CLEANSING the TEMPLE... The TEMPLE of LIVING STONES !

The 2nd CLEANSING of the TEMPLE
Matthew 21: 10-17

" From His+ eyes went forth rays

which TERRIFIED them and 

put them to flight." 

So reads a marginal note of a 13th century manuscript of the Aurora, by Peter of Riga, The Gospel of the Nazaraeans, footnoted at Matthew 21:12. 

See "Gospel Parallels" by Burton H. Throckmorton, Jr., page 154 ,5th Edition, 1992, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tn. 1992 

[ The AUTHORITY of The MESSIAH+ was very evident in His+ Cleansing of the Temple, even to the religious leaders.]

+  +  +

...and HIS+ eyes were 

as a Flame of Fire;

+  +  +

The first act The LORD JESUS did after His+ Triumphal entry into Jerusalem was to cleanse the Temple.

As a matter of fact, THAT is what HE+ went into Jerusalem TO DO ! 

HE+ drove out the BUYERS as well as the sellers of the livestock and doves and over-turned the tables of the money-changers. 

This was PASSOVER week, and they were going about business as usual. No fear of GOD there. How UN- holy ! 

Jerusalem was swollen with visitors coming for the Passover, to celebrate GOD'S great deliverance of the Hebrews from Pharaoh.  They were supposed to be mindful of GOD, not their pocketbooks. 

Once the un-scrupulous merchants were driven out of the Temple, the little ones, the blind, the lame , the crippled and infirm --- those who could afford nothing --- came to CHRIST JESUS.  HE+ healed them, it is written. 

This was just a few days after HE+ raised Lazarus from the dead !

Prophecies that would identify HIM+ as the true Messiah+ were being fulfilled before their eyes... and the crowd went wild.  All of Jerusalem was in turmoil. 

The heavy hand of the Rule of Rome would soon be lifted, they thought. How glorious ! 

+  +  +

Yes, the "Rule of Rome" would indeed be lifted... from their SOULS.  The people who walked in darkness had seen a GREAT Light, The LIGHT+ of the world. 

That LIGHT+ lifted the "Rule of Rome's"  values from their hearts; they would no longer be slaves to the worldly system that rules the hearts of men from their pocket-books. 

But, they would not. They willed not to be gathered as a hen clucks and gathers her chicks under her wings. 

They did not WANT freedom from sin, but rather, freedom from Roman rule.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem.... and JESUS wept.  HE+ could see ahead THEIR coming agony, THEIR thousands of citizens crucified on the hills and roads outside of Jerusalem. 

Yes, the earth-bound Roman rule was cruel and terrible. 

Sin's rule is WORSE. 

Roman rule only lasts 

for a life-time. 

Sins' consequences 

last for ALL Eternity.  

HE+ came to address them, first things first, and one at a time. First the Spiritual. Next will be the earth-bound rulers who pulverize His+ people. 

 Matthew 23: 37-38 

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 

thou that killest the prophets, 

and stonest them 

 which are sent unto thee, 

how often 

would I+ have gathered 

thy children together, 

even as a hen

 gathereth her chickens 

under her wings, 

and ye would not!

 Behold, 

your house is left 

unto you 

desolate.

+  +  +

HEAR WHAT THE LORD SAYS: 

O WHOLE House of Israel, I+ have called to you to repent.  I+ have called to you to remove the leaven from your midst, and ye would not. 

What more can I+ do to save you from the sins that snare you ?  

Those very sins will ENTRAP you in the coming evil determined upon this earth. You will not be able to escape because you will not even SEE THE EVIL COMING until it is too late. 

No, I+ will not save America from judgement. I will not keep her from oppression SO THAT you can keep your wealthy life-styles, life-styles that are so far above other peoples of the earth. 

Do you "sit as a Queen and will be no widow?"  Think again.  I have NEVER SPARED my people who ignore my Words. 

I have NEVER SPARED my people who chase the world and call it "serving ME+." 

Those I+ love, I+ rebuke and chasten. 

Turn, turn from your worldly values. Separate from this world. Separate from this Camp of Korah... touch not the unclean money, the unclean flags, the unclean value system of Babylon the Great.

Serve ME+ in purity, with an UN-divided heart.  Then, and only then, shall you see the Salvation of your GOD ... when HE is truly your Master.

Divided loyalties will not be able to stand. You CAN NOT --- are not even ABLE --- to serve GOD   AND   Mammon . 

You will belong to Korah.  

 +  +  +

Revelation 1: 13 -18

¹³ And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the SON+ of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

¹⁴ HIS+ head and HIS+ hairs 

were white like wool, 

as white as snow; 

and HIS+ eyes were 

as a flame of fire;

¹⁵ And HIS+ feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and HIS+ voice as the sound of many waters.

¹⁶ And HE+ had in HIS+ right hand seven stars: and out of HIS+ mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and HIS+ countenance was as the sun shineth in HIS+ strength.

⁷ And when I saw HIM+, I fell at his feet as dead. And HE+ laid HIS+ right hand upon me, saying unto me, 

Fear not; 

I+ am the First 

and the Last:

¹⁸ I+ am HE+ that liveth, 

and was dead; 

and, behold, I+ am alive 

for evermore, 

Amen; 

and have the keys of hell 

and of death

HE+ 's Coming ! HE+ 's Coming !

 Christmastide Meditation

Nativity and St. Jerome's Cave

Oh My+ Children! How often would I+ have gathered ye under My+ wings, but ye would not.  You wanted nothing to do with My+ ways, My+ values, but rather have chosen the world. 

With the world , then, you shall go. 

Have I+ not told you to FORSAKE the ways of the world and come and be full time for My+ Kingdom?  To spend your days full time WITH ME+ ... and ye would not ? 

Have I+ not told you to make NO PROVISION for the flesh... but instead, ye have made plenty... to live a life-style far above My+ Presence ? 

Have I+ joy in half-step obedience ? Have I+ joy in your following the example of other "good Christians" ... yet not following MY+ Example ? 

I+ had no pillow for My+ head; you have several. 

I+ had no animal to ride; you have two vehicles. 

I+ had no silver or gold; ye have both. 

FOCUS your heart upon ME+, 

not upon things of this world. 

Lay up, lay up for yourselves TREASURES IN HEAVEN; no moth nor man can steal those. Your treasures in Heaven, committed unto ME+ will give you the best return of any investment you could make in the Mammon fields.

For Mammon is about to fail. 

All will fall with it, whose hand is upon it.  

Mammon will not keep you;

 I+ will. 

And I+ say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Luke 16:9


Invest your treasures in Heaven; divest your keepings for the Eternal Habitations. You cannot out-give ME+. 

Be prepared for My+ Coming. 

Few were prepared for my first Advent. Fewer still are prepared for My+ second. Hide yourself in ME+. Learn to live by My+ Voice. I+ will direct you. 

Prepare for My+ Coming. It will be soon... sooner than you think. 

O My+ children... My+ children !

Season of the EPIPHANY... The Day Star+

Where IS HE+...

This JESUS,

the ONE+ born

KING+ of the Jews ?

For we have seen

the Day Star+ arise

in our hearts...

And have come

to worship HIM+

with our :

GOLD

Does our worship of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST extend into our piles of gold ?  Does our worship of Our LORD JESUS control our mammon, our money, our funds ? 

Would others

KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS

by how we spend 

the funds

The LORD, in HIS+ goodness,

has entrusted to us ?

Does our witness

for CHRIST JESUS 

extend

into our pocketbooks?

our purses ?

our wallets?

Do we avoid beggars or people with signs, asking for money or work ?

WOULD OUR LORD AVOID THEM ?

Do we collect aluminum cans for CHRIST and crush them to sell ...  in order to donate pennies to missionaries ...  while sitting on thousands in the bank, collecting interest ?

As the good Bishop said in Les Miserables, when observing a wealthy man dropping a penny into the alms box:   " Ah, there is the richest man in the province... buying a PENNY'S worth of Heaven ! " 

What we REALLY VALUE is what we scrimp and save for, where we spend the MAJORITY of our monies. 

Are we telling GOD that we want only one-tenth of HIS goodness, with our giving ?

JESUS paid it ALL...

all to HIM+ I owe.

Sin has left a crimson stain.

HE+ washed it white as snow.

MEDITATION

O LORD GOD, THOU has made the Heavens and the earth and all the things therein; THOU+ hast need of nothing of mine. 

Heavenly FATHER, I have need of THEE. I have all need of Thy+ SON+ JESUS operating in me.

Help me manifest CHRIST JESUS with my monies.

I have need for THEE+ to control every penny that comes in my door... so Mammon does not control me through love of it ...or through fear.

I know, O my SAVIOR, that I cannot out-give THEE+.

Make me willing and un-afraid to turn the control over my funds unto THEE+.

Smite the fear, smite my worldly-wisdom, un-clog my deaf ears and re-kindle Thy+ zeal in my dull and fearful heart, for THOU+ doest all things well. 

For  Thy+ glory help me use the monies THOU+ hast given into my stewardship in a more sanctified way. 

This I pray, to the glory of GOD our FATHER; in the Name of Our Manifested SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Amen.  

Missionaries At HOME: Going Forth in Spirit and in Power...




CHRIST in us... the hope of Glory



During this ecclesiastical season of evangelism and outreach, we who stay at home with our duties and responsibilities to maintain,  may still be endued with Power from on High to reach others for CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

The LORD is certainly not limited nor restricted in sending forth His+ Power to convert the UNsaved ... regardless of where they may live,  in America or in a Third World country.

Here is a true story of how one brother we personally know evangelizes...

"Brother" runs his own construction-type business in  his own  shop at his home. Depending on the builders' orders, his business prospers, but oftentimes the incoming funds run pretty low between orders.

Not long ago Brother did business with another man. Unfortunately, the other man's plans and building business suffered a major set-back and he had to declare bankruptcy... owing several other businessmen thousands of dollars. Brother was one of those counting on a payment for goods and services to this man.

The "failed" businessman knew Brother was a Christian. Even so, the businessman was not willing to be contacted by any of his creditors during this time. 

Brother tried to telephone this man; he had a difficult time reaching him. Finally, when he saw him, Brother said,

" I understand you've had some hard times. Do NOT worry about your debt of XXXX dollars to me; it is cancelled. I don't want you to worry about it any more. 

"And furthermore, when you see me on the street, I want you to come over to me, greet me, talk with me, and tell me how you are doing. I don't want you to HIDE from me. I know how it is. " 

After sharing a few other comforting words, with him, Brother and he parted... as friends.

CHRIST

in us;

the hope of Glory.

CHRIST

being formed

in us;

the hope of Glory.

CHRIST

being formed in others

the hope of Glory.

Yes, this Brother knows how to "evangelize" effectively !  This Brother knew how to use unrighteous mammon to bring others to CHRIST JESUS. 

He knew how to use

the mammon of unrighteousness

to break down the hinderances in one man's hurting heart... a man who felt like a failure in life...  in order to show him JESUS CHRIST, and Brother  himself

"crucified with CHRIST."  

Therefore,  CHRIST was formed that day in Brother, as he chose to take the loss and join in the sufferings of his business acquaintance...

in order to show him
CHRIST JESUS.

Furthermore, an open door for CHRIST JESUS was made in that "failed" man's heart in such a way that he will never be able to forget what one Follower of CHRIST JESUS did for him in his dark hour of need. 

Yes, this is indeed the season for Evangelism... at home or abroad.  

Glory be to The FATHER,

WHO created us;

and to HIS Only-Begotten SON+

JESUS CHRIST Our LORD,

WHO+ saves us;

and to The Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,

WHO sanctifies us.

Amen

CHOOSE this day WHOM ye will serve....

because...

.

No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other;

.

or else he will hold to the one,

and despise the other.

.

Ye cannot serve

GOD and mammon.

.

Words of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST

to His Disciples in Matthew 6:24

.

Now, let's look at the Greek :

No one has the power two lords to slave to;

for either the one he will hate

and the other different one

he will AGAPE (love enough to lay down his life for);

.

or

.

one he will cleave to

and the other different one he will despise.

You do not have the power

to be a slave to GOD and Mammona.

.

.

The GREEK is important because it brings out the essence of the difference between the kingdoms of THIS world and THE Kingdom of GOD.

• We see that the two kingdoms are entirely different.
• We see that the difference is because of whom is being served:

GOD or Mammona, a wicked spirit.

• We see in the GREEK that Our LORD JESUS CHRIST said that man does NOT have the power ... is totally UNable... to serve both GOD and Mammona at the same time.
• We see that this servitude is not picked up and laid down; but rather, it is a life-encompassing slavery.

.

Having the rule over wealth --- mammon--- is the sole most important feature of the kingdoms of this world. Control over things that contribute to wealth is what war is fought over, be it diamonds, iron ore, oil, or shipping lanes. James chapter 4 confirms this truth.

.

.

Wikipedia lays the Christian doctrine of "Just War" [ i.e., righteous war ] at the feet of Augustine of Hippo ( 354-430 AD ) and Thomas Aquinas. This was a total break away from the teachings of CHRIST and His+ Apostles which was uniformly held by the Early Church of the first two centuries.

.

The Reformers, in an effort to correct the corrupted teaching of the Roman Catholic church, unfortunately kept the heretical doctrine of "Just War" even as they broke away from the established church. Indeed, some of the Reformers were not content simply to teach this heresy; at least one (Zwingli) was killed in battle while fighting other Christians !

.

THE LORD JESUS said,

"My+ Kingdom is NOT OF THIS WORLD..."

.

Did HE+ mean that literally ?

+

Do not think that I+ do not know where your true loyalties lie. I see your tears and your zeal to promote and protect the red, white, and blue ... no matter what the cost. Do not let it cost you your soul. Separate yourself from the unclean thing and become single of eye ...before the Kingdom of GOD+ is torn from your hands and given to a people more worthy.

+

I+ have not called you to defend any secular nation... not its wealth, not its life-style, not its pride. I+ have called you to defend one Kingdom+ alone... the Kingdom of GOD+... with mighty weapons which are not carnal nor tactile nor visible. Remember: If you take the sword, you shall die by the sword... even if you "only" take it in your heart.

+

Beware of pulpits or "Christian" voices wrapped in red, white, and blue. Their hearts are divided and their true loyalties are given over to Mammona and wealth. They have chosen this. They will have no part in My+ inheritance.

+

Behold, I+ have set before you an open door.

I+ AM the WAY, The TRUTH, and The LIFE.

No man comes to The FATHER, but by ME+.

+ + +

In The Name of The FATHER,

His beloved SON+, Our LORD JESUS CHRIST,

and the blessed HOLY SPIRIT.

Amen.

MEDITATIONS on The WORD of GOD

...The Rose of Sharon...

MEDITATIONS on The WORD of GOD

Hear The Words of The LORD JESUS CHRIST:

Matthew 6:31-32
Therefore take no thought, saying,

What shall we eat?

or, What shall we drink?

or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)

for your heavenly FATHER knoweth

that ye have need of all these things.

.

.

<(((><

.

.

Judgment seems to be falling upon the world-wide mammon-serving system, the system. IT SHOULD. It is the mammon system which keeps men enslaved, by either love of mammon ...or fear of mammon. Sadly, engendering covetousness is a multi-million dollar business in western civilization and we have all been the victims of its programmed covetousness. The well-planned system of Covetousness as well as mammon will be judged.

Therefore, it is high time we Christians extricate ourselves from mammon’s control. We can only do this through The WORD of GOD, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, by serving CHRIST JESUS and doing HIS+ Will. We don’t want to fall under the Divine Judgment most assuredly coming against these kings of the earth and their system of unjust weights and measures or their system of covetousness. They are over-ripe for the judgment coming.

.

<(((><

Let us pray:

.

.

Forgive me, O LORD GOD, that I have taken the blessings of food and clothing and shelter for granted so much of my life. LORD JESUS, my KING, turn me away from coveting my neighbors' clothes, houses, lands, cars, modern conveniences, or life-styles.

.

.

Forgive me for feasting my eyes upon magazines, advertisements, and even store windows which engender discontent and covetousness in me. Cleanse me of sowing to the flesh instead of unto Thy+ SPIRIT.

.

Cleanse me of allowing mammon to make me afraid. Help me to put Your Kingdom and the furtherance of it above my material wants.

.

.

Help me to live simply for Your Sake+, so that I may bear perfect witness of YOU, My LORD and MASTER+. Re-teach me how to be content and to stop lusting after the things of this world.

.

.

Help me to lay up my security for the future into Your KINGDOM... and Yours alone. It will never fail, like the banks and retirement accounts and all the temporal securities that promise my future well-being, in the kingdom of mammon.

.

.

I give you thanks and praise, O LORD, for removing me from this world's mammon-serving values and putting me solidly into Your KINGDOM. I pledge my allegiance unto YOU, O LORD, both now and forever. Amen.

.

.

<(((><... swim in the waters of your baptism.

MEDITATIONS on The WORD of GOD...

Meditations for Troublous Times

from The LIVING WORD+ of GOD

Hear the Words of The LORD JESUS CHRIST:

.

.

BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD,
and HIS+ righteousness;
and all these things

shall be added unto you.

TAKE THEREFORE NO THOUGHT

FOR THE MORROW:
for the morrow shall take thought

for the things of itself.

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 6:33-34

<(((><

.

.

Our LORD JESUS CHRIST told us how to live in regards to mammon. HE+ lived that way HIMSELF+... setting our example.

.

.

<(((><

.

.

Let us pray:

LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON+ of GOD, I worship You and thank You for providing for me from the beginning of my life unto this very day.

.

.

Forgive me, LORD, for taking all manner of thought for the morrow. Turn me from having one eye on the Kingdom of GOD… and the other on some kind of temporal security!

.

.

Grant me the courage, O LORD, to actually seek first the Kingdom of GOD and Thy+ Righteousness. When my hands are FULL of doing Your Will, I know securely my heart and my soul and my body shall rest, because YOU have promised and GOD is not a man, that HE+ should lie.

.

.

Forgive me for crossing, for transgressing, Your Holy Words, LORD JESUS.

.

.

I acknowledge that YOU+ and YOU+ ALONE are the KING of kings and the LORD of lords. Therefore, I commit my life… and my keeping unto THEE +, KING of all the ages … both now and for all Eternity.

Amen.

.

.

.

<(((>< ... swim in the waters of your baptism...