Eternal Life or second death

Jesus issued this warning when he sent his angel with letters to the early seven churches in the revelation of John (Revelation 1:11).

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death” (Revelation 2:11).

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:19-22).

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).

Which church? Which doctrine?

Which Church? Which doctrine? These are a few questions that are grappled with for someone seeking to join a church. However, this should be kept in mind:

When King Jesus was here on this earth he was asked about his doctrine.
“Jesus answered them, and said, ‘My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him’” (John 7:16-18).

There is only one doctrine: The gospel of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:5–6).

The house of God is not in physical buildings with different names, “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6).

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Sabbath day: Saturday or Sunday?

Within the Christian religion there are numerous church denominations, and as it was since the development of the early church there continues dissension, debate and disagreement over the preaching of the gospel. Specifically, which is the day of the Sabbath?

The Apostle Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles during his time, put the debate on the day of Sabbath for the Gentiles into perspective, saying: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ” (Colossians 2:16–17).

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:4, 11-13).

In the early development stages of the church, in preaching the gospel to the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, the apostles as accented by the Holy Spirit confirmed in letters the following:

“As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment” (Acts 21:25, 15:24).

Moreover, Peter and the disciples also then reiterated and emphasized to the Gentiles, said: “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well” (Acts 15:28–29).

 

 

 

Christianity and doctrines

There are countless religions throughout this world. Within Christianity there are untold numbers of churches with various doctrines. There is raging disagreement over doctrines.

However, we must be reminded that the Apostle Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles explained during his ministry, said: “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. [BUT LET EVERY MAN TAKE HEED HOW HE BUILDETH THEREUPON]. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is JESUS CHRIST” (1 Corinthians 3:10–11).

“For there is [ONE GOD, AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS]: who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:5–6).

God?

“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God says: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Avoid confusion

From the very beginning of time the prince of this world has tried to change times and laws established since the time of creation to destroy the works of God (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:4).

“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion” (Leviticus 18:22–23).

Notwithstanding the enactment of laws in this world, many things that are now accepted in the eyes of humans are still unacceptable to God (Psalm 53:2–3).

“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet” (Romans 1:26–27)/

As it is written in the Holy Scriptures, “That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).

Humans are not to eat blood!

Unfortunately, many people are deceived and continue to live “…according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

Humans are not to eat blood!

All these TV shows, movies and other media promoting vampires and vampirism are evil, and is rebellion against God. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:22). Let us be reminded when God spoke to Moses and commanded the people of Israel, saying:

“And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood” (Leviticus 17:10-12).

“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever” (Psalm 119:160). “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded” (Proverbs 13:13).

What is the size of God?

We get a glimpse of the magnitude of God, the Creator when we read as it is written: “It is he that sitteth upon the [CIRCLE OF THE EARTH], and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in” (Isaiah 40:21-22).

We are as “…grasshoppers…”! We can only begin to imagine the SIZE of God!

“Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance; behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will ye liken God or what likeness will ye compare unto him?” (Isaiah 40:15, 17–18).

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2).

Is the earth flat?

There are vast numbers of articles, videos and so on all over the internet, social and other media by people including celebraties saying: “The earth is flat”. What does the word of God state? As it is written:

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2).

“Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon the [CIRCLE OF THE EARTH], and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in” (Isaiah 40:21-22).

“He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing” (Job 26:7).

“The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The [WIND GOETH TOWARD THE SOUTH, AND TURNETH ABOUT UNTO THE NORTH]; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits” (Ecclesiastes 1:5-6).

Therefore, do not be deceived because the earth is a “…circle…” (Isaiah 20:21-22) or round or sphere!

Glory be to God!

Give God the Glory in the name of his only begotten Son!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“Oh that man would praise the LORD or his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107:8).

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures” (Psalm 36:7–8).