#minstering to Christians

[ladymidnytemare]

Gothic ceiling eye candy...

When shooting architecture, don't forget to look up!!

⛪ St Eulalia Cathedral and Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

⛪ St Mary's Basilica and St Joseph's Church, Kraków

⛪ York Minster

⛪ Margam Castle, Port Talbot

All my pics 📸

[the-mediaeval-monk]

The chapter house at York Minster.

[wally-b-feed]

[thesilicontribesman]

Gritstone Viking Grave Slab, 900 to 1000CE, The Yorkshire Museum, York

The telling of traditional Scandinavian stories was an important part of everyday life for the Vikings, even those who had travelled away from their homeland to York. One epic story was that of courageous hero Sigurd, who slayed the dragon Fafnir. Images from this story are shown on this grave cover of an important Viking, who was buried beneath York Minster. While they were Christian, it showed that they still remembered the stories from their homelands.

[ariaroseloklover]

Not my usual kind of content at all however I just felt the need to remind you that GOD love you

No matter what you faced or what you struggle with God will love you and stay by your side regardless. The devil will try to tell you that you’re the only one who struggles with this and that you need to bottle it up but the lord says that he is here and that he understands, we have a good and gracious God who we should never lose sight of. Don’t put off getting right with god until tomorrow, everyday is a gift

I’m not a Minster by any means but if you have any questions about God or what I have said feel comment (everyone is welcome to ask even if your not sure about being a Christian God still loves you and so do I, so ask away)

[batboyblog]

Okay you may ignore this question so dearly because I can freely admit this can chalk up to my personal religious-political ignorance on how things truly operate so I apologize in advance;

Regarding Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, since he holds the highest office in the land that’s been long regarded as the Holy Land for both the Jewish people and faith, does he have influence over the faith akin to how Pope Francis at Vatican City has the influence over the Roman Catholic Christian faith (to which I belong too but I digress) Or is Netanyahu’s office a purely secular position with no tangible influence on the faith?

Again this is purely my complete utter ignorance on this subject and I offer all my sincerest apologies

Short answer: No the Prime Minster of Israel has no religious function or influence.

For one thing Judaism unlike Catholicism is not a top down religion with one agreed on "head" who can make rulings that all Jews agree to. So While there's a Chief Rabbi of Israel (actually there are two) his rulings are unlikely to be even be noticed by American Jews, and if any do its out of respect for the Rabbi's learning not so much his office and the power of it.

For another thing, for millennia, Jews have believed and hoped for a coming Messiah who would unite the Jews and return us all to the Land of Israel and found a Kingdom there etc. From time to time since the exile waves of Jews would go to the holy land believing the moment was at hand. In the 19th Century some Jews who had become more secular but hadn't given up on the dream started talking about maybe a secular political movement could return the Jews to the land, they also felt with rising violence against Jews in Eastern Europe that a safe place for the Jews was needed. All this crystalized into the Zionist movement around Theodor Herzl and his book "The Jewish State" in 1896 and the first Zionist Congress in 1897.

Herzl himself was very Secular, and the generation of leaders that came after his death in 1904 were more secular and the Zionist movement quickly became socialists. Soon there was a pretty strong conflict between Zionists and ultra Orthodox Rabbis. The Zionists felt like over strict obedience to the laws of Torah had made the Jews in exile passive. The Rabbis had long rejected ANY involvement in secular government, fearing angering the Gentiles. Indeed to this day there are ultra Orthodox who feel that the only defense of the Jews is the study of Torah and the involvement of Jews in politics is not Kosher, a leading Rabbi, Yitzchok Sorotzkin, called on Jews not to rally against antisemitism in Washington last month (500,000 did any ways) but study Torah

Understandably the Holocaust greatly changed the relationship on both sides with many homeless and stateless Jews settling in the new state of Israel after 1948. But the founding generation of Israel remained very secular and socialist and the Religious Jews remaining at best lukewarm to cool toward the state and many using the term "Non-Zionist" or even "Anti-Zionist" As the founding generation of Israel left power in the 1970s and secular socialist Labor Party became less dominant relationships between the state and the Religious has slowly warmed and Israel's political class has become less defiantly secular for better or worse. In 2021 Naftali Bennett became Israel's first prime minster to wear a kippah regularly.

Before I wrap up, I should note that while the Prime Minster is a secular job with no religious role or influence. Israel is not a purely secular state the way the US is. Family Law (marriage, divorce, child custody) are governed religiously. Meaning there are judges paid by the state who are religious experts who rule on divorce cases and other family law matters, and that representatives of the faiths are the only people who can marry people. There are a number of religions recognized by the state, Judaism of course, Islam, the Druze (an important Religious-Ethinic minority in Israel) and a number of branches of Christianity. As part of that there's an officially recognized Chief Rabbinate of Israel, which has two Chief Rabbis, one Ashkenazi one Sephardi. Together they can make rulings on "who is a Jew" which determines if a group might immigrant to Israel, they also oversee who is licensed as a Rabbi and oversee the Jewish Courts that rule on divorce and the like. As a religious body that is supported by the state and has real powers in it, its very controversial both in Israel itself and among American Jews who tend to be much more liberal religiously than Israeli Jews who are religious. There's not much space for liberal religion in Israel its very Secular=liberal religious=conservative

Also while Israelis can't get civilly marriage in Israel (so no interfaith or gay marriages) the state is required to recognize any marriage carried out overseas so for generations secular Israelis and interfaith couples have taken vacations to nearby Cyprus to get married and in the 21st century Zoom weddings were recognized leading to a boom of gay marriages by Zoom officiated from Utah of all places

[orthodoxydaily]

SAINTS&READING: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

august 31_september 13

THE PLACING OF THE BELT ( Sash) OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS (395-408)

The Placing of the Venerable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos in a church of Constantinople’s Chalcoprateia district took place during the reign of the emperor Theodosius the Younger. Before this the holy relic, entrusted to the Apostle Thomas by the Mother of God Herself, was kept by pious Christians at Jerusalem after Her Dormition. During the reign of Emperor Leo the Wise (886-911), his wife Zoe was afllicted with an unclean spirit, and he prayed that God would heal her.

The empress had a vision that she would be healed of her infirmity if the Belt of the Mother of God were placed upon her. The emperor then asked the Patriarch to open the coffer. The Patriarch removed the seal and opened the coffer in which the relic was kept, and the Belt of the Mother of God appeared completely whole and undamaged by time. The Patriarch placed the Belt on the sick empress, and immediately she was freed from her infirmity. They sang hymns of thanksgiving to the Most Holy Theotokos, then they placed the venerable Belt back into the coffer and resealed it.

The Feast of the Placing of the Venerable Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos was established to commemorate the miraculous occurrence and the twofold placement of the venerable Belt. Parts of the holy Belt are in the Vatopedi monastery on Mt. Athos, the Trier monastery, and Georgia.

SAINT CUTHBURGA, ABESSE OF WIMBORNE (England_725)

St. Cuthburga was the daughter of Prince Coenred, a second-cousin of Caedwalla, King of Wessex. Her brothers were St. Ine, King of Wessex and Ingild, great-great-grandfather of Egbert, the first King of the English, and direct ancestor of Alfred the Great. Her sisters were St. Cwenburga, Edburga and Tata. Caedwalla became a Christian, in AD 688, and went to Rome to be baptised, resigning the throne to Ine. Cuthburga married Aldfrith, King of Northumbria. He was the illegitimate son of Oswiu, King of Northumbria, and was educated among the monks of Iona. He was learned in the Scriptures and was a great friend of SS. Adomnan and Benedict Biscop. They were the parents of Osred, King of Northumbria, and probably of St. Osana.

Aldfrith and Cuthburga eventually separated for religious motives. Cuthburga took the veil with her sister, St. Cwenburga, at Barking. This nunnery was famous for the zeal of the nuns in the study of sacred and classic literature; and together they became pupils of St. Hildelith, the second abbess. Ine, now King of Wessex, saw that his sisters had devoted themselves to the service of God and was impressed. Desiring to build a church for the good of his soul and the advantage of his people, he had a double monastery erected, between AD 700 and 705, for Cuthburga, at Wimborne in Dorset, near his own residence. Cuthburga was its first abbess. Cwenburga was a nun there with her.

The divided enclosure at Wimborne was rigorously enforced by Cuthburga and not even prelates were allowed into the nuns' quarters. The saintly lady communicated with them through a little hatch. She was kindly to the brethren and sisters under her care, but austere to herself and assiduous in fasting and prayer. Her nunnery soon became the dominant of the two communities and was even more famous than Barking as a training-school for learned and active women. It was from here, in the next generation, that SS. Lioba, Walburga and others, at the call of St. Boniface, joined the great English apostle of Germany and helped in his grand mission. She died at Wimborne on 31st August AD 725 and, when the abbey was destroyed by the Danes about the year AD 900 and afterwards restored, it was dedicated anew in the name of St. Cuthburga and given over to secular canons. St. Cuthburga's chest, hollowed from a single piece of oak, was supposed to have survived the devastation and it is still pointed out in the North Aisle of the Minster. Her burial-place is said to be under the wall of the chancel.

2 Corinthians 7:10-16

10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you. 13 Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true. 15 And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. 16 Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.

Mark 2:18-22

18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" 19 And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.

[readyforevolution]

What do you think happened to a minister who preached “God is Black” right after the Civil War? After all, Amos 5:24 admonishes us to “let justice roll on like a river, righteous like a never-failing stream.” So how did this minster change the game for African Christians in the U.S.?

[barbucomedie]

Grave-Cover and Footstone from Winchester, England dated to the Early 11th Century on display in the Winchester City Museum in Winchester, England

The grave-cover and footstone is from a burial outside the east apse of the Old Minster in Winchester. It is made of Bembridge limestone from the Isle of Wight and is thought to have had a marker at the head of the grave as well.

Along the central axis of the stone there is a carved inscription in a single line. When in its original position the inscription ran from west to east and was to be read from the south side, that is, the text began at the head end of the grave.

The inscription, in Old English, translates as "+ Here lies Gunni the Earl's companion." The name shows Scandinavian influence and possibly marks the grave of one of King Cnut the Great's men or a member of the entourage of the powerful Earl Godwin of Wessex. Gunni was aged 45 or more at the time of his death in the 1020s or 1030s.

The footstone is corved with the Hand of God coming down from heaven holding the cross, a sure promise of resurrection. This would suggest that Gunni was a Christian or was at least buried as one.

Photographs taken by myself 2023

[thesynaxarium]

Today we also celebrate the Venerable Mildred of Thanet. Saint Mildred was an Anglian Princess and the daughter of King Merewald. At a young age, Mildred was sent by her mother to be educated by an abbess in France where many English women were trained to live a holy life. A relative of the abbess in France had approached her asking for Mildred’s hand in marriage. Despite the pleas of the abbess, Mildred exclaimed to her that she had come to her to be taught, not to be married. The unfortunate abbess threatened and physically abused the saint in order to persuade her into marriage. After much trouble, the abbess finally threw her into a red hot oven. After three hours, the abbess opened the oven door expecting to find ashes, however the holy Mildred came out without a single burn on her body and radiant as ever. Hearing of this miracle, the Christians of the area revered Mildred as a saint, however the abbess continued torturing her through beatings and even tore out a handful of her hair. Mildred was able to secretly send her mother a letter enclosing some of her torn out hair and her mother immediately sent ships to bring her back. Fearing that her evil deeds might become known, the abbess did not allow Mildred to leave, however she secretly escaped at night, taking with her her most prized possession – one of the nails from the Cross of Christ. Upon arriving back in England, as soon as Mildred stepped foot onto the stone on the shore, her footprint was miraculously engraved into the stone. This stone has been preserved and continues to be venerated, performing miracles for those who approach it with faith. Mildred joined her mother in her convent at Minster-in-Thanet and was tonsured a nun along with seventy other women, by the Holy Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury. Because of her gentleness, humility, and kindness, Mildred was chosen abbess of the monastery after the repose of her mother. One night while Mildred was praying in church, the devil came and blew out her candle, but an angel came and drove the devil away, re-lighting her candle for her. In 732AD, the Venerable Mildred reposed from a long term illness. (Continued) (at Thanet, Kent, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co2qPfILWOt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[theozgnomian]

Protect The Kids?

Pro-life my ass. I'm so beyond DONE placating Conservatives on anything. They bitch about LGBTQ, trans, and drag queens, yet every fvcking day, sometime multiple times a day, my news feed spits out "good Christian men", pastors, minsters, youth workers, deacons of the church, etc arrested for sodomizing children. There was a guy yesterday, a church worker, who was MANUFACTURING kiddiporn. The entire Republican Party, every Conservative alive, and ALL the Red States deserve to be beaten with a metaphorical baseball bat.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Today in Christian History

Today is Thursday, February 2nd, the 33rd day of 2023. There are 332 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

1650: Beheading of Jordan of Trebizond in Constantinople by Muslims after he had mocked their prophet and refused to convert to Islam when brought to trial.

1738: Young George Whitefield departs for Georgia, intending to become a permanent missionary to the American colony.

1784: Death in New Hampshire of Henry Alline, an American Free Will Baptist evangelist who had fostered growth of the “New Light” movement Canadian and New England churches.

1829: York Minster burns all day, set on fire by Jonathan Martin, a Methodist who had escaped from a lunatic asylum and hidden in the Cathedral when it was closed the night before. York Minster has caught fire at least four times.

1864: Death of hymnwriter Adelaide Anne Procter in London, England. Charles Dickens had published many of her verses and she had been a favorite of Queen Victoria.

1876: The first missionary to Brazil of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South), John James Ransom, arrives in Rio de Janeiro. He will serve in the state of São Paulo for ten years, founding churches, schools, and a publishing house—building a successful work that will thrive into the twenty-first century.

1900: Death in Pennsylvania of temperance leader Annie Wittenmeyer. She had been active in home missions, founded orphanages, edited Christian periodicals, written hymns, and authored several books. Among her significant roles was as the first president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union which grew to 1,000 chapters under her leadership.

1902: Macedonian rebels release Ellen Stone, an American missionary to Turkey from the Congregational Church. They had held her and an associate for five months demanding a large ransom. Friends and the American public raised the money.

1911: College teacher Eliza George of Texas has a vision of Africans passing before the judgment seat of Christ, weeping and moaning, “But no one ever told us You died for us.” Two years later she will leave her teaching position and establish a mission in Liberia.

1980: Tsehay Tolessa is arrested by Ethiopia’s Marxist Derg government because of her Christian work and because her pastor-theologian husband Gudina Tumsa is a target of the government. Tsehay will suffer terrible tortures in foul conditions until her release ten years later.

[90363462]

Girl Fuck you ! Your hatred of the lgbtqa+ community and drag queens in schools where children are more safer there than around perverted Christian minsters and Sunday school teachers has lead to what happened to five people in Colorado Springs, their blood is on your hands how DARE you , to hell with you , your thoughts and your prayers your ammosexual loving and protecting heartless biiiiitch

Twitter Puts Lauren Boebert Through Hell for Her LGBTQ Hypocrisy and Colorado Springs

Yet another LGBTQ club was specifically targeted for a mass shooting, and were it not for the extreme bravery of two patrons, the shooting could have been much worse. Here is the latest: According to Cox Media:

During a Sunday morning news conference, police identified the suspected shooter as Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22. Colorado Springs police Chief Adrian Vasquez said that when the suspect entered Club Q, he was confronted by two “heroic” patrons who stopped the shooter.

“We owe them a great debt,” Vasquez told reporters. Police said that the suspect used a “long rifle” and immediately began shooting when he entered the nightclub.

“Colorado Springs is once again in mourning,” Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said during the news conference. “This is a horrible crime.”

This is not the man’s first run-in with danger and violence, either – though it is the first directed at LGBTQ, from last year:

The Sheriff’s office said the situation began around 2 p.m. Friday afternoon when they responded to a report of a bomb threat in the 9800 block of Rubicon Dr. The reporting party said her son was threatening to hurt her with a homemade bomb, multiple weapons, and ammunition…

…According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the home and after further investigation realized the suspect, 21-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich was in the 6300 block of Pilgrimage Road, approximately one mile away from Rubicon Dr. Deputies contacted Aldrich by phone and he refused to comply with orders to surrender.

Meanwhile, Lauren Boebert, whose district adjoins Colorado Springs, tweeted:

The news out of Colorado Springs is absolutely awful. This morning the victims & their families are in my prayers. This lawless violence needs to end and end quickly. — Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) November 20, 2022

And that did it. The hypocrisy was just too much. Perhaps only MTG has been more hateful toward the LGBTQ community:

You never cared, you're part of the reason this happened. Save your prayers and pay for their funerals. pic.twitter.com/zZvdEo8mx8 — Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club (@EFJBGC) November 20, 2022

https://t.co/fQlZz48jijpic.twitter.com/HBhp8IuREN — David Mack (@davidmackau) November 20, 2022

Take your *prayers* and shove them up your ass, you hateful, gun-fetishizing, homophobic bigot. This horrific tragedy lies squarely with you, due to both your words and actions. — Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) November 20, 2022

https://t.co/fQlZz48jijpic.twitter.com/jdnUHG2Y1v — David Mack (@davidmackau) November 20, 2022

Don't you dare try to 'thoughts and prayers' your way around the Colorado Springs shooting.  You stoke hate for a living. https://t.co/Gd6OhvCp9I — Dave Fleet (@davefleet) November 21, 2022

You are to blame. LGBT+ people like me are less safe in this country because of the rhetoric and hate spewed by people like you. Keep your thoughts and prayers. — Curtis Crimmins (@CurtisCrimmins) November 20, 2022

You encouraged this. You are the hate that leads to violence. pic.twitter.com/aZnBg3KBVw — Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) November 20, 2022

So are you going to stop demonizing the LGBTQ community, or no? — John Iadarola (@johniadarola) November 20, 2022

.@laurenboebert you have played a major role in elevating anti-LGBT+ hate rhetoric and anti-trans lies while spending your time in Congress blocking even the most common sense gun safety laws. You don’t get to “thoughts and prayers” your way out of this. Look inward and change. https://t.co/mxt6wFMVEv — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 20, 2022

There were many many more.

Sent from my iPhone

[pulse-vibes-media]

York Minster North Yorkshire England | Beautiful historical landmark in ...

York Minster North Yorkshire England | Beautiful historical landmark in North Yorkshire England York Minster is one of the largest and most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Europe, located in the heart of York, England. Its stunning architecture, magnificent stained glass windows, and rich history make it a must-see for visitors. Did you know that the Minster has stood for centuries as a center of Christianity in the North of England? What's your favorite feature of this majestic cathedral? 🎥 Visit our YouTube channel to see more! 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC79oPmcGmZt6YyttMWWA-HA #YorkMinster #GothicArchitecture #YorkCathedral #YorkEngland #HistoricLandmarks #MedievalChurches #YorkMinsterFacts #StainedGlassWindows #YorkshireHeritage #ChristianityInYork #PulseVibesMedia #CathedralsOfTheWorld #YorkMinsterHistory #YorkMinsterUK #DiscoverYork #YorkshireTourism #UKLandmarks #HistoricBuildings #UNESCOWorldHeritage #YorkMinsterhistory

[pooma-bible]

Greetings in the matchless Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Second John: DIVISION 02: Part 03 – The Warning Against Deceivers and False Teachers!

Rhema Word: 2 John 1:7-8 (NKJV) “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.”

Let us pray. Our Gracious Loving Father, thank You for giving us an opportunity to meditate Your Word today along with Your children who have been called to live a holy life, Father. I commit everyone who are all meditating this message into Your mighty hand Father. Bless them and give them the oneness of Spirit and make their heart as a good land to receive each Word which is living and active Father. Thank You Holy Spirit for helping us to understand the in-depth treasure of Your Word and helping us to live a life as per Your Word Lord. We give all the Glory and Honour to You only Father. We pray in the mighty Name of Your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Introduction: To Whom Written:

To the chosen lady. Is the “chosen lady” and individual who was very dear to apostle John, or is she a church who is symbolically referred to as the “chosen lady”? Opinions vary. Either conclusion does not affect the message. However, when all the facts are considered, the evidence points heavily toward the chosen lady being a very precious lady who loved the Lord with all her heart. Remember: there were no church buildings in that day. The church met in the homes of faithful believers who has homes large enough to handle the crowd. There is a good possibility that the church met in this dear lady’s home.

Purpose of this Letter:

Apostle John’s purpose for writing the letter was twofold:

(i) To exhort the lady to love all believers no matter what they did. Apparently, she had taken a stand for Christ against false teachers, and some in the church were criticizing, back-biting, and turning against her. She needed to love them despite their rotten and ungodly behaviour.

(ii) To exhort the lady to continue to stand against false teachers and not to let them into her home. The church was probably meeting in her home; therefore, the importance of refusing hospitality to false teachers could not be overstressed.

Special Features of Epistle Second John:

(a) Second John is “A General Epistle”. That is, it is not written to a specific church. It is a highly personal letter written from the heart of a tender pastor who deeply loves this dear lady in the Lord.

(b) It is “An Epistle Governing Traveling Ministers such as Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, and Missionaries”. After the apostles died off, a clash arose over the ministers of local churches and the traveling minsters. There were some false ministers who had begun to fill the pulpits of the local churches and others who had begun to travel about taking advantage of the Christians who were kind enough to provide them food and lodging during their ministry and stay. Because of this abuse, some within the churches arose and began to oppose all traveling ministers (Diotrephes of 3 John 1:9 is an example of this). John writes the chosen lady to warn her of false teachers. But on the other hand, he writes Gaius to encourage him to receive the true prophets (3 John). 3 John shows that the conflict had become so heated that Diotrephes was even trying to have church member expelled if they accepted the traveling minster.

(c) 2 John is “An Epistle Combating False Teachers and Their Doctrinal Errors”.

We have been meditating Second John on the following three topics since last two weeks:

Second John: DIVISION 02: Part 01 – Greeting: The Elect or Chosen Lady!

Second John: DIVISION 02: Part 02 – The Commandment of Love!

Second John: DIVISION 02: Part 03 – The Warning Against Deceivers and False Teachers!

One of the greatest problems faced by believers is false teaching. False teaching abounds everywhere. No matter which direction we turn, there are deceivers and impostors who go by the name of Christian, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; yet they are anything but followers of Him. But their teaching is so insidious, and it contains enough of the truth that millions are ensnared by their seduction. This is the importance of this passage: it is a warning against deceivers or false teachers.

We have meditated the First topics in last two weeks. Let us try to meditate the Third topic “Second John: DIVISION 02: Part 03 – The Warning Against Deceivers and False Teachers” today, on the following with the help of our Holy Spirit:

(01) Guard Against Deceivers:

(02) Watch Yourself: Do Not Lose The Things Already Worked in You – Receive a Full Reward:

(03) Do Not Go Too Far: Stay In The Teaching of Christ – Prove Your Salvation:

(04) Do Not Receive a Deceiver: Do Not Compromise: Guard Your Testimony:

(05) Conclusion: Much Exhortation Is Needed:

(01) Guard Against Deceivers:

The Bible says in 2 John 1:7 “For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

First, guard against deceivers. A deceiver is an impostor, a person who claims to be a follower of Christ, but he is not – not really. He does not live like Christ taught us to live, and he does not believe the truth about Christ. He lives and teaches something entirely different than what Christ lived and taught. Note three significant facts:

(i) There are many deceivers in the world. There were many in the days of John and the elect lady, and there have been many ever since. Deceivers are in every area of society – in our factories and plants, schools and universities, clubs and recreational halls, offices, and businesses, and even in our churches and religious societies.

Some are businessmen; others are employees. Some are teachers; others are students. Some are Ministers; others are laymen. Deceivers are everywhere, impostors who claim to be Christian, but they do not live for Christ nor do they believe what Christ taught. By their lives and by their beliefs and teachings, they deceive people. Through everyday conversation and sharing and from the teaching positions of the world, they ensnare people in the net of their false beliefs.

(ii) Note who a deceiver is: he is a person who denies that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. That is, he denies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

=> He denies the deity of Jesus Christ: that He is the Son of God who came out of (ek) heaven, out from the spiritual world and dimension into this world, who came through the womb of a virgin as the God-Man to save the world.

=> He denies that Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God who lived a perfect and righteous life and thereby secured the ideal and perfect righteousness for man.

=> He denies the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ: that He died as the sacrifice for man’s sins and that He arose from the dead to conquer death for man.

=> He denies the Lordship of Jesus Christ: that He is truly the Son of God seated at the right hand of God as the Lord and God of the universe.

=> He denies the return of Jesus Christ to earth: that He is coming again to execute judgement upon the earth.

Any person can be a deceiver. No matter who we are, if we do not believe that God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, has come in the flesh, then we deceive people and mislead them. We ensnare them into the false belief and doom them to be separated from God forever. How? By teaching them that they can be good enough on their own to become acceptable to God; that they can do enough good and be religious enough to make God accept them. But this is false teaching, for God is perfect and He can accept only perfection. No person is perfect; therefore, all persons are doomed if they present only their own goodness to God. Their goodness is not perfection. We have all committed some sins, and we are all short of God’s glory. We all stand guilty before God. Therefore, there has to be a perfect sacrifice for our sins. This is the glorious news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He came to earth to live a sinless life and to become the Perfect and Ideal Man. This He did so that He could be the perfect and ideal sacrifice for our sins. Jesus Christ has taken our sins upon Himself and borne the punishment for them. Therefore, sin is taken care of. Sin can be removed from us, and God can accept us in Christ as sinless and perfect.

This is the point: this is the reason that God had to send His Son into the world. If we deny Jesus Christ, if we do not trust Jesus Christ as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, then we are doomed – doomed because we still bear our sins. And God cannot allow a single sinner to contaminate and dirty the perfection of heaven. Yes, sin has to be removed before God can ever accept us and allow us to live in His presence.

Therefore, any person who denies that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is a deceiver. He is denying what God has done. And most tragic of all: he leads other people astray.

Note one other fact about this verse of Scripture. The words “Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh” is in the present tense. That is, the deceiver denies that God or the Son of God could ever come to earth:

=> He denies that God’s Son came the first time; denies that Jesus the carpenter was the Son of God.

=> He denies that the Son of God is ever coming; denies a second coming or any other coming of the Son of God to earth.

The deceiver just does not believe that God could or would ever come to earth. He does not believe that God become a man, or else that He ever would become a man. And if God could come to earth, the deceiver sees no need for such an act – for to him man is capable of becoming good enough to secure God’s approval and acceptance on his own.

(iii) Note that the deceiver is called an antichrist; that is, he is a forerunner of the antichrist (1 John 2:18).

Lesson: The warning has been sounded. We must guard against deceivers and false teachers.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 7:15-23 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 1 Timothy 1:7; 4:1-2 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” … “Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.” … “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.”

Apostle further says in 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.” … “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.”

Apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”

The Bible says in Jeremiah 6:13; 23:11; 50:6 “Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.” … “For both prophet and priest are profane; Yes, in My house I have found their wickedness,” says the Lord.” … “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray; They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill; They have forgotten their resting place.”

The Bible further says in Ezekiel 33:6 “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’”

(02) Watch Yourself: Do Not Lose The Things Already Worked in You – Receive a Full Reward:

The Bible says in 2 John 1:8 “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.”

Second, watch yourself so that you will receive a full reward. Remember: John is writing to a dear mother and her children. False teaching was so rampant that the family unit itself needed to be on guard. The family needed to consider what teachers they were listening to and sitting under. Note why: lest they lose the reward for the good warks they had already worked. Believers are to be rewarded for their good works, for their labour for Christ. But there is danger that they can lose their reward. What is that danger? Heeding false teaching. If we heed false teaching, we will lose our reward.

Lesson: No matter how much charisma a teacher may have, no matter how much we may like him, no matter how persuasive may be – we must not listen to him, not if he is denying that God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, has come to earth as a Man. If we are led astray, we will lose our reward.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

The Bible says in Psalms 62:12; Jeremiah 17:10; Revelation 20:12; 22:12 “Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.” … “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” … “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” … “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.”

(03) Do Not Go Too Far: Stay In The Teaching of Christ – Prove Your Salvation:

The Bible says in 2 John 1:9 “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”

Third, continue in the teaching of Christ. The person who does not continue in the teachings of Christ does not have or possess God. The Greek words are “pas ho proagon”. They mean to transgress against God by going too far, by trying to move out ahead of Christ. There are many teachers, ministers, and laymen alike, who would like to be progressive and creative, to come up with a novel idea, to make some advancement in thought. They want people to recognize and approve them; therefore, they try to impress people. In so doing, they go beyond Christ and what He taught. They twist or branch off from the teachings of Christ. John warns against this: if a person does not stay in the teachings of Christ, then he does not have God. He is not saved; he is not truly born of God. The only person who is born of God is the person who stays in the teachings of Christ. This does not mean that believers are not to be creative and thoughtful. It means that we must not move out beyond Christ and what He taught.

Lesson: Note: It is the teachings of Christ that we are to follow, not teaching about Christ. Yes, our standard is to be Christ. We must be progressive and seek after progress, but it should be toward Christ, not away from Him. What are the teachings of Christ? The following verses give us the teaching of Christ:

The Bible says in John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in John 3:14-16; 5:23; 6:35; 6:64-68 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” … “That all should honour the Son just as they honour the Father. He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent Him.” … “And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” … “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in John 7:16-17; 15:23; 17:3; 20:30-31 “Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” … “He who hates Me hates My Father also.” … “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” … “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

(04) Do Not Receive a Deceiver: Do Not Compromise: Guard Your Testimony:

The Bible says in 2 John 1:10-11 “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”

Fourth, do not receive a deceiver or false teacher nor wish him well. Remember: most churches of that day and time met in the homes of prominent members. It is likely that the church was meeting in the home of this dear lady and her children. If not, then she had apparently refused to provide room and board or to welcome some false teachers into her home. The charge is strong, and its meaning is perfectly clear. False teachers are not to be allowed in the church nor in our homes. There is no greater danger to a church or a home than the threat of false teachers. False teachers doom the souls of people, shut them off from Christ. And any person who is shut off from Christ is not acceptable to God. Therefore, the church and the members of our families must be protected at all costs from false teachers. Note: we are not to encourage the false teacher at all; not to welcome him. If we encourage him, God counts us as a participant in his evil deeds. This means, of course, that we do not support deceivers and false teachers…

=> by allowing them to be around our children or young people;

=> by allowing them to be around believers where they can share their ideas;

=> by allowing them to teach in our churches;

=> by attending their meetings;

=> by supporting them financially;

=> by showing any encouragement whatsoever to them.

Any person who denies Jesus Christ is the most dangerous person alive, for he can doom our children and loved ones and even doom us. Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and God loves His Son with a divine jealousy and vengeance over how men treat Him. No matter what we may feel or think, God is both loving and just, and His justice must be executed the same as His love has been demonstrated. The point is this: God’s justice stands more against those who teach that Jesus Christ is not His Son that against anyone else.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 7:6, 15-23 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” … “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18; Galatians 1:6-9; Ephesians 5:11 “Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.” … “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” … “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

(05) Conclusion: Much Exhortation Is Needed:

The Bible says in 2 John 1:12-13 “Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.”

Much exhortation is needed by believers. John had much that needed to be said to this dear lady and her children. But it would be better to say it to them face to face. Therefore, John planned a trip to visit her and the other believers in the area.

Lesson: Note how important the gospel is even for believers – so important that John would plan a special trip to share the glorious teachings of Jesus Christ. And remember john was already an elderly man.

Note that the elect or chosen lady had a sister. The final words are greetings from the children of the sister. This is significant: it shows how the gospel had spread throughout the whole family. First one sister was reached for Christ, then the other sister, and then, the children of both families. When we surrender our lives for Jesus Christ, our duty is to do all we can to reach our families for Christ, all our brothers and sisters and their families.

The Bible says in Acts 4:20; 22:15 “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” … “For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.”

Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:13; 2 Timothy 1:8; 2:2; Titus 2:15 “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak.” … “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.” … “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” … “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”

Apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

Let us introspect ourselves.

Shall we be cautious in identifying the false teacher or the deceiver who denies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and guard ourselves against them?

Shall we be cautious about the people who deny the deity of Jesus Christ, deny that Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God who lived a perfect and righteous life, deny the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the return of Jesus Christ to execute judgement upon the earth?

Shall we be watchful as heeding false teaching would lead to losing our reward which we will be receiving for our labour for Christ from God?

Shall we submit ourselves to continue in the teachings of Christ?

Let us Pray: Our Heavenly Gracious Father, we thank You for helping us to understand about “Second John: DIVISION 02: Part 03 – The Warning Against Deceivers and False Teachers, today, Father. Father, please help us to be cautious in identifying the false teacher or the deceiver who denies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and guard ourselves against them, be cautious about the people who deny the deity of Jesus Christ, who deny that Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God, who deny the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the return of Jesus Christ to execute judgement upon the earth, Father. Father, please help us to be watchful as heeding false teaching would lead to losing our reward which we will be receiving for our labour for Your beloved Son Jesus Christ from Your Father. Father, please help us to submit ourselves to continue in the teachings of Your beloved Son Jesus Christ. We thank You Father for filling us with Your joy, peace, and hope, for accepting us when we approach You through Your beloved Son Jesus Christ besides being merciful on us and loving us so much and predestined us to receive Your promise of glory through Your beloved Son Jesus Christ, Father. We give all praise, glory, and honour to Your Holy Name. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God bless you all.

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Christian Leaders Call on UK Government to Recognize Armenian Genocide

LONDON – Christian leaders in Britain have asked the UK Government to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915. In a letter to Prime Minster Rishi Sunak, Church heads said such an official recognition is not merely symbolic “but serves as a powerful statement against atrocities and a step toward preventing future acts of genocide.” The head writer of the document was Armenian Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, but it included several Orthodox and Anglican bishops, as well as a Catholic member of the House of Lords. The letter reads: Dear Prime Minister, I am writing to you on the occasion of…