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"Thus Saith the Lord..." Ministries
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INDEX:
Main Article - Not Forsaking The Assembling Of Ourselves Together (Hebrews 10:25)
Monthly Bible Thought - Love Commitment
Bible Study and Last Month's Answers
PICTURE: A single pillar, automatically tiled in the index box, represents "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)..
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FEBRUARY 1999 NEWSLETTER
NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER (Hebrews 10:25)
Today, many "Christians" do not attend church for one reason or another. The following are some of the reasons people do not go to church.
1. I was forced to as a child. In this article, we will focus on the one about hypocrites. Why would anybody want to be with people professing godliness, even going as far as thinking they are of the "elect" but act very un-Christlike. As one considers if this is a valid reason think on these things:
1. In the early church, the treasurer was a thief. John 12:4-6 "Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's [son], which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein."
2. People were seeking positions more than the duty to be fulfilled. Mark 9:34 "But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who [should be] the greatest."
3. People gravely misunderstood prophecy and the scriptures. Luke 19:11 "And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear."
4. One ended up assisting in bringing Christ to trial and eventually to His death. Matthew 26:14-15 "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver."
5. All of the members fled at the church's most trying time. Matthew 26:55-56 "In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled."
6. One denied even knowing Christ. Mark 14:66-71 "And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is [one] of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art [one] of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth [thereto]. But he began to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not this man of whom ye speak."
7. One professed to respect a group of people but backed away when his peer group showed up. Galatians 2:11-14 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?"
Although each repented properly of their ways except Judas, the purpose of the article is not to teach overlooking grave errors that are practiced in the church. Besides, we are commanded in James 5:19-20 "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." So what is the purpose of pointing out these things? It is to show that staying away from the church because there are hypocrites, even in leadership roles, is not a valid excuse. In fact, there are only rare incidences that a "True Christian" would stay away from fellow-shipping with the body of believers _ death, only one on an island, severe weather, hospitalization, etc. This does not preclude the fact that one may have to leave a particular congregation for another as a congregation falls into great apostasy.
Are we actually told to come together? Yes. Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." As we see the second coming getting closer, we should draw to like believers more and more often. Besides, Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4). This applies individually as well as collectively. Romans 12:5 "So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." 1 Corinthians 12:12 "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ." When Christ and the apostles spoke these words, they were spoken to every generation.
Keep in mind that Satan is trying everything in his power to prevent Christians from assembling together. It was predicted by Jesus. Matthew 13:24-30 "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." Note that Christ declares that both the wheat (saved) and the tares (lost) should grow up together. Christ is sowing good seed into the church; Satan is sowing the bad, and if you know anything about gardening, it seems that weeds tend to outnumber the good plants by ten fold or more.
Also keep in mind that the church is not a hotel for saints but a hospital for sinners.
Think about your commitment to God. If you are a person that is resisting attending a church, please reconsider. If you are a person who is currently attending church but is thinking on not attending anymore, pray and study some more. If you are a faithful churchgoer, please watch "because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Do not let Satan keep you away from being a blessing to a congregation, and you may even receive a blessing in return. Just maybe today's Christian is looking at church attendance in the wrong light. If one thinks that they are getting nothing out of church, think about the real reason you are to be there — you are to be putting something into the church.
May God see you in church on a regular basis being a blessing to others.
THINK ON THESE THINGS (Philippians 4:8)
LOVE COMMITMENT
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:25).
Husbands, love [your] wives, and be not bitter against them (Colossians 3:19).
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed (Titus 2:4-5).
THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH, EVEN AS THY SOUL PROSPERETH (3 John 1:2)
BENEFITS OF FLAX
Winston J. Craig, Ph.D., R.D.
Flour derived from flaxseed is increasingly being used in bread and bakery products to add a nutty flavor and to increase the nutritional and health benefits of the finished product. Flaxseed in the diet can lower blood cholesterol levels because of its very low saturated-fat content.
Flaxseed oil is also a very rich source of the omega-3 type of fat. This provides flax with its anti-inflammatory action, making flax potentially useful to treat lupus, arthritis, and different allergies. Flaxseed is also known to enhance immune function. Oil seeds such as sesame seed and especially flaxseed are very rich sources of lignans. The colon converts plant lignans to substances that are similar to estrogens and can bind to estrogen receptors and inhibit the growth of estrogen-stimulated breast cancer.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES (John 5:39)
STUDY: Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 7
1. What did God do on the seventh day? Genesis 2:1-3 2. As a result, what was created on this day? Mark 2:27 3. What does Jesus invite us to do? Matthew 11:28 4. Who made all things including this day? John 1:1-3, John 1:14; Ephesians 3:9
ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH'S STUDY: Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 5
Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 6 1. What was created on the sixth day? Genesis 1:24-31 "And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."
2. What creature created on this day most signified Christ and His ministry? Exodus 12:5 "Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take [it] out from the sheep, or from the goats." John 1:29 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:36 "And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!" 1 Peter 1:19 "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
3. How much is mankind worth? Isaiah 13:12 "I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." Revelation 5:9 "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." [It cost the life of the Son of God.]
4. With God giving us a perfect diet (Genesis 1:29), should we consider what goes into our bodies? Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
YE HAVE HEARD THAT ANTICHRIST SHALL COME (1 John 2:18)
FOURTEENTH IDENTIFYING MARK. The following is the rise and fall of kingdoms which are followed by the Antichrist. What kingdom is represented by Daniel 7:4 as a "Lion"? Jeremiah 50:17 "Israel [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones." What kingdom followed Babylon (606-538 BC) and is represented in Daniel 7:5 as a "bear"? Daniel 5:28 "Thy kingdom [spoken to Belshazzar then king of Babylon (Daniel 5:1)] is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." What kingdom followed the Medes and Persians (538-331BC) and is represented by Daniel 7:6 as a "leopard"? [Daniel saw another vision in chapter 8 where a goat killed a ram which reveals the kingdom that immediately followed the Medes and Persians.] Daniel 8:20-21 "The ram which thou sawest having [two] horns [are] the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat [is] the king of Grecia: and the great horn that [is] between his eyes [is] the first king." What kingdom followed Greece (331-168BC) and is depicted as a fearful beast in Daniel 7:7? John 11:48 "If we let him (Jesus) thus alone, all [men] will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." After Rome (168BC-476 AD), the next kingdoms are described as: Daniel 7:8 "I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn. . ."
REVIEW OF THE IDENTIFYING MARKS:
1 . . . would deny Jesus is the Christ either by words, actions, or both (1 John 2:22, Titus 1:16).
ANSWERS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH (Daniel 10:21)
QUESTION #1 - Needmore - Can you explain the apparent discrepancy with the recording of one angel in the tomb when Jesus rose and two angels recorded elsewhere?
ANSWER #1 - The verses are: 1) Matthew 28:1-7 "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men]. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you." 2) Mark 16:2-7 "And very early in the morning the first [day] of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you." 3) Luke 24:1-7 "Now upon the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down [their] faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."
In the Matthew and Mark accounts, notice the lack of the word "only" or "just" which provides the opportunity for more than one to be present. In addition, notice the accounts focus on different points, in fact, the book of John does not mention any angels but rather the after affects. John 20:1 "The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre." John 20:5-7 "And he stooping down, [and looking in], saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself."
We also need to keep in mind that when certain details are left out in one account, that does not mean it did not happen. By not reading anything into the verses, there was one angel that was commissioned to remove the stone which Matthew focused upon. He does not mention that the angel who rolled back the stone was alone or had a companion. To hold to either theory without regard to the other Bible references would be reading more into the Matthew account. So according to Matthew's account, since he did not specify how many angels were present, there is room for either one or more than one which is substantiated by the account recorded in Luke who identifies at least two.
In regard to Mark's account, notice that Mark does not take away the possibility of a second angel either.
In short, wherever the Bible writers identify a single item and other writers identify more than one, check the reference regarding the single item for words like "only" or "just" and if one does not see these words, to say the Bible is in error is to read more into the Bible than what is really there.
QUESTION #2 - Needmore - Did God really harden the heart of Pharaoh in Egypt during the time of Moses?
2. People who do are hypocrites - they think they're holier than others.
3. There are so many kinds of churches. I could never decide which one was right.
4. I used to, but it got boring.
5. I go only on Christmas or Easter.
6. None of my friends do.
7. I'll start when I'm older.
8. I really don't have time.
9. The congregation isn't warm enough.
10. They're only after your money.
2 . . . is in a populated area of the world (Revelation 131-2, 17:15).
3 . . . would wear titles attributed to God (Revelation 13:6, Matthew 23:8-12).
4 . . . is a kingdom (Revelation 13:1-2, Daniel 7:23).
5 . . . derives it's authority based on satanic principles or paganism (Revelation 13:1-2, 12:9).
6 . . . is a little kingdom (Daniel 7:8).
7 . . . would conquer three kingdoms (Daniel 7:8, 20, 24).
8 . . . a single person would be leader of this kingdom (Daniel 7:8).
9 . . . the leader's name or title would add up to 666 (Revelation 13:18).
10 . . . would embrace non-Christian theology (Revelation 18:2, 1 John 4:1, 3).
11 . . . would not be just another political kingdom (Daniel 7:20, 24).
12 . . . would deny the single sacrifice of Christ (1 John 4:3, 2 John 1:7, Hebrews 9:28).
13 . . . has seeds in the apostolic age. (2 Thessalonians 2:7, 1 John 4:3).
14 . . . recognized as a kingdom after 476 AD (Daniel 7:4-8, 5:28, 8:20-21, Jeremiah 50:17, John 11:48).
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