In the NEWS!
Why the United States Is Destroying Its Education System.
By Chris Hedges
A nation that destroys its systems of education, degrades its public information, guts its public libraries and turns its airwaves into vehicles for cheap, mindless amusement becomes deaf, dumb and blind. It prizes test scores above critical thinking and literacy. It celebrates rote vocational training and the singular, amoral skill of making money. It churns out stunted human products, lacking the capacity and vocabulary to challenge the assumptions and structures of the corporate state. It funnels them into a caste system of drones and systems managers. It transforms a democratic state into a feudal system of corporate masters and serfs.
Teachers, their unions under attack, are becoming as replaceable as minimum-wage employees at Burger King. We spurn real teachers—those with the capacity to inspire children to think, those who help the young discover their gifts and potential—and replace them with instructors who teach to narrow, standardized tests. These instructors obey. They teach children to obey. And that is the point. The No Child Left Behind program, modeled on the “Texas Miracle,” is a fraud. It worked no better than our deregulated financial system. But when you shut out debate these dead ideas are self-perpetuating.
Passing bubble tests celebrates and rewards a peculiar form of analytical intelligence. This kind of intelligence is prized by money managers and corporations. They don’t want employees to ask uncomfortable questions or examine existing structures and assumptions. They want them to serve the system. These tests produce men and women who are just literate and numerate enough to perform basic functions and service jobs. The tests elevate those with the financial means to prepare for them. They reward those who obey the rules, memorize the formulas and pay deference to authority. Rebels, artists, independent thinkers, eccentrics and iconoclasts—those who march to the beat of their own drum—are weeded out
Saturday, June 8, 2013
The Next Great Event!
The Next Great Event! by Pastor Stephen Benton
(edited reprint from The Weekly Word 2.9.1997)**
The next great event on God's calendar is the rapture of the Church. That is the day when the dead in Christ will be raised from the dead and those who are alive will be literally changed from mortal to immortal. That day will happen next year (2017) If you have not yet met Jesus and do not know that he died for your sins; that he received the full wrath of God on your behalf; that he went to hell for you and was resurrected from the dead in order that you might live also, you can meet Jesus today and escape the awful judgments that are about to come on this evil world. Jesus Christ, and no one else, can deliver you from this earth and the catastrophies to come! (Remember in Luke 21:8 Jesus warns that "many shall come saying "I am Christ and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.")
Jesus came from God for the express purpose of saving sinners who believe on him. Anyone who will confess his or her sin and then turn away from those sins, God has promised that he will abundantly pardon that individual and forgive his sins. Not only will he forgive your sins but he will remove them. He will also take you to heaven to be with him forever and reckon you as his sons, exactly like Jesus. That's the good news of salvation. If you would like to discuss this wonderful opportunity further, I will be happy to sit down with you after church this morning and answer any questions you might have. There is no obligation and no strings attached. Pointing you to the way of eternal life is my job so take advantage of it today or just make an appointment with me and I will gladly come to your house to discuss this serious matter.
We are back in the Book of Revelation. In my opening comments last Sunday I mentioned that this is the only book in the bible that invokes a blessing on those who read, hear, and keep those things which are written in this book. On the other hand, this is the one book that seems to create just the opposite response in those who know of its existence. So many are afraid of the contents of Revelation. I'll admit, there are some scary things in this book but instead of avoiding its contents, one should thank God for giving us advance notice of these things and alerting us to what is going to happen in order that we might escape these terrible judgments.
There are many events that occur on this earth that are somewhat random as far as those who are affected by them are concerned. Jesus made reference to a couple of events in his day which resulted in the deaths of individuals. One of those events was the fall of the tower of Siloam.
"Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?" Lk 13:4
There were casualties from that accident who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jesus pointed out that the men destroyed in that event were no more deserving of death than anyone else. But understand, the judgments that are about to fall will not be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. These will be situations where God is deliberately targeting his wrath against those who have rejected his grace and salvation.
I was once under the impression that Israel would be spared from God's wrath when it is poured out in the last days but the scriptures make it very plain that those who are part of the nation of Israel who have not believed the promises of God will also be destroyed in that day. Logic then should dictate that if God will not spare those of that nation whom he has chosen above all of the nations of the earth, what chance does the unbelieving Gentile have? In fact, it is becoming increasingly apparent that only a small handful of Jews, called a remnant in scripture, will be saved in the end.
Some time ago, I did a study on the survivors of the holocaust. I do not recall all of the details anymore but I clearly remember that, in many cases, too many to be ignored, the number of surviving Jews from various countries averaged around 5% of the jewish population of those affected nations. Put another way, in the next holocaust to come, we can expect the death rate to exceed 90% of the population of those dwelling in Israel. The scriptures confirm those numbers:
"Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." And as Esaias said before: "except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha."
Israel's stumbling block was Jesus Christ. They could not be saved because they rejected the only Messiah given to them from God. They also were without excuse in their rejection because the person of the Messiah was clearly set forth In the writings and prophecies of their own prophets. All they had to do was consult the prophetic writings and compare the acts and teachings of Jesus against their own documents. Instead, they willfully closed their eyes and stopped their ears and would not receive him who came to them from God. If Israel expects to be saved in the future and if she expects deliverance from the antichrist, she must come fact to face with Jesus and acknowledge him as her Messiah and her Savior!
Israel's future salvation will come when she lays aside her confidence in her own ability to keep the law of Moses and accepts the righteousness of Christ and the full assurance that he himself fulfilled the law of Moses and will save anyone to the uttermost who comes to God through him and him alone. That is what the balance of Romans 9 is saying:
"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hat not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a Stumblingstone and Rock of Offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." Ro. 9:31-33.
Now let's take a more specific look at Israel's predicament in these last days in order that we might have a greater appreciation for the mind-boggling salvation of God which he will accomplish in Israel's future.
Before we go there, please consider these important words. The promises and judgments of God concerning Israel are astronomical in their depth and width. Real faith in God's word comes from understanding those situations created by God that appear nearly impossible to accomplish. God officially declared Israel as "not his people" and Himself as "not their God." He also determined that they have not received mercy. We will look at those scriptures in Hosea today. But He also stated that in the same place where He separated Himself from them, there He would also rejoin Himself to them again. We can never appreciate God's control over evens, nations, people and details unless we understand these scriptures.
He also promised that the throne of David would abide forever. I have had it with bible scholars who take the easy route for God as they identify his fulfillment of difficult promises. I know that Messiah will rule on the throne of David forever but that is not the fulfillment of the perpetual kingdom spoken of by God. Many scholars are under the impression that the dynasty of David came to an end at the time of the Babylonian captivity and will be re-started again when Jesus comes back to earth. I will show you, God willing, that the throne of David has never ceased to exist since its inception and that there has not been a day when a man (or woman) of the lineage of David has not sat on the throne of the House of David somewhere on the face of this earth. God keeps His word to the jot and tittle and I pray that God allows me to communicate that truth to you this morning.
We will continue our study in Revelation this morning with the sealing of the 144,000. The message today has one great objective: God knows where each tribe is today and he has not lost one individual of those whom he has scattered.
This should be of great assurance to you and I in letting us know that God is mindful of each one of us as individuals and he will not lose a single seed!
* *all of the subjects that the pastor promised to talk about in the "morning service" mentioned in this article back in 1997, are addressed in recent posts and videos on this Google+ page. We invite you to peruse the page: "God's Final Message to His Church" to find them. God has continued to update this prophet with this message to this present time.
(edited reprint from The Weekly Word 2.9.1997)**
The next great event on God's calendar is the rapture of the Church. That is the day when the dead in Christ will be raised from the dead and those who are alive will be literally changed from mortal to immortal. That day will happen next year (2017) If you have not yet met Jesus and do not know that he died for your sins; that he received the full wrath of God on your behalf; that he went to hell for you and was resurrected from the dead in order that you might live also, you can meet Jesus today and escape the awful judgments that are about to come on this evil world. Jesus Christ, and no one else, can deliver you from this earth and the catastrophies to come! (Remember in Luke 21:8 Jesus warns that "many shall come saying "I am Christ and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.")
Jesus came from God for the express purpose of saving sinners who believe on him. Anyone who will confess his or her sin and then turn away from those sins, God has promised that he will abundantly pardon that individual and forgive his sins. Not only will he forgive your sins but he will remove them. He will also take you to heaven to be with him forever and reckon you as his sons, exactly like Jesus. That's the good news of salvation. If you would like to discuss this wonderful opportunity further, I will be happy to sit down with you after church this morning and answer any questions you might have. There is no obligation and no strings attached. Pointing you to the way of eternal life is my job so take advantage of it today or just make an appointment with me and I will gladly come to your house to discuss this serious matter.
We are back in the Book of Revelation. In my opening comments last Sunday I mentioned that this is the only book in the bible that invokes a blessing on those who read, hear, and keep those things which are written in this book. On the other hand, this is the one book that seems to create just the opposite response in those who know of its existence. So many are afraid of the contents of Revelation. I'll admit, there are some scary things in this book but instead of avoiding its contents, one should thank God for giving us advance notice of these things and alerting us to what is going to happen in order that we might escape these terrible judgments.
There are many events that occur on this earth that are somewhat random as far as those who are affected by them are concerned. Jesus made reference to a couple of events in his day which resulted in the deaths of individuals. One of those events was the fall of the tower of Siloam.
"Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?" Lk 13:4
There were casualties from that accident who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jesus pointed out that the men destroyed in that event were no more deserving of death than anyone else. But understand, the judgments that are about to fall will not be a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. These will be situations where God is deliberately targeting his wrath against those who have rejected his grace and salvation.
I was once under the impression that Israel would be spared from God's wrath when it is poured out in the last days but the scriptures make it very plain that those who are part of the nation of Israel who have not believed the promises of God will also be destroyed in that day. Logic then should dictate that if God will not spare those of that nation whom he has chosen above all of the nations of the earth, what chance does the unbelieving Gentile have? In fact, it is becoming increasingly apparent that only a small handful of Jews, called a remnant in scripture, will be saved in the end.
Some time ago, I did a study on the survivors of the holocaust. I do not recall all of the details anymore but I clearly remember that, in many cases, too many to be ignored, the number of surviving Jews from various countries averaged around 5% of the jewish population of those affected nations. Put another way, in the next holocaust to come, we can expect the death rate to exceed 90% of the population of those dwelling in Israel. The scriptures confirm those numbers:
"Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." And as Esaias said before: "except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha."
Israel's stumbling block was Jesus Christ. They could not be saved because they rejected the only Messiah given to them from God. They also were without excuse in their rejection because the person of the Messiah was clearly set forth In the writings and prophecies of their own prophets. All they had to do was consult the prophetic writings and compare the acts and teachings of Jesus against their own documents. Instead, they willfully closed their eyes and stopped their ears and would not receive him who came to them from God. If Israel expects to be saved in the future and if she expects deliverance from the antichrist, she must come fact to face with Jesus and acknowledge him as her Messiah and her Savior!
Israel's future salvation will come when she lays aside her confidence in her own ability to keep the law of Moses and accepts the righteousness of Christ and the full assurance that he himself fulfilled the law of Moses and will save anyone to the uttermost who comes to God through him and him alone. That is what the balance of Romans 9 is saying:
"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hat not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a Stumblingstone and Rock of Offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." Ro. 9:31-33.
Now let's take a more specific look at Israel's predicament in these last days in order that we might have a greater appreciation for the mind-boggling salvation of God which he will accomplish in Israel's future.
Before we go there, please consider these important words. The promises and judgments of God concerning Israel are astronomical in their depth and width. Real faith in God's word comes from understanding those situations created by God that appear nearly impossible to accomplish. God officially declared Israel as "not his people" and Himself as "not their God." He also determined that they have not received mercy. We will look at those scriptures in Hosea today. But He also stated that in the same place where He separated Himself from them, there He would also rejoin Himself to them again. We can never appreciate God's control over evens, nations, people and details unless we understand these scriptures.
He also promised that the throne of David would abide forever. I have had it with bible scholars who take the easy route for God as they identify his fulfillment of difficult promises. I know that Messiah will rule on the throne of David forever but that is not the fulfillment of the perpetual kingdom spoken of by God. Many scholars are under the impression that the dynasty of David came to an end at the time of the Babylonian captivity and will be re-started again when Jesus comes back to earth. I will show you, God willing, that the throne of David has never ceased to exist since its inception and that there has not been a day when a man (or woman) of the lineage of David has not sat on the throne of the House of David somewhere on the face of this earth. God keeps His word to the jot and tittle and I pray that God allows me to communicate that truth to you this morning.
We will continue our study in Revelation this morning with the sealing of the 144,000. The message today has one great objective: God knows where each tribe is today and he has not lost one individual of those whom he has scattered.
This should be of great assurance to you and I in letting us know that God is mindful of each one of us as individuals and he will not lose a single seed!
* *all of the subjects that the pastor promised to talk about in the "morning service" mentioned in this article back in 1997, are addressed in recent posts and videos on this Google+ page. We invite you to peruse the page: "God's Final Message to His Church" to find them. God has continued to update this prophet with this message to this present time.
In the News...
In the News: Feb. 9. 1997
Watching TBN last week, I heard Hal Lindsay, Peter Lalonde, and another noted prophecy teacher discussion end time events. They are now of the persuasion that the Rapture will be the "Kick-off" event for the One-World government and the One-World religion. They feel that after millions and millions around the world are caught away, then the aliens will show up and quiet the panic by explaining that these people were abducted and the world's religions should now unite under them.
It seems they have finally introduced the subject of "aliens" into their TV broadcasts. Again, however, the interpretation is incorrect. It will be interesting to see how the TV church tries to unravel the events that are soon to come.
Thank God for giving us the correct information direct from His Word!
Pastor Stephen Benton
Watching TBN last week, I heard Hal Lindsay, Peter Lalonde, and another noted prophecy teacher discussion end time events. They are now of the persuasion that the Rapture will be the "Kick-off" event for the One-World government and the One-World religion. They feel that after millions and millions around the world are caught away, then the aliens will show up and quiet the panic by explaining that these people were abducted and the world's religions should now unite under them.
It seems they have finally introduced the subject of "aliens" into their TV broadcasts. Again, however, the interpretation is incorrect. It will be interesting to see how the TV church tries to unravel the events that are soon to come.
Thank God for giving us the correct information direct from His Word!
Pastor Stephen Benton
Let the Church Say HMMMM…………..
Let the Church Say
HMMMM…………..
"We can often do more for others by correcting our own faults than by trying to correct theirs."
HMMMM…………..
"We can often do more for others by correcting our own faults than by trying to correct theirs."
"I am a Christian. I am dying today."
In the NEWS!
"I am a Christian. I am dying today."
Monica Dra and her husband heard the marchers outside their small home in Nigeria on July 26, 2009. They heard the chants of "Allahu Akbar" and wondered what the night would hold for them and other Christians in their village.
HELP VOMEDICAL provide care to victims of persecution like Monica Dra.
"We had heard rumors all night that there were going to be problems," Monica told VOM, "and now I could hear them walking and slaughtering people as they went." Monica's husband, Daniel James, grabbed her, and they ran outside to escape the radical Muslim mob. But the radicals grabbed Daniel and hacked him to death with a machete.
Monica began to run, with her Bible and hymn book tucked under her arm. But members of the chanting mob grabbed her and began striking her with machetes. Seeing a cross on a chain around Monica's neck, a militant began to chop at her neck, nearly decapitating her. By the time Monica got to the hospital, she could only breathe through the gaping wound left by the lethal blade.
"I thought, 'I am a Christian,'" she said. "I am dying today."
But Monica didn't die. After six surgeries to repair her throat and close the wound in her neck, doctors were able to save her voice. Through VOMedical, Monica, a poor widow with a 5-year-old child, received excellent medical care and post-op follow-up. Thanks to generous donations from VOM supporters, Monica is among the more than 600 Christians who have received medical care after being injured because of their Christian faith. Monica now needs only one more surgery to regain her normal speaking voice. "Now that I have my strength back, I have forgiven my attackers," Monica said. "Now I have more courage to serve the Lord much more."
We don't know where the next attack will occur. Nigeria? Indonesia? China? But VOMedical is committed to serving those who are injured by acts of persecution. Your generous support enables us to act immediately, providing care and healing to our persecuted family members.
(Saints, I put this in the News section not to solicit support for this organization, but to make you realize how much of a hedge the Lord has put around believers in this country. Could any one of us stand up to what these people are enduring?
I don't think so. We are so blessed that we don't even know what it means. We are spoiled. "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot. I will 'vomit' thee out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor and blind, and naked." (Rev.3:16-17)
Our posts need to prepare us for what's coming. We do not
have fiery furnace or lion's den faith in these last days.
"You have not yet resisted unto blood." Heb. 12:4
"I am a Christian. I am dying today."
Monica Dra and her husband heard the marchers outside their small home in Nigeria on July 26, 2009. They heard the chants of "Allahu Akbar" and wondered what the night would hold for them and other Christians in their village.
HELP VOMEDICAL provide care to victims of persecution like Monica Dra.
"We had heard rumors all night that there were going to be problems," Monica told VOM, "and now I could hear them walking and slaughtering people as they went." Monica's husband, Daniel James, grabbed her, and they ran outside to escape the radical Muslim mob. But the radicals grabbed Daniel and hacked him to death with a machete.
Monica began to run, with her Bible and hymn book tucked under her arm. But members of the chanting mob grabbed her and began striking her with machetes. Seeing a cross on a chain around Monica's neck, a militant began to chop at her neck, nearly decapitating her. By the time Monica got to the hospital, she could only breathe through the gaping wound left by the lethal blade.
"I thought, 'I am a Christian,'" she said. "I am dying today."
But Monica didn't die. After six surgeries to repair her throat and close the wound in her neck, doctors were able to save her voice. Through VOMedical, Monica, a poor widow with a 5-year-old child, received excellent medical care and post-op follow-up. Thanks to generous donations from VOM supporters, Monica is among the more than 600 Christians who have received medical care after being injured because of their Christian faith. Monica now needs only one more surgery to regain her normal speaking voice. "Now that I have my strength back, I have forgiven my attackers," Monica said. "Now I have more courage to serve the Lord much more."
We don't know where the next attack will occur. Nigeria? Indonesia? China? But VOMedical is committed to serving those who are injured by acts of persecution. Your generous support enables us to act immediately, providing care and healing to our persecuted family members.
(Saints, I put this in the News section not to solicit support for this organization, but to make you realize how much of a hedge the Lord has put around believers in this country. Could any one of us stand up to what these people are enduring?
I don't think so. We are so blessed that we don't even know what it means. We are spoiled. "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot. I will 'vomit' thee out of my mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor and blind, and naked." (Rev.3:16-17)
Our posts need to prepare us for what's coming. We do not
have fiery furnace or lion's den faith in these last days.
"You have not yet resisted unto blood." Heb. 12:4
Thought for Today....
Today's Thought
It is impossible for one to learn that which he already thinks he knows. We must unlearn some things before we can become truly learned.
It is impossible for one to learn that which he already thinks he knows. We must unlearn some things before we can become truly learned.
Pastor Stephen Benton
Friday, June 7, 2013
"Truth, a Rare Commodity On this Earth"...
"Truth, a Rare Commodity on this Earth" by Pastor Stephen Benton
(reprint from the Weekly Word of the HoGN - 2.6.2001.)
Hello Gang!
Our theme song was answered in the service Sunday morning as the Lord took us "deeper, deeper in his holy word."
The message also reminded us that no matter how diligently we study, the full light of the scriptures are dependent upon revelation. But by now we should come to expect a revelation of the truth every time we gather together. Even though I haven't said much these days about missing services, the sheer volume of revealed truth each week should alert the most negligent member of the necessity of assembling oneself together during this stretch run.
Today I would like to pen a few words on the subject of THE TRUTH.
Truth is a commodity that is difficult, if not impossible to find here on this earth. Whenever I think on the subject of "truth," my thoughts immediately turn to Pilate and the trial of Jesus. Let's turn to that passage in John 18:33:
"then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus and said unto him, art thou the king of the Jews?"
Understand, as I have often instructed you, Jesus did not go to trial because of any crime he committed. his trial did not center upon what he did, rather, on who he was. This question came up repeatedly during the first trial by the Sanhedrim court: "art thou the Christ?" The high priest asked that question. Where Jesus was concerned, it was the question to ask. For if he is the Christ, he is also the fullest embodiment of Truth itself! that is exactly what Jesus meant when he declared himself to be THE TRUTH.
When it comes to religion, Satan sowed his seed very carefully and very plenteously when he invaded the earth with a surplus of so-called truths. Every religion upon the face of the earth thinks that their mode of belief is the only true concept among the prevailing truths. I grew up identified with the Pentecostal faith. I showed you a dictionary last week identifying the various denominations within Pentecost. As a member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, I naturally believed that anyone not affiliated with that organization was not really saved. I know that sounds ridiculous but my thinking reflected that denomination's belief.
Notice also in the text that Pilate asked if Jesus was THE king of the Jews. One can easily miss the implications of the question. Pilate knew enough to know that the Jews were expecting the ultimate king to come, one of the loins of David who would rule out of Zion forever. That is the King Pilate was asking about. Because of Pilate's thinking and subsequent question, Jesus' response makes a little more sense.
"Jesus answered him, sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?"
It was a stinging comment. In reality, Pilate should have thought those things himself. This is a sad commentary on Pilate. Here is man who had a unique situation offered to very, very few. He had Jesus' undivided attention and the time and opportunity to ask him many things. What Pilate knew about Jesus was told to him by others but Pilate himself was never interested enough to probe into any additional information about Jesus on his own. Which, in turn, elicits a defensive response from Pilate to Jesus' question:
"Pilate answered, Am I a Jew?" What does his answer mean? It means that Satan has done a good job saturating this world with enough false truth wherein most people will not bother to look into a personage who is outside of their nationality or religious affiliation. Pilate figured that Jesus was a Jewish issue. Many people will go to hell for thinking the same way. Now, skip to verse 37 because that is the heart of what I want to address.
"Pilate therefore said unto him, art thou a king then…?" Notice the difference! The first time Pilate asked if Jesus was the king. Now Jesus has appeared to be diminished in the eyes of Pilate so he lessens the kingship of Jesus from the to a.
"…Jesus answered, thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice"
If Jesus bears witness to the truth and came to earth for that purpose, then there was no one else on earth bearing witness to Truth! What a grand statement! As I said in the opening, the truth is a rare commodity upon the earth. Pilate knew enough about truth (which was nothing) to ask the question "what is truth?"
"…and when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews."
Notice that Pilate didn't stick around for an answer. In that posture he echoes the actions of the world where Jesus is concerned. He didn't wait for the answer from the One who embodied Truth.
We have come to learn that this entire worldly system is built upon a lie. There is no truth in it because its architect himself is a Liar in whom there is NO truth! As the word of God continues to unplug us from this worldly matrix, release the ideas and concepts you have had and even when and where the Truth doesn't make sense or it doesn't answer all of your questions at once. We were given the promise that "there is nothing hid that shall not be revealed." Embrace that fact and expect the holy Ghost to ever more give us this bread from heaven, the only Truth!
(reprint from the Weekly Word of the HoGN - 2.6.2001.)
Hello Gang!
Our theme song was answered in the service Sunday morning as the Lord took us "deeper, deeper in his holy word."
The message also reminded us that no matter how diligently we study, the full light of the scriptures are dependent upon revelation. But by now we should come to expect a revelation of the truth every time we gather together. Even though I haven't said much these days about missing services, the sheer volume of revealed truth each week should alert the most negligent member of the necessity of assembling oneself together during this stretch run.
Today I would like to pen a few words on the subject of THE TRUTH.
Truth is a commodity that is difficult, if not impossible to find here on this earth. Whenever I think on the subject of "truth," my thoughts immediately turn to Pilate and the trial of Jesus. Let's turn to that passage in John 18:33:
"then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus and said unto him, art thou the king of the Jews?"
Understand, as I have often instructed you, Jesus did not go to trial because of any crime he committed. his trial did not center upon what he did, rather, on who he was. This question came up repeatedly during the first trial by the Sanhedrim court: "art thou the Christ?" The high priest asked that question. Where Jesus was concerned, it was the question to ask. For if he is the Christ, he is also the fullest embodiment of Truth itself! that is exactly what Jesus meant when he declared himself to be THE TRUTH.
When it comes to religion, Satan sowed his seed very carefully and very plenteously when he invaded the earth with a surplus of so-called truths. Every religion upon the face of the earth thinks that their mode of belief is the only true concept among the prevailing truths. I grew up identified with the Pentecostal faith. I showed you a dictionary last week identifying the various denominations within Pentecost. As a member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, I naturally believed that anyone not affiliated with that organization was not really saved. I know that sounds ridiculous but my thinking reflected that denomination's belief.
Notice also in the text that Pilate asked if Jesus was THE king of the Jews. One can easily miss the implications of the question. Pilate knew enough to know that the Jews were expecting the ultimate king to come, one of the loins of David who would rule out of Zion forever. That is the King Pilate was asking about. Because of Pilate's thinking and subsequent question, Jesus' response makes a little more sense.
"Jesus answered him, sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?"
It was a stinging comment. In reality, Pilate should have thought those things himself. This is a sad commentary on Pilate. Here is man who had a unique situation offered to very, very few. He had Jesus' undivided attention and the time and opportunity to ask him many things. What Pilate knew about Jesus was told to him by others but Pilate himself was never interested enough to probe into any additional information about Jesus on his own. Which, in turn, elicits a defensive response from Pilate to Jesus' question:
"Pilate answered, Am I a Jew?" What does his answer mean? It means that Satan has done a good job saturating this world with enough false truth wherein most people will not bother to look into a personage who is outside of their nationality or religious affiliation. Pilate figured that Jesus was a Jewish issue. Many people will go to hell for thinking the same way. Now, skip to verse 37 because that is the heart of what I want to address.
"Pilate therefore said unto him, art thou a king then…?" Notice the difference! The first time Pilate asked if Jesus was the king. Now Jesus has appeared to be diminished in the eyes of Pilate so he lessens the kingship of Jesus from the to a.
"…Jesus answered, thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice"
If Jesus bears witness to the truth and came to earth for that purpose, then there was no one else on earth bearing witness to Truth! What a grand statement! As I said in the opening, the truth is a rare commodity upon the earth. Pilate knew enough about truth (which was nothing) to ask the question "what is truth?"
"…and when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews."
Notice that Pilate didn't stick around for an answer. In that posture he echoes the actions of the world where Jesus is concerned. He didn't wait for the answer from the One who embodied Truth.
We have come to learn that this entire worldly system is built upon a lie. There is no truth in it because its architect himself is a Liar in whom there is NO truth! As the word of God continues to unplug us from this worldly matrix, release the ideas and concepts you have had and even when and where the Truth doesn't make sense or it doesn't answer all of your questions at once. We were given the promise that "there is nothing hid that shall not be revealed." Embrace that fact and expect the holy Ghost to ever more give us this bread from heaven, the only Truth!
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