CHRISTIAN?
I apologize that sometimes the Truth does hurt. The term
"Christian" is mentioned only three times in the New Testament, and not
at all in the Old Testament. Surely if Jesus and His followers were
"Christians", they would have said so!
(1) Acts 11:26, reading - "And the disciples were called Christians
first in Antioch."
Who called them "Christians"? Notice that the disciples did not
call themselves Christians: and,
(2) Acts 26:28, reading - "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou
persuadest me to be a Christian."
Now notice in the next verse, Verse 29, Paul does not repeat the word
Christian. If he were a proud "Christian", would he not have said,
"I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this
day, were both almost, and altogether a Christian such as I"? But he
doesn't; he avoids using that word - "Christian": and,
(3) 1 Peter 4:16, reading - "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian,
let him glorify God on this behalf."
Thus we can plainly see here that the word "Christian" was always
used in a negative, contemptuous manner. You are not to be ashamed
if someone calls you a Christian. (just tell them that no, you're not
a Christian).
"Christian" comes from the Latin word - Christianos, and was
contemptuously given, or applied to, the Followers of Jesus' Teachings;
those who followed the "Way" of Jesus.
The Believers and Followers of Jesus' Teachings would not have
used, or accepted a Latin Title; nor would they have referred to the
Messiah as "Christ", which is also from the Latin word "Christos".
Also we must add that the Blessed One's name was Jesus, not Jesus
Christ, or Christ Jesus, but simply Jesus. What gives whom the right
to add to anyone's name? And besides, if you pick-up a Concordance
and turn to its Lexicon, you will find to your surprise that Jesus' name
was "lesous": pronounced ee-ay-sooce. And upon further
investigation, you would learn that Jesus' name in Hebrew would have been
"Joshua", but because the Hebrews spoke Aramaic, His name was
"Yeshua". Yes the name Jesus comes to us from the Greek name
"Lesous", a representation of Yeshua, meaning Yehovah Saves.
Yeshua was a very common name in Jesus' time, and therefore we
come to the understanding that by whatever name we know the Bless-
ed One of Light, it is not important. His Teachings are the only im-
portant things.
We ask the question: WHO ARE THESE WARRING
"CHRISTIANS"? For Jesus says, concerning His True name -
"... and I will
write upon him
My
New Name."
- Revelation 3:12
IDOLS, IMAGES, ICONS
While orthodox scholars may label us inconoclasts; that is one who
attacks conventional or cherished beliefs and institutions, they are
partially correct - for we do oppose the use of religious idols, images, icons,
or by whatever name you choose to call these abominations. These
do not help to the vision of God. Know now, as the Italian Bible clearly
shows - "History Repeats Itself".
God has warned us many times, "Thou shalt not make unto thee
any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in Heaven above,
or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth"
- Exodus 20:4. Also read Leviticus 26:1.
Now reading Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 6:16, "And what
agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the Temple
of the Living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk
in them. . . ". And then in 1 John 5:21, we find Jesus' Teaching
expressed through John as, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
While in 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Paul says, "turn to God from idols, to
serve the Living and True God".
Abhorrent idols: Be Concerned! Abstain from the pollution of idols,
for they will fill your mind with lies. Do not continue worshipping
these dumb idols; even as you are led to do. Destroy these idols and
false images, that their sins should cease. Repent and turn yourself
from idols. Turn away your faces from these abominations which are
a snare unto us.
We have walked in all the ways that our fathers walked in, and served
and worshipped the idols that our fathers served and worshipped. For
our fathers served idols, whereby the Lord hath explicitly said unto
them, "Ye Shall Not Do This Thing".
We have committed adultery with our idols, and defiled ourselves,
causing the "last " days to draw near once again. We have polluted
God's Holy Name with our idols. We have oppressed the poor and
needy, put stumbling blocks of iniquity before their faces, hath
spoiled the World with violence, hath committed abominations, and lifted
up our eyes to idols. For all the gods of the nations are idols of wood,
stone, silver and gold. We worship the work of our hands, that which
our own fingers have made.
Know now that History shall repeat itself unles we turn from this
idol worshipping. Confounded be all they that serve those graven
images and boast themselves of idols. Ye have once again turned unto
idols, and made yourselves molten gods. All ye that escape shall
remember these words among the nations.
Repent of the works of your hands. Stop worshipping devils and
idols of gold, silver, brass, stone and wood, which can neither see,
nor hear, nor walk (Revelation 9:20).
For in the days to come, every man shall cast away his idols of silver,
and his idols of Gold, which their hands have made, each one for
himself to worship - a sin. Idols shall be utterly abolished. Take courage
and put away the abominable idols out of the land before it's too late.
The Lord God saith that, because they have ministered unto the
people before idols and caused the House of Isreal to fall into iniquity
- therefore shall I lift up My Hand against them and they shall bear
their own iniquity. "And the Kings of the earth, who have committed
fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament
her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. Standing afar off
for the fear of her torment, saying, `Alas that great city of Babylon,
that mighty city!'for in one hour is thy judgement come" - Revelation
18:9- 10.
Then the people shall defile themselves no more with idols, nor with
detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions, but the Truth
will bring them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned,
and will cleanse them from all their filthiness, so they be My people
and I will be their God.
Therefore, I shall pour My fury upon them for the "blood" that
they have shed upon the land, and for their idols wherein they have
polluted it. I will destroy their "high" places, and cut down their
images, and cast their carcasses among the carcasses of their idols, and
their dead bones shall be scattered round about their alters, upon every
high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, under every green tree, and
under every tall oak; the places where they did offer sweet savour to
all their idols: My Soul abhors such things.
Yes, all their dwelling places in the cities shall be laid waste, and
all the high places shall be desolate. All the graven images thereof shall
be beaten to pieces, their alters shall be laid waste, and all the hires
thereof shall be burned with fire. All the idols thereof will I lay desolate
and their works, will be abolished.
Now, to those who have ears to hear, Listen, and to those who have
eyes to see, Look closely at this -
..... saying to them that
dwell on the earth .
that they should make an
image to the Beast,
which
had the wound by a sword
(or spear)
and did live,
... and that the image
should speak. . .
and
those who would not
worship the image of the
Beast
should be killed."
- Revelation 13:14-15
WAKE-UP: CAST OUT THOSE CRUCifIXES!
TEN COMMANDMENTS?
Moses received many commandments through Divine Revelation
and then he condensed them into ten earthly commandments; or was
it twelve commandments. However many, these Ten Commandments
did not fulfill God's Law.
While the people outwardly were showing obedience to these Mosaic
Laws, inwardly they were as ravenous wolves. Thus came Jesus to
complete, or "fulfill" the Law of God. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus plainly
states that he came to FULFILL the Law; and to fulfill the prophecies
of old.
While people today think that Jesus is the Most High God, or the
only son of God, or some other deviation from the Truth, they still
hold onto, or should we say "cling to" the Ten Commandments of
Moses, paying no attention to the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40.
There is only One Commandment: from which comes all the
commandments, laws, and prophecies (including Moses' Ten
Commandments).
That One Commandment is - LOVE!
Yes, through the One Commandment of "Love", the Law of God
is Fulfilled. Remember Jesus said that if ye Love Him, ye will keep
this Commandment.
Jesus said, "Thou shalt Love your Father the Lord Thy God, with
all your Heart and with al/your mind; and equally, thou shalt Love
your neighbour and yourself with all your Heart and with all your
mind."
Thou shalt Love Thy God or Goddess, thou shalt Love thy
neighbour, thou shalt Love thy enemies and thou shalt Love thyself.
For our enemies are now as we once were; stumbling, Lost, in the
Darkness.
Love your enemies: which means to understand them. Do not curse
them that curse you. Do not hate those who hate you; and do not be
concerned that there are those who will spitefully use you and persecute
you; rather, forgive them and understand them. Teach them to Pray
that their eyes might be opened such that they too might raise themselves
up out of the Darkness. Forgive men their trespasses; as they know
not what it is that they do to themselves. Do Love unto others, as you
wish they would do Love unto you. Love not in word and tongue -
but Love (understand) in Deed and Truth.
And Remember This: he that saith he is in the Light, and hateth
his brothers and sisters, he is still in Darkness; and remains walking
in Darkness - knowing not whither he goeth because that Darkness
hath blinded his eyes. However, he that Loveth his brothers and sisters,
abides in the Light, and no Darkness is found in Him: he Loves God
and Fulfills the Royal Law according to the Scripture: "Thou Shalt
Love Thy Neighbour and Thyself" - James 2:8.
Yes, Love is the Fulfilling of God's Law: so keep Jesus'
Commandment and Abide in Love. And Jesus says -
"This is My Commandment,
That Ye Love One another,
as I have Loved You."
- John 15:12
RITUAL REPLACEMENT
We find Truth concerning rituals in reading Mark 12:33-34, "And
to Love God with all the Heart and with all the Understanding and
with all the Soul, and with all the Strength, and to Love his neighbour
as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices".
"Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the
passover; and when Jesus was twelve years of age (actually thirteen)
they took him up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast" - Luke
2:42-43.
This was the first time that Jesus attended the feast of the passover,
as was the custom when a child turned twelve. He had heard much
talk, and so many wonderful and exciting things about the feast. But
woe, as He came near the city, His Spirit became very uneasy, and
His body became very queasy.
Yes, as he approached that great city of Jerusalem, a noise began
sounding in his ears; a noise unlike that of the multitude of people.
The closer he went, the more intense the sound became; once
sounding like the shrill of a baby crying. Then as he walked through the
gate into the City, the HORROR of the reality was upon him.
The shrill-like sound in his ears was the screaming of innocent animals
being sacrificed. Suddenly a gust of wind brought a smell to his nostrils
unlike any other ever before experienced. No, it was not the smell of
rotting, decaying flesh, like the dead carcasses of animals he had seen,
maggot infested; no, it was the smell of "fresh" cut flesh, which quickly
burned its way into his memory like a searing hot iron. As He
continued to look around, he saw the drainage ditches and the pavement
of the city running "red"; and all the while, blood-curdling screams
of the animal's death cries were ringing in his ears. Yes, over half a
million people would be there for the passover: thousands of animals
would be slaughtered in a senseless blood frenzy.
It wasn't long before the screaming of the helpless animals - the blood
- the overwhelming stench of fresh cut flesh caused his guts to wretch
and he vomitted violently. He began to cry in unison with the animals
as the Life Force went forth out of the innocent.
Joseph and Mary became very concerned at Jesus' sudden reaction
and sickness, but they were quickly consoled by the others that quite
often some children would react this way, it being their first time to
the festival: "He will get over it", they said.
From that Day forth, Jesus knew that this was one GREAT SIN
which MUST STOP! Thus we find in Mark 14:22-25, the replacement
ritual which Jesus gave to replace this horrendous atrocity: if you must
have a ritual!
Now the "church" would have us believe that Jesus ate fish and
drank wine - but let us remember Jesus' words in John 5:39, "Search
the scri~tures... they are they which testify of me." So we look to
the Old Testament, Isaiah 7:14-15, and we see that Jesus came eating
"Butter and Honey" so that he would know how to refuse "evil" and
"choose good". You may also wish to read Genesis 1:29 for
enlightenment.
Now, read Hebrews 7:27 and 9:26, and know that Jesus put an end
to animal sacrifice; that animal sacrifice is a sin, whether for rituals
or for food: it certainly does not show Love of Life. And read what
Barnabas and Paul said to the people who performed animal sacrifice
in Acts 14:13-18. Then read Hebrews 9:9 and 10:1, and know that you
can never be made perfect when you continue to make animal sacrifices
or cause others to do it for you (.~pertaining to the killing and eating
of animal flesh and your Spirit consciousness).
Jesus says . . . "The things ye think ye sacrifice to God, are really
sacrifices to the devils. I will have mercy on ALL Living things, and
not sacrifice. Why do you people continue to think that the
Commandinent - "Thou Shalt Not Kill" only applies to human life? Would not
my Father have said that, if that is what He meant! The only sacrifice
tO be made is for you to offer up yourself in Spiritual sacrifice as a
Living sacrifice, to do the will of your Father or Mother which art
in Heaven. Communicate the Truth with your lips - that is your
sacrifice. So -
"Therefore,
let us keep the
feast,
not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of
malice and wickedness;
but
with the unleaven bread of
Sincerity and Truth."
- 1 Corinthians 5:8
A FEW OYHER THINGS
Read Luke 7:36-50, and Matthew 26:6-13, and know that these verses
have been included, that Jesus' Prophecy should be fulfilled. Jesus
says, "Whosoever is not against us, is for us": See Mark 9:38-40.
Immanuel, Saviour, King of Kings, The Branch, Good Shepherd,
Wonderful, Counselor, Lion of Judah, Root of David, The True Vine,
Messiah, Lamb of God, The Word, Son of Man, Son of God, The
Way, Bright and Morning Star, Chief Cornerstone, Prince of Peace,
Servant of God, Prince of Life, Master, Light of the Gentiles, Light
of the World, The Truth, The Life, Alpha and Omega, etc. . .you
shall call him Jesus? Or by what name should we call Him? By reading
Revelation 3:12, we come to understand that His Name is not
important - but that what He said, His Teachings, are important.
The True Church recognizes Jesus as the Greatest Prophet ever to
leave Heaven, the Light, and come to earth with the Truth of the
"Way" to Life Eternal in Heaven. Read the following literal examples,
that Jesus is the "way-shower" - and that we best follow after His
lead (I Peter 2:21, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Corinthians 11:1).
Jesus is the Blessed One of Light who is in charge of helping us to
help ourselves to reach Heaven. Yes, while we are our own saviours
- Jesus works with our Father or Mother and the other Blessed Ones
of Light; they are our Helpers: the True Guides. Jesus came as a Guide
to teach mankind that Life is Eternal, and to show the "way" to Heaven
by EXAMPLE. Jesus never said that He could do things that others
could not do: He said just the opposite.
Know now that there was no "virgin birth"; but that Mary was born
under the sign of Virgo. Remember; the ancient Hebrews, as well as
the Wise Men from the East, studied astrology.
There will not be another embodiment of Jesus, for He can do more
"work" from where He is now. The last embodiment was His
"second" from Heaven (or was it the third, fourth, fifth?). However;
He did promise to those who overcome that upon death of the physical
body He would come to meet you in Spirit; not the flesh.
Know now that the word "Disciple" means Student of Truth, and
that the word Apostle means Teacher of Truth.
If Peter was not filled with the "power" of Satan, why did Jesus
say to him - "get behind me Satan"? And if Peter was the "Head"
of the "Church"; Why doesn't Paul mention his name when he writes
to the Church in Rome? Peter is supposed to be in charge of this
"Church". Where did this Church come from?
Read Matthew 12:44, and know that at the death of the physical
body, some people will try to "climb" back into their body, for they
love this world more than their Father or Mother.
Read Luke 22:44, and you will see that a "Great Heat" is generated
when you are earnestly praying. You will better understand this Verse,
and this "great heat", as you continue to practice the Spiritualization
of Your Physical Consciousness.
2 Corinthians 5:1-2, "For we know that if our earthly house of this
tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God (God is a Spirit),
a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens."
1 Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
