Tag Archives: Christ

Glenn Beck and the “Two Witnesses” of Revelation.

by

8


Flag of the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem

Image via Wikipedia

(Since this entry was written nothing has come about to warrant its writing.  I will leave this post on my blog.  I see that a lot of people are searching for such things.  But I will remind the reader that prophecy has its place.  All the while, leading a life filled with the Holy Spirit of God is of vastly more importance.  While we search for what is to come, let us remember to live a life worthy of God’s blessing.  Prophecy will do nothing to help us as we stand before the Throne of Christ Jesus.  Obedience, however, will help us immensely.)

I just posted a difference in beliefs between Glenn Beck and the children of the Most High God through Jesus’ sacrifice.  So I feel a bit redundant bringing him back to my blog.  But something is transpiring which demands attention.

Glenn is planning to take his media power to Jerusalem.  It is his belief that he must stand with Israel in the coming days.  I pondered this move in light of the Lord’s plans and wondered how this might fit in.  Though I don’t have direct word from the Lord on this, I’ve come to a realization that might hold some water.

The current media ignores Israel, being quite liberal and ungodly in their approach to the world’s plight.  And we have heard of the two witnesses which will appear to testify to the world’s ungodly behavior.  It’s not likely that the current media would even notice them, given their present bend to sin.  But we are told that these two witnesses will be seen by the entire world.  Is it possible that Glenn’s move to Jerusalem (along with his powerful outreach) is a direct hand of God?  Perhaps the Lord is setting up the stage on which these two men will carry out their appointed tasks.

The following is the account of these two men from the book of Revelation chapter 11.  I present this, not as the direct word of God, as something for all men to ponder and respect.  God will move against the sins of this world.  How He will do it is only in our hands to watch.

1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.”  5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

 7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

 11 But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

 13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

 

May all who seek life from the Lord through Jesus be made to wake.  The time is nearer now than ever before.  Do not get caught sleeping.

As a supplement to this post, I invite you to read Man’s Understanding of Holy Lacks a Bit.   (which is another post on my blog)

By His Grace.

What We Believe Matters.

by

1


Political commentator Glenn Beck at the Time 1...

Image via Wikipedia

I respect Glenn Beck‘s “ministry”.  I know that in the world of media he stands out rather loudly for the best man can aspire to under religion.  Glenn will often refer to the doing of good on the part of those who care about what is right.  And I find no direct fault with the world seeking what is good.

But I hear something missing among his words.  Though it is good to pursue righteousness, there is a certain righteousness on this earth which man will rarely aspire to accomplish.  What is “good” among men might not reach to the “Goodness” of God’s perfect will.  Glenn is promoting that “We will be the key” to positive change toward righteousness in this world.  I am forced by the word of God to differ.  Man will never be the key toward the Righteousness of God.  God’s will alone can accomplish the eternal and therefore perfect Righteousness. 

While Glenn will encourage others to reach up toward God for help, it is more on the order of “enlightenment”.  Perhaps it would best be summed up as, “Lord, help me do the right things”.  And in one respect, this is a right request.  If we are asking that we might understand and do the Will of God, we are in the right vein.  But if we are only asking that God bless the work of our own hands we stand slightly amiss.

This difference of belief could be considered subtle by most.  But in the end, only those who do the will of God the Father will be allowed entrance into His peace.  What is the will of God the Father?  To believe on the Son of God, Jesus.  To obey Jesus’ commands to do everything Jesus tells us to do.  We are not set aside to redeem the world.  That is to say we are not saved to retain human implements of freedom on this world.  We are embraced in the blood of Christ Jesus to be implements of the will of God.  It is quite possible that man’s freedom will be dashed by God.  And I find this latter idea holds a great deal more water than manipulating government policies so that we can do anything we please. 

What we believe matters!  Who we obey and serve matters.  Believe in the directing of Jesus and you stand on solid ground.  Believe in the “goodness” of man and you stand amiss.

By His Grace.

Something Rather Odd.

by

1


I had heard and believed that it was the man who chose to be saved by professing a faith in Jesus.  And I cannot dismiss the power of that confession.  The modern church teaches that this profession is all that is necessary for salvation.  And even the Lord said that “All those who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved”.  But I find something a bit odd about that.

As I’ve walked a few years and encountered many different facets of salvation, I’ve come (rather continually) face to face with the source of that confession.  It is the Lord who raises a man’s soul to reach out to Him.   As it was the Lord who gave life to the soul who now calls His name.  In all things, it is the Lord who IS.

Why does this prompt an entry in this blog?  Because I think I hear a different story coming from the mainstream churches:  Some how, they profess, there is a way a man can save himself by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus.  Though there might be some merit to this “calling out” in regard to the Lord’s ears, I have some issue with using man’s will as a basis of salvation. 

I find that regardless where I stand before the Lord, it is the Lord who is the end all game decider in my salvation.  And it is to Him that every appeal and item of “The Faith” belongs.  In all things, it is Jesus Alone who saves (and this to the Glory of the Father in Heaven).

Consider what I’ve entered here with trembling thoughts.  If you think differently on this issue, the Lord will make it plain enough in time.

By His Grace.

In Death there is No Vibration of Life.

by

0


I sit in the shade.  My arm is receiving the sun light.  I notice that my watch is leaving a reflection of the sun on a surface in shade.  Noticing how, regardless how still I try to make my arm, the reflection vibrates with movement.  And I am reminded that there is a place where that arm will never move again on its own.  There is a place where nothing of this body will move on its own.  Thus I am reminded that death is given to man as an obligation.  I will yet see the face of He who redeems and He who is able to provide life to those who trust and obey.

PS:  Please forgive the use of so many references to myself.  I couldn’t figure out how to tell the story without me in it.

By His Grace.

Any Beating is better Than Death.

by

0


After sleep comes the bowed head.  No tears threaten to well up.  The sorrow is felt in the soul.  Yet the heart hears a different tone.  The Lord of Perfect Beauty is calling.  And He calls to one who has sinned before Him.  I knew better.  Was it stubbornness?  Was it simple weakness?  Was it a lust for things past?  What do any of those questions matter now?  I sit here afraid yet not afraid.  It is the eyes of He who sees which gaze at me and softly scan my heart.  I have transgressed His demands of me.  And I am not misguided in my assessment of the situation.  There will be punishment to endure for the acts done.

After reflection and thanks for the simple things He whispers something odd.  “Yes, there will be punishment to endure.  But you will gladly accept My judgment when you see the alternative.” 

   47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12)

Jesus sits enthroned in Heaven.  The oil of joy is poured upon Him by the Father in Heaven.  He rules all eternity and is willing to share His joy.  For those of us who are being humbled by a collision with Holy and foolish sinful tendencies:  Consider yourself for a moment.  If you had a million dollars and were standing in a great place of poverty, would you help those around you?  Of course you would.  And would you judge those around you while you gave them food and clothing?  Of course you wouldn’t.  If that is how you who are full of sin would handle riches, how much more will the Lord of Glory share all good things with those who call out to Him for help?

Let your back be bent and your head be bowed for a time.  It is good to ponder the seriousness of your offences before the Most High God.  Allow yourself to really listen to Jesus’ calling, however.  Listen to what He is saying.  He knows your plight.  But He also knows where He is now enthroned.  He calls to all men to humble themselves before Him that in due time He might lift them up.  Only submit to the Lord of Love and consider yourself dead before the foot stool of the consuming fire that is God.

By His Grace.

Hell is Big Enough to Receive the Humanist

by

0


There is a difference between doing good  acts of righteousness and doing the Father’s Good and Holy Will.  There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death.  A man might go about doing what he thinks is good all the days of his life and still miss the promise of eternal life in Jesus.

Want proof?  Consider the following:

We see men and women all over the planet busily convincing others that doing good for their neighbor is the proper way to lead a meaningful and “godly” life.  Yet how do they know what good to do?  Are they, perhaps, stepping on the “toes” of God’s will?  When I was a willingly sinful man, I had no right to claim help from anyone.  Yet these people helped me.  What did they do to bring me to God’s will for my life?  Didn’t they enable me to remain in my situation?  I don’t say that I didn’t appreciate their good deeds.   But were their good intentions simply promoting a life I was willing to live?  Since I knew I could get help from men when I needed it, I continued in my willing sin.

Another aspect of this error of doing good to all for the sake of doing good is the reality of limits.  A man with a loaf of bread must feed his family first.  If there is something left over then he is allowed to feed the needy.  This limit of resources extends to everything man has at his disposal.  Sometimes we see men giving from their basic necessities for the sake of doing good for others.  But eventually the resources run out.  So by limits placed on man he can only give of what is available.  After that we see promises and hopes dashed.  This is not so when it comes to the will of the Father in Heaven.  To God there is no limit to His resources.  And if a man chases after God’s will in Jesus the Christ, he will find enough to satisfy the needs of God’s will.   And only God can truly change a life.  Man’s efforts are only a bandaid over the sinful nature within the man.  God, through Jesus, comes in and removes the necessity to live a sinful life.  That man’s ways become godly by virtue of the unlimited resources of God.  Not the limited resources of man.

In short, we see man trying to do good yet failing because of the limits God has placed on him.  These limits are in place that we might recognize our need to rely on God alone.  But man, without the Spirit of God,  does not see the need to rely on God as long as there are still resources left.  Politicians are in demand for every resource the people under them can generate.  They are seriously damaging their own household that they might provide for their own greedy minds and hearts.  Yet they don’t take into account the dwindling resources under their control.  God will judge with eternal wisdom.  And every man will give account of his willingness to serve the God who made him.

Do not be fooled by the “Good Doers of this age.  Serve God first then all things good will be provided.  You will find your resources expand where others watch them recede.   Become God powered doers.  And this is done by accepting Jesus’ perfect desire for your life.  This is the reason we are given life in the first place.  In this Place of Testing, we are put to a choice; serve God or serve man.

By His Grace.