At The End Of The Day
I Know What Is Best For Me.
Thinking is what we are capable of doing, but thinking in the context here is much more than having thoughts but thinking creatively, deductively. We are capable of such thought and in the case of our eternity it is very important that we “use our heads.” It is easy to joke about serious things or to make light of things that matter. The world is filled with such silliness, with double meanings and life itself can be taken very lightly. “At the end of the day” that will be a serious mistake. It is very easy to determine the validity of most things and the world’s religions are in this category. The enemy is simply that you may believe such would be difficult or impossible. How can one possibly work through all of those religions and differentiate truth from error. In addition to that supposed difficulty the common attitude is that our belief’s are personal and I should not be pressing my belief’s on others just as I do not want others pressing me. So our very humanistic beliefs, “stop us dead in our tracks.” We do not even seek the truth. We just become a part of the problem, just one more person that others can look at and say no one really cares about the truth because very likely there is no ultimate truth. I will live my way and it will be as good or better than others and if there is an afterlife I should be fine. Essentially, you have created the rule-book of how you will live and YOUR way may not be the right way. It turns out you may not know what is best for you in relation to things outside this physical life. Actually, how could you know independent of some greater power. Your assumption may be there is nothing past this life. At least you should understand there is risk regarding your eternity. The solution: Find out life’s purpose!
At The End Of The Day
All To Often The Obvious Is Ignored
The world is filled with the obvious that we ignore. This is usually because we are happy “where we are” and many believe they cannot be held accountable for things THEY DID NOT KNOW TO DO or for things they did not know THEY SHOULD NOT DO. It turns out God’s test for mankind requires each person to find the truth and act accordingly. This is not man’s thinking on this matter but we are talking about God. Let’s look at a couple of obvious things that should make you suspicious.
Here is something Catholics should understand.
First, a sidebar: You may wonder, why talk about Catholicism in relation to the obvious being ignored? It turns out if you study religion carefully you can reach the conclusion that Catholicism is behind a great deal of the world’s problems. Additionally, Catholicism has caused much confusion in religion and consequently led to the creation of many other religions. Things like Atheism, Protestantism, Separation of Church and State, Islam have been enormously impacted by the falling away from what God authorized. These religions/ideas may have never come into existence were it not for Catholicism. We even find God being blamed for things that are associated with Catholicism as though God has anything to do with Catholicism. Today, it is not the present day Catholics or even the leaders of Catholicism that are to blame but the creators of Catholicism and its early treachery to protect the deceit. Today’s Catholic’s are simply victims but nonetheless victims that will suffer the consequences of opposing God.
Even as recent as 40 years ago, Catholics were forbidden to follow the bible as their guide. The Catholics 40 years ago and before had their Catechisms to instruct them in Catholic teaching (as they do today). In church Catholics used their daily missals, which contained some select scriptures but primarily Catholic teaching. If we go back further in their history we can see the bible was on the INDEX which was a list of books Catholics were forbidden to read.
The INDEX was created by Pope Paul IV (ruled from 1555-1559) and was finally abolished in 1966. Modern Catholics were occasionally turning to the bible as a source for spiritual guidance even before the INDEX was abolished. Bibles published by Catholics for general usage even before 1966 contained a long discourse indicating you could not understand the bible without a guide. Your guide must be the one true Catholic Church. Only the Catholic church could correctly interpret the bible. Below is a portion of the preamble at the beginning of a Catholic bible. It is an example of the Catholic paranoia regarding the threat of scriptures to their system.
Reading a very, very small portion from a Catholic Bible (Douay/Confraternity), the encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIII on the Study of Holy scripture which was contained at the beginning of this bible:
“Wherefore it must be recognized that the sacred writings are wrapt in certain religious obscurity, and that no one can enter into their interior without a guide . . . and most of all that they may understand that God has delivered the Holy Scriptures to the Church, and that in reading and making use of His Word, they must follow the Church as their guide and their teacher.”
“In things of faith and morals, belonging to the building up of Christian doctrine, that is to be considered the true sense of Holy Scripture which has been held and is held by our Holy Mother the Church whose place it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the scriptures: and therefore that it is permitted to no one to interpret Holy Scripture against such sense or also against the unanimous agreement of the Fathers.”
Keeping the scriptures from their members was emphasized at Catholic church councils. I have found hundreds of Catholic documents in relation to this “paranoia.” One associated threat to keep the scriptures under their control was frequently the inquisition. The Catholic church for about 1700 years has held their councils where they made policy, developed doctrine and these continue from time to time to this day. The Catholic church is a perpetual rule making body and in this regard the most sophisticated of all MAN-MADE religions. They are sophisticated in perpetuating themselves as the one true church and consequently in bringing confusion to the world resulting in the destruction of souls.
COUNCIL OF TOULOUSE – 1229 A.D.
Canon 14.
We prohibit also that the laity should be permitted to have the books of the Old or New Testament; unless anyone from motive of devotion should wish to have the Psalter or the Breviary for divine offices or the hours of the blessed Virgin; but we most strictly forbid their having any translation of these books.
THE COUNCIL OF TARRAGONA – 1234 A.D.
The Council of Tarragona of 1234, in its second canon, ruled that:
“No one may possess the books of the Old and New Testaments in the Romance language, and if anyone possesses them he must turn them over to the local bishop within eight days after promulgation of this decree, so that they may be burned lest, be he a cleric or a layman, he be suspected until he is cleared of all suspicion.”
THE BIBLE PROHIBITED BY THE INDEX LIBRORUM PROHIBITORUM
Rule IV
Since experience teaches that, if the reading of the Holy Bible in the vernacular is permitted generally without discrimination, more damage than advantage will result because of the boldness of men, the judgment of bishops and inquisitors is to serve as guide in this regard. Bishops and inquisitors may, in accord with the counsel of the local priest and confessor, allow Catholic translations of the Bible to be read by those of whom they realize that such reading will not lead to the detriment but to the increase of faith and piety. The permission is to be given in writing. Whoever reads or has such a translation in his possession without this permission cannot be absolved from his sins until he has turned in these Bibles …
POPE CLEMENT XI ON READING SCRIPTURE
From UNIGENITUS, The Dogmatic Constitution issued by Pope Clement XI on Sept. 8, 1713:
The following statements are condemned as being error:
79. It is useful and necessary at all times, in all places, and for every kind of person, to study and to know the spirit, the piety, and the mysteries of Sacred Scripture.
80. The reading of Sacred Scripture is for all.
81. The sacred obscurity of the Word of God is no reason for the laity to dispense themselves from reading it.
82. The Lord’s Day ought to be sanctified by Christians with readings of pious works and above all of the Holy Scriptures. It is harmful for a Christian to wish to withdraw from this reading.
83. It is an illusion to persuade oneself that knowledge of the mysteries of religion should not be communicated to women by the reading of Sacred Scriptures. Not from the simplicity of women, but from the proud knowledge of men has arisen the abuse of the Scriptures and have heresies been born.
84. To snatch away from the hands of Christians the New Testament, or to hold it closed against them by taking away from them the means of understanding it, is to close for them the mouth of Christ.
85. To forbid Christians to read Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels, is to forbid the use of light to the sons of light, and to cause them to suffer a kind of excommunication.
POPE GREGORY XVI CONDEMNS BIBLE SOCIETIES, VERNACULAR BIBLES
From the encyclical INTER PRAECIPUAS (On Biblical Societies) by Pope Gregory XVI, May 8, 1844:
1. Among the special schemes with which non-Catholics plot against the adherents of Catholic truth to turn their minds away from the faith, the biblical societies are prominent. They were first established in England and have spread far and wide so that We now see them as an army on the march, conspiring to publish in great numbers copies of the books of divine Scripture. These are translated into all kinds of vernacular languages for dissemination without discrimination among both Christians and infidels. Then the biblical societies invite everyone to read them unguided. Therefore it is just as Jerome complained in his day: they make the art of understanding the Scriptures without a teacher” common to babbling old women and crazy old men and verbose sophists,” and to anyone who can read, no matter what his status. Indeed, what is even more absurd and almost unheard of, they do not exclude the common people of the infidels from sharing this kind of a knowledge.
4. Moreover, regarding the translation of the Bible into the vernacular, even many centuries ago bishops in various places have at times had to exercise greater vigilance when they became aware that such translations were being read in secret gatherings or were being distributed by heretics. Innocent III issued warnings concerning the secret gatherings of laymen and women, under the pretext of piety, for the reading of Scripture in the diocese of Metz.[12] There was also a special prohibition of Scripture translations promulgated either in Gaul a little later[13] or in Spain before the sixteenth century.[14]
The great paranoia of being discovered, of losing their power drove these men to every possible vile act. Their history, their lack of authority for their existence is so overwhelming that it is incredible anyone would believe in Catholicism. Over a long period of time Catholic apologists have found ways to twist scripture to “validate” Catholic doctrine. Nonetheless anyone desiring the truth can easily refute their reasoning. Catholicism has been twisting scripture, twisting their history to make Catholicism seem viable. Although they regret the inquisition they attempt to justify it. Catholicism has used many “tools” to maintain their authority such as creating miracles or an atmosphere for miracles. They consistently coerce persons to be faithful to their system under the penalty of hell. How obvious is their deception? Really how obvious is there deception in relation to the scriptures, the scriptures they so desperately tried to hide?
God’s Power Is In The Message
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation
The Message Is For People To Hear, Read
That Is Why The Word Was Not To Be Added To Or Taken Away From
The Message Never Required A Middle Man*, i.e. The Catholic Church
*Just to avoid confusion, Paul, Peter and the apostles and a few others in the first century were not middle men but part of God’s plan that used the Holy Spirit to confirm the word. Jesus told His disciples the Spirit would guide them into all truth and bring to their remembrance the things Jesus had taught them. The word was completed before the end of the first century and it is not to be changed.There should be no one between you and God’s word. You may listen to others, study with others but you must decide what you believe. You can believe the message as delivered and act on it resulting in heaven. You can twist the scriptures and never learn the truth and suffer the loss. God’s plan for man has always been about choice and indeed you will decide for God as the God of the bible or you will reject God. If you make no decision it is the same as rejecting God.
Galatians 1:6-12
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Now, who do you think has the right to change God’s word, to change the gospel, which was designed by God through Christ to save the souls of men and women? Certainly, not Paul or any man or even an angel has the right to change what God has so carefully delivered. Yet, what do we have but men saying you cannot understand without our help. Listen to my interpretation, to the interpretation of our group. Some men and women have said, “I heard from an angel.” The two most famous were Mohammed (angel Gabriel) and Joseph Smith (angel Moroni) and both created what would become substantial followings (Islam and Mormonism respectively).
The Message from God Is Easily Understood
The message God has delivered requires no great Bible scholar for understanding. The message from God is straightforward. Many a religious group has claimed you cannot understand scripture without “their” help. It is ironic that this one incredibly long letter at the beginning of the Catholic bible is more difficult to understand than the entire Bible. Certainly if I read the bible, I cannot find the Catholic Church there or any of the Protestant churches. I do not see the Mormons, Christian Scientists, the Seventh-Day Adventists, or the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Can you see the arrogance for some group to say they are the only ones who can interpret the bible? Is this what God intended, having some group say only they can interpret scripture? There is no indication of this, and in fact, God delivered something understandable, so understandable that when you do not see these various churches or their doctrines in the bible, it is because they are not there. Conversely, anyone who loves the truth can easily find it by opening their mind to the possibility of something different than they currently believe.
Twisting The Truth For Gain
Acts 20.29,30
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Here is the point and it is a point that is enhanced by someone like myself who has experienced the evolution of Catholicism from the time the bible was kept away from Catholics to a quite different attitude today. Today, Catholic hierarchy, Catholic teachers seldom are able to teach anything without pointing to the scriptures for their authority. Of course, they twist the scriptures to justify their teachings. Catholic apologists are able to twist scripture claiming it says something different than it plainly teaches.
2 Peter 3.16
16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
The scriptures were already being twisted in the first century and Peter here is referring to some of the things Paul wrote in His epistles as being hard to understand and implies easy to twist. The basic message was not hard to understand but there were those who like Diotrephes sought preeminence and would not even receive John.
3 John 1.9,10
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.
10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
It is interesting how eventually someone, some group would succeed in achieving preeminence in what we now know as Roman Catholicism. A preeminence that was condemned by John (3 John 1.9,10) and in is opposition to God’s will regarding the physical church.
Many people have pointed to 1 Timothy 4.1-5 as representative of the Catholic church but I have always thought of it as characteristics of the falling away. It could represent any group who falls into error but the description is a good fit for Roman Catholicism.
1 Timothy 4.1-5
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Indeed, if it had not been for some people who saw opportunity to gain control over others such that they were benefited, the world would be much different. Of course, Adam and Eve choose to seek gain by rejecting God’s instructions. Men and women have throughout history acted in opposition to God by claiming His support while in truth rejecting His word.
The answer for the dilemma is given throughout scripture but regularly rejected. The answer can be seen in the two verses below:
2 Timothy 3.16,17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
It is God’s word that makes you complete since in it you find the doctrine which answers your questions and allows you to help others.
2 Timothy 4.1-4
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
The solution is very simply to preach the word and not to hide it. There is a consistent warning in scripture about changing God’s word, but also the frequent prediction that it will happen.
It Was All About Power
Why did the Catholic church keep the scriptures from the people and in early times even from their own hierarchy? The reason should be obvious: The Catholic church is not found in scripture in name or in principle. It was a fabrication and looks nothing like the local church authoritatively defined during the first century. Catholicism appeared somewhere in the third or fourth century and their hierarchy began some of the most violent and paranoid actions the world has ever seen. The basic doctrines of Catholicism that largely exist to this day were created by these vile, self-serving persons. The history is clear and even more clear are the doctrines which are not only in opposition to the scriptures but generally DIAMETRICALLY opposed to the truth. It would be difficult to have anything more OBVIOUS than the man-made creation of Catholicism in light of the scriptures. You should not spend your eternity wondering how you could have believed and lived in direct opposition to God. Now, is the only time you have to get it right. Catholic’s are not alone but Islam, Mormonism, Protestantism, Judaism and many others also have their doctrines which will not “hold water.” The truth is pure, solid and it all perfectly fits together and you can easily understand it. At the end of the day you need to simply be a Christian and live faithfully to God. That life is much different than the religions of men. This website and another called Heaven Coach will help you and you can read the book, “What Is Life All About?” That book explains how we got into the mess called man-made religion. The book totally dismantles Catholicism to the point that any reasonable person, including the Catholic hierarchy seeking truth cannot continue in Catholicism. One reason people do not readily see the deceit in Catholicism is because of the magnitude of the deceit, and the extent and opulent appearance of their organization. The deceit fills every aspect of Catholic doctrine. How could ALL THIS be a lie? The deceit goes back about 1700 years when Catholicism had its beginning. At some point in the third or fourth century men began to claim they were the original church going back to the apostles. Apparently, at some point in their early history they determined to use Matthew 16.16-19 to justify a human head of the universal physical church. Of course, the universal church of scripture is spiritual and Jesus is the head. The physical church outlined in the new testament is local, not universal consisting of elders, deacons and members. God graciously provides the qualifications for the special position of elder and deacon.
Next these vile men would claim they had the right to change scripture (again primarily from Matthew 16.16-19) and were the only valid interpreters of scripture. They built an organization using violence, coercion and powerful indoctrination to protect their lies. Over time their history and certainly the stark reality of torture and cruelty would be suppressed, minimized and today the Catholic church takes on the appearance of a benevolent, sacred and caring organization. The immoral Catholic deeds of their past were horrific but minor compared to the millions, really billions of souls to this day who will suffer eternal loss as a result of devotion to Catholicism – which is in effect no more than the devotion to some vile, selfish, immoral men of the past.
Note: Matthew 16.16-19 is easily understood.
God’s Simplicity Versus Man’s Complex Organizations
God creates all the things we see and know and also explains the purpose for His creation, namely to test mankind. Mankind fails at the beginning with the sin in the garden. God wants to reconcile man and sends his Son to die the horrible death. A perfect sacrifice that allows man an opportunity for sin to be covered. He provides the means for man to take advantage of Jesus’ death and indeed people are added to the church. It is not the Catholic church but God adds the obedient to the church, that is to the spiritual body that places each person in a relation with His Son. During the first century the Holy Spirit works with the disciples of Jesus and some of those being converted in confirming the word. Now, that is the truth summarized and there is no Catholic church or earthy rule found in scripture. Again, you can EASILY understand the true meaning of Matthew 16.16-19 and you will find all of scripture to be PERFECTLY consistent with that understanding. You will see that God’s purpose and His plan perfectly fit with correct meaning of Matthew 16.16-19.
The Source of Authority Always Comes Back to the Bible
Today, it is quite amazing how quickly Catholics turn to the bible for validation of “everything” having so dramatically rejected its use in the past. Finally, there came a point when the dark veil covering the bible had to be lifted by the Catholic Hierarchy because the scriptures are exceedingly powerful. Catholicism had no choice but to use the scriptures to defend their existence, their doctrines. On come the Catholic apologists and they are ready to twist, add to and/or take away from the scriptures in defense of that, which cannot be defended – their very existence. Their allies are deceit, indoctrination and always holding to, “the correct interpretation belongs only to the Catholic church.” So when they say Matthew 16.16-19 is the authority for their existence you can either choose to believe or reject the idea. You should understand that the church could never stand on Peter or on any man. Of course, Peter never thought he was the head of the church and never assumed such an office. He was an elder in the church at Jerusalem. If you use the bible as the source of authority then there is no Catholic church. You need to have a man tell you that God choose Peter to head the church, because you will never find that in scripture. It is no surprise that the Catholic church likes the idea of a mystery, the mystery of the faith. This is because only as a mystery can the Catholic church hope to exist since there is no scriptural basis for its existence. So we have many Catholics who do not understand what they believe saying, “how can you understand it, it is a mystery.” As mentioned, you will either believe God OR man and on that basis your eternity will be determined. If you choose God and allow His word to guide your life in word and deed you can realize heaven.
Time To Stand On Your Own Two Feet
And Trust God and Not Any Man Or Woman
It is amazing how little people know about what they believe. It is amazing how little people understand about things they believe so fervently. This not only includes the FOLLOWERS of some belief but also those TEACHING the doctrine. We make a lot of assumptions about what what we believe and about those who are our teachers. “At the end of the day” we need to understand what we believe and not believe in what some person teaches. This is equivalent to either trusting in God or trusting in man.
Let’s look at Catholicism and ask:
> Why am I Catholic? Was I raised in the Catholic church? Was I looking for something and studied and determined Catholicism made sense?
> Is there an undeniable connection between Catholicism and Jesus? Are there all sorts of biblical evidence that Catholicism is what God intended?
> Do I believe in Catholicism because I cannot conceive of believing it is not true?
> Does everything fit perfectly together from Genesis to Revelation and precisely point to the Catholic church?
> Do you believe God would allow men to make or alter His commands? If so, why does God provide all the warnings about changing His word?
When you get to the truth you will not be answering questions by saying, “ask my priest.” You will not be saying, I trust the bishop and the pope. You will understand the truth and you will never be taught that there is a mystery. There is no mystery in what you have to do in relation to having a successful life and achieving heaven. Indeed, there is nothing more mysterious than the Catholic church. In Catholicism you hear about the “mystery of the church” that has defined Catholicism since its beginning. Catholic doctrine is a mystery in terms of scripture. The church that Jesus began is not a mystery. God no longer works in what could be referred to as mysterious ways. There was a mystery about God’s plan until the death of Christ. Like so many things Catholic, Catholicism is a mixture of the old and new law as seen in this idea of a mystery and a priesthood going forward into the New covenant.
Colossians 1.26
26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
Ephesians 1.7-9
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself
Ephesians 6.19
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel
A World of Wordsmiths
A wordsmith is somebody who uses words skillfully and in today’s world wordsmiths with a prejudice or a monetary commission will use their skills to change the meaning to favor their beliefs or their clients point of view. Today some might call these people spin-doctors. In religion, science and other areas people who do these things see no harm – it is their job. Life is serious and misleading people is very serious to God especially in matters related to the truth.
Many have a way with words that often misleads, often slanders others. The mass media is a master of carelessness to achieve their objectives. No, carelessness is incorrect, it is slander, it is malicious slander, it is prejudicial reporting, it is deceit, it is lies. Young minds are the most vulnerable and between the barrage from mass media and from their educators there is a corrupting of young people. The strangest thing is the extent of the deceit. One could not believe it was so prevalent, so orchestrated and all to accomplish the goals of turning others to their personal agenda’s. Anyone who really wants the truth can have it but the world does not make it easy. Oh, there is no great conspiracy but people acting in a prejudicial way carelessly, fervently and often maliciously move vulnerable persons to their beliefs. More and more people believe the lie and the movement grows.
America – Few See The Danger
Over history, large numbers of people have been convinced that evil was good and today it continues in modern cloaking. America suffers under the lies and when destruction comes in the form of financial collapse or revolt or America is overrun with immorality then many will ask what went wrong?
The answer to what went wrong will be similar to that of many nations, namely we became a godless society. We were a country that had God, the true God, our creator as an integral part of our national being. It was not perfect but there was freedom of choice and the principles of our founding was the bible. Freedom of religion was a guarantee and people could choose whatever they wanted and this is exactly as God, the God of the bible desires. There is no pressure to serve the true God – it would be in opposition to His purpose. Men also are confused over “Separation of Church and State.”
At the end of the day America failed to observe the signs, the true history of religion and nations, were careless, had self-serving and godless leadership with a liberal media that shunned God and feared any reference to God. Like so many, the media believes the religions they observed were in some way associated with God, whereas God abhors men’s religion. The media in their misguided attempt to protect all religions threw out what our forefathers and had come to see as the best principles for mankind and they were bible principles. America’s fate is not certain and if enough people can overcome the onslaught of immorality and lies it can continue to prosper.
Lies and Deceit and Unfortunately They Are Believed
God is very clear in His view of liars and He does not call Satan the father of immorality but the “father of lies.” If you have been trying to understand God as He has revealed Himself then you know the test you are undergoing requires a certain character to succeed, that is to achieve heaven. God will not accept liars, but those who are successful will be humble, truth lovers, and have the strength to stand up for what is right. The lost will be characterized by selfish people who lie to achieve gain, to look good and essentially seldom are even bothered by their immoral, unethical actions. The media is full of slander and educators present views representative of a godless society. It is true that their livelihood is tied to their enthusiastic support of certain principles and it is also true this is no excuse. Indeed men and women are tested and they need the strength to do the right thing. Few will place themselves in jeopardy due to the present cost. God’s test is perfect in separating people by their actions into acceptable or unacceptable.
God mentions six things He hates and says seven are an abomination to Him. It is clear that the emphasis in relation to what God hates is on lying, deceit and slanderous statements.
Proverbs 6.16-19
16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
Such persons will fail in the only thing that matters. They will mislead many and those in turn will mislead many more. God emphasizes ALL LIARS will be lost. This sort of person is the opposite of what God will accept for eternity. Now, enter the religions of men/women and they try to define the magnitude of the lie that will cost your eternal soul. God simply says a lie, and a lie is a lie and you do not have to be concerned about the size of the lie. Just as you do not have to be concerned about the magnitude of the what you stole. Men try to speak for God and they cannot and should not. Stealing is stealing and lying is lying and whatever you have done that God defines as sin needs to be forgiven. Sin that is not forgiven will result in eternal loss. Whenever men or women try to determine the mind of God separately from what God has revealed they will be wrong. Look below and see God’s clarity about sin.
Revelation 21:8
18 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Matthew 15.18,19
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
Indeed, it is out of the heart, out of the mouth and men / women are condemned by their words. We need to be very careful about what we say and not have respect for persons who are careless in their speech.
God Has Provided His Word And Expects Man To Live By It
As the bible comes to a close, God emphasizes one last time what is the most serious of lies. God’s word is not to be changed. When you change it you misrepresent God and are a liar. As the scriptures teach, “let God be found true and every man a liar.” God’s power to save is all tied up in the Gospel and if it is changed it is a lie being preached instead of the truth. Only the truth can make a person free from sin.
Revelation 22.18-22
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The prejudiced master wordsmith’s cleverly twist scripture and create stories, create false analogies to convince others. A vast majority of these liars are persons who are “religious leaders.” God makes it easy to defeat such persons and their often creative deceit. God says if any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.
1 Peter 4:11
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.
When one speaks as the oracles of God it is God breathed speech. Speak, just as God delivered the message. You do not add to or take away from what God delivered. To fully understand the meaning you should search all scripture because God is consistent in the message He left for mankind. As you gain the correct understanding of God, His purpose, His plan you will gain further clarity of scripture. You can have absolute certainty about the meaning from God.
Let me give an example along the lines of our discussion and study the verses below:
2 Peter 1.20,21
20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
The bible teaches that scripture is not of any private interpretation. In other words scripture has a meaning but it is not your meaning or mine. Take the verse for what it says, “no scripture is of private interpretation.” Begin with, “it means just exactly what it says.” You or I do not have the right to teach OUR INTERPRETATION of this or any verse. If we differ, then one of is right and the other wrong or both are wrong. If we differ, than we both cannot be right because God’s meaning is singular. The scriptures have a definite meaning and you can gain the correct understanding by saying in this case, “no one has the right to interpret scripture their way.” So when the Catholic church says they are the owners of the correct interpretation, they are in conflict with this most basic principle. This is not what the verse indicates, but instead there is no private interpretation!
Well, then we might have a quandary. How do we know the truth of the verse? First, we understand we are dealing with God and His carefully devised word. The word of God being perfect contains the answer. We have looked at various verses on this page such as Galatians 1.6-12 and Revelation 22.18-22 that make it clear that God’s word is not to be changed.
The seriousness of this is very simply the difference between saving or losing your soul. We learn that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit and divides good from evil, truth from error. We learn that the word of God is the seed of the kingdom. We see Jesus indicating man should not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God.
In the table below, the scriptures explain how God uses His word in conversion.
Let’s look at one of these verses:
Romans 6.17
17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
This verse says you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine – meaning you obeyed the gospel. All of these verses do not have you obeying or following the church, the pope, the preacher, but obedience is to God and God uses His word to produce faith.
Does God use a priest, a pope, a protestant preacher or anyone in the work of conversion AS THE AUTHORITY? No, God is not subjecting people to the whims and ideas of men because there is only one route to God and that is His word. You can complain, say it is not fair to all people and talk about everyone having their own interpretation and just plain disagree with God. God choose to use His word and knew it would be the perfect test to determine those who love Him from those who do not.
One other point here on interpretation, notice from the verse 2 Peter 1.21 that, “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
During the first century the Holy spirit was inspiring men, bringing back to their memories the things Jesus taught and as Jesus said, guiding them into all truth. These were holy men of God delivering truth, not interpreting truth. The men of Catholicism were NOT HOLY MEN but the opposite and history correctly displays them as paranoid, as murderers and vile in every way. They were interpreting the scriptures their way to their benefit and much of Catholic doctrine was developed during this early time of the popes.
Today, we have people commonly saying that everyone has their own interpretation of scripture implying there is no correct understanding. Yet, the verse indicates the Holy Spirit delivered the word and it was not from man. How many meanings do you think God has for each thing He has delivered? It should be obvious from all scripture that life is serious and God has a singular meaning for His word. So, if everyone has their own interpretation then there are many wrong beliefs and indeed we have many religions and religious doctrines.
God’s Way: Your Fate Determined By Your choices
Getting It Right Requires Diligence, Strong Effort
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
How must you be approved of God? You need to present yourself as one who has shown diligence in rightly understanding the will of God and then living according to His will. Some translations use the word study instead of diligence. In any case, there is a serious searching required to get to the truth. God even promises that those who seek Him with their whole heart, mind shall find Him.
Jeremiah 29:13
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Acts 17.26,27
26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Much of the teaching at this site and the book, “What Is Life All About?” is emphasizes coming to a correct understanding of God and His purpose for life. You are being tested and your character is critical to your success and the selfish, proud and evil person will never come to a correct understanding of what is most important in life. God ties these ideas together throughout the bible. The verse below associates those who seek God with finding Him, but indicates others, in this case evil persons will never understand justice implying they will not seek God. The understanding about God’s justice, fairness, judgment only come from God – How else would one possibly know? We could guess, we could believe the way WE think justice should be handled and in fact that is what we typically do.
Proverbs 28:5
5 Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the LORD understand all.
Summarizing 2 Peter 1.20,21 – Private Interpretation
What does this say about the meaning 2 Peter 1.20,21. The understanding for this verse is simply that you cannot have a private interpretation or add to this verse your own personal caveat like only my group can provide the correct interpretation. All of God’s word can be correctly understood because it all fits perfectly together. Man could not create such a document, but man is not God! So, those who love the truth can understand the meaning God intended while those, for instance, who see God’s rules as interfering or potentially interfering with their life (not having a love of truth, but a love of self) will never learn the truth. God indeed allows man to decide their own fate by choosing to live for this life or for the next. It is true most will not even come close to the truth. Amazingly, by observation it appears most people do not care or they care BUT are not willing to spend a moment of their life in the pursuit of truth. The world is filled with wonder, amazing devices, opportunities and also many difficult and tragic events. These things are able to distract us to the extent that life passes and you miss the only thing that matters.
In any case, God’s purpose is being fulfilled either in your success which He desires or in your failure. Those who fail will be those who God does not want to spend eternity with as they are undeserving and their most significant shortcoming will be the rejection of God’s Son. You can reject God’s Son by refusing to believe in Him or believing in Him but not living in obedience to Him. There is a clear path to understanding scripture and this is especially true of the basics in relation to your salvation.
Pause: You Cannot Please God Living In False Religion
If you are Catholic, Muslim, Protestant, Mormon, Jehovah Witness; You have been deceived. It is clear that many today doing the deceiving have also been deceived. It is the one thing that matters in your short existence and you have very likely been deceived! God is looking for those who love the truth and such people will not accept less than the truth. They happen to be people who possess certain characteristics like those referred to by Jesus in Matthew 5.1-11.
These people are NOT those:
> Who look for a way around what God requires
> Who say God is not fair and cannot be fair in this certain circumstance
> Who are self-centered, self-seeking
> Who are proud
> Who are unforgiving
> Who are troublemakers
> Who are unconcerned about truth
> Who believe they are right (but those who know they are right and can defend their belief)
Indeed, God will get the people He wants although there may not be that many. Those spending eternity with God can be trusted, will honor God, and God will be blessed by His creation. They will do those things while they are alive, that is trusting God, honoring God and as a result God is blessed by their free will decisions. The test is difficult and requires tough decisions, personal sacrifice and obedience. Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate them as they hated Him. The road to heaven goes through the world and you need to overcome the lies and deceit and live godly. Many people believe hell is for the EVIL FEW but this is not true because losing heaven is the result of dying in sin and many will die in sin. You need to stand on your own two feet regardless of what others do and have an everyday relationship with Jesus by believing in Him as demonstrated in your initial and continual obedience. Those who teach less than this are not helping you!
Faith Will Always Be In The Picture
God’s test involves faith and initially that is acting on something not seen. You cannot see God but you can see Him in His creation. God makes it very clear that Faith must be in the picture.
Hebrews 11.6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Yet, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. It is God’s word that ultimately confirms that God is the God of the bible. Indeed, we learn that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Time passes and for the faithful, faith does become sight. The scriptures can do that for truth seekers as day by day they learn and understand more about God. One might say many people spend their lives in scripture study and yet believe a “hundred” different things. This should not be, but what a person receives from scripture depends on their attitude. God’s word is perfect and is able to build up the person with a “good” heart and yet allow the person of pride and prejudice to twist scripture to their own end. God’s word is perfect in discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
In the religious world involving the bible, we have leaders teaching the doctrine of their learning plus the bible and this mixing is destructive to the truth. Catholic ministers teach Catholic doctrine, Protestant ministers teach the particular doctrine of their learning and all mix in the scriptures in more or less ways. The net result is not truth.
Faith is critically important but to have value it needs to be faith in the one and only true God. Men and women have injected their ideas and created new organizations claiming this is what God wants. This has happened so many times that today there are thousands of different Christian or bible groups. As a result there is great confusion and the message has been corrupted. God’s message still exists and is His power to save souls. However, the teaching from scripture has routinely and maliciously been modified resulting a hundreds of harmful doctrines. If you have faith in such organizations it is having faith in men and women and not God. Most Christians claiming Christ have no valid relationship with God. This is tragic for them AND for those who are deceived thinking these “Christians” do a relationship with God through Christ.
Finally The End Of Your Last Day
The real end of the day will come for every person and there will be a last day for all of mankind. The one thing of importance to the end will be God’s word. Indeed as the scriptures indicate every knee will bow. You may not be alive when Jesus returns but you will have a last day and before then you need to secure the truth upon which your eternity will be decided. At your end you will know that there was not many religions, not many god’s but only one. You CAN know that now if you have a love of the truth. Yes, very likely you were mislead, but at your end you will know there are NO EXCUSES. You can overcome being mislead and many have done so, but not too many. At the end of that last day of your earthly existence you will know your eternal fate.
It will not be Allah or Buddha or Joseph Smith or the pope or the hundreds of other god’s/religions that people have created but it will be Jesus coming in the clouds and He will turn over those who are His to God the Father. Your entire life is meaningless if you do not achieve heaven. None of your wonderful accomplishments will have any value but of utmost importance will be, “did you pass or fail God’s test?” How about the excuse, “I did not even know there was a test.” The test is to love the truth then you will most certainly know there is a test. One thing should not surprise you and that is the silliness, the ridiculous nature of man-made religions. Scientology, Atheism, Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism and many more are obviously man-made. In view of what God delivered, only by being thoughtless, naive, and extremely careless could one believe their doctrines. Of course, a large majority of people just do not care about anything religious, anything that has to do with the next life because it might interfere with their present life. Others frequently believe there is nothing past this life. Such people never entered the race for heaven and their life will essentially be a blur followed by a regrettable awakening. Here is the good news, you are alive and if you seek the truth, find it and live it you can obtain heaven. You can be successful and be one who comes to understand what Paul wrote to the saints (all of God’s children are saints) at Corinth.
1 Cor 2:9
9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
God has prepared this incredible eternity for those who love Him and demonstrate that love in obedience. The pain of being lost must be largely associated with eternally being separated from God from all that was possible, now lost forever. In life, we might expend tremendous effort to be successful, perhaps getting a college degree, perhaps excelling in sport, perhaps attaining a family, perhaps achieving a measure of wealth but our efforts only have a temporary reward. If you are lost, all those things will mean nothing. Those who put their effort in the direction of heaven will reap its rewards.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
At the end of the YOUR day, DO NOT MISS OUT ON HEAVEN!
All To Often The Obvious Is Ignored
Even as recent as 40 years ago, Catholics were forbidden to follow the bible as their guide. The Catholics 40 years ago and before had their Catechisms to instruct them in Catholic teaching (as they do today). In church Catholics used their daily missals, which contained some select scriptures but primarily Catholic teaching. If we go back further in their history we can see the bible was on the INDEX which was a list of books Catholics were forbidden to read.
The INDEX was created by Pope Paul IV (ruled from 1555-1559) and was finally abolished in 1966. Modern Catholics were occasionally turning to the bible as a source for spiritual guidance even before the INDEX was abolished. Bibles published by Catholics for general usage even before 1966 contained a long discourse indicating you could not understand the bible without a guide. Your guide must be the one true Catholic Church. Only the Catholic church could correctly interpret the bible. Below is a portion of the preamble at the beginning of a Catholic bible. It is an example of the Catholic paranoia regarding the threat of scriptures to their system.
Reading a very, very small portion from a Catholic Bible (Douay/Confraternity), the encyclical letter of Pope Leo XIII on the Study of Holy scripture which was contained at the beginning of this bible:
“Wherefore it must be recognized that the sacred writings are wrapt in certain religious obscurity, and that no one can enter into their interior without a guide . . . and most of all that they may understand that God has delivered the Holy Scriptures to the Church, and that in reading and making use of His Word, they must follow the Church as their guide and their teacher.”
“In things of faith and morals, belonging to the building up of Christian doctrine, that is to be considered the true sense of Holy Scripture which has been held and is held by our Holy Mother the Church whose place it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the scriptures: and therefore that it is permitted to no one to interpret Holy Scripture against such sense or also against the unanimous agreement of the Fathers.”
We prohibit also that the laity should be permitted to have the books of the Old or New Testament; unless anyone from motive of devotion should wish to have the Psalter or the Breviary for divine offices or the hours of the blessed Virgin; but we most strictly forbid their having any translation of these books.
“No one may possess the books of the Old and New Testaments in the Romance language, and if anyone possesses them he must turn them over to the local bishop within eight days after promulgation of this decree, so that they may be burned lest, be he a cleric or a layman, he be suspected until he is cleared of all suspicion.”
Since experience teaches that, if the reading of the Holy Bible in the vernacular is permitted generally without discrimination, more damage than advantage will result because of the boldness of men, the judgment of bishops and inquisitors is to serve as guide in this regard. Bishops and inquisitors may, in accord with the counsel of the local priest and confessor, allow Catholic translations of the Bible to be read by those of whom they realize that such reading will not lead to the detriment but to the increase of faith and piety. The permission is to be given in writing. Whoever reads or has such a translation in his possession without this permission cannot be absolved from his sins until he has turned in these Bibles …
The following statements are condemned as being error:
79. It is useful and necessary at all times, in all places, and for every kind of person, to study and to know the spirit, the piety, and the mysteries of Sacred Scripture.
80. The reading of Sacred Scripture is for all.
81. The sacred obscurity of the Word of God is no reason for the laity to dispense themselves from reading it.
82. The Lord’s Day ought to be sanctified by Christians with readings of pious works and above all of the Holy Scriptures. It is harmful for a Christian to wish to withdraw from this reading.
83. It is an illusion to persuade oneself that knowledge of the mysteries of religion should not be communicated to women by the reading of Sacred Scriptures. Not from the simplicity of women, but from the proud knowledge of men has arisen the abuse of the Scriptures and have heresies been born.
84. To snatch away from the hands of Christians the New Testament, or to hold it closed against them by taking away from them the means of understanding it, is to close for them the mouth of Christ.
85. To forbid Christians to read Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels, is to forbid the use of light to the sons of light, and to cause them to suffer a kind of excommunication.
1. Among the special schemes with which non-Catholics plot against the adherents of Catholic truth to turn their minds away from the faith, the biblical societies are prominent. They were first established in England and have spread far and wide so that We now see them as an army on the march, conspiring to publish in great numbers copies of the books of divine Scripture. These are translated into all kinds of vernacular languages for dissemination without discrimination among both Christians and infidels. Then the biblical societies invite everyone to read them unguided. Therefore it is just as Jerome complained in his day: they make the art of understanding the Scriptures without a teacher” common to babbling old women and crazy old men and verbose sophists,” and to anyone who can read, no matter what his status. Indeed, what is even more absurd and almost unheard of, they do not exclude the common people of the infidels from sharing this kind of a knowledge.
4. Moreover, regarding the translation of the Bible into the vernacular, even many centuries ago bishops in various places have at times had to exercise greater vigilance when they became aware that such translations were being read in secret gatherings or were being distributed by heretics. Innocent III issued warnings concerning the secret gatherings of laymen and women, under the pretext of piety, for the reading of Scripture in the diocese of Metz.[12] There was also a special prohibition of Scripture translations promulgated either in Gaul a little later[13] or in Spain before the sixteenth century.[14]
The great paranoia of being discovered, of losing their power drove these men to every possible vile act. Their history, their lack of authority for their existence is so overwhelming that it is incredible anyone would believe in Catholicism. Over a long period of time Catholic apologists have found ways to twist scripture to “validate” Catholic doctrine. Nonetheless anyone desiring the truth can easily refute their reasoning. Catholicism has been twisting scripture, twisting their history to make Catholicism seem viable. Although they regret the inquisition they attempt to justify it. Catholicism has used many “tools” to maintain their authority such as creating miracles or an atmosphere for miracles. They consistently coerce persons to be faithful to their system under the penalty of hell. How obvious is their deception? Really how obvious is there deception in relation to the scriptures, the scriptures they so desperately tried to hide?
God’s Power Is In The Message
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation
The Message Is For People To Hear, Read
That Is Why The Word Was Not To Be Added To Or Taken Away From
The Message Never Required A Middle Man*, i.e. The Catholic Church
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
The scriptures were already being twisted in the first century and Peter here is referring to some of the things Paul wrote in His epistles as being hard to understand and implies easy to twist. The basic message was not hard to understand but there were those who like Diotrephes sought preeminence and would not even receive John.
10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
Many people have pointed to 1 Timothy 4.1-5 as representative of the Catholic church but I have always thought of it as characteristics of the falling away. It could represent any group who falls into error but the description is a good fit for Roman Catholicism.
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
The answer for the dilemma is given throughout scripture but regularly rejected. The answer can be seen in the two verses below:
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
And Trust God and Not Any Man Or Woman
Let’s look at Catholicism and ask:
> Why am I Catholic? Was I raised in the Catholic church? Was I looking for something and studied and determined Catholicism made sense?
> Is there an undeniable connection between Catholicism and Jesus? Are there all sorts of biblical evidence that Catholicism is what God intended?
> Do I believe in Catholicism because I cannot conceive of believing it is not true?
> Does everything fit perfectly together from Genesis to Revelation and precisely point to the Catholic church?
> Do you believe God would allow men to make or alter His commands? If so, why does God provide all the warnings about changing His word?
8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself
Many have a way with words that often misleads, often slanders others. The mass media is a master of carelessness to achieve their objectives. No, carelessness is incorrect, it is slander, it is malicious slander, it is prejudicial reporting, it is deceit, it is lies. Young minds are the most vulnerable and between the barrage from mass media and from their educators there is a corrupting of young people. The strangest thing is the extent of the deceit. One could not believe it was so prevalent, so orchestrated and all to accomplish the goals of turning others to their personal agenda’s. Anyone who really wants the truth can have it but the world does not make it easy. Oh, there is no great conspiracy but people acting in a prejudicial way carelessly, fervently and often maliciously move vulnerable persons to their beliefs. More and more people believe the lie and the movement grows.
The answer to what went wrong will be similar to that of many nations, namely we became a godless society. We were a country that had God, the true God, our creator as an integral part of our national being. It was not perfect but there was freedom of choice and the principles of our founding was the bible. Freedom of religion was a guarantee and people could choose whatever they wanted and this is exactly as God, the God of the bible desires. There is no pressure to serve the true God – it would be in opposition to His purpose. Men also are confused over “Separation of Church and State.”
At the end of the day America failed to observe the signs, the true history of religion and nations, were careless, had self-serving and godless leadership with a liberal media that shunned God and feared any reference to God. Like so many, the media believes the religions they observed were in some way associated with God, whereas God abhors men’s religion. The media in their misguided attempt to protect all religions threw out what our forefathers and had come to see as the best principles for mankind and they were bible principles. America’s fate is not certain and if enough people can overcome the onslaught of immorality and lies it can continue to prosper.
God mentions six things He hates and says seven are an abomination to Him. It is clear that the emphasis in relation to what God hates is on lying, deceit and slanderous statements.
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Let me give an example along the lines of our discussion and study the verses below:
21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
The seriousness of this is very simply the difference between saving or losing your soul. We learn that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit and divides good from evil, truth from error. We learn that the word of God is the seed of the kingdom. We see Jesus indicating man should not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God.
In the table below, the scriptures explain how God uses His word in conversion.
Let’s look at one of these verses:
One other point here on interpretation, notice from the verse 2 Peter 1.21 that, “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
During the first century the Holy spirit was inspiring men, bringing back to their memories the things Jesus taught and as Jesus said, guiding them into all truth. These were holy men of God delivering truth, not interpreting truth. The men of Catholicism were NOT HOLY MEN but the opposite and history correctly displays them as paranoid, as murderers and vile in every way. They were interpreting the scriptures their way to their benefit and much of Catholic doctrine was developed during this early time of the popes.
Today, we have people commonly saying that everyone has their own interpretation of scripture implying there is no correct understanding. Yet, the verse indicates the Holy Spirit delivered the word and it was not from man. How many meanings do you think God has for each thing He has delivered? It should be obvious from all scripture that life is serious and God has a singular meaning for His word. So, if everyone has their own interpretation then there are many wrong beliefs and indeed we have many religions and religious doctrines.
God’s Way: Your Fate Determined By Your choices
Getting It Right Requires Diligence, Strong Effort
How must you be approved of God? You need to present yourself as one who has shown diligence in rightly understanding the will of God and then living according to His will. Some translations use the word study instead of diligence. In any case, there is a serious searching required to get to the truth. God even promises that those who seek Him with their whole heart, mind shall find Him.
27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
Much of the teaching at this site and the book, “What Is Life All About?” is emphasizes coming to a correct understanding of God and His purpose for life. You are being tested and your character is critical to your success and the selfish, proud and evil person will never come to a correct understanding of what is most important in life. God ties these ideas together throughout the bible. The verse below associates those who seek God with finding Him, but indicates others, in this case evil persons will never understand justice implying they will not seek God. The understanding about God’s justice, fairness, judgment only come from God – How else would one possibly know? We could guess, we could believe the way WE think justice should be handled and in fact that is what we typically do.
In any case, God’s purpose is being fulfilled either in your success which He desires or in your failure. Those who fail will be those who God does not want to spend eternity with as they are undeserving and their most significant shortcoming will be the rejection of God’s Son. You can reject God’s Son by refusing to believe in Him or believing in Him but not living in obedience to Him. There is a clear path to understanding scripture and this is especially true of the basics in relation to your salvation.
These people are NOT those:
> Who look for a way around what God requires
> Who say God is not fair and cannot be fair in this certain circumstance
> Who are self-centered, self-seeking
> Who are proud
> Who are unforgiving
> Who are troublemakers
> Who are unconcerned about truth
> Who believe they are right (but those who know they are right and can defend their belief)
Time passes and for the faithful, faith does become sight. The scriptures can do that for truth seekers as day by day they learn and understand more about God. One might say many people spend their lives in scripture study and yet believe a “hundred” different things. This should not be, but what a person receives from scripture depends on their attitude. God’s word is perfect and is able to build up the person with a “good” heart and yet allow the person of pride and prejudice to twist scripture to their own end. God’s word is perfect in discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart.
It will not be Allah or Buddha or Joseph Smith or the pope or the hundreds of other god’s/religions that people have created but it will be Jesus coming in the clouds and He will turn over those who are His to God the Father. Your entire life is meaningless if you do not achieve heaven. None of your wonderful accomplishments will have any value but of utmost importance will be, “did you pass or fail God’s test?” How about the excuse, “I did not even know there was a test.” The test is to love the truth then you will most certainly know there is a test. One thing should not surprise you and that is the silliness, the ridiculous nature of man-made religions. Scientology, Atheism, Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism and many more are obviously man-made. In view of what God delivered, only by being thoughtless, naive, and extremely careless could one believe their doctrines. Of course, a large majority of people just do not care about anything religious, anything that has to do with the next life because it might interfere with their present life. Others frequently believe there is nothing past this life. Such people never entered the race for heaven and their life will essentially be a blur followed by a regrettable awakening. Here is the good news, you are alive and if you seek the truth, find it and live it you can obtain heaven. You can be successful and be one who comes to understand what Paul wrote to the saints (all of God’s children are saints) at Corinth.
God has prepared this incredible eternity for those who love Him and demonstrate that love in obedience. The pain of being lost must be largely associated with eternally being separated from God from all that was possible, now lost forever. In life, we might expend tremendous effort to be successful, perhaps getting a college degree, perhaps excelling in sport, perhaps attaining a family, perhaps achieving a measure of wealth but our efforts only have a temporary reward. If you are lost, all those things will mean nothing. Those who put their effort in the direction of heaven will reap its rewards.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
At the end of the YOUR day, DO NOT MISS OUT ON HEAVEN!