Thoughts on Isaiah 53, 1-3

Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account.

We see here that in spite of these and other prophecies few recognized the Messiah when he appeared. This announcement was literally fulfilled with first coming by Jesus Christ. This also explains John in his gospel in verse 12, 38 we read: This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

In the book "Isaiah - consolation for God's People" Betanien comment (http://www.betanien.de) I found the following quote: "John also said, Lord, who?; - whereby clearly is, that all messengers from God ask that question, also today's evangelists. But it is also the issue of the faithful remnant, the future Jewish missionaries before the dawn of the millennium, which bring the world the gospel once again and then confess themselves that they have at that time their Messiah ignored. Evangelists advised in the absence of success sometimes in doubt whether they are on the right path, and are then available in danger resort to human aids, to assist the gospel. However, this verse encouraged, to faithful proclamation! It is quite normal when natural people do not respond to the preaching of the Gospel. How can them, since they are dead in sin and cannot hear or understand spiritual words! A miracle of God's grace is necessary, and for anyone, who believes; God is to praise for this miracle." End quote!

The apostle Paul quotes Isaiah in this context in Romans 10, 16: "But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Paul teaches in this verse also, that to believe also means to obey!

Therefore I cannot understand why time and again verses of Paul, by opponents of obedience are used, to prove why Christians no longer must keep the commandments (especially Sabbath) and the Torah. Paul teaches in many of his writings, that true followers of Jesus Christ are the entire word of God obedient. He explained it very well that the will to obedience must not come from ourselves, because otherwise we are under the law; and that Jesus Christ was written to the true believers of this obedience into the heart, so that this not of their own will (by themselves provide for the redemption), but rather from the heart, fulfil through the help of the Holy Spirit.

I would like to quote because of obedience from the book "Isaiah - consolation for God's People"  (http://www.betanien.de): "He (Paul) puts even >believe< with >obey< same, and thus it is clear that this miracle of grace does not happen when someone says he believe, and only its formal consent to historical facts means. Personal obedience in faith is necessary: Subjection to the Lord Jesus as Saviour and Lord. To those is clearly >the arm of the Lord<, "that means that in their lives is the transformed, sanctifying power of God, as they had a personal encounter with God; they recognized him in the Lord Jesus and this knowledge them eternal, complete powerful, godly life has implanted!" end quote!

To my last post about Isaiah in German, I received the following comment: "love your neighbor as yourself", and your soul shall find intake in God! I do not need Isaiah, to obey this!

First I was surprised and then shocked, to be like someone, who claims to be Christian; can leave such a comment! First, for his teaching Jesus Christ also used quotes from Isaiah; and secondly, the question arises, how a Christian can be of the opinion, that it would be enough only love his neighbor. He who loves his neighbor, will no more pass by beggars, without giving them alms. He does not think and tell, that those anyway will only buy alcohol for this alms. He who loves his neighbor, will supported financially, each of his brothers and sisters who are in need. He who loves his neighbor, take the first look at the welfare of his fellow human beings and not to his bank account. Such a human does not ask whether it is possible that new car or finance the next trip when he helps his neighbor. Someone who practices this, will be obedient the entire word of God.

These were just some examples of what it means to love one's neighbor!

I think we all need not only Isaiah, but the whole Bible and this every day, to draw strength from it, to learn and to be close to our God and Lord.

O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help, like those forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah!  You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a thing of horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call on you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you. Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the shades rise up to praise you?  Selah!  Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness? But I, O Lord, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O Lord, why do you cast me off? Why do you hide your face from me? Wretched and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am desperate. Your wrath has swept over me; your dread assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; from all sides they close in on me. You have caused friend and neighbor to shun me; my companions are in darkness. Amen (Psalm 88, 1-18)

Thoughts on Isaiah 56, 1-8 (Salvation for the Nations through Sabbath observance)

This is what the Lord says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let not any eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares—he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”

Even more clearly than Isaiah wrote down in these verses, God can not disclose, that even the strangers that diligently seek him, must keep his covenant, and have his Sabbaths to hallow. In these verses God clearly says, that he will save all; who the Sabbath hallow and holds his covenant.

Since we all know, that the Bible does not refute itself, we would have to actually know, that we should hallow the Sabbath of the Lord. Not, to thereby obtain our salvation; but because we have received salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ. Everyone, who was actually accepted by Jesus, has the new covenant. The new covenant means, that we have been written in the heart, the commandments and ordinances of God. But anybody, who has the new covenant in his heart is led by the Holy Spirit and can hence fulfil the will of God, because his heart would like obeying.

I cannot understand, why still so many Christians despite knowledge of the Bible, hold on the humanly invented days. These days are invented 360 years after Christ by the Roman Established Church, due power politics considerations. But I can also not understand, then why the Protestant reformers have chosen the days of the Roman heretics and not the God-ordained Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord.

When I read in the Bible and think about it, I cannot even comprehend how people have so many interpretations; which twisting the word of God. The Bible but explains itself for itself. The Word of God is perfect and free of contradictions from the first to the last page. Everything you don’t know, explained you of God, if you serious ask him in prayer about getting. I was able on myself to experience this, on numerous occasions. Thereby I've found, that it usually are the words of Paul, which are not easily understood. To the present day, I was allowed to recognize again and again, that Paul exactly writes from that, which is to be read in the Torah and in the prophets. He explains it, just different.

The new Pharisees and scribes make it advantage of the fact that Paul's words are hard to understand and blinded the people, by their false teachings.

Personally, I have asked in prayer to God for forgiveness and apologized me, that I have let fooled me so long, from the new Pharisees and scribes.

It is God, who also warn the Gentiles through Isaiah, because he granting us a brief glimpse on the new earth. Thus we read in Isaiah 66, 22-24: “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. “And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

We see, then, that the new moon and Sabbath by God are valid for all eternity. How can people seriously claim that the Son of God, Jesus Christ has abolished this. Jesus himself told us that the son does not speak of Himself, but only what the Father gave him. Thus it is clear proof that nothing was overturned by the word of his Father through Jesus Christ. It would be completely absurd if God would contradict himself!

I am often asked whether I was actually aware of how complicated the Sabbath, the dietary laws, and the feasts of the Lord are to be observed. The people who make me this question look it as the Jews in Israel today to deal with these things. But They forget, that Jesus is not the Messiah for the Jews and therefore the Sabbath, the dietary laws, and the feasts of the Lord still celebrate with all of the requirements, which the Pharisees and scribes through misinterpretation of the Torah and the commandments have been added.

Jesus Christ has met and sanctified the Sabbath so as God has commanded. But he was sentenced by the Jews, because he had broken the Sabbath in their view. Thus, the dietary laws are simple and clear in the Torah by God declares and the Jews make a complicated process, because of they believe the interpretations of the Pharisees and scribes.

But Jesus said in Matthew 23, 13 - 15: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."

Wherefore, holy the Sabbath, as it did Jesus Christ sanctified and keep the dietary laws as God has prescribed in the Torah. Celebrates the feasts of the Lord, and believe not unchecked the words of the new Pharisees and scribes. Even today, this look only to their power, their glory and their immense wealth. Is it not a contradiction if a church has untold wealth and in this world children still die of hunger? Should this church not rather stop to want alleviate the plight, until she stands themselves in poverty?

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations— a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick; who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat; who say, ‘Keep away; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you!’ Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. “See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps— both your sins and the sins of your fathers,” says the Lord. “Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.” This is what the Lord says: “As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and men say, ‘Don’t destroy it, there is yet some good in it, ‘so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all.  I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live. Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me. “But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit. You will leave your name to my chosen ones as a curse; the Sovereign Lord will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name. Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. New Heavens and a New Earth “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy." Amen (Isaiah 65, 1 – 18)

Thoughts about: but because you are not of this world?

Jesus Christ said in John 15:18-19: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

These are clear words of our Lord. But what is the reality? How many who claim to be Christians are actually hated by the world? How many who claim to be Christians, still believe unbroken to the revealed word of God in the Bible? To find answers, we compare again, what the world teaches us and what God us teaches in His Word! Then we look at, which teaching will be do today believed!

The world teaches us that the earth and all life millions of years ago by a "Big Bang" have emerged. This doctrine is widely accepted and is taught in schools! A great many people who call themselves Christians, are agree with this theory.

God tells us, that He had created the earth and all life, in seven days with 24 hours. When you study in the Bible, then you can find out that this was done, around six thousand years ago. This doctrine will be rejected by many people, also of so-called Christians.

Both of these Event history cannot be proved, because no today alive human, has personally seen. Thus, there is no eyewitnesses in both cases; therefore is needs the faith!

The world teaches us, that the human is descended from apes, and has evolved over thousands of years, to what he is today. This doctrine is also widely accepted and is taught to our children. There are Christians that also believe in this theory.

God teaches us, that he had formed man out of clay, made ​​him godlike and breathed into him the breath of life. He also teaches, that he has done this in a day, so that, the human had to not needed to develop; because since his creation he was always what he is today. Even this doctrine today will be rejected by many people, even many Christians.

Here again we have the same dilemma. Of both teaching, there are no living witnesses, so here also faith is needed!

Because in these examples, the faith is always necessary, I want to you explain again, the importance of the concept of faith: "The English word Faith, is in the here discussed sense used as a translation of the Greek noun pistis with the basic meaning „loyalty, trust." The associated verb is pisteuein ("be faithful, trust"). The primary meaning was: "I put trust in ... I tie my existence at ... I'm true to ...". The word therefore aims confidence, obedience (compare: vow, betrothal), faithfulness. “  (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glaube)

A prayer of Christians begins with the words: "I believe in God ..." Is this today really the case?

The Christian world has taught since the year 321 after Christ that Sunday is the Lord's Day and the day of rest is. This secular doctrine can be proved on the basis of history. The world and so-called Christians are agree with this theory, and on Sundays are not working.

God has been teaching since of creation; remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt on this day not working do, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and your cattle, nor your stranger within your gates. For in six days the LORD made ​​the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. This doctrine we do not find, in history books of the human; we find only in the Bible. The early Christians sanctified this until such time, as a church law that was decided at the Council of Laodicea (343-381 AD), it forbade them under threat of punishment. This in turn can be found in the history books. ("Christians should not be idly by kind of Jews on the Sabbath, but rather should work on that day. Christians have to give preference the Lord's Day (Sunday) and rest as Christians, if they must not work. But if they invented as Judaizing, they are of Christ excluded. ")

Source: http://urchristen.wordpress.com/2013/04/25/das-erste-sonntagsgesetz-oder-die-grose-sonntagsluge/

I believe in God? Is that with to them so, or they believe the world?

At the end of my today article, I would like due to some criticism I've gotten, to emphasize once again: I have never and will never claim that my posts is the only correct interpretation of God's Word. I do see my posts not as interpretation. I am aware that I am only a sinful man, and like everyone else, I need the mercy of God. My posts are thoughts and inspirations that I have during Bible study and prayer, and should serve as an inspiration for his own Bible study.

As so often, I want to emphasize again how important it today is to consider itself in the Bible, all what you heard and read. Every person takes the time for what he loves the most. Everyone which loves Christ, should take daily time, which he spends with Bible reading and prayer.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Ford all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. Amen (1. Peter 1, 13-25)

Thinking about justifications against the feasts of the Lord

Since the time, where I think about the feasts and the Sabbath of the Lord, and my findings publicly reports, try very many Christians myself with Bible passages, in which supposedly explains that the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord today are no longer valid, convince you that I'm wrong.

I find this kind of search for explanations very captious, because it in the core actually concerns the question, why the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord from the people have been abolished, in favour of the Sunday and the pagan festivals. For this reason, would have these people actually me Bible passages show, where it is written, that Sunday and the once pagan festivals, now are valid instead of the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord. But since this is impossible, because there are no matching Bible passages; they are going the detour over arguments, why they do not have to comply, the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord.

Sunday uniquely is the day, where in ancient cultures the sun god was worshiped. Thus we read in Wikipedia: “Sunday (Old High German OHG sunnun day or Fron (o) day, Lord's Day ', this Latin solis "day of the sun" and this dominica, Greek Κυριακή.”  (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonntag)

But there have been also the current church festivals, such as Christmas and Easter which were invented by people and used for worship and adoration of God.

These are all holidays and festivals that have neither God nor His Son Jesus Christ ever commanded. But in order these human inventions and doctrines continue practicing to be able to without a guilty conscience, will be not wanted explanations why this practices should be lawful in the eyes of God; but rather explanations why the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord are no longer important.

The whole thing is what we call probably human logic or wisdom. When will people realize, that it in this discussion is only important, that the feasts and the Sunday, which is celebrated today by people in the name of God, in God's eyes are just abominable idolatry.

Jesus Christ says in Matthew 15: 7-9: "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by human."

The prophet Isaiah, quoted by our Lord, wrote in Isaiah 29, 13-16: "The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by human. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?"

How excellent Isaiah predict this. Because it will be now actually everything vice versa. Rather than, for the in Christian circles valid today Sunday and Celebrations to justify biblically, will be trying God's Sabbath and its festivals, to deny biblically.

Dear Human, tell me, why do you commit idolatry without even thinking about, and why do you refuse the feasts of the Lord and the Sabbath to sanctify? God anyway gave you the free will, so you'll never be forced from him to keep His Sabbath and its feasts. Just please be careful to assert, your Sunday and your Celebrations are biblically and serve the worship for the God of the Bible. Too fast, it could happen that Jesus Christ will also speaking to you: "hypocrite ..."

The God of the Bible has given its order of worship Moses. From this then Jesus Christ with his perfect sacrifice did away the need for animal sacrifices. But everything else is still valid and is the kind to worship, which the God of the Bible wants.

Another clarification on something which will be reproached me: I also want anybody force the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord to sanctify. I only write about my thoughts on the Word of God in the Bible; to excite people, for thought and to read up in the Bible.

In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulphur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face. Amen (Psalm 11, 1-7)

Thoughts on the validity of God's Word

Although Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:17-20 said the following: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

How arrogant and conceited, but the modern human is become, if he imagines actually, that a creature can command his Creator, what up to date is and what not! In the Bible we read more than once that everything, what is written in the word of god, have eternal validity.

God has given His creatures; clear and simple guidelines on how they should lead their lives in order to gain salvation. He also gave to the human free will to choose either for or against him. Those who choose God, has to do nothing else, than to keep his commandments. This also applies things, of which is claiming now, from the people, that they did not up to date anymore! Just as the Sabbath, the feasts of the Lord, women be silent in the temple, clothing at church, food intake, etc.! These things, for God are always be valid. But God does not force anyone, to keep his commandments. He will not let that those go unpunished; which teaching different doctrines, as in the Bible is written. By the heresies of modern scribes and Pharisees (theologians and preachers), many people is blocked the way of salvation.

We should be aware that each, who instead of the God of the Bible, worships a God invented by people, commits idolatry. So also commits everyone idolatry who celebrates the invented feasts by people; and not the feasts of the Lord.

The true church of Jesus Christ has become very small; as a Roman Emperor invented a Christian state religion. Since that time the prophets of Christ become persecuted vehemently; and also with force brought silenced. That has not changed to this day. The difference to antiquity is, that the prophets today no longer killed, but be declared unsound mind.

But Jesus Christ has told us, that everyone who proclaimed the gospel in his name, will tracked. He spoke in Luke 21:12-19: "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life."

Solely on the basis of this statement, one can already see who is a true prophet of Christ. But you should check each belonged word, using the Bible. As far as I know, none of the modern Christian preachers, must be afraid, that him even just one of this Things happens which Jesus announced in Luke 21:12-19.

For a change, I do not want to end my contribution with a psalm today. Instead, with the Epistle to Laodicea. In fact I believe, that most of those who today call themselves Christian, would receive exactly this message of Jesus Christ. But that is not as a reproach, but that you rather to ponder about the word of God. Because I know, that no one is without sin and no one is infallible.

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God’s creation: “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.’ You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Amen (Revelation 3, 14 – 22)

Thoughts to the Sabbath

One of the ten commandments of God is: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." (Exodus 20, 8 - 11)

This shows us, God is it exceedingly important, that everyone who belongs to his people, the Sabbath sanctify!

What can we find out about the Sabbath, via the Internet? In Wikipedia I found some interesting points: "the Sabbath, even Shabbat (Hebrew: שבת ʃabat, plural Sabbaths; Ashkenazi pronunciation: ʃabos, Yiddish: Shabbos, German: rest day ',' rest ') is in Judaism the seventh day, a day of rest, on which no work is to be done. It begins like every day in the Jewish calendar according to Genesis 1.5 in the evening and lasts from sunset on Friday until nightfall on the following Saturday. He already carries in the Tanach its own name, while the rest of the week are named in Hebrew to this day with their ordinal numbers.

The Old Church named the days of the week unchanged as the Jews and celebrated the Sabbath at least until the year 130 AD.

Constantine the Great made the Sunday 321 AD for legal public holiday and rest day, to privilege Christian religious services. Thus replacing the Sunday in Christianity the Sabbath as a weekly holiday.

In the Anti-Judaism of the Middle Ages Christians take part in the medieval tradition to taunt the Sabbath. For example, with satirical cartoons. The Spanish Inquisition persecuted Marranos, by searching for typical Sabbath features. Glowing candles, extinguished furnaces, clean shirts, crisp tablecloths on the Sabbath in their homes were indicia, to arrest converted Jews; to torture after arrest and in the end most were burned." (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabbat)

On another website I found an interesting old newspaper article: "Sunday is a Catholic institution ... From beginning to end of Scripture there is not a single section, which justifies, the transfer of the weekly day of rest, from last to the first day of the week.“ (The Catholic Press, Sydney, Australia, July 1900)

Out of such records it is clear, that it is only by laws, persecution, torture and murder was possible to dissuade early Christians from the observance of the Sabbath commandment. The bad thing is, that the main reason for this misdeed against God's will, was the anti-Judaism.

Until the present day, all Christian churches try to give a human explanation of; why Sunday is too hallow; although in the Word of God he is not mentioned a single time. Many people believe more this incorrect explanations of humans than the Word of God. That is what makes myself very sad.

God spoke very often about his Sabbath. In the Exodus 35, 1-2 it is written: "Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do: For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death."

In Isaiah 56, 2, we read: "Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil."

That Sabbath is to be sanctified; from all those seek God, we read in Isaiah 56, 4-8: "For this is what the Lord says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered."

It is also Isaiah, who describes us, what God has promised, for those, who gain eternal life. Thus we read in Isaiah 66, 22-24: "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. “And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind."

I pray, that people will finally begin to give more credence to the Bible the word of God, than by human’s fictitious rumours and bogus explanations.

We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds. You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. Selah To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more, and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.’ ” No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs. As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up. Amen (Psalm 75)

Reflecting on the decision made for Jesus Christ

The last point of the signs that genuine faith is neither prove nor disprove is the decision made for Jesus Christ.

At all times there were people who thought, that they had opted for Jesus Christ. But by the way of her life, could nobody this recognize. That was then, as now, the fact that them a false Jesus, were taught. Just think back on the time of the Crusades. All the knights who participated in it, thought on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ to fight, in fact, she only followed the call of power-hungry princes of the Church of their time.

Today, people go to great pop concerts with video wall and lighting effects, where additionally, but deliberately the alleged word of God is proclaimed. In this emotionally fuelled atmosphere, go all who were invited to come, in an ecstasy forwardly, to handed over, to a Jesus Christ, how does not exist in this type. Clever advertising strategists have especially for these so-called evangelistic campaigns invented a Gospel light, so that they can present to record-breaking numbers of supposedly newly rescued souls. After that time nobody does preach the pure Gospel, that the newly recruited not scare. Should such a person once read the Bible and ask shocked, then will someone explain that much of the Bible is not date anymore, and he has nothing to worry about. There are even today priests and theologians (Scribes and Pharisees), who lead the people astray.

Given these findings, I wonder how many Christians there would be actually, if you would preach and teach the Gospel today, how it's done Jesus Christ at his first coming?

Jesus Christ tells us in Luke 8, 13 - 14 why a decision made for him is not proof of genuine faith. He says: "Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature."

We see, not the decision demonstrates the true faith, only the fruit, which means how someone who has chosen Jesus, live ​​his life. However, in order to bear fruit you should know that Jesus Christ himself has said that the entire Bible is valid forever. Only those who know the word of God, so the Bible can also bring fruit.

Let no one deceive you, because God's Word has not changed. God's holy day is still Sabbath and God's festivals are just those which he has decreed. The new covenant, which as many as an excuse, is another covenant of God with the children of Israel, who just does not abolish the feasts of the Lord, or other celebrations used.

If you decide you for Jesus Christ, you should know exactly for whom they choose. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who will establish his kingdom at his second coming. His day of the Lord will be the Sabbath, its feasts will be the feasts of the Lord and His laws will be the laws and commandments of God.

No one should think that Jesus will set up a kingdom without laws, for the Lord is not an anarchist.

In the second part of my series, I'll make my thoughts on the safe signs of genuine faith.

The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy. The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy. Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them. He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them. O Lord our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy. Amen

(Psalm 99, 1-9)

Thinking about assurance of salvation

The sixth point of the signs who genuine faith neither prove nor disprove is the assurance of salvation.

But what is meant by the term assurance of salvation? In Wikipedia we find the following statement: "assurance of salvation will be viewed in Protestant Christianity as the certainty of the believer, acquitted in the judgment of God. But this can also be dependent from personal feelings." (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heilsgewissheit)

Exactly this explanation also shows us why assurance of salvation genuine faith neither prove nor disprove. Something that is be dependent of feelings, seduced very quickly to the own deception. Many of today's popular teachings seduce the faithful much too fast to be sure to have salvation. But without real faith nobody will received the grace. Without grace you are not rescued, and without rescue assurance of salvation is not real. A very nice example about how deceptive it may be, to be quite certain of salvation gives us Jesus Christ in chapter 23 of Matthew's Gospel. He speaks to the people and to his disciples about the Pharisees and scribes. The Pharisees and scribes were sure, they have redemption. They had assurance of salvation. Yet Jesus said in verses 11-13 about them: "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."

Everyone can easily imagine how big the anger and the hatred from the scribes and the Pharisees against Jesus were. But Jesus Christ revealed mercilessly the false religious rites and the false worship practices, of the respected religious leaders.

Much of what Jesus says in Matthew 23 about the Pharisees and scribes, he would say today too many leaders of the Christian churches. With reliability the verses 5-10: "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is you’re Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."

Of course he would today not say phylacteries and tassels, but rather purple and gold on the clothes. Instead of synagogues he would speak from churches. Jesus would today not say Rabbi, but rather pastor, Dean, Cardinal, and the many other modern names. Even the Pope he would describe as a Pharisee. Instead of scribes today Jesus would speak from theologian or theology teachers.

These are then as now the people who believe, they have assurance of salvation. These people are also not afraid, the people who believe on their teachings, guaranteeing them the assurance of salvation. It is this what Jesus then says in verse 15: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."

Like that time the Pharisees and scribes their worldly, from humans conceived religious rites and orders of worship mingled with the word of God. Is why they were so hard rebuked by Jesus Christ. It is also even today, that the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ by the leaders of the Christian churches is mixed with self-conceived religious rites and arrangements for worship and even with pagan festivals and holidays. They feign to the faithful that this must be so, because Christians must have a different religion as the Jews.

First, only one strain of the twelve tribes of the people of God are from Judah and therefore Jews and secondly, God has given His commandments and laws for all people who believe in him. Especially to its celebrations, he said: "These are the feasts of the Lord ..."

I recommend everyone to study Matthew 23 precisely in order to explore how strong the warnings, who proclaimed Jesus Christ in these verses are.

Jesus told us clearly that many false prophets and false teachers will be in the last days. The last days Began in the time of the first coming of Jesus.

Each who has of the true faith, which also has the assurance of salvation. But the basic requirement is too life a life which is beautiful for God. For all who are saved by grace will lead a godly life with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Amen

(Psalm 46, 1 – 11)

Reflecting on active duty

The fourth point of the signs the true faith neither prove nor disprove is active service.

In Wikipedia I found the following explanations of words: "Being active be called working" And  " the Service is fulfilling a religious duty. "  (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dienst)

Thus the active service is, to act in the fulfillment of a religious duty. We already recognize from the definition the reason, why so active service can not be evidence to prove or disprove true faith. In all religions, there are people, the actively engaged in the performance of religious duties. So will be found today in all Christian denotations religious rites and forms of worship, which God had never desired.

The Bible is filled with warnings against false active service, and yet we experiencing are today these false service. Thus we read in Jeremiah 27, 15: "I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you."

Here we see very clearly that God is not only punish the false teachers and prophets, but also every person who believes these doctrines. Which in turn shows us, how important it is the Word of God to know exactly.

So also the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3, 5 wrote: "having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."

So you see that neither religious rites nor the belonging to a church, can save you. Only the true faith on the real Jesus Christ can save you. That is the Jesus Christ the we only can find in the Bible. Here alone you can get to know him, as he really is and learn from him. It is our Lord Jesus Christ himself the in Matthew 7, 21 - 23 urgently warns: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"

We know as he spoke these words, this he does not spoke to the gentiles and the unbelievin. He spoke these words to people who her whole life have thought, to know the real Jesus Christ. In fact, they were seduced by false teachers and prophets. So are they all lost, because they have failed to know the Word of God. They did not test with the Bible every doctrine the they have heard. For this reason the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans in Chapter 2, 13 - 14: "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,"

Especially today where so many which perform active service  are guilty  fornication with children and child abuse and of the churches and their servants still protected; every one must recognize, that they can not be employed by God. Anyone who reads the Bible must also see that the worship and the festivals which are today be held have nothing to do with God or Jesus Christ. It is preserved only the form of godliness. But the rules are of men and not of God!

But there is indifference among the faithful, and no one is afraid of the many warnings of God which He has revealed to us in the Bible. Be certainly, at the day of the judgment of the Lord it will be too late! I think the Apostle Paul is right, as he wrote in 2.Timothy 2, 19: "Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

God gave us free will. We must decide for themselves. But we should not forget that we can opt either for him or against him. An intermediate does not exist.

God bless you! Shalom

God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the “gods”:  “How long will youa defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Selah  Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. “They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. “I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’ But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.” Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance. Amen

 (Psalm 82,1-8)