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Devotionals

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Eternal Life

*Light*

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Hello Family of God,

[True Worship from the Heart, The Absolute Holiness and Purity of God, The Giver of Life, and The Eternal City]:

I want to mention from the outset that there isn't much time left before the Coming of the Lord for His Bride. Nothing else matters if you have not made peace with God through His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone, and every man or woman must be Absolutely certain that they are indeed a child of God; for the Lord God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (cf. Ezek. 18:23; 33:11; Jn. 5:24; 2 Cor. 13:5; Heb. 3:7-8,15; 2 Pet. 1:10; 1 Jn. 3:14).

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the [TRUE] worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [God is a SPIRIT]: and they that worship him must worship him in [SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH]." (John 4:23-24)

The literal Greek reads, "God [is] Spirit", not "God is [a] Spirit." Offering fruits or external "gifts" to false deities (e.g., "buddhism or hinduism") is NOT the type of Worship Jesus is referring to in the above passage. Offering gifts to a corpulent idol or statue that cannot even hear or respond to what you have to say is VERY disturbing. The religious hypocrites of Jesus' day were only concerned about how others would perceive them based on their "outward" image. They "appeared" righteous unto men, but inwardly they were full of corruption, adultery, robbery, and lacking any "True Life" (i.e.,"dead mens bones"; cf. Ezek. 37:1-14; Matt. 23:27; Jn. 6:63). 

It is the human spirit and the heart of True Worshipers that is desired by God, and not merely external religious rituals or the keeping of ceremonial laws (1 Sam. 16:7; Ps. 19:14; 44:21; Jer. 17:10; Matt. 5:8; 22:37; Mk. 12:30; Heb. 10:22; Rev. 2:23). These religious hypocrites desired the praises of men rather than living in a manner pleasing to our Lord (cf. Lk. 20:46); this is NOT worshiping God in Spirit and in TRUTH. The Lord is not pleased with those who conceal their sins with external works, and He knows their hearts better than they themselves know them. Those dressed in religious garb usually use it as a cloak of maliciousness (1 Pet. 2:16). 

The Lord wants YOU as a sacrifice of obedience to Him, and FULL submission to His Divine Will in your life. The literal meaning of the word "Islam" means submission, and Satan wants nothing more then for you to FULLY SUBMIT to his lies as he counterfeits the One True God. This "submission" is NOT obedience, it is a grand deception to have his followers to do whatever he commands them to, and WITHOUT questioning him no matter what; and he even dangles a carrot of carnality to get them to oblige without a hitch. The HORRORS and TERRORS that await such "devoted" followers of the god of Islam when they give their lives up and utter their final words, "god is great." Indeed, they will most certainly discover that God is Great, that is, the ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD as He condemns them to hell and the Eternal Lake of Fire. Not only that, the god of Islam and his army (human or nonhuman) will also be cast into the Lake of Fire to be tormented day and night, forever and ever (cf. Jer. 10:11; Matt. 25:41; Jn. 8:44; Rev. 20:11-15).

"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and [they rest not day and night], saying, [Holy, holy, holy], LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." (Revelation 4:8)

Every creature in Heaven will give Praise and Worship to The Eternal God by using the Threefold Trihagion (i.e., "The Thrice Holy God"), accompanied with the Purest Joy Unspeakable (1 Chron. 16:29; 20:21; 1 Sam. 2:2; Ps. 29:2,99; 96:9; Isa. 6:3). This is not an implicit reference to the Trinity, but rather it is a summation of the most salient attribute of God. The Seraphim are enveloped in utter ecstasy as they cease not Extolling The Only One who is Worthy of Worship. No one will need "rest" as a result of exhaustion, weariness, or fatigue. Why would they need rest? The adjective "Holy" (Heb. qadowsh) means to be set apart, and when applied to God, it means that He is intrinsically Holy in a unique sense; i.e., No One is Holy as He is, as He is "set apart" from all creatures.

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather [FEAR HIM] (The One True and Living God) which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)

Since God is Eternal in the past and inhabits Eternity, those who are grafted into His Family will live Eternally with Him. And those who reject His Gracious offer of Salvation will face retribution, and this is also Eternal. God is Immutable, and He is not subject to time; therefore, His decision of consigning those who Eternal Fire CANNOT be reversed. The same goes for FAITH in Him; you either believe that He is who He says He is, or you DON'T. He knows the hearts of all men and women, and so He is the Only One who can harden the heart of those whom He knows will NEVER repent (cf. Matt. 12:32; Heb. 6:4-6; Rev. 14:7; 16:9).

[END OF PART 1]

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*Light*

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God is Invisible, and He has revealed Himself in Holy Scriptures, and to a greater extent by the Incarnate Word. Faith is a MUST in order for True Worshipers to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth; and this not only includes the correct understanding concerning the Person and Deity of Christ, but to accept the Inerrancy of all Scripture as Divine Inspiration. There is "external" evidence which points to "Inescapable" FACTS that cannot be denied (e.g., "incriminating or [INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE]" before a judicial system); then there is Faith, which is the Hope which True Believers know will be fulfilled; and the EVIDENCE of that which cannot be seen with the human eye alone. To claim to have "faith" in God and yet waver in your belief concerning God is deficient faith since Biblical [Faith] is [Evidence] (i.e., "they are indisputable FACTS"; cf. Mk. 9:23-24; Heb. 11:1; Jas. 1:6). Not only that, this "unseen" EVIDENCE is GREATER in power than that which is external, because this power source comes from the One who yields ALL POWER (Matt. 17:19-20; Phil. 4:13; 1 Jn. 4:4; 5:5).
 
"He that [believeth on him] is [NOT CONDEMNED]: but he that [believeth not] is [CONDEMNED ALREADY], because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)
 
Only the Lord knows His own, and He knows who truly believes in Him or not. Those who [SAY IN THEIR HEART] (cf. Ps. 14:1; Prov. 4:23; 10:11; 24:12; Matt. 12:34; Lk. 6:45; Heb. 4:12) are those who either Truly Believes or Believes NOT. There is NO once having Truly Believed in the Gospel Message, and at a later time in their lives no longer believes (i.e., "to say or NOT to say in one's HEART"). This is found all throughout Holy Scripture, because it is the internal and immaterial aspect of man which "reveals" what such person "believes" in their heart (Gen 17:17; Ps. 15:2; Jer. 5:24; Obad. 1:3; Mk. 11:23). Furthermore, such denials stemming from the heart of a person leads to a hardening of their heart; this is why the Word of God warns those who refuse and reject the Gospel Message to repent of their sins and surrender their lives to the Lord (Isa. 6:10; Jn. 12:40; Rom. 2:5; Eph 4:17-19; Heb. 3:7-9; 4:5-7).
 
"For [by thy words] thou shalt [be justified], and [by thy words] thou shalt [be condemned]." (Matthew 12:37)
 
"But and if that evil servant shall [SAY IN HIS HEART], My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 24:48-51)
 
"And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of [one pearl]: and [the street] (Grk. ha plateia) of the city was [PURE GOLD], as it were [transparent glass]." (Revelation 21:21)
 
The noun "street", although in the nominative singular form, is used in the plural in other passages in Scripture (cf. Matt. 6:5; 12:19; Lk. 10:10; Acts 5:15). The "street" mentioned in the above verse cited is describing the Principal street of The Eternal City. The gates of the City are not to be interpreted as "pearly" gates, rather the gates themselves ARE 1,500 mile high pearls according to the measure of man.
 
"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because [your names are written in heaven]." (Luke 10:20)
 
"And the wall of the city had [TWELVE FOUNDATIONS], and in them [the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb]." (Revelation 21:14)
 
Several notable theologians have actually considered that even the name of Judas the Treacherous Betrayer may be one of the names written on one of the foundations of the Eternal City. This is an impossibility, because NOTHING defiling, abominable, or anything considered impure in any way will exist in the Eternal City of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 12:14; Rev. 21:27; 22:15). These are the twelve apostles OF THE LAMB; and Judas did NOT belong to Jesus, nor was He ever saved (Jn. 17:12). Judas had [NO FOUNDATION] as he built his house on SAND, and the consequences led him to an irreparable disaster as he crumbled under the weight of his sinful desires (Matt. 6:24; 7:26-27; 1 Tim. 6:9-12; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; et al).
 
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone [A NEW NAME WRITTEN] (Grk. onoma kainon gegrammenon [perfect passive participle] -- i.e., "") which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Revelation 2:17)
 
"Let [NOT] your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. [I go to PREPARE A PLACE for you]. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3)
 
These mansions (Grk. monai -- i.e., "dwelling places or abodes") are being prepared (Grk. hetoimasai -- aorist infinitive; i.e., "to make ready") as a Bride who is to be married to her Husband (cf. Rev. 21:2). God the Father will send forth His Son to gather His Bride and take her to the Father's House (i.e., "The New Jerusalem"), and the Holy Spirit is purifying the saints so that the Bride will be preserved spotless and blameless upon the Bridegroom's Return (cf. 1 Thess. 5:23; Jude 1:24; 2 Pet. 3:14; 1 Jn. 3:3). The Eternal City is described as a Radiant GEM with the Glory of God (e.g., "a Pure Diamond"). This marriage vow from the Bridegroom to His PURE BRIDE is Eternally Secured with a PURE GEM likened unto the Purest Diamond (i.e., "The Multifaceted Eternal City").
 
[END OF PART 2]
The Bible uses "gold" in reference to a refiners fire. The purification of gold is through the process of burning off the dross through intense heat or by fire, and the results are that the impurities are removed (Zech. 13:8-9; Mal. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:7; Rev. 3:18). If the impurities are not removed, then there can be traces of lead or copper, among other unwanted dross; and no one needs lead poisoning in their lives (cf. Ps. 12:6; Isa. 1:25; Jer. 6:29-30; 9:7; Dan. 12:10; 1 Cor. 3:13; Jas. 1:12; 1 Pet. 4:12-13). Even the gold found here on this Earth is not "pure" in the most absolute sense of the word; this is why there has to be a NEW heaven and a NEW Earth, so there will be no trace of sin or corruption ever again. Satan and his minions have not only polluted and corrupted this world, but he has defiled even the cosmic regions (cf. Rom. 8:22; Eph. 6:12).
 
Not only are the appearance of the streets in the Eternal City pure gold, they are transparent and not opaque. Many Bible commentators and theologians have surmised that this is mere symbolism, and the golden streets with the appearance of transparent glass is not to be taken literally. The Eternal City is not fully understood by the mind of fallen man; nor can "flesh and blood" inherit the Kingdom of God (Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 15:50). The streets are transparent, and so is The River of The Water of Life, which Source and Sustainer is both God and the Lamb (cf. Matt. 5:6; Jn. 4:13-14; 7:37; Rev. 7:17; 22:17).
 
"Blessed are the [PURE in heart]: for they shall [SEE GOD]." (Matthew 5:8)
 
No human being can stand in the Presence of the Lord God Almighty; for to do so would result in death (cf. Ex. 33:20; Judg. 13:22; 1 Cor. 15:50). God cannot look upon sin, and His Holiness demands retribution for all sins committed against Him, and the wages of sin is death (Hab. 1:13). Now this is not to say that because God cannot "look" upon sin, that He is not cognizant of the wicked deeds of sinful men and women (Jer. 23:23-24; Heb. 4:13). Satan himself had a "meeting" with God so that he might accuse Job as being obedient only because of the Divine Favor God has bestowed upon (Job 1:6). To "look upon sin" is not to be taken literally; otherwise you would have a direct contradiction, because Jesus most assuredly in the "Presence" of sinners (Isa. 7:14; 8:8,10; Matt. 1:23; Jn. 1:14), and most of us should know that there are NO contradictions in Holy Scripture.
 
It is ONLY through the precious shed blood of Christ Jesus are we able to come boldly to the Throne of God and petition Him concerning our spiritual needs (Dan. 12:10; Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:20; Heb. 9:14,22; 10:19; 13:12; 1 Jn. 1:7). Jesus is God Incarnate, and yet He dwelt among sinners of all sorts; but He never refused those who came to Him in Faith in what He was able to accomplish in their lives. Understand that no mortal creature can enter into the Third Heaven, let alone stand in the presence of God; and it is only through the glorification of the bodies of the redeemed are they able to enter the Eternal City. This is one of the reasons why Paul wrote:
 
"But as it is written, [Eye] hath not seen, nor [ear] heard, neither have entered into the [heart] of man, the things which God hath [prepared for THEM THAT LOVE HIM]." (1 Corinthians 2:9)
 
"For as [the Father hath LIFE IN HIMSELF]; so hath he given to [the Son to have LIFE IN HIMSELF]; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. [MARVEL NOT AT THIS]: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:26-29)
 
Only the Living ONE who IS LIFE can GIVE LIFE to ALL whom He Chooses. Are you living for LIFE ETERNAL? Those who are cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb are ALIVE NOW as we speak, and will rise to ETERNAL LIFE, then shall they behold the meaning of LIFE to its fullest. Do not grow weary, and take HOLD of Eternal Life (Rom. 2:7; Gal. 6:9; 1 Tim. 6:12).
 
"And [THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL] (Eternal is the duration, and Life is the quality), that [they might know] thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)
 
[END OF PART 3]
 
In Closing:
 
"And there shall be [no night there]; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for [the Lord God GIVETH them light]: and they shall reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 22:5)
 
The face of Moses was Illumed as he returned from Mount Sinai after his meeting with the LORD (Ex. 34:29-30; Matt. 17:1-3). The fullest manifestation of the shared Glory of the Father and the Son will no longer be veiled in the Eternal State, and this Glory which proceeds from the Father and the Son will give Light to the redeemed with blazing radiance as God and the Lamb will be their Light for All of Eternity. The Family of God will walk in the Light (i.e., "in Truth and Holiness"; cf. 1 Jn. 1:5-7), and the Light of God and the Lamb will [literally shine] throughout, as the redeemed of all the ages will also shine forth from the Light that God and the Lamb will Give to them (Dan. 12:3). The gates of the Eternal City will remain open for all of Eternity, for all evil will have been done away with. No more threat of evil as Satan and his children will be in the Eternal Lake of Fire, and they will Forever be banished for all of Eternity.
 
"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for [the glory of God did lighten it], and [the Lamb is the light thereof]. And the nations of them which are saved shall [walk in the light] of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be [NO NIGHT THERE]. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:23-27)
 
The Lord God will be their Light as they also [walk in the Light] of the Eternal City (cf. Dan. 12:3; 1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 21:24). The glorified body is not merely flesh and bones, it is a SPIRIT BODY. That is, the Spirit of God will give LIFE to the redeemed (at the Resurrection of the Just) who are sealed by Him, and these shall rise to Immortality, and it will be designed for perfect praise, honor, and worship to the Lord for all of Eternity (1 Cor. 15:44-49; 2 Cor. 5:1; Eph. 1:13; Phil. 3:20-21; Col. 3:4; 1 Jn. 3:2). 
 
"And he shewed me a [PURE river of water of LIFE], [CLEAR AS CRYSTAL], proceeding [out of the throne] of God and of the Lamb." (Revelation 22:1)
 
This PURE river of the water of LIFE not only symbolizes purity and a new quality of life, it gives drink to the redeemed. This LIVING water flows from the Source and Giver of All Life, and this flows endlessly from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The Glorified Spirit body is required to fully comprehend this higher level of reality in the Eternal State (1 Cor. 2:9; 13:12). The Lamb's Book of Life contains the names of all the redeemed throughout all the ages who have washed their robes in the Blood of The Lamb.
Edited by *Light*

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