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I just wanted to share some thoughts that came to me during a recent stay in hospital.

I had to be connected to a saline/potassium drip for 2 days and this was my only source of nourishment to sustain my life. If I wanted to have the drip work efficiently it had to be plugged into power at all times. If I needed to move away from my resting place I had to unplug from the power source and rely on the battery pack but not for too long or the battery would run out of power and my water supply would stop.

Now you are wondering “where is she going with this?”

The thoughts that came to me were …

Water represents the Holy Spirit of the Father (Isa 44:3; Ezek 34:26; Jhn 7:37-39)

nourishment = food = bread and Jesus is the Bread of Life (Jhn 6:33, 35,48,51)

God is the source of my life through Jesus Christ (Gen 2:7; Deut 30:20; Jhn 3:16)

All (or full) power is given to me from the Father through His Son by their Spirit. (Exod 15:6; Psal 59:16; Rom 15:13, 1 Cor 5:4)

God is our resting place (Deut 12:10; Josh 21:44; 1 Kin 8:56)

The analogy of battery pack got me thinking until I realised that there are times when I am no longer fully connected to God and I start to lose my strength of faith not because he has moved but because I found something I thought was of great importance and wanted to pursue it without his blessing. It is only when I get reconnected that I can face my trails and successes with confidence (Phil 4:13; Rom 8:28)

I therefore need to continuously be drip fed by my Heavenly Father the water of life eternal – His Spirit; I need to be continuously fed on the bread of life –Jesus His Son the source of life eternal, and to be fully connected to Him for He is my resting place at all times.

 

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Dear Brethren,

I have not blogged for a long time on Maranatha. Not because I have been too busy or unable to get on line etc, but because I have been on a spiritual journey that has led me directly into the channel of blessing and the outpouring of God’s blessings upon me are beyond description.

The last time I blogged of my activities I was in the Northern Territory and shared with you all about my experiences and travels including photos. Some of you may also still remember my testimony about my failed marriage due to my failure as a husband and Father. Satan was able to tear down my House because the strongman (or houseband) was able to be tied up (Mark3:27)

I entertained the idea that I could continue in this other relationship and still maintain God’s blessing, that He would somehow make a way for me to have it all. (it reminds me of the words from a poem I once heard….. “Lord how much can I get away with and still be saved???).

Patiently God revealed to me and my partner that our future could only ever be as friends and nothing else. That time was of the essence and there was much work for both of us to do, both in character development and the proclamation of the gospel.

We prayerfully and painfully released everything into God’s hands and waited. She received an open door to move out of the city and minister in her called field and I received a calling amongst the local indigenous people of the community I live in called Alpurrurulam in the Northern Territory. While ministering here to a Sunday keeping group I received a calling to the Solomon Islands on a fly and build trip where the Lord blessed my mind with wisdom beyond my wildest dreams to maintain the machinery during the stay there and keep the hospital generators functional etc.

The greatest joy I experienced was on a Sabbath afternoon when I was watching an AY’s program at the church In Atoifi and a sister from the fly and build group spoke to me and we began to share. I gave my testimony and we began to speak about the channel of blessing and submission, equality etc. She was astonished that the very thing she had been impressed about recently and kept quiet was what we were now discussing. Before my trip to the solomon’s I had felt the impression to bring along one of my copies of the divine pattern and at this meeting the Lord impressed me to give it to this woman.

In short, the result of this meeting has meant that when I came back to Brisbane after the trip to the Solomon Islands, this woman and her husband invited me over to open Sabbath and I was blessed to be able to lay out the godhead truth to them both. They saw the truth for what it is and we all wept for joy as we thanked the Lord for revealing such things to sinners such as us.

Since this time I have committed the remainder of my life to the working for the bare essentials that I may be ready at a moments notice to be sent where the Lord requires me. I thank those of you who have not ceased to pray for me over the last year for remaining diligent and ask the remainder of you to keep me in your prayers as I pray for all my brothers and sisters worldwide that we may not be tardy with the commission that we have been given.

May God richly bless you my dear family in Christ.

I wanted to include some photos for those of you who, who like me, enjoy the visual as well as the written but it seems that my computer does not wish to play ball. I

God bless

Your Brother in Christ

Ruben

 

 

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Hi Maranatha Media Family and Feed Africa Supporters,

I am headed out on a bumpy road, round trip will take four hours. Am a bit sick, something I ate, maybe a bit of stress too; has made sick (tummy bug). But I have something really important to communicate. This message includes a video that will show the three tribes we are working with and the operation we will conduct next week that will be a life altering system that will bring hope to literally thousands of people.

It's an 150 Acre plantation. Each Acre yielding 2.5 tons, only three months from now; corn, millet and native plant: sorghum. The whole plantation will yield about 375 tons of food. It will feed all three tribes, and will open the door to much more, as there is 1367 Acres cleared ready for planting.

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Would you believe it we are just driving through the dry wilderness and this older teenage boy is shouting, putting his hand to his face and asking for food. It is so bad here. Me having my stomach in knots and not being able to sleep is nothing compared to hunger pangs.

These photos show the names of the donors on the bags.  The lady below is blind so I am telling her of the young guy Henry Siems that bought a shirt for 50 dollars, and provided her food for an entire year, and potential for much more. Amazing woman, with some assisting maintaining a farm. She was so happy, cutest thing in the world.

So here's what we will do. The Turkana project will have all the names of the donors on the bags of seed; and their names will be in the credits of the film as the ones that made it happen for the Turkana documentary that I am making; including the whole story and people getting out and planting what they gave.

Here is some of the countless Turkanan farmers we will be working with. These are hoes, they are just sticks; we will change that. For 500 shillings each; 6 dollars that is.

This is a call to urgency. This program goes out and begins next week, Wednesday is the plan. Our team is leaving in just over a week, until we next come out, and meanwhile we will have our locals overseeing on the ground the progresses of the plantation.  As it is coming up on the week end when this video is posted, you are likely to have an opportunity to share with your circle of influence; by playing the video to your family, friends, or church. Or you may have another community group you are involved with.

We will give whatever we have next week, and so anything you give will alter this project, and make it reach more suffering people. Our goal is 4,000. I really believe we can do it, We have less than a week; what if we all stood up?

Jonathan Otto

Shirts for Turkana: http://www.twopennies.org/feed-africa-project

www.FeedAfricaProject.org

Touching Story of a Young Orphan's Return Home

So This is What Happened in the End: Turkana Project Update

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Three times in Philemon (verses 12, 15, and 17) Paul appeals to Onesimus’s master to “receive” the runaway slave and accept him back as a Christian brother. The three usages of “receive” have some interesting connotations.

In verse 12 Paul states that he is sending Onesimus to him and appeals to him: Therefore receive him.” “I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart” (RSV).What love the words convey! It was not easy for Paul to part with the slave, whom he had learned to love dearly as a Christian brother.

Later the apostle appeals again “Receive him as myself” (verse 17). Translators of the New International Version and the New English Bible render it as “Welcome him as you would welcome me.” Here is the measure of his hopes for a favorable reception for Onesimus. Philemon, a good friend of Paul’s, no doubt would prepare a royal welcome should the man of God himself come to visit. “Welcome him [Onesimus],” Paul writes, “as you would welcome me.”

What an appeal—made on behalf of a repentant sinner who at one time had been a thief, a family deserter, an ungrateful slave! If this was expecting much of Philemon, it also is a measure of Paul’s affection for Onesimus.

Here Paul is saying, “Receive him unconditionally. Don’t hold anything against him.” Then comes the christlike appeal:

“If he has done you any wrong or is in your debt, put that down to my account. Here is my signature, Paul; I undertake to repay” (verses 18, 19 NEB).

To carry the already superlative a step higher, Paul also implies, “When Onesimus comes to your door, don’t look at him. Look at me. Don’t think of him as your renegade slave worthy to be punished—perhaps even by death. Think of me and what I have done for you.”

It is but an imperfect illustration of what Jesus has done for sinners. But, thank God, Jesus is our Mediator, our High Priest. He appeals to His heavenly Father to welcome the penitent sinner as God would welcome Him. “Thou. … hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:23).

"Of course, that man—Pierson, Brown, Smith, or Jones—is a sinner,” the Saviour, as my Advocate declares to the watching universe. “He doesn’t deserve to be saved, but the gospel has done something for him. He has confessed his sins, has accepted my death as substitute for his. His faith is strong. Receive him.” In a sense Christ is saying,

“If he hath wronged thee, … put that on my account.” “If he oweth thee ought, … I will repay” Philemon 1:18, 19).

Our dependence is not what man can do; it is what God can do for man through Christ. … Thank God we are not dealing with impossibilities. We may claim sanctification. We may enjoy the favor of God. We are not to be anxious about what Christ and God think of us, but about what God thinks of Christ, our substitute” E.G. White, in General Conference Bulletin, April 23, 1901).

When we seek to be right with God, we need not worry about how he views us. If we come to God as penitent, Jesus accepts our guilt and stands before the Father in our stead.

There is no question regarding God’s infinite love for His Son or His acceptance of the penitent who approaches Him through Jesus. “Receive him, welcome him, as you would receive Me and welcome Me,” Jesus says.

Our Saviour “is able. …to save to the uttermost” (Heb. 7:25). The Philemon letter makes this clear. Onesimus had defrauded and deserted his master, left his home and family, and broken God’s law and Roman law. He deserved punishment. On his own, he could never have made things right with Philemon. Possessing no means to make restitution, he could never have paid the debt he owed. He must have help. And help was gloriously and amply provided. This is the good news of the Philemon story.

It matters not what heinous deeds you or I may have committed. We cannot atone for our misdeeds. Alone we are helpless before God. But, praise the Lord, we are not alone. “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). He assumes the awful debt. “Put that on my account," He says to the Father, “I will repay. Receive him.”

There is yet another “receive him” in the epistle to Philemon. “Receive him forever,” Paul asks (verse 15). Here Paul is saying, “Philemon, receive and accept Onesimus not only now, but receive him forever. Keep him—always! Help him to be all the he ought to be. Help him to continue to live a pure, honest, upright life from now on.”

I am thankful for a Saviour who not only receives me as a sinner and puts me right with heaven, but also makes me an overcomer—victorious over sin. He receives, saves, and keeps. Not only does he forgive the sins of the past, but Christ also has power to make me an overcomer victorious in Him. He can and will, if I cooperate, make it forever. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57). Our yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows all are in His hands—forever. This is the precious gospel we find in Philemon, as well as the four gospels of the New Testament.

Praise God, this gospel will do for you and me what it did for Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus.

Robert H. Pierson, Love Come Home, pp. 115 – 117.

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"John saw the fate of those who choose the path of transgression: "And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:15-17).
     A terrible doom awaits the sinner, and therefore it is necessary that we know what sin is, in order that we may escape from its power. John says, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). Here we have the true definition of sin; it is "the transgression of the law." How often the sinner is urged to leave his sins, and come to Jesus; but has the messenger who would lead him to Christ clearly pointed out the way? Has he clearly pointed out the fact that "sin is the transgression of the law," and that he must repent and forsake the breaking of God's commandments? . . .      God could not alter one jot or tittle of His holy law to meet man in his fallen condition; for this would reflect discredit upon the wisdom of God in making a law by which to govern heaven and earth. But God could give His only-begotten Son to become man's Substitute and Surety, to suffer the penalty that was merited by the transgressor, and to impart to the repentant soul His perfect righteousness. Christ became the sinless sacrifice for a guilty race, making men prisoners of hope, so that through repentance toward God because they had broken His holy law, and through faith in Christ as their Substitute, Surety, and righteousness, they might be brought back to loyalty to God and to obedience to His holy law. " FW 117

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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UN APEL CĂTRE PASTORUL DWIGHT NELSON

Joi 15/03/2012
Stimate Pastor Nelson
Vreau doar să spun cât de mult m-am bucurat de predicarea dumneavoastră sincera de-a lungul anilor. Am o amintire profundă cu dvs. când vă-ți rugat pentru un prieten de-al meu în 1994, când ați venit la Sydney, Australia. Am apreciat foarte mult lucrarea dumneavoastră personală. Am fost cel mai binecuvântat de serialul dvs. Net 98, în timpul când slujeam ca pastor asociat la Sydney, la acel moment. Aceste mesaje mi-au vorbit şi mie și multora dintre cei care au participat la reuniunile în vremea aceia.

Tocmai am terminat de ascultat predica dvs., numită „Trinitatea sub flăcari” din 10 martie anul acesta şi am vrut să vă întreb câteva lucruri despre ea, dacă s-ar putea. Voi pune aceste întrebări într-o manieră de respect şi onoare pentru dvs., ca un lucrător al bisericii rămăşiţei lui Dumnezeu.

Ați citat 1 Ioan 4:8 indicând declaraţia minunată că „Dumnezeu este iubire”. Am înţeles, din ceea ce ați spus, că acest verset de fapt spune că există trei persoane care își slujesc cu dragoste reciproc. Problema mea cu aceasta explicație al 1 Ioan 4, 8 este contextul imediat al acest verset.

1 Ioan 4:7-12, „Preaiubiţilor, să ne iubim unul pe altul: pentru dragostea este de la Dumnezeu, şi oricine iubeşte este născut din Dumnezeu, şi cunoaşte pe Dumnezeu. (8) Cine nu iubeşte nu cunoaşte pe Dumnezeu, pentru că Dumnezeu este dragoste. (9) În aceasta a fost manifestată dragostea lui Dumnezeu faţă de noi, pentru că Dumnezeu a trimis pe singurul Său Fiu în lume, ca noi să trăim prin El. (10) Aici este dragostea, nu că noi am iubit pe Dumnezeu, dar că El ne-a iubit, şi a trimis pe Fiul său ca jertfă de ispăşire pentru păcatele noastre. (11) Iubiţilor, dacă Dumnezeu astfel ne-a iubit, noi trebuie, de asemenea, să ne iubim unul pe altul. (12) Nici un om nu a văzut pe Dumnezeu niciodată. Dacă ne iubim unul pe altul, Dumnezeu rămâne în noi, şi dragostea Lui este desăvârşită în noi.”

Eu înțeleg aceste versete în felul următor: Ioan defineşte dragostea lui Dumnezeu prin (in) dăruirea Fiului Său ca să moară pentru noi. Deci, la sfârşitul versetului 8 el Îl defineşte pe Dumnezeu ca fiind dragoste şi apoi extinde această definiţie în manifestarea lui Dumnezeu trimiţând pe Fiul Său. Nu ar fi coerent să punctăm in acest loc că Dumnezeul menţionat în versetul 8 este acelaşi Dumnezeu din versetele 9-12? Oare acest lucru nu sugerează că Dumnezeul din versetul 8 este Tatăl şi că iubirea Lui este revelată în faptul că a dat pe Fiului Său?

Al doilea lucru pe care doresc să-l menţionez este faptul că cuvântul în Greacă, aşa cum știți bine, spune că Dumnezeu este agape. Studiile mele m-au facut să înțeleg că agape este o dragoste care investeşte o valoare mai degrabă decât să o cere. Dumnezeu, dându-l pe Fiul Său, investeşte valoare în noi şi aceasta este întradevăr agape. Totuşi, când am ascultat la ceea ce spuneați despre dragostea exprimată între membrii Dumnezeirii, am auzit ceva diferit. Am scris mai jos unele din punctele predicii dumneavoastră:

„Deci, Dumnezeu este dragoste. Dumnezeu are nevoie de altcineva pentru a fi dragoste”.

„Pentru că dragostea necesită prezenţa altcuiva ca s-o primească.”

„Căci, că dragostea să fie din esenţa lui Dumnezeu, El trebuie să iubească mereu. Și să fie etern” - am crezut că acest lucru a fost foarte util – „El trebuie să aibă în poseie un obiect veşnic de iubire. Mai mult," - continuaţi să citiţi – „dragostea perfectă este posibilă numai între egali”. Bună explicație.”

„Oh, haide, Dumnezeule, nu sunt eu suficient? Nu vrei să fi fericit doar Tu şi cu mine? Iar răspunsul este: „Nu! Am nevoie de cineva ca Mine! Pentru a iubi şi de a primi şi a da!”

„Pentru ca Dumnezeu să fie Dumnezeu şi să fie iubire El a trebuit să aibă cel puţin un co-egal, o persoană co-eternă cu căreia El îi dăruieste iubire si de la care primeşte iubire. El trebuie să aibă această persoană, altfel El nu e iubire "

Din ceea ce aţi spus, am înţeles că dragostea descrisă aici este o dragoste care are nevoie de altcineva ca să funcţioneze. De asemenea, ea caută o altă valoare egală cu sine. Această dragoste este o dragoste care caută o valoare şi o dragoste care are nevoie sau dorește pe altcineva. Din înţelegerea mea în Greacă, acest tip de dragoste nu este agape conform descrierii din 1 Ioan 4: 8 şi 1 Cor 13. Cred că acest citat este destul de bun în explicarea diferenţei dintre agape şi dragostea despre care, probabil, vorbiți dvs . Am adăugat câteva gânduri în parantezele pătrate.

„Agape este adesea în contrast cu Eros, care nu se găseşte în Noul Testament deşi este importantă în filozofia greacă. Eros-ul se poate referi la o dragoste vulgară, carnală, dar în contextul credinței populare a Grecilor, ia forma a iubirii spirituale, care aspiră să producă cea mai mare plăcere. Eros este dorinţa de a poseda şi a se bucura; [nevoia sau dorinta după altcineva]. Agape este dorinţa de a servi fără rezerve .... Eros este atrasă de ceea ce are cea mai mare valoare, [nevoie de un statut egal sau co-egalitate]. Agape merge către cel nevrednic. Eros descoperă valoarea [urmăreşte egalitatea] în timp ce agape creează valoare [face egalitate]. Agape este o dragoste daruită în timp ce Eros este o dragoste care cere. Eros izvorăște dintr-o deficienţă care trebuie să fie îndeplinită. Agape este abundenţa debordantă a harului divin”. (`Dumnezeul Atotputernic: Putere, Înţelepciune, sfinţenie şi dragoste, D. Bloesch, 2006, p. 147.)

Pastor Nelson, eu stiu ca sunteți un om ocupat şi cred că de aici încolo, s-ar putea să vă simţiți înclinat să nu mai citiți restul apelului meu către dvs. Mă rog, mă rog cu cea mai mare seriozitate să citiți și să ascultați apelul inimii mele. Vă scriu fără nici un sentiment de ură, ci doar cu un profund sentiment de respect pentru dvs. şi lucrarea dvs., cu care m-ați binecuvântat în trecut. Eu nu îndrăznesc să spun că dvs. prezentați o imagine a lui Dumnezeu ca fiind un Eros deplin, dar sunt câteva elemente care indică în această direcţie. Aţi menţionat în mod corect natura iubitoare a lui Dumnezeu, care reflectă într-adevăr, agape. Totuşi, această combinaţie de eros şi agape este centrul recentei lucrări enciclice a Papei Benedict numită „Dumnezeu este dragoste”, scrisă în 2005. Vă rog să observaţi ceea ce el spune:

"Dimensiunea filosofică care se observă în această viziune biblică şi importanţa acesteia din punct de vedere al istoriei religiilor, constă în faptul că, pe de o parte, ne găsim în faţa unei imagini strict metafizice a lui Dumnezeu: Dumnezeu este sursa primordială și absolută a tuturor fiinţelor, dar acest principiu universal de creare - Logosului, principalul motiv - este în acelaşi timp un iubitor cu toată pasiunea de a dragostei adevărate. Eros-ul este astfel extrem de înnobilat, dar în acelaşi timp, este atât de purificat pentru a deveni una cu agape."

Pastor Nelson, vă aduc la cunoştinţă acest lucru doar pentru a vă gândi. Eu nu caut să condamn sau să arăt cu degetul. Vă scriu ca unul care este dureros de conştient de direcţia teologică ce nu ar putea fi susţinută de Scriptură. De aceea, nu vei arunca cu pietre în altul. Vă rog să citiți în continuare.

Dacă citim şi cităm pe mari, mari oameni, care au studiat pe bazele crezurilor Nicean şi Atanasian, oare nu suntem în pericol de a fi atrași în acest sistem de gândire? Nu suntem oare în pericol de a transfera loialitatea noastră într-un Dumnezeu, care nu se găsește în Scripturi?

Am fost încurajat când ați început să citți din Ioan 17 şi, de asemenea, încurajat de faptul că aţi cerut ca oamenii să citească Ioan 17, la sfârşitul predicii dumneavoastră. Speram ca veți explica sensul versetului 3. Ca un pastor adventist am citit acest verset timp de mulți ani şi l-am citat deseori ca unul dintre textele mele cele mai importante şi niciodată nu am văzut una dintre componentele cheie care-mi erau adresate.

Ioan 17:3 „Şi viaţa veşnică este aceasta, să Te cunoască pe Tine, singurul Dumnezeu adevărat, şi pe Isus Hristos, pe care L-ai trimis.”

De ce numește Isus pe Tatăl Său „singurul Dumnezeu adevărat"? De ce a spus el asta? Ce a vrut să spună prin aceasta? Ați citit 1 Cor 8: 6?

„Totuşi, pentru noi, este un singur Dumnezeu, Tatăl, din Care sunt toate şi noi întru El; şi un singur Domn, Iisus Hristos, prin Care sunt toate şi noi prin El.”

De ce Pavel se referă la Tatăl ca singurul Dumnezeu şi la Isus ca singurul Domn când amândoi ştim că Isus este Dumnezeu? Ați citit Ioan 5:26 cu aceasta în minte? Am observat că aţi citit alte părţi din Ioan 5 referitor la Fiul la început, dar este acest verset la fel de edificator?

Ioan 5:26 ”Căci, după cum Tatăl are viaţă în el însuşi, tot aşa a dat Fiului să aibă viaţa în sine;”

Dacă Dumnezeu a dat pe Fiul Său să aibă viaţa în Sine, atunci nu este aceasta o expresie a lui agape? Dumnezeu Tatăl investeşte valoare în Fiul Său şi îl face egal? Nu este acesta ceea ce 1 Ioan 4:8 indică? Nu este aceasta ceea ce Ellen White arată?

„Dumnezeu este Tatăl lui Hristos, Hristos este Fiul lui Dumnezeu. Lui Hristos I-a fost dată o poziţie înaltă. El a fost făcut egal cu Tatăl. Toate sfaturile lui Dumnezeu sunt deschise pentru a Fiului Său ". {8T 268.3}

Mă rog că mai citiţi, pastor Nelson, cât de mult mă rog! Dar întrebarea care vine imediat în mintea oricui şi cu siguranţă că mi-a venit și mie este: dacă Isus a fost născut în veşnicie, atunci ar fi un timp când El nu a existat şi, prin urmare, cum poate fi El Dumnezeu? Vă spun, pastor Nelson, că această întrebare apare numai în domeniul eros-ului care caută valoare mai degraba decât să investească valoare. Eros cere egalitate de statut în toate domeniile în timp ce agape nu cere acest lucru.

În Mica 5, 2 Biblia declară în mod clar:

„Şi tu, Betleeme Efrata, măcar că eşti prea mic între cetăţile de căpetenie ale lui Iuda, totuş din tine Îmi va ieşi Cel ce va stăpîni peste Israel, şi a cărui obîrşie se suie pînă în vremuri străvechi, pînă în zilele veciniciei.”

Şi din nou: Proverbe 8:22-23

„Domnul Mă avea la începutul căilor Lui” declara El ”înaintea celor mai vechi lucrări ale Lui. Eu am fost aşezată din veşnicie, înainte de orice început, înainte de a fi pământul.”

Şi înainte de a elimina aceste versete ca fiind o personificare a înţelepciunii, apelez la dvs. să luați în considerare următorul:

„Fiul lui Dumnezeu, El Însuşi, declară despre Sine: „Domnul mă avea la începutul căilor Lui, înaintea celor mai vechi lucrări ale Lui. Eu am fost aşezată din veşnicie” (Prov.8,22-30).” (PP 34)

Nu este nici o dificultate în a vedea pe Isus ca fiind pe deplin Dumnezeu, pentru că ştim că toată plinătatea Dumnezeirii locuieşte în El (Coloseni 2:9). Noi ştim că El a obţinut, prin moştenire, un nume mult mai excelent (Evrei 1:4). Punctul de vedere lumii a eros-ului este de fapt cel care neagă Dumnezeirea prin mostenire, nu și agape.

Agape investeşte valoare şi face egalitate. Eros caută o valoare și cere egalitate.

Eu știu că Domnul meu Iisus Hristos a moştenit tot ceea ce are Tatăl şi este pe deplin divin prin această moştenire şi în această moştenire și pot să aud cuvintele pline de iubire ale unui Tată adevărat, care a vorbit cu Fiul Său. Cuvintele „Tata” şi „Fiu” își găsesc sensul numai prin moştenirea pe care Agape o permite şi Eros o neagă.

În aceste cuvinte preţioase a Tatălui către singurul Său Fiu născut, îmi găsesc asigurarea mea de fiu. Agapea lui Dumnezeu curge prin Fiul Său şi îmi vorbeşte mie.

Matt 3:17 „Şi iată glas din cer, zicând:, Acesta este Fiul meu preaiubit, în care Îmi găsesc plăcerea.”

„Cuvintele spuse lui Isus la Iordan — „Acesta este Fiul Meu preaiubit, în care Îmi găsesc plăcerea“ — cuprind întregul neam omenesc. Dumnezeu I-a vorbit lui Isus ca reprezentant al nostru. Oricât am fi de păcătoşi şi slabi, noi nu suntem aruncaţi ca fără valoare. El ne-a primit „în Preaiubitul Lui“ (Ephesians, 1, 6). Slava aşezată asupra lui Hristos este o chezăşie a iubirii lui Dumnezeu faţă de noi. Ea ne vorbeşte despre puterea rugăciunii — cum poate ajunge glasul omenesc la urechea lui Dumnezeu şi cum sunt primite cererile noastre în curţile cereşti. Prin păcat, pământul a fost despărţit de cer şi înstrăinat de legăturile cu el; dar Isus l-a legat din nou de tronul slavei. Iubirea Lui l-a înconjurat pe om şi a ajuns la cerurile preaînalte. Lumina, care prin porţile deschise ale cerului a venit asupra Mântuitorului nostru, va veni şi asupra noastră când ne rugăm pentru ajutor de a ne împotrivi ispitei. Glasul care i-a vorbit lui Isus îi spune fiecărui suflet credincios: „Acesta este Fiul Meu preaiubit, în care Îmi găsesc plăcerea”. „Preaiubiţilor, acum suntem copii ai lui Dumnezeu, şi ce vom fi nu s-a arătat încă. Dar ştim că atunci când Se va arăta El, vom fi ca El; pentru că Îl vom vedea aşa cum este” (1 Ioan 3, 2)”. {HLL 113}

Prin agape din 1 Ioan 4:8 mă pot ține de aceste cuvinte, deoarece Agape investeşte valoare în mine şi îmi permite să cred că eu sunt fiul Lui, prin Hristos. Eros mă condamnă pentru că caută o valoare pe care eu nu o am. Dar agape îmi permite să mă țin de aceste cuvinte:

Ioan 20:17 „... dar du-te la fraţii mei, şi spune-le că Mă sui la Tatăl Meu, şi Tatăl vostru şi la Dumnezeul meu, şi Dumnezeul vostru.”

Tatăl lui Isus este Tatăl meu şi Dumnezeul lui Isus este Dumnezeul meu si toate astea le am prin Hristos, unicul Fiu al lui Dumnezeu, care este cea mai mare demonstraţie a lui agape pe care universului o poate vedea vreodată. Acesta este motivul pentru care Tatăl Îl înalţă pe Fiul Său şi Îi dă un nume mai presus de orice nume, pentru că Isus Hristos este cea mai înaltă revelaţie a dragostei agape al lui Dumnezeu.

Pastor Nelson, v-am scris aceste lucruri cu o inimă plină de dragoste şi apreciere pentru dvs., ca un frate mai mare în credinţă adventistă. Știu că milioane de familii adventiste au fost binecuvântate de pasiunea dvs. pentru Hristos. Apelez la dvs. să luați în considerare familia dvs., prietenii şi mulţimile dintre cei care au încredere în dvs. ca un om al lui Dumnezeu. O să vă rugați despre ce-am împărtăşit cu dvs.? Cel puțin, Va vă uitați la ele? Plâng în timp ce scriu pentru că atât de mulţi alţii au spus nu şi nu doresc să ia în considerare implicaţiile unei astfel de decizii pentru a investiga.

Pastor Nelson, vă scriu ca un adept şi iubitor al Fiului născut al Tatălui. Vă scriu ca unul care crede ca Dumnezeu a așezat o temelia solidă pentru credinţa adventistă, care putea să se extinde în mesajul din 1888 al neprihănirii lui Hristos. Am găsit acest adevăr în Fiul născut a fi deliciul sufletului meu şi bucuria vieții mele. Am descoperit că El într-adevăr mă poate transporta în experienţa Locului Preasfânt. Aceasta este mărturia mea, prin sângele Mielului. Mă rog ca veți medita şi ruga cu privire la ceea ce v-am împărtăşit.

Am scris aceasta nu numai pentru mine, dar și în numele tuturor celor care iubesc pe Tatăl şi pe Fiul Său şi care iubesc Biserica rămăşiţei lui Dumnezeu, Biserica Adventista de Ziua a Șaptea.

În bucurie, speranţă şi dragoste pentru Fiu născut al Tatălui
Adrian Ebens

Comment (1)

Some preachers and teachers as well as numerous websites and media declaring that Islam and Islamic leaders are the Biblical Antichrist. But is this so? Do the prophecies in the Bible really line up with that assumption?

The only way to find this out is to go into our Bibles, study the prophecies, and then look in our history books to see if in fact Islam did what the prophecies say Antichrist will do.

If Islam is Antichrist we need to declare it across the land. But if Islam isn’t the home of the Antichrist, then according to the Word of God, we need to find out who really is responsible for fulfilling all these prophecies.

There are literally scores of prophecies that describe Antichrist and his agenda quite nicely. In the following list you will find some of prophetic fulfillments out of many that according to the Word of God must be fulfilled by only one entity who is described in Christian prophecy to be the Antichrist. Absolutely every prophecy of Antichrist must match with that person and or organization or we have stumbled off the path of truth. You cannot have a few prophecies declare this man or that organization to be home to Antichrist while ignoring the others that point somewhere else if we are to be trusted by those seeking the truth on this. For example, take the number 666 the prophecy says is the number of a man’s name.

Revelation 13:17-18, “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

Many people have used this 666 to declare Ronald Reagan is Antichrist, Muhammad, or even Microsoft Windows are “the Antichrist” because they can place numeric values to these names to make them add up to 666. Some will even go so far as to purposely misspell a person’s name or use their name in a different language to make the 666 valid. Now this may be true, their names may very well add up to 666, but do all the other prophecies match with them as well?

What does the Bible say about Antichrist? Is it Islam? Or did someone else fulfill these prophecies?

Keep in mind. The below list is just a brief summary of each prophetic event. In fact, if you read just a few of the prophetic facts you will find how easy it is to put to rest the lie that is being proclaimed in the world regarding Islam.

Is Islam the Antichrist?

1. Exterminates 3 nations:

Daniel 7:24, "And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings."

Did Islam destroy 3 nations exactly 1260 years before being mortally wounded politically?

No. But the Vatican did.

Daniel identifies immediately that the horns in this vision actually refer to kings. For further confirmation, later in Daniel 8:20 we see the two horns on the ram Daniel sees in vision are in fact the two kings of Media and Persia. When Pagan Rome fell in 476AD it resulted in the formation of TEN SEPARATE KINGDOMS. Three of these ten kingdoms rejected the idea of a "universal / Catholic faith" that was both religious as well as political so as to better control the people of the fallen nation of Rome. They were annihilated for protesting against such an evil entity. 1. Heruli nation was annihilated in 493AD. 2. Vandals in 534AD. 3. Ostrogoths in 538AD were the final of the three kings that would be subdued just as Daniel prophesied. With the fall of the Ostrogoths in the year 538AD the political entity we today refer to as the "Roman Catholic institution," began it's official reign as the last part of this fourth beast mentioned in the prophecy of Daniel.

2. 666

Revelation 13:17,18, "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

Latin is the official language of the Roman Catholic Church. Church Documents are usually published first in Latin, and then translated from the Latin into other languages. The unique thing about the Latin language is that it's alphabet serves a dual purpose. It's not only used to spell out words, it is also used as it's numeric system. For example. The letter I = 1, the letter V = 5, the letter C = 100, and so on. Now all one needs to do is spell the titles of the pope. Then all you need to do is add up the letters that are actually numbers as well.

VICARIVS FILII DEI
(Vicar of the Son of God)

VICARIVS FILII DEI
THE LITERAL MEANING: 
VICARIVS - substituting for, or in place of 
FILII - means son 
DEI - means God

3. After the 1260 years, the beast will be mortally wounded:

Revelation 13:3, "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death..."

4. Mortal wound will heal:

Revelation 13:3, "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast."

Was Islam wounded politically after killing hundreds of thousands of Christians and then later resurrected to regain power globally?

No, but the Vatican did that.

The "deadly wound" was given to the Papacy by Napoleon in 1798. The Vatican still continued as a church however. But she was completely stripped of her civil and political power just as the prophecy declared. Then, suddenly in 1929, we see the Italian government recognizing Vatican City once again as an independent state. This political move once again made the Pope a religio-political power! Just as prophecy said, the mortal wound that was administered in 1798 by Napoleon was supposed to be healed. Notice how the newspapers of that day actually used prophetic language without realizing it.

Mussolini and (Cardinal) Gasspari sign historic Roman pact. "The Roman question tonight was a thing of the past, and the Vatican was at peace with Italy... In affixing the autographs to the memorable document healing the wound of many years, extreme cordiality was displayed on both sides" -The San Francisco Chronicle. Feb. 11, 1929

Pope Becomes Ruler Of A State Again

Rome, June 7.--From 11 o' clock this morning there was another sovereign independent State in the world. At that time Premier Mussolini, as Italian Foreign Minister representing King Victor Emmanuel--the first Italian Premier ever to cross the threshold of the Vatican--exchanged with Cardinal Gasparri, Papal Secretary of State, representing Pope Pius XI,ratifications of the treaties signed at the Lateran Palace on Feb. 11. By that simple actthe sovereign independent State of Vatican City came into existence. -New York Times July 7, 1929

5. Was.. is not... yet is:

Revelation 17:8, "... behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."

The Beast that was: The Roman church began in 538ad and continued until Napoleon sent in General Berthier in 1798ad

...and is not: From 1798ad until the signing of the Lateran treaty in 1929 the Roman Church/state was non-existent.

...yet is: From 1929 to present the Roman Church has been a church & state.

6. Antichrist is to be a blasphemous power:

Revelation 13:1, "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy."

BLASPHEMY BIBLICALLY DEFINED…

John 10:33, "The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."

Does Islam have a leader claiming to be a god on earth?

No, but the popes has stated many times in writing they are a “god on earth.”

"The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, he is Jesus Christ himself, hidden under the veil of flesh." Catholic National July 1895.

"We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty" ...Pope Leo XIII Encyclical Letter of June 20, 1894,

"For thou art the shepherd, thou art the physician, thou art the director, thou art the husbandman, finally thou art another God on earth." Labbe and Cossart's "History of the Councils." Vol. XIV, col. 109

The title "Lord God the Pope" is found within a gloss of Extravagantes of Pope John XXII, title 14, chapter 4 n an Antwerp edition of the Extravagantes, the words, "Dominum Deum Nostrum Papam" (Our Lord God the Pope) can be found in column 153. In a Paris edition, they are found in column 140.

The Bull Unam Sanctam... Issued by POPE BONIFACE VIII reads as follows: "TheRoman Pontiff judges all men, but is judged by no one. We declare, assert, define and pronounce: to be subject to the Roman Pontiff is to every human creature necessary for salvation that which was spoken of Christ 'thou has subdued all things under his feet' may well seem verified in me... I have the authority of the King of Kings. I am all in all and above all, so that God himself and I, the vicar of God, have but one consistory, and I am able to do all that God can do."

"The Saviour Himself is the door of the sheepfold: 'I am the door of the sheep.' Into this fold of Jesus Christ, no man may enter unless he be led by the Sovereign Pontiff; and only if they be united to him can men be saved, for the Roman Pontiff is the Vicar of Christ and His personal representative on earth." (Pope John XXIII in his homily to the Bishops and faithful assisting at his coronation on November 4, 1958).

Does Islam claim to forgive sins of men?

No. But the Vatican does.

"This judicial authority will even include the power to forgive sin." [The Catholic Encyclopaedia Vol 12, -article "Pope" pg 265]

"And God himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of his priest and either not to pardon or to pardon, according as they refuse to give absolution, provided the penitent is capable of it." -Liguori, «Duties and Dignities of the Priest», p.27

8. Antichrist has a church that makes war with the saints.

Daniel 7:25, "And he shall ... shall wear out the saints of the most High,"

Revelation 13:7, "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."

Did Islam kill over 500 million Christians during a 1260 year period?

No. But the Vatican did.

Rome has all along never denied it persecuted Christians. Sure, they will call them heretics, but then you look into what these heretics believed, they were actually bible believing Christians. History is literally drenched with all sorts of evidence proving this out nicely. Jesus said in John 16:2, "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service." Were you aware that in the Pope's globally broadcast "Mea Culpa" that he admitted the Catholic church killed millions upon millions because they thought they were doing God's will? Jesus said that they will kick you out of churches, and kill you thinking they are doing God's will, and then the Pope says they kicked people out of churches, and then had to kill them because they thought they were doing God's will.

9. Antichrist is to be able to influence entire world to worship him:

Revelation 13:8, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

Do all the politicians of the world clamor to please Islam to better their careers?

No. But hey do so to the popes.

John 17:11, "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."

Jesus is in the Garden praying just before Judas arrives with the mob to take Him away to be crucified. In this prayer, Jesus actually calls His Father in Heaven HOLY FATHER! Every catholic on earth, every priest, every cardinal, every bishop, and every nun is taught to call the pope holy father. Even the media calls him this blasphemous name. Every newspaper, magazine, TV news anchorman, and radio announcer uses that title for the pope. Plus, every dignitary, president, or head of state must kiss the hand of the pope either in private, or before the cameras to make a statement. We have all seen the many pictures of people kissing the pope's ring.

From the common man, to mainstream political entities, they must all kiss this man's hand! This is an open act of worship the pope is receiving with complete agreement. Often the pope won't even raise his hand for the person to kiss it. They literally have to bow before him to kiss his hand dangling at his side.

10. Antichrist must be a "Christian" church that embraces the teachings of BABYLON:

Revelation 17:5, "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."

Does Islam mix Paganism in all its forms with Christianity?

No, but Catholicism does.

In the Scriptures we find a prophetic explanation of the church of Antichrist. a woman in prophecy equals a church. A mother is most definitely a woman. Therefore this mother in Revelation 17:5 is a church. Problem is, this mother is a whore, in fact she is a mother of many whores the prophecy says. This means that MANY churches the world over will spawn out from this church doing as she has taught. Looking through history one will find upwards of 3000 denominations that have been spawned from Roman Catholicism. Prophecy defines this woman as a whore. This means she will be an apostate mother or church to all those that do as she suggests.

Cardinal Newman admits in his book that; the "The use of temples, and these dedicated to particular saints, and ornamented on occasions with branches of trees; incense, lamps, and candles; votive offerings on recovery from illness; holy water; asylums; holydays and seasons, use of calendars, processions, blessings on the fields; sacerdotal vestments, the tonsure, the ring in marriage, turning to the East, images at a later date, ...the ecclesiastical chant, and the Kyrie Eleison, are all of pagan origin, and sanctified by their adoption into the Church. {374}" -An Essay on the The Development of the Christian Doctrine John Henry "Cardinal Newman" p.359 (Also see According to Dr. E. D. Clarke, Travels, vol. i. p. 352.)

11. Does Islam force all the worlds’ kings to bow to him?

No. But the Popes do.

Were you aware that as of the year 2000 there are over 170 ambassadors to the Vatican? And were you also aware that every one of those ambassadors, as well as each delegate from each of those nations must have at one time or another bowed before the Pope in an act of worship by kissing his ring? Keep in mind that the Vatican is not only a religious organization, it is also a bonafide nation as of 1929 when Mussolini signed the Lateran treaty with Cardinal Gasspari. That means, the Vatican is the only religious organization that has a seat in all United Nation meetings. Or as prophecy describes it, the Vatican religious organization has joined with the kings of the earth. Rome does this so the Vatican can use it's national status to perform religious acts it deems necessary in a global agenda. And ALL nations that have any interest in global movements have already stated they agree with the Vatican. They have openly joined with her on many issues of global importance. In fact, not a single nation makes a major move, or adopts a national policy without first making sure it doesn't go against any of the plans of Rome. If they do Rome will most assuredly use the power of the lamb horned beast (USA) to make sure they stay in line. Plus, as of the inception the Roman International Criminal Court system coming to be in 1999, all nations know that it would not be a wise decision to go against the Vatican. What with the USA, or as prophecy defines it, the lamb horned beast bowing to the Vatican's suggestions regarding warfare. This by the way is regardless of what the media pumps before the masses. They know that to go against Rome would be futile. Many historians tie all the modern day wars, and most wars of the past to Roman Catholic influence. The prophecy is sure when it is said that "...Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? " -Revelation 13:4

12. Antichrist presumes authority to tamper with and change God's law.

Daniel 7:25, "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."

Did Islam change the Sabbath from the 7th day to the 1st day?

No. But the Vatican admits in writing they did.

In the Catechism, of the Roman Catholic Church we see they ripped out the second commandment which forbids image worship, then divided the 10th commandment into two parts so that they still appear to have 10 commandments. This proves they "think to change laws" as Daniel put it. The Roman Catholic Church, not Jesus Christ, changed the Sabbath given at creation week from Saturday, the 7th day to Sunday, the 1st day. And to top it off, the Roman Catholic church ADMITS that very fact...

"Sunday is our MARK of authority. . .the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact" Catholic Record of London, Ontario Sept 1,1923.

"Perhaps the boldest thing, the most revolutionary change the Church ever did, happened in the first century. The holy day, the Sabbath, was changed from Saturday to Sunday. "The day of the Lord" was chosen, not from any direction noted in the Scriptures, but from the Church's sense of its own power .... People who think that the Scriptures should be the sole authority, should logically become Seventh-day Adventists, and keep Saturday holy."(Saint Catherine Church Sentinel, Algonac, Michigan, May 21, 1995.)

"The Roman [Catholic] Church reversed the Fourth Commandment by doing away with the Sabbath of God's Word, and instituting Sunday as a holiday"--Nicholas Summerbell, History of the Christian Church, 3rd edition, 1873, p. 415 [Christian Church (Christian Connection)].

"Sunday is a Catholic institution and its claim to observance can be defended only on Catholic principles .... From beginning to end of Scripture there is not a single passagethat warrants the transfer of weekly public worship from the last day of the week to the first."(Catholic Press, Sydney, Australia, August, 1990.)

Question: How prove you that the church had power command feasts and holydays?

Answer: By the very fact of changing the Sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of; and therefore they fondly contradict themselves by keeping Sunday strictly, and keep most other feasts commanded by the same church.

Question: Have any other way of proving that the church has power to institute festivals precept?

Answer: Had she not such power, she could not a done that in which all modern religionists agree with her;-she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the way, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day of the week, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority. "-Stephen Keenan, a doctrinal catechism, p. 174

"Reason and sense demand the acceptance of one or the other of these alternatives: eitherProtestantism and the keeping holy of Saturday Catholicism and the keeping holy of Sunday. Compromise is impossible. -James Cardinal Gibbons. Catholic mirror, December 23, 1893

Islam cannot possibly be the Antichrist. The Popes of Rome have fulfilled each and every prophecy ever uttered by our God that describes the Antichrist in such graphic detail. But because the churches don’t teach prophecy, and the media is under their thumb, most are unaware of the facts. Islam simply cannot do that no matter how much you stretch, or twist the truth. Only the Roman Catholic Popes fulfill each and every prophecy with 100% accuracy.

(Based on article posted by Nicholas on http://remnantofgod.org/ Please note that the views represented on that site do not necessarily reflect those of Children of the East)

 

Comment (23)

My friend Lisa shares this experience. May our Father in heaven encourage and bless you with the words, as they are a taste of what He longs to do when His Son brings you home from the battles and scars of this life.

Today, the hospital operator referred a man to me, "because I knew you'd be kind".

Thin, pale, with gaunt eyes, beard nearly as long as my hair, packing oxygen to keep breathing. He threw up a tough attitude and cryptic wit. End stage emphysema/lung cancer. Thinks over 40 yrs smoking/doing drugs may not have served him well. Lived life on his own terms, in his own way. His army career ended when he punched out his commanding officer. Turns out that is frowned upon. Says few love him, plenty of haters.

After resolving his financial concern, I walked him out, wanting to offer him something more. I asked him the last time he had a hug. He shrugged. What would he think if I gave him one? He shrugged. Told him I recognized he's tough, but also know things are hard, and that I care.

Gave him a hug~ a real one. He dabbed awkwardly at his suddenly wet eyes. I wished him well. He stared at the ground a bit, then looked at me and said, "Lady, if that's the last hug I ever get, I will die happy" turned and walked out. Hugs can heal...Peace~ Love~ & hugs! ~♥

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