To: In residence Churches of God. God’s, 9^th month, Kisiev 6, 5,981. 11/25/20    People in denominational comfort zones don’t generally attempt to prove all things as Jesus commanded through His apostles. Attending a congregational meeting and supporting it fulfills the comfort need of the unbeliever. 

      Last study we promised the following, first we ask that folks skip the next five paragraphs unless they had a scholarly propensity. 

    The proponents of this addition are primarily Catholics, who wanted to sell their trinity doctrine. This is an error Martin Luther did not find. FOR YOU who want scholarly evidence, the following is from the Net Bible translators.

    This reading, the infamous Comma Johanneum, (known as the trinity doctrine) has been known in the English-speaking world through the King James translation. However, the evidence – both external and internal – is decidedly against its authenticity. For a detailed discussion, see TCGNT 647-49. Our discussion will briefly address the external evidence. This longer reading is found only in nine late manuscripts; four of which have the words in a marginal note. Most of these manuscripts (221 2318 [18th century] {2473 [dated 1634]} and [with minor variations] 61 88 429 629 636 918) originate from the 16th century; the earliest manuscripts, codex 221 (10th century) includes the reading in a marginal note, added sometime after the original composition. The oldest manuscripts with the Comma in its text is from the 14th century (629), but the wording here departs from all the other manuscripts in several places. The next oldest manuscripts on behalf of the Comma, 88 (12th century) 429 (14th) 636 (15th), also have the reading only as a marginal note (v.l.). The remaining manuscripts are from the 16th to 18th centuries. Thus, there is NO sure evidence of this reading in any Greek manuscript until the 14th century (629), and that manuscript deviates from all others in its wording; the wording that matches what is found in the translation was apparently composed after Erasmus’ Greek New Testament was published in 1516. Indeed, the Comma appears in no Greek witness of any kind (either manuscript, patristic, or Greek translation of some other version) until A.D. 1215 (in a Greek translation of the Acts of the Lateran Council, a work originally written in Latin). This is all the more significant since many a Greek Fathers would have loved such a reading, for it so succinctly affirms the doctrine of the Trinity. The reading seems to have arisen in a 4th century Latin homily in which the text was allegorized to refer to members of the Trinity. From there, it made its way into copies of the Latin Vulgate, the text used by the Roman Catholic Church.

       The Trinitarian formula (known as the Comma Johanneum) made its way into the third edition of Erasmus’ Greek New Testament (1522) because of pressure from the Catholic Church. After his first edition appeared, there arose such a furor over the absence of the Comma that Erasmus needed to defend himself. He argued that he did not put in the Comma because he found no Greek manuscript that included it. Once one was produced (codex 61, written in ca. 1520), Erasmus apparently felt obliged to include the reading. He became aware of this manuscript sometime between May of 1520 and September of 1521. In his annotations to his third edition he does not protest the rendering now in his text, as though it were made to order; but he does defend himself from the charge of indolence, noting that he had taken care to find whatever manuscripts he could for the production of his text. In the final analysis, Erasmus probably altered the text because of politico-theologico-economic concerns: He did not want his reputation ruined, nor his Novum Instrumentum to go unsold. Modern advocates of the Trinity and King James Version generally argue for the inclusion of the Comma Johanneum “trinity doctrine) on the basis of heretical motivation by scribes who did not include it. But these same scribes elsewhere include thoroughly orthodox readings – even in places where the Trinity /Byzantine manuscripts lack them. Further, these advocates argue theologically from the position of divine preservation: Since this verse is in the Trinity, it must be original. (Of course, this approach is circular, presupposing as it does that the Trinity is in the original text.)

        In reality, the issue is history, not heresy: How can one argue that the Comma Johanneum goes back to the original text yet does not appear until the 14th century in any Greek manuscript (and that form is significantly different from what is printed in the Trinity; the wording of the Trinity is not found in any Greek manuscript until the 16th century)? Such a stance does not do justice to the gospel:

      Faith must be rooted in history. Significantly, the German translation of Luther was based on Erasmus’ second edition (1519) and lacked the Comma. “trinity doctrine” But the King James Version translators, basing their work principally on Theodore Beza’s 10th edition of the Greek New Testament (1598), a work which itself was fundamentally based on Erasmus’ third and later editions (and Stephanus’ editions), popularized the Comma “trinity doctrine” for the English-speaking world. Thus, the Comma Johanneum has been a battleground for English-speaking Christians more than for others.

       Satan is the Author of confusion: John, Peter and Jude testify that “false prophets brought in confusion with their teaching.” The holy spirit sent from God to dwell in people is the spirit of truth that dwells in Believers IN. (If an individual deity; multiplies it’s self many thousands of times in people were the case, “individual people would cease to be as individuals.)

       Why did Catholics want to sell this trinity lie? It fits their supposition that Peter was the first pope and power transferring from pope to pope. So they attempt to sell the world on the idea that they have power to put people in the church, make people saints and the like. All of which are contrary to Jesus’ and His apostles teaching. REMEMBER, if one lie is incorporated into one’s belief system; more lies must be believed to support the first. Let’s pray for God’s revelations to our minds.

       (1 John 5:9-12; “If we accept the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, because this is the testimony of God that He has testified concerning His Son. (10) (The one who believes IN the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed IN the testimony that God has testified concerning His Son.) (11) And this is the testimony: God has given US “we Believers IN” eternal life, and this life is IN His Son. (12) The one who has the Son has THIS eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life.”) Truth is all about believing IN Jesus as He manifest Himself to be in His ORIGINAL holy inspired scriptures.

    When scripture is allowed to complement scripture we don’t need this so called intellectual stuff, I haven’t studied the deep on this subject because I haven’t been spiritually led to do so.

To: In home churches of God. God’s 9^th month Kislev 9, 5,781, 11/25/20

    Family gatherings, communing and giving of self are Godly attribute. God is family and in the process of choosing His likeminded children. They’re His church, His family and He has made God the Son Mediator and its head. Jesus appointed twelve apostles to teach this fact. Jesus Had His apostle John explain how His followers were as branches clinging to Him; the Vine.

   (See John 15:1-17; I am the true vine and My Father is the gardener. He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in Me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, because apart from Me you can accomplish nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up.,,,, ..If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are My disciples. “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; remain in My love.…   If you obey My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.

  My commandment is this; to love one another just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this; that one lays down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from My Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. This I command you; to love one another.)

    Keep in mind; Jesus and His apostles didn’t have the general populations in mind, only chosen Believers who’d keep the commandments and overcoming the flesh inherited from Adam and the devil‘s deceptions.

   (1John 4:4-6; You are from God little children and have conquered them, because the One who is IN you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world’s perspective and the world listens to them. We are from God; the person who knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.)

    If God’s Spirit of truth were an equal deity with God the Father and God the Son; each apostle would need to apologize for not including it in their salutations. Jesus’ apostle John is saying; Believers in Jesus are spirit led to recognize and respond to His truths. Others scoff at God’s truth. Believers need to be constantly reminded that they aren’t greater than the Master. If the world persecuted Jesus they’ll persecute His followers. From this world’s perspective, Jesus is as they imagine Him to be, NOT as He manifest Himself to be. Jesus’ perspective about the things this world loves and what He loves is very different, because His love is miraculously spread abroad in the heart. NOT because Jesus commanded, but because His followers are imputed with gifted Godly love for one another and a yielding spirit that makes Jesus Lord. Through that gifted spirit His followers love their enemies as Jesus loved them when they were unbelievers. Jesus didn’t love our unbelieving ways, but us. Consider Jesus’ apostle Paul’s explanation to the Roman Church of God and followers of Jesus.

    (Romans 5:1-4; 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.)

    Being led to Recognize and overcome the devil’s temptations is for our good. Recognizing and overcoming the pulls of the flesh produces endurance, character and hope. Jesus’ apostle John explains this special gifted Godly love.

    (1John 4:7-10; Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God. The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love. By this the love of God is REVEALED IN us: that God has sent His one and only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.)

       Paul isn’t speaking of fleshly inherited instinctive love, as natural love parents have for their children but God gifted love that’s able to love impartially. Pharisee minded persons attempt to love God from within their fleshly inherited nature, thus, they do and give for self serving reasons. Such work to attain; if this were possible people could boast of having gained salvation by works. Godly love is ONLY attained through and by a miraculous gifted nature change, ‘a fathering.’ Jesus referred to this change as being born from above. Fleshly minded people cannot love in Godly fashion. Paul explained that they comprehend Godly love.

    (1John 4:11-14; Dear friends; if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another God resides in us and His love is perfected IN US. By this we know that we reside IN God and He IN US: in that He has given us of His Spirit, and we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.)

     By the authority of God’s Word, we know unbelieving people’s love claim, is instinctively fleshly. We know people calling Jesus Lord, doesn’t make Him their Lord. NOT everyone confessing that Jesus is the Son of God believes He’s Re-Creator, Creator, Sustainer, and Mediator of believers before the Father and our coming king of kings. The spiritual key for understanding this is in verses 16 and 17 below.

    (1John 4:15-19; If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God; God resides in Him and He in God. And we have come to KNOW and to believe the love that God has in us. God is love and the one who resides in love resides in God and God resides in him. By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as Jesus is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love. We love because He loved us first.)

   Verse 19 should read; we love God and one another because He loved us first. No object is supplied for the verb ‘love,’ the author with his propensity for obscurity has left it to the readers to supply the object. The obvious objects that could be supplied from the context are either God himself or other believers - the brethren. It may well be that John has both in mind at this point; the statement is general enough to cover both alternatives, although the following verse puts more emphasis on ‘love for the brethren.’ A better understanding of verses 15 & 16 is apparent when we consider them one sentence. LOVE’S meaning in John’s text, is Godly Love.

    God’s love chapter is, 1Corinthians 13: King James Translators used the word ‘charity’ which in modern English means ‘giving.’ The love John is expressing is; giving of one’s self, or giving over one’s self to another. This is what Jesus did; He gave Himself because He loves us.

    (1John 4:20-5:4; If anyone says, I love God and yet hates his fellow Christian, he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And the commandment we have from Him is this: that the one who loves God should love his fellow Christian too.

(5:1-4; Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been fathered by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the child fathered by Him. By this we know that we love the children of God: whenever we love God and obey His commandments. For this is the love of God: that we keep His commandments. And, His commandments do not weigh us down, because everyone who has been fathered by God conquers the world.) ‘Hate’ in verse 20 is better translated ‘love less by comparison.’ According to John, ‘obeying God’s commandments and loving fellow Believers is necessary.’

     Gifted understanding teaches us why we must love our enemy. Our and God’s enemies are those deceived by the devil and his accomplices. They do according to their inherited and learned belief systems. Believers are led to obey God’s commandments because they know they’re given from Godly Love, and reveal the goodness of Godly love.

     (1John 5:4-8; This is the conquering power that has conquered the world: our faith. Now who is the person who has conquered the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus Christ is the One who came by water and blood – not by the water only; but by the water and the blood. And the spirit is the one who testifies, because the spirit is the truth. For, there are three that testify, the spirit, the water and the blood and these three are in agreement.)

    The King James Version contains an additional verse between verse 7 and 8. The added verse in the King James was not present in the original Greek manuscripts. The following commentary explains. Six Greek manuscripts introduce a gloss (an addition to the text not found in other manuscripts, which the advanced King James translates as, (in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.) IF these added King James words hold prominent in your mind, consider that this is the only place in the New Testament where the holy spirit is identified as a person or deity. We’ll include evidence for the scholarly next time.

To: In home churches of God. God’s 9th month Kislev 8, 5,781. 11/24/20

   Heavenly Father: thank You for revealing Yourself and Your Son Jesus. Lead and grant a yielding spirit, is our prayer in Jesus’ holy name. AMEN

     In a previous study we reviewed Jesus’ introduction and characterization of Himself through Isaiah and Paul, how God the Father calls individuals to become believers and recipients of His spirit through Jesus; meaning spiritually born from above and that result of their lives. (John recorded Jesus saying; ‘we must believe that He is the Christ sent by God the Father, must repent for having lived the way that seemed right to the fleshly mind and ‘be born again’ to enter the kingdom of heaven.) (Jesus explained the mystery saying; 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.) Explaining too HOW God the Father showed His love for this world’s people.

     (John 3:16-18; For, this is the WAY God loved the world; He gave His One and only Son, so that everyone who believes IN Him will not perish but have ETERNAL life. For, God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. The one who believes IN Him is not condemned. The one who does NOT believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed IN the name of the One and only Son of God.)

     To believe in Jesus is to accept His introduction as He manifests Himself to be in the Holy Scriptures. (Review Colossians 1:15-20, John 1:1-5 and Hebrews 1:1-4) To be saved, inherit eternal life Jesus is saying, ‘people must abandon what seems right to the fleshly mind,- intellect - and accept His Word regarding what’s right, wrong, good and evil. When considering Jesus’ spiritually revealed words, people naturally ponder, ‘how can any individual not subscribe to the whole word of God?’ How can a person still think they’re born immortal? Or think all people go to heaven or hell at death.

    God’s holy word tells us how such beliefs get started. Simply put, they believe in one or more demonic lie meant for that purpose. However it’s deeper than that.

     All people inherit Adam and Eve’s lawless ’sin’ nature, all naturally inherit a desire that things be their way; UNTIL God the Father reveals Himself through God the Son. UNTIL it’s revealed to people’s minds through God’s spirit, ‘that our inherited from Adam nature must be put to death.’ How does that come about? Through God’s supernaturally revealing Himself, His characteristics, desires and plans through the prophets, Jesus and His apostles. Through Jesus’ apostle John He reveals that His mind opening spirit is likened to the wind. We neither know where it came from nor where it’s going. Thus, God’s Holy Spirit recipients are those He predestined to be His children and heirs with faithful Abraham. A people whose fleshly outlook God miraculously changes to a spiritual outlook. So it is, one can no more choose to be fathered by God, than they could’ve chosen their parents. Through His apostle Paul, Jesus puts forth His truth on the subject.

    (Romans 8:5-8; 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. 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.)

    Think on it, can an individual decide within themselves to put on a spiritual outlook? Decide from within themselves to abandon their fleshly outlook. Can one demand God grant His spirit to the mind? God must give the desire and effort according to Jesus’ apostle Paul.) See Philippians 2:13.

    (Rom 8:9-11; 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. 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.) People can only become immortal through Jesus’ gifted spirit, making them at one with Himself.

    (Rom 8: 12-14; 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.)

    God’s gifted Holy Spirit inserts a Godly outlook and gifted immortality.

    Unbelieving people can’t understand, ‘NOT living obedient lives as Jesus did are jealous of righteousness in others, as Cain regarding Abel’s righteous decision.’ (Jesus said; if they hated Me they will hate you too and had John add the spiritual.)

     (1John 3:13-17; Therefore, do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have crossed over from death to life because we love our fellow Christians. The one who does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his fellow Christian is a murderer and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. We have come to know love by this; that Jesus laid down His life for us; thus we ought to lay down our lives for our fellow Christians. But whoever has the world’s possessions and sees his fellow Christian in need and shuts off his compassion against him, how can the love of God reside in such a person?)

    Here’s the same spiritual magnification of the law principle Jesus used regarding His command, ‘do not commit adultery.’ (He added, whoever looks with desire has committed adultery in the heart.) (Matt 5:27-28; You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.)

     In this present age, we’re blessed indeed if we are able to have fellowship with other Believers. We’re a scattered people and need to pray for a faith like that of Abraham’s; who went out not knowing where to, but believing IN God.

       (1John 3:18-24; Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue but in deed and truth. And by this we will know that we are of the truth and will convince our conscience in His presence, that if our conscience condemns us, that God is greater than our conscience and knows all things. Dear friends, if our conscience does not condemn us, we have confidence in the presence of God and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we KEEP His commandments and DO the things that are pleasing to Him. Now this is His commandment: that we BELIEVE IN the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He gave us the commandment. And the person who keeps His commandments resides in God and God in him. Now by this we KNOW that God resides in us: by the Spirit He has given us.) We can’t conjure up His spirit, we can’t of ourselves study it up, the principle being, by grace we are saved from the result of our inherited nature!

     Gifting by God spirit is, ‘likened to the wind’ and individualized to His called recipients when He imputes it, when He fathers His child. Regarding words like

‘begotten’ ‘born again’ ‘born from above’ and ‘fathered,’ the fleshly minded outlook  thinks fleshly. The spiritually gifted mind thinks spiritual. The fleshly mind tends to think, ‘letter of the law’ when the word, ‘keep’ is used. Fleshly minded folks are prone to think characteristically as the Pharisees Jesus corrected. Believers IN are led to worship the giver of the law out of a gifted love for Him, given to understand that God is love and His commandments teach us how to love. When born from above, God’s spirit of love teaches His spiritual intent of His laws and how to use the letter of the law when dealing with elementary children and unconverted adults.

    Governments must use the letter of the laws they pass, because unconverted citizens aren’t likely to think, spiritual intent, adults are like children relative to law. Laws, whether governmental or God’s commandments, laws are as schoolmasters, ‘guardians’ until a love of their intent is imputed to the mind. From this perspective, believers live by faith in God and love for one another as gifted by Him.

    WHEN the law giver, ‘Jesus,’ is revealed and we submit to Him; ‘we become ONE with Him.’ Spiritually led to love what He loves and hate what He hates.

    (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.)

      Review Jesus’ promises to Abraham and promises to those who obey Him. The promise is eternal life to Believers, restoration of lands to Israel and much more.

     (1John 4:1-3; Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses Jesus as the Christ who has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God and this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now is already in the world.)

     The MANY are false. Professing believers say Jesus came in the flesh, but few say He is the same Messiah Moses and the prophets said would come to rule and bring peace. Few believe IN His message, to the point of obedience.

   (Luke recorded Jesus saying; Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My Words and puts them into practice – I will show you what he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the person who hears and does not put My Words into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against that house, it collapsed immediately, and was utterly destroyed. Luke 6:47-49)

     People saying Jesus was born of a virgin and not believe His total message is likened to building on sand. Believe and obey His message is like having a firm foundation. It’s prophesied that many are deceived by Satan, his followers and miracle workers who present false doctrines because they do not know and obey Jesus’ message. Primarily there’s two spirits, the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. The spirit of truth is through the gifting of spiritual revelations about God the Father and God the Son. The world can’t comprehend it because only believers are His friends.

    (Jesus said; I no longer call you slaves because the slave does not understand what His master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have REVEALED to you everything I heard from My Father. You did not choose Me, but I CHOSE you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. This I command you – to love one another. John 15:15-17)

      The spirit of error cannot understand the awesomeness of God to preplan things to the end. Consider Jesus’ apostle Paul’s teaching.

      (Ephesians 1:3-14; Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. For He CHOSE us in Christ BEFORE the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in His sight in love. He did this by predestining us to adoption as His Sons through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of His will – to the praise of the glory of His grace that He has freely bestowed on us in His dearly loved Son. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. He did this when He REVEALED to us the secret of His will, according to His good pleasure that He set forth in Christ, toward the administration of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ – the things in heaven and the things on earth. In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s OWN possession, since we were PREDESTINED according to the one purpose of Him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, would be to the praise of His glory. And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation) – when you believed IN Christ – you were marked with the SEAL of the promised Holy Spirit, who is the down payment of our INHERITANCE, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.) Study and compare John 1:1-5, Colossians 1:15-20 & Hebrews 1:

To: In residence Churches of God. God’s, 9^th month, Kisiev 6, 5,981. 11/22/20

   Called out people have a responsibility to meditate on and prove God’s Way; thus ‘work out your own salvation with reverence.’ Such isn’t really our own but His. When we err He’ll do the correcting if we continue trusting Him, rather than some denominational entity. Jesus’ apostle Paul said as much.

      (Philippians 2:12-18; 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. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world by holding on to the Word of life, so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you. And in the same way you also should be glad and rejoice together with me.) Remember Jesus’ instruction through Peter on the subject?

     (1Peter 5:8-11; Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who CALLED you TO His eternal glory in Christ will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him belongs the power forever. Amen.)

   Expressing His love for each called out people, Jesus had His apostle Paul write.

     (2Corinthians 11:12-15; What I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a CHANGE 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 wants people trusting any but Jesus.

    Denominational religions attempt to discount the reality of Satan; naturally it’s what he desires. Jesus demonstrated His power over Satan, overcoming temptations and giving His disciples like powers.

    (Luke 10:17-20; Then the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name!” So JESUS said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Look, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.)

     Jesus spoke of snakes, scorpions and enemy as Satan, as evil spirits. Study Isaiah 14: in context of this New Covenant teaching. Many biblical scholars attempt to twist Isaiah’s message, seemingly not aware of Jesus’ teaching about the devil.

     Jesus’ apostle John’s message includes knowledge of Jesus’ righteousness regarding His return and how those fathered by God the Father should live.

     (1John 2:28-29; And now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame when He comes back. IF you KNOW that He is righteous, you also KNOW that everyone who practices righteousness has been fathered by Him.)

    King James Translation uses the word ‘begotten’ rather than ‘fathered.’ Person’s born from above, ‘born again’ are fathered by God as they’re imputed with His spirit. They then become a chosen spiritual child of God. His spirit doesn’t possess, as in taking charge, but teaches by giving understanding and strengthen through spirit revealed teaching, giving opportunity to grow and overcome through believing IN faith gifted through God’s grace.

     Jesus explains the result of the Holy Spirit’s work through His apostle Paul. (Galatians 5:22-26; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.)

     CRUCIFY FLESH? Make the flesh submissive. The Holy Spirit reveals that we’re born selfish, carnal minded, sinful and fleshly; each need to be overcome. God’s calling reveals His showing or helping us recognizes our fleshly nature’s shortcomings, and this leads to hatred of what we see. Then God gives a desire to turn from the natural fleshly way, ‘that’s repentance.’ Genuine repentance is a gifted compulsion to turn from the flesh to Jesus’ Way. God gifts the desire to go out from the world as Abraham was led to do. The repentant mind understands.

      (Ephesians 2:8-10; For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For, we are His workmanship, having been CREATED in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.)

    It’s not seeking out a suitable denomination or trusting one’s own intellect, it’s a God calling and revealing Himself through Jesus.

    Writing to the called people who have repented, John continues. (1John 3:1-3; See what sort of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called God’s children – and indeed we are! For this reason the world DOES NOT KNOW US; because the world did not know Him. (Dear Friends: we are God’s children NOW, and what we will be has not yet been REVEALED. We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope focused on Him, PURIFYING himself, just as Jesus is pure.)

     God gifted HOPE is more than a human wish. It is an inner compulsion driven by a love of His Way. A supernaturally changed nature  that changes our practice way of living.

     (1John 3:4; Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; indeed, sin is lawlessness.)

    Some professing Christians think, because Jesus fulfilled the law they live above the law. Impossible, not only does belief in demand law keeping it gives the desire to keep the spiritual intent of the law out of love for the Law Giver. Not letter of the law as in worship of. That was a Pharisee problem and why Jesus corrected them.

    (1John 3:5-6; And you know that Jesus is revealed to take away sins and in Him there is no sin. Everyone who resides in HIM does not practice sin; everyone who practices sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.) DOES NOT SIN. Should be translated, ‘DOES NOT PRACTICE SIN.’ Review 1John 3:4 above. It’s the practicing of sins that’s lawlessness. CONVERTED, born from above, fathered by God people don’t practice sin knowingly.

      As stated earlier, God’s spirit doesn’t possess as in control. It leads as in giving His desire to overcome our fleshly nature inherited from Adam. Thus the repetitive teaching at Revelations 3: ‘he that overcomes to the end shall be saved.’

     If we’re Believers in God and still want to call ourselves sinners, OK. However John is saying that Believers in Christians who stop practicing lawlessness toward God aren’t considered sinners by God. If we believe in God and have genuinely turned from our nature inherited from Adam to Jesus’ nature, we’re at one with Him.

    (1John 3:7-8; Little children, let no one deceive you, the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Jesus is righteous. The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed; to destroy the works of the devil.)

    Jesus’ calling is the revealing of Himself to a person’s mind so as think of Him as He’s manifested to be by the prophets, Himself and His apostles. Believers are led to overcome temptations, the inherited from Adam nature and works of the devil.

    (1John 3:9-10; Everyone who has been fathered by God does NOT practice sin, because God’s seed resides IN him, and thus he is NOT able to PRACTICE sin, because he has been fathered by God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are revealed; everyone who does NOT practice righteousness – the one who does NOT love his fellow Christian – is not of God.)

    A paradox in this age is, ‘many Believers aren’t acquainted with another person of like mind. Many find themselves in a situation like was Abraham and Sarah’s.

     (1John 3:11; For this is the gospel message that you have heard from the beginning; that we should love one another, not like Cain who was of the evil one and brutally murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, but his brother’s were righteous.)

    We should understand, from the beginning, unbelievers despise Believers. The jealous spirit of the devil entered Cain. Satan is the jealous evil one that rebelled against his Creator, and is still fighting against Him. Satan’s influence fills this world and God permits it for His ultimate purposes. One purpose being; our overcoming demonic influences is for our ultimate overall good.

    From the beginning blood sacrifices foreshadowed Jesus’ shed blood for the remission of the sins of the world. Cain thought to himself that God should be pleased with his vegetable sacrifice. God was not pleased by Cain’s altering His blood sacrifice Way. Abel obeyed, making a blood sacrifice pleasing to his Creator. Cain practiced sin. Jealously of his brother was sin and murder that sin result.

    John used this metaphor, ‘practice sin’ for our consideration. Human nature has not changed, we’re all born with a nature like Cain’s and Solomon’s etc.

    Thinking fleshly; Nicodemus was confused about Jesus’ statement, ‘you must be born again’ so he ask Jesus;’ how can this be?’ Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus then said, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he?’ (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. AS THE WIND BLOWS so is everyone that is born of the spirit.)

    Who’s in control? God’s calling is according to His timing and purpose! The imputation of God’s spirit to a person is likened to the wind. We don’t understand how it enters.

    (John 3:9-14; Nicodemus replied, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you don’t understand these things? I tell you the solemn truth, we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I have told you people about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? (No one has ascended into heaven except the ONE who descended from heaven – the Son of Man.) Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who BELIEVES IN Him may have ETERNAL LIFE.) Jesus was resurrected and ascended to the right hand of God the Father, so that everyone gifted to believe IN Him, MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. Only Jesus was born with immortality and only Jesus never practiced sin knowingly.

To: In home churches of God. God’s 9^th month Kislev 4, 5,781, 11/20/20

    What’s Jesus and each apostle’s primary warning to Believers? (Matt 7:15; Watch out for false teachers coming in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.) The many are as wolves. A metaphor is used pointing out that these false prophets appear to be one thing but in reality they’re something else. The many aren’t necessarily purposely false teachers, the deceived don’t know they are. How so? (1) If they know they’re purposely evil as is the devil. (2) We must conclude, deceptions are of the devil, and people teaching erroneous doctrines knowingly or unknowingly are tools of the devil. His tools are many. So called false science, entertainment and education play into Satan’s overall purpose, playing to the cause of unbelief. The shrew Satan understands how to appeal to the self serving nature we inherited from Adam. Generally speaking the things that seem good to our fleshly nature are wrong because we are instinctively self serving individuals. How true the proverb, ‘There’s a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.’ Prov 14:12

    A false belief Satan originated is, ‘people are born immortal’ appeals to the flesh. Immortality being God gifted by covenant promise doesn’t appeal, because that’d make conformity to His Way an obligation. (Consider the fleshly preferences, when a young child is lost to death. (1) The child became an angel or (2) went to heaven to be with angels and we’ll be joined one day.) The latter is more appealing to the fleshly nature and both rooted to Satan’s first lie, practiced by pagans long ago.

    Worshipers of Molech practiced a form of the demonic belief that everyone is born immortal, ‘born to live forever someplace’ causing little children to be sacrificed in the heated arms of an image. Thinking such an ultimate sacrifice was a gift to their god. Today’s teaching, ‘everyone is born with an immortal soul separate from the body, and lives forever someplace is pagan rooted.’

    (Jesus had Moses write; ‘You must not give any of your children as an offering to Molech, so that you do not profane the name of your God.’ I am the Lord! Lev 18:21) God removed pagan people groups and gave the lands to Israelites because of their many practices. The foundation of all such immortality beliefs derives from Satan’s first lie. Review Genesis 3:

    (Lev 20:1-5; The Lord spoke to Moses; You are to say to the Israelites, ‘Any man from the Israelites or from the foreigners who reside in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death, the people of the land must pelt him with stones. I Myself will set My face against that man and cut him off from the midst of his people, because he has given some of his children to Molech and thereby defiled My sanctuary and profaned My holy name. If, however the people of the land shut their eyes to that man when he gives some of his children to Molech so that they do not put him to death, I Myself will set My face against that man and his clan. I will cut off from the midst of their people both him and all who follow after him in spiritual prostitution, to commit prostitution by worshiping Molech.)

    How important to practice God’s truth. Persons or people groups practicing any form of pagan worship are in fact committing spiritual prostitution. When the deceived don’t know they are, God’s mercy is promised.

    Jesus and His apostles taught; ‘immortality is gifted through life giver, ‘Jesus.’

     (John 2:22-23; Who is the liar but the person who denies that Jesus is The Christ? This one is the antichrist; the person who denies the Father and the Son. Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either. The person who confesses the Son has the Father also.)

    The spiritually gifted and called understand, Jesus is The Christ as defined in John’s gospel at (John 1:1-5; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.)

    The above five verses does not characterize THE JESUS this world’s Christian denominations teach.

    (1John 2:24-25; As for you, what you have heard from the beginning MUST remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. Now this IS the promise that He Himself made to us; eternal life.) MARK recorded a conversation.

    (Mark 10:28-31; Peter began to speak to Jesus, ‘Look, we have left everything to follow You!’ Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for MY sake and for the SAKE of the gospel, who will not receive in this age a hundred times as much – homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, fields, all with persecutions – and in the AGE TO COME eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.) This and the age to come, includes Jesus’ millennial reign on earth.

    (1John 2:26-27; These things I have written to you about THOSE who are trying to DECEIVE you. Now as for you, the anointing that you received from Him RESIDES in you and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things, it is true and is not a lie. Just as THE anointing has taught you, you reside in it.)

    ALL who do not teach that ETERNAL LIFE is a gift from God the Father through Jesus the Son are antichrist!

   (John 3:14-15; Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes IN Him may have eternal life.) Eating and drinking Jesus is a metaphor meaning, to live and believe in Jesus.  

    (John 6:53-54; Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the solemn truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have NO life in yourselves. The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood HAS eternal life, and I will RAISE him up on the last day.) JESUS is metaphorically speaking and Quoting from Deut 8:3; Jesus told the devil. It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. See Matt 4:4. Jesus’ spirit residing in, makes a person ONE with Him.

    (John 14:15-21; If you love Me, you will obey My commandments. Then I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth, whom the world CANNOT accept, because it does not see Him or KNOW Him. But you know the spirit of truth, because it resides with you and will be IN you. I will not abandon you as orphans, I will come to you. In a little while the world will not see Me any longer, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live TOO. You will know at that time that I am in My Father and you are IN Me and I am in you. The person who has My commandments and obeys them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will REVEAL Myself to him.)

    Believers lovingly obey because the Advocate, ‘Holy Spirit’ dwells within. When we’re called, we’re made aware of the sin nature inherited from Adam and desire a gifted turning from it. God’s spirit is the Advocate, the energizing revelator of His will. It opens minds and makes the Holy Scriptures come alive to understandings.

    Understand that all things are possible with God. He could rise up stones to worship Him. He can call and give understanding in the way of His choosing and traditionally He calls through a people of His choosing. We understand, we can’t call or reveal God the Father and God the Son to anyone. God the Father does the calling through God the Son who sometimes uses ambassadors through their speaking and writing. Even death bed repentances are possible but don’t reveal the Godly characteristic needed.  

    We pray that through these words of truth many minds will be opened, many will be gifted with His gift of repentance. We’re mindful that only God can call, give understanding to and by His mercy put a person on His spiritual Potter’s wheel for shaping according to His will. May we each pray for a yielding spiritual mindset toward our Creator God.

To: In home churches of God. God’s 9th month Kislev 2, 5,781. 11/18/20   ….    The new covenant like the old is a contract between God and a people He selects to be one with Himself, His church family in this age. People approach gods with an attitude, ‘god I’d like to make a contract with you on my terms.’ That’s what denominations do, that’s what people thinking Catholicism began doing within less than three hundred years after Jesus’ ascension. Built an organization using Jesus and His mother’s name while incorporating a pagan calendar recognizing pagan gods, was an abomination to our Creator God. They began practicing the same things people practiced whose lands God took and gave to Israel because of their practices. Things they assumed isn’t worthy of comment.

    Last study we examined Isaiah 11:1-16, where Isaiah revealed prophecy about Jesus’ fleshly heritage, His second coming to bring peace, righteous judgment, and supernaturally re-deliver Israel to former promised lands. How they’d make former enemies subjective to themselves and nations coming to them to learn of their God. Jesus’ first coming was to make His Father known through Himself, call apostles to be ambassadors after His return to heaven, call out a chosen people who’d be one with Himself, God the Father and at one with one another; who’d be defined as His church. His apostles’ letters were to these scattered and selected followers of Jesus.

    Jesus’ apostle John‘s letters are written to called out Christians.

    (1John 1:1-2; This is what we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched (concerning the Word of Life – and the Life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and announce to you the Eternal Life that was WITH the Father and was REVEALED to us.)

    Eternal life is only through Jesus Christ, to believers IN and requires gifted revelation for understanding. John recognizes his fellow apostles, saying, ‘what we have seen, heard, announce to you and so you could have fellowship with God’s Son Jesus Christ.’

      (1John 1:3; What we have seen and heard we announce to you too, so that you may have fellowship with us (and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.)

    Note that each apostle had respect for God’s gifted energizing Holy Spirit as being the gifted mindset making them at one with God the Father and God the Son. Never is the Holy Spirit identified as deity.

    (1John 1:4; Thus we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.)

    John characterizes Jesus as, ‘The Word of Life’ also saying, ‘this truth is revealed to we apostles.’ Speaking for the twelve apostles and to each spirit gifted Christian’s joy. That joy comes through obeying the truth and doing the assigned work.

     (1John 1:5-10; Now this is the gospel message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him and yet keep on walking in the darkness, we are lying and not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His Word is not in us.)

    John is in total agreement with his own writing at, John 1:1-5, Paul’s Colossians 1:15-20 and Hebrews 1: as to Jesus’ deity. 

    (1John 2:1-2; My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may NOT sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One, and He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.)

    Advocate is the Holly Spirit.

    Jesus died for the lawlessness against God the Father and Himself. We that are called to be at one with God in this age are identified as a royal nation. See 1Peter 2:9-10; 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.) We are to proclaim His virtues in this age and will be proclaiming them more so when we are serving in His millennial reign. We are each guilty for having lived the way that appealed to our fleshly nature inherited from Adam. That nature is what must be turned from. Each apostle wrote the good news message as the Holy Spirit led. Their accounts aren’t verbatim but each true in word and principle. NOW, if we aren’t careful, we will be slack in our thankfulness to God for preserving these truths for our life practices. WHY? Jesus said; (Matt 24:11-14; 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.)

     God’s message throughout is, ‘we need to work at NOT allowing love to grow cold!’ We need to be mindful of PERSONAL inherited and catered to weaknesses. Both Peter and Paul went to great lengths, advising that each Saint persevere in The Way. That is to walk in His Light, practicing His Way. It’s the way to fellowship with Jesus and one another.

     (1John 2:3-6; Now by this we KNOW that we have come to know God, if we KEEP His commandments. The one who says, I have come to know God and yet does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. But whoever obeys His Word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we KNOW that we are in Him. The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked)

   Joyfully obeying from the heart is what Believers IN are gifted with a desire to do. Knowing love is to obey Him. The principle applies to our helping, loving one another and giving without expecting gain. If we attempt to obey God for personal gain, expecting payment, such obedience isn’t out of love.

     (1John 2:7-8; Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the Word that you have already heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.)

    It’s new because, now the spirit essence of God resides in you. Only after Jesus is revealed to the mind, is His true Light shining. We obey His commandments because He reveals that He first loved us; thus we’re spirit led to love Him.

    (1John 2:9-11; The one who says he is in The Light but still hates his fellow Christian is still in the darkness. The one who loves his fellow Christian resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his fellow Christian is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.)

    The English word ‘love’ has evolved in people’s minds and used haphazardly. John is speaking of Godly love. A gifted love, beyond the unbeliever’s grasp. There is no cause for stumbling when we are gifted with Godly love.

     (1John 2:12; I am writing to you, little children, that your sins have been forgiven because of His name.)

    Because of His name is, believing IN His name for the remission of sin. A better rendering for our age is, because of His nature in you. Each Believer IN is an ambassador for Jesus Christ. Because His spirit resides in or is imputed to, we aren’t our own, but His. Our sins are forgiven because Jesus became our sacrificial Lamb of God. His nature is imputed to our being, making us at one with Him.

    (1John 2:13; I am writing to you fathers, that you have known Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you young people that you have conquered the evil one.)

    John could be assuming his readers had read his gospel account. We assume you may not have. So examine verses 1-5 closely.

    (John 1:1-5; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and the Life was the light of mankind. And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it.)

    Known Him that is from the beginning? Is to conquer the evil one, overcome the devil. The phrase, the evil one’ is used in John 17:15, referencing Satan. Satan is also the one being spoken of in the following occurrences. (1John 2:14; 3:12; 5:18, 19). John writes, ‘he that overcomes to the end, shall be saved, seven times in Revelations 3. DON’T let it escape your notice, John, like Peter, is writing to Believers IN Jesus.

    (1John 2:14; I have written to you, children, that you have known the Father. I have written to you fathers that you have known Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you young people that you are strong, and the Word of God resides IN you, and you have conquered the evil one.)

    John is writing to folks that have been gifted to Know that Jesus is from the beginning. John and his intended readers aren’t worshiping an image of a baby in a manger, a statue or image of an imaginary Jesus, but the revealed Son of God and the Father, who fulfilled the prophecies about Himself and is now at the right hand of God the Father.

    (1 John 2:15-17; Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away with all its desires, but the person who does the will of God remains forever.)

    Will of the Father? (John 14:23-24; Jesus replied, If anyone loves Me, he will OBEY My Word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and take up RESIDENCE with him. The person who does not love Me does not obey My Words. And the Word you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.)

    OVERCOME is to grow in grace and knowledge of God to the end. We need to focus on God’s spirit in us, recognize our inherited fleshly nature and keep the desires of the flesh at bay. Unbelievers have a natural pride problem called vanity. Not realizing that they are, ‘but potters clay’ in God’s hand and that all belong to Him. Believers IN, are gifted to know and be genuinely thankful in a Godly love way. How can a person believing in Abraham’s God, believe in the likes of evolution? The apostle Paul shares.

     (Galatians 3:26-29; 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.)

To: In residence Churches of God. God’s 8^th month, Cheshvan 25, 5,981. 11/15/20

   Peter looked forward to the millennial end and final judgment. Review 2Peter 3:10-13. Much of God’s planning was revealed to Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Ezra and others, as prophesied more would be understood by His people in these latter days. Particularly to God’s Elect. Peter’s prophecy includes Jesus’ 2^nd coming through His millennium, ‘a thousand years later’ and New Jerusalem coming down with God the Father.

       Oh the wonder and mystery of it all. Consider what gifted spiritual faith makes people ponder about and believe in. What a miracle to have minds opened and our Creator revealed. Jesus’ gifted faith in us recognizes God’s righteousness and a belief in Him that knows all things are sustained by Him. People returning from space ventures marvel at the order and make comments regarding God’s orderly universe.   

     Consider that this earth’s core is molten rock that’s sustained by forces fleshly man cannot comprehend, how volcanoes sometimes form land surfaces that are now inhabited, how they’ve been spewing for close to 6,000 years while this earth’s core temperature and pressures remain constant. Man’s seismographic systems predict more volcanoes, and Jesus predicted an increase in earthquakes as the end of this age nears.

    What about the sun’s burning all these years, and is seemingly replenishing itself. Believers know God is the Sustainer. What about this earth’s revolving in an egg shaped circle around the sun, causing our seasons? None is by accident, and its accuracy is sustained by our Creator and Sustainer, ‘Jesus.’ See Col 1:15-20, Hebrews 1: and John 1:1-5.

    Consider God’s calendar. Which of His planning do you suppose came first?  Planning His calendar fitting seasons, OR seasons to fit His calendar? Did He preplan this earth’s movement around the sun, first? We don’t know which was first, we do know it was and is all planned out by our Master Architect.

    God ordained weekly and annual Sabbaths foreshadowing much of His planning. He preplanned His Son’s coming as Savior of the world and spiritually gifted the minds of called Believers to understand His first and second coming, resurrections, His millennial reign, judgments and New Jerusalem’s coming down.

    How awesome that New Jerusalem’s foundations are named for His twelve apostles and its gates for the twelve tribes of Israel! Jesus revealed these to John.

    (Revelations 21:12-14; New Jerusalem has a massive, high wall with twelve gates, with twelve angels at the gates, and the names of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel are written on the gates. There are three gates on the east side, three gates on the north side, three gates on the south side and three gates on the west side. The wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.)

     Jesus’ apostle Paul explained this mystery to the Ephesians and God’s churches. (Eph 2:19-22; 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.)

    The Son of God’s physical birth and second coming was prophesied.

   (Isaiah 11:1-16; A shoot will grow out of Jesse’s root stock, a bud will sprout from his roots. The Lord’s spirit will rest on Him, a spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord. He will take delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by mere appearances, or make decisions on the basis of hearsay. He will treat the poor fairly, and make right decisions for the downtrodden of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and order the wicked to be EXECUTED. Justice will be like a belt around His waist, integrity will be like a belt around His hips.

    A wolf will reside with a lamb, and a leopard will lie down with a young goat; an ox and a young lion will graze together, as a small child LEADS them along. A cow and a bear will graze together, and their young will lie down together. A lion, like an ox, will eat straw. A baby will play over the hole of a snake; over the nest of a serpent an infant will put his hand. They will no longer injure or destroy on My entire royal mountain. For there will be universal SUBMISSION to the Lord’s sovereignty, just as the waters completely cover the sea.

    At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to Him for guidance, and His residence will be majestic. At that time the Sovereign Master will again lift His hand to reclaim the remnant of His people from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the seacoasts. He will lift a signal flag for the nations; He will gather Israel’s dispersed people and assemble Judah’s scattered people from the four corners of the earth.

    Ephraim’s jealousy will end, and Judah’s hostility will be eliminated. Ephraim will no longer be jealous of Judah, and Judah will no longer be hostile toward Ephraim. They will swoop down on the Philistine hills to the west; together they will loot the people of the east. They will take over Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be their subjects. The Lord will divide the gulf of the Egyptian Sea; He will wave His hand over the Euphrates River and send a strong wind, He will turn it into seven dried-up streams, and enable them to walk across in their sandals. There will be a highway leading out of Assyria for the remnant of His people, just as there was for Israel, when they went up from the land of Egypt.)

    Jesse is David’s dad through whom Jesus’ physical linage was and is.

    It appears the order of Isaiah’s prophecy is, ‘things described in verses 10 through 16, are after the things described in verses 1 through 6.’ Hopefully we know whose plan all these things are.

     Holy God: please bless each individual that studies Your Word, and give each called individual persevering mindsets to overcome their inherited from Adam nature and yield to Your gifted nature and truths. We ask in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

     We need to understand the unfolding historical events since Jesus’ ascension to get a clear grasp of this world’s condition and how we got to this point. God’s Word is miraculously preserved in His Holy Bible. It’s the foundation of knowledge, and reveals understanding for salvation to the called, through Jesus Christ. In His Word we find Jesus teaching through His prophets and apostles. Revealing His Way, the good, the bad, the spiritual and letter of law. His truths are revealed in the entire Word of God; ‘old and new covenants.’ God’s covenants are contracts between Himself and a chosen people.

     The New Testament - ‘covenant’ includes the four gospels and Acts of the Apostles. The Gospel of Luke written by Doctor Luke, a traveling companion and reporter. We don’t know the exact date of Luke’s Gospel, it was written from notes, memory and revelations. The apostles’ letters were written to the Churches of God. A called out people to serve in the light Jesus reveals. Jesus’ Apostles Matthew, John, evangelist Mark and co-worker/reporter Luke are the writers of the four gospels.

     Each wrote from personal experience, memory and Jesus’ revelations.

     For the most part, God’s New Covenant was preserved in the Koine’ Greek language and completed by Jesus’ apostle John. John’s personal revelations were from Jesus in the book titled, ‘Revelations of Jesus Christ to John.’ The New Testament was first preserved through Greek speaking churches; beginning about 312 to 1453 AD. This text is known as ‘the Byzantine Text’ and was the official text after the days of the apostles. Also known as ‘The Stephens Text of 1550 AD’ and used for translating into English for King James and known as ‘the King James Version of 1611.’ King James translators inserted some tradition and agenda’s. For the most part we use the more modern ‘Net Bible Translation’ which admits some areas of translation difficulty to English. They use cautious adherence to the original Greek and it’s compatibility to today’s English. The Net Bible can be purchased on the internet, in print and electronically.

    God’s calendar was gifted to the Israelites through Moses and was officially used by scattered Israelites and followers of Jesus through the mid 1700 AD. It’s still used by Judaism and some sincere followers of Jesus today. The world refers to God’s calendar as ‘Judaism’s calendar.’ Much of the world’s disdain for Israel and genuine Christians revolve around their holding firm to God’s gifted calendar.

     The pagan Roman calendar was only accepted by the British sometime after 1700 AD. While Eastern world nations, Egypt etc, had long before developed their own calendars designed to honor their imaginary gods. In a rebellious act toward God, the Roman Empire adapted and included the Eastern nation’s calendar. They named days of the week after pagan gods in order to attract people groups to Catholicism. The Holy Roman Empire’s calendar influenced the world toward one calendar and achieves in part, ‘the fulfilling of prophesied demonic desires for a one world order. The above can be proved by a Google search.

    We write these studies from historical accounts, memory and revelation, in hopes of inspiring, ‘with Jesus’ apostles’ a desire to prove all things, hold to what’s good and do independent research.

To: In home churches of God. God’s 8^th month Cheshvan 27, 5,781,11/14/20

   (Acts 11:25-26; Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught a significant number of people. Now it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.) Christianity isn’t a religion not an organization, only born again with Jesus’ spirit of truth people are Christian. These called believers are gifted to see all things from Jesus’ point of view.

    Ultimately there’ll be no division among His church family. They’re spirit led to hate what God hates and love what He loves. They can’t evolve with societies. Jesus’ apostle Paul explained the workings of the spirit.

    (Philippians 2:3-11; Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 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! 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, on earth, under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.)

    Followers of Jesus can’t live animalistic life styles nor change beliefs to match society’s evolutions. They know this Jesus could never authorize commandment changes that He gave Moses for the people’s good. Jesus’ apostle Paul explains how we need to respond to such people, even those we’d consider them enemies.

     (Philippians 4:5-7; Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation through prayer and petition with thanksgiving tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Pray for those who would be your enemy.) Likewise remember Peter’s teaching to those who war against righteousness, saying they’re brazen and insolent NOT afraid to insult the glorious Ones. Review 2Peter 2:11-16

    Some are like Balaam who knew God was in charge, but from selfish leanings kept toying with the demonic. Like hostiles in each age preferring to following what’s traditionally popular, toy with superstitions, trust fleshly people’s teaching, refuse to prove God’s Word and don’t considering the ultimate result of actions.

     Moses, Jesus and each apostle prophesied about ungodly people infiltrating and mixing in God’s church. The role of false teachers is to bring in destructive beliefs. In the above 2Peter text, ‘to your midst is implied’ giving the connotation of secretiveness. Any false teaching is destructive to people’s spiritual standing.

     How do false teachers infiltrate congregations and spin God’s truth? As Satan, they appeal to the fleshly inherited nature as to Eve. Regardless of educational credentials, unbelievers are nearsighted when it comes to spiritual truths. Paul attested to that, saying his formal education was not an asset. Review 2Peter 2:17-18, and consider Jesus’ parable explanation His Word and kingdom.

      (Matthew 13:18-23; When anyone hears the Word about the kingdom and does not understand it, (the evil one comes and snatches what was sown in his heart; this is the seed sown along the path.) (The seed sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy. But he has no root in himself and does not endure; when trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, immediately he falls away.) (The seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the Word, but worldly cares and the seductiveness of wealth choke the Word, so it produces nothing.) (But as for the seed sown on good soil, this is the person who hears the Word and understands. He bears fruit yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.)

    Every FALSE teaching leads to a devious outcome. Remember why Jesus said He spoke in parables? See Matthew 13:10. He spoke in parables so people who aren’t called would NOT understand during this age. In the following parable, ‘weeds’ represents false teachers, wheat God’s chosen.

     (Matthew 13:24-30; Jesus presented them with another parable, the kingdom of heaven is like a person who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. When the plants sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. So the slaves of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?’ He said, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the slaves replied, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, since in gathering the weeds you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers, first collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned, but then gather the wheat into my barn.) THIS IS RIGHEOUS JUDGMENT.

      Now that we know how Satan infiltrates God’s church, what’s His follower’s duty to the One who calls? It’s to study and believe IN Jesus. (Jesus’ Apostle Paul explains; ‘examine all things hold fast to what is good. Stay away from every form of evil.’ Now may the God of peace Himself make you completely holy and 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. 1Thess 5:21-24)

    Knowingly or not, false teachers have personal agendas, ‘wanting people to trust them and their respective denominations.’ Knowingly or not, make merchandise of parishioners. God‘s Word teaches that each called individual has a responsibility to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, and people shouldn’t be made merchandise of. Jesus’ apostles were careful NOT to make people merchandise, rather encourage by way of remembering and obeying.

     Scoffers may not say, but their way of life does their talking, teaching evolution, poking fun of believers, but God’s plan includes an ultimate destruction of the unrepentant. Jesus reveals the following to His followers through John.

      (Rev 21:7-8; The one who conquers will inherit these things and I will be his God and he will be My son. But to the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells, idol worshipers and all those who lie, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the SECOND death.)

      Scoffing people belittle believers, Jesus’ resurrection teachings and the many who trust IN Him. Not mindful the second death is referred to four times in Jesus’ revelations to John. In order to die a second death one would have to had lived and died previously.

     In a previous study we were taught that Jesus’ apostle Peter believed IN creation as recorded in the book of Genesis. See Pet 3:5-7. We learned that the Son of God said through Isaiah that He had a plan for this world that could not be altered. Isaiah 14:24-26. Peter shared his understanding of God’s thinking and characteristics. Review 2Peter 3:8-9. May we each understand, spiritual understanding is gifted. Standing alone the two verses above seem to contradict Peter’s chapter 2:11-18. (However people that are unable to believe IN Jesus in this life will believe when they see His glory during His millennial reign.)

     Believing IN God’s planning, a spiritual and physical resurrections carries with it, a belief in a second death for those who refuse. Verse 9 has been a battleground between Armenians and Calvinists, until it’s understood that Peter is writing to the Church of God.

      The Armenians argue that God wants all people to be saved in this age, but either through inability or restriction of His own sovereignty He doesn’t interfere with peoples’ wills. That logic doesn’t include Jesus’ revelations to John about the second death. Calvinist’s are more accurate, arguing that the word ‘any’ means ‘any of you’ that are called will repent before Christ’s return, because it’s God’s will. Neither group, seem to understand yet; ‘that God preplanned a physical resurrection’ and that all Israel, ‘those God fights for’ will be saved. The word, ‘Israel’ means, ‘God fights.’ Believers IN should now understand the core reason for so much confusion, comes from religious people’s believing Satan’s first lie. When believed Satan’s lie causes all worldly religions much confusion, thinking people are born immortal.

     Without revealed knowledge of God’s millennial plan, Jesus’ return with power, the resurrections and final judgment, these groups are hopeless confused. Think on Isaiah 14, that God’s plan for His people and this planet cannot be thwarted. The foundation of GOD’S sovereign will is Godly love. God is love. His love is superior to human love and His love includes righteous hatred of evil.

     (John 4:7-10; For this reason God commands that we Believers IN love one another, because love is from God and everyone who loves as God loves, knows Him and has been fathered by God. Person’s who does not love do not know God, because GOD IS LOVE. By this the love of God is REVEALED in us; that God has sent His one and only Son into the world so that we may live through HIM. In this is love; not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.)

     Without the gift of Godly love, people can only love instinctively. Partiality fondness is a characteristic of instinctive love. That is, without Godly love people naturally love from their God created fleshly inherited instinctive position. Godly love cannot be understood by unbelievers, it’s gifted to the called believers IN. They’re people knowing God is truth and judges righteously. NOT supposing God is right, but knowing! Loving God and knowing His righteousness makes us AT ONE with Him.

      It was Godly love when He sent the flood destroying evil, saving Noah and seven, Godly love when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorra, saving righteous Lot, Godly love when He punished the Egyptians and delivered Israel, Godly love when He took unbelieving people’s lands and gave to Israel.

      Believers IN are gifted to know God is righteous. He has the sovereign right to say what’s right, wrong, good and evil. From Almighty God the Father’s love He gave His only begotten Son, ‘Jesus; for the remission of this world’s sins.

We need to know that the author of confusion and deceiver is the devil. See 1Cor 14:33 and 2John 1:7. God is the giver of physical and spiritual life, Restorer of life, The Master Architect and in Him only is righteousness and His promises are sure.

To: In home churches of God. God’s 8^th month Cheshvan 25, 5,781. 11/12/20

          Because God’s Word is sure; Peter and Isaiah, writes from the point of view; it’s done. (2 Peter 2:4-10; For if God did not spare the ‘demonic’ angels who sinned, but threw them into hell –Shoel- and locked them up in chains in utter darkness, to be kept until the judgment, and if He did not spare the ancient world, but did protect Noah, a herald of righteousness, along with seven others, when God brought a flood on an ungodly world, and if He turned to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah when He condemned them to destruction, having appointed them to serve as an EXAMPLE to future generations of the ungodly and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man in anguish over the debauched lifestyle of lawless men, (for while he lived among them day after day, that righteous man was tormented in his righteous soul –(meaning being, by the lawless deeds he saw and heard) if so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials and to reserve the unrighteous for punishment at the day of judgment, especially those who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority.)

   (Judgment day is foreshadowed by ‘The Last Great Day’ the seventh of seven annual Sabbaths. Satan and his demonic beings will be bound for a thousand years and afterward be released to go out and deceive, particularly, ‘gog & magog.’ Despising God’s authority is a characteristic of Satan and his followers. Peter compliments LOT for his despising the behavior of sinful people he lived in proximity with. Will God compliment us one day? Do we despise this demonic world’s system of things? When it come to our judging this world’s system, let’s walk softly and carry a quiet spirit.

   For the most part the unbelievers Peter writes about are like our present day populations, ‘Brazen and insolent, not afraid to insult the glorious Ones, yet even angels who’re much more powerful, do not bring slanderous judgments against them before the Lord. Review verses 9 & 10 above and remember, God knows our heart, the mind of each individual. He takes any He chooses to His Potter’s wheel for training.

     (2Peter 2:12-16; But these men, like irrational animals – creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed – do not understand whom they are insulting, and consequently in their destruction they will be destroyed, suffering harm as the wages for their harmful ways. By considering it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight, they are stains and blemishes, indulging in their deceitful pleasures when they feast together with you. Their eyes, full of adultery, never stop sinning; they entice unstable people. They have trained their hearts for greed, these cursed children! By forsaking the right path they have gone astray, because they followed the way of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, yet was rebuked for his own transgression (a dumb donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the prophet’s madness.)

     Balaam’s activities are detailed in Num 22—24 & See also Num 31:8, 16. All these things are written for our instruction, we to whom the ends of the world have come. As we work at keeping ourselves encouraged, let’s hope we’re helping many stay encouraged. The whole world has become as Babylon, ‘meaning confusion,’ God confused the people at Babylon when they thought to build to the heavens. He caused them to be spread around the world.

    Likewise the Assyrians adopted a multi system of persecuting God’s people and God has used them to punish His people for their sins. Now let’s continue with Isaiah from a previous study regarding Satan’s characteristics and his demise.       

    (Isaiah 14:22-27; I will rise up against them, says the Lord who commands armies. I will blot out all remembrance of Babylon (confusion) and destroy all her people, including the offspring she produces, says the Lord. I will turn her into a place that is overrun with wild animals and covered with pools of stagnant water. I will get rid of her just as one sweeps away dirt with a broom, says the Lord who commands armies. The Lord who commands armies makes this solemn vow: “Be sure of this: Just as I have INTENDED, so it will be; just as I have PLANNED, it will happen. I will break Assyria in My land, I will trample them underfoot on My hills. Their yoke will be removed from My people, the burden will be lifted from their shoulders. This is the PLAN I have devised for the WHOLE EARTH; My hand is ready to strike all the nations. Indeed, the Lord who commands armies has a PLAN, and who can possibly frustrate it? His hand is ready to strike, and who can possibly stop it?)

    Don’t DOUBT, our Creator has it all planned from the foundation of the world! Everything of consequence is on God the Father’s schedule. (Jesus said; “But as for that day and hour no one knows it – not even the angels in heaven – except the Father alone. For just like the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be.”  Matt 24:36-37)

     God’s ELECT are praying that His Kingdom soon come, the conditions Jesus described and Matthew recorded is on the horizon. (Jesus said, for then there will be great suffering unlike anything that has happened from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen. 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. Matt 24:21-22)

  NOW BACK to Peter‘s 2^nd letter describing false teachers.

      (2Peter 2:17-22; These men are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm, for whom the utter depths of darkness have been reserved. For by speaking high-sounding but empty words they are able to entice, with fleshly desires and with debauchery, people who have just escaped from those who reside in error. Although these false teachers promise such people freedom, they themselves are enslaved to immorality. For whatever a person succumbs to, to that he’s enslaved. For if after they have escaped the filthy things of the world through the rich knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they again get entangled in them and succumb to them, their last state has become worse for them than their first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them. They are illustrations of this true proverb: “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and “A sow, after washing herself, wallows in the mire.”)

      Intelligent people are perhaps more vulnerable, they’re more likely to decide for themselves what’s right, wrong, good and evil. Few like these are called and gifted with spiritual understanding like that of Paul’s, saying his former education was liability more than an asset. Pray that God have the likes of a donkey to speak to these Baal types.

Sometimes Christians get lackadaisical.

      (2Peter 3:1-6; Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder, I want you to recall both the predictions foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges and saying, “Where is His promised return? For ever since our ancestors died, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately suppress this fact, that by the word of God, heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water. Through these things the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water. But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”)

    Worldly religions have bought into Satan’s lies; people aren’t born to live forever someplace and there no ever burning place where the ungodly go. (Few know Rev 21:8 about the second death.)

     Peter is speaking of two separate world periods. The first was destroyed by means of water before Jesus’ re-creation; the present earth and heavens are His re-creations. This present earth is reserved for destruction along with the ungodly by fire. The many so called educated are willingly ignorant.

    (2Peter 3:8; Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day.)

      Could it be that the seven day week represents this re-created age? Is the Judean calendar most likely chronologically accurate? (Consider Romans 3:1-4; Therefore what advantage does the Jew have, or what is the value of circumcision? Actually, there are many advantages. First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. (Oracles of God means: “wisdom of God.) What then? If some did not believe, does their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God? Absolutely not! Let God be proven true, and every human being shown up as a liar, just as it is written: “so that you will be justified in your words and will prevail when you are judged.”)

   Paul is quoting from Psalms 51:4-5; where David proclaims, ‘Against You – You above all – I have sinned; I have done what is evil in Your sight. So You are just when You confront me You are right when You condemn me, Look I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me.)

     (2Peter 3:9-13; The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because He does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes, the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare. Since all these things are to melt away in this manner, what sort of people must we be, conducting our lives in holiness and godliness, while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God? Because of this day, the heavens will be burned up and dissolve, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze! But, according to His promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness truly resides.)

    Apparently most of Peter’s prophecy is for a time long after Jesus’ millennium and New Jerusalem comes down.

      It’s interesting too that Peter is familiar with Paul’s letters.

     (2Peter 3:14-18; Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish when you come into His presence. And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him, speaking of these things in all his letters. Some things in these letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day.)

         Many are destined to do bad things and wage war against righteousness. Such are self serving in nature and their life is dictated by fleshly desires. Thinking and living animalistic life styles, they’re instinctively bad, exercising little self control beyond, me, mine and ours, as they please their habits and instinctive desires. Even religious people’s concerns are mostly on what’s considered theirs; ‘their home, their family and their church. A me, mine and our outlook.

     Holy Creator God: please give us the mind to see ourselves from Your view. Reveal Your perspectives about our inherited spiritual condition and Your plan for our saving. Remind us of Your previous judgments and promise of a future judgment. Reveal Yourself to all who ask, give each the desire to know You and Your Son Jesus Christ. We ask in Jesus’ holy name and nature. AMEN.

To: In residence Churches of God. God’s 8^th month, Cheshvan 22, 5,981. 11/9/20

     Speaking of eternal life Jesus said, (Matt 16:26-28; For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life? For, the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, there are some standing here who will not experience death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” The Transfiguration

  (Matt 17:1-13; Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them privately up a high mountain. And Jesus was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. Then Moses and Elijah also appeared before them, talking with Jesus. So Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make three shelters — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

    While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My One dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they were overwhelmed with fear and threw themselves down with their faces to the ground. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Do not be afraid.”

    When they looked up, all they saw was Jesus alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the experts in the law say that Elijah must come first?” He answered, “Elijah does indeed come first and will restore all things. And I tell you that Elijah has already come. Yet they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.)

    Peter wrote about this occasion in his second letter. These three apostles experienced Jesus’ coming in His kingdom. Moses, Elijah and all believers who overcome to the end will be resurrected and inherit eternal life. It’s how and why Peter could write as he did to the called. Peter isn’t writing to Pharisees, worshipers of Baal, the god of fertility nor worldly denominations of our day.

    (2 Peter 1:1-2; From Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted a faith just as precious as ours.)

    Faith, like the apostles’ is gifted faith, not a conjured up or taught by a person.

    (2Peter 1:2; May grace and peace be lavished on you as you grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord!)

    Key words in Peter’s letters are foreknowledge of God, chosen, obedience, slave, granted faith, grow and knowledge. How does Peter say faith is granted? Through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ! May our prayer for one another be, May grace and peace be lavished on us as we grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord! To grow in knowledge people must accept certain truths, being that ‘Jesus created all things, believe in what Jesus and the prophets said about Him, believe His promises, particularly His promised return.’ (Jesus said at John 6:29; This is the deed God requires – to believe in the ONE whom HE sent.)

    (2 Peter 1:3-4; I, can pray this because His divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the ONE who CALLED us by His own glory and excellence. Through these things He has bestowed on us, His precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of THE DIVINE NATURE after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.)

    How’s that divine nature gifted? By promise! Worldly religions wants people believing Satan’ lie; ‘you are born divine and thus can decide what’s right, wrong, good and evil. Peter taught growing in Jesus’ faith teaches His righteousness. Vanity in unbelieving people causes a denial that they’re living according to worldly corruption and evil desires. Most aren’t mindful of the corruption in this world’s entertainment and the many time consuming things that are ungodly in His view.

    Consider that Satan knew God’s plan for mankind, included His making THE WAY for Believers IN to be partakers of God’s divine nature. Satan’s twist wants folks thinking they’re born with a divine nature, with a spirit within that lives forever someplace, rather than to be supernaturally born again and be gifted with God’s divine nature.

    (Review Genesis 3:1-7; When Eve saw that the tree produced fruit that was good for food, was attractive to the eye, and was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.)

    Prior to their disobedient act of idolatry, Adam and Eve were not mindful of their nakedness. Satan knew what would appeal to the self serving side of their nature. A desire to be wise in our own view of self appeals to our fleshly inherited nature. A result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience is the aging process, death to themselves and all their offspring. HOWEVER, may it be revealed to each; God planned it all from the foundation of the world. MAY we each who’re called be gifted with faith like that of Abraham, Moses and Peter’s.

    (Hebrews 11:23-27; By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months, because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward.

    By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger, for he persevered as though he could see the One who is invisible.)

    This defines, Believers IN Jesus. Persevering faith in God’s Way is visualizing His promises.

    (2 Peter 1:5-8; For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. For IF these things are really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately.) This is The Way of people Believing in Jesus’ promises. To know Jesus intimately is to know His characteristics, and have His spirit imputed to our mind. Followers of Jesus’ goal must be to overcome to the end. (See Revelations 3)

     KEEP in mind, Peter isn’t writing to the world at large, but to the called who’re mindful that only God can open minds of the spiritually blind.

    (2 Peter 1:9-11; But concerning the one who lacks such things – he is blind. That is to say, he is nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the cleansing of his past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your CALLING AND ELECTION. For by DOING this you will never stumble into sin. For, thus an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.)

     Jesus’ words through Peter should make the heart swell a bit. It does if we belong to Him. Is there enthusiasm for His Kingdom? It is if we belong to Him. Do we pray that His Kingdom soon come? We do if we know Him. These teachings and knowledge is for the called people in this, since Jesus ascended age. (The principle Jesus taught is, ‘So the last will be first, and the first last.’ Matt 20:16) (Another principle, ‘many are called but few chosen.’ Matt 22:14)

    Consider Jesus’ wedding feast invitation parable and understand why He gave parables? Review Matthew 13:10; to discern why Jesus used parables.

    (Matt 22:1-14; Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to summon those who had been invited to the banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, Look! The feast I have prepared for you is ready. My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet. But they were indifferent and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest seized his slaves, insolently mistreated them, and killed them. The king was furious! He sent his soldiers, and they put those murderers to death and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but the ones who had been invited were not worthy. So go into the main streets and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ And those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all they found, both bad and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the wedding guests, he saw a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But he had nothing to say. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!’ For, many are called but few are chosen.)

    Jesus’ prophets were persecuted and killed. History indicates all Jesus’ apostles but John was killed. The Israelites in large measure refused to believe, but today’s called people are invited to repent, grow in grace and knowledge of God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ. Apparently many are called but few seriously attempt to live a pleasing to Him life. Its why did Peter say, the called need to be stirred up. The called, once enlightened, sometimes don’t hold fast to the faith?

    Peter indicated to the overseers, ‘shepherds of the flocks’ that the called need constant spiritual care, constant reminders of callings and promises. Thus, when folks teach, they’re reminding themselves and all who’re called.

     (2 Peter 1:12-15; Therefore, I intend to remind you constantly of these things even though you know them and are well established in the truth that you now have. Indeed, as long as I am in this tabernacle, I consider it right to stir you up by way of a reminder, since I know that my tabernacle will soon be removed, because our Lord Jesus Christ revealed this to me. Indeed, I will also make every effort that, after my departure, you have a testimony of these things.)

    Thankfully, we still have Peter’s testimony! Thank God we have His written Word. Rightfully, it saddens to think of Peter’s knowing his end was near. Peter and each apostle understood, ‘the servant is not greater than his Master.’

    Jesus said, ‘they persecuted Me they will persecute you.’ Peter knew he was gifted with eternal life and would be in the first resurrection. Knew he and the other apostles would one day rule over the twelve tribes of Israel. (See Revelations 21:18)