To: In Home churches of God, God’s 7th month Tishrei 10, 5,781. 9/30/2020

    Apostasy is the renunciation of the faith our Lord’s brother Jude was compelled to write about. All but followers of Jesus had gone away from God long before Jesus came as the Light to call out a chosen spiritual people for His own and now Jude saw a renunciation of Jesus’ good news taking place in the church. Each apostle spoke of imposters attempting to lead people by manifesting themselves as angels of light, but Jude saw the making of a more camouflaged system. People changing times, twisting Jesus’ words, make Him out to be one opposed to the law and accepting paganism. Thus today the whole world looks to a pagan calendar. Jesus ask the question, ‘will He find faith on earth?’ (Luke 18:7-8; Won’t God give justice to His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay long to help them? I tell you, He will give them justice speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?“) So for the Elect’s sake He’ll cut time short. (Matt 24:22; And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the Elect those days will be cut short.)

    Remember many are called but few chosen. See Matt 22:14. Why would that be? Many reasons, but it’s also the reason God set aside particular times for worship and reflect on life’s purpose. Without Sabbaths all religions evolve to this world’s system of things.  

     By God’s calling and fathering people are born from above. By His fathering people become literal children, inherit eternal life and become heirs with Abraham through Jesus. His disciplines, His children are kept on His Potter’s wheel for training and shaping to the image of His Firstborn. Making His chosen people at one with Himself, even as Jesus is AT ONE and obedient to the will of His Father. When Jesus’ apostle Paul was coaching God’s church at Corinth about judging between themselves rather than taking one another to courts, he shared the following.

   (1Cor 6:2-3; Or do you not know that the Saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to settle trivial suits? Do you not know that we will judge angels? Why not ordinary matters?)

     When Jesus was creating angelic beings He and His Father were planning our physical and spiritual creations. His planning had purpose beyond our imagination. Making humankind in His likeness - image and ultimately in His spiritual likeness. He was designing His family to ultimately rule with Jesus.

    It’s shared in His Holy Word that about one third of His created angelic beings followed Lucifer’s rebellion. Seemingly the serpent, the old devil who became Lucifer, knew of God’s planning when he was tempting Eve to make a choice to be disobedient. Most of Satan’s lies do have a smattering of truth. Let’s review.

    (Gen 3:5; Satan said to Eve, for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will open and you will be like divine beings who know good and evil.) Satan knew knowledge concerning right, wrong, good and evil would only be through obedience to Creator Jesus’ Way. Satan knew mankind’s nature is such that a nature change would be necessary to be created in God’s spiritual likeness. He knew how to tempt people’s humanity, such as today’s clergy who decide for themselves and entice a following. Satan planned all along to present himself and his followers as angels of light, professing to follow God while actually following their own imaginations. On this subject God has the following to say through His prophet Isaiah.

     (Isaiah 41:21-29; Present your argument, says the Lord. Produce your evidence says Jacob’s king. Consider Israel’s king, who He fights for, spiritual Israelites? “Let them produce evidence! Let them tell us what will happen! Tell us about your earlier predictive oracles, so we may examine them and see how they were fulfilled. Or decree for us some future events! Predict how future events will turn out, so we might know you are gods. Yes, do something good or bad, so we might be frightened and in awe. Look, you are nothing, and your accomplishments are nonexistent; the one who chooses to worship you is disgusting. I have stirred up one out of the north and he advances, one from the eastern horizon who prays in My name. He steps on rulers as if they were clay, like a potter treading the clay.” Who decreed this from the beginning, so we could know? Who announced it ahead of time, so we could say, ‘He’s correct?’ Indeed, none of them decreed it! Indeed, none of them announced it! Indeed, no one heard You say anything!

    I first decreed to Zion, ‘Look, here’s what will happen!’ I sent a herald to Jerusalem. I look, but there is no one among them there is no one who serves as an adviser, that I might ask questions and receive answers. Look, all of them are nothing, their accomplishments are nonexistent; their metal images lack any real substance.)

    Like religions in this age, Israelites wanted to be popular with neighbor nations and be condoning toward their gods. God challenges unbelievers through Jeremiah likewise. Likewise today’s clergy saying “just believe and be saved.”

   (Jeremiah 7:1-7; The Lord said to Jeremiah: “Stand in the gate of the Lord’s temple and proclaim this message: ‘Listen, all you people of Judah who have passed through these gates to worship the Lord. Hear what the Lord has to say. The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says: Change the way you have been living and do what is right. If you do, I will allow you to continue to live in this land. Stop putting your confidence in the false belief that says, “We are safe! The temple of the Lord is here! The temple of the Lord is here! The temple of the Lord is here!” You must change the way you have been living and do what is right. You must treat one another fairly. Stop oppressing foreigners who live in your land, children who have lost their fathers, and women who have lost their husbands. Stop killing innocent people in this land. Stop paying allegiance to other gods. That will only bring about your ruin. If you stop doing these things, I will allow you to continue to live in this land which I gave to your ancestors as a lasting possession.

    (Jeremiah 7: 8-11; But just look at you! You are putting your confidence in a false belief that will not deliver you. You steal, You murder, You commit adultery, You lie when you swear on oath, You sacrifice to the god Baal. You pay allegiance to other gods whom you have not previously known. Then you come and stand in My presence in this temple I have claimed as My own and say, “We are safe!” You think you are so safe that you go on doing all those hateful sins! Do you think this temple I have claimed as My own is to be a hideout for robbers? You had better take note! I have seen for Myself what you have done! says the Lord.”)

    The first paragraph tells us why this world’s religions honor pagan times more than God’s Sabbaths.

      (Jer 7:12-15; So, go to the place in Shiloh where I allowed Myself to be worshiped in the early days. See what I did to it because of the wicked things My people Israel did. You also have done all these things, says the Lord, and I have spoken to you over and over again. But you have not listened! You have refused to respond when I called you to repent! So I will destroy this temple which I have claimed as My own, this temple that you are trusting to protect you. I will destroy this place that I gave to you and your ancestors, just like I destroyed Shiloh. And I will drive you out of My sight just like I drove out your relatives, the people of Israel.)

    As do various denominations today, the Israelites erroneously concluded, because the temple of God is here, we can worship gentile gods too.

   (Jeremiah 7:16-20; Then the Lord said, As for you, Jeremiah, do not pray for these people! Do not cry out to Me or petition Me on their behalf! Do not plead with Me to save them, because I will not listen to you. Do you see what they are doing in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? Children are gathering firewood, fathers are building fires with it, and women are mixing dough to bake cakes to offer to the goddess they call the Queen of Heaven. They are also pouring out drink offerings to other gods. They seem to do all this just to trouble Me. But I am not really the one being troubled! says the Lord. Rather they are bringing trouble on themselves to their own shame! So, the Lord God says, “My raging fury will be poured out on this land. It will be poured out on human beings and animals, on trees and crops. And it will burn like a fire which cannot be extinguished.”)

    Does this sound like activities in your community? God is speaking to any people attempting to worship Him while rejecting His Sabbaths. We’re warned that the uncalled will not listen, consider it.

    (Jer 7:21-26; The Lord said to the people of Judah, The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says: ‘You might as well go ahead and add the meat of your burnt offerings to that of the other sacrifices and eat it too! Consider this: When I spoke to your ancestors after I brought them out of Egypt, I did not merely give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices. I also explicitly commanded them: “Obey Me. If you do, I will be your God and you will be My people. Live exactly the way I tell you and things will go well with you.” But they did not listen to Me or pay any attention to Me. They followed the stubborn inclinations of their own wicked hearts. They acted worse and worse instead of better. From the time your ancestors departed the land of Egypt until now, I sent My servants the prophets to you again and again, day after day. But your ancestors did not listen to Me nor pay attention to Me. They became obstinate and were more wicked than even their own forefathers.’”)

      (Jer 7:27-29; Then the Lord said to me, “When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you. When you call out to them, they will not respond to you. So tell them: ‘This is a nation that has not obeyed the Lord their God and has not accepted correction. Faithfulness is nowhere to be found in it. These people do not even profess it anymore. So, mourn, you people of this nation. Cut off your hair and throw it away. Sing a song of mourning on the hilltops. For the Lord has decided to reject and forsake this generation that has provoked His wrath!’)

     (Jer 7:30-34; The Lord says, “I have rejected them because the people of Judah have done what I consider evil. They have set up their disgusting idols in the temple which I have claimed for My own and have defiled it. They have also built places of worship in a place called Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom so that they can sacrifice their sons and daughters by fire. That is something I never commanded them to do! Indeed, it never even entered My mind to command such a thing! So, watch out!” says the Lord. “The time will soon come when people will no longer call those places Topheth or the Valley of Ben Hinnom. But they will call that valley the Valley of Slaughter and they will bury so many people in Topheth they will run out of room. Then the dead bodies of these people will be left on the ground for the birds and wild animals to eat. There will not be any survivors to scare them away. I will put an end to the sounds of joy and gladness, or the glad celebration of brides and grooms throughout the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem. For the whole land will become a desolate wasteland.”)

      The noun, Topheth is generally explained as an artificial formation of a word related to the Aramaic word for ‘cooking stove’ combined with the vowels for the word for ‘shame.’ Hence, Jewish piety viewed it as a very shameful act, one that was contrary to the law. See Lev 18:21; 20:2-6. Child sacrifice was practiced during the reigns of the wicked kings Ahaz, Manasseh and apparently during Jeremiah’s day. See 2 Kgs 16:3; 21:6; and Jer 32:35. Such wickedness was done in Egypt and even in Mexico in the previous century: originating from the demonic belief that people are born immortal.

    (2 Chron 28:1-4; Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what pleased the Lord, in contrast to his ancestor David. He followed in the footsteps of the kings of Israel; he also made images of the Baals. He offered sacrifices in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and passed his sons through the fire, a horrible sin practiced by the nations whom the Lord drove out before the Israelites. He offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.)

     The word translated hell is ‘Gehenna - geenna,’ a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew words ‘gehenna’ - Valley of Hinnom. This was the valley along the south side of Jerusalem. In Old Testament times it was used for human sacrifices to the pagan god Molech; See Jer 7:31; 19:5-6; 32:35, and it came to be used as a place where human excrement and rubbish were disposed and burned. In the intertestamental period, it came to be used symbolically as the place of divine punishment. See Ezra 7:36.

    Catholic and Protestant doctrine on hell, came from the evolution of translations from people with agenda’s and Satan’s lie, ‘God knows you won’t surely die.’ Holy Scripture teaches through Jesus’ apostles that eternal life is only gifted through, Jesus by promise.

     (John 10:34-39; Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those people to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’ (and the scripture cannot be broken), do you say about the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform the deeds of My Father, do not believe Me. But if I do them, even if you do not believe Me, believe the deeds, so that you may come to know and understand that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.” Then they attempted again to seize Him, but He escaped their clutches.”)

     Understanding the above concerns the meaning of Jesus’ quoting Ps 82:6. It is important to look at the Old Testament context: The whole line reads “I say; you are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you.” Jesus picks up on the term “sons of the Most High” in John 10:36, where he refers to Himself as the Son of God. The psalm was understood in rabbinic circles as an attack on unjust judges who, though they have been given the title ‘gods’ because of their quasi-divine function of exercising judgment, are just as mortal as other men. What is the argument here? It is often thought to be as follows: If it was an Old Testament practice to refer to men like the judges as gods, and that not blasphemy, why did the Jewish authorities object when this term was applied to Jesus?

    The reason the Old Testament judges could be called gods is because they were vehicles of the word of God. See John 10:35. Granting that premise, Jesus deserves much more than they to be called God. He is the Word incarnate, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world to save the world. See John 10:36. In light of the prologue to the Gospel of John, it seems this interpretation would have been most natural for the author.

      If it is permissible to call men ‘gods’ because they were the vehicles of the word of God, how much more permissible is it to use the word ‘God’ of Him who is the Word of God?

To: In Home churches of God, God’s 7^th month, Tishrei 11, 5,881, 9/29/2020 

     Psalms 78: and Acts 7: are major text for the historical Christian foundation. They’re overviews of God’s dealings with His people, revealing that all fleshly minded people’s stubbornness toward God and why all must be born from above in order to inherit eternal live. A new nature must be implanted in each; why our loving Creator came to give His all, died as the sacrificial lamb so sins could be remitted.  

    Born from above followers of Jesus people are as foreigners in today’s world, much like Israelites were in Egypt. Followers of Jesus are in the world but not of the world, spiritual Israelites, Jesus’ heirs and Abraham’s descendents.

    The difference in old and new covenants are. (1) Under the old Israelites were under the guardianship of the law, a chosen people God called, blessed and fought for. (2) Under the new followers of Jesus are individually called out to be at one spiritually with God the Father and God the Son; Jesus’ gifted faith serves the desire to lovingly obey, gives knowledge of to whom belonging, know they’re spiritual Israelites, depend on His promises to save, deliver and mediate on their behalf.

    The Holy Scriptures define a believer as one to whom God’s spirit dwells, making each at ONE with God the Father and God the Son. That same miraculous Holy Spirit given through Jesus’ faith inspired Paul to share the following message with the Galatians and all Believers.   

     (Galatians 3:23-29; Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed. Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female – for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.) Being Abraham’s descendent and believing in Jesus makes one a spiritual Jew/Israelite. 

    God’s new covenant is defined in verses 23-29 above. People are still being called to this salvation, which is Jesus’ spirit imputed to the minds through being called to believe IN His good news. God gifted traditions are held on to by Jesus’ followers, because their the Way and times holy to God. Demonically led people changed God’s Sabbaths, named week days after pagan imaginary gods, these were of the same arrogant mindset as the lawless ones in each age. Unbelief and hostile minds causes folks to yield to Satan, his followers and personal intellect. Paul explained.

   (2Thess 3:1-5; Finally, pray for us, brothers and sisters, that the Lord’s message may spread quickly and be honored as in fact it was among you, and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil people. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. And we are confident about you in the Lord, that you are both doing – and will do – what we are commanding. Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and the endurance of Christ.) The evil one is Satan, through his followers he leads folks to be perverse and make merchandise of others.

    (2Thess 3:6-15; But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us. For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you, and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat. For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others. Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat. But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing what is right. But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.)

    Traditions taught by Jesus’ apostles were holy to God, whether family structured or keeping holy times.

    (2Thess 3:16-18; Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is how I write in every letter. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.)

    Jesus apostles suffered for the cause of Christ as they were destined to do. They and all Jesus’ followers will have their reward when He returns. Jesus pointed out that it’s hard for lovers of the world’s way to convert and be saved.

    (Matt 19:23-30; Then Jesus said to His disciples, “I tell you the truth, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! Again I say, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.) Jesus isn‘t referring to a literal sewing needle, we’re given to understand; there was a place familiar to them where camel’s had trouble getting through.

    (The disciples were greatly astonished when they heard this and said, “then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said to Him, “Look, we have left everything to follow You! What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth; in the age when all things are renewed, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.)

    Unbelievers practice dictates of their fleshly mind as inspired by demonically led leaders. Such have been influencing people before and after the flood, inspiring the worshiping of the planets, images and people to whom they make heroes. As with followers of Jesus today, God chose Abraham and instructed him to go out from the world and live righteously before Him. Abraham obeyed, God, made promises to him and his descendents, which include today’s followers of Jesus. As Israelites, followers of Jesus are a set aside – sanctified people. A people being delivered, saved by loving grace, a people Jesus fights for as the word ‘Israel’ indicates.

    Through Moses Jesus delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. That bondage is likened to the bondage of sin all people are born in. Jesus’ delivering Israel from Egyptian bondage partially fulfills His promise to Abraham. As God often plans, that deliverance was on the exact same day after 430 years. Promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel, includes spiritual Israelites. Israel’s history is for our learning. Everything Jesus dealt with concerning Israel looked forward to His coming, instituting a new covenant which included His sacrificing His own life’s blood for the remission of sins. Followers of Jesus are a people called to be spiritual Israelites. Like Israel, they’re a people God fights for. Set aside to live and practice God’s Way, from the gifted position of loving God’s point of view. A people looking forward to the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus, to bind Satan, destroy wickedness and make peace on earth. It’s the hope of every follower of Jesus.

    The most important thing Christians can ask for is, gifted Godly love. Paul wrote to fellow Christians in part. (Phil 2:4-8; Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had, who though He existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled Himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross!)

     When people deciding for themselves what is right, wrong, good and evil they’re in fact, regarding themselves equal with God. Think themselves smarter than Satan. Jesus emptied Himself, yielded as a servant to God the Father and the people God gave Him. Not My will but Your will be done, was Jesus’ Way. It’s also The Way of God’s Elect, the called and chosen to be followers of Jesus.

     As we have learned from John 1:1-5, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-4 and other text, Jesus was with God the Father when all things were being planned and created. It was He and His Father’s choosing that He come in the flesh, look like other men, humble Himself and take on the form of a slave. (Verse 5 of Philippians 2: in the King James translation reads, “let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus.”)

    A question to each called; can individuals choose to think like Jesus without being supernaturally gifted to do so? NO. So we should entertain, where does the desire to be like Jesus come from? Where does an attitude like Jesus’ and the desire to be at one with Him come from? These come from God’s FIRST loving us! From being chosen and called by God the Father to be at one with Himself and God the Son.

    On that Passover evening when Jesus knew He was going to be arrested, persecuted and killed; His prayer to His Father was, “Your will must be done.” (Matt 26:42; He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done.”

    All blood sacrifices commanded in temple services pointed to, looked forward to, our Creator Jesus’ own blood sacrifice for the sins of the world. All Jesus’ activities, past, present and future, were preplanned from the foundation of the world!

    God’s ultimate plan is to make a called chosen people spiritually at one with Himself. Seemingly this was known by His created angelic beings, including the one who became the rebellious Satan. Perhaps it was jealously that caused Lucifer’s rebellion.

To: In H      ome churches of God, God’s 7^th month, Tishrei 10, 5,881, 9/28/2020

   Today is Atonement, ‘Yom Kippur’ on the Jewish calendar, the 10^th day of God’s seventh month. Atonement is the fifth of seven annual Sabbaths set aside for contemplation regarding God’s amazing love. He loved and planned to make the way for our becoming family before re-creating this earth and making us in His likeness and image. 

 We reviewed last study, how Satan and his followers will make progress in their effort to camouflage God’s truth until the Most High will stop their ongoing apostasy. Satan is the reason most people are in a rebellion mindset as Israelites were when they looked at other nations to consider their gods. Israel couldn’t rid themselves of the pagan practiced learned in Egypt. People are no different today, until God supernaturally opens one’s mind and grants His gift of repentance each person is of the flesh.

    In explanation to Nicodemus Jesus explained, (John 3:5-8; I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above.’ The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.)

    Once worldly ways are engrained to the mind, only God can remove its desires. God’s care of Israel was reviewed with them and yet they continued practicing ways learned in Egypt. Their problems in this regard is reflected at Psalms 78.    

    (Psalms 78:21-69; When the Lord heard this, He was furious. A fire broke out against Jacob, and His anger flared up against Israel, because they did not have faith in God, and did not trust His ability to deliver them.

    He gave a command to the clouds above, and opened the doors in the sky. He rained down manna for them to eat; He gave them the grain of heaven. Man ate the food of the mighty ones. He sent them more than enough to eat. He brought the east wind through the sky, and by His strength led forth the south wind. He rained down meat on them like dust, birds as numerous as the sand on the seashores. He caused them to fall right in the middle of their camp, all around their homes. They ate until they were stuffed; He gave them what they desired. They were not yet filled up, their food was still in their mouths, when the anger of God flared up against them. He killed some of the strongest of them; He brought the young men of Israel to their knees.

     Despite all this, they continued to sin, and did not trust Him to do amazing things. So He caused them to die unsatisfied and filled with terror. When He struck them down, they sought His favor; they turned back and longed for God. They remembered that God was their protector, and that the sovereign God was their deliverer.

     But they deceived Him with their words, and lied to Him. They were not really committed to Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant. Yet He is compassionate. He forgives sin and does not destroy. He often holds back His anger, and does not stir up His fury. He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past and does not return.

    How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness, and insulted Him in the desert! They again challenged God, and offended the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember what He had done, how He delivered them from the enemy, when He performed his awesome deeds in Egypt, and His acts of judgment in the region of Zoan. He turned their rivers into blood, and they could not drink from their streams. He sent swarms of biting insects against them, as well as frogs that overran their land. He gave their crops to the grasshopper, the fruit of their labor to the locust. He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore-fig trees with driving rain. He rained hail down on their cattle, and hurled lightning bolts down on their livestock. His raging anger lashed out against them, He sent fury, rage, and trouble as messengers who bring disaster. He sent His anger in full force; He did not spare them from death; He handed their lives over to destruction. He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their reproductive power in the tents of Ham.

     Yet He brought out His people like sheep; He led them through the wilderness like a flock. He guided them safely along, while the sea covered their enemies. He brought them to the border of His holy land, to this mountainous land which His right hand acquired. He drove the nations out from before them; He assigned them their tribal allotments and allowed the tribes of Israel to settle down.

     Yet they challenged and defied the sovereign God, and did not obey His commands. They were unfaithful and acted as treacherously as their ancestors; they were as unreliable as a malfunctioning bow.

    They made Him angry with their pagan shrines, and made Him jealous with their idols. God heard and was angry; He completely rejected Israel. He abandoned the sanctuary at Shiloh, the tent where He lived among men. He allowed the symbol of his strong presence to be captured; He gave the symbol of His splendor into the hand of the enemy.

     He delivered His people over to the sword, and was angry with His chosen nation. Fire consumed their young men, and their virgins remained unmarried. Their priests fell by the sword, but their widows did not weep. But then the Lord awoke from His sleep; He was like a warrior in a drunken rage. He drove His enemies back; He made them a permanent target for insults. He rejected the tent of Joseph; He did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. He chose the tribe of Judah, and Mount Zion, which He loves. He made His sanctuary as enduring as the heavens above; as secure as the earth, which He established permanently.)

     (Psalms 78:70-72; He chose David, His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds. He took him away from following the mother sheep, and made him the shepherd of Jacob, His people, and of Israel, His chosen nation. David cared for them with pure motives; he led them with skill.) It’s prophesied, David will again sit on his throne. A characteristic of God our Father is that He does the choosing. Israel kept considering how other nations were doing and tried to compare. The many looked to their own understanding, their assumed intellect.

    Jesus had Paul compare Israel’s protection to the current spiritual.

    (1Cor 10:12-13; So let the one who thinks he is standing be careful that he does not fall. No trial has overtaken you, that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.)

    Reflect on the marriage covenant, it’s likened to the Lord God’s covenant with Israel, and today’s followers of Jesus; as husband, Israel His wife. Likewise Jesus is as a husband to His church

Same is taught in Hebrews with the way to perfect the conscious added. 

    Hebrews 9:1-10; Now, the first covenant in fact had regulations for worship and its earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, which contained the lampstand, the table and the presentation of the loaves; this is called the holy place. And after the second curtain there was a tent called the holy of holies. It contained the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered entirely with gold. In this ark were the golden urn containing the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. And above the ark were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Now is not the time to speak of these things in detail.

     So with these things prepared like this, the priests enter continually into the outer tent as they perform their duties. But only the high priest enters once a year into the inner tent, and not without blood that he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance.

     The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing. This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. They served only for matters of food and drink and various washings; they are external regulations imposed until the new order came.)

      Today spiritual Israelites are followers of the same Jesus that delivered Israel through Moses. Israel’s stubbornness is our glaring example. The new covenant is with God’s spirit gifted people and perfects the conscience of the worshipers, making each AT ONE with God the Father and God the Son. So Paul could write to converted people about grace and eternal comfort.

      (2Thess 2:13-17; But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.)

      Paul taught that followers of Jesus were chosen from the beginning, saved by grace, called to believe IN Jesus, His deeds and good news regarding sa

To: In Home churches of God, God’s 7th month Tishrei 8, 5,781. 9/26/2020

    It’s the Sabbath, God set aside time for His people to contemplate why we’re here, His purpose for making us in His image and likeness. Think of God’s love to have even considering making it possible for people to be born again, receive His Holy Spirit of truth making them His literal children, ‘Gods.’ Tomorrow evening at sunset begins the day of Atonement, ‘Yom Kippur on the Jewish calendar, the 10^th day of Tishrei, God’s seventh month. God’s prophet Daniel was given the following prophecy regarding the future; how Satan is inspiring some in these final days and how God’s kingdom will come to be. Troubles are ahead, always study the whole.

    (Daniel 7:18-28; The holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will take possession of the kingdom forever and ever.’

    Then I wanted to know the meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others. It was very dreadful, with two rows of iron teeth and bronze claws, and it devoured, crushed, and trampled anything that was left with its feet.  I also wanted to know the meaning of the ten horns on its head, and of that other horn which came up and before which three others fell. This was the horn that had eyes and a mouth speaking arrogant things, whose appearance was more formidable than the others. While I was watching, that horn began to wage war against the holy ones and was defeating them, until the Ancient of Days arrived and judgment was rendered in favor of the holy ones of the Most High. Then the time came for the holy ones to take possession of the kingdom.

     “This is what He told me: ‘The fourth beast means that there will be a fourth kingdom on earth that will differ from all the other kingdoms. It will devour all the earth and will trample and crush it. The ten horns mean that ten kings will arise from that kingdom. Another king will arise after them, but he will be different from the earlier ones. He will humiliate three kings. He will speak words against the Most High. He will harass the holy ones of the Most High continually. His intention will be to change times established by law. They will be delivered into his hand For a time, times, and half a time.

     But the court will convene, and his ruling authority will be removed — destroyed and abolished forever!

    Then the kingdom, authority, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be delivered to the people of the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; all authorities will serve him and obey him.’ “This is the conclusion of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and the color drained from my face. But I kept the matter to myself.”)

    Compare with Matt 24: (Dan 12:1-7; At that time Michael, the great prince who watches over your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress unlike any other from the nation’s beginning up to that time. But at that time your own people, all those whose names are found written in the book, will escape. Many of those who sleep in the dusty ground will awake — some to everlasting life, and others to shame and everlasting abhorrence. But the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever.

    “But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will dash about, and knowledge will increase.”

    I, Daniel, watched as two others stood there, one on each side of the river. One said to the man clothed in linen who was above the waters of the river, “When will the end of these wondrous events occur?” Then I heard the man clothed in linen who was over the waters of the river as He raised both his right and left hands to the sky and made an oath by the one who lives forever: “It is for a time, times, and half a time. Then, when the power of the one who shatters the holy people has been exhausted, all these things will be finished.”

    I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, “Sir, what will happen after these things?” He said, “Go, Daniel. For these matters are closed and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made clean, and refined, but the wicked will go on being wicked. None of the wicked will understand, though the wise will understand. From the time that the daily sacrifice is removed and the abomination that causes desolation is set in place, there are 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits and attains to the 1,335 days. But you should go your way until the end. You will rest and then at the end of the days you will arise to receive what you have been allotted.”)

     Followers of Jesus are spiritual Israelites, heirs with Abraham and Descendent ‘Jesus.’ Atonement/Yom Kippur foreshadows followers of Jesus being One with Him and one another. God’s truth through Jesus began to undergo the apostasy back in Jude’s day as Satan caused the many to look to their own understanding. Christians must look to God’s view and prove all things, holding fast to what’s good. Christians are gifted with a Godly desire and effort to serve His purpose. See Philippians 2:13.

    God teaches we’re all born as sinners,’ born in sin,’ a lawless in God’s view nature. Each need a nature change as Jesus inspired His apostle Paul explain to the converted people in Rome.

    (Romans 8:9; You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to Him.) Look at this subject closer and consider it all.

    Eternal life giving spirit is only through believing IN Jesus who gives the desire to mimic Jesus in every way. His view should become our view. Not a conjured up self serving righteous view but, the righteousness that comes through God imputing Jesus’ spirit to the mind. A gifted desire to love as He loves and hate the abominations He hates. Followers of Jesus are being created in His image and likeness while in the flesh, He instructs and disciplines to make His people worthy of His kingdom, ‘by grace we’re saved.’

        Jesus teaches and disciplines to make His people worthy of His kingdom according to the grace of our God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s review from Paul

    (2Thess 2:9-12; The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved. Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.)

     As God is pure and holy, so must His household be. People with the help of arrogant religions, demonized by Satan do speak arrogantly and influence others to do so. Thus deceiving if possible, the very Elect. See Matt 24:24.

     Contemplate on Jesus’ calling and revealing Himself to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and others; these were led to look to Him in all manner of conduct and living. As revealed to Abraham, his descendents would be in bondage, as foreigners to a sinful nation before a miraculous deliverance. Bondage to Egypt was a type of sin with no way out, except by a covenant deliverance. Egypt and the whole world was in bondage as today. Again God has promised a special deliverance to Jesus and Abraham’s heirs. Saving Jacob’s descendents ‘Israel’ was by promise. Their deliverance was predestined by promise to Abraham. Today the whole world is in bondage to a divided world system orchestrated by Satan. The only way out for individuals is by promised predestined deliverance through faith belief in Jesus. Jesus’ apostle Paul was given to understand and shares with Believers that deliverance is likened to Jesus’ delivering Israel through Moses.

     (1Corinthians 10:1-4; For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were all drinking from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.

     Seemingly only a few are gifted to believe IN and understand that it was Jesus giving Moses the law commandments and oracles of God. Few understand, everything that happened with the Israelites are written for our examples; a people being called in this age.  

      (1Cor 10:5-11; But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were cut down in the wilderness. These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did. So do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.) Quote from Exodus 32:6. The term, play may refer to idolatrous, sexual play, although that is determined by the context rather than the meaning of the word itself.

 And let us not be immoral, as some of them were, and twenty-three thousand died in a single day. And let us not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by snakes. And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.)

       Idolatrous play engulfs the mind of people in industrious nations particularly.

     We need to share ‘Asaph’s rehearsal song for our spiritual benefit.

      (Psalms 78:1-12; Pay attention, My people, to My instruction! Listen to the words I speak! I will sing a song that imparts wisdom; I will make insightful observations about the past. What we have heard and learned – that which our ancestors have told us – we will not hide from their descendants. We will tell the next generation about the Lord’s praiseworthy acts, about His strength and the amazing things He has done. He established a rule in Jacob; He set up a law in Israel. He commanded our ancestors to make His deeds known to their descendants, so that the next generation, children yet to be born, might know about them. They will grow up and tell their descendants about them. Then they will place their confidence in God. They will not forget the works of God, and they will obey His commands. Then they will not be like their ancestors, who were a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that was not committed and faithful to God.

   The Ephraimites were armed with bows, but they retreated in the day of battle. They did not keep their covenant with God, and they refused to obey His law. They forgot what He had done, the amazing things He had shown them. He did amazing things in the sight of their ancestors, in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

     He divided the sea and led them across it; He made the water stand in a heap. He led them with a cloud by day, and with the light of a fire all night long. He broke open rocks in the wilderness, and gave them enough water to fill the depths of the sea. He caused streams to flow from the rock, and made the water flow like rivers. Yet they continued to sin against Him, and rebelled against the sovereign One in the desert.

     They willfully challenged God by asking for food to satisfy their appetite. They insulted God, saying, Is God really able to give us food in the wilderness? Yes, He struck a rock and water flowed out, streams gushed forth. But can He also give us food? Will He provide meat for His people?) Followers of Jesus are promised protection while those that refuse the truth will fall for the demonic chaos that’s coming.

To: In Home churches of God, God’s 7^h month Tishrei 6, 5,781. 9/24/2020 

    The mystery divided denominations can’t understand is God gifted revelations to His called, selected people; fathering them, making each ‘born from above,’ thus at One with Himself and God the Son. It’s a supernatural calling and opening of one’s mind to spiritual understanding. Not obtainable through denomination theology, ‘one’s intellect, which is works of the flesh.’ Trusting intellect isn’t respecting God’s word which specifically warns against doing so. Trusting God’s promises to Abraham regarding his Descendent Jesus is scriptural. Trusting God’s original inspired word through the likes of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and His apostles is scriptural. These aren’t fleshly assumptions, but God revealed. Review last study pertaining to John the Baptist particularly in John’s gospel chapter 1:1-31; “But to all who have received Him — those who believe in His name — He has given the right to become God’s children — children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God.” Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it remained on Him. And I did not recognize Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining — this is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have both seen and testified that this man, is the Chosen One of God.”) The above verifies Col 1:15-20, John 1:1-5 & Heb 1:

Such are of God’s decision, to whom Jesus’ New Covenant is with. Not divided denominations.

   (Rom 8:11; Moreover if the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through His Spirit who lives in you.)

    (Rom 8:12-17; So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For, you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit its self bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if indeed we suffer with Him so we may also be glorified with Him.”)

   Some translate verse 16 to read, ‘spirit himself.’ Its self is accurate since God’s spirit isn’t a deity, a person, but God’s energizing spirit. His spirit is in Himself and can be in any number of people as He wills at the same time. A spirit can also be a familiar spirit as described in first Samuel 28:8) Breath and spirit is often translated from the same Hebrew word. There’s much more to consider; for example no apostle ever addressed the holy spirit as deity with God the Father and God the Son.

     (Rom 8:18-25; For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility – not willingly but because of God who subjected it – in hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance.) All born from above ‘fathered by God people’ since Jesus’ ascension to the time of His return are ‘firstfruits of the spirit.

      (Rom 8:26-30; In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit its self intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And God who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the Saints according to God’s will. And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose, because those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.) Our God is a preplanning God.

      (Rom 8:31-36; What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Indeed, He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s Elect? It is God who justifies. Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the One who died (and more than that, He was raised) who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”) (Quote from Psalms 44:22)

      (Rom 8:37-39; No, in all these things we have complete victory through Him who loved us! For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.)

      This Romans 8 chapter deserves several readings. Now back to Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians.

     (1Thessalonians 1:1-2; From Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!)

     ‘In God the Father and God the Son?’ As a called out, fathered by God apostle of Jesus, Paul had authority to write, ‘from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Paul had full confidence that he wrote as directed. His words were not his own, except when he said they were. (God’s church is a people fathered by God.) Paul’s letter is to the people of Thessalonica, a converted to God’s Way people. God the Father’s, and the Lord Jesus Christ’s people. Note: no apostle ever included the holy spirit in their salutation because it isn’t a deity.

      (1Thess 1:3-4; We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith flourishes more and more and the love of each one of you all for one another is ever greater. As a result we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you are enduring.)

      When an assembly or individual practices God’s Way in these worldly societies, persecutions are likely to follow. If a teacher/preacher is popular, looked up to, they aren’t likely to be teaching God’s truth. Each of Jesus’ apostles taught, the Jesus they worshiped also manifested Himself to Moses as the Lord God. The same Jesus walked with Abraham and called him friend. He came in the flesh, lived like His created people and died for the remission of this world’s sins.

      (1Thess 1:5-7; This is evidence of God’s righteous judgment, to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which in fact you are suffering. For it is right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to you who are being afflicted to give rest together with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.) That rest will come for all God’s people when Jesus returns.

     (1Thess 1:8-12; With flaming fire He will mete out punishment on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will undergo the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His strength, when He comes to be glorified among His Saints and admired on that day among all who have believed – and you did in fact believe our testimony. And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of His calling and fulfill by His power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.)

      Saints are being spiritually created in the image of Jesus while in the flesh. Jesus teaches and disciplines, to make His people worthy of His kingdom according to the grace of our God.

Second letter

   (2Thess 2:1-2; Now regarding the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to be with Him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be easily shaken from your composure or disturbed by any kind of spirit or message or letter allegedly from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here.)

      Paul believed that when Jesus arrives there’d be a gathering of His Saints in the air. Study 1 Corinthians 15: Some teach that God’s kingdom is here now, His Saints are His emissaries here and now.

      (2Thess 2:3-8; Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not arrive until the rebellion comes and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, and as a result he takes his seat in God’s temple, displaying himself as God. Surely you recall that I used to tell you these things while I was still with you. And so you know what holds him back, so that he will be revealed in his own time. For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the One who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way, and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath of His mouth and wipe out by the manifestation of His arrival.) (Note: “Paul believed that unbelievers will be destroyed, See chapter 1:9; and this lawless one, displaying himself as God will be destroyed. No apostle ever taught that bad folks go to a hot place to suffer eternally.

      (2Thess 2:9-12; The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved. Consequently God sends on them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. And so all of them who have not believed the truth but have delighted in evil will be condemned.)

     As God is pure and holy so will all His household be. People with the help of arrogant religions, demonized by Satan will speak arrogantly, do or have others do, miraculous things to deceive, if possible the very Elect. (See Matt 24:24) How is it that people can find no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved? They love this world’s system of things, its revelry, entertainment and the making of gods fitting their fleshly wishes.

   To: In Home churches of God, God’s 7^th month, Tishrei 5, 5,881, 9/23/2020

   Why will the nations fight Jesus when He returns? Imagine if in your community a majority began honoring all Ten Commandments. Trade and commerce would be disrupted to the degree that, a majority would be hated and persecuted. If such developed nationwide, shipping, merchants, lawyers and governments would be affected to the degree that war would ensue. In large part it’s why Germany murdered 6,000 Jews who couldn’t support the demonic Babylon system Hitler wanted. Sabbath keeping may have been a major part. Remember Satan is this world’s god who wants divisionary chaos and his demonic Babylon confusion system continued. Jesus’ return will fix things, but even Christendom denominations rebel.          

    God’s characteristics, love, desires and plans are revealed through God the Son, ‘Jesus’ His coming and manifesting Himself as, Creator of the world and gives His life so sin against God could be remitted. Previously through Moses, Jesus had revealed Himself to Jacob’s family and gave them their inheritance, ‘the law’ from Sinai, Seir and Mt. Paron, thus demonstrating His love for His chosen people. See Deuteronomy 33:1-4. Through His apostles Jesus revealed the prophesied magnification of that love to His chosen, ‘the called out believing in people.’ God the Father revealed this One ‘Jesus’ to John the Baptist, as recorded by Jesus’ apostle John. People gifted to believe in Jesus are given the right to become begotten children of God the Father by His choice.

     (John 1:6-18; A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that everyone might believe through him. He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. The true Light, who gives Light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was created by Him, but the world did not recognize Him. He came to what was His own, but His own people did not receive Him. But to all who have received Him — those who believe in His name — He has given the right to become God’s children — children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision, but by God.

    Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw His glory, the glory of the One and only, full of grace and truth ‘who came from the Father.’ John testified about Him and shouted out, “This One was the One about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is greater than I am, because He existed before me.’ “For, we have all received from His fullness one gracious gift after another. The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only one, Himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known.”) Always study the whole.

   (John 1:29-31; On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is the One about whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is greater than I am, because He existed before me.’ I did not recognize Him, but I came baptizing with water so that He could be revealed to Israel.” Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it remained on Him. And I did not recognize Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The One on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining — this is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have both seen and testified that this man, is the Chosen One of God.”) The above verifies Col 1:15-20, John 1:1-5 & Heb 1:

    Jesus gave the law through Moses to Jacob’s family, descendents; one’s chosen to be delivered from Egypt as promised Abraham, ‘which is likened to people’s being spiritually delivered from sin.’ As John the Baptist revealed, ‘believing in Jesus as He’s manifested through His prophets and apostles is to be baptized with the Holy Spirit; it’s gifting eternal life through believing in Jesus’ faith.’ The law was and is the guardian of all people who aren’t called to believe in Jesus as He’s manifested to be in this age. His word will judge people’s deeds.

     (John 12:47-50; If anyone hears My words and does not obey them, I do not judge him. For I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not accept My words has a judge; the word I have spoken will judge him at the last day. For, I have not spoken from My own authority, but the Father Himself who sent Me has commanded Me what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life. Thus the things I say, I say just as the Father has told Me.)

     (Galatians 3:21-29; Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under sin so that the promise could be given — because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ — to those who believe.

    Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed. Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female — for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.)

    No division, believers looking to and believing in Jesus’ saving faith for salvation are literal children. Followers and believers in Jesus had been like the rest, held in custody under the law until God the Father called and gave them over to Jesus, to be clothed and immersed in Him. Being clothed, immersed in Jesus is to be gifted with the Holy Spirit of truth with the God gifted desire and effort to emulate Jesus.

    Divided religions manufacture a Jesus in an image of their choosing, one seeming right to themselves. Denominational minded examine scripture for opportunity to twist. For example; there’s no reason for the word of God not to be taught on any day that’s convenient. Jesus nor did any apostles confined teaching to the Sabbath. Witnessing for Jesus should be done when it’s an opportune time. (Jesus said as much at Mark 2:27-28; “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath. For this reason the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”)

    (At 1Cor 16:1-4; Paul wrote about his collecting for needy Saints in Jerusalem, mentioning that as he’d given directions to the churches of Galatia, “On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside some income and save it to the extent that God has blessed you, so that a collection will not have to be made when I come. Then, when I arrive I will send those whom you approve with letters of explanation to carry your gift to Jerusalem. And if it seems advisable that I should go also, they will go with me.”) Paul would have taught on that first day of the week and on any other if convenient to do so, obviously he wanted collections to be made on the first day so they’d not have to be made when he came. He never taught or suggested a Sabbath change.

    Likewise it’s recording at Acts 20:7; “On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul began to speak to the people, and because he intended to leave the next day, he extended his message until midnight.”) They met to eat a meal and celebrate Paul’s leaving the next day with a collection for the Saints in Jerusalem. The people’s interest in what Paul was teaching caused the meeting to last until midnight. If people took this first day meeting literally, they’d be teaching until midnight each week.

    After a young man died after falling from a third store window, Paul prayed and Jesus gave life back. Afterward they all went up stairs, ate again and Paul continued teaching. See Acts 20:9-12. Always study the whole prayerfully.   

    Overly zealous of the law Jews were angered by Jesus’ healing on Sabbath days. See John 7:23 and 9:14. Jesus’ keeping His Sabbath as its Lord is like His parable about a fictitious Lazarus and a rich man’s going to Hades / hell, and the rich man wanting someone go tell his brothers to prevent them from a like punishment. Jesus’ response was; (Luke 16:31; If they do not respond to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.)

    Several times Paul was ask and answered, whether or not people under the New Covenant were exempt from the law, and he reputedly answered, absolutely not. A conversion of people from the law’s guardianship was and is only the result of God’s giving His Holy Spirit of truth to the mind; causing each recipient see the benefit of and love His law. The Holy Spirit of truth leads it’s recipients to view all thing from God’s perspective. 

    The Holy Scriptures teach that we’re all born in sin, born with a lawlessness in God’s view nature, that must be changed in order to inherit eternal life. (Romans 8:9; You however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to Him. Look closer and consider there’s much more.

     (Rom 8:1-4; There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For God achieved what the law could not do because it was weakened through the flesh. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and concerning sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.)

    “Us” is Paul and followers of Jesus who are recipients of the Holy Spirit. No one can live by the Holy Spirit without the supernatural imputation of Jesus’ faith changing their whole outlook. The eternal life giving spirit is only through believing IN Jesus through His faith. It gifts the desire to mimic Jesus in every way.

     (Rom 8:5; For, those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.)

     Adam and Eve’s outlook was shaped by their fleshly nature, when they decided to examine the devil’s temptation. The imputation of God’s Spirit causes people to look to Him for what’s right, wrong, good and evil. People deciding for themselves have a fleshly outlook.  

     (Rom 8:6-10; For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness.)

     It isn’t a conjured up self serving righteousness, but righteousness that comes through God the Father imputing His spirit to the mind. Desiring to love as He loves and hate the abominable things He hates.     

To: In Home churches of God, God’s 7^h month Tishrei 3, 5,781. 9/21/2020.

Without God’s Holy Spirit of truth’s indwelling in people’s mind, each is under the law as in ‘under a guardian.’ These will be judged according to their deeds. Recipients of God’s Holy Spirit of truth are blessed with a God gifted desire and effort to obey from a love of God mentality. By designed plan Jesus was the Descendent – Messiah prophesied to come; because of His ‘at one with the Father’ mentality He was exalted. Paul attempts to explain.

   (Philippians 2:9-13; As a result God exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth — and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the One bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort — for the sake of His good pleasure — is God.)

    People can only worship Jesus in spirit and truth, when He’s revealed by God our Father. Jesus forbids His followers to worship useing some artist’s painting, figurine, or an imaginary statue of some imaginary saints. Jesus’ deity and characteristics are revealed at Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 11:4, John 1:1-5 and other scripture, as Re-creator, Creator, Sustainer, Savior, Mediator, the resurrection and coming king of kings. It was He that instituted the physical covenant of circumcision with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all Israelites - descendents. In His prophesied spiritual covenant, ‘a circumcision of heart spirit covenant’ with Abraham’s Descendent ‘Jesus’ followers.  That physical covenant with Abraham, his descendents  and the spiritual covenant with ‘Descendent Jesus’ always  looking forward to God’s people being gifted with a ‘spiritual circumcision of heart outlook.’

     The law likewise looked forward to its spiritual gifted counterpart. Jesus’ delivery of the law covenant to Moses also looked forward to His laws ‘being poured out in our hearts and minds.’ It was necessary that the old covenant law giver ‘Jesus’’ die, so a new covenant could be instituted. Jesus inspired His apostle Paul to explain how His indwelling spirit develops and grows us to His likeness through His gifted faith. See Romans 5:1-11.

    (Romans  5:1-5; Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.) God’s indwelling spirit gives the desire to be ONE with the Father and the Son. An accomplishment the law could not do.

    (Rom 5:6-11; For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then because we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from God’s wrath. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by His life? Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.) Reconciliation is gifted through being called and gifted with a Godly desire and effort to believe and live as ONE with Jesus.

    Before Adam’s creation God the Father and God the Son planned Jesus’ shedding His own blood for remission of the world’s sin. Jesus defined sin through His apostle John.

    (1John 3:4-5; Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; indeed, sin is lawlessness. And you know that Jesus was revealed to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.) All people, particularly the Israelites to whom the law was given through Moses, demonstrated a spiritual inadequacy for righteous living. Jesus’ apostle Paul is likely our best example of a person attempting to live righteously by the law. It took Jesus’ revealing Himself, for Paul to see himself in Jesus’ light. Afterward as Jesus’ apostle, Paul was able to instruct Timothy in righteous living through God’s indwelling spirit.

    (2 Timothy 2:14-26; Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit, it just brings ruin on those who listen. Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith. However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.) Quote from Num 16:5.

    (2Tim 2:20-26; Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use. So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will.)

    The devil has many divisionary traps to cause people to miss the mark. In this latter age nations are gearing up for warfare and it’s prophesied that one likening himself to God will have much of the world yielding to and worshiping Satan, because so few know Jesus’ message. Nations will be talking peace while Satan plans division.

    (1Thess 5:1-11; Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night. Now when they are saying, there is peace and security, then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would. For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness. So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation. For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep we will come to life together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.)

    A time is coming when Satan will lead worldly leaders in an attempt to usurp God’s authority. Seemingly one will even claim to be god, do demonic miracles and deceive, ‘even the Saints if possible.’ (Matt 24:23-28; Jesus said, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘there He is!’ do not believe him. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the Elect. Remember, I have told you ahead of time. So then, if someone says to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or ‘look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe him. For just like the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.)

    Satan and his followers manifesting themselves as angels of light have already divided religions in their grip.

    (1Thess 5:12-22; Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord, admonish you, and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, ‘help the weak, be patient toward all.’ See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not extinguish the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt. But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. Stay away from every form of evil.)

    (1Thess 5:23-28; Now may the God of peace Himself make you completely holy, may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is trustworthy, and He will in fact do this. Brothers and sisters, pray for us too. Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. I call on you solemnly in the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.)

    Each apostle’s letter is to God called individuals, people gifted with spiritual understanding. Fleshly people can’t understand spiritually revelations. They buy into one or more demonic philosophies, with no based on intuitive insight into God’s Way which is singular.

To: In Home churches of God, God’s 6^th month Elul 29, 5,780. 9/18/2020

     Today at sunset begins the Christian Sabbath and fourth annual Sabbath, ‘Trumpets’ – ‘Rosh Hashana’ on the Jewish calendar its year 5,781. God’s gifted Holy Spirit of truth is the Christian’s gifted teacher, thus taught by God; that spirit convicts, leads, and inspires one’s turning - repentance. That result is a gifted down payment on eternal life. The annual Sabbath ‘Trumpets’ is about this victory through Jesus, the resurrection; blowing trumpets is a call to battle, victory and worship.

   (1Thess 4:13-18; Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep as Christians. For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.)

    Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church at chapter 15, explains; regardless of how long dead tombs will open and the dead in Christ will rise first. First resurrection, is when people are resurrected to spiritual life, these aren’t subject to a second death. Jesus’ good news is also about, ‘the age old mystery now revealed’ which is, God’s spirit living in people, making them at one with God the Father and God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The called are gifted to believe IN Jesus, His deeds, coming and to emulate His life. It’s gifted eternal life through Jesus’ imputed faith.

     Heavenly Father: please be mindful of each called believer You’ve led to follow Jesus. Strengthen each with courage, persevering minds to study in groups when possible, live quiet obedient lives and separate from the world. We ask in the nature of Jesus that time be shortened and Your Way soon be established. Amen.

     If we tell an unbelieving citizen of the world that Satan has made himself their god; most would be offended, except those who purposely worship him. Consider from where, worldly traditions, demonic worship, practices originate and who’s the author.

    Satan’s characteristics are described in the Holy Scriptures and Jesus said, He witnessed his falling like lightning from the heavens. See Luke 10:18. In Jesus’ revelations to His apostle John, He revealed and had John write of a previous conflict.

    (Rev 12:7-9; Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, the dragon and his angels fought back; but the dragon was not strong enough to prevail, so there was no longer any place left in heaven for him and his angels. So that huge dragon – the ancient serpent, the one called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world – was thrown down to the earth, and his angels along with him.)

    Jesus declared Satan to be the god of this world, one deceiving the whole world, He’s including divided religions and every individual that doesn’t look to Him for knowledge of right, wrong, good and evil. That’d be people living the way that seems right and evolved with the world. Sodom and Gomorra evolved from demonic deceptions, Abraham’s nephew ‘Lot’ moved there because of its appeal. It was a city moving back to the time before the flood. Then, like in this latter age Satan and his followers were manifesting themselves as angels of light, deceiving the world with many evolving religions. Jesus inspired Paul to reveal.

    (2Cor 11:12-15; And what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a chance to be regarded as our equals in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ; and no wonder for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.) Satan and those he influences used every opportunity to camouflage God’s truth.

     Our Lord’s brother ‘Jude’ wrote of the apostate taking place; he intended to write about the common salvation of Jesus’ followers, but was spiritually compelled to write otherwise; seeing Satan’s influence on practices that were causing pagan acceptance over God’s Way. It may have been early for Jude to have witnessed a pagan calendar that named days of week after pagan gods and months after demonically led rulers of the people, but that too was coming to distort truth.

    The Roman calendar names the first day Sunday, literally meaning, day of the sun. Second day Monday, literally meaning, day of the moon. Third day Tuesday, for the war god Tiu or Tyr. Fourth day Wednesday, Wooden or Odin- chief god. Fifth day Thursday, Thor, the god of thunder. Sixth day Friday, Frigg, the pagan god Orin’s wife, and what an abomination to name God’s seventh day, Sabbath, after the Roman agriculture god, Saturn, whose festival in Rome led to saturnalia - wild partying.

    No intelligent person can deny the origin of the Roman calendar, nor the reason professing Christians named days after pagan gods. It was a demonically led idea to bring pagans into an apostate Christianity. Jesus’ apostles; all but John was apparently killed for teaching Jesus’ Way against the tide of such apostate, which was and will always be anti-Christian until Jesus’ return. Considers Paul’s encounter while teaching against pagan idol worship.

    (Acts 19:23-27; At that time a great disturbance took place concerning The Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought a great deal of business to the craftsmen. He gathered these together, along with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity comes from this business. And you see and hear that this Paul has persuaded and turned away a large crowd, not only in Ephesus but in practically all of the province of Asia, by saying that gods made by hands are not gods at all. There is danger not only that this business of ours will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as nothing, and she whom all the province of Asia and the world worship will suffer the loss of her greatness.)

    (Acts 19:28-41; When they heard this they became enraged and began to shout, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! The city was filled with the uproar, and the crowd rushed to the theater together, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. But when Paul wanted to enter the public assembly, the disciples would not let him. Even some of the provincial authorities who were his friends sent a message to him, urging him not to venture into the theater. So then some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had met together. Some of the crowd concluded it was about Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front. Alexander, gesturing with his hand, was wanting to make a defense before the public assembly. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians for about two hours. After the city secretary quieted the crowd, he said, Men of Ephesus, what person is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image that fell from heaven?

    So because these facts are indisputable, you must keep quiet and not do anything reckless. For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against someone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another there. But if you want anything in addition, it will have to be settled in a legal assembly. For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause we can give to explain this disorderly gathering.” After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.)

    After Paul wrote the Thessalonians about Jesus’ return and the resurrection in chapter 5, he acknowledges that we don’t know the time. It’s apparent in most of the apostles’ letters that they each thought it possible that Jesus would return in their life time. However in this latter age knowledge has increased as Jesus promised. The six day work week and the seventh being for rest and worship is strong indication that Jesus’ and God the Father planned Jesus’ return after six thousand years. It’s no mistake on God’s part that He uses the number seven to indicate completion and that His plans are unalterable. Consider proofs; (Matt 1:17; So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to Christ, fourteen generations.) God preplanned that four of seven annual Sabbaths are in His seventh month with each foreshadowing His plans. God knew and planned the circumstance we face in this latter age, saying through Matthew; (Matt 24:10-14; Then many will be led into sin, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many, and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. But the person who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.) As always prayerfully study the whole.

To: In Home churches of God, God’s 6^th month Elul 24, 5,780. 9/14/2020

      Jesus’ good news through His apostles is about believers looking forward to His coming with His resurrected to eternal life Saints, binding Satan and ruling this earth with His justice. A millennial reign of peace, supernatural interventions, and Israelites being re-established to their borders as promised Abraham. Jacob’s heirs will become examples to the world through Jesus.

   (Micah 4:1-5; In the future the LORD’s Temple Mount will be the most important mountain of all; it will be more prominent than other hills. People will stream to it.  Many nations will come, saying, “Come on! Let’s go up to the LORD’s mountain, to the temple of Jacob’s God, so He can teach us His commands and we can live by His laws.” For Zion will be the source of instruction; the LORD’s teachings will proceed from Jerusalem. He will arbitrate between many peoples and settle disputes between many distant nations. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations will not use weapons against other nations, and they will no longer train for war. Each will sit under his own grapevine or under his own fig tree without any fear. The LORD who commands armies has decreed it. Though all the nations follow their respective gods, we will follow the LORD our God forever.)

   Some people groups, perhaps whole nations will cling to previous indoctrinations, but Jacob’s family will follow Jesus forever.     “In that day,” says the LORD, “I will gather the lame, and assemble the outcasts whom I injured. Jesus continues to reveal the future through Micah.

   (Mic 4:6-8; I will transform the lame into the nucleus of a new nation, and those far off into a mighty nation. The LORD will reign over them on Mount Zion, from that day forward and forevermore.” (See Psalms 78:70-72) As for you, watchtower for the flock, fortress of Daughter Zion — your former dominion will be restored, the sovereignty that belongs to Daughter Jerusalem.) Before Jesus’ coming the family of Jacob, ’Israelites’ will be yielded to Babylonian and Assyrian confusion.

    (Micah 4:9-13;Jerusalem, why are you now shouting so loudly? Has your king disappeared? Has your wise leader been destroyed? Is this why pain grips you as if you were a woman in labor? Twist and strain, Daughter Zion, as if you were in labor! For you will leave the city and live in the open field. You will go to Babylon, but there you will be rescued. There the LORD will deliver you from the power of your enemies.) Now many fleshly minded Israelites aren’t likely to fall in line, but will need a supernatural rescue. 

    (Micah 4:11-13; Many nations have now assembled against you. They say, “Jerusalem must be desecrated, so we can gloat over Zion!” But they do not know what the LORD is planning; they do not understand His strategy. He has gathered them like stalks of grain to be threshed at the threshing floor.)

     (Mic 4:13; Get up and thresh, Daughter Zion! For I will give you iron horns; I will give you bronze hooves, and you will crush many nations.” You will devote to the LORD the spoils you take from them, and dedicate their wealth to the Sovereign Ruler of the whole earth.) Now Jesus’ prophecy through Micah backs up to before Jesus’ second coming, and when enemies of Jacob’s family desire domination of Jerusalem.

    (Micah 4:14-5:15; But now slash yourself, daughter surrounded by soldiers! We are besieged! With a scepter they strike Israel’s ruler on the side of his face. As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah - from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on My behalf, One whose origins are in the distant past. So the LORD will hand the people of Israel over to their enemies until the time when the woman in labor gives birth. Then the rest of the king’s countrymen will return to be reunited with the people of Israel. He will assume His post and shepherd the people by the LORD’s strength, by the sovereign authority of the LORD His God. They will live securely, for at that time He will be honored even in the distant regions of the earth.)

     (Micah 5:5-6; He will give us peace. Should the Assyrians try to invade our land and attempt to set foot in our fortresses, we will send against them seven shepherd-rulers, make that eight commanders. They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with a drawn sword. Our king will rescue us from the Assyrians should they attempt to invade our land and try to set foot in our territory.) Remember Nimrod thought to dominate the world.

Jacob’s family is scattered in many nations, A Remnant Shall Be Delivered

   (Micah 5:7-15; Those survivors from Jacob will live in the midst of many nations. They will be like the dew the LORD sends, like the rain on the grass, that does not hope for men to come or wait around for humans to arrive. Those survivors from Jacob will live among the nations, in the midst of many peoples. They will be like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which attacks when it passes through; it rips its prey and there is no one to stop it. Lift your hand triumphantly against your adversaries; may all your enemies be destroyed! “In that day,” says the LORD, “I will destroy your horses from your midst, and smash your chariots. I will destroy the cities of your land, and tear down all your fortresses. I will remove the sorcery that you practice, and you will no longer have omen readers living among you. I will remove your idols and sacred pillars from your midst; you will no longer worship what your own hands made. I will uproot your images of Asherah from your midst, and destroy your idols. I will angrily seek vengeance on the nations that do not obey Me.”) Fine automobiles, homes and life styles will no longer be worshiped. 

Now Jesus is revealing through Paul how called out followers of Jesus’ should be living in this present age.

    (1Thess 4:1-8; Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) that you do so more and more. For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is God’s will: that you become holy, that you keep away from sexual immorality, that each of you know how to possess his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God. In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly. For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives His Holy Spirit to you.)

     Follower of Jesus need to have an overview of God’s revealed characteristics. Know how He dealt with Cain, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That by promise through His prophets and apostles, Jesus fulfilled the prophetic Messiah promise, sacrificed Himself, shed His life blood, for the remission of this world’s lawlessness and His followers individually. Jesus called twelve apostles, revealed their and all called out people’s duties. The bold Peter asked Jesus about their future.

     (Matt 19:27-30; Then Peter said to Jesus, Look, we have left everything to follow You! What then will there be for us? Jesus said to them, I tell you the truth: In the age when all things are renewed, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.)

      Many in this latter age will endure persecutions but will inherit eternal life. All Believers IN are looking forward to the age when all things are renewed. The twelve tribes of Israel will be noteworthy in the age to come with righteous judges, ‘the twelve apostles of the Lamb.’

     We don’t know of a biblical scriptural reason for God’s seventh month being called ‘Tishrei’ nor why the Judeans have named it their first month. The next new moon will mark God’s seventh month. Leviticus 23: gives us His summations, study it. From a Google search find the following; ‘Feast of Trumpets, new-years day-according to Jewish faith.’ The name, ‘Rosh Hashanah’ isn’t mentioned, nor is there a reference to its celebration. God’s calendar names the month, ‘Nisan’ His New Year month. Judea’s governing authorities later named God’s seventh their New Year month for 10 tribes. Kaufmann however does not accept this explanation, calling it ‘one of the errors.’   

    God’s seventh month concludes His third annual holy season, with four of seven annual Sabbaths, the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day the seventh annual Sabbath. See Leviticus 23: and Exodus 12: Many professing Christians teach God’s weekly and annual Sabbaths are part of God’s law that’s been fulfilled as in eliminated. Jesus disagrees through His apostle Paul.

     (Rom 3:31; Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! Instead we uphold the law.)

     (Rom 6:14-18; For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! Do you not know that if you present yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching you were entrusted to, and having been freed from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness.)

    (Rom 7:6-12; But now we have been released from the law, because we have died to what controlled us, so that we may serve in the new life of the Spirit and not under the old written code. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Absolutely not! Certainly, I would not have known sin except through the law. For, indeed I would not have known what it means to desire something belonging to someone else if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of wrong desires. For apart from the law, sin is dead. And I was once alive apart from the law, but with the coming of the commandment sin became alive and I died. So I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life brought death! For sin, seizing the opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it I died. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.)

    (Rom 7:13-25; Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Absolutely not! But sin, so that it would be shown to be sin, produced death in me through what is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual — but I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin.  For, I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want, instead, I do what I hate. But if I do what I don’t want, I agree that the law is good. But now it is no longer me doing it, but sin that lives in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me. So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God in my inner being. But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.) Paul is explaining that even though a recipient of God’s Spirit of Truth, ‘in the flesh he’s still working at overcoming its pulls.’ God’s imputed Spirit is the down payment to eternal life.

   (Galatians 3:19-29; Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the Descendant to whom the promise had been made. It was administered through angels by an intermediary. Now an intermediary is not for one party alone, but God is one. Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.  But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under sin so that the promise could be given — because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ — to those who believe. Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed. Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female — for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.)

     Paul isn’t speaking of a conjured up faith in a painter’s image; ‘but Jesus imputed - gifted to the mind faith.’ Jesus’ gifted faith is saving faith.

To: In Home churches of God, God’s 6^th month Elul 23, 5,780. 9/12/2020

     God’s New Covenant church was hijacked about the time our Lord’s brother ‘Jude’ wrote about the apostate of Jesus’ truth taking place. Fleshly void of the Holy Spirit people with agenda’s was starting what would become the Roman Catholic Church which grew into an empire. After Emperor Constantine’ conversion their growth was unparallel, consuming most of Europe, Asia and more. Conversion to their religion was mandatory for many years, even reaching the American Indians.

    Controversy developed over Papal celibacy giving birth to the Eastern Orthodoxy Catholic brand, today they’re primarily in Russia and east. Intellectuals’ with agenda’s was hired to translate the Hebrew scripture to Latin which was used in worship long after the King James English translation. Tyndale’s translation was among the early prominent ones. Protestants revered the King James for the most part. Primarily we now use the Net Bible translation because it appears to be closer to our modern day English.

    The Universal Church’s agenda has always been world dominance, their claiming to represent God’s kingdom on earth has in part, caused war with Muslims, Protestants and others. However Satan is the real cause of demonic division and hatred among people groups over religion and politics, which is today’s norm. People insisting on living according to God’s Biblical described morals are hated because they can’t condone a Sodom-Gomorra culture mentality.

    As did Jesus’ apostles we write in hope of keeping Jesus’ church family uplifted, knowledgeable of His Way and believing in Him as He’s manifested to be by, Himself, holy prophets and apostles. If divided denominational minded people find God’s truth undesirable and don’t grasp it, likely they’re not being called in this pre-millennium age, but it isn’t their end.…    A bright future in on the horizon, in the millennium physical resurrections, prosperity, peace, judgments of previous life deeds and a second death to people refusing God’s way is prophesied. Study, read aloud, Jesus’ Revelations to His apostle John and zero in on chapter 21:7-8. Know this; Jesus’ message and His apostles letters are to people loved and chosen by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, not divided worldly religions. Note Jesus’ apostle Paul’s phraseology to the church of God.

     (1Thess 1:4-6; We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you, in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power, in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you.) And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.)

    In each age people who joyfully receive God’s inspired word as preserved in its original languages with conviction, have turned from their having lived life pleasing to themselves in the flesh, to Jesus’ truth way granted to recipients of His gifted Holy Spirit. How’s this possible? Jesus answered Nicodemus as follows.

   (John 3:5-8; Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must all be born from above.’ The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”   

    Almighty God: thank You for Your awesomeness, holy attributes and oracles as presented in Holy Scripture. Help us believe IN and acquire a like mind with Jesus, as He’s manifest to be in Holy Scriptures. Make called individual in the spiritual image and nature of Jesus is our prayer. AMEN.  

    After seeing the order of God’s universe and this beautiful earth from space; astronaut ‘James Irwin’ believed he experienced a miraculous encounter with Jesus. After returning, he searched for Noah’s ark and went about telling people of his experience and belief in Jesus. Hopefully James Irwin will be in the first resurrection and if not, surely He’ll be praising God when he’s physically resurrected. It isn’t likely, folks with James Irwin’s deeds and attitude will experience a second death. (Review Revelations 21:7-8)

     When called and spiritually led to believe IN Jesus as He manifest Himself to be; His followers learn that He’s holy, the Re-creator, Creator, Sustainer, Savior, our Mediator before God the Father and our coming King of Kings. Believers also know Jesus as, ‘The Lord God’ saying to Adam; “You must not eat from the tree of life, of knowledge of good and evil nor touch it, or else you will die, and know Him as ‘the bread of life.’ (See John 6:35, 6:53 and 8:12) Believers know Jesus has eternal life and is the resurrection.

    (John 11:25-26; Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes IN Me will live even if he dies, and the one who lives and believes in Me will never die.)

     People called to believe IN and worshiping Jesus as He’s manifested to be are gifted with eternal life. The Hebrews writer we believe to be Paul, reflected on the Israelites being led to and standing before Mt. Zion during their deliverance from Egypt/sin. Explaining to praying believers, unlike the Israelites of that time, Believers in Jesus are enrolled in Heaven and are before God’s heavenly Mt. Zion.

    (Heb 12:22-24; But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to myriads of angels, to the assembly and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven; to God the judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous who have been made perfect, to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does.) As always study the whole.

     Believers are spiritually led to know the importance of allowing scripture explain scripture. Knowing dependency on any source other than our Creator for spiritual understanding regarding what’s right, wrong, good and evil is idolatry. It’s why the Lord God commanded Adam and Eve not to partake of the fruit on a particular tree, and why Jesus warned that many would say He’s the Lord and deceive many.

     Consider Paul’s knowledge regarding his previous to conversion life. He considered his schooling and intellect before being called by Jesus as labiality. Before Jesus revealed Himself when in route to Damascus Syria, Paul was of the deceived Pharisee denomination. 

     Writing to called believers in Jesus people, Peter offers the following. (1Peter 2:4-10; So as you come to Jesus a living Stone rejected by men but chosen and priceless in God’s sight, you yourselves, as living Stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in Him will never be put to shame. (Quote from Isaiah 28:16) So you who believe see His value, but for those who do not believe, the Stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone, and a stumbling-Stone and a Rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (Peter is also quoting from Psalms 118:22) (See also Matt 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11).

     Denominations using Jesus’ name falsely assume all parishioners are in a like category with Jesus’ apostle Paul when he said; ‘thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.’ 2Cor 5:8. Paul was a called out gifted Believer IN Jesus, ‘a believer IN’ meaning; he was spirit led with a gifted desire to emulate Jesus in every way. All Jesus’ apostles were single minded in this regard.

     As with many of Satan’s deceptions, he was partially correct telling Eve, “Surely you will not die, for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will open and you will be like divine beings who know good and evil.” (See Genesis 3) Satan apparently knew of God’s plan to gift called out people with His spirit through Jesus, and making each at one with Himself.’ Satan knew Jesus would reveal this mystery to His apostles and all called out people.

    Called believers IN Jesus are gifted with His Holy Spirit, as in ‘fathered by God the Father,’ thus gifted with a spiritual outlook like Jesus’. Believers IN Jesus are always growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. God the Father works through Jesus’ gifted faith. Only God’s chosen truly believe IN and gifted with eternal life. In Jesus’ likeness, when resurrected.

    Jesus knows each Believer and unbeliever and will resurrect according to plan. A time is set forth for each, and His ordained annual Sabbaths foreshadow them. He knows the spirit essence, the likes of a DNA, of each person, that spirit essence doesn’t make each individual a dual person, as in a second part continuing to live after physical death. Eternal life is only gifted by promise to Believers, those followers, those emulators of Jesus, for God the Father’s purpose.

    Followers of Jesus should be about the business of, ‘proclaiming the virtues of the One that called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:10. Followers of Jesus are members of the household of God, by God’s fathering. Jesus’ apostle Paul explained to the gentiles Christians in God’s Ephesus church.

      (Ephesians 2:18-22; “So that through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer foreigners and non-citizens, but you are fellow citizens with the Saints and members of God’s household, because you have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.)

     Calling themselves Christian doesn’t mean they have access in one Spirit to the Father. God’s church isn’t an organization by people, but a people in whom God father’s making them literal children / His household. God’s spirit is being is being ‘at- one’ with Himself, dwelling in His people. Non-Israelite followers of Jesus converting from their old pagan practices were taught to emulate God’s church in Judea.

     (1Thess 2:14; For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus, the prophets and persecuted us severely.) Non-Israelites and Israelites, were taught Jesus’ words, “many will come in My name saying I am the Christ and deceive many.” See Matthew 24: Each taught to count the cost as they were being called and led to believe IN Jesus.