The Word Became Flesh

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Eternal Life Blog

The Lord Jesus, the only spiritual hope for mankind, existed before he was born of a virgin in Bethlehem. Astounding details about him are stated in John 1, which are a mind blow. The specifics there are definitely about him and revealed by comparing verses 1 and 14:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

victory in JesusThere should be no doubt about the deity of Christ, since Scripture confirms it. He is also the true God and eternal life. Also, we know that Jesus was not called Jesus before he came to earth. He was definitely called the Word and not Michael (as the Jehovah’s Witnesses think). He was given the name Jesus by Joseph, as the angel of the Lord told him to do, because he would save his people from their sins:

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” –which means, “God with us.” (Mat 1:20-23)

His earthly name Jesus (being changed from the Word) indicates his chief mission here, though there are nearly a dozen reasons why Jesus came to earth. As strange as it may sound to some, the Lord Jesus will also get another name change. It is a Bible mystery what that name will be, but that name will be written on the overcomers:

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. (Rev 3:12)

So the Word became flesh, died on the cross for our sins and rose again in a flesh and bone body (Lk. 24:39). He is now seated on the throne of God on the right side of the Father. He took on flesh at the incarnation and will forever have a body of flesh, but it is a glorified body unlike ours now. Do you know him? Do you have saving faith? Do you know the Biblical truth about eternal life?

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Catholic Sacred Tradition

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Eternal Life Blog

[BIBLE QUESTION] I’m 20 years old and a practicing Catholic. I read some of the things on your website and I felt inclined to contact you. First, I would like to commend your great effort in the search for Truth. Many people today do not want to hear the Truth as many people have forgotten God, believing themselves to be self-sufficient, too sinful to receive God’s mercy, etc. What struck me, however, as I read some of your articles, is that you used to be Catholic, but have now decided to leave the Church. I believe I read some references to you bowing to icons, praying to saints, Mary, etc. My question to you would be, what led you to believe that the Bible was the only source of God’s Word? While it is wonderful that you follow such a strict observance of God’s word as revealed in Sacred Scripture, I cannot find any reference within Scripture itself that claims that it is the only source of the Revelation of the Word of God. This is what I’d like to discuss, as it seems that you are an observer of Sola Scriptura….Peace of Christ be with you,
Rosary beads
[BIBLE ANSWER] As you probably know, the Roman Catholic church goes by two sources of authority: (1) The Bible and (2) what they call Sacred Tradition. The most serious problem in believing in both is the serious contradictions. For example, the Bible condemns the Rosary and its repetitious prayers in Mt. 6:6-8. That is how pagans pray and Jesus’ followers are commanded to NOT pray that way! (It is a sin to pray the Rosary.) Hence, both can’t be right! Either Mt. 6:6-8 is wrong (which is impossible since it is Jesus’ teaching) or the Rosary is wrong, which began around 1090! To compound the problem for Catholics, the Rosary actually declares Mary as “our life, sweetness and hope,” which also severely contradicts the Bible! (Jesus is our life, sweetness and hope.) Shockingly, the Roman Catholic church also says the Rosary is the epitome of the whole gospel (Catechism of the Catholic Church)! That is EXTREME error, which is sending people to hell. So with that alone, both the Bible and Catholic Tradition can’t be accurate. Moreover, the Bible teaches it alone is FINAL AUTHORITY:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16,17)

If one isn’t throughly equipped for every good work, then he isn’t a man of God! We are also told not to go beyond what is written (referring to the Scriptures) in 1 Cor. 4:6.

Finally, the Catholic church errs when it cites 2 Thess. 3:6 for Scriptural support of their many traditions, since they can NOT prove their traditions is what that Scripture is referring to when he used the word tradition. Also, what Paul referred to was consistent with his written teachings, which refutes Catholic traditions.

So it was the Biblical message itself and simple logic which helped me to know only the Bible is final authority. **MOST IMPORTANTLY, by going to the Bible alone, I was able to find eternal life and deliverance from my sin addictions, which you can too! Jesus is the one we are to trust and obey for salvation, which leaves NO ROOM for Mary, being a Catholic or the sacraments. Do you know about our important book for Catholics, “Is This The Mary Of The Bible?” (BTW, when I left Roman Catholicism I was only leaving a false religious system, not God. I found eternal life.)

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God Have Mercy On Me a Sinner

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Eternal Life Blog

Any Biblical prayer is worthy of close scrutiny, but the ones dealing with forgiveness are especially significant. Before the following one is examined, it must be noted that just praying words without the right heart attitude is futile. To find mercy, one must be humble, sincere and sorrowful for his sins! When these are combined God knows it and forgiveness results. The Lord Jesus taught:
pray for mercy

But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:13,14)

In Jesus’ teaching, there are only two people. One was very religious and the other was not. Contrary to what many might think, it was the one who was least religious who got forgiven, but it wasn’t automatic. That person humbled himself and sincerely went directly to God (without trying to go through a priest, a saint or Mary) for mercy because of his sins, which he knew he needed. The other person didn’t recognize his need for mercy. Consequently, it was only the one who met the conditions set by God for forgiveness and mercy who received such! He cried out to God for mercy and instantly received what he was after—mercy. To get such mercy from God is equated with forgiveness, but here it is called justification. That man went home forgiven and saved because of his sincere and humble prayer to God for mercy, according to Jesus. NOTE: That proves there were people saved before Jesus died on the cross, because that man certainly was! Jesus also cited two other examples: Zacchaeus (Lk. 19:9) and an unnamed sinful woman (Lk. 7:50). So people were saved before the cross, according to Jesus!

Finally, how some people, who claim to go by the Bible, can deny that a sincere prayer of repentance can result in salvation is amazing. Jesus clearly taught a heart felt prayer does result in salvation (Lk. 18:13,14) and such is also confirmed elsewhere (Lk. 23:42,43; Rom. 10:13).

God have mercy on me a sinner is the type prayer EVERYONE needs to humbly pray. I [Dan Corner] know it works because that is how my start with God, as a former Roman Catholic, began. Dear reader, if you haven’t prayed to God for his mercy as Jesus taught, don’t waste any more time. Forgiveness and eternal life can be yours, but you must go by the Scriptures.

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Our Lady of The Rockies

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Eternal Life Blog

our lady of the rockies
More than half a mile above Butte, Montana is a huge religious statue. In our so-called Christian country where false doctrine abounds, that 90 foot tall statue, finished in December 1985, is of Mary. It has been dubbed Our Lady of the Rockies by the authorities and is well lit up and visible at night through spotlights. Imagine living in the town of Butte and seeing that grieving statue up on the mountain, day and night! (Paul was grieved over the idols he saw in Athens, Acts 17:16)

Is it by coincidence that Our Lady of the Rockies is 90 feet high, the same height as the golden idol set up in Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 3:1)? Back in the days of the prophet Daniel, the king passed a new law regarding that idol:

As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. (Dan 3:5,6)

What a test of fidelity to God. It was physical life in idolatry or physical death in the king’s blazing furnace! Of all the many Jews there, only three ignored the king’s new law. They were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When the king asked about their behavior (or lack of behavior) regarding it, Christians get a super blessing:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Dan 3:16-18)

They were steadfast and unmovable. They were NOT going to commit idolatry even if they had to die in the king’s blazing furnace. Their winning attitude was that of an overcomer. They have been heros of the faith and role models for God’s people for thousands of years because of their unyielding faithfulness! Imagine being tested that way.

If we are the last generation, you will be similarly tested. It will be, commit idolatry and take the mark of the beast or get decapitated! To get your head cut off is how you overcome, and to extend your physical life is to be the sad loser and the one thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur (Rev. 14:9-12). That is how serious this is and shows the kind of price many paid to die with a pure heart (Mt. 5:8) before God.

In spite of the heavy Catholic influence in Butte, Montana, a Christian (a possessor of eternal life) should unashamedly stand for Bible truths even in the face of Our Lady of the Rockies!

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MANY Live as Enemies of the Cross of Christ

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Eternal Life Blog

The Apostle Paul repeated keys truths as he traveled about. One such disheartening truth, which needed reiterated, is this one:
enemies of the cross

For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. (Phil 3:18,19)

Just like then, many today live as enemies of the cross of Christ, yet identify themselves with Christianity! Their life is an insulting contradiction and smear to the holy image of Christianity. True Christians are living holy (Rom. 6:22). They are following Jesus (Jn. 10:27). He is their glory (Phil. 3:3). They are doing God’s will (Lk. 8:21).

On the other hand, those living as enemies of the cross of Christ have their own appetites (or “stomach”) as their god and rather than glory in the Lord Jesus, they glory in their shame! Their destiny is destruction (meaning the lake of fire). [It is clear that certain sinful behavior identifies one as a child of the devil, 1 John 3:10.] Furthermore, their minds are on earthly things. That last point is very significant. Their minds are on earthly things like money, sports, video games, entertainment, etc. They aren’t meditating in the Scriptures and seeking God. Note what Paul wrote about the minds of the Christian and non-Christian:

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace (Rom 8:5,6).

That is a key passage! Our thought life is vital and will always affect our behavior and goals. That is why people who lust over pornography often get involved with physical adultery and sexual crimes. The enemies of the cross have their minds on earthly things and it is apparent also in their words—they glory in their shame! It’s one thing when a rank pagan, who openly disbelieves in the existence of God, would do those things, but when a professing Christian does the same, it is much worse. That’s the problem here and what Paul wanted the Philippians (who always obeyed, Phil 2:12) to know that danger and remain true. Many who profess to have salvation and eternal life are living as enemies of the cross of Christ.

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Should Be A Castaway

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Eternal Life Blog

The Apostle Paul wrote something about himself becoming a castaway in 1 Cor. 9:27, which has caused many to wonder. What does that mean? From the KJV it reads:castaway

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Clearly, Paul knew he was responsible to prevent himself from being a castaway and consequently he did something about it! What he did to prevent being a castaway was to his own physical body. The controversy is, was Paul saying there, as he did elsewhere, that a Christian can lose his salvation? In other words, what does the Greek word translated castaway mean? That word is found 8 other times in the New Testament and has been translated by the KJV to mean reprobate, rejected or castaway. Its usage is clearly for one who is unsaved, that is, one who is not a possessor of eternal life. Here are two times such is clear:

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:16)

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Tim 3:8)

The point is, Paul knew as a Christian saved by grace he could sow to please the flesh and reap destruction instead of eternal life (Gal. 6:8,9); that Timothy could shipwreck his own saving faith as others did, and he needed to hold on to faith and a good conscience to prevent losing his own salvation (1 Tim. 1:19,20). He therefore warned Christians they could yet not inherit God’s kingdom (and go to hell) in Eph. 5:5-7, Gal. 5:19-21 and elsewhere. We are battling for eternity with our own SOUL and the SOULS of others being in jeopardy. Jesus said we must endure hatred to the end to be saved (Mt. 10:22) and be faithful to God to the point of death to avoid being hurt by the second death (Rev. 2:10,11). [The second death is another name for the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14; 21:8).] To the Corinthians he wrote:

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Paul knew just preaching the gospel truth to others, under grace, wasn’t a sure ticket to heaven. Judas Iscariot was a preacher and he went to hell (Mk. 14:21; Jn. 17:12). In short, to be an overcomer to enter God’s kingdom after death, one must do the will of the Father:

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Mat 7:21)

For Paul that meant to beat his body and make it his slave so that after he has preached to others, he himself would not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Cor 9:27, NIV). Unlike most in our day, Paul knew he had the responsibility to do something to prevent his own spiritual destruction or as he said lest he should be a castaway! He was very serious about inheriting eternal life (Mt. 19:29) and proceeded cautiously.

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Forgive Others

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Eternal Life Blog

forgivenessTo forgive others who sin against you is vital for salvation’s sake (Mat 18:34,35). There is no need to go any further than that to show its significance, but it is interesting to note the Biblical examples of those who were quick to forgive others who sinned against them, and were all mightily used of God! Who were they?

==> Joseph was sold into Egyptian slavery by his own brothers because they were jealous of him. Years later, Joseph was number two in power over all of Egypt. That is when those same brothers came to him to buy grain. Joseph could have easily killed them all, but he didn’t. He treated them well. Though he knew they meant it for evil, God meant it for good! God used Joseph to pave the way for the Israelites to be taken care of.

==> The Lord Jesus is in a class of his own because he was God in the flesh, but I’ll still cite him because he is an excellent example of forgiving others who sinned unjustly against him. The Lord Jesus was perfect in every way. He never sinned, operated in perfect love and truth, and always did the Father’s will, yet he had many enemies! Some of the same flogged, mocked, spit on and crucified Jesus. While the Lord Jesus was dying for the sins of every single person, he forgave their cruel treatment!

==> Stephen had a very humble beginning, as he and six others waited on tables (Acts 6). Later we read where he is boldly witnessing and performing mighty miracles. He was then falsely charged with blasphemy and stoned. As he was dying, he forgave the very people who were killing him at that moment! His prayer to God for them was similar to Jesus’ prayer. To read his impromptu final sermon and observe his godly example is most encouraging. He was a mighty man of God, who died very soon after his powerful ministry began.

==> Paul was also shown to be quick to forgive others who sinned against him. One example is when he told the jailer not to harm himself, just before he was ready to commit suicide (Acts 16:28)! That jailer was guarding Paul and possibly beat him, but Paul held nothing against him. A second time is when angry people were trying to beat Paul to death with their fists. When the authorities stopped the commotion, Paul preached to the same people trying to help them in the most important way, that is, to get eternal life. No one who reads through the New Testament could rightly say Paul wasn’t mightily used of God.

NOTE: Dear reader, you need to forgive others who sin against you for your own sake! The offenders aren’t really getting away with anything. Their other sins will condemn them! But you must forgive them to be forgiven. Unforgiveness is a common satanic temptation, which many don’t recognize as such or its destructive powers, especially with all of the once saved always saved HERESY that is taught, continuously downplaying all sins including unforgiveness.

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Self Denial and Self Indulgence

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Eternal Life Blog

self denial and self indulgenceOne of the chief characteristics of being a true Christian is self denial. Self denial is not, however, readily linked to Christianity in our apostate day. Just the opposite! Self indulgence is much more accurately associated with many so-called Christians, even though it is condemned in Scripture, while self denial is a basic requirement, according to Jesus:

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Before one becomes a Bible-defined Christian, self indulgence characterizes him as he spent his time, money and energies on himself. Self indulgence must die for one to have eternal life. Turning from self indulgence, with its idols, to self denial is directly related to repentance, which leads to salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). It is part of saving faith in the Lord Jesus.
self denial and self indulgence
Self indulgence is especially shown in the spiritually dead and lost prodigal, as he wasted his money on himself for temporary pleasures. In his case, it was obvious sinful pleasures involving wild living and being with prostitutes, but with many professing Christians it is self indulging and wasteful spending on vacations and large homes. Such people have the money to spend and think that money is their own, when it isn’t! It belongs to God, as does their time, if they are true Christians. To squander money on expensive vacations (and excessive material things) is clearly not self denial, especially when only a tiny fraction of that is given for the spreading of the true gospel! While souls are perishing, such self indulging professing Christians are primarily thinking about their own pleasures! They spend more on dog food than the gospel message they have been entrusted with, while they would say they know they need to bring forth fruit!

Self denial marked the apostle Paul and his fruitful labors for God. He was a serious and devoted godly example, who loved others enough to put them before himself. If Paul ministered in our day, he would not have lived in a fancy house, drove an expensive car or wasted money on vacations! He was living in light of eternity. He was a Christian and self denial, not self indulgence, characterized him. Do you hear what I’m saying? Ask yourself this question: when you have to account to God for the money he has entrusted you with, how will you feel when you have been so self indulging? NOW is the time to change for your own SOUL’S sake. Walk in self denial and don’t think that is being a super Christian, for it isn’t!

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” (Luke 17:10)

Remember Luke 9:23.

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Hell Is In The Heart Of The Earth

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Eternal Life Blog

hell is in the heart of the earthIf you have read through the New Testament you know, with certainty, that the Lord Jesus believed hell exists and unrighteous people would be there (Mt. 13:41,42; John 5:29; etc.). [Those unrighteous people are shown to be the ones who do evil.] Jesus wasn’t like a Universalist, who thinks all will be saved or like the people who had a Near Death Experience and now think only a wonderful peaceful loving exciting future is awaiting them and others beyond the grave. The terms the Lord Jesus used to describe hell and the details about it are only horrifying. One detail about hell, which seems to be often overlooked is its location, that is, in the heart of the earth! From high school Science class we all learned the heart of the earth is fiery hot. In fact, the heart of the earth is so fiery hot, volcanoes spew out liquid rock when they erupt. That molten lava has ignited green trees upon contact! Here is Biblical proof that hell is in the heart of the earth, but in two parts:

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Mt 12:40)

When that is compared to Acts 2:27, we have hell’s location through logical deduction:

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (KJV)

Jesus went to hell when physically dead (Acts 2:27)
Jesus went to the heart of the earth when physically dead (Mt. 12:40)
Therefore, hell is in the heart of the earth.
location of hell
Because hell is in the fiery heart of the earth it is shielded from sunlight, which also coincides with another Scriptural detail about hell. Hell is in outer darkness (Mt. 22:13; etc.)! So hell is fiery hot, it is dark, unrighteous people will be there, but it wasn’t prepared for people:

Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Mt 25:41)

Unrighteous people will go to eternal fire, even though it was initially prepared for spirit beings. That also means the devil, his angels and unrighteous people will co-exist in eternal fire, where there is also weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mt 8:12;13:42; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30 and Luke 13:28). The only time the phrase weeping and gnashing of teeth is used, it was used by Jesus, seven times and it only refers to hell. For there to be weeping and gnashing of teeth there would also have to be pain and conscious existence. That means no one will be annihilated if they go to the lake of fire unlike what the Jehovah’s Witnesses, SDA and others, including David Servant teaches. Don’t be deceived. Hell is real and YOU decide if you will be there or not. Do you know the gospel of Jesus Christ?

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Born Again Twice

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Eternal Life Blog

born again twice[BIBLE QUESTION] We believe a man must be born again, but what exactly does it mean? What exactly happens to a man when he gets born again? My questions are raised because if man can be saved then lose salvation and be saved again, must he be born again a second time?

[BIBLE ANSWER] When a person gets “born again” he is spiritually changed on the inside. At that point, he passes from spiritual death to life, from darkness to light and from the power of the devil to the power of God (Jn. 5:24; Acts 26:18). He is also set free from his sin addictions (Rom. 6:22). In other words, he becomes a new creation in Christ when he gets Biblically born again (which is the same as getting saved). To get more specific, one must repent and have a submissive faith in JESUS to have salvation (eternal life). That was Paul’s gospel (Acts 20:21). BTW, infant baptism has nothing to do with getting “born again,” as Catholics, Lutherans and others are taught. Read this to learn more about the Biblical plan of salvation.

There is no question that a Christian can lose his salvation (or experience spiritual death). Evidence is found all through the Bible, especially in the New Testament. That is why Christians were given hell warnings too! (If you are a Christian you can yet go to hell, according to Scripture. Hence, you must be very guarded and keep yourself pure.) Backsliders can get saved again. The Prodigal son is just one example, which shows this. Luke 15:24 states he became “alive again” from his previous spiritually dead and lost condition. He backslid through sin, but when he turned from his sins (repented) to humbly serve the Father, he got saved again or became alive again! Two other passages are also clear on this. They are James 5:19,20 and Rom. 11:19-23. The once saved always saved teachers try to discard these truths simply with semantic trickery, which was like your last question. Their ploy is to make such a fact ridiculous. Hope this helps. Heb. 3:14.

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