WHEN DOES “FREEDOM” LEAD TO CAPTIVITY AND SLAVERY?

Freedom vs Anarchy?

Increasingly, you hear people say, “You can’t tell me what to do. I’ll live my life the way I want!” This kind of remark used to be recited mostly by the young and foolish or the older renegade types who were disobedient to parents and authority or liked living outside the restraints of civil society. But no more.

Today this has become the all-too-frequent battle cry of our youth being trained by the Left’s Marxist-Leninist agenda by the extreme and progressive left – which, incidentally, makes up about 28% of our society. However, when it comes to voting numbers, about 51% of registered voters lean left. What is more troubling is that when voters VOTE for Leftist, progressive and radical extremist issues, they are unwittingly (or wittingly) being played. The LEFT then employs three important strategies to capitalize on the manipulated voter and their support.

#1. A large number of those voting for the Left, are “one issue voters”. They vote for the one thing they want (i.e., “I’ll live my life the way I want – and I want abortion-on-demand, or free healthcare, or more social handouts, etc.), and ignore (or are ignorant) of important issues and ideologies included in the Left’s platform. Another way of saying is that ‘they sell their birthright for a bowl of pottage’.

#2. So, the pols and strategists aggressively promote the in-demand and various ‘one issue’ or hot button topics, and minimize the advertising of more onerous or radical agenda issues. Thereby, the Left gets the vote and then implements their full radical agenda.

It seemed to have started as a defiant, in-your-face challenge to authority and tradition, which incidentally, has been taught by the Leftists in our schools for the last fifty or so years. It is now the prevalent attitude of about forty percent of registered American voters.

#3. We now live in a ‘Wikipedia society’ — where anyone can change the meaning of a word to satisfy some misguided or politically correct social engineering goal.

Leftists, Progressive radicals have become masters of vocabulary manipulation and are constantly changing the traditional meaning of words to fit their political agenda.

Socio-political Left has co-opted the meaning of words to deceive the uninformed, uneducated and apathetic public. This is not a new concept and it has been in practice for decades. It has, however, become a more prominent tactic of the political Left in recent years.

In the 1990s, President Clinton famously defended his conduct with Monica Lewinsky by stating, “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is”. I think most people who completed high school English commonly understood the definition of the word to be the third-person singular present tense of the English language verb “to be.” Its meaning was clear to everyone except Democrats.

Liberals have hijacked many words. For example, the word gay originally meant feelings of being “carefree,” “happy” or “bright and showy.” Now, the most commonly accepted use of the word gay primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual.

The term illegal immigration is no longer politically acceptable because it might reflect negatively upon some poor, misunderstood “migrant” who entered the United States illegally seeking a better life. The liberal left now identifies them as undocumented immigrants, and sometimes called unregistered Democrats.

Recently, Congresswoman Lois Capps, D-Calif., along with more than two dozen Democrats have come together and proposed legislation to remove the words “husband” and “wife” from federal law. The leftists want to replace them with more “gender-neutral” terms like married couple, spouse, or some other non-offensive term. The current social engineering requires leftists to continually change public perception of reality. Same-sex marriages are relatively rare, so they need new terminology to make it seem not-so-rare and socially unnoticeable.

A common language, with commonly accepted and understood words, are a reflection of unity, cooperation and the mores of a society. It creates stability. Commonly understood words not only give definition but carry images of legacies, thoughts and ideas of how things should be.

The lack of stability undermines the very foundation of a stable, moral and civil society. Disrupting the status quo is the aim and goal of progressive Democrats because without conflict or turmoil, they cannot advance their drive to a Paganistic, amoral and socialist society.

In the words of Vladimir Lenin:

• “We can and must write in a language which sows among the masses hate, revulsion, and scorn toward those who disagree with us. “
• “The press should be not only a collective propagandist and a collective agitator, but also a collective organizer of the masses. “
• “Give me your four-year-olds, and in a generation I will build a socialist state. “

In the words of Karl Marx:

• If you can cut the people off from their history, then they can be easily persuaded.” (Revision and redefinition of language, revision of text books, historical data, historical sites.)

The Globalists and Marxists cry “Freedom” from God. Freedom from capitalism, Freedom from social restrictions. Freedom from the slavery and drudgery of hard work. But the alternative is a dungeon of poverty, sickness and want.

History has shown us that Godless Marxism, and all of its variant forms, has always exacted its toll in death and destruction of life and means. It inexorably leads to captivity, slavery of the masses under an elitist, brutal and murderous task master. Always!

FROM A HIGHER PERSPECTIVE

Difficult Times Will Come. (2 Timothy 3:1-9, Amplified version.)

“But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come, [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. (This is a narcissistic society of evildoing, lawlessness, chaos and anarchy.)

(NOTE: Many so-called ‘pastors’ love the moniker but avoid and neglect the work and calling of a Biblical pastor. They are not called of God. You know them by their fruit. The above remarks in 2 Timothy aptly describe the new-age of pastor-CEO, pastor-visionary, pastor-leader, pastor-etc., etc., etc.)

“Avoid such people and keep far away from them. For among them are those who worm their way into homes and captivate morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women weighed down by [the burden of their] sins, easily swayed by various impulses, always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

(NOTE:  The term “morally weak and spiritually-dwarfed women” as it is used here, may seem to be specifically aimed at women and to the exclusion of men. That is incorrect. This description is anachronistic. It must be understood in the social context of that day. Women, in general were considered to be second class members of society when these verses were written. Women’s lives and value were defined almost solely in relation to men: their fathers and husbands. This description is being used contemptuously to define anyone, and specifically a man who would be considered to behave in such a way. (It could be said, in a contemporary and derogatory way, “he acts just like a silly old woman” or “he is such a Nancy”.)

“Just as Jannes and Jambres [the court magicians of Egypt] opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, unqualified and worthless [as teachers] in regard to the faith. But they will not get very far, for their meaningless nonsense and ignorance will become obvious to everyone, as was that of Jannes and Jambres.”

Dear Friends, as for us, let’s continue in the things that we have learned and of which we are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them, that being God, the Bible and the Holy Spirit, and how we know the sacred writings (Scriptures) which are able to give us the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness].

Let’s remember that all Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately–behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man, woman, boy or girl of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Let’s stand firm in these (last) days! His return is near.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed]. Galatians 5:1.

WHY THE HATRED FOR JEWS?

What is the reason for anti-Semitism?

Besides the normal tensions that exist between different cultures and governments and discounting petty national jealousies, what causes long-running international hatred for Israel and Jews?

One can read current headlines and see what reasons are being given for the current day or even for this 21st century. But this problem of Jew-hating goes back for centuries.

Rabbi Benjamin Blech, professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University in New York, says, “It is the Jews’ acceptance of a higher law of morality and ethics that is responsible for the world’s enmity.

“Jews were the first to preach the message of the Ten Commandments, that worship of God includes the second tablet of respect for fellow mankind. As the mother religion of both Christianity and Islam, Judaism pioneered the ideal of the holy and the human need for acting in accord with divine law. But anti-Semitism stands in opposition to the very idea of civilization. It detests Jews because it acknowledges that Jews are the conscience of humanity and the lawgivers of ethical and moral behavior.

“Amazingly enough, Adolf Hitler dared to verbalize it as justification for his plan for genocide of the Jewish people: “Conscience is a Jewish invention like circumcision. My task is to free men from the dirty and degrading ideas of conscience and morality.

“As Jews prepare to celebrate the reception of the Ten Commandments, anti-Semitism ought to be viewed as a badge of honor. Jews are hated not because they are bad, but because they persist in reminding the world of what it means to be good. Anti-Semitism is nothing less than a visceral reaction to the cry of a guilty conscience.”

I believe there are two other and deeper reason for this type of genocidal pathology that infects so many minds around the world.

Reason #2. The Jews seem to be gifted with an above average ability to excel. I could cite examples, but you do the work. And, like anyone who lags behind, jealousy, resentment and hatred sets in toward those to seem to ‘scoop up all the good stuff’ and leave the rest of us ‘groveling in the dust’, or so the idea goes. This is the same kind of resentment shown toward America by so many other countries, nations and peoples. We are accused of taking from them and their nations for our benefit and wealth, without sharing that wealth with them, when in fact the generosity of America is legendary. However, American business or government makes a deal with a nation, create the desired profitable results and the other side cries foul! They become jealous and angry when they see fantastic results derived from materials that have been under the feet of a host nation for centuries, but had gone undiscovered or undeveloped. So, when the profits are made, they hate America.

(As a conservative and a Christian, I applaud achievement and success of others. But if I think you have stolen from me to gain your advantage or if I feel your success has unfairly cost me financially, socially or personally, I too could become resentful and jealous. I can understand that reasoning. But, not enough to kill or commit genocide on a national scale!)

Reason #3. Hypocrisy. Interestingly, the Bible tells of gross Jewish religious hypocrisy, which, according to the Bible, stems from sinful rebellion toward God. The Jews present the world with the Ten Commandments and a higher level of law and morality, and it is the Jews who defy, ignore and transgress these very Commandments.

Jewish religious leaders, Rabbis, and priesthood, at various times and epochs, have obediently and strictly followed the laws of their Talmud; only to fall away from that practice and incur the wrath of God on their nation and people. This might seem to be an internal issue. But with the Jew’s extensive influence and profound interactions with surrounding peoples and nations, it was made a public issue.

Combined with the example cited in Reason #2, this has created jealousy, resentment, animosity and even an intense hatred for the Jew, their laws and their practices.

Unfortunately – or should I say, tragically – a percentage of Jews are innocent of these hypocrisies and behaviors. But, like in so many instances, the entire group is painted with the broad brush of a majority.

The perception of this hypocrisy and greediness of the Jew had spread worldwide. And the resentment has become so intense, that many people will ignore (or privately applaud) the butchering of innocent Jewish men, women, children and babies but condemn a Jewish military response to stem the murderous atrocities aimed at Israel and Jews, (and tens of thousands more similar incidents), and call out even more loudly for the complete annihilation and total destruction of Israel.

This issue, this problem of hatred of Jews, is as old as recorded history, and for the same or similar misguided political, economic, religious and social reasons.

Admittedly, there have been, in the past, and are nowadays, some really ‘bad’ influential and powerful Jews in the world; but there are also some really ‘good’ Jews in the world. And, so it is with any race or nation. But this is no justification for the eradication of an entire race of people – to think that way is a pathological madness. A mental disease of uncontrolled hatred.

I would like to add that there is not one person or nation on this earth that haven’t done the things Israel is accused of, and much worse things. Yet, only Israel is perpetually demonized. (Frankly, it is written in scriptures. There is a purpose – a Purpose so grand and unimaginable, it could only be ordained, initiated and complete by God: The giving of a Savior through the Nation and bloodlines of Israel.)

In conclusion, similar resentments and hatreds have been and are being expressed toward Christians, and for some of the same reasons. And these resentments are also growing in numbers and in their intensities. This should serve as a wake-up call and a warning for Christians everywhere to firmly adhere to the teachings of love, peace and justice toward all peoples – and to prepare for what may be coming.

The Jews are bearing the brunt of genocidal racial and religious discrimination and hatred, but it may not stop at that point for people who resent a higher law of morality and ethics, the principles of the Ten Commandments, and the worship of God which includes respect for fellow humankind.

Jesus said, “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well”. They killed Jesus for religious, social and political biases. Prepare yourself.

I am presenting a message by pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia titled “STOP LISTENING TO THE MAJORITY” taken from the book of Acts 27:1-25, which can help us all prepare ourselves.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE UNITED STATES OF WHAT?

Many people, in addition to Bible commentators, Bible teachers and theologians are asking, “Is the United States mentioned in Bible prophecy?”, specifically in the End Times, (also known as The Last Days which precede the End of the World).

If you are not acquainted with End Times scenarios or are not familiar with Bible eschatology, it is a time in which the age we live will cease. According to some traditions, the world will not cease to exist, but will be radically altered. According to the general Christian view, it is a time when Jesus Christ will return from heaven, gather His ‘believers’ and take them to heaven, whereupon, God will judge the earth with horrific and cataclysmic cosmic and terrestrial judgments. He will defeat Satan and his armies of demons, wipe away all the evil on earth and sentence Satan, the Beast of Revelation all those who do not follow Christ and have received the “mark” of the Beast, (which is the symbol 666), to be sentenced to hell – a lake of fire and brimstone – for eternity.

The United States of America is never explicitly mentioned in the Bible, and there are no biblical prophecies that point with certainty to the United States. As far as we can tell, the United States of America is not mentioned in biblical prophecy.

The answers given to what happens to the United States of America in the End Times are most universally:

1) Perhaps in the end times, the United States will be weakened to the extent that its influence in the world suffers, and America does not play an important role in end-times events.

2) Perhaps in the end times, the United States has ceased to exist altogether.

3) Perhaps the United States is simply one of the other nations of the world that reject God in the end times and becomes one of the select nations to rule under the one world confederation. (see Revelation 10:11; 11:18; 12:5; 14:8; 15:4; 16:19; 17:15; 18:3,23; 19:15).

If any of these scenarios are true, what does that mean for us, the people who live in the United States? That is unclear and uncertain. But if you extrapolate the current political and social declining trends in the U.S., there is a good chance of a national collapse, or of external forces invading and conquering America; or that America becomes so decadent and weak morally, spiritually, politically, economically and socially, that we descend into an irretrievable internal chaos and become irrelevant. (see Brookings Institute, or The Guardian).

Additionally, there are forces rising across the globe, and they are uniting in an increasingly successful effort to reshape and remake the world into a one-world system. The Commission on Global Governance has publicly stated that when their Agenda-21 plan (which has been renamed in its final stage as Agenda 2030 – and the 2030 represents its completion date), is fully implemented, “it will bring all the people of the world into a global neighborhood managed by a world-wide bureaucracy, under the direct authority of a minute handful of appointed individuals, and policed by thousands of individuals, paid by accredited NGOs, certified to support a belief system which contains ideas that are foreign to the American experience, and ignores other values and ideas that are precious to the American experience.”

What are we as Christians to do in response? We are to stand firm. Stand firm in our beliefs and convictions. Which sounds a lot easier than it must be to really do. I say that because very precious few Christians actually live according to what the Bible teaches. Christians are pretty good at parroting scriptures, but not so good and actually living them, according to Pew and Barna research.

The time has come, however, that the Church is being shaken. God is preparing His Bride (The Church) for His return. When this shaking (or judgment) begins, it will begin in the Church before spreading to the rest of the world.

Church members have largely been convinced that God will protect them from any of the coming judgments ‘just because we say we are Christians’ and have prayed some insignificant recitals of acceptance and then gone on to live in some modified version as we have always been.

Salvation is radical. It is a death. It is a rebirth. It is a submission to the teachings and life of Jesus.

It is a transformation of extreme proportions. And don’t be deceived – it can be frightening at times. But it is the only way out of the ‘curse of sin’ which can and will condemn even the nicest and most sincere person to ‘an eternal darkness where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth’.

We are now to stand firm, protected by the Blood of the Lamb and by our testimony!

So, where is America headed? Let’s be clear: DOWN.

Where are you headed? Just because you say you believe, but do not do the things He has command you, why do you think you will be saved from the wrath to come?

Jesus spoke directly to this matter in Matthew 25:31-46. It is time.

Please consider watching this video sermon by pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia titled “STOP LISTENING TO THE MAJORITY” taken from the book of Acts 27:1-25.

Additionally, here is an introduction taken from Pastor Hamrick’s and Cornerstone Chapel’s web page:

“There is a lot of cultural pressure today to conform to the latest majority opinion. Groupthink can be intimidating, and the “majority consensus” often causes people to either go silent in order to avoid ridicule, or to conform in order to fit in.

But Paul said in Galatians 1:10, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” In other words, we can’t be a God-pleaser and a man-pleaser at the same time. Godly men and women in the Bible have always been willing to stand alone when necessary. Join today’s Bible study as Pastor Gary encourages us to stop listening to the majority and to start honoring God”.

Dear Friends, if you have been following this website, Whitestone Fellowship 2020 for any time you have seen my pleas and warnings that we must Get Ready and Stay Ready, to be found doing what Jesus has directed us and commanded us upon His return.

Pastor Hamrick emphasizes that this can be costly but is the price of being a Christians and a disciple of Jesus – or as many churches like to say, ‘becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus’.

The time has come and is upon us when we must pick up our banner and follow Jesus into the spiritual battle.

“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart), and having [c]strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

“With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all [e]God’s people.” (Ephesians 6:10-18, Amplified version).

Your Brother and Friend in Christ Jesus,

Mike Young

I am reposting a ‘sermon’ by pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia titled “STOP LISTENING TO THE MAJORITY” taken from the book of Acts 27:1-25. (click on the image above or the green text above here to view).

Here is an introduction taken from Pastor Hamrick’s and Cornerstone Chapel’s web page:

“There is a lot of cultural pressure today to conform to the latest majority opinion. Groupthink can be intimidating, and the “majority consensus” often causes people to either go silent in order to avoid ridicule, or to conform in order to fit in.

But Paul said in Galatians 1:10, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” In other words, we can’t be a God-pleaser and a man-pleaser at the same time. Godly men and women in the Bible have always been willing to stand alone when necessary. Join today’s Bible study as Pastor Gary encourages us to stop listening to the majority and to start honoring God”.

Dear Friends, if you have been following this website, Whitestone Fellowship 2020 for any time you have seen my pleas and warnings that we must Get Ready and Stay Ready, to be found doing what Jesus has directed us and commanded us upon His return.

Pastor Hamrick emphasizes that this can be costly but is the price of being a Christians and a disciple of Jesus – or as many churches like to say, ‘becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus’.

The time has come and is upon us when we must pick up our banner and follow Jesus into the spiritual battle.

“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart), and having [c]strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

“With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all [e]God’s people.” (Ephesians 6:10-18, Amplified version).

Your Brother and Friend in Christ Jesus,

Mike Young

JUST TRYING TO MAKE OUR WAY – THE SOURCE

We, that is, all of us, are just trying to make our way. And most of us know the difficulties we will face every single day. Most of us put on a brave face and try to muster hope as we struggle to get through this life. There are a few of the privileged who don’t deal with or worry about such things, but even they will face the ultimate test – and they know it – as we all know it. The question that remains is HOW? How or what is the best way to move forward? How are we to successfully proceed in life? Which way will give us the most safety, sanctuary and some modicum of peace and success?

We Live In A Jungle

A cursory look at history will tell you about the wild swings between humanity’s proclivity for savagery toward one another and brief attempts at civility, decency and peace. I would suggest that reading a contemporary worldview (anything less than several thousand years old) of how to attain or achieve peace among people would be very shortsighted and myopically flawed.

On the other hand, a credible source of immense value would be a study covering tens of thousands of years with the main stated goal of discovering and finding a way for humanity to live in a truly peaceful coexistence – as impossible as that sounds, that is such a ‘Source’.

This “Source” as I shall call it for now, has gained widespread attention and millions of adherents over the centuries seeking to appropriate the grand promises of peace, safety and health.

Unfortunately, it has been misused and abused by many so-called leaders and teachers for selfish and self-appointed reasons, which ended by largely discrediting this “source” and harming millions of people in the process.

These men and women who would interpret this “Source” by their own standards and frail human worldviews, will do so, sometimes out of sincerity, sometimes out of ignorance and sometimes for personal gain. Whether it is for financial, political or social advantage, some will deliberately twist the teachings of this “Source” in an attempt to appeal to the masses while hiding their selfish, ignorant or dark agenda.

This ‘Source’ has been physically traced back over 2,700 years by ardent and dedicated followers and disciples of the “Source’, and the history recorded in these scribe’s and disciple’s writings has shown that when the principles and teachings of the ‘Source’have been correctly understood, applied and followed, success in terms of peaceful coexistence, material and financial success, social and racial integration, political and geopolitical, religious, educational and health reason have seen remarkable advances.

This “Source”, as you may or may not have guessed, transcends the physical and psychological realms and originates in the unseen spiritual world. This ‘Source’ is not from some ‘spooky, hocus-pocus world’, but is from the realm of what is known as the Kingdom of Heaven – the Kingdom of God.

Let there be no mistake, however. Simply reading, knowing and applying principles is not enough. It takes complete submission and surrender of one’s own attitudes, ways and even one’s own life to gain entrance to this Kingdom – this Realm.

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”. (John 3:5)

Again, the Bible in Galatians 5:19-21 says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

This is a Realm that benefits every person who believes in “The Source”, which is Jesus Christ and the written version, which is the Bible. It is found by the earnest seeker, by their faith, that He exists and is willing to follow and obey His teachings.

“There is a way that that seems right, but in the end leads to death”, (Proverbs 14:12).

The Bible is clear that a person must not change ‘one dot or iota’ of its teachings and fully receive the promised results. These teachings are really instructions on a way of thinking, acting and living. They must be followed, by faith, first in Christ Jesus, then in the way they are written and spoken.

It should be said that the results gained may come instantly for a few, but for most the results will manifest over a longer period of time.

You see, the main objective is not in the ‘getting of the promises’ but the primary outcome is to prepare you, the waiting recipient, to be able to receive the promises.

Unless one is properly grounded in faith and in mature spiritual humility, they cannot possibly receive all that God has promised. God is a gracious, loving and forgiving God, but He will not be fooled. Your commitment to Him must be genuine.

(Please note that this is not a ‘system, a procedure or a formula’. There is nothing magic. This is about becoming a child of God, and He will make you a brother, a friend and a joint-heir of Jesus Christ – provided for by a loving Father.)

It Is Not About Gratification – It Is About Sanctification

Again, the getting and receiving from God, Who is The Source of all things, is not the main point in successfully living your life. Receiving the promises and gifts of God are merely a means to aid you as you travel your brief time on this earth.

It is vital to know that by way of your life’s journey, you are either being made into the image of Christ, (Who is the perfect and exact representation of the Father), or you are perishing.

It is by seeking and following Him that you are being prepared – made suitable and ready – for a home which the Lord has prepared for you ahead of time. A home where you can spend all eternity with Him, in a wonderful and remarkable new heaven and new earth.

Now it is your turn: THINK.

Are you the one who says, “I am not here for a long time. I am only here for a good time!”

Or, are you the one who says, “I will be here for a short time – and the best of time is yet to come!”

So, should you ‘pay now’ and get the greatest of rewards, or squander your time now and lose it all?

Please, please, please dear friend. Choose wisely and join The Rising! You have heard it before: Jesus is The Only Way, The Life and The Source. Run to Him. Collapse in His Arms. Give yourself over to Him. He is eagerly waiting for you.

Your Brother and Friend in Christ,

Mike Young

        IS CURRENT DAY ISRAEL the same as the BIBLICAL ANCIENT ISRAEL?          

There are many convincing and credible essays, sermons and commentaries asserting, or claiming, that ancient Israel is not the same – and cannot be equated with – the modern nation state and geographical land of Israel.

This can be, and is a controversial topic especially in light of world conditions and the appearance that we may be near the End of Days as spoken of in Bible Prophecy.

I believe these arguments which say modern Israel is not the same as Biblical ancient Israel are correct on many points. However, there is one glaring element that is being ignored which cannot and should never be ignored.(click green text for a detailed Bible reference): The destruction and restoration of Israel, as foretold in prophetic scriptures, which occurred, the first time in 586 B.C., (the destruction of the first Jewish Temple) and served a dual role as a foreshadowing of the destruction of the second Jewish Temple, which also serves as a foreshadowing of the rebuilding of a third temple which is neceeary for the ‘abomination of desolation’ to occur.

Then most importantly was the regathering of Jews from all over the world for the reconstitution of Israel as a nation within the boundaries of their ancient homeland, which occurred in 1948, IN JUST ONE DAY, as was also prophesied in  Isaiah 66:8.

(Please note: the colored text contains important links in the matters being put forward or you can read the reprint fronm Biblegateway.com at the end of this article.)

Regardless, neither a temple nor a geographic piece of land proves or disproves that ancient Israel is or is not the same as current day Israel. Besides no Temple, as of this date, has been rebuilt, but scriptures say it will be rebuilt, and when that  happens, according to the Bible, the sacrifices will be re-instituted and there is strong suggestion within scriptures that Israel (or at least a part of the population and government) will re-enter a covenant relationship with God – as it was with ancient Biblical Israel as the groundwork for the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah within Israel and the acceptance of the final covenant given by God through the Son.

I am saying that we are seeing the formative stages of (#1), Israel returning to a covenant relationship with God, (#2), the government of Israel will once again become a Covenantal theocracy, and (#3), the nation will come to recognize Jesus as their long awaited Messiah. It would seem this must occur to correctly set the state for the events of the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and specifically the 3 ½ year period (the first half of the Great Tribulation period) prior to the 6th tribulation trumpet which will mark the second 3 ½ years of the Wrath of the Lamb, the blowing of the 7th tribulation trumpet followed by the pouring out of the wrath of the seven tribulation bowls.

Theologians and Bible teachers have often prematurely connected Bible prophecies to current day events, only to revise or recant their predictions as the day of fulfillment drew closer and more facts were known. And, I believe that is the case here.

These things are coming to pass. Where does Israel fit in? Is it just the ‘Bloodline Jews’ who are the Biblical Israel? Or is it the state Nation of Israel? Or is it the Spiritual Israel? Or is it all who have confessed the Name of Jesus and have been grafted into the Olive Tree?

Your Brother and Friend in Christ Jesus,

Mike Young

(I realize that this short essay needs additional citations, footnotes and references, which I have omitted for brevity, but are available upon request. If you have any comments or questions, please use the reply or comment box and let’s talk.

REPRINT of detailed information on the ‘final element’ proving that the ‘current-day Israel will be converted to a Covenantal Theocracy once again: