“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 Jn 4:1).
The above scripture is what intelligent people do, but it’s not prerequisite in regards to going to heaven. Yet, not believing is nonsense.
I received an e-mail about an ex-hypocrite, from the place that I think deserves the title “City of Sin” – Hollywood. So tomorrow we’ll look at…
1 Peter 4
The Christian Suffering
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
“To the lusts of men, but to the will of God” – now that Christ’s attitude prevails, God’s will is the determining factor in life.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
“Him that is ready to judge” – in the New Testament both the Father and the Son are said to be judge on the great, final judgment day.
“The quick and the dead” – those alive and those dead when the final judgment day dawns.
I believe I will be one of the living when Jesus returns, but I have no evidence or knowledge of this, just a feeling or maybe a hope.
6 For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
“For this cause” – the reason referred to is expressed in the latter part of the verse (in the “that” clause), not in the preceding verse.
“Was…preached also to them that are dead” – that is, to those who are now dead. This preaching was a past event. The preaching was done not after these people had died, but while they were still alive. There will be no opportunity for pp to be saved after death – Heb 9:27.
“Be judged according to men in the flesh” – the first reason that the gospel was preached to those now dead. Some say that this judgment is that to which all people must submit, either in this life (see Jn 5:24) or in the life to come (see v. 5).
The gospel is preached to people in this life so that in Christ’s death they may receive judgment now and avoid judgment to come.
Others hold that these people are judged according to human standards by the pagan world, which does not understand why God’s people no longer follow its sinful way of life (see vv. 2-4).
I agree with the first one. God is going to judge everyone in the end, but only punish the pagans, not the believers, Jesus’ church. As Psalm 1 says:
“The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, or sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Ps 1:4-6).
“But live according to God in the spirit” – the second reason that the gospel was preached to those now dead. Some believe this means that all gospel preaching has as its goal that the hearers may live as God lives – eternally – and that this life is given by the Holy Ghost.
Others maintain that it means that the ultimate reason for the preaching of the gospel is that God’s people, even though the wicked world may abuse them and put them to death, will have eternal life, which the Holy Spirit imparts.
They sound the same to me.
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
“The end…is at hand” – anticipating the end times, particularly Christ’s return, should influence believers’ attitudes, actions and relationships (see 2 Pet 3:11-14).
All people, including those that are saved, should spend time with God every day. Yet, some won’t be able to find the time because they’ll be watching Oprah instead or listening to the lies that Obama tells the world.
“Sober” – that is, “of a sober spirit.” Christians are to be characterized by reason; are to make wise, mature decisions; and are to have a clearly defined, decisive purpose in life – see Gal 5:23.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
“Charity” – The wealthy do not actually comprehend the meaning or definition of charity. When they hear charity they think, “Tax write off.”
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
“Partakers of Christ’s sufferings” – Peter once rebelled against the idea that Christ would suffer (Matt 16:21-23).
See, the devil even stuck on Peter and that is why Paul says to “always” wear the full armor of God (Eph 6:11-17).
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
“Busybody” – a busybody is not someone that is investigating someone else for good cause, like a detective trying to solve a crime, or a psychologist trying to help someone control the confusion in their head.
A busybody are those that are paid the most for gossiping, such as the media, Oprah, and the like.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
“The end be of them that obey not the gospel” – if God brings judgment on His own people, how much more serous will the judgment be that He will bring on unbelievers.
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ (full title: The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ: The Philosophic and Practical Basis of the Religion of the Aquarian Age of the World and of the Church Universal) is a book by Levi H. Dowling, first published in 1908.
He said he had transcribed the text of the book from the Akashic records, a purported compendium of mystical knowledge supposedly encoded in a non-physical plane of existence.
In the later 20th century, it was adopted by New Age spiritual groups.
The title is derived from the practice in astrology of naming time periods in terms of constellations and their dominant positions in the sky, according to the earth’s axial precession. In that system, the Age of Aquarius is approaching.
The Aquarian Gospel one of the many false teachings. It does not give an accurate account of the life and true teachings of Jesus Christ.
There are several books that claim to tell about the parts of Jesus’ life that are “missing” from the Bible. None of these are credible as only the Word of God is infallible and accurately portrays Jesus’ life and teachings.
Titus Flavis Josephus, the most believed Jewish Historian, writes about Jesus’ life in his book “Antiquities of the Jews.” Yet, he didn’t tell of anything that is not in the Bible.
Therefore, since almost everything he has written about has been proven by other historians, I don’t’ believe any books about Jesus.
Many people try to take the truth of the Bible and distort it. This is the work of the enemy. The Aquarian Gospel is a contradictory mixture of Christian Science, New Age and occult beliefs.
Some of the material in the Aquarian Gospel is borrowed from the ancient Gospel of James also known as Infancy Gospel of James or the Protoevangelium of James.
The book says it was written by James, the brother of Jesus, but has been proven wrong. The entire book is a well-known forgery from the early years of the church. Probably written by some Pharisee of Catholic.
There are many contradictions and inaccuracies in the Aquarian Gospel. The book begins with a historical inaccuracy: “Augustus Caesar reigned and Herod Antipas was ruler in Jerusalem.” Antipas actually ruled in Galilee, never in Jerusalem.
A crucial problem with the Aquarian Gospel concerns its idea as to the source of Jesus’ teachings. If Jesus obtained His wisdom from the masters of India, Greece, and other countries, then why don’t His teachings reflect it?
The teachings of Jesus, as recorded in the Biblical Gospels, are in direct conflict with every central belief of Hinduism, Buddhism, and the other religions with which He supposedly came into contact according to the Aquarian Gospel.
The Biblical Gospels give us a firsthand account of the life and ministry of Jesus, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16).
The Aquarian Gospel is a false portrait of the life of Christ. It is not based upon any historical records or eyewitness testimony but rather upon the recollections of an ancient forgery and the imagination of a 19th century writer.
It has no value whatsoever in providing new or accurate information on the life of Christ. It has no historical basis and should not be taken seriously.
The Peter warns us many times about false prophets and false teachings.
“But here were false prophets also among the people, even as here shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall being in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).
Satan is a deceiver and will try all sorts of things to bring people away from the true message of the cross.
We must compare every teaching with Scripture, and if it does not agree, then we reject it for what we know it is false teaching.
…I was a paid hypocrite.
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