By the Numbers

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Is Jesus About to Come FOR His Bride?

                      Is Jesus About to Come FOR His Bride? 

I'm aware of the different views of Bible prophecy regarding Jesus' coming and His reign on the earth. Christian essentials are that the Bible is God's true authoritative Word, that there is only one God in three persons, that Jesus is the God-man who alone saves us from sin by faith in his death and resurrection, that our salvation is unmerited favor which we show through good deeds, and that there is a real Heaven and Hell. Our different backgrounds, teachers, and inclinations cause us to differ about some of our beliefs. So we need to practice the principle--In essentials, unity; in non essentials, liberty; in everything love one another until we all come into full complete understanding.
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Now with regard to Bible prophecy, Christians differ as things aren't as explicit as we would like. I believe, the far greater evidence is that Jesus will first come for His Bride, the Church, to take us to Heaven to be judged for our rewards and to celebrate the marriage supper (1 Cor. 3:10-15; 15:50-57; Rev. 19:5-9). During that same time on earth seven years of tribulation will take place such as never seen before (Mt. 24-21-22;25;  Rev. 3:10; 7:14; 6-18). Then Jesus will come with His saints to earth the second time to destroy His enemies and reign a thousand years. At the end of the millennium, Jesus will destroy earth's final rebellion, judge all the unsaved at the great white throne, and restore a new eternal Heaven and earth ( 2 Peter 3:10-13; Rev. 20-22).
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Jesus told his disciples troubling news that he was going to leave them. Peter asked the Lord where he was going. Jesus told them, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am" (John 14:1-3 NLT). Jesus was promising his people here that he would return TO TAKE THEM BACK TO HIS FATHER'S HOUSE WHICH IS HEAVEN.
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Similarly, Paul answers the Thessalonians question of what happens to those who have died (1 Thess. 4:16-18). "The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive on the earth will be CAUGHT UP in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
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It seems clear Jesus is coming in the air to rapture or snatch away His Bride to Heaven. The Bible says so many times that it will be unexpected like a thief in the night and nobody but the Father knows the day or hour. It's imminent or can happen anytime so we are to be alert and ready as shown by our holy lives. See Mt. 24:42,44; 25:13; Luke 12:40; 1 Thess. 5:1-6; Rev. 16:15. Dr. Norman Geisler gives us a chart showing some of the contrasts between  the Rapture and the Second coming. 


                           The  Rapture
                     The Second Coming
    Meeting them in the air    (1 Thess. 4:17 )
  Taking them to earth (Zach. 14:4; Acts 1:11)
    Taking believers to Heaven   (John 14:3)
   Bringing believers back to earth  (Rev. 19:14)
    Coming for His saints    (2 Thess. 2:1)
   Coming with His saints   (Jude 14)
    Only Believers see Him   (1 Thess. 4:17)
   All people see Him   (Rev. 1:7)
    No signs precede it   (1 Thess. 5:1-3)
   Many signs precede it   (Matt. 24:3-30)
   The Tribulation begins    (2  Theses. 1:6-9)
   The Millennium Begins   (Rev. 20:1-7)
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This is all known at the pretribulational premillennial dispensational interpretation of Scripture. It's based upon a natural ordinary meaning of language applied to prophecy the same as to the other Scripture. It recognizes God has introduced new elements throughout His providential working with humanity. It's the understanding that God's relationship with man in the Garden of Eden was changed after the Fall, different also with Abraham promising him a land and both physical and spiritual descendants, different again under God's theocratic rule of Israel under Mosaic law, a priesthood, temple sacrifices, and circumcision, different again from Pentecost in Acts 2 with a new Christian brotherhood, the Holy Spirit's indwelling all believers with direct access to God with Jesus being the only sacrifice for sin. Paul said it was a mystery unknown in the Tanakh or OT that the church of Jew and Gentile would become one body (Eph. 3:6).
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Finally, sin's curse will be partially lifted during Christ's millennial reign. God's promises to Israel  of their land and Messiah are finally to be fulfilled (Isaish 11; Zach. 14; Rom. 11:25-27: 1 Cor. 10:32). Israel and the Church are kept separate throughout the Bible in God's plans for both. In the Old Testament Israel meant Israel as also 65 times in the New Testament (i.e., Matt. 19:28; Acts 1:6; Rev. 7:4). The Church is a Christian brotherhood under grace (Rom.11:6). We shouldn't read God's Old Testament unfulfilled promises to Israel as fulfilled in the Church or in the millennium.  If God doesn't keep his promises to Israel, how can we trust Him to keep his saving promises with the Church?
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Now Jesus gave no signs of the rapture just of His second coming (Matt. 24-25) Jesus, however, rebuked the supposed biblical experts of his day, the Pharisees and Sadducee's, as not discerning the signs of the times all around them showing he was their Messiah (Isaiah 35:5-6; Matt. 16:1-3). Could there be signs of our times that must take place before Jesus' comes? Wouldn't they alert us that the rapture is even closer and that we better be ready living Godly lives and telling people about the Savior of us sinners?
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What might such signs be? (1) The rebirth of Israel. Ezekiel 37 is the prophecy of the valley of dry bones that are the restored people of Israel in their land in unbelief with one king over all. No one ever dreamed it would happen. But in 1948 to every one's surprise Israel became a nation again after being scattered among the Gentile nations for 1,878 years. The Roman General Titus had his legion destroy Israel's temple and Jerusalem in AD 70. Jesus had predicted the destruction until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled (Luke 21:20-24). Then Jesus gave signs of his second coming (Luke 21:25-36). So it seems after cosmic disturbances Armageddon is on the way (Joel 2:28-29) which will lead Israel to be converted (Zach. 12:2-9; Rev. 6:12-13).
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(2) A growing apostasy or false teachings within the church. It's not uncommon today to see on the Internet once pastors and leaders of the church teaching atheism. Paul warns Timothy and us today, this will happen (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:3-5). We are to be watchful and be evangelists. We're warned these deceivers will deny the teachings of God (2 Tim 3:4-5), Christ (1 John 2:18), Christ's return (2 Pet. 3:3-4), morals (2 Tim. 3:1-8), and God's authority (2 Tim. 3:4). Essentially, they reduce us to perishing predatory animals without God and without hope devouring each other.
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That's all the more reason we who love our Lord must be disciplined and diligent telling people about Jesus wherever we go. I do. It's a sad fact so many persons who are church members for years, and claim to be Christians never tell anyone Jesus is the Lord who died to save us from slavery to sin, death, and Hell. We will one day stand before the Savior who then will be our Judge to give account of our earthly service. How faithful or unfaithful are you? Excuses of business and faithlessness won't mean a thing before Jesus. We manage to do what we really want to do. Will we have any rewards in heaven? Or did sports, computer games, television, and trivial things take up all our time?
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The Internet gives us an unprecedented opportunity to reach our world for Christ. Faithful Christians have sacrificed to go to Bible college, the university, seminary, learn another language in loving obedience to their Lord hoping to go to another country to win unchurched people to Christ. We have an unprecedented opportunity today to reach people for Christ worldwide. We can post Christian articles wherever we are to reach people for Christ. Let's defeat the devil--be bold and faithful, loving and resourceful.
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I invite you to join me in a Covenant of Praise. I'm praying for God's enabling to keep me healthy of body and mind to share His grace and glory worldwide. I'm praying for 300 articles, 1,000+ arguments for Christian faith, 7 million good news messengers, 70 million converts, 200 countries reached. God can do it if everyone will link, and pray that hearts, minds, lives be changed for His glory. Tell professors, pastors, classes, insert in church bulletins that they are welcome and invited to use God's articles. Lord, make us faithful and fruitful loving evangelists. We will rejoice with those won to Christ in Heaven one day with strong beautiful bodies. I don't ask for donations, but for your faithful prayers that God use us as His good news messengers in lives of humble, loving, obedient service. Is there anything better we can do for another human being? Praise Father! Praise Son! Praise the Holy Spirit! Praise You triune God, and thank You ever so much. We love, trust, and obey YOU.

(3) The craving for peace in the Middle East. The entire Middle East has been at war  60 years. I'm looking at a list of eleven wars not counting the ones going on now. Things seem to be getting worse, the news is depressing. People have such little regard for human life and moral principles. Let's tell people about Jesus' purpose and defeat the devil terrorist's. Jesus said, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10 Life Application Study Bible, New Living Translation).
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(4) A revived Roman Empire. Daniel 2;7 tells of four past world kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece under Alexander the Great, and the Roman Empire. But the end times is also evident here as the Roman Empire never consisted of a ten-nation confederacy. Antichrist emerges from this new confederacy to dominate the world in a kind of unified government. Now aren't we moving toward a one world currency system which seems required as a first step? What about governments controlling our communication systems? It seems a dominate world government is required to solve our horrendous international problems and force peace on violent sinful nations? 
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(5) Globalism. Alert persons can see we are becoming more and more a one-world community. Our global communication systems and rapid means of travel will make us one people in every area. We are increasingly dependent with similar policies in business, trade, commerce, environment, technologies,  population control, entertainment, science, medicine, and so on. World problems are escalating as depletion of oil, Middle East conflict, terrorism, overpopulation, starvation, pollution, national and international crime, sex slavery, cyber warfare, economic instability, and others.
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It seems that a great and capable leader is needed who can solve these otherwise insurmountable problems. That is when the Antichrist takes complete control. He will impose a anti-God global union with himself to be worshipped as God. The Antichrist will impose a one-world political system, a one-world monetary policy, and a one-world false religion (Rev. 13). He may be alive and waiting somewhere in the world today to soon take charge.
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Friend, these are ominous times for our world. If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you best cry out. Lord, I'm a sinner, save me!! I deserve Hell but I trust Jesus has paid for my many sins and to forgive and wash me in His cleansing blood shed for me on the cross. Help me Lord live a holy God-honoring life until you take me home.  And help me courageously and faithfully share my faith in your healing cleansing blood. 
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Saturday, January 17, 2015

Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

                Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

What we claim as fact, truth, reality is decided by what we believe is the ultimate or final authority for our beliefs. Equally brilliant and educated persons can reach opposite conclusions viewing the same evidence simply because they have accepted different starting points as the authority for their thinking. This can be shown with opposite answers to the above question. And people will attempt every possible explanation to justify their conclusion.
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This seems to be the facts as I understand them. (1) Roosters must pregnant hens before they can have chicks. (2) Hens have a protein called ovacleidin 17 in their body needed for egg shells to form. (3) Hens must lay on the eggs 21 days to keep them warm to hatch. (4) Hens must turn the eggs over 3 or more times a day to be keep evenly warm to hatch. (5) The chicks peck their way out of their shell, and the hen protects her chicks sometimes taking them under her wings and by showing them how to get food and water. (6) Breeding chickens to produce better varieties introduces intelligence not found in nature, but even then chickens genetic makeup won't allow anything other than newborn chicks.
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Now if we say the chicken came first, we are a creationist believing the Bible is our final authority and appealing to the fifth day of Genesis when God created birds, sea creatures, and every living thing to reproduce after its own kind as we see happens today (Gen. 1:20-23). Thus, the Bible is the creationist's final authority and starting point.
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But if we say the egg came first, then we are an evolutionist claiming that is our final authority and starting point. Many in science today would claim evolution, but not all scientists do. Evolutionists have usurped every branch of science today and educational authorities attempt to deny creationists teaching positions in schools. What I don't understand is: If evolution is so overwhelmingly demonstrated as scientific fact, then creation teaching should be allowed, even encouraged, to show how false it really is, to settle the controversy. So let's be clear about what we're talking about.
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By evolution is meant all life forms are related biologically by common descent, being evolved by accident over billions of years from a single-celled common ancestor formed from lifeless chemicals. It's not that there can't be varieties of dogs and horses, or monkeys and men, but that every kind of life form reproduces after its own kind so there can be many varieties of dogs, but dogs don't change into horses, and many kinds of monkeys, but monkeys never evolve into people. Thus, the animals and plants we see today are descendants of the original ones God created though many have died out.
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Now as a biblical creationist I have some serious problems with evolution that require good answers. Evolution has become the basis of many people's worldview that decides every issue of life and how we are to live. So we need to have a through understanding of  the issues and consequences.
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First, DNA is a molecule of instructions of what an organism is to become. Nothing (non being) can't create matter, and mindless matter doesn't spontaneously generate information. Mutations can't be the mechanism of change as they are only copying errors causing defects and never observed to add new instructions. The DNA molecule gives a library of information so its sender, must be an infinite mind, God. Yes, DNA in organisms can be almost identical, but what makes animals and plants different is their different DNA arrangement, not identical chemistry. All this can't be an accident of chance over billions of years as evolutionists claim.
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Next, living cells show irreducible complexity like a city of biochemical machines working together. In multi-cellular organisms, cells are specialised performing different tasks enabling the organism to survive. The organisms different systems as digestive, reproductive, respiratory and it organs as eyes, legs, heart, kidneys, must all function together making it one functioning animal. If one of these systems or organs  should fail, the organism would die. Thus, animals must be created complete and functional. Such complexity could never have gradually evolved by chance in billions of years. And this must be true throughout the whole animal and plant kingdoms.
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Now the evolutionist usually says the chicken simply came from some earlier form of bird, but that's no satisfactory answer. That just pushes the question a step further back. And bird eggs must all be hatchet and have parents in conditions similar with hens. In fact, throughout the life kingdoms babies generally require parents to initially provide for them, especially human babies. Moreover, no reptile egg has been observed to hatch a bird. The evolutionist doesn't address the problem by saying the creationist is unscientific, stupid, ignorant, primitive, or that most scientists are evolutionists, or denying the Genesis creation account. Speculative arguments of future possibilities furnish no actual proof either. All such claims are evasions that don't answer creationists evidences and show a hateful disrespectful unchristian attitude. 
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Now there are yet other crucial problems with evolution that have dire consequences for our lives.  Evolutionists claim there's no Almighty, all knowing, loving, personal Creator God, so there are no absolutes of truth and morals. Each person then is free to decide such things for him or her self. Now if no absolutes, how can an evolutionist claim evolution is true? No absolutes means nothing is certain truth. Has the evolutionist  thought about the consequences of  his claim of no absolutes and no higher authority as a personal Creator God? 
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Then, each persons becomes their own authority. There's no fixed morality or truth, just limited, conflicting, individual preferences. So alternative lifestyles are acceptable, and we're free to follow our desires. We then can have sex with anybody we like, lie, steal, and murder people we hate or just for fun. The only rule for animals in a jungle world is temporary survival. There is no God to tell us how to live or judge us, we're not responsible to anything but free to fulfill our desires. It's this life, then lights out, so why not have our fling? Traffic lights, prices on items, jails--and all such things are rules we really detest. We can give our own interpretation to author's books as well as everything else. It's my way, and my truth with each of us. Nobody is telling me what to do, I'm my own boss!!
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If everyone applied the worldview of those who detest the biblical Christian worldview, this world would quickly become chaos, continual violence and warfare, a virtual madhouse of insecurity and insanity. Moral and epistemological relativism doesn't work, it's of the devil (John 10:9-10). Can we admit the truth? Certainly the world would be a lot better if everyone applied the Bible of our Creator God--Galatians 5:19-23; John 3:16-21).

Now I ask you, does the evolutionist really live by his philosophy? Or, does he borrow from the Christian biblical worldview of a personal Creator God? The Bible's God created us for a love-trust relationship with Him, gives us breath and abundant blessings. He invites us to a restored eternal paradise with Him. He sent His Son to pay for our sins, forgive and renew us in faith, love, hope, a meaningful life, and rewards our earthly service. Persons who can only see rules, punishments, and Hell misunderstand Bible Christianity alltogether. They have an arrogant know-it-all attitude, and  their only concern is  a self-centered desire to have their own way.

Of course, if we drift rebelliously toward the evolutionist's way, the world becomes a madhouse of violence (Gen. 6:5-8). So government, or whatever has power, must impose rules and authority on everyone to prevent chaos and continual warfare. Honestly, who would want such a world? It's terrifying and unliveable. Human life will have no value, no hope, and death is lights out. The truth is that the evolutionist doesn't really live as if the world is a jungle and we are all animal predators, hoping only for temporary survival. He feels guilt and shame deep down, even if he won't admit it. So he borrows human dignity and morality from the Christian biblical worldview and its Creator God.
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Now space limitations forbid much discussion. But if all is relative, then there is no uniformity or dependability in nature (Gen. 8:22), everything is an accident of chance. Further, if all is only material having no mind, how can we know that the immaterial laws of logic are true, and that our senses and memory give us true information, or that we even have a soul? Evolutionists are without a factual foundation. They borrow from the Christian biblical worldview, as do others of a non-Christian worldview. They have limited conflicting imaginings, just fooling themselves in their self-centered arrogance. We really have no common ancestor, but do have a Common Designer and great purpose, hope, and love in Yeshua or Jesus.
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What then if the Bible's Creator God is absolute truth? Then God made everything, upholds everything, and as the Bible teaches God made us beings of dignity in His image for a personal love-trust relationship. Human dignity, love, justice, truth, Heaven and Hell can all be realities and life has meaning, and hope. Everything we do counts. The Bible teaches God so loves us sinful people that He sent His unique son, the God-man, to pay for our sins on the cross and offer us a more abundant and eternal life (John 3:16-21; 10:9-10; 2 Cor. 5:21). Won't you say, Lord Jesus I trust you right now and forever as my Lord, Savior, and Guide to do your will until I see you after death. Now serve God by sending this article on the www as a ministry of faith and love.
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Tuesday, January 13, 2015

How Could God Allow This To Happen To Me?

                How Could God Allow This To Happen To Me?
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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct paths. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  (Proverbs 3:5-7; Romans 8:28 Life Application Study Bible, Living New Translation). But does the Bible bear this out. Let's check it out by a look at the life of Job and the life of Abraham.
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Upright Job, asked God why is everything taken from me but my life? Though right with God, Job lost--possessions, prestige, wealth, children, health, being left covered with painful humiliating boils, a nagging spouse and consoling friends who became offensive condemners. Now what can test ones faith in a good, caring, powerful God more than that?
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But in all this Job's faith shown. He said,  "The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord, Job did not sin by blaming God (Job 1:20-22 NLT). When his wife said, "Curse God and die. Job replied, Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" Job said nothing wrong (Job 2:10). In painful agony, Job affirmed, "I know my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, Yet in my body I will see God"(Job 19:25-26).
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From his limited spot in time, Job couldn't see God's perfect wisdom, sovereignty, and justice. But God's questioning him enabled him to be humbled and restored. He lived 140 years after that with four generations of children and grandchildren. God also gave him twice the sheep, camels, teams of oxen, donkeys and seven more sons and three beautiful daughters.
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What can we learn from the Book of Job and his suffering? First, we may learn something about its causes. Suffering can be due to my sin, other's sin, natural disasters, ignorance, or the devil and his demons. What else can we learn? (1) That we should trust God even though we don't understand the things that happen in our lives. (2) That human wisdom is always partial, temporary, and subject to pride. (3) That what we don't understand now we may understand with later maturity. (4) That God is always present everywhere but at times He may seem nonexistent. (5) That we should be really careful in condemning others as we may not understand their circumstances and motives. (6) That the best consolation we can give suffers is just our empathic presence. (7) That when we lose everything, God is yet with us to provide and restore. (8) That we're to remember the patience of Job and the great example of faith and integrity he set for humanity. See book of Job; Ezek.14:14,20; James 5:11. 
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God promised Abram a son, then later told him to sacrifice his son. "The Lord said to Abram, 'Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those nations that bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families on earth will be blessed through you' (Gen. 12:1-3).
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This passage is known as the Abrahamic Covenant and is repeated to Abraham several times (Genesis 13:14-17; 15:1-7, 18-21; 17:1-8). In it God gaves personal promises to Abram to bless him, make him famous, be a blessing to others, and others would be blessed as they help you. God gave national promises as his children would become a great nation, the land would belong to his descendants, the covenant would be established with his descendants. And God gave universal promises as nations blessed or cursed as they treated his descendants, and finally all the nations would be blessed meaning the coming Messiah and Savior. But, Abraham had to wait a very long time and endure such great testing even to have the promised son only to be asked to sacrifice him.
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Let me first dwell on the sacrifices he had to make before all this could happen. Abram longed for that promised heir but year after year went by and his hopes were disappointed time after time. First, he lost his nephew Lot who was not the promised one, but God reassured him of the promised heir. Next, he thought it was his faithful servant Eliezer of Damascus, but no God said it was be from his body and he would have descendants like the stars of heaven. Abram and wife Sarai being so impatient thought they could bring it about with her servant Hagar who bore Abram a son Ishmael whom he loved. But that was not God's plan either. Then the Lord Almighty appeared to Abram, changed his name to Abraham, the father of nations and Sarai became Sarah, a princess.
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God promised them to have a son next year about this time. Sarah laughed wondering how this could be since she was ninety and he one hundred years old. The Lord asked Sarah why she laughed? Lets ponder the Lord's question a moment. Is anything too hard for the Lord? Can't the all-knowing, Almighty Creator God supply our need as we trust and obey Him in His timing? Whether with our family, our employment, our relationships, our health,whatever? God assured them they would have a child this time next year.
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The Lord kept His word as He always does, Sarah became pregnant and bore a son at the time God said she would. Abraham circumcised him as God commanded and named him Isaac meaning "he laughs."But here is the bad part. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son, the promised son, the one he waited decades to have. What kind of God would do that? That was an immoral act even murder not any different than the pagan tribes living all around him. Could Abraham have misunderstood? Doesn't this defy all reason? And what of all the promises God told Abraham he would fulfill? God now asked him to give up the love of his heart--it was his severest test. But Abraham willingly unhesitatingly obeyed walking 50 long miles to Mount Moriah with his beloved promised son beside him. But carefully notice what Abraham told his two servants with him. He said, we, speaking of him and Isaac, will worship there and come back (Genesis 22:5).
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Abraham had by this time found God to be utterly trustworthy in his love-trust relationship that he could give up his greatest treasure and show he loved God more than anything the world had to offer.
It was no leap into the dark as critics often like to claim, it was a lifetime of trusting God in so many different occasions and finding God always faithful to His promises. Hebrews 11:19 tell us Abraham believed that when he killed Isaac, that God would raise him up from the dead and this was before later prophets raised people from the dead. We can see God do incredible things the Bible promises if we will believe and be willing to allow God's way in God's time. Not like Sarah who told Abram to have a child with her servant girl even though that was an acceptable custom at that time. Not like Abraham when he told Sarah to say she was his sister and he not be killed.
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Yes, we will be tested again and again always with the choice of who and what comes first in our life, God's way or my way. We have to come to the point that we believe the Creator who designed all things throughout the universe and made us for a love-trust relationship really knows in the long run what's in our best interests. Now, what about the personal promises of the Abrahamic covenant?
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Well, Abraham did have descendants like the stars of heaven and sands on the seashore. Many nations and kings did come from him. Israel survived when Canaanite nations of that day didn't. Clearly God has blessed obedient Israel and nearly allowed disobedient Israel's destruction. Nations that blessed Israel prospered as the USA and others that cursed her were destroyed as Egypt and Hitler's Germany. It seems the U.S.A. is turning its back on Israel today in fulfillment of prophecy (Matt. 24:9).
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But the land promise of the Abrahamic covenant has not yet all been fulfilled. Israel is a nation today after centuries of being scattered among the Gentile nations from 70 AD. While Joshua captured much land, King David expanded it greatly, and Solomon collected tribute. Israel has never occupied all the land God promised from the border of Egypt to the Euphrates River (Genesis 15:18-20).
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 Now these land promises God made to Israel were confirmed in several ways.The are said to be without conditions, eternal, God passing between animals with a smoking oven and burning torch. Male circumcision became its sign and seal. I believe God's promises to Abraham are just as permanent as God's promise of my salvation in Jesus as God doesn't lie. Later prophets say Israel will return to their land in unbelief as happened after 1948. We are getting close to Jesus coming for his saints (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
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Now the Jews of Christ's day expected the Messiah their prophets foretold, but not as suffering servant Messiah dying for people's sin's (Isaiah 53; Luke 19:10). In their pride, they despised the Gentiles, resented Roman oppression, and could only see Messiah as reigning king so they rejected their promised Messiah (Luke 19:14).
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Understand, Israel is a theocratic kingdom (God rule),  while the Church is a universal brotherhood. The Church begun on Pentecost with all believers indwelt by God's Spirit, and with the New Covenant in Christ's blood as the final sacrifice so Christians as priests with direct access to God. The body of Christ composed of both Jew and gentile was a mystery not known until Christ paid for our sins. The church is not fulfilling God's promises to Israel. The separation between Israel, the Gentiles, and the Church is maintained throughout the Bible (Acts. 4:8; 3:12; 21:28; Rom. 10:1). Paul said, "Don't give offense to Jews, Gentiles, or the Church of God (1 Cor. 10:32).
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 But Israel will later be the head nation and other nations come to Jerusalem to worship while the whole world will enjoy peace and prosperity (Isa. 2; 11);  There will be justice and equality (Jer. 23:5-6), joy (Psa 48). God's children will be freed from the curse of decay and death and our bodies will be released from sin and suffering. Oh what a glorious day of the Lord it will be (Rom. 8:18-24; Rev. 20). So does God keep His promises? You bet He does, big time! So let's make every day count by keeping our love-trust relationship alive that leads to obedience and unending joy. We have through the internet the greatest opportunity to share God's good news. Let's not waste it doing trivial things. We don't want to be ashamed when we see Jesus. 
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A Challenge To Open Hearts & Minds

                     A Challenge To Open Hearts & Minds
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Politically correct is most incorrect if it seeks to stifle truth. We humans have minds that innately think, weigh evidence, and seek to discern truth from falsehood. Free speech is our inherent right and should be mandated everywhere by law. Authorities political, scientific, or religious that seek to suppress truth stifle the well being and progress of society. We must understand that truth is universal and reasonable, not just my truth against your truth that leads us to disrespect and strife. The questions below give Christian evidence authorities increasing seem to ignore, discount, ridicule, and marginalize from the public arena. I trust you to give it your honest objective reflective thought.
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Does Empirical Science Put God Beyond Human Knowledge? Some scientists claim we can't know anything that is not tested by repeatable, measurable experiments. The truth is only present physical objects are subject to such testing. Historical events, ethics, law, art, philosophy, even what you ate for dinner last week is not subject to such testing. Yet we know these things exist in the real world. Scientists assume even before they begin their experiments, that the world exists, it is knowable, our senses give accurate information,  we can think logically, and honest accurate data are imperative to discover truth. What is this then but a mountain of faith? 
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Consider this question seriously: If God could create a great universe with its laws, then would lessor things like angels, men, miracles, and heaven be difficult? Surely creation of the  greater means no problem for the lessor. And, if the Bible's God is Spirit or Mind, isn't it wrong-headed to expect to discover Him with microscope, telescope, or contrived experiments. Even supposing God exists, can we demand He perform a miracle we can film to prove He exists and can act in our world? What if God made us in His image for loving relationship with Him, then wouldn't it seem reasonable for Him to make Himself known to us?  But! maybe not on our terms.
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Isn't this the crucial question? It's not whether God exists, since we may intellectual believe some kind of God exists, but care nothing about Him. When we don't know God, we may fear He may not have our best interests in mind. That fear may cause us to ignore or discount all evidence that points to Him. It doesn't matter if He's said to be our Creator, loves us, or gives us the breath we breath--we just don't know what to expect. We humans prefer our ways and don't want to stray from our comfort zone of what we think right for us. We wonder, will this God give me what I want?

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 Unlike superstitious pagans, Christians believed God created a rational knowable world for us to explore and enjoy which provided for experimental science. He provided us the foundation and authority for absolute truth, ultimate purpose, human dignity, ethics, justice, love, and life after death. All this gives us hope and makes life worthwhile. So He's a good and wise God who loves us.

Christians believe Jesus is the God-man who walked among us doing good (John 1:1-3, 14). He even died to pay for our sins, and arose again to give us abundant life (John 10:10; 2 Cor. 5:21). Before Jesus', time, pagans offered sacrifices to their fearful vengeful gods. So it was unthinkable of God to love us so much to die such excruciating pain nailed to a cross, be naked, cursed before glaring eyes, and laughed at, bearing the punishment for our sin. It didn't matter how ignorant, foolish, poor, hateful, selfish, ugly, misfit, rejected we might be, or might become--Jesus loves us to give His life so we can have eternal life.

We have abundant evidence Jesus is the risen Son of God. It launched the Christian church that dates the calender (Acts 1:1-3; 2:22-24). Jesus underwent ridicule, torture, and death so we today can know Him as our Savior, Lord, and Guide. Paul mentioned 500 people saw Jesus after His resurrection many still alive when he wrote 25-30 years later (1 Cor. 15:1-8). Jesus is the world's only visual evidence we have life after death, and Heaven if we trust Him to save us.
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Friends, evolutionary science is based on naturalist assumptions: But no experiment shows a dog can change into a horse, monkey evolve into a man. Mindless molecules can't arrange themselves into men even in billions of years no more than red, white, and blue confetti thrown from a plane can form the American flag.. There's no one missing link, but chains of them between all the life forms. Artists pictures in science textbooks are no proof. Those who don't want a loving God in their life have to fall back on evolutionary assumptions. The naturalist claim there's no God, is arrogant and used to excuse life apart from the God who really loves us and wants us to know Him? 
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If the Beginning Universe Didn't Create Itself, Then What Did? All science is based upon a cause and effect relationship so that whatever has a beginning must have a cause. It's illogical to think a nonexistent universe could created itself. Then, the cause of the finite, material universe must be timeless, immaterial, intelligent, powerful, and personal. And its cause can't come into or go out of existence, but is eternal, self-existent, and prior to creation. These characteristics describe the Creator God of Genesis 1:1; the self-existent I Am of Exodus 3:14, eternal Word (Mind or Lord Jesus) of John 1:1-3, 14 and Christian's Redeemer of Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:14-18.  

Doesn't Our Conscience tell us we're responsible to Moral Law and its Lawgiver? The philosopher Immanuel Kant thought it implied justice, immortality, and God. Excuses make no sense unless we break a moral law. We suffer guilt and shame to break one. We feel a sense of duty to save life even at the risk of our own. All cultures share laws for as against genocide and rape. We judge the human race for moral progress or regress. Moral laws are discovered, not invented. We may deny the moral law, but when someone cheats, steals, lies, or abuses us, we scream foul! So then, it's a moral world. We violate God's known moral standards and need His forgiveness and power to live better.
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Can't true events, if accurately recorded, be just as true millenniums later as when recorded? The Gospels tell us essentials of Jesus' life and each one adds its own details and perspective that is verified in secular history. We don't have to know everything to know something. Ancient people knew nobody can walk on water, raise the dead,  heal visible diseases unless God does it (John 3:2; 21:24, 25). For over three years, Jesus astonished His disciples, and hostile witnesses with hundreds of visible miracles that demonstrated His claims to be God were true. Talk about empirical tests!!
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Won't you say YES! to the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ? Christians don't live perfect lives. Nobody in the Bible did, but Jesus.  It's His righteousness upon which we depend. His victory over sin is why He can save us sinners. We have victory over the world's system of evil, over Satan and his demons, and over our own sinful tendency as we focus on our Lord, trusting in His forgiveness, His love for us, His goodness, and power. We become God's people and all things become new as we keep surrendering our self-centered lives into His Almighty loving arms. Whatever your need, won't you say: Lord, I trust You right now to save me the sinner, and to be my Lord and Guide throughout life. That's the best decision of your life.
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Now to grow in Christ get a Bible and really study it. I recommend for English readers, the "Life Application Study Bible". It's clear living translation and many helps are far superior to any other Bible I know. Read, link on to, & share these gospel articles on the www to win others to the Savior. Lord, help this brother or sister be faithful and abundantly fruitful. In Jesus name, amen. Praise God!
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Saturday, December 20, 2014

Jesus' Obedient Followeers Focus On Fishing

                 Jesus' Obedient Followers Focus On Fishing
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Yes, we're busy people. Yes, so many demands are made on us--work, family, home chores, relations, but don't we usually give priority and time to those things we feel most important?  One day everyone will bow before Jesus, the King of kings as a believer to receive their degree of reward for service, or unbelievers to receive their degree of punishment for sin. We decide which in the life we are living now. Yes, our every thought, word, and deed now decides what our eternity will be--light and love, or darkness and despair. This is a most serious issue. Now let's see how it all plays out.
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The Bible Clearly teaches we are beings of both dignity and depravity. Unlike animals, God made both man and woman in His rational, moral immortal image (Gen 1:26; 9:6; James 3:9) whereby all persons are to be shown the same respect and dignity. At the same time we are fallen into a depraved state preferring selfish desires over God and His way (Gen. 3; 6:5 ). We are born with a corrupt sinful nature that we struggle with all our lives (Romans 6:6; 7:18-20). Jesus described it thus, "Evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander" (Matt. 15:18-19). See also Romans 1.The consequences are our spiritual and physical death being corrupt, without love for God, rejecting God, and to be without God and His benefits in eternal darkness and torment. It's each persons choice, although God offers us a love-trust relationship with Him now and forever in the new Heaven and earth.
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We are made right with God by His grace, not our good deeds. Where man's religions and philosophies fail is that they claim we can save ourselves by our own goodness and good deeds.The Bible is unmistakeably clear that it cannot happen anymore than the leopard can change his spots (Jer. 13:23). We sin every day showing our sin nature. "Yes, Adam's one sin brought condemnation upon everyone. But Christ's one act of righteousness makes all people right in God's sight and gives them eternal life. Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right  in God's sight (Romans 5:18-19 NLT). For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ" (2 Cor.5:21 NLT). That's the only hope we sinners have for a better world and and eternal life with God. Jesus said, I Am the way, the truth, the life, No one can come to the Father except through me" (Jn. 14:6 NLT).
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Again, "God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; It is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have don so none of us can boast about it (Eph. 2:8-9 NLT). Repeatedly the Bible affirms God's grace excludes our good works for salvation (Rom. 11:6; 3:21-31; 4:1-11). If our good deeds could save us, Jesus' death on the cross was foolish and useless suffering. (Gal 2:21).
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We must not let theological disputes prevent us from obeying our Lord. Some Christians object to Calvinism saying if God elects who will be saved and it's predestined even before they are born, then it's all fixed in stone so it doesn't matter if we witness or not. Now Evangelism Explosion is a training program used in many churches of many denominations to win people to Christ all over the world. I was made the second level EE teacher for several semesters because I lead teams out to witnesses to more people and had more professions than the other teams. But this EE training used of God to win so many people to Christ around the world was designed and originated at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, a Calvinist Church.
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So, it's really no problem for a couple of reasons. One, God knows who will be saved, we don't, so we must witness to all so that everyone can hear the gospel and have opportunity to be saved. The other, we're told several times in several scriptures to witness. Thus, not to do so is disobedience to God and loss of Heavenly reward. Now let's be gracious and get on with being obedient to God and loving toward all the brethren who trust in the Savior.
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Believers will receive great reward for sharing their faith in Christ. "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies. (2 Cor. 5:10 LNT). Paul further says to believers no one can build on any other foundation but Jesus Christ. Anything built on the foundation of Christ will be rewarded to varying degrees as gold, silver, jewels have different values. Other things don't do anything to further Christ's kingdom are compared to wood, hay, and straw( See 1 Cor.3:10-15). For example, using our time and talents to play computer games or show pretty pictures won't count for reward while using the www to teach Bible, encourage Christians, and praying for and inviting others to Christ will bring great reward when we see Jesus. The Bible further speaks of rewards as crowns we give credit to Jesus for enabling us to earn them.
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Unbelievers will receive their just degree of punishment for cowardly rejecting Christ. Yes, they claim all kinds of reasons--I can't detect God with my physical senses, we're just evolving soulless animals, God created a terrible world, all religions say the same thing, a  good God would never have let my loved one die, natural law makes miracles impossible, the Bible is just a bunch of contradictions and myths, Jesus was only a good man--their list is unending. But their reasons are only excuses because they are afraid God will want them to give up their sinful desires and lifestyle.
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They aren't willing to believe the all-knowing Creator who designed us knows what's best for us and wants a love-trust relationship with us that will prove better than anything we know or desire. Besides, Christian Bible scholars, and apologists have answered these ignorant and conflicting objections long ago.
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"All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. But COWARDS who turn away from me; and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars--their doom is in the lake of fire that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death."(Revelation 21:7-8 LNT).  
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What does the Bible say about sharing the gospel?  Jesus said "come be my disciples and I will show you how to fish for people.  Jesus said, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciple to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this; I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19-28). We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. Be reconciled to God! (2 Cor. 522 LNT). It is a great honor and privilege for Christians to tell others Jesus is the only Savior from sin and Hell to all who will trust in Him to forgive and cleanse them making them fit for a perfect Heaven.
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The internet gives us the opportunity to reach people for God's grace and glory worldwide. We don't have to learn another language, or go to another country. Just pray and send these gospel articles around the world in many languages. Simply put your pointer on send. You can take thousands with you through the Pearly Gates. Tell your friends about goodnewsmessengers.blogspot.com.This can become your effective ministry to reach many peoples and many nations, to explain the Biblical worldview, and to make a more moral and sane world. God bless.
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The world seems to be getting increasing more violent and sinful.  Jesus warned it would before His return. But let's not lose heart with such great opportunity to do good. "So my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless (1 Cor. 15:58 LNT).
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Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Was Jesus A Rational Empiricist?

                         Was Jesus A Rational Empiricist?

Our enlightened elitist culture demands a religion be logically consistent and related to the real world. We no longer believe in gods evolved from nature, made with human hands, or confined to someone's mind. That's just superstition or myth. We require supernatural claims be repeatedly tested and observed as in empirical science to demonstrate what exists in the real world. Now Christians claim God is Jesus who walked among us adding a human nature and body. Can we give that a fair honest objective appraisal to see if it's logically consistent and related to the real world?

Did Jesus know the three basic laws of logical discourse? Aristotle identified the basic laws of rational thought and discourse. As Logos or Reason, these laws have their basis in God, and Jesus as God used them teaching people (John 1:1-3, 14). Most essential is the law of noncontradiction from which all the others stem. It means that opposing statements can't both be true at the same time in the same sense. Some of his examples are contrasts between children of light with children of darkness, rebuking truth for error, children of the devil cannot be children of God, and that we are to test the spirits to see if they be of God. Jesus used the law of identity when he said to let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Jesus was saying that we can't think or talk in a consistent way if God could also mean no God, faith no faith, good not good. And Jesus used the law of excluded middle that a statement must be either true or false. For example, whoever is not for me is against me. We either walk in light or walk in darkness. In such cases there is no middle ground. 
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Space limits me to mention only a few other forms of logical discourse Jesus often used in abbreviated form. A fortiori arguments mean that the greater is more reasonable than the lessor. So if sinful people give good gifts to their children, the heavenly Father will give far greater gifts to his children. He used disjunctive syllogisms such as you cannot serve God and mammon--there is no middle position. Jesus used hypothetical syllogisms as this example. If David by the Holy Spirit called the Messiah his Lord, then Messiah is more than David's son; Messiah is also his God which Jesus claimed. He used categorical syllogisms in reply to the legalistic Jews who forbade work on the Sabbath. Jesus defended his actions several times as his disciples eating grain, healing a man's deformed hand, their getting a sheep out of a ditch. His replies were to do good, emergencies required it, people were more important than rules, the Sabbath was make for man, he was Lord of the Sabbath being God. He replied a reductio ad absurdum argument when accused of casting out demons by the power of the devil. He said if that's true, then the devil's kingdom is devided and he is fighting against himself and will fail. Further, they know Jesus performed good miracles.
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Did Jesus logically expose the clever traps of His adversaries? Jesus slid through the horns of a dilemma. giving a third option. King Herod's supporters asked Jesus if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not. A yes answer meant he put Caesar above God. A no answer meant he was opposed to Caesar, so either answer was a trap. Holding a Roman coin with Caesar's inscription, Jesus astonished everyone when he said give to Caesar what belongs to him and to God what's his due.  
 
Did Jesus demonstrate His logical arguments to be God were empirical fact related to the real world?  Yes abundantly! Jesus miracles contrary to nature's patterns confirmed his claims to be God. He performed miracles during daylight, before large crowds close at hand, often upon request, sometimes at great distances, often before hostile eyewitnesses seeking to discredit him. He did this at the temple, seaside, at large gatherings, passing through little towns, and in homes for more than three years. John said the books couldn't be written to describe them all (John 21:24-25).
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Jesus' miracles showed he is Lord. He had power over nature turning water to wine, walking on water, stilling a storm, cursing the fig tree, twice catching many fish, and Peter going to find coin for tax in fish's mouth, twice multiplying food. And there was his virgin birth, transfiguration, resurrection, and ascension. He immediately healed various bodily ailments. There were several with visible skin diseases, paralysis, blindness, deafness, a woman with issue of blood, man with dropsy, severed ear of Malchus. He restored five demon possessed persons and raised three dead people. 
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Some founders of other religions are also said to perform miracles. But devoted disciples made that  claim centuries after their deaths. .Jesus gospel miracles were published just decades while eyewitnesses were still alive. New Testament epistles included hymns and creeds used in churches from the beginnings. If Jesus' miracles were true events, then they would be no less true today or a thousands years later. We can't demand Jesus appear and walk on water  every decade before we can believe. Jesus said if anyone wants to do God's will, he will know the teaching. Do U want God's will? That's the crucial question! God gives U the right to choose being alone with your madness under his wrath in eternal darkness weeping and gnashing teeth! Matthew 8:12; John 3:36.
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Which group is really logical and empirical, Jesus' once astonished skeptical disciples, or His modern critics? Modern critics with naturalistic assumptions say they can easily explain Jesus' miracles. Demons are just bad attitudes or insanity. The dead people were just in a coma. Jesus hypnotic personality  convinced people they were not really sick. Ancient people were ignorant of nature's laws. Mystery religions abounded in that day of men being gods performing miracles, and arising from the dead. Jesus was some kind of trickster.  Are the modern skeptics right?
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I think not!  Demoniacs are distinguished from diseases. If diseases, Jesus could heal them immediately while modern doctors cannot. Demons recognized Jesus as the holy one of God even before the disciples. Possessed can speak other languages, show exceptional strength, and different personalities. Jesus exhibited a visible empirical event when the demons were caste into the pigs. It amazes me that liberals explain dead bodies raised as comas.  Since Adam and Eve people know dead bodies are cold, pale, and stiff. Jesus' can't hypnotize persons born blind to receive sight, skin diseases to disappear, deaf and dumb to gain these faculties--only God's power can do such things. Jesus disciples knew natures laws that people don't walk on water, raise the dead, or ascend into heaven. They were skeptical, often astonished, and Jesus often rebuked their unbelief.
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Jesus miracles proceeded the mystery religions. They in fact may have borrowed from him as modern cults do today. No monotheistic Jew would accept religions about Greek or Roman gods. The mysteries were mostly fertility religions related to yearly crop cycles. Only Jesus was virgin born holy, lived without sin, died to pay for our sins, and arose to make believers God's redeemed people. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount teaching is the epitome of ethics. He challenged his bitter enemies to find fault with him, and when they couldn't, they plotted his death.  After his resurrection his at first skeptical disciples, then died horrible deaths not for a lie but to affirm Him as the holy Lord of glory.
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What we choose to believe about Jesus is the crucial ultimate decision of our life and destiny! The Bible doesn't say Christians are without sin, but does say true believers are counted right with God because Jesus loved us enough to give his human life for us and the Holy Spirit in us to make us increasing better persons as we focus on God's truth, forgiveness, love, and power. God's love can't be forced. We're not programmed but can freely choose Jesus with the peace, love, and joy he can bring to our life, with heaven to boot. Won't U say, Lord Jesus, I trust You now to save me the sinner and always be my Guide until I go to be with You. Amen! (So be it).  Now serve your Lord and minister to others sending an article on the www every day.   See my note below.
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