PLEASE MEASURE YOUR FAITH BY MATTHEW CHAPTER 5!

Are you a Christian? If your answer is yes, then I respectfully invite you to measure your faith by Mathew Chapter 5. Do so objectively and you might just discover a thing or two.

          1. If you have accepted the teaching that once you are born again, you are no longer subject to the law then your faith runs counter to verses 17 and 18 which says:

17Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 18For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

       2. If you have also  accepted the teaching that you have to engage in hate prayers such as asking that your enemies should die or be consumed by fire of any kind, then you have accepted a teaching that is contrary to verses 23-24 and  43-45:

23Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, , 24leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

We shall take Mathew Chapter 6 next and conclude with Chapter 7.

May we all strive from now on to free ourselves from false dogmas and base our lives solely on the Truth as brought by our Lord Jesus!

Love always!

THE ANTICHRIST UNMASKED!

Are you still looking for the Antichrist in some man or institution? Are you also thinking that the prophetic number 666 or mark of the beast will be given to human beings by means of implanting some radio-frequency identification microchip in them? Have you seen videos or write ups that have gone viral regarding a plan by the United States to have an ID chip implanted in citizens? Do you assume that such developments if true are scary and prophetic? You are not alone.

The prophetic number 666 which has always been linked with the Antichrist has also been associated with some human beings and even institutions over the centuries. In 2015, a controversial photo of a baby with curls resembling 666 appeared in a Swedish newspaper causing a stir in social networks. Protestant preachers including John Wesley and Martin Luther have pointed to the Papacy as the seat of the Antichrist! Apart from this revered institution, another one that has been accused is the American Presidency. Every American President since George Washington have been suspected of being the one to usher in the end times. On the individual level, we have had Nero, Napoleon Bonaparte, Hitler and even Henry Kissinger / Mikhail Gorbachev. (Ironically, 85 year old Gorbachev has this bold birthmark on his forehead!). Today, Donald Trump is seen as fulfilling prophecies! Reason among others: A company led by Trump’s son-in-law owns the most expensive single building ever purchased in the United States. That is 666 Fifth Avenue New York. The prophetic number 666 appears again here this time related to the street of business, money and materialism.  And when recently Mr. Trump declared that his country now recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel many regard this as prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes!

But then who really is this Antichrist? Is he a human being or an institution? How can he be identified? If he is easily identifiable, will he be able to have plenty of followers? Prophecy reveals he will succeed in deceiving many! If the Antichrist acts openly will he be able to get the majority of people to follow him? Certainly he will reduce his chances of success by acting openly because many know that by following the Antichrist they will incur the wrath of the Almighty.

I am happy to tell you that the Antichrist has been unmasked! One of the first lectures of the Grail Message, the third one in fact provides guidance in this matter!

Firstly, no human being or human institution can have the strength and power to become the Antichrist! The Antichrist, who is the only real enemy of God has actually been active among men for a long time. His aim is always to deceive man and lead man astray. He also works tirelessly against the salvation of man which can only be attained by man’s adherence to God’s Word of Truth. He earned the name Antichrist when he worked assiduously against Christ’s Work of Redemption. Scripture tells us for example of the attempt by Herod to terminate the earthlife of Jesus at infancy! Eventually, Lucifer, using the leaders of religion at that period fanned the embers of hatred in these people until they brought Jesus to the cross! Meanwhile, these people were under the delusion that they were serving God by silencing this troublesome Truth Bringer! That is the hallmark of the Antichrist. He uses mankind to achieve his aims while deceiving them that they are on the right path.

Today, those who serve him abound and they have no idea that they are under the rule of the Antichrist.

The Antichrist is Lucifer and his weapon has always been the same: enslavement of man through man’s intellect which is the product of the human brain. By this is meant placing the wishes of man’s perishable body (the brain being the highest part) over and above the Will of the Most High.

The sign that one has fallen into the hands of the Antichrist is not by physically bearing the mark 666 on one’s body, or by having a microchip implanted in one’s body no matter how creepy that sounds! The simple sign of being an ardent follower of the Antichrist is this: leaving all decisions to the earthly intellect. Of course this has the result of behaving selfishly, thinking of only material gains and benefits and thinking less of the spiritual and God’s Holy Will. It leads to harming others, imposing upon them, corruption, malice, murders, wars and all the evil prevalent in the world today.  

As every human being carries the over-developed intellect within, let us not look outside again for the Antichrist but look within and now decide resolutely to start putting the Will of God above our own thoughts born of the flesh! May we receive the strength for this!

ENVY AND JEALOUSY

These two are not the same!

We feel envy when we think that someone has a desirable attribute that we lack. Jealousy is what we feel when we sense that something we already have (e.g. a relationship) is threatened by someone else.

So, while envy happens between two people, jealousy is tripartite. Envy is about what we lack and jealousy is about not losing something or someone that we have. However both envy and jealousy can be felt simultaneously if for example a person who we consider a rival for a loved one’s attention also have what we lack!  This way we feel jealous and envious at the same time.

Having said this, let us realise that envy and jealousy are products of our thoughts and thoughts are real otherwise they would have no effect on us. When we think, speak or act out of envy or jealousy, we sow seeds which will later germinate, grow and ripen for us to reap. And because like begets like, the fruits that arise from envy and jealousy are not sweet ones.

Furthermore, when we engage in thoughts of envy and jealousy, these thoughts take on real forms and remain attached to us. Of course a person surrounded by thoughts of envy and jealousy is automatically blocked from receiving the blessings that would naturally flow to those of good will. Sadly, envy and jealousy have many followers and that is why there is so much evil in the world.

What should we do? Let us make a change by giving purity to our thoughts and then base all our words thoughts and deeds on love. The love we need is not the earthly demanding love which comes along with jealousy but pure love that considers only what benefits the loved one.

From now on, especially in this Season of Love, may we resolve to be committed to pure love so that help from above can stream to us, strengthen us, purify our surroundings and also help our neighbours to change for the better.

ON THE FATE OF ISRAEL FOR REJECTING CHRIST:

The recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by the United States of America is generating great interest in the media currently. Some are even attempting to link this to prophecy. This essay is not an attempt to analyze the recent declaration by the United States but to bring to mind the serious and momentous events of the past which are perhaps having an influence on the present!

In relation to Jerusalem, Christ was quoted to have said:   “They will level you to the ground--you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God." (Luke 19:44)

And in respect of the evil reception accorded Him and His rejection by the called nation, the Lord Jesus gave a Parable of the Wicked Tenants which is a symbolism of Israel’s rejection of Christ which will result in a just punishment for the tyrannical and vengeful people! In the Parable Israel symbolizes the wicked tenants who refused to give the landowner his dues. The landowner symbolizes the Father Who sent Christ. The people judged themselves when on hearing the Parable they declared that the wicked tenants will be brought to a wretched end and will be replaced by others who will give the landowner his fruits in their seasons.

By the rejection of Christ followed by the atrocious acts on Golgotha, Israel in reality broke a great covenant resulting in the repudiation of their earlier call as a nation.

For the full Parable let us quote Mathew 21 v 33-43:

“33Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey.

34When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the crop.

35But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.

36Again, he sent other servants, more than the first group. But the tenants did the same to them.

37Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance!’ 

39And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those tenants?”

41“He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they declared, “and will rent out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him his fruits in their seasons.”

42Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 

43Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” 

May we be discerning in these matters and stand at our own posts ever ready to serve the Almighty alone so that we may succeed and fulfil the duties apportioned to us in this earthlife of ours!

THE PERFECT BIRTHDAY GIFT!

This perfect birthday gift is one you give to yourself!

A birthday anniversary is a very suitable landmark to give oneself the gift of becoming a HAPPY PERSON at last! But how?

We can achieve peace and happiness by keeping our thoughts pure! Keeping our thoughts pure will naturally lead to true, simple and edifying words. It leads eventually to noble deeds. All these will in turn purify us and our environment visible and invisible so much so that the Love of God will be able reach us undimmed with abundant blessings. By keeping our thoughts pure and exercising the power of silence, we free ourselves from all darkness which is the root cause of all the pressure and burden we feel in body and mind!

Just as we ought to use every Sabbath (our day of rest) to reflect on the past week and draw lessons for the future, each of the birthday anniversaries we are permitted on earth are great opportunities to reflect on the past year and decide that going forward we will only do that which is good. Such an honest decision reinforced by a truly heartfelt prayer is capable of redeeming even our past misdeeds. We would have found our way at last, earnestly shedding off undesirable habits. We become light and we feel bliss. We become healthy in body and soul, freed from the burden caused by our unwholesome attitude of the past.

Is this resolution to be pure at heart not a great gift we can give ourselves? Yes, it is!

May each birthday be for us a milestone on our journey to being born anew!

Take care of your body

Our body is a gift given to us through the Grace of the Almighty. It is to be a tool for expressing in earthly visible form, the abilities and wishes of the otherwise invisible human spirit, our inner core. The purpose of living on earth is to learn the Laws of God and thereby gain maturity. However, to be active here on earth, we require the physical body as a tool. It is therefore our duty to take good care of this tool. We must nourish it with health promoting food, drinks and adequate exercise in order to keep our bodies healthy for as long as we are permitted to be here.

 

Over-indulgence in food and drink need to be avoided. Let us eat only when we are hungry and drink enough water which cleanses the body system.  If we must drink other liquids apart from water, then these must be taken in moderation, and we need not drink any liquid to the point of intoxication. Let us work and make time for rest. Inordinate ambition for earthly goals should not ruin the balance we need for healthy living.

 

Now we come to an especially important aspect. Many think that by depriving their bodies of required nourishment they can become pleasing to God or can influence the Lord to grant their wishes. Some people impose all sorts of torture on their own bodies just so that they can boast later about this in self-satisfaction and in order be considered great in the eyes of men. We should not be under any delusion that we can serve the Almighty by imposing hardships on our body.

 

Although not compulsory, some may find it useful to abstain from food occasionally for some of its health benefits or with the aim of creating for themselves an atmosphere of sobriety and a fertile soil for spiritual reflection and prayers. While fasting may be useful to man, it is neither a service to our Creator nor a negotiating tool which can be employed when approaching Him.  

THE BIGGEST QUESTION FACING BELIEVERS TODAY

There is a question that is directed to all those who believe in the Message of Jesus and who profess to be His followers. A poser that has been overlooked, neglected and probably even forgotten over the centuries. It is serious and will separate the wheat from the chaff! It goes to the root of what you claim you believe. It challenges one and all to really examine what is held today as faith. Is your faith really genuine? Are you really a believer of the Message of Christ or a believer in the doctrines and tenets of your church? Is the Message of Christ which should be the basis of faith still being proclaimed today in the sense in which Christ gave it?

These are not my own questions. Yes. The real question was asked long ago and is to be found in the book of Luke, chapter 18, verse 8 which says: ”Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

Let each solemnly conduct his own self-examination in this regard.