KING JESUS - LORD OF LORDS
IS COMING BACK!

email: creyner@yahoo.com

James 5:1 (KJV) Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The High Priestly Prayer: Of Jesus Christ

The Intercessory Prayer of Jesus Christ to His Father
Looks deeply into the heart of the Son of God
Gospel of John, Chapter 17
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

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.

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Royal Heir

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

What is Easter About?

A new recent study by the Barna Group shows that a majority of Americans consider Resurrection Sunday (Easter) to be a religious holiday, but a fewer number can identify the resurrection of Jesus as the underlying meaning.

Two out of every three Americans identify the Easter holiday with some type of theistic or religious element. Other responses include describing it as a Christian holiday, a celebration of God or Jesus, a celebration of Passover, a holy day, or a special time to attend church or worship.

Evangelicals (73%) correctly identify Easter as a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, followed by those who attend churches of 500 or more people (60%), and born again Christians (55%). Republicans and Democrats responded with similar numbers. Republicans agreed (77%) that Easter has a religious meaning, with Democrats at 71%, and those who self-identified as independents, 51%.

Although those polled gave answers that were religious in nature, confusion regarding historical events was evident. For example, single-digit percentages represented many distinct ideas, such as Easter referring to the birth or ‘rebirth’ (!) of Christ, the second coming of Jesus, or Easter as a celebration of spring or a pagan holiday.

While a majority of Americans indicated some type of spiritual connection with Easter, the research also showed that less than half of the respondents directly linked Easter to the Christian belief in the resurrection of Christ. In all, 42% of Americans said that the meaning of Easter was the resurrection of Jesus, or that it signifies Christ’s death and return to life. One out of every 50 adults - only 2% - said that they would describe Easter as the most important celebration of their faith. (I am in that 2%.)

Those American adults who identified themselves as non-religious described Easter in numerous ways, such as getting friends and family together, spring break, a symbol of new beginnings, rebirth, and renewal, or a time to dye and hide eggs for the pleasure of children. 8% of non-religious responders said the holiday means nothing to them or that they do not celebrate the occasion.

It is not exactly a news flash that we have our work cut out for us. All we need to do is take a step outside our own house to find ourselves in a ripe mission field. The widespread lack of knowledge about the meaning is a direct reflection on the church. We are the church. We have not accomplished the task given to us.

Resurrection Sunday gives us the very most rich opportunity to tell others what it stands for. Our primary mission, given to us by Jesus Christ himself, is the great commission - that of telling others that Jesus Christ shed his own blood as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, and was resurrected, just as we will be.

This is the best possible news. People need to know about the greatest miracle in the history of the entire cosmos. He is Risen!

This is your assignment ... should you choose to accept it.

A Child of the King

Monday, March 29, 2010

Financial Armageddon

We have now reached the point of no return, in the global financial situation. You won't hear it on the news channels, of course, but if you follow world finance as regularly as I do you will know that we are about to enter catastrophic consequences around the world.

According to Christian global economist, Wilfred Hahn, "government debt levels around the world have risen 75% over the last two years." This is truly astonishing. This is true, not of just a nation or two, but of the entire world. This would be hard to accomplish if nations tried. This is truly an event of biblical proportions.

Bible prophecy does predict such an epic event. We are now heading at warp speed down the road to "troubles such as never was." (Daniel 12:1).

Why in the world would leaders descend into such lunacy? Everyone IN the financial industry knows why. It's simple GREED. Even at this historical time of such catastrophe they still do not accept blame, and there appears to be no consequences whatever for their actions. Typically, they accept no responsibility. None. And none is assigned to them. They get away with it because of their power to do so. They appear to be oblivious to the evil of their actions. This is their way of life, and it always has been.

They cheat on their income taxes, they take all their money offshore, they have no concern whatever for the people they rob. Graft and corruption are as normal a part of life as getting up every morning. They understand that they are untouchable, exempt. They believe they deserve it. They worship money and financial success. They feel entitled.

They produce nothing. Their love of money is such that they will stop at nothing to gain more. No one restrains them in their lust for wealth. They are the ultimate materialists. It is their god, their religion. Even as they bring the world financial system down, they are the very ones to whom we go for advice.

They live a lie, and it is an unwritten rule that no one speak truth. They would be immediately ostracized if they admitted faith in Jesus Christ. Everyone would turn against them. Their careers would be over.

It is the same in the world of science, regarding evolution or global warming. Grants would cease to come their way, funding pulled from their research projects, and eventually they would be squeezed out of their career positions. This is unwritten law. Of all the articles written, not a single commentator, economist or journalist ever mentions the cause ... greed.

Our government 'leaders' are caught up in the same mindset. Our nation is literally broke, yet they continue to come up with trillion-dollar spending plans. The self-deception and blindness is astounding. Bribes and threats are rampant, and it appears none of their criminal minds give it a second thought. They are all lemmings headed for their demise. Unfortunately, they will take us with them.

The Bible has a lot to say about wealth and the end times. Here are three of many:

"Now listen, you rich people..you have hoarded wealth in the last days" James 5:1.

"Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. James 5:3.

"I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." Rev 3:17.

We, too, as citizens have participated in the lust for wealth and material things. We need to repent and recognize how foolishly we have been caught up in their trap and in things that have no lasting value. Seek the riches that have eternal value.

Royal Heir

Sunday, March 28, 2010

We Are Barabbas

I recently read an article about Barabbas in a prophecy magazine. As always, I was amazed at the new insight into a person whose name I've heard since I was a child, and yet I've really never given him a second thought. This is why the Bible is "the living Bible." You can pick almost any chapter in the entire Bible, and with prayerful meditation you will almost always have some new comprehension.

The story of the exchange of places between Barabbas, the condemned murderer, and Jesus the Son of God epitomizes the truth concerning God and man. As the article said, the story of Barabbas has a meaning and a purpose. It is in the Bible for our sakes. It is a biography of the whole of mankind. God planned to include it in the Bible in order to open our eyes about ourselves and about His intent to save.

Barabbas is a 'type' of sinful man, a true image of man, just as Jesus is the true image of God. The story is in Mark 15:6-15. Pontius Pilate offered to release one of the men who was about to be crucified. He offered to release Jesus, knowing that he was innocent, but the chief priests riled up the people, who insisted on having Barabbas released rather than Jesus.

The Aramaic name of Barabbas means "son of the father." No surname or other identity is given about him and, of course, like everything in scripture this is no accident. He is Everyman. We can insert our own names, and if we do, it can be very enlightening.

We are sinful creatures by birth, and prone to evil from the beginning. From birth we are people under the rule of sin and Satan - just as Barabbas. He is described in the New testament, as "a robber...an insurrectionist...a murderer...a notable prisoner." From the descriptions we can characterize him as a notorious zealot who had taken part in a rebellion against the Roman government and killed a man in the process.

This sounds an awful lot like many people in the U.S. who are preparing to take part in an armed rebellion, doesn't it? See how easy it is to identify with Barabbas? He may well have been very popular with the people, a sort of hero 'of the people.' That's the way I see him - the kind of guy we might like.

The choice between Jesus and Barabbas is clear proof of how dangerous it is to allow public opinion to decide issues concerning questions of life, truth and a right course of action. Again, just like today. Decisions by the public opinion are uninformed, self-interested, self-deceptive, unwise, influenced by group pressure, and morally wrong. We can see proof of that right here in America, in the lack of quality of the leaders we have elected. (That's why our country was set up as a republic ... not a democracy.)

Just as the Jews did, so we will do. We are intent as never before on disobedience to Jesus Christ, and determined to choose leaders who will give us stuff. We will end up with Antichrist rather than Jesus Christ, because at first he will seem to give us everything we want.

Meanwhile, Jesus simply stands there. He shows us who God is. He says nothing, he does not argue over the injustice he is receiving; he simply stands in silence. His silence screams at us.

And so, he exchanged places with Barabbas. He took the fall. He took the punishment for Barabbas. He paid the price for Everyman.

It's interesting to consider what Barabbas must have thought when he left that place. He had certainly heard about Jesus and knew that his arrest and conviction was a sham because Jesus had done nothing wrong. Barabbas got off Scot free, and he knew he was guilty. The chains were removed from him and placed on Jesus, the innocent one. Jesus, the sinless one, the Son of God, the King and Judge, changed places with Barabbas. Just as he has done for us.

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

It's an offer you can't refuse. Can you?

Child of The King

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Health Bill Carries Occult Signature

Did you wonder why it was so crucial to get the bill passed on 3/22? The vote was finalized at 10:49 pm, ET, on March 21 ... or 1:49 am, Greenwich Mean Time, on March 22. (GMT is used by the Illuminati.)

322 is an occult signature, as is 911. You will find that all significant major events carried out by the Illuminati always bear an occult signature. One reason, of course, is to hide it from the public. A more important reason is that the event may fail if they do not abide by the ritual numbers, and other ritual requirements of the Luciferian occult. 322 is also the number of the Skull & Bones Society at Yale University. The symbol of the skull and two crossed bones carries the number '322' underneath. 3+2+2 = 7, a number of perfection.

These occult requirements are particularly critical when ushering in an event as significant as the new world order and the Antichrist. Astrologically, the age of the Antichrist is the Age or Aquarius, the 11th sign of the zodiac. The number 11 is held as one of the most sacred numbers, and multiplications of it are important, too, such as 22, 33, 44, etc. All pagan and mystical religions are based on sacred numbers and sacred geometry, which is another counterfeit of the perfection and glory of God's own numerically perfect order of the cosmos. Satanists place the highest importance on these black magic numbers.

Hitler was an adept in the Thule Society, a branch of the worldwide secret Brotherhood of Death Society. The Skull & Bones Society is a branch of the American Brotherhood of Death. It has been the long-term goal of all of these related secret societies, through a series of plans and wars, to finally bring in the new world order. We are now in the final stage, and right on schedule, although we still have a couple more short, devastating wars to get there.

It is important to understand that the members of these societies have a sacred allegiance to something and someone that supersedes any loyalty to a particular nation (such as the U.S.). They are all committed to the ultimate goal. which is higher than any constitution or law of any single nation. Our presidents do not hold the oath of office as binding - it is subservient to their higher oath of allegiance. And, don't forget, the most recent presidential oath was "flubbed" and done again out of public view, and without the Bible. This would be unusually significant to those watchers in the Luciferian occult world, and you can be certain they are, and have been, following every move during the past 25 or so years.

This is becoming easier for Americans to see, although most are no doubt still under deception about this. Jesus himself gave these warnings: "Take heed that no man deceive you." [Matthew 24:4] Jesus again says, "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." [Matthew 24:11]. And yet again, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." [Matthew 24:24].

The fact that this bill was so carefully engineered to have it finalized with this particular occult signature means that it is not just another bill. It signifies to the Brotherhood members around the world, the great importance of the bill as a step in the plan...The Protocols.

There is so much more to this great deception, and all of the other tremendous deceptions that are bringing it to fruition. I will cover as many of them as I can, and as briefly as I must. I pray that the eyes of the American Christians will be opened and that they will not be deceived. And...that they will witness to others about the good news of the gospel, and the blessed hope.

Remember, I have told you. This is spiritual warfare. Make certain that is your highest priority.

Royal Heir

Friday, March 26, 2010

Obama's Funds Go To Phantom Districts

Today's blog is by Thomas DeWeese and is too important not to get the word out.

Obama Sends "Stimulus" Funds to Phantom Congressional Districts
by Thomas A. DeWeese

To promote bragging rights for how much good the stimulus money was doing for America, the Obama Administration set up a website called "Recovery.gov." Recorded on the site were details by zip code and congressional district as to how much money was sent there and how many new jobs were created as a result. It was a great piece of public relations where news reporters and politicians could find and quote the latest "good news for the economy."

However, there was one small problem. The Administration didn't count on a group called New Mexico Watchdog, a project of the Rio Grande Foundation. While researching the site, the Foundation's investigative research journalist Jim Scarantino noticed something strange. It seems the site was reporting money going to several New Mexico congressional districts that do not exist.

The website reported that $26.5 million went to ten New Mexico Congressional districts. The site credited that money with creating a whopping 61.5 jobs. That, in itself, should be a crime – spending more than $430,000 per job created. However, that wasn't the big story. The fact is, those ten Congressional districts do not exist. New Mexico only has three – not thirteen.

As New Mexico Watchdog broke the story, investigators from other states took up the hunt, finding a total of 440 phantom congressional districts receiving nearly $6.4 billion to "create or save" just under 30,000 jobs – almost $225,000 per job. The "99th" District of North Dakota, a state which has only one congressional district, received more than $2 million. Mississippi's 5th District and Oklahoma's 6th District, and Pennsylvania's 21st District each received $1 million. But none of them exist. All three were eliminated as a result of the 2000 census. Money also went to 35 congressional districts in Washington, DC and the four American territories, all of which have no congressional districts.

Then it got worse. Not only did the site almost double the size of Congress with its phantom districts, further examination showed money also going to zip codes that don't exist. The site reported that $373,874 went to New Mexico zip code 97052 – but no jobs were created. $36,218 was credited for creating five jobs in zip code 87258. $100,000 went into zip code 86705 – but no jobs were created. None of these zip codes exist.

Again, the nationwide search showed the same results. West Virginia – $28 million in non-existent zip codes; Nebraska – millions more in non-existent zips; Washington state – more stimulus funds in non-existent zip codes; Virginia - $9.5 million in phantom zip codes; Colorado – millions more; Oklahoma - $11.5 million – phantom zips.

And the excuse from the Obama Administration? Clerical error. Ed Pound, director of communications for the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board blamed the problem on an oversight by the fund recipients. He said it appeared that some of those filling out the reports just didn't know their congressional districts (or zip codes apparently), and therefore listed an inaccurate number.

But the Administration is quick on its feet and in its transparency. The problem has been solved. All of the reports from non-existent Congressional districts and zip codes have been removed and re-listed under "unassigned congressional districts." No one, of course, has bothered to investigate where the money actually went.
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=5954

This is the evil we're up against.

Royal Heir

Thursday, March 25, 2010

We're Being Set Up

I seldom write about politics, and most people no doubt already know this, but the American people are being set up. No...not health care, or any of the other things we've had to tolerate over the course of the last couple of years (or more). We're being set up for martial law.

I have no time to go into details, but I have access to documents written by the very people who are bringing in the New World Order, and they have told us in great detail just how they plan to do it. We are near the end. They have deliberately hurled one thing after another at us because this is one of their tactics to drive us to violence, so that they will have a 'reason' to put martial law into effect. This has been planned many years ago, and it's going to work (at first).

There was a time when I would have gone the 'patriot' route, and I have great affection and sympathy with those who do. However, after studying God's Word, I recognize that this is not God's will for His people. Jesus and the apostles were our examples of how to respond to civil authority, and it is not through violence. Our mandate is not politics or earthly violence. Our concern should be, and our energy directed toward, the spiritual battle. That is our explicit instruction.

Here are just a few of the kind of headlines that will trigger martial law.

Coffin placed on Carnahan's lawn http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34982.html

STUPAK'S Backroom Deals Two Days Before Vote (Hundreds of Thousands in Grants)http://www.nrcc.org/codered/dealwatch/?p=52

Bricks Hurled, Threats Surround Health Care Overhaul: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100325/ap_on_re_us/us_health_care_threats

The United States has become a rogue power which will bring in the fascist NWO. The fact is that the biggest step toward its victory was a result of 9/11, which was planned in advance in order to bring in Homeland Security and take away enough of our remaining liberties and freedom to facilitate and prepare for the final step, which we are about to see.

The War on Terror has been a phony war with the capture of a few Muslim patsies, who were used and set up by the CIA and other criminals. The war in Afghanistan is all about the drug money these NWO criminals have been trafficking for a couple hundred years. The war in Iraq was for these worshippers of Lucifer to locate certain ancient artifacts which they believe will give them spiritual power over the earth ... and other reasons which benefit them, and them alone. You should have no trouble believing this after they have robbed this country (and others) blind over the past 18 months. Retirement funds will be next.

The next target in the WOT ("war on terror") will be the American citizens - who have been so carefully brainwashed to be on the lookout for 'terrorists.' From here on, it will be quite easy to find a terrorist ... just look in the mirror.

I'm not using conjecture or fanciful ideas or rumors here. I have studied this in great detail. It's all documented. The brains behind all of this are in the City of London, where they have been working on this plan for centuries. The final part of the plan (very briefly) is to pit the Christians against the Muslims, and get rid of them both. The last small group to go will be the atheists. They will not tolerate worship of anyone except their long-expected leader. Need I name him? His initials are A.C.

We have lost the respect of the other nations, who now fear us rather than look to us as a beacon of light in the world, as they have in the past. Our relationship with Israel is not what it has traditionally been. We have been consistently lied to by the U.S. media, which has kept the truth from us. The truth is, that over the past few years the U.S. has committed unthinkable atrocities in its recent wars, a fact hidden from the American people, but known by the rest of the world. The truth is that the war of the Nazis in Germany continued right here in the U.S., with the same scientists, the same money behind it, the same evil people behind it. The Nazis didn't lose WWII ... only Germany lost. The same evil program is right here ... right now.

Many of these problems between nations are skillfully planned behind the scenes, and are ploys. The stories about our relationship with Israel, Iran, China, Russia - and their relationships with others - are designed to mislead the chattel (us). Many of the leaders in some of those nations are all part of the Grand Plan, playing out their roles. It isn't possible to find the entire truth at this stage of the Game. But, things are about ready to spiral out of control.

I feel like a lone voice in the wilderness. Nevertheless, there are a few others. We will speak the truth, and those with ears to hear, will hear ... and those with eyes to see, will see.

I have said it ad nauseum. Forget the rebellion, violence and blood in the streets. That is the wrong war.

There is one - and only one - war for which you need to be prepared. Spiritual warfare will determine the fate of all the other wars.

Put on The Armor of God, Ephesians 6:10-20:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

The day is near. The war is already won! But we still have one more battle ... one more test. And what an honor it is that the Lord has placed us square in the midst of the final battle.

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." Jude 24-25



Royal Heir

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Should You Leave Your Church?

This is a question I seldom heard until the past ten years or so.

Due to the widespread apostasy in the Christian church these days, it is a now one of the most common questions among true Christians who long to hear God's Word preached and taught.

I've never been particularly critical of church "hoppers." First, my father was a minister, and in those days pastors were moved from church to church far more frequently than they are today, so although it was painful for me as a child, we moved every few years. Second, I traveled with a gospel music group for a number of years and was in literally hundreds of churches, so it was no big deal to me.

However, it is far better to have a church home, if possible. It's critically important if you have children or teens. They need to have a church family. More often than not, young people will find their life mates in the church. Parents need to think ahead, far into the future, when deciding about these issues. Unfortunately, in today's world, this is not the case. A price is often paid for neglecting to think long term regarding one's children.

These days we need Christian fellowship and support more than ever before in our lifetimes, but it is becoming harder to find a church that holds God's Word, and obedience to it, in high importance.

Here are a few guidelines:

* Don't leave because your pastor, or someone else, says or does something to upset you. If a pastor never says anything to upset anyone, he is no doubt upsetting God. It's petty to leave because you 'had your feelings hurt' or things just aren't going according to your liking. These things happen in any group of human beings. In case you haven't noticed, we are not perfect. These are opportunities to grow into maturity and to learn to love the unlovely (from your point of view).
* Give a new pastor a chance. He'll never be as good as the previous one ... at first.

These may be legitimate reasons to leave, if they cannot be resolved through direct discussion:
* Lack of preaching/teaching directly from the Bible
* Refusal to discipline members - especially leaders - who are blatantly sinning
* Teaching or preaching of things that are clearly against biblical principles
* Tolerance of unholy living by members
* Lives and actions marked by gross hypocrisy

And, remember that non-Christians who attend should not be expected to live a Christian life until they accept Christ as their personal Lord. Be gentle, tolerant and loving of the non-Christian or baby Christian. These should never, however, be leaders or teachers.

If you have children or teens you don't have the luxury of 'putting up' with as many issues as you otherwise might. It is absolutely critical that Christians raise their children in an atmosphere of strict adherence to Bible teaching because it will shape their entire lives. Your children are gifts from the Lord, and He expects them to be raised in a way that trains them up and teaches them obedience to His Word. They are by far the most important responsibility that parents have.

One more word about church hoppers. As a rule, they are never satisfied; that's why they hop. If every insignificant thing bothers them, they are immature in the faith. They will always be offended by something and are disgruntled and looking for a cop out and to place blame on anyone but themselves. Often they are gossips or trouble-makers. One of their favorite reasons for leaving a church is "I'm not being fed." Chances are good that they're not being fed because they're not going to the trough.

The only reason "I'm not being fed" is legitimate is if the church is no longer preaching the gospel, or is stubbornly ignoring and allowing those things listed above.

One more interesting question is: should you stay in the church to effect change through prayer and dialogue?
* For those with children, I would say no. You have your hands full just training and keeping your own family on the right path through prayer and dialogue; don't take on the church at the same time :-)
* For adult Christians whose children are grown, it's sometimes difficult to decide. It may hinge on your gifts and talents. If the Lord has given you gifts for His service, your church wants your gifts, and you believe you can help others develop into Christian maturity, yes, stay if you desire to. You may help one or more people on a one-on-one basis to grow in the Lord through friendship, prayer and discussion.

The primary goal should be serving the Lord, fellowship with the saints, and growing in grace and maturity so that you may fight the spiritual battles all around and spread the good news of the gospel to everyone you meet.

Keep your eye on the goal.

Child of the King

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Eternity is Now

People seem to have the idea that eternity starts when they die.

Actually, though, we need to realize that eternity began when we were conceived in the mind of God or in our mother's womb.

Here are three dictionary definitions of "eternity:"

1. infinite time; duration without beginning or end.
2. eternal existence, esp. as contrasted with mortal life: the eternity of God.
3. Theology. the timeless state into which the soul passes at a person's death.

If we understood that we are now in eternity I think it would help us to understand a thrilling fact. That is, there's no reason to wait until we die to reap the benefits of our faith.

Charles Stanley tells a story of an elderly couple who could barely eke out a living. They lived in a dilapidated old house and couldn't afford to keep the heat on all the time. Shortly after they both died, a huge deposit of oil was discovered on the old property. All their years of poverty were lived out sitting on top of untapped wealth.

Unfortunately, many Christians go through life just like that elderly couple, thinking that some day when they die they will have an abundant life in eternity. No! They have the abundant life available to them right now - they just aren't living it.

I don't mean to suggest that life won't be infinitely better in the heavenly phase of our lives, but this earthly life could be infinitely better for most Christians right now. They are not tapping into the incredible power to which they have access.

It's a shame, too, because the next phase of life will be even better if we take advantage of this life's available riches of God's grace. This is an extremely important point for a Christian to understand.

Listen. Our rewards and our positions of responsibility in the next realm are in direct proportion to our investments of time, energy and obedience to the Lord in the fleshly life.

A Christian who is exactly the same today as he was 20 years ago in his spiritual walk is in trouble. We should see consistent growth - spiritual maturity - as we progress through this life. Otherwise, we will pay the price now ... and then.

Think about it.

Royal Heir

Monday, March 22, 2010

Tax Revolt, Anyone?

This post is really a 'vent.' It may not be worth reading, but I NEED to do it. This has been one of those days ... and it's only 1:00 PM. I've just got to get it off my chest. Then I'll feel better. I had no intention of dealing with income taxes today. It was going to be one of those wonderful days when I had nothing really screaming for my attention. I could just kick back.

Or so I thought.

Somehow, in one of those crazy twists of fate, I unintentionally got involved in our income taxes. The W-2's and 1099's had all rolled in. and I just meant to put them in a little pile for a later date, but something caught my eye and I was off and running headlong into my taxes. I have been dreading it because I know we'll owe money this year so I couldn't resist the initial peek at the figures. And it was every bit as upsetting as anticipated.

Especially irritating was the remembrance lurking in the back of my mind of all the crooks who are running our government who DON'T PAY. They conveniently live by different rules than the rest of us, and so they make these huge errors which save them tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, which they don't recall until they are up for some high government appointment or are running for office - and are caught by some watchdog group.

But we little people must pay down to the last drop. If you help support someone who is highly worthy it's not deductible. If you pay funeral expenses for someone who had no money, it's not deductible. But if you get paid far more than you're worth, run with the D.C. crowd, every thought being how to get something for yourself and pay no taxes, you're highly regarded and put in charge of the rest of us.

Okay. Nothing to be gained by that line of thought, so I decided I'd take a look at the IRS instructions for exemptions, deductions, all that sort of thing. I hadn't really reviewed the details of the tax code and instructions for a long time. We have someone else actually do our tax filings: a company of ex-IRS agents who do income taxes. They will also handle an audit (at no extra cost) if you are unfortunate to be notified of one. So these people have been doing our taxes for years, even though I'm an accountant and do most of the work before sending them the papers. I like the credibility they give our tax returns, and I love the comfort of knowing that I will not be personally engaging IRS no matter what.

So I dive into the forms and start reading the online publications to see if I can pick anything up that is new. Well, there have been a lot of changes since I've looked at things, and what I pick up irritates me all over again. It is immediately obvious to me that the changes are cleverly designed to soak the hard working person in favor of the deadbeat. No wonder I haven't been keeping up with that stuff. It just drives me crazy. It's so unfair.

There were a few forms that I wanted to print out for further perusal, so naturally I got a message from my printer that my "Cyan" color cartridge needed to be replaced. Okay. I was one step ahead of 'them' this time. I had anticipated needing ink and had ordered four new color cartridges a month or so ago. So the new cartridge goes in, and I hit the "print" key again, and this time the message comes up that the "Red" cartridge needed to be replaced. The machines couldn't just tell you to replace all four cartridges ... no. So, one by one, I went through the same routine until all four new ones were in. Okay.

All set to go again, the phone rings. I have a dental appointment tomorrow. "Okay, I'll be there."

Back to the computer. The phone rings again. Get up, answer it, it's someone I can unload on - dear husband! He doesn't want to hear it, but I know from experience that he's happy I'm 'on it' with the taxes. That way he won't need to hear my grumbling about having to do them at a later date. So he makes a quick exit from the call. Back to the computer.

Oh oh. Talking to him reminds me that I was going to cook for dinner, a pheasant that he had just bagged last weekend. I had planned to spend a little time with it - maybe try a new recipe - but the taxes were calling my name, so I just threw it in the crock pot with a can of mushroom soup, a few drops of white wine and some artichokes, and headed back to the computer.

Without explaining my personal method (you're welcome), let's just say that within no time at all I had reached a fixed point in the process at which I pretty much knew where to head next with the figures. Maybe another hour or two would do the trick. So I organized the papers into three sections and sat them in the family room next to my chair, all readied for the final phase. Tomorrow - oh, no; there's that dental appointment. The next day, then.

This has really turned into a great day! There is nothing better than inadvertently tackling a dreaded job. The taxes can loiter around for days and weeks in some disquieted corner of the mind, just sitting there and haunting a person. Well, now, that ghost has been shooed out. The worst is over.

I'll give you a little tax tip if you don't take the standard deduction. If you itemize, start a spreadsheet with five headings for the deductions you normally deal with. Set a day, once a week, and write in the 1) date, 2) check # (dr card, or whatever), 3) the amount, and the 4)"Paid To," with a place for 5) explanation/notes if you prefer. If you do this once a week, you have virtually nothing to do at tax time. Just total the 'amount' column, print it out, and you're done. At any time during the year that you want to see where you stand, just check your spreadsheet. I actually have a 'mini-1040' set up on my spreadsheet and at any given moment I can see where we stand, tax-wise, for the year.

One thing I'm counting on when I get to heaven ... no taxes ... no paper. That's all I ask. That will be heaven.



A Royal Heir...


shouldn't have to do taxes

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

I decided to post this famous sermon, which is timely for 2010.
The famous sermon of:
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Enfield, ConnecticutJuly 8, 1741

Their foot shall slide in due time. Deuteronomy 32:35

In this verse is threatened the vengeance of God on the wicked unbelieving Israelites, who were God's visible people, and who lived under the means of grace; but who, notwithstanding all God's wonderful works towards them, remained (as verse 28.) void of counsel, having no understanding in them.

Under all the cultivations of heaven, they brought forth bitter and poisonous fruit; as in the two verses next preceding the text. -- The expression I have chosen for my text, their foot shall slide in due time, seems to imply the following things, relating to the punishment and destruction to which these wicked Israelites were exposed.

That they were always exposed to destruction; as one that stands or walks in slippery places is always exposed to fall. This is implied in the manner of their destruction coming upon them, being represented by their foot sliding. The same is expressed, Psalm 73:18. "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou castedst them down into destruction."

It implies, that they were always exposed to sudden unexpected destruction. As he that walks in slippery places is every moment liable to fall, he cannot foresee one moment whether he shall stand or fall the next; and when he does fall, he falls at once without warning: Which is also expressed in Psalm 73:18,19. "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou castedst them down into destruction: How are they brought into desolation as in a moment!"

Another thing implied is, that they are liable to fall of themselves, without being thrown down by the hand of another; as he that stands or walks on slippery ground needs nothing but his own weight to throw him down. That the reason why they are not fallen already and do not fall now is only that God's appointed time is not come. For it is said, that when that due time, or appointed time comes, their foot shall slide. Then they shall be left to fall, as they are inclined by their own weight. God will not hold them up in these slippery places any longer, but will let them go; and then, at that very instant, they shall fall into destruction; as he that stands on such slippery declining ground, on the edge of a pit, he cannot stand alone, when he is let go he immediately falls and is lost.

The observation from the words that I would now insist upon is this. -- "There is nothing that keeps wicked men at any one moment out of hell, but the mere pleasure of God." -- By the mere pleasure of God, I mean his sovereign pleasure, his arbitrary will, restrained by no obligation, hindered by no manner of difficulty, any more than if nothing else but God's mere will had in the least degree, or in any respect whatsoever, any hand in the preservation of wicked men one moment. -- The truth of this observation may appear by the following considerations.

There is no want [lack] of power in God to cast wicked men into hell at any moment. Men's hands cannot be strong when God rises up. The strongest have no power to resist him, nor can any deliver out of his hands. -- He is not only able to cast wicked men into hell, but he can most easily do it. Sometimes an earthly prince meets with a great deal of difficulty to subdue a rebel, who has found means to fortify himself, and has made himself strong by the numbers of his followers. But it is not so with God.

There is no fortress that is any defence from the power of God. Though hand join in hand, and vast multitudes of God's enemies combine and associate themselves, they are easily broken in pieces. They are as great heaps of light chaff before the whirlwind; or large quantities of dry stubble before devouring flames. We find it easy to tread on and crush a worm that we see crawling on the earth; so it is easy for us to cut or singe a slender thread that any thing hangs by: thus easy is it for God, when he pleases, to cast his enemies down to hell. What are we, that we should think to stand before him, at whose rebuke the earth trembles, and before whom the rocks are thrown down?

They deserve to be cast into hell; so that divine justice never stands in the way, it makes no objection against God's using his power at any moment to destroy them. Yea, on the contrary, justice calls aloud for an infinite punishment of their sins. Divine justice says of the tree that brings forth such grapes of Sodom, "Cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground?" Luke 13:7. The sword of divine justice is every moment brandished over their heads, and it is nothing but the hand of arbitrary mercy, and God's mere will, that holds it back.

They are already under a sentence of condemnation to hell. They do not only justly deserve to be cast down thither, but the sentence of the law of God, that eternal and immutable rule of righteousness that God has fixed between him and mankind, is gone out against them, and stands against them; so that they are bound over already to hell. John 3:18. "He that believeth not is condemned already." So that every unconverted man properly belongs to hell; that is his place; from thence he is, John 8:23. "Ye are from beneath:" And thither he is bound; it is the place that justice, and God's word, and the sentence of his unchangeable law assign to him.
They are now the objects of that very same anger and wrath of God, that is expressed in the torments of hell. And the reason why they do not go down to hell at each moment, is not because God, in whose power they are, is not then very angry with them; as he is with many miserable creatures now tormented in hell, who there feel and bear the fierceness of his wrath. Yea, God is a great deal more angry with great numbers that are now on earth: yea, doubtless, with many that are now in this congregation, who it may be are at ease, than he is with many of those who are now in the flames of hell.

So that it is not because God is unmindful of their wickedness, and does not resent it, that he does not let loose his hand and cut them off. God is not altogether such an one as themselves, though they may imagine him to be so. The wrath of God burns against them, their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword is whet, and held over them, and the pit hath opened its mouth under them.

The devil stands ready to fall upon them, and seize them as his own, at what moment God shall permit him. They belong to him; he has their souls in his possession, and under his dominion. The scripture represents them as his goods, Luke 11:12. The devils watch them; they are ever by them at their right hand; they stand waiting for them, like greedy hungry lions that see their prey, and expect to have it, but are for the present kept back. If God should withdraw his hand, by which they are restrained, they would in one moment fly upon their poor souls. The old serpent is gaping for them; hell opens its mouth wide to receive them; and if God should permit it, they would be hastily swallowed up and lost.

There are in the souls of wicked men those hellish principles reigning, that would presently kindle and flame out into hell fire, if it were not for God's restraints. There is laid in the very nature of carnal men, a foundation for the torments of hell. There are those corrupt principles, in reigning power in them, and in full possession of them, that are seeds of hell fire. These principles are active and powerful, exceeding violent in their nature, and if it were not for the restraining hand of God upon them, they would soon break out, they would flame out after the same manner as the same corruptions, the same enmity does in the hearts of damned souls, and would beget the same torments as they do in them.

The souls of the wicked are in scripture compared to the troubled sea, Isa. 57:20. For the present, God restrains their wickedness by his mighty power, as he does the raging waves of the troubled sea, saying, "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further;" but if God should withdraw that restraining power, it would soon carry all before it. Sin is the ruin and misery of the soul; it is destructive in its nature; and if God should leave it without restraint, there would need nothing else to make the soul perfectly miserable. The corruption of the heart of man is immoderate and boundless in its fury; and while wicked men live here, it is like fire pent up by God's restraints, whereas if it were let loose, it would set on fire the course of nature; and as the heart is now a sink of sin, so if sin was not restrained, it would immediately turn the soul into fiery oven, or a furnace of fire and brimstone.

It is no security to wicked men for one moment, that there are no visible means of death at hand. It is no security to a natural man, that he is now in health, and that he does not see which way he should now immediately go out of the world by any accident, and that there is no visible danger in any respect in his circumstances. The manifold and continual experience of the world in all ages, shows this is no evidence, that a man is not on the very brink of eternity, and that the next step will not be into another world. The unseen, unthought-of ways and means of persons going suddenly out of the world are innumerable and inconceivable. Unconverted men walk over the pit of hell on a rotten covering, and there are innumerable places in this covering so weak that they will not bear their weight, and these places are not seen. The arrows of death fly unseen at noon-day; the sharpest sight cannot discern them. God has so many different unsearchable ways of taking wicked men out of the world and sending them to hell, that there is nothing to make it appear, that God had need to be at the expense of a miracle, or go out of the ordinary course of his providence, to destroy any wicked man, at any moment. All the means that there are of sinners going out of the world, are so in God's hands, and so universally and absolutely subject to his power and determination, that it does not depend at all the less on the mere will of God, whether sinners shall at any moment go to hell, than if means were never made use of, or at all concerned in the case.

Natural men's prudence and care to preserve their own lives, or the care of others to preserve them, do not secure them a moment. To this, divine providence and universal experience do also bear testimony. There is this clear evidence that men's own wisdom is no security to them from death; that if it were otherwise we should see some difference between the wise and politic men of the world, and others, with regard to their liableness to early and unexpected death: but how is it in fact? Eccles. 2:16. "How dieth the wise man? even as the fool."

All wicked men's pains and contrivance which they use to escape hell, while they continue to reject Christ, and so remain wicked men, do not secure them from hell one moment. Almost every natural man that hears of hell, flatters himself that he shall escape it; he depends upon himself for his own security; he flatters himself in what he has done, in what he is now doing, or what he intends to do. Every one lays out matters in his own mind how he shall avoid damnation, and flatters himself that he contrives well for himself, and that his schemes will not fail. They hear indeed that there are but few saved, and that the greater part of men that have died heretofore are gone to hell; but each one imagines that he lays out matters better for his own escape than others have done. He does not intend to come to that place of torment; he says within himself, that he intends to take effectual care, and to order matters so for himself as not to fail.

But the foolish children of men miserably delude themselves in their own schemes, and in confidence in their own strength and wisdom; they trust to nothing but a shadow. The greater part of those who heretofore have lived under the same means of grace, and are now dead, are undoubtedly gone to hell; and it was not because they were not as wise as those who are now alive: it was not because they did not lay out matters as well for themselves to secure their own escape. If we could speak with them, and inquire of them, one by one, whether they expected, when alive, and when they used to hear about hell, ever to be the subjects of misery: we doubtless, should hear one and another reply, "No, I never intended to come here: I had laid out matters otherwise in my mind; I thought I should contrive well for myself -- I thought my scheme good. I intended to take effectual care; but it came upon me unexpected; I did not look for it at that time, and in that manner; it came as a thief -- Death outwitted me: God's wrath was too quick for me. Oh, my cursed foolishness! I was flattering myself, and pleasing myself with vain dreams of what I would do hereafter; and when I was saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction came upon me."

God has laid himself under no obligation, by any promise to keep any natural man out of hell one moment. God certainly has made no promises either of eternal life, or of any deliverance or preservation from eternal death, but what are contained in the covenant of grace, the promises that are given in Christ, in whom all the promises are yea and amen. But surely they have no interest in the promises of the covenant of grace who are not the children of the covenant, who do not believe in any of the promises, and have no interest in the Mediator of the covenant.
So that, whatever some have imagined and pretended about promises made to natural men's earnest seeking and knocking, it is plain and manifest, that whatever pains a natural man takes in religion, whatever prayers he makes, till he believes in Christ, God is under no manner of obligation to keep him a moment from eternal destruction.

So that, thus it is that natural men are held in the hand of God, over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it; and God is dreadfully provoked, his anger is as great towards them as to those that are actually suffering the executions of the fierceness of his wrath in hell, and they have done nothing in the least to appease or abate that anger, neither is God in the least bound by any promise to hold them up one moment; the devil is waiting for them, hell is gaping for them, the flames gather and flash about them, and would fain lay hold on them, and swallow them up; the fire pent up in their own hearts is struggling to break out: and they have no interest in any Mediator, there are no means within reach that can be any security to them. In short, they have no refuge, nothing to take hold of; all that preserves them every moment is the mere arbitrary will, and uncovenanted, unobliged forbearance of an incensed God.

Application

The use of this awful subject may be for awakening unconverted persons in this congregation. This that you have heard is the case of every one of you that are out of Christ. -- That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you. There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor any thing to take hold of; there is nothing between you and hell but the air; it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up.

You probably are not sensible of this; you find you are kept out of hell, but do not see the hand of God in it; but look at other things, as the good state of your bodily constitution, your care of your own life, and the means you use for your own preservation. But indeed these things are nothing; if God should withdraw his hand, they would avail no more to keep you from falling, than the thin air to hold up a person that is suspended in it.

Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock. Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you one moment; for you are a burden to it; the creation groans with you; the creature is made subject to the bondage of your corruption, not willingly; the sun does not willingly shine upon you to give you light to serve sin and Satan; the earth does not willingly yield her increase to satisfy your lusts; nor is it willingly a stage for your wickedness to be acted upon; the air does not willingly serve you for breath to maintain the flame of life in your vitals, while you spend your life in the service of God's enemies.

God's creatures are good, and were made for men to serve God with, and do not willingly subserve to any other purpose, and groan when they are abused to purposes so directly contrary to their nature and end. And the world would spew you out, were it not for the sovereign hand of him who hath subjected it in hope. There are the black clouds of God's wrath now hanging directly over your heads, full of the dreadful storm, and big with thunder; and were it not for the restraining hand of God, it would immediately burst forth upon you. The sovereign pleasure of God, for the present, stays his rough wind; otherwise it would come with fury, and your destruction would come like a whirlwind, and you would be like the chaff on the summer threshing floor.

The wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, till an outlet is given; and the longer the stream is stopped, the more rapid and mighty is its course, when once it is let loose. It is true, that judgment against your evil works has not been executed hitherto; the floods of God's vengeance have been withheld; but your guilt in the mean time is constantly increasing, and you are every day treasuring up more wrath; the waters are constantly rising, and waxing more and more mighty; and there is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, that holds the waters back, that are unwilling to be stopped, and press hard to go forward. If God should only withdraw his hand from the flood-gate, it would immediately fly open, and the fiery floods of the fierceness and wrath of God, would rush forth with inconceivable fury, and would come upon you with omnipotent power; and if your strength were ten thousand times greater than it is, yea, ten thousand times greater than the strength of the stoutest, sturdiest devil in hell, it would be nothing to withstand or endure it.

The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood. Thus all you that never passed under a great change of heart, by the mighty power of the Spirit of God upon your souls; all you that were never born again, and made new creatures, and raised from being dead in sin, to a state of new, and before altogether unexperienced light and life, are in the hands of an angry God.

However you may have reformed your life in many things, and may have had religious affections, and may keep up a form of religion in your families and closets, and in the house of God, it is nothing but his mere pleasure that keeps you from being this moment swallowed up in everlasting destruction. However unconvinced you may now be of the truth of what you hear, by and by you will be fully convinced of it. Those that are gone from being in the like circumstances with you, see that it was so with them; for destruction came suddenly upon most of them; when they expected nothing of it, and while they were saying, Peace and safety: now they see, that those things on which they depended for peace and safety, were nothing but thin air and empty shadows.

The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: his wrath towards you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours. You have offended him infinitely more than ever a stubborn rebel did his prince; and yet it is nothing but his hand that holds you from falling into the fire every moment. It is to be ascribed to nothing else, that you did not go to hell the last night; that you was suffered to awake again in this world, after you closed your eyes to sleep. And there is no other reason to be given, why you have not dropped into hell since you arose in the morning, but that God's hand has held you up. There is no other reason to be given why you have not gone to hell, since you have sat here in the house of God, provoking his pure eyes by your sinful wicked manner of attending his solemn worship. Yea, there is nothing else that is to be given as a reason why you do not this very moment drop down into hell.

O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in: it is a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand of that God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed as much against you, as against many of the damned in hell. You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any Mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment. --

And consider here more particularly,
Whose wrath it is: it is the wrath of the infinite God. If it were only the wrath of man, though it were of the most potent prince, it would be comparatively little to be regarded. The wrath of kings is very much dreaded, especially of absolute monarchs, who have the possessions and lives of their subjects wholly in their power, to be disposed of at their mere will. Prov. 20:2. "The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: Whoso provoketh him to anger, sinneth against his own soul." The subject that very much enrages an arbitrary prince, is liable to suffer the most extreme torments that human art can invent, or human power can inflict. But the greatest earthly potentates in their greatest majesty and strength, and when clothed in their greatest terrors, are but feeble, despicable worms of the dust, in comparison of the great and almighty Creator and King of heaven and earth. It is but little that they can do, when most enraged, and when they have exerted the utmost of their fury.

All the kings of the earth, before God, are as grasshoppers; they are nothing, and less than nothing: both their love and their hatred is to be despised. The wrath of the great King of kings, is as much more terrible than theirs, as his majesty is greater. Luke 12:4,5. "And I say unto you, my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that, have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: fear him, which after he hath killed, hath power to cast into hell: yea, I say unto you, Fear him."

It is the fierceness of his wrath that you are exposed to. We often read of the fury of God; as in Isa. 59:18. "According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay fury to his adversaries." So Isa. 66:15. "For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire." And in many other places. So, Rev. 19:15, we read of "the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." The words are exceeding terrible. If it had only been said, "the wrath of God," the words would have implied that which is infinitely dreadful: but it is "the fierceness and wrath of God." The fury of God! the fierceness of Jehovah! Oh, how dreadful that must be! Who can utter or conceive what such expressions carry in them! But it is also "the fierceness and wrath of almighty God." As though there would be a very great manifestation of his almighty power in what the fierceness of his wrath should inflict, as though omnipotence should be as it were enraged, and exerted, as men are wont to exert their strength in the fierceness of their wrath. Oh! then, what will be the consequence! What will become of the poor worms that shall suffer it! Whose hands can be strong? And whose heart can endure? To what a dreadful, inexpressible, inconceivable depth of misery must the poor creature be sunk who shall be the subject of this!

Consider this, you that are here present, that yet remain in an unregenerate state. That God will execute the fierceness of his anger, implies, that he will inflict wrath without any pity. When God beholds the ineffable extremity of your case, and sees your torment to be so vastly disproportioned to your strength, and sees how your poor soul is crushed, and sinks down, as it were, into an infinite gloom; he will have no compassion upon you, he will not forbear the executions of his wrath, or in the least lighten his hand; there shall be no moderation or mercy, nor will God then at all stay his rough wind; he will have no regard to your welfare, nor be at all careful lest you should suffer too much in any other sense, than only that you shall not suffer beyond what strict justice requires. Nothing shall be withheld, because it is so hard for you to bear. Ezek. 8:18. "Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet I will not hear them."

Now God stands ready to pity you; this is a day of mercy; you may cry now with some encouragement of obtaining mercy. But when once the day of mercy is past, your most lamentable and dolorous cries and shrieks will be in vain; you will be wholly lost and thrown away of God, as to any regard to your welfare. God will have no other use to put you to, but to suffer misery; you shall be continued in being to no other end; for you will be a vessel of wrath fitted to destruction; and there will be no other use of this vessel, but to be filled full of wrath. God will be so far from pitying you when you cry to him, that it is said he will only "laugh and mock," Prov. 1:25,26, etc.

How awful are those words, Isa. 63:3, which are the words of the great God. "I will tread them in mine anger, and will trample them in my fury, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment." It is perhaps impossible to conceive of words that carry in them greater manifestations of these three things, viz. contempt, and hatred, and fierceness of indignation. If you cry to God to pity you, he will be so far from pitying you in your doleful case, or showing you the least regard or favour, that instead of that, he will only tread you under foot. And though he will know that you cannot bear the weight of omnipotence treading upon you, yet he will not regard that, but he will crush you under his feet without mercy; he will crush out your blood, and make it fly, and it shall be sprinkled on his garments, so as to stain all his raiment. He will not only hate you, but he will have you in the utmost contempt: no place shall be thought fit for you, but under his feet to be trodden down as the mire of the streets.

The misery you are exposed to is that which God will inflict to that end, that he might show what that wrath of Jehovah is. God hath had it on his heart to show to angels and men, both how excellent his love is, and also how terrible his wrath is.

Sometimes earthly kings have a mind to show how terrible their wrath is, by the extreme punishments they would execute on those that would provoke them. Nebuchadnezzar, that mighty and haughty monarch of the Chaldean empire, was willing to show his wrath when enraged with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; and accordingly gave orders that the burning fiery furnace should be heated seven times hotter than it was before; doubtless, it was raised to the utmost degree of fierceness that human art could raise it. But the great God is also willing to show his wrath, and magnify his awful majesty and mighty power in the extreme sufferings of his enemies. Rom. 9:22. "What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction?" And seeing this is his design, and what he has determined, even to show how terrible the unrestrained wrath, the fury and fierceness of Jehovah is, he will do it to effect. There will be something accomplished and brought to pass that will be dreadful with a witness. When the great and angry God hath risen up and executed his awful vengeance on the poor sinner, and the wretch is actually suffering the infinite weight and power of his indignation, then will God call upon the whole universe to behold that awful majesty and mighty power that is to be seen in it. Isa. 33:12-14. "And the people shall be as the burnings of lime, as thorns cut up shall they be burnt in the fire. Hear ye that are far off, what I have done; and ye that are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites," etc.

Thus it will be with you that are in an unconverted state, if you continue in it; the infinite might, and majesty, and terribleness of the omnipotent God shall be magnified upon you, in the ineffable strength of your torments. You shall be tormented in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and when you shall be in this state of suffering, the glorious inhabitants of heaven shall go forth and look on the awful spectacle, that they may see what the wrath and fierceness of the Almighty is; and when they have seen it, they will fall down and adore that great power and majesty. Isa. 66:23,24. "And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. And they shall go forth and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me; for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh."

It is everlasting wrath. It would be dreadful to suffer this fierceness and wrath of Almighty God one moment; but you must suffer it to all eternity. There will be no end to this exquisite horrible misery. When you look forward, you shall see a long for ever, a boundless duration before you, which will swallow up your thoughts, and amaze your soul; and you will absolutely despair of ever having any deliverance, any end, any mitigation, any rest at all. You will know certainly that you must wear out long ages, millions of millions of ages, in wrestling and conflicting with this almighty merciless vengeance; and then when you have so done, when so many ages have actually been spent by you in this manner, you will know that all is but a point to what remains. So that your punishment will indeed be infinite. Oh, who can express what the state of a soul in such circumstances is! All that we can possibly say about it, gives but a very feeble, faint representation of it; it is inexpressible and inconceivable: For "who knows the power of God's anger?"

How dreadful is the state of those that are daily and hourly in the danger of this great wrath and infinite misery! But this is the dismal case of every soul in this congregation that has not been born again, however moral and strict, sober and religious, they may otherwise be. Oh that you would consider it, whether you be young or old!

There is reason to think, that there are many in this congregation now hearing this discourse, that will actually be the subjects of this very misery to all eternity. We know not who they are, or in what seats they sit, or what thoughts they now have. It may be they are now at ease, and hear all these things without much disturbance, and are now flattering themselves that they are not the persons, promising themselves that they shall escape. If we knew that there was one person, and but one, in the whole congregation, that was to be the subject of this misery, what an awful thing would it be to think of! If we knew who it was, what an awful sight would it be to see such a person! How might all the rest of the congregation lift up a lamentable and bitter cry over him! But, alas! instead of one, how many is it likely will remember this discourse in hell? And it would be a wonder, if some that are now present should not be in hell in a very short time, even before this year is out. And it would be no wonder if some persons, that now sit here, in some seats of this meeting-house, in health, quiet and secure, should be there before tomorrow morning.

Those of you that finally continue in a natural condition, that shall keep out of hell longest will be there in a little time! your damnation does not slumber; it will come swiftly, and, in all probability, very suddenly upon many of you. You have reason to wonder that you are not already in hell. It is doubtless the case of some whom you have seen and known, that never deserved hell more than you, and that heretofore appeared as likely to have been now alive as you. Their case is past all hope; they are crying in extreme misery and perfect despair; but here you are in the land of the living and in the house of God, and have an opportunity to obtain salvation. What would not those poor damned hopeless souls give for one day's opportunity such as you now enjoy!

And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has thrown the door of mercy wide open, and stands in calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to him, and pressing into the kingdom of God. Many are daily coming from the east, west, north and south; many that were very lately in the same miserable condition that you are in, are now in a happy state, with their hearts filled with love to him who has loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. How awful is it to be left behind at such a day! To see so many others feasting, while you are pining and perishing! To see so many rejoicing and singing for joy of heart, while you have cause to mourn for sorrow of heart, and howl for vexation of spirit! How can you rest one moment in such a condition? Are not your souls as precious as the souls of the people at Suffield, where they are flocking from day to day to Christ?

Are there not many here who have lived long in the world, and are not to this day born again? and so are aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and have done nothing ever since they have lived, but treasure up wrath against the day of wrath? Oh, sirs, your case, in an especial manner, is extremely dangerous. Your guilt and hardness of heart is extremely great. Do you not see how generality persons of your years are passed over and left, in the present remarkable and wonderful dispensation of God's mercy? You had need to consider yourselves, and awake thoroughly out of sleep. You cannot bear the fierceness and wrath of the infinite God. --

And you, young men, and young women, will you neglect this precious season which you now enjoy, when so many others of your age are renouncing all youthful vanities, and flocking to Christ? You especially have now an extraordinary opportunity; but if you neglect it, it will soon be with you as with those persons who spent all the precious days of youth in sin, and are now come to such a dreadful pass in blindness and hardness. --

And you, children, who are unconverted, do not you know that you are going down to hell, to bear the dreadful wrath of that God, who is now angry with you every day and every night? Will you be content to be the children of the devil, when so many other children in the land are converted, and are become the holy and happy children of the King of kings?

And let every one that is yet out of Christ, and hanging over the pit of hell, whether they be old men and women, or middle aged, or young people, or little children, now hearken to the loud calls of God's word and providence. This acceptable year of the Lord, a day of such great favour to some, will doubtless be a day of as remarkable vengeance to others. Men's hearts harden, and their guilt increases apace at such a day as this, if they neglect their souls; and never was there so great danger of such persons being given up to hardness of heart and blindness of mind. God seems now to be hastily gathering in his elect in all parts of the land; and probably the greater part of adult persons that ever shall be saved, will be brought in now in a little time, and that it will be as it was on the great out-pouring of the Spirit upon the Jews in the apostles' days; the election will obtain, and the rest will be blinded.

If this should be the case with you, you will eternally curse this day, and will curse the day that ever you was born, to see such a season of the pouring out of God's Spirit, and will wish that you had died and gone to hell before you had seen it. Now undoubtedly it is, as it was in the days of John the Baptist, the axe is in an extraordinary manner laid at the root of the trees, that every tree which brings not forth good fruit, may be hewn down and cast into the fire.

Therefore, let every one that is out of Christ, now awake and fly from the wrath to come. The wrath of Almighty God is now undoubtedly hanging over a great part of this congregation. Let every one fly out of Sodom: "Haste and escape for your lives, look not behind you, escape to the mountain, lest you be consumed."

A Child of The King

Saturday, March 20, 2010

"The Shack" - Another Tool of Satan

Written as a Christian book, supposedly by a Christian, this book is blatant heresy.

But, of course, that doesn't stop "Christian" pastors and leaders from recommending, and even reading from, the book. It seems to be a hot item in many churches. It has had a long run on many best seller lists, including the #1 spot of 2008 on the Christian Book website. It seems to have everything necessary to lend itself to a major motion picture deal.

That, my friends, is a sign of the times.

Even though it is a riveting and clever novel, the author clearly threaded doctrine throughout the book. Unfortunately, it is not Christian doctrine, but another satanic deception designed to discredit Christianity and mislead people. It has had huge success at doing just that.

So, what's the problem with it? Well, let me count the ways.

It is sacrilege from its inception. Almighty God is presented as a large woman known as "Papa" who communicates to people through sending notes. God is never portrayed as a human being in scripture. The book has the Holy Spirit portrayed as a woman. Jesus is a Jewish carpenter who is the best way "to know God," but not the only way. According to the book, when Jesus died on the cross, so did God Almighty. This is heresy (patripassianism).

This is blasphemy ... for starters.

Of God the Father:
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man..." (Romans 1:21-23a)

Of the Holy Spirit:
"...whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— Mark 3:29

Of Jesus:
"...Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." John 14:9

The book manages to confuse the three Persons of the Trinity to the point of blasphemy and heresy, but also represents them as being 'a unity' with human beings, the theosophical belief of the New Age "all is one" belief.

Also thrown over the boat is sin - and the reality of punishment: eternal hell. I believe the author may be a universalist. The deceptions oppose every tenet of New Testament truth.

It is the almost complete lack of discernment in the Christian church, and the attendant lack of teaching of basic Christian doctrine, which has made it possible to so skillfully deceive people who call themselves Christian. This book is another example of Satan's counterfeit, but it will be Christian ministers and leaders that God will call to account, many of whom have endorsed this book.

This is apostasy, and the author is a heretic. This is evil.

Royal Heir

Friday, March 19, 2010

Bored With The Bible

If you are fortunate enough to go to a church that preaches and teaches directly from the Bible every Sunday, cherish it. A church like this is getting very difficult to find.

Oh, it's okay for a church to base the sermon or class on Bible principles, but you'd better come up with something fascinating and clever PDQ or people will not be happy. This is the age of the tickled ear, and entertainment. People will not stand still for stories of people thousands of years ago unless those ancients happen to have a video on YouTube and a Facebook account.

After all, numbers are the all-important measurement for most church 'campuses' (as they must now be called), and if that means down-playing God's Word, then so be it.

This reality characterizes modern Christianity Lite. It's the reason our culture has gone straight downhill and is on the road to hell. It is one of the most tragic, saddest and most dangerous truths about our society.

Not only do people not want to hear the Bible in church, but most don't read it at home. If you asked them the reason, most would be embarrassed to say they are bored with it. They will think of an answer that doesn't sound so, well ... truthful.

People in the 21st Century are completely self-absorbed. Rather than listening to what God has to say, they prefer something that will make them feel good - preferably an environment amenable to expression of their own views or one that entertains them. There is very little interest in learning God's Word, and less interest in obedience to it. What does interest them is telling what they believe - no matter how far off base and wrong it is when held up to the white light of the truth of the Word.

There is no desire to learn because that implies that they don't already know it all. It's debasing to the self image. It's hard on their self esteem. It implies that their personal beliefs and opinions don't matter. Therefore, they don't want someone teaching or preaching to them. They'd rather the church showed an interest in their own concerns and give them an opinion to express themselves. Group therapy.

Most of all, people do not want to be told they must be obedient. How often do you hear someone say, "Well, the god I believe in wouldn't (fill in the blanks)." That's precisely the problem. The god they believe in is not the God of the Bible.

Throughout biblical history the worship pattern has been very clear and consistent. The teacher read the scriptures clearly, and then explained its meaning to the people, who received it humbly. Often these preaching/teaching sessions lasted for hours; often the people stood to hear it. It was accepted that this was God's very word to humanity, and the people revered and listened to it in an attitude of worship and repentance.

The consequences of disregard or disobedience to God and his revealed Word are clearly stated and seen time after time throughout the history of man on earth. They are ignorance, disobedience, disaster and death.

The Bible is the primary means through which God communicates to us. To my knowledge, he has not asked for our vote in the matter.

"He who hath ears to hear, let him hear."



Royal Heir



Thursday, March 18, 2010

Earthquakes: God's Punishment

In January 2010 Haiti had a 7.0 earthquake. (See my blog, "Haiti, Voodo & Catholicism.")

Just recently Chile had an 8.8 earthquake, the fifth largest on record. The epicenter was in Concepcion, which is the largest community of Palestinians outside the Arab world, with a population of 4-500,000.

The largest earthquake ever recorded was in Chile in 1960. Its epicenter was near Valdivia - named after its founder, who founded Concepcion and Santiago. All of the aftershocks (over 100) have been in the heart of the Palestinian area, that area between Valdivia and Santiago.

Concepcion's 'twin city' is Bethlehem, where the Tomb of Rachel is located, recently named a Heritage Site by Netanyahu. The Palestinians have their knickers in a twist about this, even though Rachel and Leah were wives of Jacob, and all twelve tribes of Israel are the progeny of Jacob, his two wives and their two handmaidens. The Heritage Sites are the burial sites of the ancestors of the twelve tribes.

You don't need to read very deeply into the Old Testament before being struck by the fact that God uses weather-related means to bring punishment and justice to earth about 80% of the time.

Are Haiti and Chile worse than America? Or are we simply blind (as the Bible says will be the case)?

It might interest you to know that during a 24-hour period following both Presidents Bush and Clinton's application of pressure on Israel to trade land 'for peace' The U.S. experienced:

* the 10 costliest insurance events in US history
* the 12 costliest hurricanes in US history
* 3 of the 4 largest tornados in US history
* the 2 largest terrorism events in US history

....and scores of other events and catastrophes not listed above. These and much more are written about in William Koenig's book, "Eye to Eye - Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel," at http://www.watch.org/. I have read the book ($12) and highly recommend it.

These events are no coincidence. God makes it crystal clear all through scripture that He is actively involved in the affairs of Israel. He has declared Jerusalem His city.

The United States appears to be on a collision course with God over our relationship with Israel. While we say we are a friend of Israel we side with her enemies on every issue. The Bible makes it clear that the land shall not be divided.

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." Zechariah 12:9.

Read the book.

Royal Heir

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

We Can't Be Good

It is impossible for us to meet even the most minimal of God's goodness. The Bible says that the heart of man is continually evil. We may not think we're quite as bad as the next guy, but the measurement for eternal life isn't calculated by percentages. One iota of a lack of perfection misses the boat just as certainly as 100% misses it.

If we think there is any good in us, all that reflects is how adroitly we deceive ourselves. Not only are we not intrinsically good, but I am amazed at how many people labor under the idea that their good works will be their salvation. They need to read the account of the rich young ruler in Luke 18.

So, we were born sinful, and there's nothing we can do to correct it. Only God himself could correct it, and that was what Jesus came to earth to accomplish as the once-for-all-time blood sacrifice on the cross. That sacrifice was our ticket out of sin. As Christ himself said, there is only one way to heaven: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:5-7.

The next important thing to know is that, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8). Even when we believe that Jesus died for our sins, even that faith itself isn't initiated by us, but by God's grace. Even though we were born in God's likeness, the sin passed down from Adam was inherited by us. We are bound by sin, and helpless, but for Christ's sacrifice. It's all about God - not us.

Not only that, but Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” (John 6:44a). We can't even come to him unless he draws us toward himself. When our spirits feel him drawing us toward him it is dangerous to neglect to respond. There may not be another time, another opportunity. Every time the Holy Spirit tugs at us and we reject him, our hearts can grow a little harder. A time might come when it is too late to respond.

If we think we are good, or that our good works will 'get us into heaven,' or that anything at all that we do results in salvation, Satan chalks another one up under his column and has a good chuckle. We are an easy mark, and deceive ourselves. The Bible warns us not to resist the Spirit or to grieve the Spirit.

Salvation is simple enough for a child to understand. When we respond to the Holy Spirit in humility and a broken heart, and believe and rely on Christ's sacrifice for us, and follow him in thanksgiving and obedience, then we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. We are new people. The Holy Spirit resides in us and changes us from the inside out.

How can anyone say no to the offer of eternity?

A Child of The King