The Last Days: Introduction (A New Gospel or Biblical Truth?)

The Church History of the “Pre-Tribulation” Fallacy

“I wish we’d all been ready!” Larry Norman

There is a song by Larry Norman that was later covered by DC Talk, that is called, “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.” The lyrics are based on Scriptures that have been taught, by denominations and eschatology teachers, or newscaster pastors, that speak of what some churches call, the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church. Some of the lyrics say, “Children died the days grew cold; A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold; I wish we'd all been ready; There's no time to change your mind; The Son has come and you've been left behind; A man and wife asleep in bed; She hears a noise and turns her head; He's gone; I wish we'd all been ready” I personally like the DC Talk version better, although I am a fan of Larry Norman’s version as well. 

There are many views on the "rapture" of the church, and I want to begin by saying, that I do believe in the rapture of The Lord’s “Elect,” but I don’t believe in the popular version being taught. Regardless of your opinion on it, many consider it a non-essential for Salvation, although this may be true; the issue I have with it is, if a church is teaching this incorrectly, what other things are they teaching wrong? Now I used to be what’s called, a “Pre-Trib” believer; which teaches that Jesus will come once and take His “church” out of the world before the Seven-years of Tribulation, and then comes back a Second time, to gather Israel the nation and restore them from their exile. This is taught by many pastors, based on what they believe is depicted in The Book of Revelation and other “KEY” verses. I, after a deeper study, don't believe the tribulation lasts seven years, or that Jesus comes secretly, or more than Once, or to just take the “Church” and or restore Israel the nation, but we will get to that. 

There are those who believe in The Mid-Trib, where Jesus comes mid way through the seven-year Tribulation period, after what Revelation calls the Abomination of Desolation, and there are also those who believe in The Post-Trib, where Jesus comes at the end of the seven-Year Tribulation. There are some who believe we are in the Thousand-year reign, like Jehovah's Witnesses, and other religions. There is also Preterits who believe all of prophecy in scripture or eschatology has been fulfilled. I find these a little harder to believe because of scripture and also  because history, says something else. There is also Amillennialism, that believes Revelation is a symbolic book, where we are in the last days, in the midst of the tribulation, and Jesus will come once more, rapture His “elect,” not just a nation, but all who have repented and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, from every tongue, tribe, and nation. He will  bring wrath to the Earth and restore Eden, once and for all. If I was to choose a particular belief, I lean more towards the last one.

As I’ve stated before, I used to believe in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, and even was excited when the “Left Behind” books came out. Those are fiction books, written by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B Jenkins, and Mr. Lahaye is a Pre-Tribulation believer, and looked to as an authority in this area. There are many “famous” preachers who make a living with this teaching, that they’ve sold millions of books, sold out conferences, and even made movies, pushing this idea. The more I’ve studied, the more I realize how wrong those books were, how unreal the movies were, because the Bible teaches a ONE time coming of Jesus, and a pre-wrath rapture, that will be covered throughout this book. I have looked at the Word in context, in the original language, and also have used other scripture to validate what is being said. I’ve listened to various sides, read many blogs, studies and listened to many pastors, and have compared them all to the word of God. What I am not adding is my own agenda, view point, denominational view, or eschatology to anything written. I know many disagree with me, but that’s okay, because like I stated, this is what’s considered a non-salvation issue, but again it leaves the door open for so many other incorrect teachings. I also think that most scripture can have what’s called as Dr. Micheal Heiser says, “An already, but also a not yet,” because the New Testament writers, all used the Old Testament to write their books and letters. All of the End Times writing are all in the Old Testament, and sadly many churches don’t even teach the Old Testament, let alone understand, “how the whole Word is one uniform book all pointing to Jesus,” as Tim Mackie from The Bible Project says.

Let’s start with some history, because I’m a big believer in understanding history, otherwise one will be lost in the present. I also believe in order to make sense of things, we must know and understand the facts, like Dragnet, “Just the facts ma’am.” J. Warner Wallace, a former cold case detective and now a leading apologetic teacher says, “While we are often willing to spend time reading the Bible, praying, or participating in church programs and services, few of us recognize the importance of becoming good Christian case makers.” In other words, can you do as Peter says in First Peter Three starting in verse Fourteen?

"But even if YOU SHOULD SUFFER for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, ALWAYS being prepared to MAKE A DEFENSE TO ANYONE who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil." (ESV) (Emphasis Added)

Paul also tells us in Second Timothy Three beginning in verse Twelve, 

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus WILL BE PERSECUTED, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, CONTINUE in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have been ACQUAINTED with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is breathed out by God and PROFITABLE FOR TEACHING, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, AND FOR TRAINING in righteousness, that the man of God may be COMPLETE, EQUIPPED for every good work." (ESV) (Emphasis Added)

And Paul also tells us in First Thessalonians Five beginning in verse Nineteen (which ironically is the same chapter that most use as a go to, to push their Pre-Tribulation theology,

"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, BUT TEST EVERYTHING; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." (ESV) (Emphasis Added)

More than anything, I think we need to be like the Bereans, as what Luke writes in Acts Seventeen Ten,

“The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, EXAMINING THE SCRIPTURES DAILY to see if these things were so.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

So, if you’re ready to start seeking the truth, join me down the road that leads to what The Lord says in His word. Let’s solve the case, through the truth of scripture.

"The first duty of a historian is to be on guard against his own sympathies." James Froud

Before eighteen Hundred and Ten, all churches and believers in Jesus, taught a SINGLE coming of Jesus and a "Pre-Wrath" doctrine. There are many who claim that a priest taught a Pre-Tribulation message back in the fourth century, but there is no verifiable evidence of this. The words of Jesus as recorded by Matthew Twenty-Four, Luke Twenty-One and Mark Thirteen, along with Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, Peter's Letters,  and finally, John’s letters and the book of Revelation, all speak of Jesus' "ELECT," going through a tribulation period, but not the final wrath. Let that sink in for a moment! Two events on “One day”, that ends the reign of Evil, once and for all, and brings a restoration of Eden. Nearly Two Thousand years of scripture based teaching on the true Rapture of the church, and then all of a sudden some, well correction, quite a few churches went left with this doctrine. 

“Religion, like science, is only noteworthy when it emphasizes a matter of what is true rather than whose belief is greater or lesser or which deity works for whom. Sincere religion and tested science are similar in that their assertions can be argued logically and objectively; otherwise, we get false cults and babble.” Criss Jami 

Let’s recap what happened in the eighteen Hundreds along with the “new” rapture teachings, and not good when it came to “men” creating “religions” and doctrines to suit their needs and or to fill their wallets. Joseph Smith (1805-1844) said he was given a revelation in Eighteen Twenty Two, along with a new gospel from tablets that only he was able to translate. He also wrote himself into Genesis, and Ezekiel Thirty Seven. He also was known as a pedophile and ordained marriage to young girls, and allowed Polygamy. This is known as the Mormon church or the Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ. (That title confuses me because they don’t even truly believe in the Jesus of the Bible, but that’s another story.) 

Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916) began the Jehovah’s Witness movement and created the Watchtower society. He re-wrote many verses in the Bible, that are incorrect translations of the original Greek and Hebrew, and actually was proven in court that he didn’t know Hebrew or Greek. His Watchtower society also has FALSELY predicted the end of the world various times, along with changing their meaning of the "144,000" in Revelation, who was allowed into their “group” many times. (This one baffles me even more, that people still follow this religion and cult with all the errors in translation and false prophecies, that this organization has put out.) 

There also was the Seventh Day Adventist, and Christian Science along with the biggest deception out there, Darwinism or the THEORY of Evolution. I also wonder why people believe in a theory that has never been proven. These are just some of the bigger doctrines that came out in the eighteen Hundreds, but that wasn’t all. 

Let’s look at the beginnings of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture history, as taught in many churches, as fact, or something those scriptures says, although it is a “newer” teaching. In Eighteen Hundred Twelve, a Jesuit priest from Chile named Manuel de Lacunza wrote a book, under the pen-name Rabbi J.J. Ben-Ezra (for me this is the first red-flag, a priest changing his name to a Hebrew name, all in the name of money, or fame) called, The Coming of the Messiah in Glory and Majesty. He claimed that all other church teachers and leaders, before him were wrong in their teaching of a Pre-Wrath doctrine because he was right, and they were wrong. (Visions of Matilda) According to Mr. de Lacunza all other teachers, pastors had been convicted of teaching the rapture wrong? (Red Flag Number Two) This statement makes no sense in that, how did he know that everyone who taught this belief, repented  because many pastors and teachers were dead, before he was born, and or there wasn’t social media for him to look at their beliefs? (Red Flag number Three.) This is evident of all “New Revelations” from leaders and founders in all cults and heretical teachers. He claimed, in his version of the rapture, that Jesus would come then leave, causing a gap between the rapture of the church and the actual coming of Jesus, which is not biblical. I heard a comedian say once, “The pre-tribulation rapture of the church is like saying Jesus comes and says, “Peek-a-boo” or “Psyche” and then comes back later for real!” I think for me, once I started to study and research this, it made me wonder how people can read the Bible and find two comings of Christ?

Fifteen years later, Edward Irving, a Scottish preacher, took de Lacunza’s book and translated it into English and published it in England. He began teaching the Pre-Tribulation doctrine in Eighteen Twenty Seven. Around that time a man named John Nelson Darby, yes the same Darby who wrote a Bible, and is known as the father of Modern Dispensationalism. The issue with his bible, is that he removed and added text to the original scriptures, in order to fit his Pre-Tribulation view (Red flag number Four) because anyone who begins changing scripture to make their point, really falls into heresy teachings. There is a difference with using similar words in translations, but to changed whole meanings, and changing commas, is bad as John reminds us of, at the end of his book. C.I. Scofield (1843-1921) adopted the teachings of Mr. Darby and published his own reference bible in Nineteen Hundred and Nine. His reference bible became a bestseller and was globally adopted in almost all seminaries across the world. His reference bible is the main reason why so many teach this theory, especially throughout the Independent Baptist Churches, Calvary Churches and their offshoots. 

The next thing that happened is a HUGE RED FLAG FOR ME. In Eighteen Thirty-One, a Fifteen-year-old Scottish girl, Margaret McDonald claimed to have a vision. This vision was a new revelation of a SPLIT COMING OF THE LORD, or as we know it today, a Pre-Tribulation coming of Jesus and then coming back again, after seven years. I will dive deeper into this later, but Revelation One Seven says, 

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.” ‭(ESV‬‬)(EMPHASIS ADDED) 

To have a vision is not wrong, unless of course, it isn’t supported by the original Word of God. Any guesses on who visited this young girl? If you’re following along and guessed Mr. Darby and Mr. Irving, then you get extra credit.  Her “theory” quickly spread throughout Scotland, England and Europe and made its way into the US.  Two Hundred years later it has been taught as “biblical” truth and sadly many put their “hope” in this teaching, as I once did. 

When I used to listen to this teaching, and listened as most do, to the popular Pre-Tribulation teaching for years, I think we got enamored with the idea that we get to escape the troubles of this earth and life, vanishing and being in heaven, while hell breaks out on earth. But if one would just read all the “go to” scriptures in context and as a whole, you can see for yourself that what is taught,  is not there. It only is there when pastors jump from scripture to scripture, interject words, or ideas,  or people, or a nation, or the church, that aren’t in the text, they’re quoting, or they skip some of the verses and or not even read them completely, that this idea works. 

I have no “professional” training in a seminary, but neither did any of the writers of the New Testament, with the exception of Paul who was trained in the way of The Pharisee’s, before Jesus called Him to go and make disciples. One thing I want people to say, is what they said about the Apostles in Acts Four, 

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were UNEDUCATED, COMMON MEN, they were astonished. And they recognized that THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS.” (ESV)(Emphasis added) 

I was reading this scripture from Galatians One, and it made me think of some of the false teachings that have begun to permeate the church. We have the progressive gospel, formerly known as the Emergent Church, where people are changing their translation of bibles to include their social and political agenda. You have the Enneagram being taught as origins of Christianity as a personality test, but its origins are from the occult. You have the prosperity gospel, the name it and claim it, the healing ministers, and so many others that live in their traditions rather than the true gospel. I will even throw the Mary’s worship and exaltation of the Pope into this as that also is not scriptural. Paul writing to numerous churches around Galatia, because after he had visited them in Acts Fifteen, was troubled by their quick change of the Gospel he had taught them. Teachers had come in and said that they had to be circumcised, abstain from foods, and Paul even rebuked Peter for his hypocritical ways. Paul writes in Galatians One, 

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to A DIFFERENT GOSPEL— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to DISTORT the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accurse. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (ESV)

People have used this verse on me when I share my findings in the Gospels about Eschatology. There have been pastors who have blocked me or unfriended me on social media, because they choose not to defend their view, and or say I’m wrong. I know that what the Bible teaches about end times can be difficult to understand and there isn’t a consensus out there on a particular belief, but when you see the facts and you choose to ignore them, based on tradition or denomination, I believe that’s wrong. I can trace the beginnings of cults and false prophets, or teachers out there, and also the beginnings of certain sects and denominations. I can see what makes sense and aligns with God’s word, and what does not. 

I know there are people who blatantly change ideas or meanings to push their agenda, and many who gather at churches that make them feel good, even though they’re being fleeced of their money, or their soul. In America or what is known as “Western” Christianity, too many people don’t study the word. Many just read or go to a service once a week, if that and get a half hour message of feel good messages, rock concerts, and potlucks, with no real repentance or discipleship going on. We are spoiled here in Western Christianity with God’s word and think more of it as a reference guide of how to read a verse when I’m feeling this or that, and or that God must do this or that, because, insert your own agenda or want, when that isn’t the case. The early church, went out and made disciples, fed the poor and their own, they were killed or jailed for their faith, and as I’ve said before, we coward of not going to church cause the government said not to. 

I will dive into some major topics, like the Trumpet of God, The Dry Bones, Gog and Magog (Not RUSSIA, or any other human army), The Temple (Not Literal), The Elect, The 144,000, Israel (All of God’s people), The Seven Years (How Daniel is misquoted) and The One and Only Return of Jesus. I challenge you to study, not just read, and with an open mind, Matthew Twenty Four, Luke Twenty-One, and Mark Thirteen, First and Second Thessalonians, First and Second Peter, First John, Revelation, Ezekiel Thirty Six Thru Forty-EIght. Daniel, and Isaiah, Genesis Ten and Deuteronomy Thirty Two.  I know it will be difficult for most to comprehend or look at it, with the lens of their denomination, but you will be amazed and what is being said. I don’t have the ability to change your bibles, but you will see how plain, a pre-trib scenario, just doesn’t add up.

We can’t change history as many are doing today, thinking that by doing that, that our lives will be better, or that why we are the way we are is someone else’s fault. What we can change is what we study to know to be true, because when we all stand before God, it will will be us in front of Him, and what will your excuse be? Paul reminds us that none will be without excuse in Romans One, so be Bereans, get out of your comfort zone and walk the Road of Emmaus with Jesus and see from Moses to the Prophets, all is about Him, His return and His restoration of Eden.” Jose Barajas

1984 (Bent)

 

“1984” written by George Orwell in Nineteen Forty Nine is one of the great novels ever written. I actually read it in 1984 and it's one of the reasons why I wanted to learn to be a better writer. The whole book is really good if you have not read it, I highly recommend it. There is a quote in it that says, “The people will not revolt, they will not look up from their screens long enough to notice what is happening.” C. S. Lewis portrayed fallen man as “Bent” that is, he is constantly looking down and therefore, can’t get life right. The fact that the world is filled with “smartphones” has given us all a sense of narrowness and focused on social media, and other things, rather than communicating with family or friends without looking up. The smartphone hasn't alone done this, as Orwell was referencing TVs, but the notion is the same. We will not look away long enough to notice anything else, but what we want.

When Moses had gone up to meet with The Lord at Mount Sinai and was getting the Ten Commandments along with other laws, Aaron was left with the people down the mountain. In Exodus Thirty Two it says, 

“And the Lord said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" And the Lord said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is A STIFF-NECKED PEOPLE.” (ESV‬‬) 

From Satan, who rebelled against The Lord to try to overthrow Him and was cast out of heaven, to Adam and Eve who ate the forbidden fruit, to the Israelites who whined and complained until exiled, and the Jews of Jesus' time seeking to kill Him, and up to today, we as humans always found a way to reject and not notice The Lord. Moses had gone down the mountain to see what was going on and we read in Exodus, Thirty-Two, Nineteen Thru Twenty-Four, 

"So it was, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses’ anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. Then he took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it. And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?” So Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.”

The Israelites who had stayed down the mountain because they were afraid of The Lord earlier decided to press Aaron to make them gods similar to the ones that they had come to know in Egypt. Instead of seeing the glory of The Lord and realizing the miracles The Lord had shown them to be released from Bondage, they chose to keep their hearts and minds in Egypt, which is always a picture of sin in the bible. The thing that we also miss many times is that Moses, being angered, threw the tablets that had The Lord's writing and laws on them, breaking them. Sin has a way to not only mess our lives up but also impacts those around us, to the point that it makes us do foolish things with the things of The Lord. Aaron, being the priest that was supposed to be leading the people in true worship, allowed the lure of sin and the "shiny" man-made things to be looking down at the idol, rather than up to The Lord. It also shouldn't surprise us later in the Bible that the sons of Aaron present strange fire that angers The Lord, and though the bible never says what the strange fire was, we do know that it was not pleasing to The Lord. 

The sins we allow as parents, or as "priests" of The Lord, within our families or in our houses of worship, quickly can turn them into houses of idol worship. Where we don’t know the harm, or we ignore it altogether. You can look at all the churches and people out there today that have compromised, watered down, or just flat out quit teaching the Word. America more so than any other nation, although most of the world reminds me of what Judges Twenty-One, Twenty-Five says,

“In those days, there was no king in Israel. EVERYONE DID WHAT WAS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYE.” (ESV) (Emphasis Added)

It’s so easy to be “Bent” down at church, at a conference, a during so called "worship," but not humbled to the Lord. It’s easy to stand at sporting events, concerts, or rallies for social events, but how we constantly change what we stand for and or root for. People for all time and for whatever their hearts believe will stand or "bow" to them, ultimately for what we want and never notice that slowly but surely the God who died and rose for us is being taken away, not LITERALLY, because The Lord can't be taken away, and yet people won’t revolt and defend, their faith, let alone The Lord,! 

Now Orwell is referring to government and how Socialism and Communism will slowly take away our rights and life, and we will all become robots, and we see that happening slowly here in America. I think it speaks of the loss of love and obedience to The Lord, similar to the Israelites partying at the fire while the idol formed and how many churches are similar in their robotic worship. Atheists are succeeding in making people believe that The Lord is dead, because the people claiming to be "godly," can't even defend the Word, let alone allow our lives to reflect The Lord we claim to follow. 

I refuse to be one of the crowd and fall inline with the “Gold calf” makers and prove my God exists. He is everywhere and has shown His invisible attributes for all man and in all times, Paul Writes this in Romans One Twenty, 

" “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” (ESV)

When people are “bent” and “stiff-necked” there is not enough proof in the world for them to see, to understand, and they will continue to walk in their own ways. So my question is, will you look up and humble yourself under the love and grace of The Lord? Humble thyself in the sight of The Lord and He will lift you up!” Jose Barajas

The Last Days Pt.3 (The Bones)

 “One of the reasons that I don’t speak Spanish so well is because from the moment I learned English, I spoke nothing but English, especially to my parents. When they were preparing to get their citizenship to the USA, I would help them with their questions because it was such a miracle, especially of what they endured, not only to raise Ten kids, but to become citizens of the country they loved. My dad, from when he was young, would come to America to work for his aunt, doing odd jobs of working the fields, cleaning, cooking and just what he could do to get by, but mainly to support his family. My parents left most of us in Mexico while they came here to find a home, work and have a start, before bringing us to the American dream. My parents never took government aid, and we all slept in a garage, while they worked minimum wage jobs, saving to get us our own home. With the help of people like Roberta, Kathy, Connie and most importantly God, they were able to fulfill their dreams of making a better life for their kids, having my parent's "dry bones," of being lost in a foreign country, become alive in the blessing of God, here in America.

Ezekiel Thirty Six and Seven, Thirty-Eight and Thirty-Nine, Forty Thru Forty-Eight are the most misinterpreted and incorrectly taught chapters when it comes to eschatology and “end times” prophecy. This chapter will deal with Thirty-Six and Thirty-Seven, but also give a preview of Forty thru Forty-Eight. The most popular teaching of Chapter Thirty-Seven is that it is referring to Israel becoming a nation in Nineteen Forty Eight, leading to misinterpreting "End Times" teaching and also what Jesus taught in Luke Twenty-One, Twenty-Nine, 

“And He told them a parable: “LOOK AT THE FIG TREE, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION WILL NOT PASS AWAY until all has taken place.” (ESV) (Emphasis Added)

First and foremost, Israel is NEVER EVER, in the Bible compared to a fig tree, so to say this relates to Israel becoming a nation and then say that within Eighty years, (what most believe is a generation) that Jesus will come back within this time frame is wrong exegesis. Israel throughout the Bible is referred to as an olive tree or branch, so taking a fig tree and inserting Israel into its meaning is not thoughtful, Berean like study of God’s word. The dry bones of which Ezekiel is referring to when studied in context and also a part of chapter Thirty Six, show us what God is saying. 

Let’s look at what Ezekiel says, who by the way was in Babylon, towards the end of Israel's captivity, when he wrote this, starting in Chapter Thirty-Six Eight, 

“But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” ‭(ESV‬‬) 

Ezekiel is prophesying of Israel’s return from exile and how they will again be fruitful, but we can’t stop there, for this is talking of Jesus, Pentecost, and eventually, the new Jerusalem and restoration of Eden. Wait what? This is what you’re probably thinking, but let’s continue in verse Twenty-Two, 

“Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of My great Name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate My holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART, AND A NEW SPIRIT I WILL PUT WITHIN YOU. And I will REMOVE THE HEART OF STONE from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” (ESV)(EMPHASIS ADDED) 

It’s important when studying the word of God to use the word of God to help interpret the word. We can’t put our spin on it or take it out of context to fit an eschatological view point or our denominational view. What Ezekiel was talking about was that God was not only going to bring the people of God back together again, but that He was going to put His Spirit into the people and remove the hearts of stone. Remember Israel was in captivity for whoring themselves to idols and other god’s and not trusting or staying faithful to God. (Their captivity was for not obeying the Seventy Sabbaths of the land, but it all was driven for their love of other god’s, taking their focus off of God, and not worshipping Yahweh.) 

I think of my own walk and rebellion to God and how I was like them, that my neck was stiff and my heart cold and hard like stone before knowing Jesus. I still sin and I am a work in progress. As Paul says, "we are God's workmanship," but I now know that Jesus has put His Spirit in me. The other thing that I believe Ezekiel is referring to, especially as it pertains to Ezekiel Thirty-Seven, is about the resurrection and our new heavenly body. This teaching was not known to the people of Ezekiel’s day and only after Jesus' death and resurrection was this message taught. Paul reminds us in First Corinthians Fifteen, 

“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a Man has come also the resurrection of the dead.” (ESV)

Jesus told the disciples that He had to go in order for the Helper, the Spirit, to come? When did this happen? When Israel returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple? NO! Remember when Jesus came, the religious leaders and the people were not expecting Him and or believed He was the Messiah to come. The Holy Spirit didn’t come until the day of Pentecost and all the people from every nation throughout the known world had come to Jerusalem to worship and celebrate, when Peter gave his famous sermon as recorded in Acts Two. 

Back to Ezekiel Thirty-Seven, which is a continuation of what God was telling Ezekiel of His coming restoration of His covenant, which is the New Covenant says, 

“And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause BREATH TO ENTER YOU, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”” (ESV)(Emphasis added)

Before Jesus, man was still dead and lifeless and religion was no better, as it was more about tradition and making money for those in leadership than teaching the true word of God, and it’s sadly no different today. Read the Gospels and you see Jesus condemning the "teachers" of not teaching correctly, of misleading the people, and Him overturning tables, because they had turned His Father's house into a den of robbers.

Ezekiel continues in verse Fourteen, 

“And I will put My Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” (ESV) 

God is saying that He will put His Spirit in them and they shall live! This is not about Nineteen Forty Eight, because if you haven't noticed, Israel, the nation, doesn't accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, let alone that He was the Messiah. Now there are many Jews who have converted to Christianity. although some hold on to their traditions and a hope of a rebuilding of a literal temple. 

The nations gathering on the day of Pentecost, was what Ezekiel was referring to. Remember if you know your Old Testament, that when Israel came back from captivity, not all the nations returned from exile. Ezra lists the names from Judah, but the ten tribes were still in exile and did not return from captivity. Ezekiel Thirty-Seven, Twenty-One says, 

“then say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land.” (ESV)

What Ezekiel is referring to can be seen in Acts Two, which says: 

“Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from EVERY NATION UNDER HEAVEN. And at THIS SOUND the MULTITUDE CAME TOGETHER, and they were bewildered because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” (ESV)

I remember later in life as my Spanish had mainly vanished and many words today, even allude or confuse me, I started working in the warehouse. The guys all spoke Spanish, and it was neat as the words came back to me and, being able to hear them speak in foreign a language but my ears understanding the words being spoken. To hear someone speak and you understanding the words, even though they're foreigners, is magnified more with the Spirit of God, and what an awesome event that must have been at Pentecost.

Now the argument, of course, is what about the "literal" temple that Ezekiel talks about in Chapters Forty thru Forty-Eight, and he also refers to in Chapter Thirty-Seven? For the most popular eschatology view to fit, they need a literal temple to restore the “fig tree,” to have a literal millennium, to have a Seven year disappearance, otherwise it doesn’t work. 

Ezekiel Thirty Seven verse Twenty Six says,

“I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an EVERLASTING COVENANT with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set MY SANCTUARY in their midst forevermore.” (ESV)(Emphasis Added)

To quote one of my favorite movies, The Breakfast Club, “In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions,” THE TEMPLE BEING TALKED ABOUT IS THE BODY OF GOD. (I will explain more about why a literal temple is not what Ezekiel chapters Forty thru Forty-Eight are about and all the holes in popular Eschatology teachings in the next part.) John, Paul, Peter wrote about it in the New Testament, and Jesus is the Temple, but let’s look at what scripture says, and not what man interjects to fit their eschatology.  

First Corinthians Three Sixteen, 

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (ESV)

First Corinthians Six Nineteen, 

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (ESV) 

Ephesians Two Nineteen, 

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the Cornerstone, in whom the WHOLE STRUCTURE, being joined together, grows into a HOLY TEMPLE in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (ESV) (Emphasis Added)

First Peter Two Five, 

“As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a SPIRITUAL HOUSE, to be a HOLY PRIESTHOOD, to OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES ACCEPTABLE to God THROUGH Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a Cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The Stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone!” (ESV)

"American" or "Western" Christians, have little or no concept of temple talk, because most teachers only teach a temple as it relates to Israel and the need for one to be built again so that all the prophecy lists can be checked off of to usher in the "secret vanishing" of the church for seven years. What we skip or not focus on enough, is the fact that because of Jesus, who is the NEW TEMPLE, we are also part of that temple, and temples of the Holy Spirit and we don't need a physical building that isn't scriptural.  

Of course, we cannot forget what Jesus said in John Two, 

“Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking about the temple of His body. When therefore He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” (ESV)

The issue with a literal temple that many teach or say must happen before the end times or to fulfill Ezekiel’s word to fit all nicely into a little box with a bow is really putting themselves into a sticky situation of wrong biblical interpretation. What do I mean? If you have a literal temple, does that mean sacrifices? If so, then the writer of Hebrews is wrong and that book should be removed from the Bible. We can't be like the progressive church and only read the safe passages and those that allow us to live our lives how we want, instead of realizing that everything is for Jesus and because of Jesus.

Hebrews Seven Twenty Seven says, 

“He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for His own sins and then for those of the people, since He did this ONCE FOR ALL when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.” (ESV) (Emphasis Added)

Paul also stated in Romans Six of Jesus dying once and for all, 

“For the death He died He died to sin, once for all, but the life He lives He lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)

I used to listen to an old show back in the nineties called the Christian Jew hour, and the teacher was an old believer of Judaism and was now a believer in Jesus and his whole show was about sharing the gospel of Jesus and looking at scripture from a Jewish perspective, but also how it translated to faith in Jesus. No longer being bound to the Old Covenant or old regulations, but being free in Jesus alone. My point is that, what Ezekiel was writing was not about a restoration of a nation in Nineteen Forty Eight and a rebuilding of a literal temple and the dry bones and all coming back to the land, was about the resurrection of believers, the day of Pentecost and the body of Christ being the temple. 

If the argument becomes, the sacrifices are needed as a memorial, to give the people a visual of what happened on the cross, then why not have them read the New Testament? There are plenty of Jewish believers in Christ that have come to saving knowledge with just the Gospel. Read Acts and the Letters of Paul, Peter and John and you can see that. The other thing with a literal temple is what about the "GLORY" passages that are attributed to Jesus and how the New Testament writers reference these passages in their writings? People will say yes, the Glory will return during the millennium and that is when the Shekinah glory returns. If that is true, then people are stretching their eschatology to fit their denomination and not seeing what God is saying. Isaiah Forty says, 

"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (ESV) 

This is quoted in Luke Three Six.

Isaiah Sixty One says, 

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. (ESV)

This again speaks of Jesus and Him being the temple and we being a temple of the Holy Spirit and of God. 

Ezekiel, in Thirty Seven Twenty Six, actually quotes Leviticus Twenty Six Eleven. First Ezekiel says, 

"I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (ESV)

Leviticus says, 

"I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be My people." (ESV)

And you may think, so what that Ezekiel quotes Leviticus, but this is also what Paul quotes in Second Corinthians Six Sixteen that says: 

"What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (ESV)

The reason all this matters is that Paul is writing to the Corinthians and again, if you study your word, you will see that the Corinthians were Gentiles. What Paul basically has done is linked Leviticus and Ezekiel to the gentiles, again confirming that God's word and what all of this means, is that we are all equal in God's eyes, if we repent and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is also a reference to the New Jerusalem and Jesus dwelling with His people forever, again with no literal, physical temple, because if we look at Revelation Twenty-One, it says:

"And I SAW NO TEMPLE in the city, for ITS TEMPLE IS THE LORD GOD the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for THE GLORY OF OF GOD gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. (ESV)(Emphasis Added)

One last note of why Ezekiel Thirty Six and Thirty-Seven are not about Israel's return from exile or even Nineteen Forty-Eight is what is said in Two verses. Let's look at them, first Ezekiel Thirty Six Twenty Eight B, 

"you shall be My people, and I will be your God. And I will deliver you from all your uncleanness. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you." (ESV)

Ezekiel Thirty Seven Twenty Three says: 

"They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. But I WILL SAVE THEM FROM ALL THE BACKSLIDINGS IN WHICH THEY HAVE SINNED, and WILL CLEANSE THEM; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God." (ESV)

This gets quoted in Matthew One Twenty One, which says,

"She will bear a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, for He WILL SAVE His people FROM THEIR SINS." (ESV)

Many will say okay, what's all the big deal and why does it matter, but again returning to my point of studying the word of God and not just listening and blindly following the popular beliefs that are being taught. 

There are only TWO VERSES in the Old Testament that deal with salvation referring to an internal sin problem, and those are the Two mentioned above that get quoted by Matthew. Psalm One Hundred Thirty verse Eight also is a bridge of these verses, 

“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” (ESV)

This didn't happen when Israel returned from captivity, and it surely didn't happen in Nineteen Forty-Eight. Ezekiel Thirty Six and Thirty Seven is about the New Testament era, the work of Christ, and then when we get to Pentecost, we see the body of Christ and the temple made up of His people. There is no other explanation without putting our own spin on what God's word is teaching. OF course, we also know that when Jesus restores Eden, the writer of Revelation says there is no temple, and that Jesus is the temple. 

The dry bones coming to life and the Two sticks being joined together with Jesus, for Jesus, as He is the only glory we will ever need. The only sacrifice and the only temple needed, and nothing built by man to fill an ideology.

I know I am a sinner who has not always been a follower or hearer of the Word of God. I know I used to listen to the popular versions of the word, because in a way I wanted to escape to a better land and be a part of this group that would be whisked away like we were when we came to America. The problems we encountered here were nothing with what we could have encountered in Mexico, but only God knows. I am thankful that I have been allowed to have my eyes and ears opened, to become a citizen of heaven and only because and thru Jesus. 

My bones are awake, my flesh is coming alive, and the Spirit of God is moving. We are to be making disciples and sharing the Good News to other dry bones, not because a generation has come and gone, or because they too can disappear, because that’s not scriptural, but because we don't know when our last breath will be and the harvest is ripe! Do you hear the rattling?” Jose Barajas 

One World Religion

“A friend of mine posted a picture once of a church on a cliff. The people were walking in through the front door and falling out through the bottom into a dark pit representing the abyss, or hell. The caption said The difference between a relationship  with Jesus Christ and a religion. It also said that you could go to church your whole life and still draw no closer to God or understand who God was and what being a Christian is truly about. The world and sadly many “Christian” churches in my opinion, mistake religion with true Christianity and true disciples of Jesus Christ. Like anything else, I believe we lump all people groups by the actions of a few, and the world especially loves to do that when it comes to Christians and those who follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. For many “religions” claim to know God, or even a version of Jesus, but yet do everything opposite of what the whole Word teaches or even compare to what Jesus taught and stood for. 

Jesus had just finished healing a man who couldn’t walk for Thirty Eight years and when the Pharisees saw him carrying his mat or pallet as it states in the NASB, on the Sabbath, they focused more on that “act,” than his actual healing. When they found out that Jesus had commanded him to take up his mat, they again questioned Him and argued the point about doing anything on the Sabbath. Jesus in John Five says, 

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me that you may have life.” (ESV) 

That is what Religion is, a relationship with the ways of the world and though many churches are filled up on Saturday or Sunday based on your faith, hearts are not changed. Sure people get moved by the music and their arms are raised in “worship,” maybe even a little emotion drips out with a “hallelujah” here and an “Amen” there, but the heart is as cold as the winter snow. The Pharisees were the “religious” leaders and yet, their hearts were focused more on the rules and legalism of their faith, rather than the miracle of a healing, of a lame man that could walk, and the breaking of their traditions, rather than the focus on the One who heals and forgives us of our sins. Jesus continues later in chapter five of John,

““Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of Me.” (ESV)

Too many put their hope in their denomination and the “fathers” of that sect, but like Jesus said about Moses, I’m sure He would say that about any man who is exalted as the one who is praised over God. The Pharisees praised and worshiped Moses and Jesus said, he will accuse you before God. When we stand before Jesus at the judgement, we will not be able to blame anyone but ourselves if we are not able to enter in His glory. 

I think of many MEN, who are praised and thought of as god’s, because of their ministry or their denomination, but like us, they were just men called to do the work of God thru Jesus, though some better than others. Men of God like C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer, Oswald Chambers, Walter Martin, J. Vernon McGee and so many other good teachers of the word. There are others who get praised and yet some of their doctrine was questionable, like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Augustine, George Fox, Chuck Smith and John Smyth. Too many idolize these men, and you can even throw Mary and the pope into this group, but they aren’t Jesus and though we can learn from some good sermons and some good exegesis, from most of the these, (for the Pope is a heretic) some of their sermons are eisegesis. (If you don’t know the difference, research it, because one is a true interpretation of the word and the another is how they see the word) (I’m not claiming these men weren’t godly and had good sermons, but some of their doctrine doesn’t line up with the whole of scripture, and I also am not God and can’t judge their heart or salvation)

Before Jesus came and since, too many pastors, priest, evangelist whether on TV or going from town to town, have changed the word of God to fill their pockets, to fit their desires, to fulfill their wants rather than to preach the message of Christ. Religion is man-made, that serves the purpose of the person or group who started it and we see how everyone of them have different denominations or sects or set of rules, because they break away from the original one that started it. Hebrews Thirteen reminds us, 

““So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace” (ESV)

The writer is reminding us that there are good teachers and good churches, but we also should be checking their words against their walk, their faith and how it aligns with God’s word. Paul’s reminds us to be like the Bereans, checking and examining everything taught. There are too many strange and false doctrines, especially now with eschatology and the incorrect teaching of the rapture of the church, but we can’t be tossed around like waves in the ocean Like James says in James One. The other false teaching out there is about a One world religion, but the word is clear there has always been a One world religion. This is everyone who does not accept or believe, by true repentance, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This list includes, atheists, cults like Mormonism, JW’s, Muslims, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Catholics, (because of their worship of Mary and “saints” and the pope) throw in Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyers, Hillsong church, Bethel Church, Elevation Church, T.D. Jakes and many other so called evangelical churches that focus more on the music ministry than the true word of God. Jesus says in Luke Eleven,

“Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.” (ESV) 

I think it’s pretty clear, that there is a true relationship with Jesus or you are a part of a one world “religion” that denies Jesus!

Jesus does not change, God‘s word does not change. What changes is the heart of man to seek their own will, their own pleasure, to be okay in their own way of being content in their sin, lifestyle, or gathering. Like I said at the beginning, so many churches and yet so little fruit! So my question is, are you in a religion, that is leading you to the abyss and dark pit or are you following the light of this world and walking with Jesus Christ the only Savior of the world? Jesus said in Matthew Seven, 

““Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” (ESV)

The choice is simple and only you can make that choice! Are you content playing church and feeling good, or are you ready to die to self and take up your cross, abandoning all to follow Jesus in Spirit and Truth?” Jose Barajas

Infomercial Theology

by Jose Barajas

“When we go to sleep, the TV is left on as my wife likes to have the sound on as it soothes her. On my side of family, we have this sleep power; (I’m joking as there is no such thing) in that we can sleep anywhere and instantly and that drives my wife mad, but that’s why I don’t mind the TV being on. I do wake up a few times during the night and I hear the informercials that I’m sure we all have seen or heard. They’re all the same, regardless of the product being sold, as they have an energetic host who is an expert in using what they’re selling. They make the items they’re selling seem so easy to use and that we can do all things. You can cook full course meals, clean your house, or repair everything in your house, all so easily and instantly. People buy them and get them and then they sit in their cupboards or closets as they don’t work, or never take the time to use them correctly, or they were just bought at a whim. 

Paul in Romans Ten Eight Thirteen says, 

““For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (NET‬‬) 

He is quoting Joel Two Thirty Two, that says the same thing. Now here is where people crack me up, because “Meme” religion explains it all. Atheists or those who mock Christians and say the Bible is false and contradicts itself use these type of passages and reference them to how scripture is false and wrong. One example is what Joel and Paul say and what Jesus says in Matthew Seven , 

“Not all who call on My Name will be saved!” 

Scripture can be like informercials, where not all things are what they seem and half using the "products" or being enamored by the thing being sold. Many in churches, or so called "religious" people choose to only study half of what is said, or we only quote or know the happy verses. Paul in Romans Ten before this says, 

“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord” (ESV) 

Many “confess” at conferences and churches with a little “sinner’s” prayer (that isn’t scriptural), and we tell them, “welcome to the kingdom of God!” when we don’t truly know their heart. We will see, Jesus is saying, it means more than just saying some words that aren't because of true repentance, and Paul even continues in Romans Ten, 

“and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) 

The word believe in the English language is very watered down like love, and other cliché words. It can be casual as, “I believe I can make it by five,” or it can be an intellectual assent like, “I believe what they say.” The Greek word is “pisteuo” which means, “To be convinced of something, or to give credence to something.” It’s not flippant or an after thought and that is not what Paul or any of the New Testament writers were thinking when they wrote it. Jesus even said, we must DENY SELF and TAKE UP OUR CROSS DAILY. Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve never physically carried a  wooden cross that weighed roughly One Hundred and Sixty Five pounds, but what Jesus did, and though Jesus spoke metaphorically when He said this, He meant what the cost of following Him was. People have died, have been jailed, have been beaten, and stoned, for His Name’s sake, and we can’t even share our faith because we’re afraid of what others might say, or because it’s not politically correct. 

Do we “believe” the lies of the informercials and the “fake” promises of what they offer like the false “RAVENOUS” wolf’s that are being allowed to spew their lies using Jesus Name to “solve” all your problems for “$19.99?” 

So back to where the passage that people say is contradictory when Jesus says, “not all!” but what Jesus is saying isn’t contradictory, if the other passages say, all who call on His Name can be saved? Let’s look at what Jesus is saying, “Not all!” in Matthew Seven, 

“““Not everyone who SAYS to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, BUT the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your Name, and cast out demons in your Name, and do many mighty works in your Name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (‭ESV‬‬)(Emphasis added) 

Most of the items sold on informercials don’t work, aren’t used the way they’re intended and or people get cheap imitations of the real product. It’s no different with many churches and so called prophets or “teachers” of the word. Jesus prior to these verses was warning against false prophets who would come in sheep’s clothing, but really were ravenous wolf’s! (I think when people quote this verse, they only say wolves in sheep’s clothing, but Jesus is saying, RAVENOUS!) Think about that when you hear false prophets like Joel Osteen, Steven Furtick, Brain Houston, Bill Johnson, T.D. Jakes, Rick Warren, and so many others, that when you look at this list, you make think, I’m wrong, but have we looked at what they are teaching compared to the TRUE gospel, or because they have successful “ministries that they are OK? Think Ravenous and we think mean, ugly, full of venom, but they dress  like sheep, “Meek, soft, stupid” and then you might get the picture. The enemy’s best trick is to make us think that the fruit isn’t bad for us and we can be like God, but is that SCRIPTURALLY true? Do we know our WORD enough to understand that the “INFOMERCIAL” is just a sham, a way of making money and doesn’t line up with the WHOLE OF SCRIPTURE? Jesus isn’t looking for SHOWMEN, looking for FAME OR MONEY, but looking for humble, broken, contrite men and women who will “deny self” and do the will of the Father.  

Jesus doesn’t want people calling His Name and “buying” the Christian lifestyle, where we hide it in the closet, or never use it again. He desires those who call on His name to “use” the gifts He has given us to continue His ministry of calling and disciplining people, not for show or for a fad but for eternity. So my informercial is simple, do we call on the Name of Jesus only when we’re in trouble, in vain, to get what we want, or do we truly call on His Name letting Him guide and lead us, walking with Him daily? He is ready to save you and bring you into His rest, the choice is simple and yours to make. But wait there’s more, we get to spend eternity with Him, won’t you make that “CALL” and fall on your knees, repent and come to Jesus?” Jose Barajas