Millstones and the Little Ones

Recently I've been reading more and more about the exposure to explicit sexual acts and perversion that is taking place in many of our nation's schools. This stuff is so atrocious and offensive that there can be no doubt in any Christian's mind that it is an orchestrated assault on the innocents of this nation.

As I was reading one today, I suddenly began hearing the Lord's words where He talks about the punishment that awaits those that hurt children:

Mat 18:6  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mar 9:42  And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Luk 17:1-2  Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!  2  It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

When I went back to look at these verses, I noticed something interesting:  Unlike other passages in the different gospels that are worded differently, and quite differently in some cases, the Matthew and Mark verses are almost word for word identical.

Then I wanted to see what the Lord was really saying. For instance what was meant to "offend" or what was an "offense". You might be kind of surprised at this...I know I was:

Offend/Offenses: from Strong's #G4624 Greek 

skandalizō
skan-dal-id'-zo
 
To “scandalize”; from G4625; to entrap, that is, trip up (figuratively stumble [transitively] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure): - (make to) offend.


From Strong's #G4625

skandalon
skan'-dal-on
 
A “scandal”; probably from a derivative of G2578; a trap stick (bent sapling), that is, snare (figuratively cause of displeasure or sin): - occasion to fall (of stumbling), offense, thing that offends, stumbling-block.

So there's no doubt in my mind that this onslaught of filth to the children of this nation is for the purposes of enticing them to sin, to trap them into a homosexual lifestyle, and to be a stumbling block to a healthy future.

However, as I was looking at the verses in the Bible that contained the word "millstone" I noticed an interesting correlation. While Jesus speaks primarily of what will happen to the individuals that offend the little ones, a millstone is also mentioned as being part of the judgment on Babylon.

Rev 18:21-22  And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.  22  And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

This is the passage describing the destruction of the city (also used in the Bible to mean a nation) of Babylon, starting with "Alas Babylon". If you've read my earlier study on America Babylon, you'll know that based on Jeremiah 50 and 51, that I believe America, the United States, is modern day financial and national Babylon. See American Babylon

I also looked at "millstone" in Strong's:

Millstone: Strong's #G3458

mulos
moo'-los

Probably ultimately from the base of G3433 (through the idea of hardship); a “mill”, that is, (by implication) a grinder (millstone): - millstone.

#G3433
molis
mol'-is

Probably by a variation for G3425; with difficulty: - hardly, scarce (-ly), + with much work.

#G3425
mogis
mog'-is
Adverb from a primary word μόγος mogos (toil); with difficulty: - hardly.

Now, look at what "millstone" implies: hardship, grinding, scarcity, much work, difficulty

Now look at what's been going on in this nation for the last few years:

• hardship - unemployment rates that have skyrocketed (despite what the administration wants you to believe), 
• scaricty - unless your head has been buried in the sand (or in your iPhone) you are surely aware that beef prices are skyrocketing and going higher due to a shortage of beef
• difficulty - storms, storms, storms and this winter alone with blizzard after blizzard, the hard times are not over. That snow is going to melt and when it does we'll see spring flooding that will make previous floods like nothing
• with much work - people are working more, often taking two or more jobs just to be able to put food on the table and now to be able to afford their mandatory "affordable" health care.

Looks to me like that maybe that millstone has been thrown down on Babylon.

However, instead of getting upset (although if I were a parent with kids in public school, I'd be doing whatever it would take to get my kids away from these attacks and start homeschooling them)...I'm reminded of Psalm 37: "Fret not because of evil doers". God is going to take care of them and it may already be happening.

---

Links to the articles I spoke of:

WARNING! Explicit Information and Images!!!

This is what is being taught and shown to children in US public schools

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/elementary-school-children-exposed-to-sex-themed-games-during-uc-berkeley-v

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/08/22/pedophilia-incest-and-graphic-sex-excerpts-from-a-common-core-reading-list-book-for-11th-graders-that-will-make-you-blush/

http://misguidedchildren.com/domestic-affairs/2014/02/sex-ed-common-core-style-is-this-what-you-want-for-your-kids/14839

Real Worship is NOT About You

Lately, I have found myself hungering for some worship that is about God and not about anything or anyone else. 

Today, if you find yourself hungering for worship that focuses on God and invites the Holy Spirit to come in, then you might enjoy some of these worship songs that do just that.




















Have a blessed day.

Blood Moons, the Anti-Christ and Some Things to Consider

This last week I began studying some things about the Blood moons coming in 2014 and 2015, but also 2016 and 2017. Now I'd been hearing about the Blood moons for several years now, and initially I was hearing about the ones in 2016 and 2017, but this week my Dad gave me a link to watch one by John Kirkpatrick (who admits getting some of his information from John Hagee...a pre-tribber).
http://churchofhispresence.org/media/sermon-archive/ - click on Blood Moons part 2

A couple of things that Kirkpatrick said:  that the solar eclipses are for signs to the world, while lunar eclipses are for signs to Israel. He also said something about the Anti-Christ not being revealed until after the Rapture of the Church, which doesn't line up with the Bible:

2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

So while the 2014 and 2015 lunar eclipses line up with Jewish feasts, so do the ones in 2017, and according to the NASA calculations the one in 2017 is between two solar eclipses (or visa a versa).

One thing I did find interesting when I began looking at the span of days, looking for the 1260 days or 3.5 years spoken of as being significant for the last part of the Tribulation period. From April 15 2014 to September 26/27 of 2017 (one of the Fall Feasts of the Lord) it is exactly 1260 days.

The reason that is significant is that April 15, 2014 is supposedly when they (the government) is going to begin implementing mandatory chipping. We'll see. Of course, for that to happen then it would mean that the Anti-Christ is already on the scene.

I do have some thoughts about that and also was studying that a bit more this week. However, I did find a series of Youtube videos that put forth some interesting ideas, based on facts and scripture, about the possible identity of the Antichrist. 

Of course, some of it will require you to put aside some of the accepted end times teaching, like the Antichrist will arise out of a revived Roman Empire (which probably really isn't scriptural anyway). Another teaching that is perhaps based on more of a misunderstanding of the Daniel's prophecy is that the seven years given to the Jews must all occur at the End of the Age. It is possible, as some scholars suggest, that that week of years was partially fulfilled by the 3.5 years of Christ's ministry, and that the final 3.5 years will be fulfilled by the Antichrist's rule. Interesting idea.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PnD4AIgZvQ&list=PLUwpdUUw6mIXjCNoJ42hqgOOUl3P72X6_&feature=share

Remember, the Bible clearly says that some things will not be understand or even revealed until the time of the End. Well we're in that time, so it is possible that some teachings that you have been taught are based on an unclear understanding of the Bible. This means that you might have to put aside some of those teachings and see what the Word really says.

Excuuuuuuuse Me? Grave Sucking?

Why, oh why are so many quote-unquote Christians so eager to glom onto every new promise of experience, emotion, power or excitement? They fall for every wind of doctrine without any real evidence in the Word of God to back it up.

And if they do claim to have scripture to back it up, that comes in the form of twisted interpretation, unclean versions of the Bible or a phrase taken out of context.

Then some agent of the Enemy begins some new teaching, all too often trying to put the skin of a lamb over the fur of the wolf. Whitewashing stinking tombs and leading the seeking into an occultic experience that has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit or God Almighty.

If it's not running after someone that can turn their fillings to gold (and why would God waste time turning a filling into gold instead of just healing and restoring the tooth? He's not a halfway God and gold is not important to Him), then people are jumping around waiting for some tattooed preacher to kick them with his steel-toed boots to impart some kind of blessing.

If they're not jumping around, then they are laying in circles, emptying their minds and "soaking". Soaking? Where's that in the Bible?

Now, it's grave sucking. Grave sucking? Really?

Well, if these so-call Christians don't have the discernment God gave a duck, then it won't be a surprise when they flock to get in line to accept the Mark of the Beast (which won't be called "mark of the beast"...more likely "government-mandated ID implantable chip"). Because they don't love the Truth enough to read the Word of God for themselves, God Himself will send them a strong delusion that they will believe a lie.

I would hope that no one I know would fall for something as ridiculous as "grave sucking".

To read the full report, click here: Grave sucking

Revival What It Is and What It Ain't

 A Facebook friend shared a link to a prominent Christian evangelist's appearance on the Sid Roth website. I didn't click on the link, but I did feel compelled to share my thoughts.



I went to see him one time in Florida back in the mid-90's. It was a HUGE sanctuary and packed full. I knew no one there...or at least wasn't able to locate the person who invited me until after the "show"...and it was a show.

I watched and waited for some mention of Jesus, or God or the Holy Spirit. I waited for some sense of the moving of the Holy Spirit. I watched as people were falling out of their seats spontaneously laughing...laughing hysterically... emotionally... and felt no quickening in my spirit.

In fact I felt grieved and disturbed. I watched as some big name preachers fell out on the platform and performed some kind of hilarious game. One stayed down as RHB began pumping the audience to give money. The audience laughed even more hysterically when right on cue the big-name preacher, sprawled out on the platform carpet, dug in his pocket and held up a couple of dollar bills (of undetermined denomination).

That was portrayed as even the Holy Spirit can move one to give. People fell out of their seats laughing. I was surrounded by hysteria, and yet I remained unmoved and wondering.

When I left that night, I had an hour's drive home in which to pray and question God about what I'd seen. My question was "am I totally out of touch with Your Spirit Lord that I cannot recognize when You are moving? What was happening there?" I was sincerely concerned and yet could sense no conviction of the Holy Spirit calling me to repentance.

However, God is good, and when we sincerely seek to understand, He will provide the answer.

It wasn't a week later and I was watching the evening news and one of the three alphabet news sources was doing a report on this "laughing phenomenon" and the title of the expose was "Divine or Demons?"

As soon as I saw the title, I KNEW the answer. I KNEW why I was so disturbed in my spirit. I understood immediately that God was showing me the answer to my question. I didn't have to watch the newscast to get their spin on it, I'd already received God's take on this move of the "spirit".

True revival does not break out with flash and sparkle, and if it does, guaranteed it will cease just as rapidly with a poof and shame.

True revival comes from repentance. From people down on their faces before God, weeping in repentance, crying out for mercy. It doesn't come with fillings turning to gold (only humans are impressed by gold, God is not) or by barking like a dog, slithering on the floor and hissing like a snake, jumping around like a kangaroo, or laughing uncontrollably.

The Holy Spirit is a gentleman and always subject to the will of the person. He doesn't take control of us and turn us into mindless subjects performing degrading and embarrassing acts. No. Satan does that. He loves to embarrass the cause of Christ. He loves to lift it up to ridicule.

As Believers it would behoove us to exercise a little more discernment in which ministries we support and follow. How many got caught up in the whole Todd Bentley sham? Sadly many sincere Christians flocked down to see him, looking for the experience rather than looking for God.

Right now across the country (saw several reports yesterday) revival is beginning to break out. People are sharing stories of the Holy Spirit moving in a mighty way in services yesterday. And there's a common theme. Repentance.

People falling on their faces before God, kneeling at the alter and weeping. That came first, as people humbled themselves and repented, not only for their own sins of pride and greed, and lust and lying, etc., but for the sins of the nation. Then and only then did the sweet waft of the Holy Spirit begin to move across the people, bringing deliverance, healing, and other evidences of His presence.

A move of the Holy Spirit is NOT about emotionalism, experience or excitement, it is about God. If the "move" doesn't draw one to repentance, if it excites the flesh and leaves the spirit unmoved (and it takes discernment to tell the difference sometimes), if it is about what God can do for you while you dwell on this earth and doesn't give you a burden for the lost...then you need to question whether that is a move of the Holy Spirit.

2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.


Act 2:37-38  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.


In Acts 2 we see the very first revival break out with a move of the Holy Spirit as Peter tells his audience how to experience what the move of the Holy Spirit. His answer: "Repent..." Then if you continue to read the account, you will see that as people repented, over 3000 souls were saved that day. That is revival.