TRUTH IN WORSHIP

This article is also on the Discussion forum here 

Jehovah, the God of the Bible is called the God of truth. (Psa. 31:5) Jesus said anyone who would worship Him, Jehovah, in an approved manner, would worship with spirit and truth. (John 4:23,24) God values truth; it would follow that anyone who would worship Him, would also hold truth as something to be highly esteemed. We find ourselves in a world that doesn’t value truth to the extent that meets God’s requirements. Most often it is held as a relative value; relative to comfort, relative to gain, relative to loss, relative to the acquisition or loss of power, relative to inconvenience, in fact this particular family has a lot of relatives. There are white lies, black lies, little lies, big lies, fibs, once again a large gathering of relatives.

It would be hoped that in the one professing to be a Christian, worshiping the True God, truth would be held in the highest esteem possible, especially regarding their worship. Unfortunately that isn’t so. There are many religions claiming to worship the True God today. All of them explain Him and worship Him differently, and so all of them can’t possibly have the truth about God, or at the very least, can’t be promoting the truth about God. If they haven’t taken the time to find out just what that truth is, and combine the wisdom that would have had to be acquired over the years, then the conclusion has to be drawn that they must value their own ideas more than they do Gods. Otherwise they would have waited for Him to prove to them what His ideas were.

(Proverbs 13:10) ¹⁰ By presumptuousness one only causes a struggle, but with those consulting together there is wisdom. . .

(Romans 10:1-3) 10 Brothers, the goodwill of my heart and my supplication to God for them are, indeed, for their salvation. ² For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God; but not according to accurate knowledge; ³ for, because of not knowing the righteousness of God but seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

When someone takes something, and promotes it as God’s truth, without first making absolutely sure that God has actually taken that position, that is called presumptuousness. When someone explains God in a way that doesn’t take into account all of his attributes; in a way that actually doesn’t present Him as He wishes to be seen, that is a misrepresentation; a lie. That individual, or those individuals have placed themselves in a position contrary to Gods stated interests. Often people are more concerned with how a certain belief about God makes them feel, than they are about whether it is actually the truth.

One such belief is the trinity doctrine. For one thing it is extra-Biblical, it doesn’t have a place in the Bible. While many try to use certain verses to support their belief, the Bible itself doesn’t teach it. Someone might ask how this teaching makes certain ones comfortable, since it is so convoluted, so un-understandable in it’s description. (Athenasian Creed) For one thing, the very fact that it isn’t understandable, gives people the comfort that they can’t possibly understand God, and so how could they be expected to have a personal relationship, and be personally accountable to Him. They seek the comfort of ignorance and letting someone else have the authority to set the limits of their conscience. They don’t seem to understand that ignorance is a choice, not a condition. If they choose to not find out the truth, it is the same as deliberate disobedience.

Another belief that is common is the teaching that God will torment humans in a burning hell forever. Jehovah has presented Himself as a God of love, a God of Justice, a God of mercy. In their zeal to control the behavior of their followers, they have misrepresented Jehovah in this regard, painting Him as unjust, unmerciful, unbalanced, in His God-ship. The very thing Satan intimated to Eve in his temptation of her. NO not that God would torment her in a fiery hell, but that He was being unfair in His dealings with her. That He was withholding something from her unjustly, that would improve her life, her existence; same principal, different circumstance. In both cases God’s qualities of justice, fairness, balanced treatment of His creation is being called into question.

(Genesis 3:4-5) ⁴ At this the serpent said to the woman: “YOU positively will not die. ⁵ For God knows that in the very day of YOUR eating from it YOUR eyes are bound to be opened and YOU are bound to be like God, KNOWING good and bad.”

Is it important to make sure you represent God in a way that is both clear and can be supported by His teachings in the Bible, and His dealings with mankind?

(Matthew 7:21-23) ²¹ “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. ²² Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ ²³ And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness.

Or perhaps it is the subtle attraction of mysticism, that feeling of special privilege that only they, and those that they associate with, can have this special knowledge and, because of that, they too are something special, and all they had to do was “give themselves to the Lord” and bingo their future was assured.

(2 Thessalonians 2:8-12) . . .. ⁹ But the lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents ¹⁰ and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. ¹¹ So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, ¹² in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.

Whatever the reason, it isn’t truth as revealed by God’s word. Paul made this statement to the Corinthians…

(1 Corinthians 4:6) . . .”Do not go beyond the things that are written,” in order that YOU may not be puffed up individually in favor of the one against the other. . .

There was a situation that had developed in Corinth that required him to write those words. It was a specific circumstance dealing with things that were not compatible with the humility required to serve God properly. The principal of not going beyond the things written, though, goes beyond that specific application.

(Jeremiah 10:23) . . .I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.

(Ecclesiastes 5:1-2) 5 Guard your feet whenever you go to the house of the [true] God; and let there be a drawing near to hear, rather than to give a sacrifice as the stupid ones do, for they are not aware of doing what is bad. ² Do not hurry yourself as regards your mouth; and as for your heart, let it not be hasty to bring forth a word before the [true] God. For the [true] God is in the heavens but you are on the earth. That is why your words should prove to be few.

(2 Peter 3:15-16) ¹⁵ Furthermore, consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul according to the wisdom given him also wrote YOU, ¹⁶ speaking about these things as he does also in all [his] letters. In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unsteady are twisting, as [they do] also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

It takes a certain humility; to let things, and people, and Jesus, and God, be what they are. No more; and certainly no less, in the case of Jesus and God. Wanting to appear to have special knowledge about something is always a temptation. Wanting to be considered wise and understanding can also be a pitfall. Seeming to have a special relationship with God, Jesus, important or well-known people, certain knowledge, even in subtle, underlying ways, is an impediment to knowledge of the truth, because your understanding of things will always be filtered through your view of things. A person’s priority about how things are understood, is the measure of their modesty and humility. Everyone strives to be at his or her best, but not everyone is satisfied with being just that, in others eyes. It is a symptom of imperfection. It can also be a character flaw; depending on how much influence it has in someone’s understanding of things, and behavior.

(John 5:39-40) ³⁹ “YOU are searching the Scriptures, because YOU think that by means of them YOU will have everlasting life; and these are the very ones that bear witness about me. ⁴⁰ And yet YOU do not want to come to me that YOU may have life.

Unfortunately most won’t take advantage of the opportunity to know truth. It isn’t that they don’t have the opportunity, just that they undervalue it.

(Proverbs 17:16) ¹⁶ Why is it that there is in the hand of a stupid one the price to acquire wisdom, when he has no heart?

(Proverbs 16:1) 16 To earthling man belong the arrangings of the heart, but from Jehovah is the answer of the tongue.

In the end no one can claim that they were misled. As Prov. 17:16 says that even someone stupid has the capability to acquire true wisdom, it’s just that his or her heart isn’t in it. If they are misled, it is because they don’t value truth enough to search for it, they don’t value it enough, to not settle for less. Prov. 16:1 shows that God has given man free will, but in the end, Jehovah will hold him accountable.

Does everyone have the opportunity to please god? The answer has to be yes; otherwise God is not just. Do we know the limits of God’s mercy? In some cases yes; in most cases no. What God will, in the end, decide to forgive is not known, all we can know is that it will take the form of perfect, Godly, love, justice, and mercy.

IS BLOOD SACRED?

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Definition for purpose of discussionSacred: Devoted exclusively to a single use or purpose or person (God)

This is an issue I care about, and I am bringing it up to explore it, and perhaps shed some light on some of the issues involved. It isn’t an exhaustive research piece to be sure, but it does address some of the primary issues. All quotes are from the New World Translation of the Bible, as I hold it to be a reasonably accurate translation and it is reader friendly, in that it uses modern language and syntax. If someone prefers another translation, it isn’t a lot of trouble to look the verses up that I’ve recorded here for convenience.

A good place to start would be with animal blood, since some of the principals that impact animal blood would also impact human blood; like not eating it. Even though the Bible doesn’t say that men shouldn’t eat human blood in a direct manor, like it does animal blood, the principals involved would seem to be the same.

What did Jehovah mean when He told Noah at Genesis 9:3,4

“³ Every moving animal that is alive may serve as food for YOU. As in the case of green vegetation, I do give it all to YOU. ⁴ Only flesh with its soul-its blood-YOU must not eat”?

Was He merely saying that since the soul was in the blood, we should make sure that the animal was completely dead before we started eating it? Was cruelty the issue? Or was it the fact that, since the life was in the blood, He was putting blood itself off-limits to men?

While animal cruelty is an issue that Jehovah addressed in the law covenant, it isn’t likely that He was addressing it as an issue here. If that were so, other things likely would have been mentioned like how to kill the animal quickly and cleanly.

(Exodus 22:30) ³⁰ The way you are to do with your bull and your sheep is this: Seven days it will continue with its mother. On the eighth day you are to give it to me.

(Exodus 23:5) ⁵ Should you see the ass of someone who hates you lying down under its load, then you must refrain from leaving him. With him you are without fail to get it loose.

(Exodus 23:12) ¹² “Six days you are to do your work; but on the seventh day you are to desist, in order that your bull and your ass may rest and the son of your slave girl and the alien resident may refresh themselves.

The reason seems to be made clear at Lev. 17:10-12…

¹⁰ “‘As for any man of the house of Israel or some alien resident who is residing as an alien in YOUR midst who eats any sort of blood, I shall certainly set my face against the soul that is eating the blood, and I shall indeed cut him off from among his people. ¹¹ For the soul of the flesh is in the blood, and I myself have put it upon the altar for YOU to make atonement for YOUR souls, because it is the blood that makes atonement by the soul [in it]. ¹² That is why I have said to the sons of Israel: “No soul of YOU must eat blood and no alien resident who is residing as an alien in YOUR midst should eat blood.”

Verse 11 seems to make clear that the issue is more with the principal of what life represents, or that life being in the blood, has a special significance to Jehovah.

OK, now why don’t we read Gen. 9:4,5a, this is something that isn’t usually done in an examination of the blood sacredness issue. Since there wasn’t a division of verses and chapters in the original writings there shouldn’t be anything wrong with this approach. Let’s try and see if the thought in verse 5 is a continuation of the other statement on animal blood, or if it is an entirely unrelated thought or the beginning of a new one.

“⁴ Only flesh with its soul-its blood-YOU must not eat. ⁵ And, besides that, YOUR blood of YOUR souls shall I ask back.”

The following statements in the rest of verse 5 and continuing in verse 6 add to this first point, but they don’t seem to limit it to the applications that follow. In other words they don’t seem to allow for the understanding that “You can do what ever you want with human blood, you just can’t kill the person”.

“. From the hand of every living creature shall I ask it back; and from the hand of man, from the hand of each one who is his brother, shall I ask back the soul of man. ⁶ Anyone shedding man’s blood, by man will his own blood be shed, for in God’s image he made man.

That being the case, let’s try to get an understanding of what is meant by God’s claiming of man’s blood and the life that is in it.

The only parallel account to this one, in the manner of the principals involved, is in the earlier chapters of Genesis. In Genesis chapter 2 and verses 16 and 17 God says this…

“ ¹⁶ And Jehovah God also laid this command upon the man: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. ¹⁷ But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.”

There are at least two reasons that this is a parallel account. One, it is an inaugural situation. On both occasions God was giving the men a new start; Adam in Eden, and Noah on the cleansed earth. Also in both instances Jehovah was putting something off limits to men. How far should those limits go? Before Eve sinned she had a perfect conscience, and in chapter 3 and verses 2 and 3 this is what she said….

“ ² At this the woman said to the serpent: “Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat. ³ But as for [eating] of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘YOU must not eat from it, no, YOU must not touch it that YOU do not die.”

The fruit of the tree that God put off limits to men in Gen. 2 and the blood of men and animals that He put off limits to mankind in Gen. 9 would seem to both fit into the definition of sacred, posted earlier. How far would that restriction go? Would it be reasonable to conclude that God felt the same way about blood, that he expressed to Noah in Genesis chapter 9, as he did about the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, that he expressed to Adam in Genesis chapter 2?

Is there any more that we can learn from the Genesis accounts? We can ask a few questions regarding the things that are known. Would it have been permissible for Adam and Eve to do other things with the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and bad? Or perhaps Eve might have made a garland or a bouquet of the blossoms and leaves of the tree. Perhaps Adam could have made some wine or liqueur from the fruit; drinking isn’t eating, and it would have had to go through several processes. Maybe Adam could have used some propagating techniques to grow new plants of the same kind, grafting, transplanting, and planting seeds, etc. in order to get around Jehovah’s command, it wouldn’t have been exactly the same tree. But then we have to ask ourselves if it is wise to try to get around Jehovah’s commands. Would that have been the spirit of obedience?

” ⁵ And, besides that, YOUR blood of YOUR souls shall I ask back.”

Do the prior and following statements control the way this statement is to be understood? Is it merely saying that, if man does eat the blood of animals, God will exact retribution and require the blood of that man to atone for the disobedience? Or is He saying that men don’t even own the right to do what they wish with their own blood, and the life it contains? Do men have the right to kill themselves? Do men have the right to give their blood and the life it represents to others? Do men have the right to foul their blood with drugs, poisons, and other contaminants?

” From the hand of every living creature shall I ask it back; and from the hand of man, from the hand of each one who is his brother, shall I ask back the soul of man. ⁶ Anyone shedding man’s blood, by man will his own blood be shed, for in God’s image he made man.”

A very cautioning statement, not only does this statement give warning of the consequences of disobedience in this regard, it also shows that the preceding statement is limited to mans blood only.

” From the hand of every living creature shall I ask it back; and from the hand of man, from the hand of each one who is his brother, shall I ask back the soul of man.”

Note that there isn’t any statement as to what God would do if Noah or his family disobeyed and ate the blood of animals. Not that what they had just experienced wouldn’t have made them cautious. But succeeding generations might question what would happen if they disobeyed God and ate the blood. There isn’t any record of anyone asking God what would happen, so where could they have gotten guidance? Wouldn’t it have been in the only other example recorded of God’s claiming exclusive ownership of something? Isn’t it likely that, if Noah and those who followed after him cared what God thought enough to respect His wishes, they would have considered the record that they obviously carried with them on the ark and would have seen God’s dealings with Adam and Cain and would have known that their relationship with Jehovah and their very life could be at stake.

Is that the end of the matter? Everything necessary to please Jehovah in the matter of blood is in the first 9 chapters of Genesis. Just like everything necessary to please Jehovah in the matter of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and bad had been provided for Adam at the outset of his life. If Satan’s ploy with Eve hadn’t corrupted Adam, the rest of mankind that came along after, would have still been under the restriction placed on Adam regarding the fruit of that particular tree. The fruit itself was likely symbolic of the right Jehovah had to set the standards of what was right, or good, and what was wrong, or bad. The results of disobedience to that command, however, were not symbolic they were devastating and permanent.

There wasn’t any need for Jehovah to reiterate His command to Adam. That command was given to a mind that was uncluttered with the example of the imperfect world, which we have to filter out, to get a proper understanding of Jehovah’s requirements. Our life is spent amongst a corrupt and rebellious environment. It is as if the very air we breathe is filled with the energy of disobedience to God.

(Ephesians 2:1-3) 2 Furthermore, [it is] YOU [God made alive] though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and sins, ² in which YOU at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience. ³ Yes, among them we all at one time conducted ourselves in harmony with the desires of our flesh, doing the things willed by the flesh and the thoughts, and we were naturally children of wrath even as the rest. . .

This being the case, we have to be especially careful in our worship of Jehovah, so as not to become disapproved somehow. These scriptures should be read and reflected on while considering this issue.

(Romans 1:28-32) ²⁸ And just as they did not approve of holding God in accurate knowledge, God gave them up to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting, ²⁹ filled as they were with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malicious disposition, being whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, self-assuming, inventors of injurious things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, merciless. ³² Although these know full well the righteous decree of God, that those practicing such things are deserving of death, they not only keep on doing them but also consent with those practicing them.

(1 Corinthians 9:26-27) . . .; ²⁷ but I pummel my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow.

(2 Corinthians 13:5) ⁵ Keep testing whether YOU are in the faith, keep proving what YOU yourselves are. Or do YOU not recognize that Jesus Christ is in union with YOU? Unless YOU are disapproved.

(2 Timothy 3:8) ⁸ Now in the way that Jan´nes and Jam´bres resisted Moses, so these also go on resisting the truth, men completely corrupted in mind, disapproved as regards the faith.

Descendants of Noah, like Shem, Abraham, Lot, and others obviously were faithful in this matter, otherwise they couldn’t have enjoyed a good relationship with Jehovah. The world of mankind in general though, evidently wasn’t. By the time Jehovah brought Israel out of Egypt, there had to be a distinction in this regard given to that nation in order to maintain the approved standing. There had to be standards relative to the handling of this issue when dealing with the nations alienated from Jehovah. We can learn from these laws given to Israel, and apply it in our relationship to the world around us as it may apply.

(Romans 15:4) ⁴ For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.

How each individual applies all of this information is determined by their individual conscience. Not in the sense of whether or not to make inquiries about the meat that is bought in the market,

(1 Corinthians 8:7-13) ⁷ Nevertheless, there is not this knowledge in all persons; but some, being accustomed until now to the idol, eat food as something sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ⁸ But food will not commend us to God; if we do not eat, we do not fall short, and, if we eat, we have no credit to ourselves. ⁹ But keep watching that this authority of YOURS does not somehow become a stumbling block to those who are weak. ¹⁰ For if anyone should see you, the one having knowledge, reclining at a meal in an idol temple, will not the conscience of that one who is weak be built up to the point of eating foods offered to idols? ¹¹ Really, by your knowledge, the man that is weak is being ruined, [your] brother for whose sake Christ died. ¹² But when YOU people thus sin against YOUR brothers and wound their conscience that is weak, YOU are sinning against Christ. ¹³ Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat flesh at all, that I may not make my brother stumble.

but in the sense of what level of obedience is required to please Jehovah in a matter.

(Romans 13:1-5) 13 Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. ² Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves. ³ For those ruling are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you, then, want to have no fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; ⁴ for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword; for it is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad. ⁵ There is therefore compelling reason for YOU people to be in subjection, not only on account of that wrath but also on account of [YOUR] conscience.

The issue in the case of the meat was one of perception, idols being nothing in reality, but having an impact on someone who is serving them. Paul is saying that, to someone like that, your behavior might have the effect of hardening their conscience to the point of believing that sacrifice to idols is really acceptable.

The issue in the case of the superior authorities is one of personal application. The importance of which is spelled out in verse 5. How sensitive is your conscience to Godly authority? Will you drive the speed limit because Jehovah wishes it? Or will you drive in a manner that will not be seen by the authorities as in their best interests to prosecute. The properly trained conscience will respond in the proper manner. Likewise, the properly trained conscience will respond, in a proper manner, to those things that become evident while meditating on what the Bible has to say about important things that God has made sacred to Himself.

Misuse of Similarities

The scriptures often use words and titles with a difference of meaning when applied in different ways. Many, with a desire to prove that Jesus is Jehovah, will often take these words and try to make them appear to mean something other than intended, that is, that Jesus is God. Let us look at one of these titles:

Isaiah 37:16: O Yahweh of hosts, ELOHIM of Israel, who dwells between the cherubs, you are the ELOHIM, you alone, of all the kingdom of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. — See also 2 Kings 19:15

Exodus 7:1 And Yahweh said to Moses, `See, I have made you ELOHIM to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother is your prophet

Does this mean that Moses is actually Yahweh, since Yahweh said that he made Moses ELOHIM to Pharaoh? Of course not! Yet such reasoning is often used of Jesus when he is a few times referred to by the Hebrew and Greek words that are often translated as “God”, such EL, ELOHIM and THEOS. In our study on Hebraic Usages*, we have demonstrated that the Bible often use these words in their more basic meaning of power, strength, might, rather than in exclusive manner that it is being used in Isaiah 37:16. Understanding this helps to realize that ELOHIM applied to Moses in Exodus 7:1 takes on a superior meaning of might. Thus Yahweh made Moses “mighty” to Pharaoh. And Yahweh gave Aaron to be Moses’ spokesperson. Likewise, with Jesus. Jesus will, in the Millennial Age, be called by the name “Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom”**. (Isaiah 9:6) Part of this name does contain the designation EL, and often rendered in conjunction with the word “gibbor”, by the term “Mighty God”. However, the usage of EL here is not regarding the exclusiveness of Yahweh’s godship, but rather of Jesus’ might and power that he will exercise in the age to come. And yet Isaiah 9:7 shows that it is Yahweh that will perform the carrying out of his promise concerning the Messiah; it is Yahweh, in other words, who gives to Jesus this designation, similar to the manner that Yahweh gave the designation ELOHIM to Pharaoh.
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Often in the scriptures we read of various servants of God who performed great acts on behalf of God. Nevertheless, at the same time the scriptures may refer to these acts as being performed by Yahweh (Jehovah) himself. So, now let us look at another set of scriptures:

Exodus 12:51 - It happened the same day, that Yahweh brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts

Yahweh alone did lead him [Israel/Jacob - verse 9], There was no foreign god with him. — Deuteronomy 32:12.

Exodus 15:22: Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

Does this mean that since both Mose and Yahweh both delivered the Isralites out of Egypt, that this must mean that Moses is Yahweh? No one seriously claims that Moses is Yahweh, yet according to the reasoning of those who wish to use similar arguments to prove that Jesus is Yahweh, it would seem that these scriptures should definitely prove that Moses is Yahweh. Of course, in reality, Yahweh often takes the credit for what his servants do in his name. (see scriptures below) Just because one scripture says Yahweh did this or that, and another scripture says that Moses, Gideon, Jesus, or another of God’s servants did the same, does not mean that any of these are Yahweh.

So how is it that it can be said that both Moses and Yahweh delivered Israel? Taking the Bible as a whole we learn:

Psalm 77:20: You [Yahweh] led your people like a flock, By the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Hosea 12:13 - By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt, And by a prophet he was preserved.

In this manner it could be said that both Yahweh and Moses brought Israel out of Egypt; it is likewise with the greater Moses, Jesus. — Deuteronomy 18:15-19.

How well this illustrates also how Yahweh, speaks and performs works by means of his Son, Jesus (John 1:17; 3:34; 5:36; 10:25,32; 14:10; Ephesians 3:9, KJV; Titus 3:6), and delivers the world from sin and death through Jesus, the one like Moses who is also sent by Yahweh. Thus both Jesus and the God of Jesus can be called savior, since Jesus, like Moses, is the one sent by Yahweh, and performs his works in Yahweh’s name.

The scriptures abound with cases where Yahweh uses various servants but is given the credit for their actions, since he was the directing force. — Exodus 3:10,12; 12:17; 18:10; Numbers 16:28; Judges 2:6,18; 3:9,10; 6:34; 11:29; 13:24,25; 14:6,19; 15:14,18; 16:20,28-30, 2 Kings 4:27; Isaiah 43:11, 45:1-6; etc.

1 Kings 1:48 - Also thus said the king [David], Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who has given one to sit on my throne this day, my eyes even seeing it.

1 Kings 2:24 - Now therefore as Yahweh lives, who has established me [Solomon], and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house, as he promised, surely Adonijah shall be put to death this day

1 Chronicles 29:23 - Then Solomon sat on the throne of Yahweh as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him.

Solomon’s sits on the throne of David — yet he sits on the throne of Yahweh. No one considers that this proves that David is Yahweh, yet many use the same kind of reasoning to try to prove that Jesus is the only true God who sent Jesus.

A similar usage is often demonstrated in the Hebrew and Greek words that are translated “worship”. Yet if one actually considers how these words are used, and claim that every time that these words are legitimately used of a person, that it proves that the person who receives such homage is Yahweh, one would have many human on earth who would be God. Let us briefly examine a few scriptures.

Matthew 4:10 “You must Worship Yahweh your God and you must serve him only.”

1 Chronicles 29:20: And David said to all the assembly, Now bless Yahweh your God. And all the assembly blessed Jehovah, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshiped Yahweh, and the king.”

Thus the King of Israel [whether David or Solomon is meant here is not clear] would appear to be worshiped along with Yahweh. According to our neighbors who wish to believe that similar scriptures such as these prove that Jesus is Yahweh, this would make the King of Israel also Yahweh.
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Of course, context in all situations, even in the scriptures that are used to supposedly prove that Jesus is Yahweh, shows that there are circumstances where titles, descriptions, etc. are used in a relative sense.

We have no reason to believe, then, that when Jesus is used to carry out the will of Yahweh, and the work he does is elsewhere described as being done by Yahweh, that this is proof that Jesus is Yahweh, anymore than such is proof that Moses is Yahweh.

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Health and Wealth ministries

I read your Stairway to Heaven article on materialism and still can’t understand why people (and especially these new mega churches) are still so into it. People have actually told me that God wants us to have wealth, and I keep receiving “religious” email chain letters about being “blessed” monetarily. I would prefer blessings of a more loving type. . .!!

My question is always, what kind of “wealth” does that necessarily mean? It is all so contradictory to Jesus’ teachings as well as to His overthrowing of the merchants’ tables in the Temple. How do they rationalize this way of thinking?

Thank you for your thoughtful response to my essay on materialism.

I also have difficulty understanding the “health and wealth” gospel that some profess in the name of Christ. I find no justification for it in Scripture. In fact, I find just the opposite in passages like 1 Peter 4:12-16:

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”

Paul, in Romans 5, points out that suffering is an integral part of developing the character we need to serve Christ effectively. As to where this “health and wealth” gospel comes from, I suppose it begins with the very popular view that “God wants me to be happy” rather than the biblical admonition to be holy as God is holy. Fortunately, many churches (both large and small) work hard to overcome this form of hedonism.

For Him,

Don Closson

© 2007 Probe Ministries

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What matters to God?

ADMIN COMMENT

Strange question considering we have a collection of 66 books outlining the history and direction of Gods people from the creation of man till a short time after Jesus’ resurrection. You would think we would have the answer.

There are over 1 billion Catholics in the world, and about the same number who claim to be Christian of one denomination or another. That leaves just a touch over 4 billion persons of other persuasions out there. One third approximately of the world then claim to be followers of Christ or believers in the Bible.

I have over the years, had the privilege of travel to many countries. During my time in the various countries, I have taken the time to talk with people and visit the museums and religious centers that are held sacred by the respective citizens. It did not take long to see a pattern emerge of convergent beliefs and attitudes between races. Conversely, where one would expect to see similarities, there were huge differences in belief.

The closest similarities in religious affiliation I found strangely enough were between the Hindus and Catholicism.

Historical research conducted later in life, would account for this. More later.

I am not much of a prophecy interpreter. I read the Bible books related to the subject matter, I then read every single piece of information available on the subject, I then collate the information into areas of agreement and disagreement between scholars, and then take the relevant information and trace it through the Bible scriptural references and see where it appears to be in agreement and where the interpretations seems to wander off track. If I do not get a sense of understanding or cohesion from this research, I simply state” I do not know”, and wait for further clarification as it appears.

I simply am not prepared to guess at dates or events in relation to the second coming of Christ and the Biblical tribulation prior to Armageddon. Jesus stated very clearly that no man knows the day or the hour, not even the son, and that is good enough for me.

It would appear that Jesus gave a general account of events that would be a sign of the time. (Matt 24) and a few other comments would seem to place us in the 21st century as possibly being close to events. BUT.. Im not prepared to interpret scripture and state categorically that it is now. My general understanding that we are in end times, but how far along I hesitate to conjecture.

All this aside, the purpose of this brief commentary, is too take a look at where we as individuals are in relationship to God.

All modern Christian denominations derive their teachings in one form or another from the Catholic Church.  History shows the beginnings of christianity as we know it, is different from the Christianity of the Bible. I would not have known had I not been instructed in my teens to research everything I was ever told was truth…and prove it truth.

The Bible teaches: One God with a personal name Jahweh or Jehovah.

One primary creation, one only begotten first born, later to become Jesus the Christ who fulfilled the exchange of ransom for mankind by suffering as a human once and for all time, who redeemed us from the bondage of Adamic sin and eternal death in the grave.

A heavenly spiritual realm filled with different forms of spirit creatures.

A heavenly disagreement between another created angel who came to known as Satan, and the Lord God himself over the right to rule. This disagreement spilled over into the earthly realm right at the beginning of mankinds existence and has blighted the whole earthly creation ever since.

The Bible does not talk about a trinity or triune God head. Neither about eternal Hell for sinners. There is no “once saved always saved”. The need for prophecies and talking in tongues ended with the death of the Apostles and was replaced with the “complete knowledge”, ie the collection of the 66 books made into the Bible for our understanding and education. There is no Rapture mentioned in the Bible. No worship of men or statues or praying to Jesus. There is no obligation for Christians under the Mosaic law to tithe.  There is a mention in the Bible of eternal life on earth for individuals and some who share with Christ in the heavens.

Does your church teach any of the above? Have you taken the time to research each point and prove to yourself that the teachings are valid..or not?

Its easy to sit in church and go with the flow. Nice Pastor and wife, good BBQs on Sunday after the service, nice friendly spirit in the church. I wish we all had that kind of peacefulness, I went to that kind of Church.One day I questioned a couple of things and was told that I should go along with it as that was official policy. (Conversely, As a Church minister, I would be removed from my position if I discussed anything of my researched doubts).

So here I am,  without a church body, without the finances generated by wrong teachings, a lot less financially stable but free to discuss research and biblical truths as above.

Do I have concerns that I might be in error leaving the church body? yes, I often pray to God and ask if I made a mistake in leaving, that I should have stayed within and swallowed the differences I found.

The truth is, I miss the fellowship. I miss my friends. I miss the friendliness. I miss the acceptance of worship within.

I dont miss the wrongful teachings of doctrine that made me anxious and sad.  I dont miss the judgment placed on me that I was not spiritual because of these researched differences.

My colleagues and I write these articles re: doctrinal issues because it is the truth as we find them. There is no ax to grind. God is God and he will correct us as he sees fit if we mislead on purpose or unintentionally. Either way, truth is truth.

So, if there is no trinity, no hell, no once saved always saved, no infant baptism, no tithing, and a whole slew of other things, what matters to God is that YOU take the time to serve him as he wants.

Atheism versus Belief in God

This is an ongoing dialogue between Gw staff and a reader of this site. Gw thought it would be of benefit to open the discussion further for other readers atheist or christian alike to join in if so moved.

http://cfministries.proboards98.com/

is our discussion board where Ive opened this same thread under General board.

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