COCO GAUFF’S TESTIMONY OF FAITH

Posted on by

Tennis star Coco Gauff was captured in a moment of deep gratitude and reflection after securing her first major tournament victory at this year’s US Open. Following her triumph, Gauff, who has openly expressed her Chrisitan faith on multiple occasions, knelt down in prayer at her chair after having rushed into the stands to embrace her family and coaches. When ESPN’s Mary Jo Fernandez asked about her faith, Gauff said: “It’s been so important…I don’t pray for results, I just ask for the strength to give it my all, and whatever happens, happens. I’m so blessed in this life. So, I’m just thankful for this moment. I don’t have any words for it, to be honest.” Her victory over Aryna Sabalenka marked her as the first American teenager to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 1999.

Reflecting on her previous straight-sets loss in the 2022 French Open final, the 19-year-old added: “That French Open loss was a heartbreak. I realized God puts you through trials. This makes this moment even sweeter than I could imagine.” It’s known that Gauff attends the Saint John Missionary Baptist Church in Florida and has previously revealed that she prays with her dad before every match. She told the New York Times in 2019: “We don’t really pray for victory, just that me and my opponent stay safe.” She also frequently shares thoughts and Bible verses about her faith on her social media accounts.

We need more testimonies like this one from young people who demonstrate the value of living a life that acknowledges and thanks God for His many blessings.

AMBITION IS GOOD

Posted on by

BUT NOT SELFISH AMBITION

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Philippians 2:3

The notion of ambition often gets criticized—as if ambition is a bad thing. But ambition is nothing more than the desire to accomplish or achieve a goal via determination and often sacrifice. We could say that Jesus was ambitious in that He accomplished the work that the Father gave Him to do when He came into the world.

“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” John 17:4-5

We, like Jesus, just need to have the right goals.

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.: Philippians 3:13b-14

Worldly ambition is not God inspired it is inspired by Satan, pride, and jealousy.

“And the devil took him (Jesus) up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you, I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’“ Luke 4:5-8

We can aspire to be a leader but look at God’s requirements for being a leader. Note: It is good to desire noble tasks.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:7

Ambition is good if we desire the best gifts then God will reveal even a better way.

“But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:31

Ambition is good if for the best gifts, spiritual goals, the Gospel’s extension, and acceptance before God.

Ambition is evil if it leads to strife, sinful superiority, a pharisaical spirit, contention about gifts, and selfish ambition.

THE TECHNOCHASM AND BIBLICAL END-TIMES PROPHECIES

Posted on by

“But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12:4

This is just one of the amazing end-times prophecies given to Daniel. The 70 Weeks prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27) is the standout as it summarises Israel’s entire future including the last seven years before their Messiah returns to restore righteousness. Moreover, as I have posted here often, many of the end times prophecies are playing out in our day.

Considering the number of people flying here there and everywhere, and knowledge has increased in our day as never before, this prophecy given to Daniel about the time of the end is accurate and should increase our confidence that God’s Word is inspired by Him and He is in control of all events that happen in His world.

The speed with which new technology is changing our world is mind-blowing; Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, the Internet of Things to name a few. Also, godless debt-ridden governments are taking more control over people’s lives using Covid and climate change as reasons why they need this control. The WEF/UN great financial reset is next with digital money the only way transactions can be made. This is the first step to everybody being required to take the prophesied Mark of the Beast (Antichrist).

“Also, it (the Antichrist) causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.” Revelation 13:16-17

We are fast approaching the prophesied return of Jesus Christ (2000 prophecies). A time when Jesus will take His Saints to heaven before pouring out His wrath upon an unrepentant Earth.

Look at this video of Waymo’s fully driverless vehicles doing passenger trips in the suburbs outside Phoenix, Arizona. Evidence that we are in that time, Daniel prophesied 2600 + years ago. Fulfilled Bible prophecies and http://www.creation.com provided the proof I needed that what the Bible reveals about God and His World is true. What about you?

WHY THE PROGRESSIVE LEFT ALLOWED THE MORAL DESTRUCTION OF AMERICAN BLACK CULTURE

Posted on by

Great article by Kendall Qualls the leader of the organisation Take Charge whose Mission is to inspire and educate black and other minority communities of their full rights and privileges as Americans granted to them by the Constitution.

We desire to inspire them to take charge of their own lives, and the lives of their children and not to rely on government and politicians for redemption and prosperity. We do not apologize for embracing America or its history. We believe that a well-grounded knowledge of American and world history strengthens our diverse country.

Christian faith, two-parent families, and an education that teaches children about God, skills, and character are essential to being a successful and happy American citizen. You have not heard nor will you ever hear these important factors promoted by the NAACP, the Urban League, the Congressional Black Caucus, and Black Lives Matter. 

(Likewise, you will not hear it in Australia from the National Institute Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) The amount of money it spent, was $3.8 billion in 2021/2022 to improve the lot of Indigenous Australians and one has to wonder what was achieved.)

For 50 years now, these leftist groups and their allies have ushered in policies that were heavily promoted in black urban areas and then spread throughout the nation. These policies weakened, and then later destroyed, two-parent families, public school education, God-given social norms of behavior that were universally accepted, and the ability of young people to learn to be competitive in the workforce. This happened while many of these leaders, including blacks who considered themselves to be “progressive,” became wealthy at the expense of the people they were supposed to be serving. 

Maxine Waters, a congresswoman who represents one of the poorest districts in California,  for example, lives in a $6 million mansion outside the district she represents. Similar financial “miracles” have been replicated by other black “progressives,” most recently Patrisse Cullors, the co-founder of Black Lives Matter, who resigned to one of her mansions amid controversy over her organization’s finances — an investigation into which showed Black Lives Matter had raised $90 million.   

While black elected officials have increased steadily in numbers post-civil rights era, we have not seen that same level of success in the black community when it comes to academic performance, private sector expansion, and quality of life. (The same can be said in Australia, the number of Indigenous elected officials has increased, and their impact on the quality of life for the Indigenous community is not significant).

Jason Riley, a Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, noted that, between 1970 and 2010, the number of black elected officials nationwide increased from fewer than 1,500 to more than 10,000. The vast majority of those elected officials have been on the political left. During the same time period, the black community had transformed from overwhelmingly two-parent families to 37% living in broken homes, without one initiative to reverse the trend. 

Why is that the case? Because frankly, my dear, they don’t give a damn (I would add they have no fear of God). 

The left needs a dependent and ignorant population to perpetuate a false narrative of racial disparities, even though the disparities are generated by a culture of government dependency.

Black elected officials hold or have held seats of power in cities like Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, and, recently, the four largest cities in the U.S.: Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. 

They have also held seats of power in police departments and public school systems. One would think these cities would be the safest cities for black Americans, with children thriving in schools and with robust local economies. The opposite is true, however. Black Americans who have the financial ability to leave these dangerous communities with failing schools do so because they are unsafe, and corrupt and restrict parents from sending their children to better schools by blocking school choice options.

Some may suggest that the mismanagement of cities and schools is due to incompetence. I would agree that incompetence is part of the problem, but the real driver behind the 50-year deterioration of cities across the country is a deliberate progressive/socialist agenda of permanent political power and wealth. When it comes to the lack of economic progress in the black community, the violence we witness daily, and numerous failing schools, my reaction is: frankly, my dear, they just don’t give a damn.

Read what Jesus has to say about the world that will exist prior to His return. Those of us who hold to God’s values will be hated and even eventually be put to death. Thank goodness God has told us beforehand.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:9-13

Biblical prophecy also tells us that Jesus returns first to rescue His Saints but He also pours out His wrath upon an unrepentant world prior to returning to restore righteousness and reign for 1000 years with the resurrected Saints. This fallen world will experience Jesus and the Saints ruling the nations from Jerusalem. The nation God established for His purposes, Israel, will finally be the leading nation of the world which fulfills God’s covenants and many OT and NT prophecies. This is an essential transition period prior to this world’s destruction, the White Throne judgement, and finally a new heaven and new earth where only the righteous dwell.

GEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR WORLDWIDE FLOOD

Posted on by

The Bible teaches a worldwide Flood. It destroyed all people and land vertebrates off the Ark. Many creatures were buried quickly, forming fossils all around the world. But could the fossils be the result of local floods instead of a global Flood? In many cases, this is not possible because they are in rock layers covering huge areas—rocks clearly laid down catastrophically by water.

Sometimes they span whole continents and even across different continents around the world. Geologists use the term mega sequence for some of them (mega is Greek for ‘big’). If the layers are extremely wide, then whatever caused them must also have been extremely wide. Let’s see some examples from around the world.

One of the most famous natural wonders in the USA is the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona. It is 446 km (277 miles) long, over 1.6 km (1 mile) deep, and 6.4 km (4 miles) to 29 km (18 miles) wide. Standing on one rim and looking at the opposite wall, the layers of rock look like a giant stack of pancakes.

One of the easiest layers to spot is the almost-white Coconino Sandstone. From the other side, it looks thin (arrow, pictured below). But it is actually about 96 m (315 ft) thick. It is so wide that it covers 519,000 km² (200,000 square miles)—almost twice the size of Colorado! It contains 41,700 km³ (10,000 cubic miles) of sand.

Where did all this sand come from, and how did it get there? The sandstone has slanting lines, called crossbeds (‘fossil’ sand dunes). The slope is at a particular angle—the angle of a sand slope under water. The crossbeds are so large that deep flowing water, covering a vast area, must have formed them.

In my own city of Sydney, Australia there is another large formation. It is called the Hawkesbury Sandstone, or just Sydney Sandstone. The sandstone is quite hard and strong, and it was used for many of Sydney’s public buildings.

image for Building

The Sydney Sandstone is 350 km (220 miles) long, 250 km (150 miles) wide, and nearly 300 m (1,000 ft) thick in places. This also contains large crossbeds. One secular geologist said that the sandstone was deposited by huge waves of water mixed with sand. How big? 250 km (150 miles) wide—about the same as the sandstone deposit—and 20 m (66 ft) high, travelling about 100 km (60 miles) per hour. We don’t see them happening now. But the worldwide Flood of Noah’s day when God first poured out His wrath upon this earth explains them.

God tells us that in the last days before Jesus’ second coming to earth to rescue His Saints before pouring out His wrath on Earth once again, people will deny that the worldwide flood of Noah’s day that destroyed mankind (except 8 people) ever happened.

“You should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these, the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.” 2 Peter 3:2-6

People you need to accept God exists and you can know Him. He tells us we are without excuse. Look at the following Scripture: God tells us, we just need to look around us, take a look in any garden at the beautiful flowers.

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

Also, fulfilled Bible prophecies should be enough for you to believe that all the two thousand prophecies of Jesus second coming to earth will be fulfilled as well. You need to know that these Bible prophecies tell us that we are not too far from Jesus’ second coming and the second time God pours out His wrath upon an unrepentant lawless world.

I know that Jesus returns first to take believers in Him to heaven before God pours out His wrath upon the world. I will be one of those who is saved. What about you? If you want to know how to get saved then go to either of these two websites http://www.answersingenesis.com or http://www.creation.com.

THE SPIRIT OF A MAN IS THE LAMP OF THE LORD

Posted on by

“The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.” Proverbs 20:27

What an incredible truth. Our spirit is meant to be the lamp of the Lord. A lamp requires oil to function (period). It cannot function without oil. Likewise, our spirit cannot function as God intended without the Holy Spirit.

When Adam and Eve sinned and disobeyed God the Holy Spirit left each of their spirits and they could no longer function as the lamp of the Lord. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, God the Father sends the Holy Spirit to once again indwell our spirit and enables it to function once again as the lamp of the Lord.

We cannot function as a Christian without the Holy Spirit. He is the one who produces the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24

He is the one who provides the nine gifts to enable us to minister effectively for God.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

Remember the Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity make sure you do not grieve Him, nor quench His work in your life.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

“Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19

WHY PEOPLE REJECT GOD

Posted on by

The reason a young former pastor renounced his Christian faith and rejected God was because: “How could a loving God reject people who were sincere in whatever faith they held? Would He truly condemn them because they understood Him differently than those professing faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord?”

This young man’s issue was not the historical credibility of the resurrection of Jesus or the reliability of the Genesis narrative regarding the Fall of Man. Instead, he was offended by the idea that a God of mercy would not welcome into eternal life everyone who seemed to be earnest in whatever faith they have. Put simply, this former pastor decided to create a new god, one in his own image.

Former evangelical pastor Rob Bell turned from biblical faith several years ago by denying the reality of Hell. He like so many leaders of denominational churches believe the Bible teaches non-believers will be tormented for all eternity in the Lake of Fire and yet the Bible clearly teaches that after the White Throne judgement, there is a second death in the Lake of Fire.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Bell was right in believing eternity in Hell is hardly just, and is inconsistent with the nature of the God – Who is love. This belief cost him eternal life with his Creator.

My book on the Lake of Fire is available as an ebook on Amazon.

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (also see Revelation 2:11, 20:6, and 20:14)

In reading various “de-conversion” stories, accounts by and about people who have left their Christian faith, there is a persistent theme. It’s not about the reasonableness of Christianity, its intellectual coherence, or the credibility of its propositional claims. Rather, they come to a point where their dislike of certain doctrines or practices leads them to abandon their walk with Christ. They jettison their faith because it does not comport with their preferences. Or, put another way, the God of Scripture is not Who they want Him to be.

I often wonder if these people were been born again by the Holy Spirit. Jesus made it possible for God the Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell our Spirit to be our Counsellor, our Teacher, and our Comforter. Jesus said He will bring us into all truth if we let Him.

We need to know God is not like us. He cannot denigrate the purity of His character by acting as though our transgressions really aren’t a big deal. And that’s the sticking point: the eternal Triune God is not concerned with conforming to our expectations. His character is not malleable, and He is not accountable to us for what He does.

Consider the story of Job. God allows Job’s entire family to be murdered, his vast wealth stolen, and his health broken. Job calls out to God, demanding to know why He has permitted these things given that he, Job, has been so faithful to Him. God is uncompelled to justify Himself to Job. Instead, He says, “Will the faultfinder (Job) contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it” (Job 40:1).

Similarly, when Paul debates with an imaginary rhetorical opponent about God’s sovereignty and human free will, the apostle does not try to dissect something beyond man’s grasp. Instead, he affirms that “there is no injustice with God” and asks, “Who are you, o man, to answer back to God?” (Romans 9:14, 20).

But this same God is infinitely loving and desires no one to perish but all to come to repentance and faith in His Son (2 Peter 3:9). This is why He invites us into a relationship with Himself. In His great, undeserved kindness, God has revealed Himself to us. “His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made,” Paul asserts (Romans 1:20). His power, intelligence, and love are displayed in a world that is complex, ordered, and abundant. The heavens, “the work of His fingers,” declare His glory (Psalms 8:4, 19:1).

He has revealed Himself in our very natures, with the weight of moral duty “written on our hearts” (Romans 2:15) and eternity placed within them (Ecclesiastes 3:11). He has revealed His character and desires, His demands, and His offer of everlasting life, in the pages of text composed by numerous men over the course of many centuries. The Bible is His written revelation.

Most profoundly, He has revealed Himself in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Man and Son of God, sinless and righteous, Who took the penalty for sin we deserve as He died on the cross, and whose resurrection heralded His victory over sin, death, and the devil. Trusting in Him and Him alone for forgiveness, we receive life, eternal life, that He alone can give. Moreover, Jesus made it possible for us to receive the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit into our Spirit to enable us to live the Christian life.

This is news so grand that it invites adoration of the One offering it. It should create in us a longing to know and follow Him, not turn our backs on Him because He does not seek to appease our finite indignation about things we can’t grasp. Would you really want to serve a God so eager to be liked He debases His Majesty to plead for our approval?

“A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him,” wrote C.S. Lewis, “than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.” He is Who He is and invites us to know Him — and that’s the best news of all.

GOD IS THREE PERSONS: GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

Posted on by

The Rise of Christological Heresy by Simon Turpin on September 9, 2023

The most important question ever is who is Jesus Christ? Is he the eternal Son of God or just a created being like us? Well, a 2022 survey showed that professing Christians’ understanding of the Lord Jesus is slipping, as more than half held heretical views about him. According to the survey, only 54 percent agreed that “There is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.” An astonishing 73 percent agreed with the statement that “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God.” Given this belief, it is not surprising that 43 percent affirmed that “Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God.” False beliefs regarding the identity of Jesus are not new but have been condemned throughout church history as heresies, such as Sabellianism, Subordinationism, and Socinianism. Each of these heretical positions continues to this day but just under different names.

To understand the deity of Jesus, it is important to define what Christians believe about the doctrine of God, as many objectors to the deity of Jesus misunderstand what Christians believe about the triune nature of God. The biblical teaching on the nature of God (YHWH, יהוה) is that there is one true being of God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5) who exists eternally as three coequal and coeternal distinct persons: the Father (Isaiah 63:8; Philippians 1:2), the Son (Isaiah 63:9; John 1:1, 18), and the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 65:10, 14; Acts 5:3–4).3 This biblical truth is what Christians call the doctrine of the Trinity. All Christological heresies deny the doctrine of the Trinity.

The Apostle John opens his Gospel with the words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

John 1:1 teaches three things: (1) the Word is eternal; (2) the Word has had an eternal relationship with the Father; and (3) the Word, as to his nature, is deity. First, the Word has eternally existed (cf. John 1:15, 8:58, 17:5). The Word (logos) was (ēn) already there in the beginning, but not as something that came into being. This not only indicates the eternality of the Word but there is a pointed contrast between the Word (that precedes everything) and everything else that comes into existence. The Word was (John 1:1), but everything else became (ginomai) (John 1:3; cf. 1:6). In John 1:1–3, the Word’s preexistence and continuous being is contrasted against the “becoming” of all created things. Second, the Word has an eternal relationship with God (the Father, John 1:18). John describes the Word as being with (pros) God, which is a relational term showing that the person of the Word was with the person of God the Father (cf. John 6:46; 1 John 1:2). Third, the Word, as his nature, is deity. The Word is not only distinct from God (the Word was with God), but the Word is God (theos). John 1:1 clearly shows that the Word (Jesus) is personally distinct from another who is called God; he is not a different God but possesses the same nature as the one whom he is with—the Father (cf. John 5:18).

By describing Jesus as the “firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15), Paul is saying that he is the absolute ruler over all creation. In fact, in Colossians 1:16, Paul absolutely rules out the idea that Jesus is a created being because he presents Jesus as the Creator of the entire universe which exists by his creative power: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” The reason Jesus can create all things is because “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9). The Greek word for “deity,” theotēs, refers to “the state of being God.”12 The verb “dwells” (katoikeō) is in the present tense and suggests that the indwelling of the Son in bodily form is permanent (cf. John 1:14).

A passage Unitarians always quote to try to prove their point is John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Unitarians believe this shows that only the Father is God. However, Jesus does not say that only the Father is the true God, as he has already identified himself as divine (John 5:18, 8:58). Moreover, according to Jesus, to have eternal life is to know two persons: both the Father and Jesus (see John 14:6–7, 16:3). Knowledge of God cannot be separated from knowledge of Jesus, as knowing Jesus is the only way to know God (John 14:7). Jewish monotheism (unlike Unitarianism) could contain the idea that the Messiah was divine (Psalm 45:6, 110:1, 5; Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 23:6) and that together with the Creator, he could give life (see John 5:25–26). But when Unitarians bring up John 17:3, they often neglect to mention that two verses later Jesus says, “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed” (John 17:5). Jesus is speaking of the glory he shared with the Father before the world existed. The words “before the world existed” show that Jesus’ sonship did not begin at his baptism or resurrection (as many Unitarians believe) but is an eternal sonship (John 1:1, 8:58). John 17:3–5 is an example of a divine (John 1:1), yet incarnate (John 1:14) person—the Son—communicating with a divine, but non-incarnate person—the Father in heaven.

The name Jesus (YHWH is salvation) is theophoric (a name that bears God’s name). Unitarians often point out that there are many people in Scripture who have theophoric names, such as Isaiah (YHWH will save), Daniel (God is my judge), Joel (YHWH is God), and Nathanael (gift of God), but it doesn’t mean these individuals are God. This is true, but it is evident that Jesus’ name (YHWH is salvation) identifies him as God, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Matthew is telling us that Jesus is YHWH who saves. No one else in Scripture who has a theophoric name can save people from their sins—only Jesus can (cf. Matthew 8:25). Jesus is the only one who can save his people because as God-incarnate, he gave his perfect life as a ransom for sinners on the cross (Matthew 20:28). Matthew also identifies Jesus as “God with us” (Matthew 1:23; cf. Isaiah 7:14). New Testament scholar Craig Keener notes, “In view of Matthew 18:20 and 28:20, Matthew clearly understands ‘God with us’ in Isaiah 7:14 to mean that Jesus is truly God.”

The only way for churches to avoid these heresies is by emphasizing sound doctrine (such as the deity of Christ) in their teaching and preaching.

“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Titus 1:7-9

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” Titus 2:1

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13

PROPHESIED END TIMES SIGNS BEING FULFILLED

Posted on by

“There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” Luke 21:11

“There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.” Mark 13:8

“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” Matthew 24:7

It took only moments for residents and tourists in Morocco’s fourth largest city to realise the cause of their discomfort: the country had been struck by the largest earthquake in its history, registering 6.8 to 7.2 magnitude. By Saturday afternoon it was feared to have killed at least 1,037 people and injured more than 1,200. Now the death toll has soared to 2000.

The minaret of a mosque stands behind damaged or destroyed houses following the earthquake in Moulay Brahim, Al-Haouz province. Picture: AFP

Its epicentre lay just over 64 kilometres to the southwest, near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz province, in a remote spot in the High Atlas mountains.

The most serious damage in Marrakesh was to the Medina, the Unesco-listed old city. Many of the low-rise buildings that line its narrow, maze-like streets quickly collapsed, sending the people inside – large numbers of them tourists – fleeing into the streets. The city’s more modern buildings, including large hotels, appeared to have held up better.

Residents and visitors alike gathered in Jemaa el-Fna, an expansive triangular 14th-century space surrounded by market stands, restaurants, and public buildings. Popular with tourists, it is normally filled with street entertainers, market stalls, and snake charmers. Many spent the night camped out there, lying down either in sleeping bags or just the clothes they were wearing, their suitcases, and other belongings close by them. As dawn broke, many returned to their homes to see what, if anything, could be salvaged.

THE REAL ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE WORLD AND MANKIND

Posted on by

Part of this real history is the bad news that the rebellion of the first man, Adam, against God’s command, brought death, suffering, and separation from God into this world. We see the results all around us. All of Adam’s descendants are sinful from conception (Psalm 51:5) and have themselves entered into this rebellion (sin). They, therefore, cannot live with a holy God but are condemned to separation from God. The Bible says that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and that all are therefore subject to “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

 The good news is that God has done something about it. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus Christ the Creator, God the Son, though totally sinless, took on human nature, so He could become our Redeemer. Then He suffered, on behalf of mankind, the penalty of mankind’s sin, which is death and separation from God. He did this to satisfy the righteous demands of the holiness and justice of God, His Father. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice; He died on a cross, but on the third day, He rose again, conquering death, so that all who truly believe in Him, repent (repentance = a change of mind) of their sin and trust in Him (rather than their own merit), are able to come back to God and live for eternity with their Creator.

Sadly, the world no longer takes the Bible as God’s Word divinely inspired by its Creator. Despite the overwhelming evidence of a worldwide flood: billions of dead things were buried quickly all over the world including abundant fossil fuels formed from buried vegetation, we do not want to believe there is a God to whom we are responsible for our actions. A god who judged the world just 4,000 years ago with the worldwide flood of Noah’s day. Look at the following two prophetic Scriptures written over two thousand years ago telling us that what we see happening in the world today will happen.

“You should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming?… For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these, the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.” 2 Peter 3:2-3,5-6

“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.” Jude 1:17-19

Jesus came to earth, two thousand years ago, to redeem us and there were 300-plus prophecies to warn the religious leaders of the day but they missed it. Likewise, there are almost 2000 Biblical prophecies about Jesus’ soon second coming to earth and many of the religious leaders of our day are missing it. Jesus is coming to take believers to heaven for a period whilst God pours out His wrath a second time on an unrepentant world. The end times Biblical prophecies are already playing out in our day and we are not too far off the prophesied last seven years of this age. The Bible gives us a lot of information about the events that will occur during those last seven years. Make sure you take advantage of God’s offer of redemption in Jesus Christ and avoid the coming wrath of God.

“When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” 2 Thessalonians 1:6b-8

“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:12-17