Life Is In The Blood!

Much has been said and written about the Immaculate Conception.

Much has been said and written about the Blood of the Lamb: Jesus the Christ.

Much has been said and written about the Son of Man: the Son of GOD.

Recently I heard someone say that the child’s blood comes from the father, a 20^th Century medical fact, the first (almost) accurate method to prove paternity before DNA; this is something that most people born during the 20^th Century knew.

Jesus the son of Joseph and Mary of Nazareth also known as Jesus the Christ is also the Son of GOD. This is a well established doctrine of the Church that all true Christians know and believe.

Jesus is only the third human to be created by GOD and not conceived by a man and a woman. Adam and Eve were the first and second and Jesus was the third and last; Adam and Jesus are both called the Son of GOD. The difference is that Adam was formed of the dust of the earth then GOD breathed His Life into Adam and GOD created Eve from Adam’s rib.

Jesus was formed in Mary’s womb by the Spirit of GOD (Holy Spirit) and thereby became the only human to be a Son of Man and a Son of GOD. Jesus was formed in Mary’s womb and from that instant was a human and experienced everything that a human could experience.

Jesus’ Blood came from His Father, The LORD GOD Almighty, Yahweh! Every human since Able has gotten his blood from his biological father, a descendent of Adam whose blood came for his Father, Elohim; also known as The LORD GOD Almighty, Yahweh!

So what is the difference? Everything about Adam was formed from dust then Our Father breathed His Life into Adam and he became a living being. Adam’s blood while from His Father was formed of dust just like everything else. When GOD breathed His breath of Life into Adam’s formed body everything in his body became animated by GOD’s Life but they were still formed of dust and to dust they return when our body dies. Everything that Eve was came from Adam. Remember that GOD created Adam as a complete human being; GOD then separated Eve from Adam so that Adam would have a companion equal to him and so that they could procreate and fill the earth as He commanded them

GOD taught the Israelites that life is in the blood and He gave them commandments dealing with blood to keep them pure. This knowledge has been passed on to all of humanity by the teachings of the Bible. Through the wisdom of GOD humanity has gained much medical knowledge about our body, we know that we cannot live without blood, oxygen, water or food. Lack of blood and oxygen bring instant death, lack of water and food take longer.

Life comes from GOD, He created everything! There is no life that GOD did not create! Food and water GOD created to sustain our life and He gave us the wisdom to harvest and consume them. But oxygen and blood He created and we do nothing to get them but cannot live one moment without them.

Natural life is in the blood and eternal life is in the Blood of Christ. We all have life because we have blood flowing through our veins, if our blood is lost or diseased we die. Humans generally refer to ourselves as flesh and blood; Jesus presented Himself to the disciples after His resurrection as being flesh and bone. Born again Christians have eternal life because the Blood of Jesus was shed from the garden to the cross and His sacrificial blood offering cleanses us from our sin. The sacrificial blood offerings of animals only covered sins and had to be applied continually. The sacrificial offering of the Blood of the Lamb was once for all.

If we believe that Jesus is the Son of GOD, born of the virgin, who lived a sinless life overcoming every temptation that is common to man; then we are born again. Holy Spirit comes to live in us (we are His living temple in the earth), we are promised a new eternal body for our eternal being and a place in GOD’s Kingdom.

Light Life Love

The first 150 years of public education in the United States was based in the 3 Rs: Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic.

The first 1900 years of Christian education was based on the 3 Ls: Light, Life and Love.

“In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and the darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of GOD was hovering over the face of the waters. Then GOD said, ‘Let there be light.’ And GOD saw the light, that it was good; and GOD divided the light from the darkness. GOD called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.” “So GOD created man in His own image; in the image of GOD He created him; male and female He created them, then GOD blessed them, and GOD said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD. He was in the beginning with GOD. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was Life, and the life was he Light of men. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from GOD, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gave light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of GOD, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, not of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of GOD.” “Now hope does not disappoint, because the Love of GOD has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Genesis 1:1-5, 27-28; John 1:1-13; Romans 5:5 NKJV)

Light, Life, Love as easy as the 3 Rs, any questions? Study Psalm 19:7-11; John 11:25, 14:6, 17:3, 20-26; 1 John 1 & 2

Then if you still have any questions study the whole Bible and ask GOD’s Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment.

Matthew 19:16-20:16

Matthew 19:16-20:16 NKJV

“Now behold, one came and said to Him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ So He said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is GOD. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to Him, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus said, ‘“You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”’ The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of GOD.’ When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible.’ Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His Glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.’

For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into hi vineyard. And as he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They said, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard and whatever is right you will receive.’ So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give then their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

First of all the person asking Jesus the question is asking from a religious perspective, “what good thing shall I do?” and his reply to Jesus after He tells him to keep the commandments is “Which ones?” (Really?); then after Jesus lists the 6 commandments that deal with human relationships he replies, “All these I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” The fact that he understood that he did not have eternal life based on his keeping of the commandments was probably because he had been listening to Jesus’ teachings; why else would he call Jesus a “Good Teacher.”? And ask such a deep question, even if it was from a religious (works) perspective. The young man left sorrowful or even despondent because if he truly wanted eternal life he would have to give up his earthly wealth to minister to the poor and needy thereby building up treasures in Heaven. (Proverbs 18:11, Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 17:5-10)

Jesus’ perspective is that as the Son of Man He is not good, He is only doing the will of His Father. This is key, that “obedience is better than sacrifice.” Jesus was only about obedience, everything that He said and everything that He did was in obedience to His Father. He spent much time in prayer and fasting so that He would hear and see and understand what the Father’s will was. When He told the man, “But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” The word for life is the same in verse 16, 17 and 29, zoe = life, motion, activity. Jesus did not say eternal life, just life. In verse 29 when He is talking to the disciples He says eternal life. Why? Because man was created as an eternal being and after the fall from Adam’s sin our natural life was no longer eternal, the curse of disobedience (Genesis 2:17, 3:19, Romans 5:12-14); in verse 29 He is talking to the disciples about obedience (doing the works of the Kingdom). His response to the man’s question, “Which ones?” is interesting; He only mentions the 6 commandments that deal with human relationships, He did not mention the 4 commandments that deal with our relationship with GOD. Why? Because being omniscient He knew the young man’s heart and his desire to not have to make changes to his lifestyle even though he realized he was not eternally saved. His possessions had become his god rather than Jehovah and he did not want to give up his comfort to serve GOD’s Kingdom, he wanted some easy to do task that would give him eternal life.

 As in the parable of the sower some who receive the Word and believe will get caught up in the cares of the world and they will be unfruitful (Matthew 13:8 & 22). Why were the disciples astonished at the statement that it was hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom, because they also still believed in their works to save them. Peter’s statement and question showed they were still works and rewards minded. Jesus’ answer “and inherit eternal life.” showed that while obedience has its rewards eternal life is the result of Salvation, which is a work that only Jesus could do. Salvation is the inheritance of the Children of GOD (John 1:1-5, 9-14, 29-34; 3:13-21; Hebrews 5:1-11)

“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” This is one of Jesus’ two most often spoken statements that we ignore the other being, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” When we read these two statements by Jesus we better pay attention to what He is talking about and what His point is because these two statements only apply to believers. To those who reject Him they will make no difference in their eternal judgment. Jesus also says several times, “For many are called, but few chosen.” This is important to us also because Jesus is saying that many will miss their call and purpose. Is this a statement about Heavenly treasures or eternal salvation? The word called is kietos = called, invited. The word chosen is eklektos = laid out, choice, chosen. So we are invited to be laid out for the purpose of the Kingdom of GOD in the earth as it is in Heaven!

The parable of the landowner and the laborers is easy to understand. The landowner is GOD, the steward is Jesus, the laborers are born again believers called to serve His will, the vineyard is the earth and the denarius is salvation. All the workers, as children are inheritors of eternal salvation no matter how long they work in the vineyard. This parable is not about rewards but about eternal salvation the inheritance of the Children of GOD. We are all called to lay down our life and take up our cross and follow Jesus! How do we follow Jesus? By serving our Father by doing the work of His Kingdom in the earth as it is in Heaven!

Death and Hell - A Short Story by Bob Headrick

1

John Wilcox’s pain was overwhelming even with the meds they were pumping into his body. With his family around he finally succumbed to the cancers that had ravaged his organs for the last year. With a shudder his last breath wheezed past his chapped lips and he died.

His wife and adult children all hugged and cried assuring each other that he was now in a better place.

John was aware that even in his pain he was no longer in the hospital, he could not hear the sounds of the medical equipment nor the soft sobs and whispers of his family. He could not see anything and for a moment a panic rose in him that he was now blind, but like not being in the hospital that did not make sense. He had to be in the hospital but the voices, if you could call them that, were low tones of anguish and pain. As he reached out to feel where he was he realized that there were no IV lines attached and that he was actually standing up.

“What!” was all he could think, “what was going on, why was he still in pain, if he had died as he had felt he had than where was he? Was this heaven?” If so it was what not what he thought heaven would be like the few times he had thought about it.

He realized that he felt hot, not the 115^o heat of the Arizona desert, but a burning heat that felt like it was consuming him. Yet he could not feel any flames, he started to move and he could as he walked nothing changed. He was still in the excruciating pain of the cancer that had killed him, for he was dead. On top of that he now was being consumed by some flameless fire, he could not see, he could walk and move around but felt exhausted. John decided to sit down and rest after walking for an undeterminable amount of time.

The surface was hot and hard to the touch, he could not get comfortable either sitting or laying down. John was miserable and uncomfortable and he cried out in desperation. The sound was not normal even for his gravelly cancer distorted voice.

“Hell!” this must be hell he thought and a great cry of anguished laughter rose in the atmosphere around him and died away to the continuous murmur he had been hearing since he was aware that he had died.

John knew that he had died and that he was in hell, “What now?” he asked himself. He called out “Hello?” but got no response.

2

John’s wife Sarah was sad as she and the children finished the arrangements for John’s memorial and funeral services. Pastor Jack would officiate at both, she knew he was a good man but she wondered if he would be able to answer the many questions about heaven and hell that would come up.

John Jr. and Beth, Elizabeth, would have questions because of the differing beliefs of their parents and that John and Sarah did not push their beliefs on their children.

Pastor Jack Munson was a good man and as a born again Christian who had been in the ministry for twenty years and pastured New Beginnings Faith Church for the past five years he knew he was ready to officiate for his first funeral. Knowing that the day was approaching when Sarah asked him about a week before John passed, he had been seeking the guidance of Holy Spirit to give him the words of comfort and truth that John’s family and friends needed. Not having any personal experience with kind of loss he knew that he would need GOD’s guidance to minister truth with mercy.

Jacks friends were a mixed bag, Frank Nusom his neighbor was a staunch Baptist and had told John regularly that he needed to repent of his sinful ways. His fishing buddy Ralph Whines was a beer guzzling, cursing, never married believer of self and everybody that knew him, knew it. Sally Mayfield from work was a heterosexual woman libber who preached woman’s equality while sleeping with any man she thought could help her get ahead.

John himself while he loved his wife and children was a self professed atheist. He put up with his wife’s faith in Jesus because he had no doubt that while Jesus might have been a good man he was not a god of any kind and so it did not matter what she believed about him. Sarah went to a contemporary church called World Vision Church, they had a very large congregation that supported the view of one world government and one world church. While she had grown up a Catholic she had always struggled with the concept of saints, angels, heaven, hell and eternal punishment. She believed that GOD who was love and benevolent would not send anyone to hell but that everyone would go to heaven except the most wicked people, like Hitler, who would just die and be no more.

John Jr. was not an atheist but he did not believe in GOD either. He liked parting with his college friends and having sex with as many women as possible. Beth was the only one who truly believed in Jesus as the Son of GOD but she was too timid to talk to her parents or brother about Him. They knew she was a Christian and went to pastor Jack’s Church, she was the one who talked her mother into asking him to officiate her father’s services.

3

The day of John’s memorial and funeral arrived four days after he passed. Most of the arrangements had been made in advance and Pastor Jack only had get everything scheduled and announced. It was a beautiful Thursday in the spring with a 1:00 memorial, a 2:30 funeral and a 3:30 wake at the World Vision Church’s hall.

The mortuary staff was very subdued and professional as always when tending to the needs of a family in grief.  After the director welcomed everyone, Pastor Jack would have a small message and then anyone who wanted would speak about John. The hearse and limo ride to the cemetery followed by the graveside service would also be short where again Pastor Jack would speak then Sarah would say a few words. Then everyone would proceed to the wake where food and tokens of appreciation were waiting.

As 1:00 approached there were about two dozen family and friends in the sanctuary, exactly at 1:00 the soft organ music stopped and the funeral director greeted those in attendance thanking them for attending John Wilcox’s memorial service and introduced Pastor Jack.

He stepped to the podium and thanked everyone for attending the memorial service for John. “Today we remember John Wilcox as family and friend, he was born on July 1^st of 1970, he served in the US Army from 1988 to 1991. He and Sarah were married in December of 1991. He is survived by his wife Sarah and children John Jr. and Elizabeth, his brother Sam and their mother Barbara.”

“John was a loving husband and father, a popular coworker and an avowed atheist. He lived his life to the fullest until he was diagnosed with cancer last year, I know he will be missed by us all. The problem with John’s passing is that he did not believe in GOD he was not an angry against GOD atheist, he just ignored GOD and the eternal life that He offers all who believe in Jesus. Sarah, John Jr., Beth, Sam, Barbara and friends of John, the comfort that we seek at a time of loss like this is only found in knowing that there is a GOD and that He had a plan for our eternal life not just our natural life. This is the only comfort that will give us peace during our time of loss and grief. If any of you have any questions I will be available to answer them after the service.”

“Now Sarah wants to say a few words and then if anyone of the family or friends would like you may take to few moments to speak about John and what he meant to you.”

Sarah came to the podium and composing herself she spoke of their love and 21 years of marriage, John’s devotion to her and their children. She told a humorous story of a camping trip when John fell into the stream while fishing from a steep bank. “He was not injured and he caught the fish.” After the laughs she thanked everyone for coming and sat down.

After a moment the director got up and asked if anyone else wanted to share. After another minute Ralph got up and talked about what a great friend John had been to him. Several times John had helped him move and he told the story of the time they tried kayak fishing from a two man kayak, never to try that again. Next Sally talked about how polite and helpful John was at work, that he never made any of the women in the office feel uncomfortable. Sam talked about some of their boyhood antics and how the first time they went fishing with their dad John just loved it and from then on when as often as he could.

When it was clear that no one else was going to get up and share the director thanked everyone on behalf of the family for attending and sharing. He told them the procession to the cemetery would leave in 20 minutes. Pastor Jack stood off to the side in case anyone had a question. While the pall bearers and staff got the casket loaded into the hearse most people stood in small groups and talked, the smokers went to the parking lot.

4

Everyone joined the procession to the cemetery and after the pall bearers carried the casket to the grave site. Once everything was in order and the family seated Pastor Jack spoke, “Family and friends of John Wilcox we are here to intern his body to what we refer to as his final resting place. But it really is not, the Bible teaches us that there will be a day when death, hell and the seas will give up the dead for a final day of judgment before GOD. That each one who has died will stand before Him and their eternity will be determined by whether they loved GOD and believed in Jesus Christ as their savior. On that day John’s body will be resurrected and made eternal and joined with his eternal soul and spirit to be one whole man again. He like all of us will then be judged from GOD’s Book of Life whether we spend our eternity in Heaven or the lake of fire. Only those who believe in Jesus will find their names written in the Book of Life and live for eternity in Heaven.”

Then he prayed, “Heavenly Father, today we ask you to search our hearts and show us where we stand before you so that on that great day of judgment we will be found in Your Book of Life. In Jesus Name, amen.” He nodded to the ground keeper would started lowering John’s casket. Once it was lowered each family member threw a handful of dirt on the casket.

Everyone started across to the parking lot for the drive to the wake, several made remarks about Pastor Jack preaching at a funeral and a couple made snide remarks about heaven and hell.

At the wake finger foods and punch were served and people sat around and talked small talk. Ralph had a case of beer on ice in his car and several people stood in the parking lot drinking. After about a half hour most people started leaving, the Right Reverend William Blessing of the World Vision Church spoke with Pastor Jack about what he said at the memorial and burial services. “I’m a little appalled that you would make people feel guilty by your single mindedness about salvation during a time like this. Even if the man was an atheist you do not know if he went to hell, if there is even such a place.” “Well actually I know for sure the John went to hell unless he confessed his sins and asked GOD to forgive him in Jesus. That is what the Bible teaches.” said Pastor Jack. “The Bible,” Reverend William scoffed, “that’s not the only source of knowledge about GOD you know.” Pastor Jack replied, “While there are other books about GOD that is the only one that is divinely inspired that teaches humanity about who GOD is, what He has done for man and what He expects of man.”

“So you believe that Jesus only stuff?” asked the Reverend, “Yes I do. If you don’t believe the Bible what do you use to study about GOD?” “Why I use the Koran and the writings of Buddha, Gandhi and others as well as the Bible.” “So you don’t believe the Bible is GOD’s divine word to humanity?” “No it was written by man not GOD.” Pastor Jack answered, “Actually all those books you mentioned were written by men, the only difference is they were written by one man each during their lifetime and the Bible was written by 40 men over a 1500 to 2000 year period and its message is the same no matter what order you put them in.” “Well if you want to believe that, that’s fine for you but I belong to a more enlightened religion.” snapped the Reverend. “That’s too bad because Jesus is the only true source of light for humanity.” “Good luck with your narrow minded thinking when you stand before GOD.” the Reverend replied. “Thanks,” said Pastor Jack, “since the Bible teaches true followers are on the straight and narrow path to Heaven.” With that the Reverend turned and headed for his office.

5

John Jr. drove his mother and sister home after having a couple of beers in the parking lot. He had been a little taken aback by what the pastor had said but some of the people were openly offended and took the liberality of alcohol to lose their tongues. Ralph being the most vocal and vulgar in his comments condemning the small minded and religious tone of the pastor’s words. Especially at the grave site where he had the audacity to imply that he needed to ask GOD for forgiveness. “After all, it was GOD who gave John cancer and caused him to die such a horrible death.”

John Jr. was not sure about GOD giving his dad cancer but didn’t the Bible say that people could be healed by prayer? His mother had said enough prayers, the universal good thoughts of the World Vision Church, even reverting to her Catholic prayers. He planned to talk to his mother later, maybe tomorrow since she was complaining about his drinking at the wake.

While Beth was sad to think that her dad would spend eternity in hell she was glad of the clear message that her pastor and spoken and asked the LORD to give her wisdom and grace when talking to her mother and brother because she planned to challenge them on their beliefs about GOD.

Sarah on the other hand was upset with John Jr. for drinking but she was really concerned about what Pastor Jack had said. Was it possible that John had gone to hell and that she would not see him in Heaven? Was it possible that she would not go to heaven? As a child she had been baptized a Catholic and had her First Communion but she did not like all that ritual, repetitive prayers and confession. The World Vision Church was so much more accepting and Reverend William never made you feel guilty for anything.

Pastor Jack drove home reviewing in his mind the events of the afternoon. He felt good about the messages he spoke even though he had heard a couple of snide remarks. But John’s neighbor Frank complimented him, “he must be a Christian” he thought. He prayed for John’s family and for Reverend William that man was walking in complete deception, he made a mental note to add him to his prayer list and to invite him to join the city’s pastor’s fellowship group, it would do him good to be around some “Bible thumpers” if he would.

Reverend Williams chuckled to himself as he locked up his office, the custodian had already cleaned the hall and locked the main buildings and security was on site. “That Pastor Jack,” he thought, “what a classic Bible thumper preaching Heaven and hell at a funeral. Did he think he would get more parishioners that way? Oh well, time to go home and have dinner.”

6

John was exhausted, in pain, hot beyond imagination and he could never get comfortable, sitting or lying down. “How long had this been going on? It seemed like an eternity.” He remembered his life and he could not understand why he was in hell. He was an atheist but unlike most he did not hate GOD he just did not believe in Him so how could he be in hell? “I don’t believe in hell!” he yelled. So if this wasn’t hell what was it, where was he? He was confused and in constant torment. It felt like he imagined hell would be like expect there were no demons with pitchforks poking him, “Thank GOD.”

All he did was walk, he never got anywhere, he never found anybody, but he constantly heard the low mumbling tone of pain and sorrow that permeated the atmosphere. “How long will this last? Forever? GOD I hope not!”

John realized that his voice was part of the oppressive sound that he heard all the time, that when he was thinking “my every thought is out loud! How? GOD help me! Are You there?” All he heard over the always present sound of despair was a sinister chuckle, like the devil was laughing at him, “but I don’t believe in the devil.”

7

Beth woke up feeling great, she was confident that today was the day of salvation for her family. As the three of them sat around the kitchen table drinking their morning drinks Beth knew that she had to tell them about Jesus but how to start the conversation. Then their mom said, “Do you think your dad went to hell? I think that is what Pastor Jack was saying yesterday.” she was looking back and forth at her children.

Beth overcome by her emotion choked back a sob as she said, “Yes, I believe dad is in hell right now.” John Jr. said, “Why, he never did anything bad to anybody. I never heard him cuss or even use Jesus’ name as a curse word. Why would GOD send him to hell?” Sarah said, “Reverend William says that no one goes to hell, that all good and honest people go the Heaven and the bad people just die and no longer exist.”

Beth cleared her throat, “The Bible says that everyone that rejects Jesus as savior and LORD will go to hell. That only those who ask GOD to forgive their sins in Jesus’ name and let His Holy Spirit guide them in life will go to Heaven.” John Jr. asked, “Where does it say that?” Beth quoted John 3:16-19, “For GOD so Loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have ever lasting life. He did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but the world through Him might be saved. Those who believe in Him are not condemned, but those who do not believe are condemned already because they do not believe in the only Begotten Son. And this is the condemnation, that Light came into the world but men hated the light because their deeds were evil.”

Sarah nervously laughed, “But Reverend William says that Jesus is not the only way to Heaven, there are many others like Mohammad or Buddha.” Beth quickly interjected, “But, Jesus is the only one who said He would die and come back to life, all the rest are still dead and their bodies buried.” John Jr. said, “Well if you believe that really happened, but there is no evidence.”  “Yes there is,” Beth replied, “there are several historical Jewish and Roman documents that tell what happened to Jesus  and that on the third day His body was no longer in the tomb.”

“Well that’s fine and good but that doesn’t prove anything today.” John Jr. said. “True that is where faith comes in, no religion offers salvation as a gift from GOD.  They all make you earn it and with no guarantee that you will. That’s the difference, Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship with the Living GOD.”

“How do you get that relationship?” Sarah asked. Beth said, “By admitting that you cannot save yourself, that you are a sinner and asking GOD to forgive you in Jesus’ name and for His Holy Spirit to come into your life and guide you in serving GOD’s Kingdom.” “That sounds like more work than just being good and not doing any evil.” Her mom said. “Maybe, but the Bible is clear that salvation is the only way to heaven and salvation is only in Jesus.”

“Well I have many things to do today. I have to find out about your father’s Social Security and pension now that I have copies of his death certificate. You two better think about getting back to school too.” Sarah said.

8

Suddenly there was a horrendous sound, indescribably frightening, John was shaking to the core of his very being, he was screaming at the top of his lungs in total panic! “What’s happening, why is everything louder, what am I afraid of?” Then a blinding light like a 1000 watt bulb was right in his face.

He felt whole, complete, he realized he had a body again and there was no longer any pain the constant sound of agony was gone. He was lying on his belly face down and the light was so bright that he still could not see anything but the light.

Then he heard the voice of GOD so thunderous that nothing else could be heard, so loving to the point of sorrow as GOD passed eternal judgment on John Wilcox for rejecting His Salvation, Jesus Christ.

John was overcome with sorrow for his sin and GOD’s just judgment, he finally understood that GOD loved him so much that He was born as a man so that He could overcome temptation and sin for humanity, so that through Jesus Christ he could have been saved from this moment of eternal condemnation.

The next thing John knew was that his life was passing before him and GOD. Then GOD spoke His final judgment for John’s lifestyle, since John had always been a good man who loved his family and helped everyone he had the opportunity too. Since he never tried to turn anyone from their belief in GOD nor ever spoke evil of GOD there was no added punishment to his eternal judgment.

John was suddenly in a great fire that burned like it was consuming him yet he never deceased or decreased he just kept burning and he knew it was forever.

How We Live!

Have you ever heard the term, “wet behind the ears”, or “just fell off the turnip truck”, or “country bumpkin”? Sayings like these reflect on a person’s naivety, they are used to imply that a person’s life experiences and understanding of life are lacking in comparison to one who was raised in the “big city.”

The reality is that every person no matter where they live or what their life experiences are, we all have the same reality and choices. We all have to live our life based on these questions: Do I believe in GOD or not? Do I live morally or not? Do I live with personal integrity or not? Do I treat other people as I want to be treated or not?

This is how every person is going to be judged by GOD:

For every person that believes and confesses Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of GOD and that He is the only way of salvation. Jesus will judge them based on how they lived their redeemed life based on these questions.

For the person who rejects salvation through Jesus, GOD will judge them for that and they will find that they are already condemned. Then GOD will judge them based on how they lived their life based on these questions.

For the person who never heard of Jesus and did not have the opportunity to believe in Him, GOD will judge him based on how he lived his life based on these questions and according to the society they lived in.

GOD does not want any person to go to hell! That is why those who lived before Jesus were held in purgatory also called Abraham’s bosom until His death. After paying the price for every person’s sin who had ever lived, who was alive at that time and all who were and will be born afterwards; on the cross; He then went to hell and preached liberty to the captives and led those who believed in Him to eternal life. All those who lived and died before the cross were judged by the same standard that we will be judged by.

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that  whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For GOD so loves the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. He did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Those who believe in Him are not condemned, but those who do not believe in the only begotten Son are condemned already. And this is the condemnation, that the Light came into the world but men rejected the Light because their hearts were evil.” John 3:14-19 my version

Psalm 19:1-4, 68:18-20; Isaiah 30:18, 42:1-9 (7); Habakkuk 2:2-3; Matthew 25:31-46 (41); Luke 4:16-21, 12:4-7, 16:19-31; John 8:2-12 (9); Romans 1:18-21, 2:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 4:1-10 (8-10); Hebrews 2:14, 9:27; 2 Peter 3 (9); Revelation 20:11-15

Doctrine and Error

Doctrine and Error!

The Water Baptism Controversy!

When I first became a Christian and went to Bible College there was a controversy about water baptism, whether to baptize in the name of Jesus or in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. There was division in the Church world over which name to baptize in and there probably still is; both camps had scriptures to back up their doctrine. I have even heard people baptize in the name of The Father, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit.

I haven’t thought about this in a long time because I didn’t really care, I have baptized people in the name of Jesus and in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. But recently it came to mind along with the thought that there is only One GOD, The Father; One Son, Jesus Christ and One Spirit of GOD, Holy Spirit!

Sometimes we refer to them individually and sometimes in group and sometimes we refer to all three as GOD. And all three ways are correct. That is the awesomeness of GOD He is One GOD; yet we know Him and interact with Him in three different capacities.

This sometimes causes us controversies because people want to make Him into three persons but He is One GOD. Sometimes in my prayers I find myself speaking to GOD, Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit; and often I mix their attributes in the fervency of my prayer; getting tongue tied around names and attributes. But, then I think well they are the same. The One True GOD is every Old Testament name of GOD and the attributes they imply and He is every name of Jesus Christ and all the attributes they imply and He is every name of The Spirit of GOD and all the attributes they imply.

What we call GOD does not change who He is or what He does or how we should respond to Him! But, we let it! How we serve Him, what we write about Him and what we call Him tells others what we believe and if our GOD is the One True GOD or a false god.

It is sad that some people strive to be so theologically intelligent, so Biblically correct that they lose the Wisdom of GOD! The desire of some to be on the cutting edge of spiritual knowledge, striving to find hidden secrets in the Scriptures causes them to become teachers of false doctrines. The secrets of the Scriptures are not hidden to the student of the Bible if they study it as the Word of GOD. Many today understand the process of finding the secrets of the Bible that have been hidden in plain sight of the reader. When we study the history of the Scriptures, when we study the original languages in comparison to our modern languages, when we study the context that they were written in (to who and why) we will be able to see what GOD has not hidden from us but what religion has covered up in its attempts to control the Church.

Every Christian denomination has error in their doctrine, some are flagrant, some are subtle. The reason this is so is because every denomination has doctrine that separates it from all other denominations. This is error! There is no division in the Word of GOD except between Light and dark, obedience and lawlessness! Every other division is error! And error is sin!

This is why GOD commands every believer to read, study, meditate and learn His Word, The Bible. He holds each of us who claim to be a Christian, who say we are serving GOD to know and proclaim the truth and revelation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to the world where we live. He has commanded us to love one another and be in unity as He loves us and the GODhead is in unity.

Forget all of your preconceived or learned ideas about the Bible and study it for what it says about itself, because it is the Divinely inspired Word of GOD written by men under the direction of Holy Spirit.

So coming full circle this is why I started this paper about water baptism. It is one of the dividing errors because both ways are given and used in the New Testament so both ways are correct.  GOD by any of His names in the Bible is GOD!

Scriptures:

to baptize; to consecrate (by pouring out on or putting into). Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:25-26, 33, 3:22, 26, 4:1-2; Acts 1:5, 8:38, 11:16, 19:4; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17

baptizing; to baptize. Matthew 28:19; John 1:28, 31, 3:23

baptism (as a state). to be baptized, to baptize. Matthew 3:6, 13-14, 16, 20:22-23; Mark 1:4-5, 9, 10:38-39, 16:16; Luke 3:3, 7, 12, 21, 7:29-30, 12:50; John 3:23; Acts 1:5, 22, 2:38, 41, 8:12-13, 16, 36, 9:18, 47-48, 10:37, 11:16, 13:24, 16:15, 33, 18:8, 18:25-19:5, 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 1:13, 10:2, 12:13, 15:29; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21

Controversy and mystery – 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Titus 1:10-16

Study and teach – Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15; Joshua 1:7-9; 1 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5; Titus 2; Revelation 1:1-3

Obey and Unity – John 15:9-17; 17

The Indwelling Holy Spirit

I have prayed and sang in worship many times these words, “Come Holy Spirit.” “Fill me (us) with Your presence.” “More power.” “More love.” These and similar phrases are very common in the Charismatic and Pentecostal realms of Christianity. The following may be hard for some to receive so read to the end and listen to the LORD. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says!”

Technically, the only time we should ask Holy Spirit to come into our life is when we are born again, which will happen automatically anyway. Luke 24:49 (Joel 2:28-19), 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

So when Holy Spirit came into our life He did not come in percents; some get 30%, some get 60% and some get 100%. We all get filled by The Spirit of GOD 100% when we are born again. When it comes to salvation GOD is all in! So why do we feel the need for more of His presence or power or grace or whatever we feel lacking in?

A main point here is that The LORD GOD is One GOD AND He is Triune, The Father (Abba), The Son (Jesus Christ), The Spirit of GOD (Holy Spirit). He is everywhere at all times; all things exist in Him and for His good pleasure; He knows everything; He sees everything; there is nothing hidden from Him. BUT! He has given us a freewill and He will not (cannot due to His Righteousness) over ride our free will, we can only surrender our will to Him as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane.

It is not Holy Spirit that we are lacking in it is something in us that is displacing Holy Spirit! We almost all become a Christian with some hidden compartments, some secret cupboards, someplace we have not opened to Holy Spirit and allowed Him to come and work in us and lead us in repentance, healing and deliverance. Sometimes we are not aware of them they are so deep and hidden. Therefore we feel lacking in what we see in the Bible and some other’s lives.

I know from experience that we seek healing and deliverance through prayer, counseling, retreats, discipleship, discipline and other means spiritual and natural. I have found that only through intense prayer and fasting that seeks only the presence of The LORD have I found more room in me for Holy Spirit to fill and operate. This is not always easy, most of us cannot take 3 to 5 days off and go some place where we will not be disturbed to fast and pray and seek GOD.

So in our regular lives around our full schedule we have to find time to be dedicated to seeking GOD; ask Holy Spirit to help and guide you in this quest and He will. I tried adding fasting to my routine by fasting Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and I was mostly successful for couple of months then I just sort of stopped. I restarted and was mostly successful for several months but there was no growth in my relationship with GOD. So going to The LORD I committed to fast as I felt led and to seek Him daily in my prayer and reading time and as I have done this He has been faithful to wake me early so that I can have more personal time with Him in prayer, reading, meditating and listening. Holy Spirit has been dealing with me and speaking with me daily and that is one reason I am writing and posting more. In my time with Him, He will give me a word or a thought or a scripture will speak to me in a way it has not in the past. I know that the new revelations that He is giving me are not new except to me. GOD is not giving me new or secret revelations of His Word or Kingdom that no one else has. Be very careful of this mindset, many a Christian has fallen into error from this type of thinking.

I’m going to give one example of GOD revealing something personal to me that I was not aware of. Sorry but to get the full picture it is kind of long.

In January of 2009 I was laid off from the best job I ever had in tasks and pay. I was not worried about finding a job I had never had a problem getting a job in 30 years. It was about time for me to get my hair cut as it was getting over my ears and to my collar, I decided and announced that I was not going to cut my hair until I got a job, thinking it would not be very long. But it was, I got my first job interview in November on 2009 and Charlene trimmed my hair. I did not get the job and I did not get another job interview until May of 2011, I got the job but by that time I liked having a ponytail and did not think of cutting my hair, in fact from time to time I would refer to my hair as the sign of my rebellion. That job lasted about 100 days and I got laid off by the new owners of the company. I got a temporary job in December of 2011 and started working fulltime in January of 2012. During this whole time I was in rebellion against GOD actually going back to 1997. In 2012 we started going to a small Church in El Cajon where we were now living and GOD started calling me to repentance and I started my climb out of the dark back into His Light. The LORD started to speak to me of my calling which is to teach. In 2015 I retired because my wife needed me to be home with her for health reasons and I enjoy retirement. I had repented to GOD and to my wife for my previous lifestyle but we have struggled relationally and financially. In the fall of 2017 as I was seeking GOD I was reading in Acts about the vows that Paul and others had taken and as I was meditating on this Holy Spirit revealed that I had made a vow and never fulfilled it. He told me I had made a vow to cut my hair after I got a job, in fact I had two jobs and had retired and not cut my hair. So I obeyed and told my wife what I was doing and we cut my hair. Our daughter cut off my ponytail, my wife cut my hair to about an inch long and I cut it to a butch. I’ve started growing my hair but I feel The LORD wants me to keep it to my pre 2009 style. The first time I went to Church after I cut my hair people commented and asked so I stood before the congregation and told the story of my vow. During our ministry time one of the women in our Church who has a prophetic gifting and ministry, literally crying told me that the LORD told her that this was the beginning of His restoring my wife and I to His purpose and call for us. And He is faithful as He has been doing His work in both of us along this path.

All this to say that it can be the smallest thing and we have to be humble and obedient to what Holy Spirit is telling us if we want to be filled as He wants to fill us.

Just a couple more scriptures about Holy Spirit:

The Kingdom of GOD is righteousness, peace and joy in Holy Spirit, Romans 14:17.

Life is in Holy Spirit, Romans 8:1-11.

Sonship is in Holy Spirit, Romans 8:12-17.

Holy Spirit tells us the things GOD has given us, 1 Corinthians 2:9-16.

Holy Spirit is the seal of our salvation, Ephesians 1:13-14.

Holy Spirit dwells in us, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 6:16, James 4:5.