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Sometimes we hesitate to share our thoughts because we think they might be offensive. Belief based only upon tradition or personal opinion causes a person to defend himself with an emotional bias that reduces the ability of his brain to think objectively. The purpose of the following thoughts is not to offend but to provoke you to objective thought and possibly supply you with a message you can pass along to someone who might benefit from it.
T R A D I T I O N S
Once a human brain has embraced a particular way of thinking it is extremely difficult for it to listen to any idea which challenges what it has previously learned. What is the source of your learning about God…religious tradition, personal opinion or what God says in the Bible?
Did you learn the religious tradition that Armageddon is a name for an end-of-time destruction or, did you learn the Bible calls Armageddon “The Great Day of Almighty God”? A day begins at sunset. Armageddon does not represent destruction and death, it represents redemption and life. Armageddon began in the darkness of Gethsemane and ended in the sunlight of Calvary. This was the evening and morning of the first day of eternal creation that began the reign of God in man. The light shined into the world darkened by sin and the darkness could not overcome the light. (John 1:5)
Did you learn the religious tradition the word “Apocalypse” also represents destruction or, did you learn the word “Apocalypse” is the first word in the Book of Revelation and means “to reveal”? In Revelation Jesus reveals the strategy his people must use to survive in a world dominated by Satan and Satan’s people. Its message applies to every person of every generation.
Did you learn the religious tradition that presents Revelation as a book of predictions about the future and is too confusing to understand or, did you learn Revelation was given by Jesus to teach his people how to cope in their journey in the womb of time? Revelation reveals the corruption in the church, the wickedness of government and the greed of commerce. Revelation reveals the exile of Satan to earth caused by the crucifixion of Jesus. Revelation distinguishes a Christian from a non-Christian and shows Jesus to be a constant companion of his people. Revelation reveals Heaven, not future of time but above time, existing now. The message of Revelation is relevant for every generation of people in time. It is on Satan’s most hated list of messages from God.
Did you learn the religious tradition that Jesus is coming at the end of time to destroy the lost and take the Saints to Heaven or, did you learn Jesus told the Apostles he would return to them as the Spirit of Truth (John 14:18) and, in fact, returned in his true form (spirit) on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)? Many say, “I know Jesus lives because he lives within my heart.” If that is true, when did he return? God is spirit and they who worship him must worship him (in) as a spirit and in truth. (John 4:24). Like Adam, before God made him a body, we exist independent of a physical body and its brain.
Did you learn the religious tradition which says the writings of Paul are the perfect words of God because they are a part of the Bible or, did you learn that Paul, though dedicated, was influenced by religious traditions like any other person? Not having the Gospel of John and Revelation, Paul relied upon Jewish traditions and was wrong about the second coming of Jesus in the same way he was wrong about the first coming of Jesus. He contradicted himself and Jesus about a final resurrection.
Did you learn the religious tradition that certain buildings are houses of God where people go to worship him and religious icons and ritual represent God’s presence or, did you learn “The Most High” does not dwell in things made with hands (Acts 7:48) but in a human body which he designed as a residence for a human spirit who can invite God to share his residence. God is not something produced by the brain’s imagination and emotion. The role of the brain is to be the servant of the human spirit and is responsible for proper care of the residence where God and that human spirit reside.
Did you learn the religious tradition that God is unknowable or, did you read Genesis where God talked with Adam as clearly as one person talking to another? Did you learn God can reveal truth directly to you like he did to Peter? God’s willingness to speak directly to a person is the foundation upon which the church is established? Did you learn the key to talking with God is not knowledge about him but trust in what he says to you? God will talk to any person who will listen the same way he talked to Adam and Peter.
Did you learn the religious tradition that every person claiming a right to his own opinion about God, obligates God to excuse his wrong opinion or, did you learn God is a specific and unique being like you and does not change to accommodate someone’s wrong opinion of him any more than you change to accommodate someone’s wrong opinion of you? What God says is who he is and what he does.
Did you learn the religious tradition that sincerity makes a person acceptable to God even if he doesn’t accept the blood of Jesus as atonement for his condition of sin or, did you learn sin is an incurable, terminal disease, infecting every human born into this world and only responds to one antidote. That antidote is the blood of Jesus administered on the frequency of faith. God gave all he had to provide the antidote. The cure is available. The price is self-centeredness and pride. The choice belongs to you and me.
Did you learn the religious tradition that the abyss is a boundless pit in the heart of the earth where Satan will be bound or, did you learn the only boundless, physical thing in time is the human brain where a person binds Satan with the truth of God or is bound by Satan’s lies because of ignorance of and lack of submission to the words of God?
Religious traditions can sedate your brain so you can’t objectively respond to God’s truth. Traditions caused the Jews to crucify Jesus and Paul to persecute Christians. Be sure your faith in God is built upon the words of God and not your or some person’s opinion. Best wishes to you and yours, Kris Doulos
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