An audio lesson.
Seeing both the temporal and eternal destiny of the Kingdom of God.
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The Kingdom of God: Forecast, It Comes, and Eternity
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Monthly Archives: May 2020
Covid-19 and We Will All Die
Remember? The terrible winter of 2017-18?
The sheer terror of every moment? The anticipation that you might catch it next? That someone might die? That someone you know might die? Do you remember the gripping terror of every moment in the winter of 2017 to 2018? You don’t? You don’t remember the 2017-2018 winter being horrible? You don’t! Well, the CDC says that 80,000 people died of the flu in the winter of 2017 to 2018. 80,000! (AP interview with Dr. Robert Redfield of the CDC, September 26, 2018, https://apnews.com/818b5360eb7d472480ebde13da5c72b5.) Redfield is current head of the CDC.
Why didn’t you think it was so bad in the winter of 2017-18?
The answer is, you didn’t have the media pumping it up! You didn’t see constant reminders of hospital death’s. You didn’t see your favorite news or weather reporters crouching in fear, and broadcasting from home in horror of possibly catching the virus and … dying! Did you?
Notice that almost all of their models, their projections, have been wrong! Originally they said 2.2 million Americans would die. But it isn’t going to happen. They emptied the hospitals so that they could care for the dying Covid-19 patients … and the hospitals stayed empty. Trump sent a hospital ship to NY, and built two new hospitals in Central Park, and they stayed empty. NY said they needed 30,000 ventilators. Trump said he could only send 5,000. The press said that was outrageous. But it ended up NY sent away some ventilators! https://www.theblaze.com/news/new-york-giving-away-ventilators. It is a new media lie everyday. You have already forgotten the old lie, because the new false projection is scaring the wits out of you! Assuming that the originators made honest mistakes, we still should NOT be listening to their models, with this record of failures. The media and the politicians are NOT experts, and the “experts” have been consistently sold us bad models!
Now Some Question These Projections Entirely
According to a Washington Post article, Dr Birx said, “There is nothing from the CDC that I can trust.” She said that they were exaggerating Covid-19 deaths by as much as 25%. https://ussanews.com/News1/2020/05/12/dr-birx-claims-the-cdc-inflated-covid-19-death-tolls-by-25/.
I have heard before that competent authorities questioned the CDC’s estimates on for instance, flu deaths. These are after all, statistical extrapolations. No one is really in a position to do a real head count. But you says, someone might die! And that is right! So, let’s take some CDC figures at face value.
The CDC says 2,813,503 died in 2017.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm. These are deaths from all causes. This means about 234,458 people died every month. Well this says that someone will die, does die, every year. Nearly three million of them in America, each year. And most who die are elderly with serious underlying conditions! Who would have guessed? They have heart problems, they have diabetes or they are very overweight or have severe breathing problems, and so on. Your author is part of this group. Might your author die from COVID-19? Yes! Should we shut down the world because you author might die? I don’t think so. So what is the root of our problem?
Sin came into this world from the wrongs of our ancestors.
The truth is, we will ALL die. Coronavirus or not.
“12 Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned. … 14 Nevertheless death reigned … even over those whose sins weren’t like Adam’s disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.”
Rom 5:12, 14
Yes we use medicines and treatments to try hinder and delay death, rightfully so, even in Scripture. Your author probably would not be alive today, and might have even died in childhood, without modern medicine. But in the end even that cannot undo death.
Prophecy says only Jesus can do that!
“25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.”
1Cor 15:25-26
That is a prophecy. And it hasn’t happened yet. And it does matter!
There are other posts on the Coronavirus. Search at the top.
Scriptures are from the World English Bible (WEB), a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901
The Book of Hebrews Identifies a Type
An audio lesson.
Seeing how the author of Hebrews uses logic and reason to identify a type from the Old Testament.
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Keys to Prophecy: The World System is in the power of Satan.
Satan is a creature, a creation.
Perhaps one of the most powerful creatures ever made, but still merely a creature, as you and I also are. God made through Jesus everything.
“For
by him were all
things created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and
things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or
powers; all things have been created through him, and for
him.”
Col 1:16 WEB
Satan, like us, was created good.
In fact, Scripture says,
“God
saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very
good. …”
Gen 1:31 WEB
But Satan, again just like us, corrupted his way. He was originally evidently one the living creatures who hovered over the throne of God Himself in heaven, Ezekiel 28. There the king of Tyre is used as a “type,” symbolic of Satan, and it describes him as a beautiful and powerful creature. In Isaiah chapter 14 the king of Babylon seems to be used as a “type,” symbolic, of Satan. It says he aspired to be higher than God, and was cast out of heaven. Isa 14:13-14.
Satan began the revolt, but drew others into this revolt. Rev 12:4 says that he drew one-third of the angels of heaven into his revolt, and was at last thrown down out of heaven, Rev 12:7-10. Also yes, the human race was also drawn into, seduced into, this revolt.
Satan is ALLOWED certain power
and rule in this
universe, for a short while.
He is called “the god of this world,” 2Cor 4:4 WEB. He is allowed certain power to tempt and to try us, to see what we are. He is called “the accuser of our brothers,” Rev 12:10 WEB. He can offer some rewards to his servants, and with these things he attempted to seduce Jesus the Christ.
“5
The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the
kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The devil said to him,
“I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has
been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want. 7 If you
therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.””
Lk
4:5-7 WEB
Jesus corrects Satan when he is wrong, but does not correct this.
“the whole world lies in the
power of
the evil one.” 1Jn 5:19
Indeed, we have ALL fallen under these powers.
“However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.”
Gal 4:8 WEB
We once walked by Satan’s dictates, and sometimes still do. So we are warned to not desire the fruits of a corrupted world that is passing away, 1Jn 2:15-17.
God is willing to protect us.
“ … who
will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, …”
1Cor
10:13 WEB
The problem is how to come to
our senses, and
escape the devil’s snare, 2Tim 2:26
Jesus is that answer, to redeem ourselves in His blood.
WEB
is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the
original ASV American Standard Version 1901
But That’s Just Figurative, How Can We Believe It?
An audio lesson.
Answering the objections to figurative language in Scripture.
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Keys to Prophecy: The Third Most Powerful Institution on Earth
Civil Government
Civil Government is, like these other institutions, the church and the family, established by God Himself, for our good.
“1
Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there
is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained
by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the
ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to
themselves judgment. … 4 for he is a servant of God to you for
good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t
bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for
wrath to him who does evil.”
Rom 13:1-2, 4, WEB
The foundation of Civil
Government is in the death
penalty that was established in the
Noahic law,
with all of our ancestors.
Before the flood, there was no organized punishment of evil doers. This resulted in world-wide anarchy and violence and abuse of others. It was so bad that in a mere 1600 or so years, God decided to destroy mankind and the animals and start all over again.
The punishment of evil doers in th law given to Noah and his descendants (us) is centered around preserving human life.
“Whoever
sheds man’s blood, by man will his blood be shed, for in the image
of God made he man.”
Gen 9:6 WEB
And so is its emphasis even to this day. This is a corporate responsibility of all of mankind. Organization and financing is not dictated, and many systems within this framework have been tried by men.
Government’s basic charter is one of defending the innocent
and punishing the guilty.
“For rulers are not a terror to the good
work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the
authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the
same,”
Rom 13:3 WEB
Later this mandate was hedged
by
dividing the nations.
In this way, never was this power of the sword concentrated into the hands of any single institution. If one nation became evil, and wanted to maliciously use others, other nations would exist to bring that abuse of power to an end, and protect their own people.
The central mandate of
punishing evil
is hard to completely subvert.
Even at their worst, governments still tend to maintain order and prevent much looting and violence. Even at its worst it tends to retard violence and abuse.
Even a crooked sheriffs department tends punish much crime, and the system is such that, if the civil authorities are wicked, it tends to invite their punishment. These are strong institutions.
So criminals and corporations tend to try to subvert,
not do away with, the civil authorities.
“The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
Rev 17:18 WEB
Subversion, not elimination, is the constant strategy of the wicked, against these powers which were for sure, established for our good, and they do, generally, retard the spread of wickedness.
This also is from God.
WEB
is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the
original ASV American Standard Version 1901
Keys to Prophecy: The Second Most Powerful Institution on Earth
The second most powerful institution here on earth is also one that few realize, but it is real and very powerful. The true power politicians here on earth do realize these things, and try to deal with it, or subvert that power.
It is the family.
This is the institution that brings forth the people of the earth, nurtures and protects them when they are small and unlearned and vulnerable, and the teaches the foundational information upon which all other development and learning rests.
It is with the family that the responsibility for education rests. Not with Nero, not with the commune, not with the schools (although the family may at times use some schools). The parents naturally have a close biological / genetic relationship with the children, and very naturally have close bonds of love for the children. The parents clearly perceive the wonder and majesty of the little ones who came from themselves, and who are so much like themselves. Unless we are terribly marred by sin, these are instinctive and natural reactions.
These things are built into our DNA, and are hard to frustrate.
It is the family that forms
the
building blocks of society.
If these blocks are well formed and trained and educated, society can build on these things to form good and healthy societies. If they are married, so is all of human life in a society.
Why then is this power not
realized
in this world?
Answer One: It is so diffused and scattered all over the world it is hardly noticed. As individual units, no one of them is normally very powerful, and this overwhelming power often goes unnoticed. However, families have a staggering impact on society and history, power that it is not easy to minimize and derail.
Answer Two: Some do realize these things, and lust after that power, but it is hard to capture. These are mighty, and politically savvy entities, like the Mystery of Lawlessness, or Mystery Babylon the Great, who wish to reform the world away from a Righteous, Good and Loving God, to something they can more easily hijack and control for their own profit and power.
There are Some Major Strategies Used to Try to Grab Some of
the Family’s Power and Influence.
1. Persuade people that these family things are not really that important. If possible get both men and women to simply abandon these responsibilities and seek what is supposedly better or more pleasurable things.
2. Destabilize the family so that it just drops some of this tremendous power and influence. If husbands or wives can be talked into dropping some of this power, and if some of the crumbs can be picked up by Nero or large corporations, it often results in these entities having tremendous increases in power.
3. Offer substitutes like communes. They have been tried continually throughout the Christian Age. They are always sold as better, fairer, ways to organize society. Communes always fail. The family foundation for society is built into our genes, and our very nature.
The Family is a Powerful
Natural Barrier to Malicious
Exploitation of the Human Race.
This is from God.
WEB
is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the
original ASV American Standard Version 1901
Keys to Prophecy: The Most Powerful Institution on Earth
Now you and I are entering a section of inferred evaluations of our situation here on earth.
Regardless of the opinions of many, God clearly prophesied in Daniel 2 that in the days of the Roman Empire that,
“In
the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom
which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty of it be
left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all
these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
Dan 2:44 WEB
That was a clear prophecy, which is also repeated in Daniel chapter 9, giving more details of the timing of these thing, all of which is dealt with in more detail in Prophecy Principles.
Then at the very right time both John the Baptist and Jesus came saying “the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Mtt 3:2 WEB and many other verses. Lastly Jesus told his disciples that the kingdom would come with power before some of them died, Mk 9:1, etc.
Incredibly, some very
conservative Bible believers
teach that the Father and the Son
blew it, just
didn’t foresee what would happen, and
that
these prophecies FAILED!
That is foolish, and ignores the clear testimony of the kingdom being in existence (Col 1:13, etc), and that Jesus is now the ruler of the kings on earth (Rev 1:13), and that He has now ALL authority in heaven and on earth, Mtt 28:18.
What authority supports the
Christian?
ALL authority.
It is true that we are counted as only sheep to be slaughtered (Psa 44:22, Rom 8:36), but in all of these thing we are MORE than conquerers (Rom 8:37), and in this same section it names many of the many things which cannot overcome us in Christ (Rom 8:35-39).
The church is the most
powerful institution
in the entire world.
It seems small and fragile and about to pass away, but it will never pass away, and will in the end overcome ALL of its adversaries. The prayers of the saints ascend to God in heaven, and at the end of the day, judgment is poured out on God’s enemies, and the saints are still around (compare for instance Rev 5:8, 16:1, etc.)
Many may gather against God’s people
“15
Behold, they may gather together, but not by me: whoever shall gather
together against you shall fall because of you. 16 Behold, I have
created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and brings forth a
weapon for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 17 No
weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue
that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is
the heritage of the servants of Yahweh, and their righteousness which
is of me, says Yahweh.”
Isa 54:15-17 WEB
The most powerful institution on earth is the church/kingdom of the saints. It has the full power of God behind it. This is no exaggeration, and the Satanic enemies of the church fully realize these things, and try to seduce it from trusting in Jesus the Christ. Also clearly, this power is often unrealized, even among Christians.
WEB
is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the
original ASV American Standard Version 1901
Keys to Prophecy: God’s Choices Overrule
An old saying is, Man proposes, God disposes. Or again, Duty is ours, outcomes are God’s. There is a great deal of truth in both of these sayings. Paul puts it well.
“Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
1Cor 1:25 WEB
David was very aware of God’s
overruling
power.
He says of God’s oversight of our world,
“2 You know my sitting down and my rising up.
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.”
Psa 139:2-4 WEB
And he speaks of God overruling what we might want/wish/will to do.
“5
You hem me in behind and before.
You laid your hand on me.
6 This knowledge is beyond me.
It’s lofty.
I can’t
attain it. ”
Psa 139:5-6 WEB
“Your
eyes saw my body.
In your book they were all written,
The
days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there were none of
them. ”
Psa 139:16 WEB
These things do NOT indicate we have no choices.
Rather that God can and does often overrule us. We might choose one thing, and God can make our desire to be fulflled or futile, and might cause other things.
“I
will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place;
and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their
enemies, … ”
Jer 19:7 WEB
Yes, we can cause things, and so can God. God’s choices are more all encompassing. They have greater depth and effect. Anyway you take it, God can make choices beyond what you and I can choose. There is no possibility of outthinking Him.
“There
is no wisdom nor understanding
Nor counsel against
Yahweh.”
Prov 21:30 WEB
“or
Yahweh of Hosts has purposed, and who shall annul it? and his hand is
stretched out, and who shall turn it back?”
Isa 14:27 WEB
So man has much freedom, but not unlimited freedom.
Man has choices, but not unlimited choices, as really we all already know. Man has power and powers, but not unlimited power, and we can be and often are overruled at many points.
So we are warned.
“13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.” … 15 For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.” 16 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil.”
Jas 4:13, 15-16 WEB
Instead of being determined to push our will on God, we should rather pray as Jesus Himself prayed.
“saying,
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless,
not my will, but yours, be done.””
Lk 22:42 WEB
WEB
is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the
original ASV American Standard Version 1901