upgraded February 28, 2007
Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV) This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'
We are taught by Jesus, referenced in Matthew 6:9-13 printed above; "hallowed be your name."
hallowed adj 1: HOLY, CONSECRATED 2: SACRED, REVERED - Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
We are taught by the Spirit of God, inspired through John the Revelator, referenced in Revelation 19:11-16 and printed below that; "His name is the Word of God."
Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV) I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
The Lord God's third Commandment specifically orders to "not misuse the name of the Lord your God".
Exodus 20:7 (NIV) "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."
Exodus 20:7 (KJV) "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."
"His name is the Word of God." (Revelation 19:13b NIV)
Those who de-appreciate the Holy Word of God, de-appreciate God's name, God's identity, God's description, and God's reputation! Those who de-appreciate the Holy Word of God, de-appreciate God!
The Lord God, and the Spirit of God inspired and personally directed approximately forty varied men across 2,000 years to write His Holy Word. There are incomprehensible depths of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and truth in the Holy Word of God. Every single letter of the Scriptures is important.
Matthew 5:18 (KJV) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Psalm 18:30 (NIV) As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Proverbs 30:5 (NIV) "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Isaiah 40:8 (NIV) The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
Matthew 24:35 (NIV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
For the Scriptures to mesh and comply completely, totally, and exactly with each other requires a very narrow, restrictive, and precise interpretation, that produces an exact truth that "only a few" understand and comply with.
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
The sinful self-will of man desires a wide, broad, vague, ambiguous and confusing interpretation of the Word of God that does not focus on the sin in his life.
"It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand." - Mark Twain 1835-1910
If your theology is "wide," or "broad," and understood and complied with by the many,
You must decide now on what you will build your faith. There are many beliefs. There is only one truth.
“Truth lies within a little and certain compass, but error is immense.” - Henry St. John, Viscount Bolingbroke 1678-1751
The Holy Word of God is Truth. What a person believes in no way impacts whether something is true.
Proverbs 14:15 (NIV) A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
History has proven that people will believe anything. The quantity of people, and the scientific data that supports a particular "fact" does not guarantee it's accuracy; as prior to Copernicus, most of the people, the scientific community, and the scientific data all reflected the "fact" that the earth was flat.
"The fact than an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a wide-spread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible." - Bertrand Russell 1872-1970
You must decide from whom, or upon what you will base your beliefs. Are you going to believe the Holy Word of God, or are you going to believe science, tradition, history, intuition, or anything else? Will you stand with the Holy Word of God when it is contradicted by anything? Considering that science, tradition, history, intuition, and everything else has been wrong on many occasions, and that the Holy Word of God has never been wrong, this should be an easy decision. Failure to make a decision to believe the Holy Word of God is a decision. If you have not irrevocably decided to stand firm, strong, and steadfast on the Holy inspired Word of God; then I counsel you to spend no more time with this prophesy, or the Holy Word of God, as it will do you little good.
James 1:5-7 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
You must learn what the inspired Holy Word of God says.
Isaiah 28:9-10 (KJV) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Hebrews 5:11-6:3 (NIV) We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. 1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
You must be able to discern truth by the Holy Word of God.
"Truths kindle light for truths." - Lucretius 99-55 B. C.
You must consume the Holy Word of God.
Joshua 1:8 (NIV) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
You must judge the teachings of man by the Holy Word of God. You must be very harsh and very critical of any prophesy that does not comply with the entire Holy Word of God. Judge what you have been taught, and what you believe with the Holy Word of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NIV) Test everything. Hold on to the good.
1 John 4:1 (NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
The traditions of man will aid false prophets in deceiving people; as we may have already been taught heresy by someone in whom we have a great deal of confidence, and consequently we may more readily accept a distortion of the Holy Scriptures.
Matthew 15:3-9 (NIV) Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he is not to 'honor his father ' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"
tradition: 1. an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom) 2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction - Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Historically, tradition has been and is often used to nullify the Word of God.
The reason that tradition is properly labeled as tradition, is that it is NOT the Holy Word of God.
You must not trust in the traditions that you have been taught by any man.
Isaiah 2:22 (NIV) Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?
The Qur'an, Josephus, the books of history, the books of science, and your church manual are but rules taught by men. If you believe the traditions of man concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, you will get "Left Behind" theologically. If you elect to place the teaching of any document above the Holy Word of God, or use any document to minimize the Holy Word of God, that document to you is your foundation and bible.
Satan has many "theologians" attacking in various ways, the plenary inspiration of the Holy Word of God by the Spirit of God. One of the ways that Satan is attacking is by putting forth the heresy that some or all of the Holy Word of God is a myth, and not to be taken as a historical record. The first eleven chapters of Genesis, the book of Job, the book of Jonah, the virginity of Mary, and many other absolute truths are targets of Satan, when he alleges that they are myths.
Even in Ezekiel's day, wicked people did not want to accept the Word of God literally:
Ezekiel 20:45-49 (NIV) The word of the Lord came to me: 46 "Son of man, set your face toward the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest of the southland. 47 Say to the southern forest: 'Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to set fire to you, and it will consume all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and every face from south to north will be scorched by it. 48 Everyone will see that I the Lord have kindled it; it will not be quenched.' " 49 Then I said, "Ah, Sovereign Lord! They are saying of me, 'Isn't he just telling parables?'"
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John began their writings relating them to the literal accuracy of the Holy Word of God. Herod, and the Pharisees and Sadducees at the time of Jesus' birth believed in the literal accuracy of the Holy Word of God. The Pharisees and Sadducees deteriorated into disbelief because they did not want to pay the personal price that it would have cost them to accept the literally-accurate Jesus as the Messiah. Judeo-Christian Organized Religion has exactly followed Judeo Organized Religion.
Satan is also attacking the Holy Word of God by stating that Paul misdirected Judeo-Christianity. The Spirit of God inspired Paul to write letters for the edification of the Body of Christ. If the Holy Spirit-inspired writings of Paul are de-appreciated, then a substantial portion of God's Holy Word is de-appreciated.
If Satan can get you to compromise your faith in the Holy Word of God in the smallest, minute sense, he will start you on the road to apostasy. If you begin to disbelieve anything within the Holy Word of God, you will not be able to stop until you ultimately disbelieve everything within the Holy Word of God. Satan will ultimately get you to discredit the entire Holy Word of God.
Isaiah 7:9c (NIV) If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all."
Another facet of Satan's multi-pronged attack is to put forth heretical writings or myths as truth. Satan alleges that the Truth is a myth, and that myths are truth. The Qur'an is an example of a myth put forth by Satan as truth.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV) For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Satan's ultimate goal is the destruction of your soul; and to that end, the scheme he has conjured up and transmitted through his emissaries, and his liberal "Christian" theologians is an attempt to fableize the existence, deity and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Satan will also put forth the lie that Jesus Christ is not the only way to God:
John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
If you allow Satan to undermine your faith in the infallible Holy Word of God, you will be left with no anchor, no baseline, and nothing stable on which you can stand. You will be left awash, and defenseless; with no guide, no direction and no place to turn. You will be lost with no hope.
When you are given the option to believe the Holy Word of God, or the publication or speech of any person, or any historical or technical document; stand firmly, stubbornly, and steadfastly with the Holy Word of God.
An alleged minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ who does not believe completely without reservation; and base his entire teaching or message totally on the basis of, and by the Holy Word of God, is no different than the Reverend Jim Jones in Guyana, the Reverend David Koresh in Waco, "Do" and "Peet" who soared away on the Hale-Bopp comet, or the Reverend Louis Farrakhan! Once a "minister" crosses the threshold in deviation from the Holy Word of God and teaches his own thinking, he is potentially able to move his parishioners anywhere he wants them to go.
IN EVERY SINGLE CASE, any person who de-appreciates the authenticity and inspiration of the literal interpretation of the original Holy Word of God, has a direction and a course that they want to go, or have already gone, that is not in accordance with the literal interpretation of the Holy Word of God.
To de-appreciate the Holy Word of God for any reason, is to believe that you know more, or better than the Holy Word of God. That de-appreciation comes from your arrogance at a blasphemous level, and your complete and total ignorance. It is an abomination unto God to think that your personal intellect surpasses the intellect of God. The de-appreciation of the Holy Word of God is derived from the spirit of the Anti-Christ!
Your Faith, and your every thought must be brought into complete and total compliance with the Holy Word of God. You must build your life on the Holy Word of God.
The Lord God has promised that you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Deuteronomy 4:29 (NIV) But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Luke 11:9-10 (NIV) "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
GOD'S WORD IS GOD'S GUARANTEE! If you seek God "with all of your heart," you will find Him. GOD GUARANTEES IT! You will find God, and KNOW Him, to the extent that you know that you KNOW Him. If you do not KNOW that you KNOW God, YOU DO NOT KNOW HIM; IF YOU WILL FIND GOD, YOU MUST SEEK HIM MORE EARNESTLY!
As God revealed Himself to Samuel through His Word, so God will do for any person who seeks Him:
1 Samuel 3:21 (NIV) The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
"Watch out that no one deceives you." Matthew 24:4 (NIV)
The warning screams its haunting message across 2,000 years.