The Mark of the Beast

The Mark of the Beast

by | Apr 26, 2020 | Simple Bible Truth

The Mark of the Beast

What is the Mark of the Beast?

When people hear the phrase, “the mark of the beast,” most think of “666.”  But what else does the Bible tell us about the mark of the beast?  When will it be enforced?  What will happen to those who take the mark and those who refuse?  Five passages in Scripture talk about the “mark of the beast.”

Even so, we do not know exactly what this mark will be or what it will look like.   We do know that it will be received in allegiance to the Beast and acknowledging that he is God.

    Image Made of Beast and a Mark Required (Revelation 13:11-14)

    Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth.  He had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon.  And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence.  He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.  He performs great signs.  And he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.  He deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs given him to perform in the beast’s presence.  He tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 

      (Revelation 13:15-18)

      It was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast.  The image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as don’t worship the image of the beast to be killed.  And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free-men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead.  He provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, The mark is either the name of the beast or the number of his name.  Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast.  The number is that of a man, and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

      • The Beast (anti-Christ) will have been fatally wounded but will live.
      • A second beast (the False Prophet) will perform great signs (magic).
      • The False Prophet will have an image made of the Anti-Christ and cause people to worship the image.
      • He will cause those who do not worship the image of the Beast, to be killed.
      • He will cause everyone to get a mark on their right hand or forehead in order to buy or sell.
      • The mark is either the name of the Beast or the number of his name.

      Wrath of God on Those Who Receive the Mark (Revelation 14:9-12)

      Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger.  He will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.   And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever.  They have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image.  Neither does whoever receives the mark of his name.  Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

      • Whoever take the mark of the Beast and worships him and his image will experience the wrath of God.
      • They will be tormented.

      Sores on People Who Took the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 16:2)

      So, the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth.  It became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

      • Those who have the mark of the Beast and who worship his image will get terrible sores on their body.

      The Deceivers are Thrown into Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:19-21)

      I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.

      And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence.  By these signs he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.  These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.  The rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse.  All the birds were filled with their flesh.

       

      • The False Prophet and the Anti-Christ (the Beast) will be thrown alive into the Lake of Fire.

      The Faithful Will Reign with Jesus 1000 Years (Revelation 20:1-6)

      Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven.  He was holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.  He laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan.  He bound him for a thousand years and he threw him into the abyss.  The angel shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed.  After these things he must be released for a short time.

      Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them.  And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God.  I saw those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand.  They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.  The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection.  Over these the second death has no power.  They will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

      • Those who were killed or beheaded for standing firm in Jesus and holding on to the words of God, will be rewarded.   
      • Those who didn’t worship the Beast or his image and didn’t take the Beast’s mark will be resurrected and will reign with Christ for 1000 years.

      The Next Generation Must Know about the Mark of the Beast

      It is essential that the next generation know end times prophecy so that they will be prepared.  They run a greater risk of being deceived if they are not prepared .  In addition, they must be able to pass on this knowledge and warning to the following generation if Jesus does not return in their lifetime.

      The mark of the beast is a critical turning point in the very last days of this age.  Jesus told us that the  abomination that causes desolation is the sign we should look for.  This will help us to understand when he will return to establish his Father’s kingdom over the Earth.  We see that the mark of the beast will most likely happen at the time of the abomination of desolation.  At that time, the Beast, or anti-Christ, will set himself up to be God.  Consequently, the False Prophet will demand allegiance to the Beast and people will be forced to take some kind of mark.

      Christian Faith & Responsibility

      Christians must know ahead of time what this will be so they are not deceived.  Likewise, they need to know what to expect so that they will stand strong in faith under great persecution.  Believers must realize that life will not go on as normal and they will not be able to shop or purchase any food.  Moreover, they may even be forced to give up their life for the true and only Messiah of God.

      We must not neglect teaching about the timeline Jesus revealed and the events that will take place before he returns.  In addition, the nations must hear about the true Messiah, Jesus, and be warned not to follow any false Messiah.  People need to know about the mark so that they will know the dire consequences of taking it.  Better yet, they need to hear about the reward for rejecting it!  Christians must know these things so that they will have hope and can endure the coming persecution.

      Tithing and Giving

      Tithing and Giving

      by | Apr 18, 2020 | Simple Bible Truth

      Tithing and Giving

      Old Testament Tithing

      Tithing was an Old Testament commandment.  Under the old covenant the sons of Levi were “given the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting.  For the tithe of the sons of Israel, which they offer as an offering to the Lord, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance.  Therefore, I have said concerning them, ‘They shall have no inheritance among the sons of Israel.” (Numbers 18:21,24)

      The priests didn’t have other jobs, income or even an inheritance.  Their needs were met and they were blessed to be serving before YHWH.  God took care of them through tithing. (Numbers 18:21, Leviticus 27:30-33)

      3 Tithes

      In addition to the priests being provided for from a tithe, it seems that there were two other tithes.  There was a “festival tithe” that proved for the various required festivals. (Deuteronomy 12:17-19, 14:22-27)  Additionally, there was a “charity tithe” every third year. (Deuteronomy 14:28-29)  This tithe was for the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widows.

      When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. (Deuteronomy 26:12)

      A Tithe on What?

      It is interesting, Moses told Israel to tithe on the seed crops, fruit trees and animals.  He did not tell fishermen to tithe on the fish they caught.  Nor, did he tell people who  produced textiles or metalwork to tithe.  They were not told to tithe on  income.  In fact, if they wanted to pay a tithe with money, he  told  them to add one-fifth to  what they owed.

      It is important to note, it was every tenth part of herd or flock that was to be “tithed.”  If you only had nine sheep, you didn’t tithe a tenth of the nine. (Leviticus 27:322)

      Even then, there were many offerings from all people, beyond  these tithes.

      Should Christians Tithe?

      Christians in the New Testament are  told to care for those in need, but it is not through tithing.

      Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.  (James 1:27)

      Levites and priests served at the temple as mediators between God and His people.  Under the new covenant Jesus is the high priest (Hebrews 7) and the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).  Christians are called a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) and will be priests in the millennial kingdom (Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 20:6) together with Jesus.

      Christian giving under the new covenant (tithing)

      Believers are no longer under the Mosaic covenant, but are under the law of Messiah.  Followers of Christ are not under the Law, but under grace and the new covenant. (Romans 7:5-6, 6:14-15, Galatians 3:15-4:7, 2 Corinthians 3:4-18)

      If Christians are not under the Law and are not required to tithe, what is required of them?

      Total Self Sacrifice

      God gives us everything we have, regardless if we “earned” it or not.  We crucify ourselves and our own desires when we make the decision to follow Christ.  Everything we are and everything we have, is put on the altar.  We understand that our possessions, status and talents have been entrusted us by God.  They are now to be used for God’s Kingdom purposes and to serve Him and to help the brethren, like we see in Acts. (Acts 4:32-37)

      Faith and Works

      “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works?  Can that faith save him?   If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?  Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” (James 2:14-17)

      New Testament Giving

      Galatians 6:10 says that if we have opportunity, we should do good to all people.  But, we should do good especially to those who are of the household of the faith.  In other words, if it is in our power to help someone in need, especially a brother in the faith, it is our duty to do so.

      Matthew 6:1-4 explains how our giving should be done.  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them.  Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. So, when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

      Church Giving

      In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 a “collection for the saints” is mentioned.  This tells us that the church, the body of Christ, should be giving money to help other saints in need.  “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”

      Blessings in Proportion to Giving

      2 Corinthians 9:6-15 reveals profound truth.  “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.  Likewise, he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion.  God loves a cheerful giver.”

      These verses are clear that it is up to each believer to decide how much he gives.  God allows us to choose how much we give and bless others.  In return, this determines how much we ourselves  are blessed.

      We are reminded that the principle of sowing and reaping is now the law of giving in the believer’s life.  Equally important, we do not give out of compulsion, but out of love, and we do it cheerfully.

      God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed

      As a believer we are guaranteed that God will make grace abound in our lives.  Even when we give generously, we will have sufficiency in everything.  Our needs will be met!

      This echos what God told the Israelites in Malachi 3:8-12.  It is very interesting that in Malachi 3:7 God tells Israel to return to Him.  When they ask how they can do that, He says to quit robbing Him and bring in the whole tithe.

      Giving in Faith

      God doesn’t need our money; it is all His anyway. (Leviticus 27:30)  For this reason, we trust God to continue providing for us when we give back to Him.  When we give to His work and to help the saints we show Him that we trust Him to faithfully meet our needs.

      Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing.  He will increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality.

      Even Jacob acknowledged that all he had was from God and that he would give God a tenth of what he had.  This giving was out of a thankful heart, not because it was required of him.

      God’s Provision

      Jesus said that if we seek God’s Kingdom first and His righteousness, THEN our physical needs will be met.  (Matthew 6:33)  We can have this assurance if we are living in obedience.

      In addition, Jesus said to His disciples, “when you give.”  He did not say, “if you give” (Matthew 6:2)!  We are expected to give, but there is no LAW for the believer as to how much they give.  Christians understand that all they have is ultimately God’s anyway and they should be generous.

      No Lack

      But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.  For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.  For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality.  At this present time your abundance is a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality.  As it is written, “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack.”  (2 Corinthians 8:11-15)

      We must desire to give and give generously.  But always remember, we are required to give out of what we have, not what we don’t have.

      Generous Giving Not 10% Tithing

      Romans 12:6, 8 show us another angle to giving.  The gifts that we have been given differ according to the grace given to us.  Moreover, if we have been given the ability to give, we must certainly do it generously.

      Even David in the Old Testament said that he woud not make an offering that cost him nothing. (2Samuel 24:18-25)  He had the ability to give much and so he did.

      Many people who have more wealth give a larger amount, but very often they just give out of their abundance.  They are not digging deep so they actually sacrifice, as David said.  Their giving doesn’t even compare to the widow who gave all she had, even though the amount was minimal.  Her giving was worth more to God than the large amounts the rich gave.

      It is good to reflect from time to time if our giving is sacrificial and actually costs us something.  Or, do we just give with what we have extra after we have taken care of our needs and wants?

      Caring for One Another

      Christians are instructed to give to the poor.  They are not told to give a tithe to the poor.  Instead, they are instructed give generously and help those in need.  (Galatians 2:10)

      Likewise, in Acts (2:43-47, 4:32-37, 11:27-30) believers shared all they had with each other so nobody had any needs.

      Pay Your Preachers and Teachers

      1 Timothy 5:17-18 tells the people that “the elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.   For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”’ 

      Clearly, those who are serving on the front lines, preaching and teaching, should be compensated by the others.  (Matthew 10:10, Luke 10:7, 1 Corinthians 9:6-14)

      Wealth as an Idol

      1 Timothy 6:17-19 warns Christians that wealth can become an idol.  Additionally, those who are wealthy are instructed to do good and to be generous.  They must be ready to share when needs arise.  When they do this, they are promised a greater treasure in the age to come.

      Whether we are rich or poor when we make the decision to follow Christ, we must count the cost.  We must be willing to part with our past and embrace Kingdom service, whatever that may be.  We may have to leave the comforts and riches we have in this world.  On the other hand, we may be blessed to be gifted in giving generously to God’s work or His people.  Either way, wealth is put on the altar and is acknowledged as God’s.

      Galatins 3:  Faith (Giving) or Law (Tithing)?

      Galatians 3:13 says that Christ redeemed us out from under the curse of the Law.  6:23 testifies that “before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law.”  The Law is said to have been a tutor and that when faith came, we were no longer in need of a tutor.

      Simply put, as a Christian, you are to surrender your whole life to Jesus, and that includes everything you have.  This includes, desires, finances, material things, and even children.  In reality, nothing we have is our own.  God has entrusted everything to us to be used for His Kingdom work and to bless the brethren.  When we understand this, we will experience great peace and joy.

      Teach and Practice the Spiritual Law of Sowing and Reaping

      Jesus taught that one is more blessed to give than receive. (Acts 20:35)  Once you experience this blessing, you will seek more opportunity to give, and your cup will run over with joy.

      The church is wrong when they focus on the Old Testament Law of tithing.  This is a scarcity mindset.  Consequently, lost is the opportunity for people to be abundant givers if all we hope for is 10%.  It would be much better to teach the law of sowing and reaping.  Faith would grow, God’s work would be funded, and God’s people all cared for.

      Faith

      Faith

      by | Apr 13, 2020 | Simple Bible Truth

      Faith

      What Makes Faith Strong

      We all know the famous “faith” verse in Hebrews 11, that it is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.  Some would even call this “blind faith.”  But, isn’t it all blind?  Faith is believing in something or someone that you can’t see or you don’t know.

      As we see in the video, faith really is more in whom or in what you put your belief, rather than in how much you actually believe.

      We all know that you can believe fervently in something that is not true.  Accordingly, that kind of belief will never make something false, true.

      Examining Scripture

      Let’s examine a few verses on faith and try to extract some truths about it that God desires us have.  The main goal is to understand how we can have a deeper and stronger faith.  (I am using the Amplified Bible for references in this post because I like how it gives us a deeper understanding of this topic.)

      Title Deed

      First of all, let’s consider the well-known verses in Hebrews 11:1-3.  Faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen.  [The conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].  For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval.  By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

      Faith is a title deed to what you are trusting in.  You can hold a deed for what you think is a gold mine, but as many in the past found out, it was just fool’s gold.  With any belief you must also be certain in whom or in what you are putting your trust. Throughout Scripture we see how people chose to trust in the living God, even though they did not see Him.  They just believed what He said and acted on it, just like Abraham.

      Healing Faith

      Jesus said that people were healed when they demonstrated their belief with actions.

      In Mark 5:25-34 a woman touched Jesus’ cloak and was healed.  After he felt the power go out of him, he told her that her faith healed her.  What was important was in whom she believed.  She could have believed just as much and thought by touching a pig she would be healed.  But we know that she would not have been healed, no matter how strongly she believed in the pig.  Equally, she didn’t believe in herself, but in the fact that Jesus could heal.  She knew HE could heal her, if she walked her belief out.

      Similarly, Luke 5:20 again shows that belief put into action, heals.  The lame man’s friends did all they could to get him before Jesus.  If they hadn’t believed that Jesus could heal, they would not have gone to all the effort they did.

      If you want to know how much faith you have, ask yourself the following question.  How much do I believe God can do?

      What is Faith

      The Amplified Bible explains the word as trusting in God and having confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness.  Believing in God means that you abide and trust in Him and His promises.  When we say that we believe in something, we are saying that we trust in it and rely on it.  Selah.  Take some time to meditate on those things.

      Belief in Jesus

      1 Corinthians 15:17-18 reveals the importance of substance behind one’s belief.  It says that if you believe that Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless and powerless [mere delusion].  Likewise, you are still in your sins [and under the control and penalty of sin].  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

      We can believe in Jesus, but the truth is, if he wasn’t resurrected, there is no substance to that belief.   The Christian belief in Jesus hinges on the resurrection.  If he didn’t die and wasn’t resurrected, then we have no hope either to be resurrected.

      Walk of Faith

      2 Corinthians 5:7 talks about walking by faith, not by sight.  This means living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises.

      We cannot say that we believe something and then not make decisions in accordance with that belief.  If we do, we really don’t believe what we say.  What we say, how we act, and what we do shows what we believe.

      Receiving Spirit

      We receive the spirit through believing that it will be given, not because we name it and claim it.  Galatians (3:14) says that Jesus is the blessing of Abraham so that the Gentiles might also receive the promise.  The spirit comes through faith, not anything we personally do.  We cannot demand it, but only accept and receive what is given.

      Faith Defends

      Ephesians 6:16 tells us to take up the shield of faith so we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  If you want to be able to stand against temptation and persecution, the bigger the shield the better!

      Our shield is the belief we have in God.  How big is your shield?

      Selflessness

      2 Thessalonians 1:3 reveals an interesting truth.  We give thanks to God for you, because your faith is growing ever greater.  The [unselfish] love of each one of you toward one another is continually increasing.  As our belief and trust in God grows, our unselfish love toward the brethren grows as well!  Our focus becomes less on ourselves and our needs, and more outward focused.

      Testing of Faith

      James 1:3 reminds us that we will be tested.  Likewise, he assures us that the testing [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].  Just as using your muscles makes them stronger, so does exercising your faith.  As our belief is tested, we will have inner peace and become more spiritually mature.

      Rich in Faith

      James 2:5 points out that God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.  Those who are poor have no other hope but to trust in God.  They cannot trust in worldly riches to help them.  That is probably why Jesus said it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.

      He did not say that riches were evil.  But still, he made the point that many who have riches, trust them more than they trust God.  How many people trust themselves or their job to meet their needs?!

      Faith vs Works

      James 2:14-24 explains that there is no benefit if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence].  The question is asked:  Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.]

      If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, and you says to them, “Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves,” but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do?   So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].  Wow!  That is powerful!  Again, our ACTIONS are a result of what we believe.

      Without Doing Faith is Dead

      Continuing on, someone may say, “You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do].”  You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]!  But are you willing to recognize, you foolish [spiritually shallow] person, that faith without [good] works is useless?  

      Was our father Abraham not [shown to be] justified by works [of obedience which expressed his faith] when he offered Isaac his son on the altar [as a sacrifice to God]?  You see that [his] faith was working together with his works, and as a result of the works, it was completed [reaching its maturity when he expressed it through obedience].  And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and this [faith] was credited to him [by God] as righteousness and as conformity to His will,” and he was called the friend of God.  You see that a man (believer) is justified by works and not by faith alone [that is, by acts of obedience a born-again believer reveals his faith].

      Working Together with God

      1 Peter 1:3-9 shows us that faith is God’s power working together with our choice to believe.  We must trust in and hope in all that He is and all that He says.

      Believers are born again into an ever-living hope.  They have a confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  We are [born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading.  This inheritance is reserved in heaven for you, who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.

      In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.  Through these trials, the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold is tested and purified by fire.  As a result, you will gain praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and though you do not even see him now, you believe and trust in him.  You greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

      Amazing Results

      Amazing!  The ultimate result of having faith in God and that He raised Jesus from the dead, is salvation when Jesus returns.  I hope that you too will share in that victory over death in the future.  Equally important, that you will have the peace and strength to walk each in solid belief as to who God is and what He said.

      Abortion

      Abortion

      by | Mar 30, 2020 | Simple Bible Truth

      Abortion

      Abortion:  Is the Bible Pro-choice or Pro-life?

      Although the Bible is pro-choice in many ways, abortion is still sin.  God does allow you to choose to do evil or to do what is right.  You can choose blessings or you can choose curses.  You can choose to obey or you can choose to disobey.  As a result, there are consequences for our choices.  Everything has consequences, good or bad.  Free will give us choices.  I can choose to run out in front of a semi-truck if I want to, but there would be a very bad consequence.

      Choose for Yourself, Not Someone Else

      In reality, you have the right to choose what you want to do.  And although those choices affect others, you do not have a right to decide anything for someone else. 

      The Bible does not say that you have a right to choose to end somebody else’s life, especially a child.  It doesn’t matter how long they have been alive, two days or two years, and it is of no regard whether the baby was in the mother’s womb or outside of it.  To willfully end the life is murder.

      What you can choose is to have sex or to abstain. Not having sex is the only way that you are guaranteed not to get pregnant.

      Pregnancy is not a Sin, Abortion Is

      Being pregnant is not a sin. Having sex outside of marriage is a sin.  Killing an unborn baby whether you are married or not, is a sin.  Obviously, you can do what you want, but there are grave consequences not only for your child, but for you as well.

      Forgiveness

      If you have already had an abortion, you can’t change that.  But God can forgive you and He will forgive you if you repent and seek His forgiveness.

      Often people choose abortion for selfish reasons, out of convenience, or because they don’t think that they can care for a child.  Undoubtedly, there are many people who cannot have children and would love to give your child a good home and the love the baby deserves.

      Adoption, Not Abortion

      If you have made one mistake and have had sex outside of marriage, do not make another mistake by having your child murdered because your bad choices.

      There are many organizations that will help you to get you on your feet if you desire to keep your child, or they can help with adoption.

      Life Begins at Conception

      A child’s life begins at conception (we will discuss this in another blog post), so using a pill after sex or other forms of birth control that kill a baby that has already been conceived, are also sin.  These methods are the same as an abortion, they just kill the baby much earlier.

      Birds & Babies

      It is interesting that you can get fined or go to jail for killing baby eagles growing in eggs, yet human abortion, destroying a baby growing in its mother’s womb is acceptable.  To our shame and determent our own unborn children are given less value than these unborn birds.  Even the vilest of people would not destroy an animal the way babies are torn out of their mothers bodies.  Judgment will come.

      We should protect and care for the animals and birds that God put in our care, but even more we should be protecting our own children, born and unborn.

      Coronavirus

      Coronavirus

      by | Mar 22, 2020 | Simple Bible Truth

      Coronavirus

      Fearing the Coronavirus

      Fellow Christians, you have a responsibility during this Corona Virus pandemic!  Whether COVID-19 is the “end of the world” or not, you are called to not let anxiety control you.  For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (or cowardice), but of power and love and discipline.  (2 Timothy 1:7)

      We have the Almighty God’s power in us that strengthens us and gives us the sound mind that we ought to have.  Jesus, when asked about the end of the age and the signs of those times, said,

      “See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.”  (Matthew 24:6)

      Coronavirus should not cause Christians to fear or act irrationally. They have the peace of God available to them if they choose.

      Fear is a Choice

      Brethren, we have a choice.  We can choose fear, or we can choose peace, but we can’t have both.

      God makes it possible for us to have peace that goes beyond most people’s comprehension.

      We are told, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7)

      God’s “shalom” peace is not known or understood by the world, but Jesus made it possible for us to have it in our lives, in our hearts and minds.

      Do Not Worry about anything, including Coronavirus

      Having peace does not mean that we don’t do what we can or prepare if we are able, but we should not panic or fear.

      Jesus also told his followers, “Do not worry about tomorrow.”  (Matthew 6:34)

      We must live today and trust today.  God is faithful and provides for His obedient children.  Jesus said to seek God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness first and then our physical needs would be met.  He didn’t promise unlimited rolls of toilet paper, but I bet he would provide a leaf, rag or corn cob.

      Another verse says that the righteous won’t have to beg for bread.  So, if the shelves are bare do some evaluating, or look on another shelf for flour.  Maybe God will provide through a neighbor, or maybe He will provide something else to nourish you.

      Coronavirus Fear will WeakenYour Immune System

      Believers do not need to worry.  Worry, or anxiety, about things that you cannot control causes great stress, which is not healthy.  And with the Coronavirus, you want your immune system to be as strong as it can be.  You can take vitamin C, wash your hands, and avoid large crowds, but you can’t control if you or anyone you know gets the virus.  God tells us to trust him and to not be anxious or worry, even if you get the virus.  Are you obeying?

      God is the only one we should fear.  Jesus warned people, “Do not fear what can kill you temporarily; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy you in the Lake of Fire forever.”  (Matthew 10:28)

      Do You Want Peace?

      If you are a believer, you should be resting in God’s peace that He provides His children.  You should be reflecting this peace to the world around you, and, if you are genuinely concerned about this pandemic, you should be sharing the great news of the coming Kingdom of God with others so that they too can be a part of the first resurrection that guarantees immortality.

      But, if you have not been reconciled to the Father (God) through His Son, Jesus, through baptism (immersed in water), and this virus scares you, then please contact me.  I would be happy to share this peace and salvation with you.

      Amazing Future

      The hope we have and the future we are promised is amazing!  God Himself will be among us, and He will wipe away every tear from our eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain.  (Revelation 21:3-4)

      What Does the Bible Say about Entertainment

      What Does the Bible Say about Entertainment

      by | Mar 17, 2020 | Simple Bible Truth

      What Does the Bible Say about Entertainment

      Christian Entertainment

      What does the Bible have to say about entertainment for the Christian?  Does the Bible tell us what we can watch, read, play, and listen to?

      The Bible does not specifically say which music, books, and movies you can listen to, read, or watch.  The Bible doesn’t list games by name as to what you can play; but it does give an outline and a guide.

      Biblical Guide to Entertainment

      If we use our minds as God intends, we will see that The Bible has a lot to say about what kind of entertainment a Christian can participate in and how they should invest their time. 

      We may not be told what game we can play or movie we can watch, but the Bible specifically tells us what the games and movies should or shouldn’t be like.

      “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”  (Philippians 4.8-9)

      The Bible tells us to think on things that are pure and holy right and true. So, if we are watching a movie or listening to music, or playing a game, we must ask ourselves, is this movie, music book or game pure, holy, right, and true?

      Would Jesus?

      Another good question to ask ourselves is, would Jesus listen to this music, or read this book, or watched this movie, or play this game?  If he would not, why would we?!

      A wise brother once said in regards to entertainment, ask yourself if we will be doing this in the Kingdom?  

      Another question that is good to ask ourselves is, does this bring honor and glory to God?  If it does not, why would we even want to read, watch, listen, or play?

      If we are truly followers of Christ, we must honestly answer these questions.

      Entertainment on the Altar

      We can rationalize all we want, but it does not change what God tells us to invest our time and energy in, and what we should and shouldn’t put in our minds through our eyes, ears, mouth, and hands.

      Each Christian must ask, what am I willing to give up and sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom and for obedience to God?

      Am I willing to turn the radio station or the TV station, or just turn it off altogether?

      Am I willing to give up playing and doing things that I enjoy if they do not fit the standard by which God and Jesus laid out for us?

      The bottom line is, am I willing to put my entertainment on the altar?

      The Simple Choice

      Choosing entertainment should be very simple. But even though it is simple, it is often very difficult to do. 

      We must make the decision if we are truly going to follow Jesus, or if we are going to follow our own desires and the “fun” the world has to offer.  With the right decision we are free from the bondage that sin induces, and, we then able to experience the true joy of the Lord and His peace.

      I encourage you not to exchange the Father’s peace for the fleeting joy of the world’s entertainment.  God’s Kingdom will be much more than just temporary fun and games.  It will be everlasting joy that we cannot even begin to imagine!