General Articles

It’s All About Jesus :: By Jonathan Brentner

Published on: by RR7

Did you hear about Taylor Swift’s recent declaration regarding her Christian faith? Despite her wholehearted support of the LBGTQ and pro-abortion agendas, she says her beliefs represent authentic Christianity.

Pete Buttigieg also claims the mantle of the “true Christian faith.”  His version of biblical Christianity allows him to marry another man, affirm transsexuality, and promote abortion all the way through birth including the moments after birth. His supporters accuse us of “weaponizing the Bible” because we do not agree with his radical and unbiblical assertions.

A pastor in Scotland recently stated that Franklin Graham “does not represent Christianity” because of his views regarding the LBGTQ movement.

Joel Osteen espouses yet another deviant form of Christianity. The title of one of his bestselling books, Your Best Life Now, sums up the approach of his “health and wealth” ministry. Yes, God does bless us in this life. Osteen, however, emphasizes the enjoyment of this quickly passing life over the saving message of the Gospel and Jesus’ promise of eternal life.

Chelsen Vicari wrote an interesting article on the Charisma News website titled, “How the New Christian Left Is Twisting the Gospel.” The part that intrigued me the most was the responses she received from quizzing a Sunday school class about Jesus. Everyone agreed that Jesus was God and lived a sinless life, but still believed he was just one of many ways to heaven. Many millennials today who identify as Christians go a step further and say that Jesus’ death on the cross is simply an example to follow.

What do all these varying views of Christianity have in common (and there are many more)? First, they ignore God’s Word in shaping their beliefs and moral judgments.

Second, they deny the validity of Jesus’ words in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” When moderns attempt to construct their version of Christianity, without exception they reject the truths of this verse.

When we look at the current direction of history, we conclude it’s all about Israel. As for genuine Christian faith, Scripture tells us it’s all about Jesus.

Jesus Is the Only Way of Salvation

In Acts 4:12, the apostle Peter repeated the exclusive claim of Jesus regarding salvation, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus is the only way to eternal life.

Way back in the Garden of Eden, God promised to send the “seed” of a woman who would defeat Satan and, with that, redeem humanity (Gen. 3:15). Way back in Genesis, the Lord had in mind one Person who would eventually be the one path of salvation for the entire human race. We see this in numerous places throughout the Old Testament as it pointed to Jesus as the one and final atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Is this not the message of John 3:16? Many who quote this verse miss its main point: it’s those who believe in Jesus that do “not perish but have eternal life.” Salvation comes through faith in Jesus; He alone died for our sins. Jesus is the only path to the Father and eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 excludes good works from having any part of our salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Jesus alone saves; good works result from the Holy Spirit’s regenerating work inside us at the moment of salvation. Good deeds cannot save us; they result from our salvation.

Jesus said this in John 6:40, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” The same apostle who recorded those words of Jesus also wrote, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12).

Once people depart from the simple saving message of the Gospel centered in Jesus, it does not matter what they claim. They all miss the beauty of resting in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life. What or whom do you trust for salvation? Is your faith in Jesus and nothing else?

Jesus Is the Truth

What puzzles me the most about many modern approaches to Christianity is that, although they elevate Jesus as the central person of their faith, they do not believe His words. Many agree that He is God yet they reject His claim in John 14:6. How can Jesus be God and yet be wrong about His identity or the definition of marriage? It’s impossible.

I believe all of Jesus’ words and claims, first of all because of His resurrection. The empty tomb is an established historical fact; as a result all theories that dispute the resurrection begin with an attempt to explain missing the body. Jesus predicted both His death and the timing of His resurrection. For me, His empty grave verifies everything the Lord said about Himself, the Father, eternal life, and a host of other matters that pertain to this life and eternity.

In saying this, I do not want to discount the ministry of the Holy Spirit who also continually bears witness inside me that Jesus represents truth; He is who He claimed to be: God in the flesh. As the almighty God, His Words represent truth, which He is more than able to preserve and communicate to us through the written words of Scripture.

Why does all this matter? Those who claim that homosexual relations fit with the teachings of Jesus worship a much different Jesus than the One revealed in the Bible. In Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus not only confirmed that marriage consists of one male and one female, but also verified God’s creation of two sexes, no more, no less; Jesus’ words here. His continuing revelation to us through His apostles dramatically contradicts the popular yet false views of Christianity.

Furthermore, Scripture clearly tells us that human life begins at conception; abortion is murder. God is the source of all human life; the horrific and vile destruction of life in the womb in no way coincides with a belief in the Jesus as revealed throughout the pages of God’s Word.

Jesus Is the Life

Jesus is our life both now and forever. This current life can end in a heartbeat. Tragedy can strike us when we least expect it. That’s why it’s so foolish to place all our hope in outcomes that are temporal at best. Even with the best of circumstances, this life passes by so quickly.

Jesus remains our life no matter what happens on this earth; and someday, hopefully soon, He is coming to take us home to His Father’s house in heaven (John 14:2-3). As followers of my blog know, I love writing about our eternal hope and the firm biblical basis for it.

I do not claim to have all the answers, but my study of Scripture over many decades has convinced me that the Lord is coming for His church before the tribulation, and He will return with us after this time of wrath on the earth to a repentant Israel who will greet Him with the words, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:35). Amen!

Besides the false view of Christ, a key problem with the modern and errant views of Christianity is that they fail to look beyond this life. They reject Jesus’ clear repeated teachings about hell. They regard Him as a great teacher and yet they disagree with so much of what He taught concerning His return to earth, His future kingdom on earth centered in Jerusalem, and eternity.

In short, these self-appointed authorities on “authentic Christianity” look for life exclusively through earthly pursuits. Rather than worship Jesus as He is revealed in Scripture, they use Him to suit their fleeting temporal purposes. They claim a Christian identity while at the same time they deny the life-giving message of Christ that extends into forever.

From Genesis 1 through Revelation 22, the message remains the same: it’s all about Jesus.

Jesus is only way of salvation; all other paths lead to eternal torment. Yes, it is very much an exclusive claim, but He’s the only path that ends in life.

Jesus is truth. We can trust His words in an age where everyone creates and worships the Jesus or the god of their own making. Apart from the standard of Scripture, who can say whose is right and who is wrong? If the modern views of Christianity have one thing in common, it’s a denial that Jesus is truth.

Jesus is life. Those who trust Him inherit eternal life at the moment of salvation and remain secure in Him until the day He calls us home.

We cannot divorce Jesus from His revelation to us in Scripture; to do so leads to death. The Lord warns us against doing exactly that: “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).

Please notice the close connection Jesus made with Himself and His words: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). Is it any wonder that the apostle John began his gospel account identifying Jesus as simply the Word?

Jonathan Brentner

Website: Our Journey Home

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E-mail: Jonathanbrentner@yahoo.com

The Deal of The Century :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: by RR7

This article expresses my understanding on Pres. Trump’s proposed “Deal of the Century” (new name is “Peace to Prosperity”) because it is so important.

One, “Peace to Prosperity” is a proposal to be negotiated, not a final treaty (meaning there will likely be additions, deletions and changes to the document; perhaps, but not necessarily, some type of 7-year requirement).

Two, “Peace to Prosperity” is very much about the peace and safety of Israel and the prosperity of the Palestinians (gives control of all military forces, air space, borders, etc. to Israel).

Three, it enlarges and moves Israel one step closer to the borders that God established (but is still far short of what God gave to Israel).

Four, it recognizes Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel. (It rejects the PA claim to Jerusalem, makes Jerusalem a cup of trembling and burdensome stone for the world, but Israel will eventually get Jerusalem and this proposal says Jerusalem belongs to Israel.)

Five, it calls for a two-state solution on the Promised Land that will clearly divide the Land of Israel, but it requires the Palestinians to meet conditions that they say they will never accept. (There won’t be two states unless the Palestinians reach an agreement with Israel, but it will divide Israel, further divide the U.S. and eventually bring on the Battle of Armageddon, if they establish two states.)

Six, among other things, to become a Palestinian state, the PA will be required to:

  • Recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish nation.
  • Root out and get rid of the terrorists in PA-controlled areas.
  • Stop paying terrorists to kill Israelis.
  • Allow freedom of speech in PA-controlled areas.
  • Abandon the “right of return” for millions of Palestinians.
  • Abandon the PA demand for their own military.
  • Accept Israeli responsibility for the national security of both states.
  • Abandon the PA claims to the Jordan River Valley.
  • Accept Jewish sovereignty over Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.

Seven, among other things, the PA will receive:

  • A Palestinian state.
  • Their own government with limited sovereignty.
  • A capital near the new U.S. embassy in a protected suburb of East Jerusalem called Abu Dis.
  • Approximately twice as much of the Promised Land as they now occupy.
  • A $50 billion financial aid package to create one million good jobs in 10 years (upgrade their electric, water and waste treatment facilities; build new hospitals, health clinics, schools, tourist sites, etc.).
  • Corridors (tunnels, bridges, etc.) to connect PA areas in the Promised Land.

Eight, Israel must halt new settlement construction for four years, but Israel is free to start annexing existing settlements in Judea and Samaria as soon as Israel accepts the proposal. (The tender nation of Israel can put forth leaves immediately.)

Nine, the PA must negotiate a deal within four years or this offer will be withdrawn and it could be the last chance for the PA to have a Palestinian state. (Some Jews and Christians think the PA refusal to negotiate is a good thing. No agreement means no division of the Promised Land under the “Deal of the Century.”)

Ten, the U.S. and Israel will sign an agreement that says a military attack on Israel will be considered to be a military attack on the U.S. (This goes to the heart of peace and safety issue.)

Eleven, Jordan will retain responsibility for the Temple Mount, but the U.S. is asking Jordan to open all Holy Sites to all faiths. (Jordan fears that this will open the door for a rebuilt Temple, and some Christian prophecy teachers believe a rebuilt Temple will be allowed by the covenant that the Antichrist will confirm.)

Twelve, some Israelis and Christians are responding negatively to this proposal because God warned the world not to divide the land of Israel, but others say God gave Israel the Golan Heights, then East Jerusalem, now the Jordan River Valley, most of Judea and Samaria, etc. (They are rejoicing and praising God because they believe He is returning the land to the Jews in parcels—this parcel is the Biblical heartland of Israel—and God will eventually give Israel all of the land that He promised. If He wants to do it in steps, so be it. It is fulfilling Bible prophecy.)

Thirteen, Prime Min. Netanyahu and his opponent in the upcoming Mar. 2, 2020, Israeli election, Benny Gantz, are very positive about Pres. Trump’s proposal, and both are anxious to start implementing it. (Israel must officially accept it first.)

Fourteen, the PA, Turkey, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah quickly rejected the plan. (These are nations and groups that will go to war with Israel in the latter years and latter days. We are seeing wars and rumors of wars, not peace and safety.)

The Ayatollah Khamenei said “Jerusalem must not remain in the hands of the Jews,” and he will “seek to unite other nations to confront the great conspiracy.”

Fifteen, ambassadors from 3 Arab nations attended the public release of the “Deal of the Century,” 4 Arab nations immediately welcomed Pres. Trump’s proposal and expressed support for all efforts to reach a deal that is fair to the Palestinians. (They have also urged the PA to return to the negotiating table.)

Sixteen, some Palestinians living in areas designated for transfer to a PA state are objecting to the transfer and expressed a desire to remain under Israeli control.

Seventeen, PA Chairman Abbas angrily requested an emergency meeting with the Arab League; there was division over the issue, but, as a whole, the group called Pres. Trump’s proposal unfair to the Palestinians, and they rejected it. (This could be a good thing if it delays the division of Israel.)

Joel Rosenberg wrote that sources in Arab countries tell him the Arabs are upset with Trump’s proposal, but they are also upset with Abbas and his rejection of every effort to settle the issue. (They want this to lead to an agreement.)

They may even seek a way to establish peace with Israel that does not include Mr. Abbas and the PA. (The angel Gabriel said the covenant will be with many, but he didn’t say the covenant will include the PA.)

In conclusion, the “Deal of the Century” may go nowhere, but it may trigger prophetic wars, quickly expand the borders of Israel, increase the security and prosperity of Israel, restart the peace negotiations and eventually lead to a covenant that will allow a rebuilt Temple.

One writer (Israel Kasnett, Jan. 29, 2020, JNS) said the “Deal of the Century” is:

  • The first time in history that the U.S. put Israel’s concerns above Palestinian concerns (peace and safety of Israel).
  • The first time the U.S. said the 1949 or 1967 lines are no longer valid and Israel does not have to return to those lines (expands the borders of Israel).
  • The first time the U.S. presented a map (contradicts the covenant God made with Abraham, etc.).
  • The first time the U.S. said the settlements are not illegal, they are not an obstacle to peace, and Israel does not have to evacuate any of them.
  • The first time the U.S. said that Israel has a legal and historical right to Judea and Samaria. (There will be Jews in Judea when the Abomination of Desolation defiles the Holy Place.)
  • The first time the U.S. said that Israel can declare sovereignty over the settlements.
  • The first time the U.S. said Israel can declare sovereignty over the Jordan Valley.

The “Deal of the Century” is unlike any previous proposal.

It does not give Israel everything God requires, but it is falling in line with what the Bible says will happen; and if it is not a major step toward the fulfillment of God’s Word, I am badly fooled.

All praise, glory and honor to God the Father, and to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit.

They are amazing and their Word is amazing.

Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com