THE FOOLISH RICH FARMER

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JNS.RoadSalt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

 

The farm of a rich man,

Yielded him his reward.

His barns were filled with grain,

But he forgot the Lord.

 

This year was unusual;

His land brought forth tenfold.

The fields produced a harvest,

His barns could not hold.

 

He tore down the old barns,

Large ones will solve my plight.

It didn’t occurred to him,

His soul would leave that night.

 

As you plan to retire,

To take your rest, and ease.

Tonight could be the night,

Then who will possess these?

 

Each man is a poor man,

No matter what his hoard.

His soul’s in poverty,

Who dies without the Lord.  

 

LET’S STUDY REVELATION #46

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REVELON BOOK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We continue our studies in Revelation. We are discussing which nations comprise the beast. Commentators vary somewhat as to who these ancient kings are.

Dake says they are:

1.    Egypt

2.    Assyria

3.    Babylon

4.    Medo-Persia

5.    Greece

6.    The old Roman Empire

7.    The 10 kingdoms that are yet to be formed inside the Roman Empire.

The heads on the dragon are seven world empires that precede the coming of the Antichrist. Chapter 17 gives us more insight to these seven Gentiles powers. John says, “And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space” (Revelation 17:10). The next verse (Revelation 17:11) says that there will be an eighth king.

We believe the five Gentile powers which had fallen are:

1.    Egypt

2.    Assyria

3.    Babylon

4.    Medo-Persia

5.    Greece

Now we know the red dragon represents Satan as a bloodthirsty murderer. The seven heads symbolize seven Gentile powers used by him to persecute Israel. The ten horns symbolize ten future leaders who will make up the seventh head.

These ten horns are ten kings and comprise the seventh head, which will form an alliance in the future with Israel and between each other. They will comprise the fourth kingdom seen in Daniel’s vision.  Daniel 7:7 says, “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.”

Daniel goes on to say in Daniel 7:19-20,  “Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;  And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.”

These ten rule for a short time with the Antichrist, in the Day of the Lord.  Revelation 17:12 says, “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.” There can be no doubt that the seven heads on the dragon are seven Gentile kingdoms which comprise the whole beast. This beast has and will continue to persecute Israel to the end.

        “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth…” (v. 4).  “The tail” of the dragon is associated with his last acts in heaven. This, no doubt, happens at the same time he is cast out in verse 7. As he is evicted, he draws a third part of his angels with him. He has been unable to stop two witnesses and in his desperation casts a third of his host to the earth to fight against them. Remember, the events in these chapters begin at the three and one-half year point in the Tribulation.

Although the attempt to destroy Israel from Genesis 3:15 continues, Satan intensifies his efforts during these last three and one-half years.  Notice what Jesus says about those awful days. “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:22).

Israel will receive her long awaited King of kings and experience the New Birth spoken of by Jesus in John 3. The labor pains are evident. Thus, Satan stands ready to destroy the new nation before it can come to birth.

Here it states that the “man child” (v. 5) was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. The promise to the Jewish assembly of Thyatira will be revisited here. Revelation 2:26-27, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.” There will be those who will rule the nations with Christ. They, too, will rule with a rod of iron.

Dake believes the Man Child consists of the sealed 144,000. This may be so. It is evident that a remnant of national Israel will come to birth and will be God’s Son. “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:” (Exodus 4:22).  Israel must be born again and become a New Nation! (See John 3:5-8; Isaiah 66:6.) This was offered by Jesus to Israel at His first advent. That is what the earthly ministry of John, Jesus and the Twelve was all about. It had nothing to do with the founding of the church of this dispensation.

In Acts 2, Jesus was caught up to heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father. However, we also find the 144,000 caught up to heaven in chapter 14 of Revelation. In Revelation 7, they are sealed for protection. In chapter 14 they are seen on MountZion in heaven! One need not ask how they got there. They were caught up to God, and to His throne. This happened somewhere just prior to the Second Advent. In relation to the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, 2,000 years have elapsed between verses 5 and 6.

ABRAHAM, THE GENTILE

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 STARS

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

“ Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10  How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:” Romans 4:9-11.

Abraham was called out of Syria into the land of Canaan. After some time in Canaan, there was a famine in the land. Abraham went down into Egypt to survive. While there, God blessed him with servants and much cattle. He returned to Canaan a rich man.     

God had promised Abraham an heir through Sariah, his wife. However, they were beyond the age of child bearing, and Abraham questioned God about this promise. To reassure Abraham, God “… brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:5-6.

We must keep in mind that Abraham had not been circumcised. But, when he heard God’s promise, and saw the stars, he believed God. At that moment, God counted, or imputed righteous to Abraham. Circumcision was not part of the promise. It was a sign that followed, to show the covenant God made with Abraham. It was a picture of death to the flesh, and a reminder of the promised miracle Seed.

So, Abraham, the uncircumcised Gentile was counted righteous because he believed the promise of God. “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3.  “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7  Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9  So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Galatians 3:6-9.

Abraham did not have the promised seed at that time. There was no nation of Israel, or tribe of Judah. Neither was there any law. The Law was given to Moses 430 years after the promise was made to Abraham.

The unsaved Jew cannot see this fundamental, and essential truth. They believe Abraham belongs to them exclusively, and that following the law is the way to salvation. Thus, they are blinded to the truth.

Romans four and five, and the book of Galatians should be mastered by every Christian until this truth is a bedrock of their faith. Just as Abraham was declared righteous by believing what God promised about a Seed, so the believer in Jesus Christ is counted righteous today when he personally believes what God says about salvation in Jesus Christ. This great truth illustrates how Abraham, the Gentile, was declared righteous by faith without the works of the Law as all believers are today. 

THREE BLIND MICE

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 blind mice

 

 

 

 

Recently I wrote an article on the importance of selecting songs to match the sermon. Evidently I offended some weaker brethren because I didn’t display enough love when presenting my case. Well, this one is written with love, and hope that I can help some pastors who desire to do a better job in their ministry.

 

One pastor admitted that he, and his two sidekicks were demonstrating the same lack of love and humility they saw in my article. It was beyond surprising that they would sink to the same level I was accused of, and then admit it. Oh well.

If anyone questions the wisdom of selecting songs that support the theme of his sermon, he should look at the back index of the hymnal. Not only is there a general index to every song, there is also a “Topical index!”

One might ask why the compilers would create a topical index, but the answer is too obvious.  I will not take time to list the topics, however someone thought it important enough to choose songs to support the topic of the message, and they did the work for us. If you think this issue is not important, try singing “The First Noel” next Sunday, and watch the expressions on each face. Why? It doesn’t fit!

Finally, let me freely admit that it is none of my business how you conduct your church services. It will not matter to me one bit. If you want your service to look like a Chinese Fire Drill, put together by the Marx Brothers, it is your choice. One thing for sure, if you do not plan to have a well-organized service, you can’t fail.

Now, if you don’t agree, “Can’t we just get along?”

 

POPE FRANCIS ASSURES SCEPTICS: YOU DON’T HAVE TO BELIEVE IN GOD TO GO TO HEAVEN

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pg-34-pope-getty

 

 

 

 

 

 

In comments likely to enhance his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has written a long, open letter to the founder of La Repubblica newspaper, Eugenio Scalfari, stating that non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.

Responding to a list of questions published in the paper by Mr Scalfari, who is not a Roman Catholic, Francis wrote: “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.

“Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.”

Robert Mickens, the Vatican correspondent for the Catholic journal The Tablet, said the pontiff’s comments were further evidence of his attempts to shake off the Catholic Church’s fusty image, reinforced by his extremely conservative predecessor Benedict XVI. “Francis is a still a conservative,” said Mr Mickens. “But what this is all about is him seeking to have a more meaningful dialogue with the world.”

In a welcoming response to the letter, Mr Scalfari said the Pope’s comments were “further evidence of his ability and desire to overcome barriers in dialogue with all”.

In July, Francis signalled a more progressive attitude on sexuality, asking: “If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him?”

(NOTE: This is new low for the Roman Catholic Church! Saying that a person who sincerely follows his conscience, if he believes he is doing right will go to heaven, even if he doesn’t believe there is a God, is beyond blasphemy. To follow your conscience, means conformity to what one considers to be correct, right, or morally good.

So, atheist, who in good conscience believed they were doing good for mankind by killing millions of Jews, are assured a place in heaven? Anyone who believes that does not know God, and is not going to heaven themselves.

Muslims, who believe in God, do not hesitate to kill unbelievers. They do it with a clear conscience. Is the Pope offering them a place in heaven?

The real issue here is, the Catholic Church has lost so many members over the years because of sex scandals, they must now try to attract anyone by assure them of heaven, if they really believe what they are doing is good. The Pope can’t assure anyone of heaven. He has no assurance of his own. He must spend some time in Purgatory to pay for his own sins!