Pagan Holiday Season

I'll probably be seen as a scrooge but . . . there is no Biblical basis for christmas. Most folks should know by now that the "roots" of christmas are the pagan holiday of Saturnalia. The RC incorporated it into "Christianity" in the 4th century to appease the roman pagans. Even the "traditions" of the tree, mistletoe, and gift giving are all pagan based. I don't "observe" christmas myself (biblical evidence is against a winter birth time frame anyway) and am surprised by the arguments about "merry christmas" versus "happy holidays". The word christmas comes from Christ Mass and holiday comes from "Holy day" - again the RC and pagan influences.

Folks complain that the observance of christmas is all about "commercialization", but it never has been different. The Puritans banned it. Throughout most of history it has been used as an excuse to kill Jews.

Folks seem to love to focus on the birth and death of Jesus while leaving out His words and His example for living as minor events.

Anyway, hope everybody stays safe and well for the rest of the year and beyond. May YHWH’s will be done.

Are you fruitful?

Every branch in Me not bearing fruit, He takes it away; and each one bearing fruit, He prunes, so that it may bear more fruit.

(John 15:2)

          The above sentence expresses a simple concept. It is a concept so simple most folks today ignore it. The concept is this: we must continue in Jesus or YHWH will remove us. We will be cast out and burned:

Unless one continues in Me, he is cast out as the branch and is dried up; and, they gather and throw them into a fire and he is burned.

(John 15:6)

          Jesus goes on to tell us:

If you are keeping My commandments you will continue in My love, as I have kept My Father's commandments and continue in His love.

(John 15:10)

          If you are not keeping His commandments then you are not continuing in Jesus - you will be cast out. It is that simple. Jesus commandments are YHWH commandments. He tells us:

 

The one not loving me is not keeping My Words. And the Word which you hear is not Mine but of the Father who sent Me.

(John 14:24)

          Obey or be burned. It is that simple. No matter what Paul or your church leader says. Jesus says we have the Holy Spirit to remind of this. Who are you listening to?

Interesting OT references in the NT

Old Testament Reference made in all four gospel accounts:

For this is he spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord! Make His paths straight!"

(Matthew 3:3)

He said, "I am a voice crying in the wilderness:" "Make straight" "the way of the Lord," as Isaiah the prophet said.

(John 1:23)

as it has been written in the scroll of the Words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.

(Luke 3:4)

the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight."

(Mark 1:3)

The voice of him who cries in the wilderness: Prepare the way of YHWH; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

(Isaiah 40:3)

Old Testament References made in five books of the NT:

And the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled on them, which says, "In hearing you will hear and in no way understand, and seeing you will see yet in no way perceive. For the heart of this people has grown fat, and they heard heavily with the ears, and they have closed their eyes, that they not see with the eyes, or hear with the ears, and understand with the heart, and be converted, and I heal them."

(Matthew 13:14-15)

"He has blinded their eyes" and "has hardened their heart," "that they might not see with the eyes" and "understand with the heart," "and be converted," "and I should heal them."

(John 12:40)

And He said, To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables, that seeing they might not see, and hearing, they might not understand.

(Luke 8:10)

that seeing they may see and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand, lest they should convert, and the sins be forgiven to them.

(Mark 4:12)

saying, "Go to this people and say, You will surely hear, and not at all understand; and you will surely see, and not at all perceive; for the heart of this people was fattened, and they have heard with the ears heavily; and they closed their eyes lest at any time they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them."

(Acts 28:26-27)

And He said, Go and say to this people, Hearing you hear, but do not understand; and seeing you see, but do not know. Make the heart of this people fat, and make his ears heavy, and shut his eyes, that he not see with his eyes, and hear with his ears, and understand with his heart, and turn back, and one heals him.

(Isaiah 6:9-10)

AND:

"The Lord said to my Lord, Sit off My right until I should put Your hostile ones as a footstool for Your feet?"

(Matthew 22:44)

Even David himself said in the Book of Psalms, "The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand until I place the ones hostile to You as a footstool of Your feet."

(Luke 20:42-43)

For David himself said by the Holy Spirit, "The Lord said to my Lord, Sit off My right until I place Your enemies as a footstool for Your feet."

(Mark 12:36)

For David did not ascend into Heaven, but he says, "The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand until I place those hostile to You as a footstool for Your feet."

(Acts 2:34-35)

But to which of the angels did He ever say, "Sit at My right hand until I place Your enemies as a footstool of Your feet?"

(Hebrews 1:13)

A Psalm of David. A declaration of Jehovah to my Lord: Sit at My

right hand, until I place Your enemies as Your footstool.

(LXX-Psa. 109:1; MT-Psa. 110:1)

Old Testament References made only by Matthew and John:

"Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King comes to you, meek and mounted on an ass, even a colt, the son of an ass."

(Matthew 21:5)

"Do not fear," "daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes" "sitting on" "the foal of an ass."

(John 12:15)

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous and being victorious, humble, and riding on an ass, even on a colt, the son of an ass.

(Zechariah 9:9)

AND:

And having crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting a lot, that might be fulfilled that spoken by the prophet, "They divided My garments to themselves, and they cast a lot over My clothing."

(Matthew 27:35)

Then they said to one another, Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots about it, whose it will be (that the Scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided My garments among them," and "they threw a lot for My garment." Then indeed the soldiers did these things.

(John 19:24)

They divide My garments among them, and they made fall a

lot for My clothing.

(LXX-Psa. 21:19; MT-Psa. 22:18 )

Remebering

We are told to remember several things in the Bible and one of the first and most important is:

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

(Exodus 20:8)

          Of course some folks claim the OT (Original Testament or Old Testament) does not apply anymore. Ironically, even today many “versions” of the New Testament also contain the Psalms and Proverbs. So let’s see what they might say about remembering:

But the mercy of YHWH is from everlasting, even to everlasting, on those who fear Him; yea, His righteousness is to the sons of sons; to those who keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments, to do them. YHWH has prepared His throne in Heaven and His kingdom rules over all.

(Psalms 103:17-19)

          If you still think the OT is not relevant for us consider why Jesus said:

Remember Lot's wife.

(Luke 17:32)

          Jesus referenced the OT over a hundred times. IF He is your Lord and Savior then you will listen to Him. If you are still being blinded and deafened by those that teach Paul’s gospel is the only thing relevant to us in this age then consider what Jesus said after His death and resurrection. He still made over half a dozen references to the OT in Revelation. In Revelation, He also said:

Then remember from where you have fallen and repent and do the first works. And if not, I am coming to you quickly and will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Revelation 2:5 

Then remember how you received and heard, and keep and repent. If, then, you do not watch, I will come upon you like a thief and you will not at all know what hour I come upon you.

Revelation 3:3

          IF YHWH is your God you will listen to what He says and remember it. IF Jesus is your Lord and Savior then you will listen to Him and remember it. Listen and have life, ignore or forget and you will die the second death as well as the first.

Out and About

Then any who shall be humbling himself as this little child, this one is greater in the kingdom of the heavens.

(Matthew 18:4)

For those of who may have notice I missed updating for a bit. I had a chance to go up to the mountains for a couple of weeks. YHWH reveals Himself to us in many ways and as for myself I find time away from “civilization” to be a great blessing. Like the tower of Babel it seems man’s efforts to create are feeble attempts to obscure the only true Creator.

Among mankind, even Michelangelo, blessed by YHWH to become one of the greatest artists and inventors man has ever known, left a legacy that reflects the downfallen nature of man. The Sistine Chapel is indeed a fine work of art; sadly, the artist was practically forced on pain of death by the Catholic Church to make it. I have seen it and was more moved by sadness for the artist than by the beauty he brought forth.

To fully appreciate the work of Michelangelo one must have an eye for the subtle. Though much of our Creator’s works are majestic in scope He, as the only true Creator, also appeals to us in many subtle ways - if we would only spend more time looking and listening for Him.

If you haven’t been away from “civilization” for a while I strongly urge you to give it a try. I spend as much time on solo outings into the wilderness as possible - often two or three times a month. I won’t even try to describe what it is like to spend an entire Sabbath, alone, miles from any other human being; and, to have only the Creation and the Spirit of the Creator to occupy your mind. To picture a land where animals won’t claw or bite, plants won’t poison or pierce, desert heat and mountain cold won’t kill - just imagine.

How YHWH must smile when we seek Him, not with the eye of the scientist or critic, but with the awe, wonder, and reverence of a child.

Truly I am saying to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in not be entering into her.

(Luke 18:17)

US failing

My focus here is YHWH and the teachings of His Son Jesus. Still, I am a native US citizen and am saddened and often disappointed in the direction the US has been taking away from YHWH for some time. This is not reflected much in my articles but it does come out some in my Christian SAR blog and in my Thoughts for the Week. This is such a week.

Worldwide Christian persecution is the highest it has been since the Catholic Church ran the Crusades and the Inquisition. Even here in the US our government now forces Islam down our throats while at the same time badgering Christians and slowly criminalizing Christian beliefs.

For those in the US, and even others worldwide concerned with current trends, if you have not read or seen “The Harbinger” or “The Harbinger Decoded” I highly recommend that you do so. I myself just briefly caught the end of an airing of “The Harbinger Decoded” on CTN on the 27^th of October. It is scheduled to air again on the evening of November 24^th. Whether you like the author or not he does present many interesting and thought provoking concepts.

I try not to be egocentric in my views but there is little doubt that the US is drifting away from YHWH. I believe it is doing so at an accelerated pace. Only YHWH knows how and when the US will fall but fall she will and deservedly so. To my fellow brothers and sisters here in the US all I can say is keep the faith and spread the Gospel the best you can - the persecution will increase. Always realize that there is only one church and it is persecuted - even if the citizens of the USA have been blind to this by the earthly power the US has held and is losing fast due to internal disintegration.

KJV supporters - did you know?

King James -- If you are going to support him you should know something about him.

"Monarchy is the greatest thing on earth. Kings are rightly called gods since just like God they have power of life and death over all their subjects in all things. They are accountable to God only ... so it is a crime for anyone to argue about what a king can do." (King James)

His religious policy consisted of asserting the supreme authority and divine right of the crown. He suppressed political rivals as well as both Puritans and Catholics who objected. In fact the last heretics burned at the stake in England (1612) were done so under him. He even personally supervised the torture of women accused of being witches. His religious oppression was so bad that the “Pilgrims” set sail for America in the Mayflower (1620). He didn’t tolerate political opposition much better and he dissolved Parliament twice in 1610 and 1614.

          As to “his” bible it is a non-entity. The "Authorized Version" was never authorized by royal proclamation, by order of Council, by act of Parliament or by vote of Convocation. He never even paid for it. He pleaded poverty and instead “bought off” the bishops and translators by giving them royal positions or ecclesiastical promotions - that is for the ones who would follow his rules. Rule number one for translators was that the Bishops' Bible was to be followed and altered as little as possible. Another rule was that the translation should support “church doctrine”.

          James was big on “church doctrine”. It was second only to his authority. He forced acceptance of the five articles of Perth (1618) as a crime if not adhered too. He even imprisoned ministers who resisted. Among those articles were that children should be catechized and blessed by Bishops and that Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost were declared as Holy days not only of the Catholic Church but of every church.

For those that think their bible version is “pure” they should bear in mind that the original manuscripts have been missing since about 1655. The translation was not even popular when it was made and it took decades for it to “catch on” - even with imprisonment hanging over people’s heads. Hugh Broughton, the most highly regarded English Hebraist of his time, was excluded as a translator; and, in 1611 he condemned the translation, criticizing especially the translators' rejection of word-for-word equivalence and stated that "he would rather be torn in pieces by wild horses than that this abominable translation (KJV) should ever be foisted upon the English people”.

          James was a religious tyrant and basically acted as a protestant pope - obey or die!

NOTE: That King James was bisexual is in little doubt by most historians. Scottish Church leaders criticized his relationship as a teenager with fellow teenager Esmé Stuart, a young French courtier and Earl of Lennox, who facing threats of death was forced to leave Scotland. James did not stop there. In the 1580s he openly kissed Francis Stewart Hepburn - the Earl of Bothwell. When James inherited the English throne from Queen Elizabeth I in 1603 it was openly joked that “Elizabeth was King: now James is Queen”. James was blatantly open in an intimate relationship with George Villiers. He called Villiers his “wife” and called himself Villiers' “husband”! After he died he was buried in the Henry VII chapel in Westminster Abbey with one of his favorite male suitors on his right and another on his left.

More on the False Trinity Doctrine

If you read Revelation Chapter 5, verses 1 - 9, it is plain that Jesus takes the book from YHWH’s hand and He is thanked by the elders, et al., for redeeming them to God. YHWH and Jesus, even in Heaven, are two different entities. What did Jesus’ disciples say to Jesus? Did they say He was God? No! They said:

And those in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, Truly, You are the Son of God.

(Matthew 14:33)

Did demons call Jesus God? No! They said:

And cried with a loud voice and said, what have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the most high God? I adjure you by God, that you should not be tormenting met.

(Mark 5:7)

When Jesus was tempted by satan (YHWH cannot be tempted by evil - James 1:13) Did satan call Jesus? No! He said if you are the Son of God! (Matthew 4:3, 6; Luke 4:3, 9) And what did Jesus say to Satan?

Then Jesus said to him, Go, Satan! For it has been written: "You shall worship the Lord your God and you shall serve Him only." Deut. 6:13

(Matthew 4:10) (See also Luke 4:8)

Jesus knew what the Scriptures said:

You shall not bow down yourself to another god; that Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

(Exodus 34:14)

            Read John 4:21-24. Jesus said to worship the Father! Jesus never said to worship Him. When Jesus said “in vain they worship me” (Matthew 15:7-9, Mark 7:6/7) He himself says he is referring to what Isaiah said (Isaiah 29:13). Look at Jesus’ emphasis:

But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father is seeking the ones worshiping Him.

(John 4:23)

Read 1 King 22:19 and 2 Chronicles 18:18. They tell us Jehovah sits on His throne.

Read Hebrew 8:1. It says we have a high priest that sits on the right hand of the throne.

Read Hebrews 12:2. It says that Jesus is set at the right of the throne of God.

Jesus is the Son of YHWH. Not YHWH. For further evidence read my website articles on the trinity.

Celebrating our First Anniversary

Almost one year ago, on October 16^th, I made and purchased the website domain name “thepathtolight.com” and paid for 5 pages of space. I figured stuff out, more or less within a month, and paid for a 1000 page site. Since then it has grown too close to 200 pages and has become the best site on the Web for getting “Christian News” too.

About a month or so ago, with renewal fees coming due, I was wondering if the effort was making any impact at all. Then in the last month there have been numerous requests from other websites to republish articles from here to their own sites and now there is even a “condensed” book coming out (next week?) based on articles from here.

I am very grateful to friends and family that have offered encouragement. A special thanks to Douglas Del Tondo, author of many nationally acclaimed books and the website Jesus Words Only, for his efforts on spreading the truth and his kind words encouraging my efforts.

If at least one person has benefited from something they found there or here then it has all been more than worth it. I hope to continue and, with the guidance of His Spirit, have an even more important project in the works.

Thanks to all those who have visited here or my website. Please let me know what you think - good or bad. I am always open to suggestions.

In His Service,

Wayne

Right and Wrong?

Doing no wrong is not the same as doing right. Followers of Jesus must do both. When approached by men who already obeyed the law Jesus showed there was still more to be done:

Jesus said to him, if you desire to be perfect, go sell your property and give to the poor; and, you will have treasure in Heaven. And come, following Me.

(Matthew 19:21)

And looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, one thing is lacking. Go, sell what you have and give it to the poor; and, you will have treasure in Heaven. And come, following Me, taking up the cross.

(Mark 10:21)

          Jesus stressed our need to do good works - to be fruitful! He also told us how to do it.

But when you make a banquet, call the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.

(Luke 14:13)

Jesus told us this too in the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:32: Feed the hungry, clothe the bare, shelter the stranger, visit the sick and imprisoned.

The Apostles and disciples obviously saw this in Jesus’ message of the Gospel. They tell us:

And whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and we do the things pleasing before Him.

(1 John 3:22)

And finally, being all of one mind, having fellow-feeling, loving as brethren, compassionate, courteous,

(1 Peter 3:8)

Religion pure and undefiled, with the God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation and to keep oneself unspotted by the world.

(James 1:27)

          IF we love YHWH keeping the law is the easy part:

For this is the love of God, that His commands we may keep, and His commands are not burdensome.

(1 John 5:3)

          YHWH already owns every material thing. All we can give Him that He does not already possess is our love. It is in the surrendering of our material desires and possessions that many will find it takes extra effort - and it is making that effort that truly shows our love for YHWH.

          Jesus serves as savior ONLY those who serve Him as Lord!

False prophets

What would you call a man that was chosen by God to have His Holy Spirit upon them and that acted as a true prophet about the coming of David and/or Jesus? Would you say he was “saved” or “elect” - even predestined maybe? What would you say about him?

Consider Balaam:

And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel dwelling tribe by tribe; and, the spirit of God came upon him.

(Numbers 24:2)

He was a Davidic/Messianic prophet:

I see him - but not now. I behold him - but not near. There shall step forth a star out of Jacob; and, a scepter shall rise out of Israel and shall smite through the corners of Moab and break down all the sons of Seth.

(Numbers 24:17)

          This was a man that God chose to speak directly to and through several times. (Numbers 22 and 23) If you read the verses cited you will notice this man was also physically visited by “the angel of the LORD”. Would you say he was “saved” or “elect” - even predestined maybe? What would you say about him?

But, Balaam turned away from YHWH and taught against God’s laws:

Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor; and, there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

(Numbers 31:16)

What was his end?

And Balaam, son of Beor, the diviner, have the sons of Israel slain with the sword, among their wounded ones.

(Joshua 13:22) (See also Numbers 31:8)

What would his end have been if he had not turned against God?

What did the Apostles say to “New Testament” believers about him?

Woe to them; because, they went the way of Cain and gave themselves up to the error of Balaam for reward and perished in the speaking against of Korah!

(Jude 1:11)

Which have forsaken the right way and are gone astray: following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.

(2 Peter 2:15)

What did Jesus say to “New Testament” believers about him?

But I have a few things against you, because you have them that hold the doctrine of Balaam: who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel - to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication.

(Revelation 2:14)

          Remember Balaam the next time someone tells you that obedience is not required; or that once saved always saved; or, that the elect are predestined to salvation.

          Also, when you are ready to truly follow Jesus as more than your Savior but as your Lord and Master too; then, compare Balaam’s errors with the teachings of Saul of Tarsus. May the Holy Spirit guide you to all Truth.

Nations ignore YHWH at risk!

Why should or would God bless any nation that shuns Him.

If you will not hear, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts: I will send poverty upon you, and will curse your blessings, yea I will curse them, because you have not laid it to heart.

(Malachi 2:2)

In the USA, the Constitution states that a person has the right to the freedom of religion AND the free exercise thereof. It also states a person has the freedom of speech. Even so, a person who publicly warns homosexuals of their sin against God will get arrested for a hate crime. Worse yet, in the State of California it is now legally sanctioned for a 30 years old male teacher to escort an 8 year old little girl into the men’s bathroom while he explains to her that she can be a “big boy” now if she wants! And, it is legal for him to whip his penis out to urinate in front of her - as long as she says she thinks she is a boy! (Think about folks - it is called the law of unintended consequences.)

You have rebuked the proud: they are cursed who go astray from Your commandments.

(Psalms 119:21)

Too many societies, like the USA today, embrace the homosexual and shun the former convict. They cater to the pregnant unwed mother by offering to kill the life within her for free or bill the father for the child. They threaten and imprison the husband whose wife breaks her vows and runs away with their children - with the governments help no less. In this respect, and many others, many Muslim countries are closer to the will of God than alleged “Christian” nations.

But this people who know not the law are cursed.

(John 7:49)

Many citizens of the USA like to say, “God Bless America”. Why! The God of the Jew, the Christian, and the Muslim are one God - the God of Abraham; and He will have His justice - and all nations - even the USA, as a nation and a people, must turn to Him or suffer the consequences.

And you are cursed with want, and you afflict me, even the whole nation of you.

(Malachi 3:9)

Open the gates, so that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.

(Isaiah 26:2)

Are you a friend of Jesus?

Would Jesus call you a friend?

I have heard it said that we draw a circle around ourselves and place within that circle those who we would die for. Jesus told us:

Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.

(John 15:13)

          Some of us have many circles. I have had many - as a sailor, soldier, cop, son, husband, father, and a friend. Now I have only one - as a follower of Jesus - the most important circle of all. My friends in Jesus are being killed in far too many places these days and it is heart breaking to be able to do so little; but, I have not, as yet, been called to personally defend my suffering friends. What I have been called to do is to speak to another suffering group. A group who may not even be aware of their suffering. I speak to those who have been falsely led to believe that they can be a follower of Jesus without being obedient. Jesus, immediately after His comment above, said:

You are my friends, if you do what I command you.

(John 15:14)

          Please, take serious note of the “if”. Jesus makes it quite clear that those who do not obey Him are not His friends. His words, not mine.

          Jesus asks all to join His circle. He wants you as a friend and more - as a part of His family; but both must obey:

For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

(Mark 3:35)

Jesus died so that all could have life; but, only those that obey will have life:

For many are called, but few chosen.

(Matthew 22:14)

Can You Hear Him Now?

Even in our everyday life and interactions with others we learn that the difference between those that really listen to us and those that “hear without listening” - the same issue exists for Jesus. Almost a hundred times, over dozens of times in each of the four gospel accounts, we find Jesus stressing that we really need to hear what He is saying:

He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

(Matthew 11:15)

And he said unto them, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

(Mark 4:9)

          Jesus tells us that He can tell who really hears Him because they obey:

And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

(Luke 8:21)

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

(Luke 11:28)

          Jesus tells us that those do not hear His words are not His:

Why do you not understand my speech? because you cannot hear my word.

(John 8:43)

He that is of God hears God's words: you therefore hear not, because you are not of God.

(John 8:47)

          If you are to be one of His sheep you must hear Him and follow Him!

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

(John 10:27)

          Many say they hear Him but they do not care enough to listen - to change their lives and follow Him - they “hear without listening”. Jesus is calling --- can you hear Him now? Are you listening?