The following is the Introduction and Chapter I of [Bittersweet Refinements]. Since each part is connected to the rest, it would do you well to keep reading.
A Warning Of Sorts
And the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard again speaking with me, and saying, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.” And I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said to me, “Take it, and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” And I took the book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was in my mouth sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. And they said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.” [Revelation 10:8-11 NAS]
Be forewarned that there is much about what I have been given to say that the more devoutly religious will undoubtedly find quite bitter. For it is meant to help refine what was started with the Reformation, and it calls into question many of the things that far too many want to have great faith in.
Nonetheless, be assured that there is also much about what I have been given to say that those who hunger for something more will find oh so very sweet. For it is also meant to help clear up much of the confusion that now exists concerning our Heavenly Father and the righteousness of all of His most awesome ways, and it provides answers to many questions, especially in regards to what this world and our existence is really all about.
In other words, this is meant to help clear away much of the “stuff” that makes it impossible to truly have a very close and personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. For what He actually says is absolutely true about Himself and the righteousness of all of His most awesome ways is quite contrary to what far too many have been led to believe.
No, this is not meant for everyone at this time. For it all depends upon what our Heavenly Father wants to accomplish in and through someone that determines when, and to what extent, He will allow and enable them to enter into His absolute Truth.
It is meant for a great many more than will be willing to accept it, however. For there is a big difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing them, and the absolute truth of the matter truly is that most who openly profess to know our Heavenly Father well merely have a semblance of knowledge about Him.
Yes, it may all be just some more incoherent ranting and raving from another self-anointed apostle of Christ Jesus. For similar things have been said by others who will ultimately come to nothing.
On the other hand, does this not present you with a unique opportunity to serve even if that is true? For how can anyone honestly believe that they are being guided by the love of God if they could not care less about the spiritual welfare of someone so obviously deceived?
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” [Revelation 3:14-22 NAS]
In The Beginning
IN THE beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [Genesis 1:1 NIV]
No, it is not that there is a whole lot of confusion in the Christian community about where everything has come from. For aside from there being a few debates on just how He actually did certain things, there is little disagreement over our Heavenly Father truly being the Creator of all that exists apart from Himself[1].
It is a different story in regards to what happened in the days soon after He placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, however. For almost all of the doctrines of almost all of the major Christian denominations are based (in one way or another) upon the premise that our Heavenly Father’s great plan went terribly awry in paradise—especially in regards to sin entering into this world[2].
No, there are not many sermons to be found on the subject. That is, at least not expressed in as many words.
Nonetheless, what is implied should be all too painfully clear to those who have been given ears to hear[3]. For it has been widely taught that it is the result of sin entering into this world that much of what has happened down through the ages was never meant to be[4].
Shamefully, this even tarnishes the glory of the sacrifice that our Heavenly Father made for us. For if sin was never meant to enter into this world, the paying of the price in full that was required for our sins was just the partial righting of what had gone wrong in the Garden of Eden instead of something that He had planned on doing since long before He created us[5]! For there would have not been any price to pay if sin had of never entered into this world[6].
Yes, it is good that our Creator would want to clean up His own mess. That is, if there was one to clean up, of course[7].
On the other hand, there is another little matter to consider. For if it was possible for things to go so very wrong before—who is to say that it could not happen again?
Subsequently, if it is possible for things to go wrong again—just how secure can eternity really be for any of us[8]? So, I would think that we would desperately want to believe everything truly has been in accordance to the plan that our Heavenly Father set into motion long before He created us[9].
Of course, we could just depend on ourselves to make the difference—right? For it is written: This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." [Jeremiah 17:5-10 NIV]
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I sat here for some time trying to put into words exactly what I was thinking and finally decided that it just wasn't clicking this morning.
ReplyDeleteI have felt like that many, many times, my dear Ann. Thanks for stopping by again!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend! I enjoy reading your posts and look forward to more :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by again, my dear Crystal!!! I have been hoping that you would weight in. Be assured that I greatly appreciate the encouragement, but even if you believe that I have lost my mind about something, I would also greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve further.
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