Our Belief System

We all have a belief system. What I mean by this is that we all believe or trust a great many things to be true. You may have a certain faith you believe is the true religion; you go along with most if not all the doctrines which make up that religion. Even if you are agnostic, that is part of your belief system. There are many areas which make up our belief system; health, monetary, security, religion, probably others which I can't think of right now. In each of these areas, you believe that if you can only reach or maintain a place in each one, that your life will be as good as it can get. You may not have reached that perfect place yet but you still believe that if you ever get there, you will be happy; things will be good.

I think that the hell talked about in the Bible is related to our belief system. If you and I were to compare our belief system with each other, we would most likely find areas where we don't agree. Aren't our actions, our decisions, governed to a large degree by our belief system?

I found this definition from the Science20 website:

“Belief systems are the stories we tell ourselves to define our personal sense of "reality". Every human being has a belief system that they utilize, and it is through this mechanism that we individually, "make sense" of the world around us.”

Well, I think that the great day of judgment, talked about in the Bible, is God revealing to each one of us the places where our beliefs are flawed; our thinking is wrong. This in turn will cause us to weep and gnash our teeth; weep bitterly. Have you ever believed something to be true, maybe about some person, and later found out that you were totally wrong? How did it make you feel, or maybe, like I did, tell a lie. My lie haunted me for a very long time; fifty some odd years. I finally got my lie reconciled by asking forgiveness of those I told the lie to. They had no memory of that lie but still, it was something I needed to do to get a peace about it. Think about all this stuff that hasn't been reconciled being brought to your attention all at once; how dreadful will that be? There are parables that Jesus told that I think tells us about this.

Matthew 11:22 Lexham English Bible (LEB)

22 Nevertheless I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and for Sidon on the day of judgment than for you!

Matthew 11:21 Lexham English Bible (LEB)

21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

As for the length of time our grief, our torment will last, I don't believe that it is like how we think of everlasting. My wife and I have been watching a documentary on PBS about the brain; quite interesting. Our brain perceives time differently depending on what it is that the brain is dealing with. Something painful can seem like an eternity. Another parable of Jesus that says how long it will be:

Matthew 5:26Lexham English Bible (LEB)

26 Truly I say to you, you will never come out of there until you have paid back the last penny!

The Bible so often uses symbolism and metaphors to say things. If I were to tell you to think of yourself as a fruit tree. Could you see that the soil and your roots could be thought of as your belief system? Your sustenance, your anchor, and support comes from the soil through your roots; your belief system. If you are rooted in good ground then you will be healthy with healthy branches to bear good fruit. Now think about what it says in Malachi:

Malachi 4:1 Lexham English Bible (LEB)

4 “For look! The day is about to come, burning like an oven, and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble. The coming day will consume them,” says Yahweh of hosts. “It will not leave behind for them root or branch.

If your belief system is totally wrong, there won't be anything left; your whole belief system has to be rebuilt. It will all depend on where you are on that day. Jesus hinted to this as told to us in the book of Mathew:

Matthew 5:29-30 Lexham English Bible (LEB)

29 And if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it from you! For it is better for you that one of your members be destroyed than your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you! For it is better for you that one of your limbs be destroyed than your whole body go into hell.

You know, I've been wondering why the Bible seems to be so cryptic? Why doesn't God just come out and say things in a way we can all understand? I think it is because God knows us too well; some still won't believe. If you are a parent, have you ever thought much about how the teaching of our children so often goes. You can tell a child many times not to touch the hot stove or oven but there always seems to come the time where they have to touch it.

Jesus told another parable that shows or hints at that it doesn't matter how we are told about God and Jesus; you will either believe or you won't.

Luke 16:19-31 Lexham English Bible (LEB)

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “Now a certain man was rich, and dressed in purple cloth and fine linen, feasting sumptuously every day. 20 And a certain poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, lay at his gate, 21 and was longing to be filled with what fell from the table of the rich man. But even the dogs came and licked his sores.22 Now it happened that the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. 23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes as he was in torment and saw Abraham from a distance, and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he could dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering pain in this flame!’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you received your good things during your life, and Lazarus likewise bad things. But now he is comforted here, but you are suffering pain. 26 And in addition to all these things, a great chasm has been established between us and you, so that those who want to cross over from here to you are not able to do so, nor can they cross over from there to us. 27 So he said, ‘Then I ask you, father, that you send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he could warn them, in order that they also should not come to this place of torment!’29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they must listen to them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent!’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone rises from the dead.’”

What is Eternal Life?

I was re-reading my last post “More about God's new kingdom” in the Romans chapter 2 part when something caught my eye. It was verse 7 which read, “On the one hand, he will give eternal life to those who look for glory, honor, and immortality based on their patient good work.” The word “immortality” just doesn't seem right to me; does a Christian seek immortality?

I read this passage in “biblegateway.com” in a number of translations and most do have “immortality”. I looked at this passage in my “Ultimate Bible Study Suite; KJV Bible” on my Kindle and here is how it reads; “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life”. I found that the Greek word translated “immortality” is ““aphtharsia {af-thar-see'-ah}” Definitions: incorruptibility; genitive unending existence; (figurative) genuineness: -immortality, incorruption, sincerity.”

You know, I think there is a great misconception with what eternal life is and this misconception played a part for the interpreters of the original Greek to pick “immortality” instead of one of the other meanings. I have found only one passage in the Bible that tells us what eternal life is and that is in John chapter 17. It is here that Jesus himself tells us.

John 17:1-5Common English Bible (CEB)

Jesus prays

17 When Jesus finished saying these things, he looked up to heaven and said,“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, so that the Son can glorify you.2 You gave him authority over everyone so that he could give eternal life to everyone you gave him. 3 This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent. 4 I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I shared with you before the world was created.

Revelation 19:6-9 Lexham English Bible (LEB)

The Wedding Celebration of the Lamb

6 And I heard something like the sound of a great crowd and something like the sound of many waters and something like the sound of powerful thunder, saying,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord God,[a] the All-Powerful, reigns!
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him the glory,
because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has prepared herself.
8 And it has been granted to her that she be dressed in bright, clean fine linen (for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints).

9 And he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the banquet of the wedding celebration of the Lamb!” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 

More about God's new kingdom

I want to expound more about my post “God Will Be All in All”. I believe we will all be there in God's new kingdom, the new heaven and earth, but fixed. I say fixed but it is that we will have been perfectly judged by God. We will now know that true self and be put in our rightful place; some inside the new city Jerusalem (the place of honor and respect) and the rest outside the city (the place of obscurity). Knowing that true self will grieve so many of us and is the scriptures saying “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:50; ; Matthew 25:30). These scriptures also say that they will be thrown into “outer darkness.” The Greek word translated as darkness is “skotos {skot'-os}” which means shadiness, i.e. obscurity. Obscurity means the state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or unimportant. Can you see that this is describing those outside the city?

I believe that “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is another way of saying to grieve bitterly just like the apostle Peter did (Matthew 26:75) when God showed him that he was not that strong person he thought he was; the one who said to Jesus, “Even though all may fall away, I will not” (Mark 14:29).

None of us have to be among those who are thrown outside the city if we but join ourselves to Jesus (Yeshua); become a member of His body and let Him direct our ways as the head of the body does.

John 14:6 Common English Bible (CEB)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

What I am saying here is the same thing that the apostle Paul was saying in his writings to the Romans.

Romans 2 Common English Bible (CEB)

Jews are without excuse

2 So every single one of you who judge others is without any excuse. You condemn yourself when you judge another person because the one who is judging is doing the same things. 2 We know that God’s judgment agrees with the truth, and his judgment is against those who do these kinds of things. 3 If you judge those who do these kinds of things while you do the same things yourself, think about this: Do you believe that you will escape God’s judgment?4 Or do you have contempt for the riches of God’s generosity, tolerance, and patience? Don’t you realize that God’s kindness is supposed to lead you to change your heart and life? 5 You are storing up wrath for yourself because of your stubbornness and your heart that refuses to change. God’s just judgment will be revealed on the day of wrath. 6 God will repay everyone based on their works.[a] 7 On the one hand, He will give eternal life to those who look for glory, honor, and immortality based on their patient good work. 8 But on the other hand, there will be wrath and anger for those who obey wickedness instead of the truth because they are acting out of selfishness and disobedience. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 10 But there will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.11 God does not have favorites.

12 Those who have sinned outside the Law will also die outside the Law, and those who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law. 13 It isn’t the ones who hear the Law who are righteous in God’s eyes. It is the ones who do what the Law says who will be treated as righteous. 14 Gentiles don’t have the Law. But when they instinctively do what the Law requires they are a Law in themselves, though they don’t have the Law. 15 They show the proof of the Law written on their hearts, and their consciences affirm it. Their conflicting thoughts will accuse them, or even make a defense for them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the hidden truth about human beings through Christ Jesus.

Jesus told us what “eternal life” is.

John 17:3 Common English Bible (CEB)

3 This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent.

What does it say in Revelation about who those inside the city are? They are the bride of Christ; the Lamb. Who knows the bridegroom better than the bride?

The Dogs (Edited 11-3-15)

In my previous post, “God Will BE All in All”, I talked about those people, the nations, living outside the new Holy city, Jerusalem. One of the groups are called “dogs”. I didn't know if this was a group of people or a reference to the actual animal, dog. Here is what I've found in my studies:

To an Israelite, dogs were not well loved and they were associated with evil and low status and unclean. In Jesus' time and before, the gentiles (non-Israelite) were called or referenced as dogs by the Jews.
11-3-15 - I am a gentile and knowing that I may be considered or called a dog by anyone, be it Jew or Muslim or anyone does not bother me. I am in God's eyes perfectly judged. I trust Him in His thoughts of me. I hope I have not built up more animosity towards the Jews by what I've said here. It is not my intention to do so. I only want to shed light on the "dogs" reference in Revelation.  

I found the reference in the Bible where I remembered Jesus appearing to call a women a dog. She was not a Samaritan as I thought but worse, she was a gentile (heathen, pagan, infidel, non-religious person). There are two gospels that tells the story; Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:24-30. There has been much discussion about this. Was Jesus insulting this woman or was it something else? I think something else.

I had to consider both scriptures to build a better picture as to what was going on here. Mark says that Jesus went to Tyre to try and get away from the crowds that were constantly following Him everywhere He went; He needed some quiet time. He enters a house and didn't want anyone to know about it but His presence leaked out to the people there. Tyre was in gentile territory. A woman who was a Greek, born a Syrophoenician, found out He was there and she goes to Him and keeps begging Him to cast a demon out of her daughter. She had many things going against her when she came to Jesus; she was a woman, a gentile, and Jesus was trying to escape the crowds, it seems He was in no mood to deal with her at that time. Jesus at first just ignores her; the disciples even tried to get Jesus to send her away but she was very persistent. Here is their conversation when Jesus finally acknowledges her, according to Matthew:

Matthew 15:24-28 Common English Bible (CEB) 24 Jesus replied, “I’ve been sent only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.” 25 But she knelt before him and said, “Lord, help me.” 26 He replied, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord. But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall off their masters’ table.” 28 Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. It will be just as you wish.” And right then her daughter was healed.

When I studied these passages in my “Ultimate Bible Study Suite”, I found that the Greek word that is translated as “dog” is actually a puppy dog, not an adult dog. When I take this into consideration, I see a type of loving exchange of words going on here between an Israelite and a Gentile. The woman knew her place as to this Hebrew man she was talking to. Jesus, referring to her as a puppy dog I think softened something that normally would have sounded harsh. I think she picked up on this which relaxed her to talk more freely with Him. She responded very well and Jesus granted her wish for healing of her daughter.

Now back to the dog referenced in Revelation 22:15, those outside the new Holy city, Jerusalem.

Revelation 22:15 Common English Bible (CEB) 15 Outside are the dogs, the drug users and spell-casters, those who commit sexual immorality, the murderers, the idolaters, and all who love and practice deception.

Some Bible translations separate “dogs” and what follows with an “and” but some seem to imply those that follow are dogs. When I think about the writer of “Revelation” being a Hebrew, then dogs may very well have been a reference to gentiles.

God Will Be All In All.

I believe that all peoples even from the beginning of time will be in God's new kingdom and here is why.

Let me start with John's description of the new kingdom that was given to him by God through an angel; written in the book of Revelation in the New Testament of the Bible (Rev 1:1). In Revelation chapter 21, he describes the holy city, the new Jerusalem. The city is huge and is surrounded by a wall measuring 1500 miles wide, 1500 miles long, 1500 miles tall and 72 yards thick (Rev 21:16-17). There are twelve gates into the city; 3 gates on each side (Rev 21:12-13). He talks about those living inside the city and those outside the city.

First, those inside the city: The Lord God and the Lamb (Jesus,Yeshua in Hebrew) (Rev 21: 22); those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (Rev 21:27), also known as the bride, the wife of the Lamb (Rev 21:9), also known as God's bond-servants (Rev 22:3).

Those outside the city: the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murders and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying (Rev 22:15), also know as the nations (Rev 21:24).

I believe that the reference of those outside the city being dogs and sorcerers and immoral persons and murders and idolaters and those who practice lying are actually references to when they were in the old earth. Maybe even the animals (dogs) are actually dogs outside the city and not that it is referring to people being dogs. There are a number of reasons why I believe this. {I just remembered something that Jesus said, or I think He said. If my memory is correct, He was traveling through Samaria, was talking to a Samaritan woman, and made some kind of reference to her being a dog. I could not find this but this has led me to a whole new study on the subject. I will post something when I get it together.} 

In the last two chapters of Revelation it talks about the people living outside the city who are able to enter through the gates into the city; the kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into the city (Rev 21: 24-26), yet verse 27 says that “nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come in, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life”. It seems to me that at least some of those whose names are written in the book of life are living outside the city.

Rev 22:14 says Revelation 22:14 Common English Bible (CEB)

14 Favored are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right of access to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.

This shows again those who can enter the city.

Now let me talk about the city itself. There is no temple in the city because the Lord God, The Almighty, and the Lamb are its temple (Rev 21:22). There is no more darkness at all because the glory of God illumines it and the Lamb is its lamp (Rev 21:23). The gates of the city are never closed (Rev 21: 25). A river that is the water of life flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev 22:1). The river flows down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stands the tree of life bearing twelve crops of fruit every month and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Rev 22:2). Sounds like something going on with the people outside the city that needs healing. There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him (Rev 22: 3). The curse is related to sins so sounds like no more sinning. There is no longer any night or darkness and there will be no need of a lamp or the sun for light because the Lord God will illumine them (Rev 22:5)

Lets go back to the first part of Revelation chapter 21. For me, I think this sheds light on the things I've just talked about.

Revelation 21:1-8 Common English Bible (CEB)

New heaven and new earth

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”6 Then he said to me, “All is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will freely give water from the life-giving spring. 7 Those who emerge victorious will inherit these things. I will be their God, and they will be my sons and daughters. 8 But for the cowardly, the faithless, the vile, the murderers, those who commit sexual immorality, those who use drugs and cast spells, the idolaters and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Verse 8 is talking about those same people that chapter 22:15 says are outside the holy city. This verse says that “their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.” I have read that in Greek culture, burning with fire and sulfur (brimstone in KJV) is symbolic for Divine Cleansing. This would go along with several places I remember reading in the Old Testament (The Mikra or Tanakh or Hebrew Bible).

Malachi 3:2 Common English Bible (CEB)

2 Who can endure the day of his coming?
        Who can withstand his appearance?
He is like the refiner’s fire or the cleaner’s soap.

Isaiah (Yeshayah) 1:25 Common English Bible (CEB)

25     and I will turn my hand against you.
I will refine your impurities as with lye,
    and remove all your cinders.

Psalm (Tehillim) 66:10 Common English Bible (CEB)

10 But you, God, have tested us—
    you’ve refined us like silver,

Psalm (Tehillim) 66:8-12 Common English Bible (CEB)

8 All you nations, bless our God!
    Let the sound of his praise be heard!
9 God preserved us among the living;
    he didn’t let our feet slip a bit.

10 But you, God, have tested us—
    you’ve refined us like silver,
11     trapped us in a net,
    laid burdens on our backs,
12     let other people run right over our heads—
    we’ve been through fire and water.

But you brought us out to freedom!

There are so many more scriptures that I have found that I believe relate to this subject; that all of God's, everyone, even all the angels including Satan, will be with Him in the end but fixed. In other words we will be as we should be; God Almighty will be our God and we will be His people.

1 Corinthians 15:28 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.

Ephesians 1:22-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

All this is for me too.

I was awakened in a dream and felt the need to post this right away. I don't remember the specifics of the dream but the jest or meaning of it was quite clear. All that I have written in this blog includes me too; it is directed towards me as well. I have a tendency of writing as though these words are only for the reader, like I'm lord it over the reader. If it has been taken that way, I apologize. 

Time to change.

I’m having such a hard time with this post. I have argued within myself as to whether I should write this or not; for very good reasons which I will explain later. I feel a confirmation that Father God does want me to write this as I was led back to one of my first posts; the only one in the “Stories to Encourage” section. At the end I quoted from Psalm 8 verses 3-9. This very thing is what concerns me so; and is what I want to talk about here.

Psalm 8:3-9New International Version (NIV)

3 When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?[a]

5 You have made them[b] a little lower than the angels[c]
    and crowned them[d] with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their[e] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

God made us to rule over the things He has created on this earth but we have done such a lousy job of it. We have abused it badly.

Our garbage has washed and is still washing out into the oceans and now we have huge garbage piles within them; they say they are several times the size of Texas. Can you imagine something of that nature bigger than Texas? This garbage is not only killing marine life but other mammals too. It is stealthily killing us humans as well.

We now have flesh eating organisms. We have a place along the San Bernard River and a neighbor told me about his experience with the flesh eating things. He didn’t even get into the water to get this. He had some of the river water in his boat, was bare footed, and had a small cut on his foot. He ended up in the hospital many days and almost lost his foot.  

It’s not only our oceans (think about this; those very large bodies of water; not a light thing here) that are getting polluted but it’s our rivers and streams too. I’m not talking only about the ones running along the surface but our underground ones too are becoming polluted or depleted (another one of our abuses).

Look at California. There are many contributing factors to what’s going on there. The rainfall has been less than usual. The farm lands and population have increased. The farmers need water to grow their crops; if there is not enough rain then they have to get it elsewhere. They start by getting it from the rivers and lakes and when those play out they drill water wells. But, the aquifers they drill down into are slowly going away. The rivers, lakes, and aquifers are the same places the people are getting their water from. They all need water to exist.

The ice glaciers are receding a bunch and the icebergs are increasing in number; global warming????? Boy is this not a can of worms. There are people who vehemently say that there is no such thing as global warming. I don’t know how many who believe this but they can bring up statistics showing it doesn’t exist; I just had a disagreement with a fellow Facebook friend about this.

I think about all of the oil and gas we are taking out of the earth. What fills up that space or void in the earth. The oil is quite viscous. Does oil stabilize the earth and our taking it out destabilizes it? The gas exists in the earth in areas of great pressure. Does this pressure somehow stabilize the earth too? I think about a balloon. If that balloon supported something and you deflate it, the supported thing comes down. Do you kind of see what I’m saying here?

There are many more things I can think of that show our abuse of this planet but I want to get to what I believe to be the most  important thing about all of this. If we really want to help save ourselves, all of us are going to have to change. This is what the Bible calls repentance. I can’t see this happen until Father God shows us the people we really are, our true selves. This is what will happen at the Great Day of Judgment.

Another thought I have. Why does God want to continue answering our prayers for help when we are unwilling to do anything to help ourselves?

I see Father God revealing more of His mysteries and I think that day of Judgement is near but just as the Bible says, only the Father knows when that day will be. Then Jesus will return, but not until then and then the Father and Yeshua will live with us; can you imagine that?

There are scriptures that say that God will completely destroy this earth and heaven and create new ones. I’ve thought about this and had thought that there was no other way. We have messed this one up so much that God has no choice but create new ones and get rid of the old ones.

There are things I've stumbled across in my studies of the scriptures that have led me to think that we are meant to pull together and work to save this world, but with God’s help this time. To me they are saying that if this doesn't happen, then God will destroy them completely; like giving us a chance to do it the way He intended for all things to work. I'm probably not saying this very well but here's the thing. God has had a mysterious plan in place before He created all things. The apostle Paul touched on this mystery in his letter to the Ephesians chapter 3.

In Genesis of The Bible it says this:

Genesis 1:31 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

³¹ God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

  

He not only said it was good but that it was very good; even knowing all about what would happen to it. I think that He was included His mysterious plan when He said this.

When Yeshua (Jesus) came into this world, He said He came to save the world.

John 3:17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁷ For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

I think this means every thing and everyone.

This leads me to the next thing I want to talk about and is the reason for the great conflict within myself as to weather or not I should talk about this.

Satan, I’ve been reading some about you. You are of the angelic order and you were created having great power, which I have seen myself; also the reason for my prayer of protection, my very first post to this blog. 

Do you know why Father gave you all that power? When you started out, were you using that power for some good reason? 

I read that you and the other fallen angels were cast down to “Tartarus.” Since you are here, I guess that “Tartarus” is earth. I asked you in a previous post if you caused this that is going on with my back. I wasn’t only curious if you are the cause of my pain but I’ve wondered if you caused or created all these cancers and other diseases that we humans have.

I am beginning to think that all diseases and sicknesses we humans have are from all of our abuses of this planet; we are the cause and not something you have done, although, when I think about it, you probably helped contribute to it.

So you and the other angles are a part of this earth too. Did Yeshua come to save you too? All we know is that you will be cast into a lake of fire. What is this lake of fire? I think that it will be the same shame we will feel when we all see ourselves the way Father God sees us.

Here comes a good one for you. Have you thought about using your great powers to heal us humans? If we all are to work together to make this earth as Father God wishes for it to be, I see you playing an important part. Even if we all started right now to do things the way Father intended for us to, it will be some time before our diseases go away. What we have available to us right now just doesn’t work well but you could do some amazing things, that is if you would just use your powers to that end.

I was also thinking about those spirits we call evil. They go into human bodies. We read in the Bible that Jesus cast out evil spirits. I have always thought that the casting out of them is what healed that person but now I wonder, “Was that person diseased in some way to allow that spirit in in the first place?” Did the casting out just coincide with the healing of whatever the disease was? I think we all have just assumed they were the same.

Here is where I am going; with these spirits: Since they can go into human bodies, can they also take a look around inside that body and see what is going on inside that is causing the problem, much like our x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, etc.?

If these thoughts somehow take away glory from Father and or His Son, then I am sorry I thought of this; hence the reason for my concern. I believe Father God is powerful enough not to let that happen.

Funny dream

I had a very funny dream last night or this morning. It was one of those half asleep and half awake kinds. I was talking with Father God; something I’ve been doing a lot lately because of what’s going on with my back.

I’ve mentioned in a previous post that I have arthritis all down my spine; I have spinal stenosis which is a closing up of the spinal canal and is pinching my spinal cord, around my L4, L5 regions; from looking at the MRI, it looks like one of those vertebrae has deteriorated; and I suffer sciatica pain.

I keep telling Father that I will trust Him in whatever happens with my back; but I keep picturing going through surgery and a painful recovery process. I think I take after my mother as she seemed to always think the worst. I do believe that Jesus could heal me magically, just like He did when He was here on earth with us, but that is not happening. I think about the Apostle Paul suffering from something that God did not take away from him, so maybe God does not want to take this away from me either. Like I said, I keep thinking the worst.

Back to my dream: I think I was telling Father that I WILL trust Him in this; kind of like trying to talk myself into believing it. I think that Father was telling me that something better than I think will happen. To prove it He said something like this: “Here in Texas we shake on it.” At that moment I felt something in my left hand that felt like a hand, a very small one, but still, a hand. It kind of startled me and I became more awake. I started feeling with my right hand this hand that was in my left. For a second, I thought it was my wife’s hand. I came to realize that it was actually the front two paws of one of our daughter’s little dogs who have been sleeping with us. It was so funny to me and strange at the same time. Why, at that moment of my dream did that dog decide to put her paws in my hand?

[I thought I would shed some light on the hand shake thing of my dream: There was a period of time here in Texas were verbal deals, like contracts, were made between two people and was sealed by a hand shake. There wasn’t a written contract where the two parties signed their names on paper; the hand shake was as good as a signature. Each party took the word of the other simply on faith that the other would do what they said.

I’ve been reading James Michener’s book “Texas” and I had just read about this.]

 

In a previous post, I shared another dream I had of God’s new kingdom. In this dream, it was like going to a gala. Everywhere I looked, there were groups of people engaged in cheery conversation. There was laughter everywhere. What was odd was that Satan was even there laughing and telling funny stories of his own. I don’t know how I knew it was Satan but somehow I just knew. I’ve never seen him before except maybe in dreams. He didn’t look like that being we so often think of with the horns.

I’ve been getting glimpses into something most wonderful and I do hope that it is true; from God. I see Father God who likes to have fun with His children, even playing little funny pranks to get someone to laugh. He has done the pranks with me before and it has been so unexpected at the time. They’ve sure made me laugh and I feel Him laughing with me.

Most often we come to Him with our problems and seldom praise Him and honor Him for the God He is. I’m talking to myself too here.