARDED AT HIS COMING

It will not be in vain that they look for him, for shall appear to their salvation. Heb. 9:28. 

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 

It is in vain that they love his appearing, for a crown righteousness is laid up for such. 2 Tim. 4:8. 

2Ti 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Their faithful waiting shall be rewarded, for when he appears they shall appear with him in glory. Col 3:4. 

Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 

Their names may be cast out as evil, they may suffer reproach and scorn here, but when he comes they shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4.

Words cannot describe that glory. Finite man cannot fathom its greatness; for, truly, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

We cannot understand why any who take the Bible for their teacher, and profess to love the Lord Jesus, can have a prejudice  against his second coming. He promised his followers that they should be recompensed at the resurrection of the just, which takes place at his coming, and will never take place unless he comes.  Luke 14:14. 

Luk 14:14  And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Speaking of the signs of his coming he said: "And when these things begin come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28. 

Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 

The saints, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, are groaning for the redemption of the body. Rom. 8:23. 

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

This is the redemption which will be accomplished at the coming of Christ and the resurrection of the just. The joy of that day is unspeakable.

"Behold, I come quickly," says the Saviour, "and my, reward is with me." Fervently our hearts respond, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22:12, 20. 

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

 (End of Excerpt)

A Message For Our Time.

 (Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

A PRACTICAL DOCTRINE…

The truth on this subject is important; it is important to us that we understand it. The oft-repeated saying that "it makes no difference," is not applicable here. But many evade the truth on this subject by referring to the good and pious of former generations, to whom the

warning message of Rev. 14:9-12 was not given. They were accepted of God, and died happy; we will live as they lived, and go to heaven also. To this there are two just replies:–

1. Professors of this day are not living as their fathers lived. Even one generation ago Christians professed a simplicity of godliness which is ignored by the mass of professors in this day. The church suppers and festivals, the gambling devices to obtain money, the church theatricals, and other profane amusements now foisted upon the name of Christianity "for pious uses" (to quote a term of the mother church), would not have been tolerated for a moment by our fathers of past generations. The earnest vital godliness of a half century ago is now known to the few,–a "little flock" when all told. Our fathers, in the denominations, will rise up to condemn this pleasure-loving age. The objection we are noticing is a reproach to the piety and zeal of our fathers, as their lives are a rebuke to the cold formality of present-day religion. 

 

Let us in turn ask, Why was it that Seth, Enoch, and others before the day of Noah, were not required to build an ark? Enoch was so godly as to receive the testimony that his ways pleased God, and to be translated without seeing death. Could not Noah as live  as Enoch lived and be saved, without the cross and labor of building an ark? The answer is nigh unto everyone. He could not, and why?–Because Noah lived in the time of the flood and Enoch did not.

Enoch could not preach Noah's message; he lived at a time too early for that. Noah could not be accepted of God and do only that which Enoch did, as he lived under different 

circumstances. Extraordinary events require extraordinary preparations; and those preparations are suited to no other time but their own. 

 

And so with the preaching of the Lord's coming. To past generations it was not "present truth." They could not give the message of warning. But we, who have seen the signs of his coming, who know the time (Rom. 13:11, 12), who see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25), must proclaim this truth, sound the alarm, as Noah proclaimed the approach of the flood. As it was

necessary in order to be saved to receive the message of Noah, so it is necessary in order to be prepared for our Lord's advent that we accept the truth in regard to his near coming.  (End Excerpt)

Could Christ Return Tomorrow?

 A servant of the Lord can be an evil servant, yet of the Lord. We don't want to believe it, but it's true. So many profess to belong to the Lord, the evil servant professes to belong to the Lord. The evil servant however is believing in his heart that Christ is delayed in His return. BECAUSE the evil servant believes inwardly, perhaps even secretly, that Christ isn't coming anytime soon- the evil servant of the Lord lives their life towards their lusts, their appetites, their sinful, self-serving ways.

Truly if you BELIEVE that Christ could come tomorrow… what? Wait… don’t all those prophecies need to be fulfilled yet? Yes, they do. The thing is, a lot of those prophecies yet to be fulfilled will only be fulfilled AFTER probation is closed- and the just will remain just and the unjust will remain unjust. IF a person is waiting for ANYTHING, and I do mean ANYTHING, before they get serious about the Lord's return, then they are an evil servant. When we wait before choosing the Lord, before choosing to believe that He will be coming soon, that waiting is our lack of faith. We cannot live as if our Savior is NOT returning tomorrow.  Yes, I said tomorrow once more.  Do I believe He will return tomorrow- a huge part of me says, no. That huge part says no because I have it in my head that certain things have to take place. HOWEVER, I long for His return to be tomorrow, and for me to be wrong about the things that need to take place. I pray for forgiveness, I do NOT want to be an evil servant and think in any way that the Lord is delaying His return!

Truly, what is the difference between believing our Savior IS returning tomorrow, and comprehending tomorrow could be our last day due to our death? Being ready always, always without exception- being a good servant of the Lord's.

When the people saw the stars falling from heavens in an unprecedented manner, and in a manner they've not fallen since- they believed Christ's coming was near, even at the door, they readied themselves as best they could because they were so sure it could be any moment. 

The problem with waiting for signs to take place BEFORE believing Christ's return is settling into a state of lulled behavior with your mind slipping into the murky territory of the signs being delayed and therefore- Christ is delaying His return. It's a very slippery slope to take. 

In 1890 as they believed in the imminent return of Christ not long after the stars fell, the sun went dark and the moon wouldn't give its light, they weren't thinking about the times of the Gentiles being fulfilled, as spoken about in Luke 21:24. They didn't say, well, we still have to wait for this to take place, and that to take place, and yes, this other thing hasn't happened yet either.

GOD wants us to be ready NOW for Christ's return at ANY moment! 

So, I say again, truly, if you believe that Christ could come tomorrow, are you living a life that reveals that you are a servant of the Lord's, a good servant, not an evil servant. A good servant who is prepared and wanting others to be prepared. Or does your life reveal you are living for this world and all its ways? 

We need to examine ourselves, our own motives, our own beliefs, our own actions. Are we among those who are of the world so that we cannot be distinguished from all others? Is Christ's return on our lips always? If not, why not?

The evil servant of the Lord's, believes they are of the Lord in truth. To all outward appearances they are still a servant of the Lord- and the evil they keep in their hearts is hidden so that they are leading others down the wrong path, the evil path. Their followers are using the example of the evil servant thinking it's the right example because it's from the Lord's servant. They aren't considering for a moment that there are evil servants of the Lord whose subtle evil seduces many from God.  God gives us all we need to be discerning, to know truth from lies, evil from good, but we need to heed the Holy Spirit when we are shown that even a seemingly beloved servant of God could be an evil servant of God.

Jesus is coming very, very soon! We are on the precipice of eternity! 

Let's LIVE this truth! 

All by the grace and mercy of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST! NOW AND FOREVER!!!!!!! Amen!

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

THE EVIL SERVANT

VERSES 48-51: "But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

What the evil servant says and does shows most dearly the position and work of the faithful and wise servant. The reason why the evil servant says, "My Lord delayeth his coming," is that the faithful servant is proclaiming the coming of his lord. The evil servant smites the faithful servant, because he teaches the speedy coming of his lord. The faithful servant, true to his commission to preach the "gospel of the kingdom" to a fallen church and a  scoffing world, toils on, and the evil servant smites on. One is laying up treasure in heaven, and is preparing to go home to his eternal reward, while the other is calling down upon his head the displeasure of the high and holy One, and is getting ready to receive the unmingled cup of the fury of the Lord. The faithful servant is turning some to righteousness, to shine forever as stars in his crown of glory, while the evil servant pursues his downward course and work of death, making the bitter cup of woe which awaits him still more bitter. But the separating day is coming. The Lord will come, and cut asunder the evil servant, and appoint him his portion with the lost. In the general wailing and gnashing of teeth, with hypocrites he will receive the portion due him for his works.

That this application is correct is shown by the words of the Saviour in the closing part of this chapter. Both parties are professedly "servants" of God. The "evil servant" says, "My lord delayeth "his coming." But when, because of his unfaithfulness because of his refusal to heed the instructions and. warnings of his lord, and of his ill-treatment of his fellow-servant who is sounding the alarm, the lord shall appoint him his portion with the hypocrites, it will avail him nothing that he has called the lord his lord; that he has been looked up to as a leader of the flock. They have the duty laid upon them, as servants, to give meat in due season; to sound the alarm; to proclaim the message of the advent near, even at the doors. But they are "evil servants," recreant to the trust committed to them, unmindful of the "sure word of prophecy." They do not want to think, nor to have the people think, of the Lord's coming. All scriptures which speak of that day call for watchfulness, diligence, and earnest zeal to be prepared to meet him. But these are worldlyminded, selfish servants. They love their ease; they cry, "Peace and safety," when sudden destruction is impending. 1 Thess. 5:1-3.

They love to slumber; they say, to-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant." Isa. 56:10-12. They join the idle throng in singing, "There's a good time coming." In the words of the Saviour, they "eat and drink with the drunken," "walking after their own lusts." The sociable, the festival, the fair, the supper for feasting–these have attractions for them which their selfishness cannot resist. By these is piety dethroned; zeal is extinguished; cross-bearing and self-denying become distasteful graces; to hunger and thirst after righteousness is a burden; the "form of godliness" is retained, but "the power thereof" is gone. What a condition for a servant of God to be found in when his Master appears! And yet this is a fitting description of the mass of feasting professors who turn away with scorn from the unwelcome thought of the Lord's near coming. How different the lot of those who bear the cross, and give the household of faith meat due season! "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

We invite the attention of the reader to the following list of points made plain in our  examination of this chapter:–

1. The Saviour gave definite and plain signs which are to precede his coming.

2. He told the effect which these things would produce. See Joel  2:1 and other prophecies.

3. He said that by these signs we might know when his coming is near, even at the doors.

4. And the language is stronger than that of permission or the expression of ability to know. It is imperative; we are commanded and required to know when it is near.

5. The signs are so easy to understand that we may know when it is near, just as we may know that summer is near when the trees put forth their leaves.

6. That we are commanded and required to know is confirmed by the illustration of the time of Noah. 

(1) Noah knew the time that the flood was near. 

(2) He preached its coming. 

(3) He prepared for  the event. 

(4) It was fatal to all those who did not (would not) know the time. "So shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

7. The Saviour says it will in like manner be a fatal error on the part of those who do not know when the Son of man is coming. But this could not be so 

(1) if we could not know the time, or 

(2) if it makes no difference whether we know or do not. 

All this teaches us that the doctrine of the second advent is A PRACTICAL DOCTRINE…   (End Excerpt)

Lies, Fables...

 We all believe our faith is the truth. Some of us refuse to believe that it is wrong for anyone to tell another person their faith is really all lies.

We live in a time when it is NOT acceptable to recognize anyone doing anything wrong- unless it is an outright criminal act punishable by the laws of our land. Do your own thing as long as you aren't hurting anyone and you're fine, this is the attitude that is acceptable today. We dare not confront others about their faith because we have no right to tell them their faith is a lie. We are countered with why is our faith right and theirs wrong? And even then NO ONE wants to listen to the real why, they want to fight for their right to believe in whatever they want. Everyone has their own truth, but HOW can that be?  A murderer might believe they have their own truth and we shouldn't judge them, but we've drawn lines along the borders we as a majority of the population believe are correct. 

We STOP drawing lines though when it comes to spiritual matters because in the past Satan mingled government with religion forcing people in that government to worship their way or die and people rose up against that forced worship. The entire United States was founded along the lines of separation between church and state. Because we've separated church (religious beliefs of any kind) from oversight by government, religious beliefs of any and all kinds are now believed to be truth- if not for you in particular, then for whoever it is holding to their own truths. The outright worshipers of Satan are accepted and allowed their ways without being subject to any sort of censorship by any individual. When protesters of any religious belief stands up against another they are tolerated as long as they are peaceful, but still mostly shunned by the vast majority who believe - to each his own - as long as no one is forcing their beliefs down the other's throat.

We have so very many religions today, too many to fully count because offshoots rise up constantly slapping the label of their religion upon themselves.

W e are told this by God- 

2Ti 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 

2Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

… they shall turn away their ears from truth…

We KNOW there is a truth of God that exists beyond any other so called truth. There is God's truth and then there are FABLES.

Our world is rife with FABLE filled religions again, too numerous to count. And each FABLE filled religion believes they have the truth and they SHUT their ears to anything but what they believe is truth. They shut their ears to TRUTH. They will NOT listen to SOUND BIBLICAL DOCTRINE! They don't want to listen to doctrines they consider strange, and false because they differ from their own cherished fables. You could hold up your Bible and proclaim fact after fact and they'd cover their ears and cry out "Lies, all lies!"  They would be perfectly content to call God's truth's lies simply because they have turned their Fables into God's truth- they are DECEIVED!

Could I stand up to someone and tell them what they believe is a bunch of lies? Only if I'm compelled by God to do so and empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak. I present truth and only truth, Biblically backed truth, exegetically studied truth. Could I give an answer face to face, I don't know, I pray God could use me for His truth no matter the cost. I'm an introvert, I avoid confrontations like the plague. I smile and hide fear and anxiety. I am a very weak vessel with so many cracks, so many flaws but my Savior has mended me and keeps mending me and I rely upon HIM to use me as He needs to.  All by His mercy and grace, His love, His unending love!  Now and forever! Amen!!!!!!!

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

THE FAITHFUL AND WISE SERVANT

VERSES 45-47: "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom the lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods." 

In this figure, Christ is represented as the Lord of the household of faith (see Mark 13: 34; Heb. 3:6 -- Mar 13:34  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Heb 3:6  But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. ), leaving his house, and committing to his servants the work of caring for his church. They are to feed the flock of God, over whom the Holy Ghost hath made overseers. Acts 20:28. They must preach the Word. 2 Tim. 4:2. They should watch for souls as they that must give account. Heb. 13:17. They will not only give meat to the household, but they will give it in due season. They will preach the present truth. Their last work before the return of their Master will be to proclaim his coming, and to teach the necessary preparation. They will sacrifice the society and blessings of home, and go everywhere, preaching the word, suffering fatigue of body and burden of spirit. But such will have great reward in the kingdom of God. Who is that faithful and wise servant? Where shall we find him?–It is he who is faithfully and wisely attending to  the interests of the household of faith. Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing." 

1. He is faithful. As a faithful watchman, he will give timely warning when he sees the sword coming. His work just before the end is seen in the following scriptures. Joel. 2:1: "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand." Isa. 58:1: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their  transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." 2 Tim. 4:1-5: "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who I shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and  doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves, teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

2. He is wise. "He that winneth souls is wise." He will expose error, then hold forth the truth in its harmony and beauty, and thus win men to the truth. When it becomes his duty to reprove and rebuke, it will be at a proper time and place, and then with all "long-suffering and doctrine." He will study to show himself "approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15. (End Excerpt)

Don't Wait To Be Warned.

 If your thief had the courtesy to let you know when the thievery was to take place, would it have taken place? No.

You would have stopped the thief if you knew they were going to be stealing from your home. 

If you were told that thieves were going about your neighborhood breaking into houses, would you be more on your guard and taking precautions against being robbed? Yes.

We are told by God that we need to WATCH for the return of the Lord.

Watching is an active word. When I say I watch something, that means I'm doing something. If I say I watched the ball game then you know I was watching what was going on with the ball game. You wouldn't think that I was sleeping if I said I was watching, would you? No. In fact if I fall asleep that ends my ability to watch. 

We must WATCH for our Savior's return. We must know the signs that are heralding His soon coming. The watching must be a daily activity, a daily watching, a forever watching until the day arrives.  We cannot say we are watching for our Savior's return if we truly are not watching for it. Well, we could say it, but it won't be true. 

We don't know what hour Christ is returning, but we have to watch, we have to be ready. These words are in a little ways ominous…

'…for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.' 

Watching always will have us prepared, it's when we stop watching that we have something to worry about. If you choose to stop watching for the Lord to return you do so at the risk of His coming and you being caught off guard and unaware, and unsaved.   

Seriously. We don't want to hear those words. We want to live in the delusion that we can accept Christ as our Savior and then go about our day to day business no longer having to concern ourselves about whether or not we belong to Christ. We accepted Him and that's that. If we occasionally think on Him that's great, but He doesn't need to consume our lives - that's for the preachers and teachers of Christ, not for the average person, the average person has another kind of job to do.  So there we are safe and secure in NOT watching but letting others do the watching for us. Surely our preachers or Christ believing friends will wake us up to  Christ's soon coming when it's time. These are Satanic deceptions and Satan has used them well. 

If we are not watching for our Savior's return, it will come and we WILL NOT be His, He will not know us! This is truth, God says so in His word to us!

We liked to believe that some big alarm bell will sound giving us time to get our affairs in order, but that's NOT going to happen. Our affairs need to be in order at all times!  We need to be the LORD'S at all times! ALL TIMES! 

Don't wait for someone to tell you to get ready and start watching… make your entire life one of watching as a Christ follower. Do your day to day job with Christ front and center in your thoughts, in your work, with you, a part of you. 

God help us to this end, to be found watching and ready, waiting for our Lord to return so that we are prepared and not taken by surprise!

All through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, now and forever!!!!!!! Amen!

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

OUR DUTY TO WATCH

VERSES 42-44: "Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

They who hide themselves behind the saying that that day will come as a thief, and that therefore they cannot know, will find when it comes that they have only insured their own destruction by willfully placing themselves beside those who did not know that the flood was, coming, because they refused to heed the counsel God sent by the mouth of his prophets. 

They were destroyed because they knew not; and they knew not because they would not heed the warning. And is the word of the Son of God of less consequence than that of Noah?–By no means.  If they were destroyed who refused the testimony of Noah, how shall they escape who shut their eyes and ears against the words of warning given by the Lord Jesus? Oh, that men would be wise, and listen to the Saviour's counsel to watch, to observe the signs, and to know when the day is near, that they might not be taken away in the Lord's anger!

"Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28. None would look for him– none would be watching and waiting for him–if they could have no knowledge that he was near to come. None would sound an alarm, and call upon the inhabitants of the earth to tremble because the day of the Lord is near, if they had no evidence from the words of prophecy that it is near. Joel 2:1. 

We are thankful that our heavenly Father, in the greatness of his mercy, has given us signs, and warnings, and such strong assurances, that we may know when the day is near, so that it shall not come as a thief upon the believing soul; thankful that we are thus afforded the means of escaping from the ruin that- is impending, and of sharing in the triumph of the redeemed followers of the Lamb. The present watching, waiting position requires much faith and patience. Says Paul: "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that ye have done the will of God [in proclaiming the coming of Christ], ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; that if any man, draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw hack unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Heb. 10:35-30.

Says James: ,"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and utter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." Chap, 5:7, 8.  The present position and present duty of God's people are defined in Rev. 14:12: "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (End Excerpt)