TEETH of Iron, CLAWS of Brass ... Shall Devour the Whole Earth

DANIEL Chapter 7

(  Post by Brother Brendon.)

Daniel 7: 19 & 23:

This Beast that is NOW FORMING upon the Earth, shall devour the whole earth, shall tread the earth down, and shall break it in pieces.

All nations shall be shattered by this Beast.  Human life means nothing to this Beast.  This Beast shall speak great things against The LORD GOD and shall make war with The LAMB+ and with the Saints of  The Most High.

RESURRECTION VICTORY ! JESUS WON !

Death could not hold HIM+.

HE+ broke the chains of death for Himself+ forever . . . and for everyone who comes to HIM+ in Spirit and in Truth. Forever.

WHAT Does Our LORD Hear? ... Passover Meditations for the Monastic-At-Heart ... Ephesians 1:15

 Our LORD Hears...

Meditations  for Pascha

(The Passover Season, 2016)

+  +  +

Meditations for the Monastic-At-Heart

Now is My+ soul troubled;

and what shall I+ say ...

FATHER,

save ME+

from this hour ?

but for this cause

came I+ unto this hour.

FATHER,

Glorify Thy Name.

Then came there a Voice from Heaven, saying,

I have both glorified IT,

and will glorify IT again.

John12:27-28

+  +  +

Meditation Verse 

Ephesians 1:15

Wherefore I also,

after I heard of your faith

in the LORD JESUS and

love unto all the saints…

The literal Greek:  For this reason , I also hearing the faith concerning you all in The LORD JESUS and the love towards all the saints,

+  +  +

Meditation

Reports came to the Apostle Paul regarding the Followers of JESUS in Ephesus.

Here, then, were the reports:

The Ephesian Followers of JESUS were KNOWN for their faith in CHRIST.

They were also KNOWN for the AgapA love they issued toward all the saints... their fellow brethren in CHRIST.

Can this be said of us?

What kind of report about us would the Apostle Paul hear if he were alive on earth today ?

Are we supportive of the Brethren in CHRIST whom we know ? Are we supportive individually as well as collectively ?

Do we love the Brethren enough to warn them when they go astray from the Narrow Way that leads unto Life Eternal?

Do we kindly and gently, with support, issue correction when Brethren walk or talk against Scripture ?

Or rather, do we play at love and try to keep everybody "happy" with that  "warm and accepted" feeling …  at the expense of CHRIST ?

Do we indulge in "friendship evangelism" ... i.e., "just come to our church and we will love you into the Kingdom of GOD"... while not requiring true repentance and conversion and amendment of life ?

Are we known for our faith in CHRIST when the presses of life occur ?

Is our faith of SUCH depth that we can stand firm in the face of depression and oppression    ?

Is our faith dependant on wealth? On our health ? On others ? On our family being intact ?

Hard times, troublous times, turbulent times --- beyond those normal things that come upon all persons --- are at the door.  They have already descended in horror upon many in the rest of the world.

It is a living nightmare what the Followers of JESUS are enduring in North Korea, Syria and the Middle East, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Sudan, and other African nations…  and now it is beginning in Europe.

Persecution is coming closer to home.

It is reported that one well-known Western nation's current leader covers the Cross of JESUS if he must enter into a building or room where it is hanging.

It is a fact that that same leader refused to attend the funeral of a Supreme Court judge because the funeral service was in a Church and the LORD JESUS CHRIST was proclaimed.

There is an abundance of politicians vying for leadership who openly, proudly, and stridently support ungodly life-styles and Agendas, including the killing of babies in the womb and "harvesting" their "valuable" organs. ( An unthinkable, grotesque form of humanity trying to play "god." )

As a matter of fact, KILLING HUMANITY is the hidden but primary Agenda of most of these programs... from GMO seeds to enforced "health care" from the cradle to the grave.   

Any one who refuses to personally participate in any of these unrighteous programs that go against GOD'S WORD  will make himself a target.

One report from a reputable ministry stated that the Agenda is to remove all Christian witness from the public eye.   This has already taken place in some countries in Europe; it is only a matter of time before it occurs closer to home.

Take HEED, Church:

We CANNOT correct

SPIRITUAL problems

with political solutions,

so guns and voting

and civil "movements"

are NOT the realm

for Followers of JESUS. 

There are
NO POLITICAL solutions
to SPIRITUAL problems. 

JESUS is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. HE+ alone is able to correct the spiritual sickness engulfing this world.

Instead of standing for guns, voting rights, civil movements, and weeping over the flag, we must stand for JESUS.

We must weep

over this Sin-Sick World. 

And the Sin-Sick Worldlings,

both in control and out-of-control, 

are not going to like that.

Will our faith stand in the face of persecution ?

Will our faith stand when the enemies of JESUS CHRIST make us choose to conform to their ungodly programs and accept un-holy life-styles ... or face persecution ?

Will we love the Brethren… or turn them in if they preach a righteousness based on Scripture instead of the ever-changing societal norms ?

What will

our LORD and SAVIOR

JESUS CHRIST

be hearing about us ?

+  +  +

Let us pray:

O, LORD JESUS, we need help. YOU+ know what is coming before YOU+ arrive to re-claim the earth.

We are weak and shallow; we have not been tested as our Brethren have across the sea.

We think if we don't have the right food at the right time or the right house we are bearing a cross.

We know the Refiner's Fire is determined upon all the earth.  Help us to grow solid in YOU+.

LORD JESUS, I say I love YOU+; help me to pick up the Cross of discipleship before the Cross of Persecution comes.

Help me NOT to shy away from spiritual discipline; I will not be ABLE to shy away from persecution.

Show me, O LORD JESUS, how to stand against my own flesh and submit myself unto Your+ Word.

I accept that the Time of Preparation is NOW to train myself to deny my flesh... so that I do not deny YOU+ when my hour of testing comes.

YOU+ went to the Cross -- alone --- so that I would not have to go through ANYTHING without YOU+.

Help me, LORD JESUS.

For Thy+ Name's sake, I pray. Amen.

  +  +  +

Worthy is the LAMB+.

Worthy is The LAMB+

that was slain.

Worthy is the LAMB+,

slain

from the foundation

of the earth.

Revelation 13:8

+  +  +

PRAISE and THANKSGIVING

be to The FATHER,

and to HIS Beloved SON+

JESUS CHRIST,

and to

the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT.

ONE GOD:

FATHER,

SON+,

and HOLY SPIRIT,

both now and forever,

world without end.

Amen.

x

When the SALT Has LOST its SAVOR....



Ye are the SALT of the earth;
but if the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted ?

 it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot of men.

Matthew 5:13

.

We human beings ALWAYS have freedom to worship.

.

What we do NOT always have is the freedom to worship... without persecution.

.

When we speak of "religious freedom" we usually mean freedom for CHRISTIANS to worship AND participate in society without persecution.

.

That was the reason Puritans fled England: they could worship... but not own property or engage in other "normal " societal functions. They were out-casts and some were persecuted by not having a means to earn a living.

.

Historically, The LORD alone grants Christians from time to time, from era to era, from one country or another, the freedom to worship JESUS CHRIST without persecution.

.

However, historically, it has never been a PERMANENT CONDITION or state of being for Christians.

.

Constantine was a famous example of a ruler who "gave" Christians the right to worship AND function in society without persecution. Different rulers throughout history is a variety of lands have been so appointed by The LORD to grant Christians the freedom to worship AND function normally in society.

.

This "appointment" has NOTHING TO DO with the ruler's qualifications, but rather, it has to do with The LORD'S GOOD WILL ordaining a season for Christians to live without persecution. But, it is ONLY for a season.

.

We see this, for example, in Thomas Jefferson. He was a deist, at best. He made his own "Jefferson Bible" by cutting away the parts of the Holy Bible he found offensive. This included all things referring to the Divinity of JESUS CHRIST. [ See the Wikipedia article on "Jefferson Bible" for Mr. Jefferson's horrendous views regarding Our LORD JESUS CHRIST.]

.

Yet, The LORD used this apostate man to establish a statute for religious freedom which would benefit Christians, allowing them to function in society.

.

Mr. Jefferson, who did NOT honor The LORD JESUS CHRIST, was prominent in establishing "religious freedom" for all... precisely BECAUSE he was not a Christian and did not wish to live under religious rule: Let every man choose his own "god."

.

Thus, when we give thanks for religious freedom of choice, let us keep in mind The ONE+ Who+ actually does this: giving His+ Followers a reprieve --- for a season --- so that we may function normally in society.

.

But keep in mind: 

the reprieve 

is ONLY for a season.

.

As soon as Christians assimilate into society so that the distinction between Christians and worldlings no longer exists, PERSECUTION COMES. The LORD Himself+ removes the "freedom" to be a Christian AND to function normally in society , at the same time.

.

Oh yes, we will STILL have freedom to worship CHRIST JESUS... just like the strong and living Church does under persecution in North Korea. Man does not have in him the ability to force us to stop worshipping CHRIST. We simply will not have the freedom to function in society AND to serve CHRIST JESUS , as before.

.

Thus, we will have to choose.

.

That is what PERSECUTION does for the church: it makes each person choose deeply and irrevocably to whom his allegiance lies: to the world or to CHRIST JESUS.

.

We cannot have both.

.

Pastor Saeed Abedini made his choice. He paid dearly for it, but great will be his reward. He remained "the salt of the earth."

.

Will we ? 

.

.

Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savor,

wherewith shall it be salted?

it is thenceforth good for nothing,

but to be cast out,

and to be trodden under foot of men.

Matthew 5:13

.

The Portrayed ONE+ #2 ... Our REFINER+.... Advent Meditations 2015

The Refining Pot

The Coming ONE+, greatly longed-for and desired,  was portrayed in the last book of the Old Testament as the REFINER+ of His+ Priests... the REFINER+ of HIS+ Ecclesia, His+ Called-Out ones.

Malachi 3:2-3

3:2 But who may abide the day of HIS+ Coming? and who shall stand when HE+ appeareth? for HE+ is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:

3:3 And HE+ shall sit as a REFINER and PURIFIER of silver:

and HE+ shall purify the Sons of Levi,

and purge them as gold and silver,

that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

In the Old Testament, Our LORD JESUS CHRIST was not portrayed as a baby. Rather, HE+ was vividly and accurately portrayed as a REFINER+ of the Sons of Levi, the priests. Aaron and the "Cohen" were of the tribe of Levi.

Scripture tells us that Christians will become priests, also.   

Revelation 1:5-6

 1:5 And from JESUS CHRIST Who+ is the Faithful Witness+, and the First-Begotten+ of the Dead, and the Prince+ of the kings of the earth. Unto HIM+ that loved us, and washed us from our sins in HIS+ own BLOOD,

1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto GOD and HIS+ FATHER; to HIM+ be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

What does a "refiner" do ?

As the REFINER+ of our souls, The LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who+ loves us beyond all measure, allows the church to face persecution.

WHY Does GOD, Our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, allow Christians to be persecuted ?

Why does the LORD our  GOD allow followers of HIS Beloved SON+  to be martyred ?  

This has been on-going for two thousand years.

Why does GOD allow evil to exist which attacks and hurts the Christians ? 

Is GOD , the MAKER of Heaven and Earth, incapable  of dealing with the evil on planet earth ?

NO! 

HE is UTTERLY capable…. with even HIS very thought … of dealing death blows to every evil plan, every evil design, and every evil person upon the face of this planet. 

Furthermore, the MAKER of Heaven and Earth knows EXACTLY who is at fault for the evils... knowing each man's contribution to it...  and HE cannot be tricked.

Then, is HE unwilling  to deal with the evil and gross sins in both high and low places ?  

NO, again. 

HE+ is very willing that evil be stopped and wrong made right. That is why HE+ gave authority over the unclean spirits to His+ Disciples ( but told them to rejoice NOT in this authority but rather to rejoice that their names were written in the Heavens ! Luke 10:20 )

The PROBLEM is we Christians are looking at the evil encasing mankind through the eyes of our flesh… instead of seeing what The LORD is going to accomplish through it all.

Persecution is NEEDED 

for the CHURCH ! 

The LORD can deal swiftly with all the evil on planet earth in a moment of time. BUT FOR THE GOOD OF THE CHURCH, HE allows persecution to come.

Report after report is pouring out of the persecutions in the Middle East:  churches which had 5 or 10 persons in attendance at services NOW HAVE THOUSANDS of persons coming, hungry for The LORD.  

According to the last issue of the Voice of the Martyrs magazine, ( Special Year in Review 2015) .  Evangelicals, Catholics, and Orthodox are worshipping together … and drawing thousands of muslims to CHRIST with them! 

THIS WOULD 

NEVER HAVE HAPPENED 

BEFORE THE PERSECUTIONS STARTED.

Why? 

The Christians were too lax, concerned only with their own lives, to endanger themselves to reach out to the un-saved.  The muslims were too content, concerned only with their own lives, to reach out to CHRIST. 

Now, with everything stripped away… including many loved ones, sadly enough ... the church is doing what it was supposed to be doing and the HOLY SPIRIT is responding by drawing the hungry and hurting ones to CHRIST JESUS.

This same thing has happened in North Korean under horrible persecution and in China, as we all know of Brother Yun, the Heavenly Man,  and the House Church movement --- and miracles --- in China. 

As our LORD+ and MASTER+ was treated, so HIS+ Children are treated.  We are NOT of this world, even as HE+ is NOT of this world.  TRUTH clashes with the lie. Therefore the world hates us.

The organized “church” system has turned the Precious Gospel, the Good News, into something it was NOT intended to be. They have done this in spite of the Words of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and the Teaching of the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT through HIS+ Apostles.

The Assembly of the Blood-Washed Saints was NEVER meant to become a “religious social club”.  

Churches have everything “the world” has to offer its attendees: groups and activities to meet a wide-variety of interests and ages, gymnasiums, self-help programs, music programs of every shade, and a few missionary activities on the side… besides the ENDLESS meeting-and-eating round.

 

However, The CHURCH was created and formed by The SON+ of GOD to be The Light of the world. It was created to give forth the Example of what it means to follow The MESSIAH+ in SPIRIT and in Truth. 

The organized church has thrown this aside in order to placate the “social and emotional” needs of its members. By casting aside the stark words of JESUS, the organized church has made itself to be a laughing stock to the world and worse, has the satan laughing at the impotency of its prayers. 

Scripture says in Psalm 89:7a : 

GOD is greatly to be feared

in the assembly of the saints. 

Is this happening?  

NO.  

The un-regenerated sinners who are coerced to enter the portals of the church by some hapless friend and the wicked spirits which torment the half-stepping churchians have NO fear fall upon them inside the church. 

Neither human flesh nor wicked spirits feel the heat of the HOLY LORD GOD during most Sunday services.

So, what is wrong ?

Picking up one’s Cross to follow JESUS is ignored and the young people on fire for The LORD are directed to the nearest seminary instead of to Self-denial and taking up the Cross, as JESUS said.

   

The organized church pastor ( aka CEO) is hired for his administrative skills in setting up “programs” for the congregation. Little ministry goes on in them and no-one is lead to The CROSS of JESUS …. but, the church members all “feel good” about themselves. 

Evangelism revolves around drawing outsiders into the flock… so that they can learn to feel good about themselves, 

Our LORD, then, has a solution... 

..... for those who are bringing SHAME upon The Eternal SON+ of The FATHER, crucifying HIM+ anew and putting HIM+ to an open shame.

For THIS REASON, the CRUCIBLE ... 

.... is now upon us. It is at the door. A crucible is used to remove IMPURITIES from any substance, so that it may become completely PURE. It is for our Eternal GOOD.

Persecution is ALSO the means

by which the church 

evangelizes most effectively !

What is being passed off as Christianity does not even resemble the true and original Christianity. The ancient Church, the Ecclesia trusted and actually followed MESSIAH…. through persecutions.  They actually lived their lives as HE+ had taught and commanded them to do NO MATTER WHAT. 

 

They were a VERY different race of people and the pagans could tell the difference. They were “not of THIS world.”

 They had met JESUS and laid on the altar of His+ Cross all worldly values and all loyalties to countries, cultures, and ethnic ways right along with all their sins. 

Because they considered themselves to be sojourners on the face of this earth, they refused to bear the sword and would not injure ANY person, even that person hurt them.  

They laid on the altar their “rights” and all their allegiances… except to CHRIST JESUS.  And, they STOOD.

Thus, STANDING for JESUS, they were  hated by certain groups, among them the State.  They were declared to be “ enemies of the state and of the human race”  by the man – worshiping Roman government.  No punishment was deemed too bad for the Christians.

In our own time, Christianity has become something it was never intended to be.   If this situation is allowed to continue, the organized religious system ITSELF will wipe out the Gospel of Life from the earth, which is satan’s goal.

Therefore the crucible MUST come;  

It must come

for the sake 

of the Church itself. 

The LORD+ will see who really loves HIM+ and who will walk with HIM+ and not deny HIM+. We will see that some “life-long attendees” will fall away; we will see that some tax-collectors and prostitutes will immediately repent and follow CHRIST to the death.

 HE+ will send forth HIS+ angels and will gather out of HIS+ Kingdom ALL things that offend, and them which practice iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire and there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their FATHER.
   

Matthew 13:41

The CRUCIBLE will remove the pretenders and will separate the wheat from the chaff. 

Amen. Let it be so, LORD JESUS, according to Thy+ will and purpose for this last great time of harvest before Thy+ Return in power and great glory.

Let us pray:

O LORD JESUS, help us to stop playing at activities designed to make us feel good about ourselves. Help us to mature, to pick up the Cross, and to die daily to our Self, in all seriousness. 

Help us to stop our insatiable craving for interaction... which we call "fellowship" ... and learn to have fellowship with THEE+ in SPIRIT and in Truth.

Prepare our hearts for going through the crucible with THEE+, to rescue as many as possible from the torments of hell, for Thy+ great glory and to our endless comfort and joy. 

We offer up to THEE+ praise and thanksgiving, for THOU+ doest all things well and knoweth the end from the beginning.  

According to Thy+ Good Will and Pleasure, we pray; Come, LORD JESUS.