The Name Jesus - The Truth and the History

Jesus! The name above all names!

I have wanted to blog about this subject for quite a while but I have been waiting upon the Holy Spirit to move me to do so. Well, today I was moved. Sadly, the subject of the names of Jesus and our Heavenly Father has become one of those issues that are a stumbling block for many Christians. It is astounding how many have latched onto varying degrees of the so called “sacred name” error. Just this morning, I saw a blog from a sister in the Lord who seems to be headed that way. What a shame!

I do use the names Yahweh and Yeshua at times and I see nothing wrong with that. But I will never make a doctrine out of it! Those names are the proper English transliteration of the Hebrew names of God and His son. But when Christians pervert the truth and espouse outright lies concerning this subject I have to speak up.

Here are some examples of the blatant lies and deception I have read about the name of Jesus:

-Jesus is really the name of Zeus.

-There is no power in the name of Jesus and you have to say Yahushua to exercise the real power.

-The name Yahushua is our only weapon and power in this life against spiritual enemies.

-We’ve been shooting blanks in a demonic fire fight.

-Satan changed the name of the Messiah.

- Did Jesus' parents give their son a Greek name when they spoke Hebrew? After all, Hebrew was regarded as the sacred language.

-If you don’t say the names correctly then how can you truly know God?

Are you kidding me?! Brethren, I could not make this stuff up! This is exactly the sort of “dung” that the Lord has been speaking to me about and I posted about here:

Cleaning Out the Dung and Moving Up.

I want to confront these people and ask them, what about when I called on the name of JESUS to be saved out of this wretched world? And what about all the prayers I prayed in “JESUS” name that HE answered? And what about the demons I cast out of my home and commanded to leave my presence in JESUS name? And what about all the times I called on the name of Jesus to be consoled and brought into His peace during my afflictions?! Can you see how CRAZY this is?!

The Lord has impressed upon me the importance of understanding some of the historical context concerning Biblical times in order to rightly divide the word. For example, if we understand the fact that the Greek language was the “universal” or “common” language when Jesus was alive, then these deceptions about the name of Jesus could be avoided. The Hebrew and Aramaic languages were also spoken during this time by the various groups of peoples, but Koine Greek was the common language of communication between all of these peoples. In fact, our New Testament was written in Koine Greek because it was the common language.

Please read the article below. It is well done and lays this entire name controversy out very close to how I have come to understand it in my own independent study. Saints, please don’t fall for this name deception. We have plenty more important things to be doing in these times!

In Christ, Sarah


The name Jesus or Yeshua
by Brian O'Connell


There is a brand of believers today, that claim that the name of Jesus is to be despised and rejected for the name "Yeshua", the Hebrew name of Christ Jesus! This group often prefers to spell His name as "Yashua" which I assume they take from the word "yahh" (H 3050) in Psalm 68:4 in the KJV, or the word "yasha" (H3467) meaning "to save". The exact spelling of the Hebrew name of Jesus is Yehowshuwa` H 3091 Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation" (Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew definitions)! Not that the spelling is of significance, but you can usually identify one who is part of this group by the way they spell the name of Yeshua! This "Yashua" group has divided itself from the body of Christ, rejecting the name by which most Christians call the savior, based on a misconception that the name "Jesus" is from Pagan origin! Thus, in their mind, everyone that is not of their group, are guilty of worshipping "other gods" and therefore committing idolatry against the living God!


Through this study, I wish to prove otherwise so that those who are so deceived by this group, may be delivered from this error, and find freedom to worship the only living God with the saints who are part of the body of Christ of whom this group has seperated itself from!


1 Cor. 1:10-13
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. [11] For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. [12] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. [13] Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?


The English name of Jesus Christ, is a transliteration of the Greek name "Iesous" (pronounced ee-ay-sooce') and more directly from the Latin "Iesus!"


Although Yeshua (Yehowshuwa`) is certainly a highly reverenced and an acceptable name for our Lord Jesus Christ, I would like to correct the error of those who wish to do damage to the Greek and English name of our Lord.


While it is possible that Mary and the Hebrew people called Jesus by the Hebrew name "Yeshua", the only evidence we have today, from the manuscripts available, since they are written in the Greek language, is the Greek name of Jesus "Iesous", not the Hebrew name! The fact is, the name which the Apostles declared to the Gentile world, was the Greek name "Iesous". It is clearly known and documented that the name "Iesous" was accepted by the Greek speaking Jews as an equivalent name to "Yeshua" in the days of Jesus Christ! Although the Hebrew speaking Jews may have preached the name Yeshua to the Hebrews, it is very probable, as the Hebrew speaking Jews rejected Yeshua, the Hebrew name faded away with them as the Gentile world continued to spread the Gentile name which the Apostles brought them, "Iesous"! All the evidence declares that the scriptures were written in the Greek tongue and that the original manuscripts wrote the Greek name "Iesous", not the Hebrew name, from the very first written document by the hand of the New Testament writers! (While there are some that contend that there is a very small piece of evidence that Matthew's Gospel "may" have been written in Hebrew [see note at bottom], there is NO evidence that any other book of the New Testament, was ever written in Hebrew)


To support my reasoning, I shall give you the following to consider!


First: The scriptural evidence!


The entire known world at the time of Christ, spoke Greek! Of the many thousands of fragments and manuscripts of early church scriptures which have been found as of today, all of them verify that the New Testament scriptures were originally written in Greek, not Aramaic (a form of Hebrew). It is also widely known, that prior to writings of the New Testament scriptures, the earliest church Christians, used the Septuagint as their Bible (a Greek translation of the Old Testament scriptures)!


The use of the name "Iesous" in place of "Yeshua" as the Greek speaking Jews adopted the Greek language took place some 200 years before Jesus was ever born! "Iesous" was a fully accepted equivalent name for the Hebrew name "Yeshua" and was certified to be so in the Old Testament Greek translation by 70 Jewish scholars! Here is what is written in Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary:


A Jewish community had existed in Alexandria almost from its foundation by Alexander the Great in 331 b.c. In two or three generations this community had forgotten its native Palestinian language. These Jews realized they needed the Hebrew Scriptures rendered into the only language they knew—Greek. The first section of the Hebrew Bible to be translated into Greek was the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Old Testament, some time before 200 b.c. Other parts were translated during the next century. This version is commonly called the Septuagint, from septuaginta, the Latin word for 70 (LXX). This name was selected because of a tradition that the Pentateuch was translated into Greek by about 70 elders of Israel who were brought to Alexandria especially for this purpose. (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)


The following are some introductory notes from the Septuagint:


"At Alexandria the Hellenistic Jews used the Septuagint, and gradually attached it to the greatest possible authority: from Alexandria it spread amongst the Jews of the dispersion, so that at the time of our Lord's birth it was the common form in which the Old Testament Scriptures had been diffused.


The Septuagint version having been current for about three centuries before the time when the books of the New Testament were written, it is not surprising that the Apostles should have used it more often than not in making citations from the Old Testament.


After the diffusion of Christianity, copies of the Septuagint became widely dispersed amongst the new communities that were formed; so that before many years had elapsed this version must have been as much in the hands of the Gentiles as of the Jews.


We find amongst the members of the Eastern Churches who use the Greek language, that the Septuagint has been and still is so thoroughly received as authentic scripture ...."
(The Septuagint with the Apocrypha: Greek and English by Sir Lancelot C.L. Brenton, Regency Reference Library.)


If you will pick up a copy of the Septuagint today, every time the name Joshua appears in the Jewish Septuagint, the 70 Jewish elders translated it as "Iesous". This very same Septuagint was read in the synagogues to the Greek speaking Jews in the days of Christ, and is what the early church Christians read from as their "first" Bible. The Apostles often quoted from the Septuagint in writing the New Testament and this same Greek text continues to be read in the Greek speaking churches today.


Without any question, the letters that Paul wrote to the Greeks who obviously spoke Greek, were written in Greek. In addition, the Greek physician, Luke, wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts in his own Greek tongue.


It would only be reasonable in keeping with the format of the writers of scripture that IF the Hebrew name "Yeshua" was of great importance over the Greek equivalent "Iesous," they would have written the Hebrew name "Yeshua" in the original text and then defined it in the Greek language as they had done with various other Hebrew words noted below. The scriptures would have contended against the Septuagints' use of the word "Iesous!" But this is not the case! The name "Yeshua" was NEVER used in the original Greek text. Contrariwise, the word "Iesous" was used in every stroke of the pen that named our savior in the N.T.! If you will note below, when a Hebrew word was used, the author defined the Hebrew word , by "interpreting" it for the Greek reader. Please note that our English translations today continue to use the actual Hebrew word in each of these scriptures!


Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.


Mark 5:41
And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.


John 1:42
And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (Kephas - from H 3710, Hebrew word for stone)


John 5:2
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.


John 19:13
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.


John 19:17
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:


Rev. 9:11
And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.


Rev. 16:16
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.


Yet, in both Matthew 1:21, and Luke 1:31 and throughout the N.T., as written in the original manuscripts, the name of Jesus is written in the Greek tongue "Iesous", NOT the Hebrew tongue "Yeshua"! In keeping with the format, if the name "Yeshua" had been written in the original manuscripts, the Hebrew name would have survived intact through the centuries and would have been shown below as "Yeshua". The Greek manuscripts would have retained the Hebrew name! But this is not so!


Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus (Iesous): for he shall save his people from their sins.


Luke 1:31
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus (Iesous).


In light of this evidence, there is not a single verse where the New Testament writer used the Hebrew name "Yeshua" and then defined its meaning for the reader as in these scriptures noted above! The fact is, that the Jewish people had long before the days of Christ, accepted the Greek name of "Iesous" to be the Greek equivalent of the name of "Yeshua" and used the name "Iesous" in their own Greek translation (Septuagint) of the Old Testament, and in their daily conversation when they spoke to the Greeks!


Finally, the name of Jesus was written in 3 different languages as He hung upon the cross. These 3 names were:
Yeshua - Hebrew
Iesous - Greek
Iesus - Latin (from the Latin Vulgate)


John 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
John 19:20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.


The Greek word "Iesous" is what is written in the original New Testament manuscripts.


Secondly: The evidence of which name went out to the nations!


What is the chance that any one of you could successfully change the name “George Washington” and convince the world that the fist US president was “Buddah?” Or which of you supposes they could cause the world to forget the names of “Adolph Hitler,” “Albert Einstein” or “Elvis Presley” and effectively convince the world to forget these names and replace it with another name? A name that becomes known worldwide, is not a name that you can change!


In the origins of the early Christian church, we know that the apostles traveled many miles to take the gospel to the ends of the known earth at that time. One name was on the lips of the nations! They reached many thousands upon thousands of people to whom they preached the Gospel. The Greek name of "Jesus" had been multiplied, known, and spoken over and over again throughout the ever growing church to hundreds of thousands and maybe even millions of people, Christian and non-Christian alike in every nation. Whether the people accepted Him as the Messiah, or rejected Him as a Cult leader, His name was very well known and spoken about from house to house as well as in the courts of rulers and scholars! Among the nations, the apostles and their following generations of preachers continued to spread the gospel with signs and wonders following the message. They performed miracles, dead people raised to life, sick people healed, by the Greek name of "Jesus Christ," thus sealing their belief that Jesus was, in fact, the Messiah. Multitudes placed their faith in this name as the apostle's continued to spread the faith! Kings and Emperors were repulsed by this name and wanted to put an end to it! They tortured and killed those who declared this name and would not deny it.


If the Hebrew name "Yeshua" had been proclaimed to many nations to an ever growing church from the beginning, and then some rogue heretic attempted to change it to the Greek name of some Pagan god (as the anti-"Jesus" group claims), there would have been a great resistance by the existing Christians of that time to put down such a movement and the writings of the early church fathers would have spoken about it! The unbelievers would have laughed them to scorn!


Early Christians were willing to be tortured and put to death for the name of our savior and yet there is no evidence that anyone was put to death for the preservation of the Hebrew name over the Greek name of Jesus! There is no historical evidence that there was ever a movement to change the name of our Lord to the name of some Pagan diety. Contrariwise it was the Greek name of Jesus that became known throughout the world from its origin and continues today to be proclaimed throughout the earth today!


Those who are current day enemies of the Greek name of Jesus, fail to consider the fact that the Jewish elders themselves, considered the Greek name "Iesous" to be the equivalent of the Hebrew name "Yeshua" when translating their sacred scriptures into the Greek language (the Septuagint) 200 years before Christ was born. During the life of Christ, and the years that followed, Jesus was known by Yeshua and Iesous, but more often by His Greek name than the Hebrew name, and there was no great controversy over the Greek name! There was no controversy about His name when it was written in 3 languages over the head of Jesus when He was crucified. There was no controversy when the Apostles wrote the scriptures in Greek using the Greek name "Iesous" instead of "Yeshua".


If you were investigate the name of Jesus throughout the world today, you will find that they are transliterations of the Greek name that was originally preached to the nations from the beginning. I've been to Italy, where Paul and Peter proclaimed the gospel 2000 years ago. They call Jesus in their tongue "Gesu" (sounds like Gay-sue). In France, it is "Jesu" (Jay-zoo), in Spain "Jesus" (Hay-soos)!


Notice the "J" sound in the French language!


Finally: Current day evidence!


I have personally seen and witnessed the POWER of the name of Jesus! As I have preached this wonderful name, Demons manifest! I've seen people delivered of Satanic possession and oppression by this name. Sick people have been healed by this name. I have also seen lives that have been changed by the Holy name of Jesus Christ, as sinners repent and place their trust in the living God!


A great proof of the power of this name, is for you to go into a sinful party, with a loudspeaker, and start preaching the name of Jesus. This will give you all the evidence you need to be convinced that the spirits of darkness hate this name, and that this name has power over darkness! The wicked are repulsed by the name of Jesus and the sinner is offended by his name!


I trust that, whether a person calls on the name of Jesus Christ as Lord, or the name of Yeshua Ha Mashiyach (Hebrew for Jesus the Christ), they shall be saved!




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The scholars, dictionaries, lexicons and Commentators on the name "Jesus"!


Although these scholars may sound redundant, the noticeable fact that cannot be ignored is that they are all in agreement!


The New Analytical Greek Lexicon-
G2424 Iesous
A Savior, Jesus, Matt. 1:21, 25; 2:1, et al. freg.; Joshua, Acts 7:45; Heb 4:8; Jesus


Strongs Concordance (and New Strong's Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words)-
G2424 Iesous (ee-ay-sooce')
Of Hebrew origin [H3091]; Jesus (that is, Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites: - Jesus.


Theyers Greek Definitions-
G2424 Iesous
Thayer Definition:
Jesus = “Jehovah is salvation”
1) Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate


Easton's Bible Dictionary-
Jesus. This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which was originally Hoshea (Num 13:8, Num 13:16), but changed by Moses into Jehoshua (Num 13:16; 1Ch 7:27), or Joshua. After the Exile it assumed the form Jeshua, whence the Greek form Jesus.


Smith's Bible Dictionary-
Jesus. The Greek form of the name Joshua or Jeshua, a contraction of Jehoshua, that is, "help of Jehovah" or Savior (Num. 13:16)


Holman Bible Dictionary-
Jesus. Greek form of Joshua meaning Yahweh is salvation


Believer's Study Bible-
Matthew 1:1 "Jesus" is the Latin renduring of the Greek Iesous, which in turn is a rendering of the late Hebrew and Aramaic Yeshua, meaning "Yahweh will save," or "the salvation of the Lord."


Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words-
Jesus (Iesous 2424) is a transliteration of the Heb. "Joshua," meaning "Jehovah is salvation," i.e., "is the Savior," a common name among the Jews, e.g., Ex 17:9; Luke 3:29 (RV); Col  4:11


John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible-
Jesus; a name of the same signification with Joshua and Hosea, and may be interpreted a "Saviour",


Robertsons Word Pictures-
“Jesus is the same as Joshua, a contraction of Jehoshuah (Num 13:16; 1Ch 7:27), signifying in Hebrew, ‘Jehovah is helper,’ or ‘Help of Jehovah’”(Broadus). So Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua (Heb 4:8)


Albert Barne's Notes on the Bible-
The name Jesus is the same as Saviour. It is derived from the verb signifying to save, In Hebrew it is the same as Joshua.


Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible-
Jesus - The same as Joshua, Yehoshua, from yasha, he saved, delivered, put in a state of safety.


Jammieson Faussett and Brown Commentary-
JESUS--from the Hebrew meaning "Jehovah the Saviour"; in Greek JESUS


The People's New Testament-
Jesus. That is, Savior. The Hebrew form is Joshua; the full meaning is Jehovah's salvation.


Vincent's Word Studies-
Jesus (Iesous)
The Greek form of a Hebrew name, which had been borne by two illustrious individuals in former periods of the Jewish history - Joshua, the successor of Moses, and Jeshua, the high-priest, who with Zerubbabel took so active a part in the re-establishment of the civil and religious polity of the Jews on their return from Babylon. Its original and full form is Jehoshua, becoming by contraction Joshua or Jeshua. Joshua, the son of Nun, the successor of Moses, was originally named Hoshea (saving), which was altered by Moses into Jehoshua (Jehovah (our) Salvation) (Num 13:16). The meaning of the name, therefore, finds expression in the title Saviour, applied to our Lord (Luk 1:47; Luk 2:11; John 4:42).


Source- http://crossbearer-brian.tripod.com/id233.htm




Good links for further study:


The English name Jesus
http://crossbearer-brian.tripod.com/id275.htm

Unholy War of the Names
http://www.perfect-word.org/2011/08/23/the-unholy-war-of-names-yeshua-vs-yahshua/

Yeshua VS YAHshua
http://ffoz.org/blogs/2008/01/yeshua_vs_yahshua.html

Ask Dr. Brown- What is the Original Hebrew name for Jesus?

The Hebrew Name of Messiah
http://www.thebiblepost.com/why-yeshua

Languages at the time of Jesus
http://www.helium.com/items/317453-languages-at-the-time-of-jesus

What Language Did Jesus Speak?
http://www.gotquestions.org/language-Jesus-speak.html

Yahweh is Salvation- Blue Letter Bible blog post-
http://blogs.blueletterbible.org/blb/2012/01/31/yahweh-is-salvation/

Cry Aloud, Spare Not, Lift Up Thy Voice Like a Trumpet

Dear Saints, 

The Lord has stirred my heart to pray for the lost recently. In addition I feel a heavy burden to proclaim the Gospel boldly.  So when I saw this video from K.P. Yohannan of Gospel for Asia today I just about lost it. I urge each of you to remember the words of the Apostle Paul when he said:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16

I believe that time is winding down for us on this earth and we must work while it's day, for the night is coming when no man can work. John 9:4.

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth SOULS is wise." Proverbs 11:30

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, Isa 58:1

In Christ, Sarah 

Source: http://www.gfa.org/videos/to-live-is-christ/

Virginia / Maryland Tsunami Dream/Vision

Saints this came today on an email from Pastor Augusto Perez. I am posting this for your prayer and discernment. God speaks to His people through dreams and visions and I also had a dream many years ago about a tsunami that is coming to Virginia Beach. The link is below.


As you may or may not know, I Iive in Virginia Beach. But the Lord has not told me to leave or given me any information about this, but I assure you I will be praying about it. Although I was led to sell my condo at the beach and I moved 5 miles inland. I have also just moved to an upstairs apartment. 
We must trust our Lord to lead us in all situations. He will tell His own what to do at exactly the right time.  Do not fear, but do pray.
In Christ, Sarah


Virginia/Maryland Tsunami



1/09/2012
"I was in the area of Virginia/Maryland.  I am not sure of the exact area, but I just knew that is the general area where I was.  There were many people on the beach area and they seemed to be having a good time.  Then I noticed that many of the people there were suddenly startled by something (maybe it was a loud explosion, not sure) as they all started to look into the sea very concerned.  As I drew closer to look in the direction that everyone was looking at, I saw far away in the distance a strange movement in the waters.  As I focused on it, I was gently taken up in the air above where this event was taking place, and I was able to see a huge whole in the sea.  It was a very large and very deep hole.  I could clearly see the brownish sand at the bottom of the ocean.  I do not know what created this hole in the Atlantic Ocean, but I knew that it was not good as the waters began to swirl around ferociously (looked maybe like a whirlpool or some kind of vortex).  It looked very threatening.  


I was then brought back to the shore away from the sea and placed back down on the ground gentlly.  I felt completely safe and protected in the arms of the Lord the whole time as I was watching these events unfold.  I felt at peace, not scared at all although I did feel the fear that was coming from the crowds of people that were there.  They started running all over the place realizing that a large Tsunami was soon coming  upon them.  I was taken to a place very high on a hill where I could still see the event.  I saw the waves begin to come in more and more, covering the land like a monster.  Then I realized that whatever the event was that had taken place, it had caused a big Tsunami.  I noticed  that the waters of the waves, as they were coming in, had a lot of foam associated with it.  I remember thinking how strange that was.  Then I came to my senses." 


INTERPRETATION
Something will happen off the coast of Virginia/Maryland that will trigger a large Tsunami affecting the Eastern Seaboard.  It could be an asteroid hitting the ocean in that area, an earthquake, an undersea volcano erupting or something else that caused it.  I was not shown what it was that caused it, but whatever it was it created a giant hole in the ocean triggering a massive Tsunami that will directly impact the whole Eastern Seaboard, but mostly the States of Virginia and Maryland.  I must warn that everyone who lives in this region should make spiritual preparations as well as physical preparations.  The Lord Jesus Christ, Yahushua does not want anyone to perish, but that all come to salvation.  Please, visit our salvation page and get right with the Lord.  Time is running out and The Day of the Lord is upon us.  Watch and pray that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall soon come upon the world, and to stand before the Son of man  (Luke 21:36).


Links:
http://theappearance.com/new-page-50.htm


My Dream about a tsunami hitting Virginia Beach
http://believersjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-dream-about-tsunami-hitting-virginia.html

Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus

Dear Saints, 


Check out this excellent video that captures what many of us have experienced in our walk with Christ. As a person who does not currently attend a church, I appreciate this and identify with the message.  


For example, just yesterday, I had a brief conversation with a man who came into the business I work for and we discovered that his daughter lives in the same community in the Outer Banks of North Carolina that my brother lives in. The whole area was devastated by a flood caused by Hurricane Irene in August 2011. I told the man that my brother survived and is now thriving despite the destruction of his home and the hardship of it all because he is a man of Christian faith. I told him that is a "good thing" that helped him cope with it. The man then replied, "well sometimes that's not a good thing." I knew immediately he was judging "faith" and therefore Jesus, based on the religious systems of men. We may all have done that at some point before we came to know the true Jesus Christ and that true Christianity is not about religion but a relationship with Jesus our Savior!



In my opinion I believe that the "religious institution" of the church is failing miserably! No, not all churches of course, but the majority are. From the time you start attending a church they attempt to make you over into their image instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to change people into the image of Jesus. Many churches believe in Jesus but not in the "Christ" which is the "anointing" of the Holy Spirit which breaks the yoke of evil. Instead of seriously addressing the wounds of the people, (Jer 6:14 NIV ) and praying over them for healing and deliverance,  these religious ones rely on the arm of flesh by their works. Furthermore, most churches do not operate in the five fold ministry that was established by God for the perfecting of the Saints. (Eph 4:11-12).



I pray that this video will reach those that need to hear it's message! May it spark the church to wake up and start to care about the sheep and to properly operate in the five fold ministry and properly feed the sheep the milk and meat of the word. I pray that the religious institutions will listen to God's word that says; 


Jam 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.



Links:
YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY

Discussion about the video on CBN-
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/January/Millions-Chime-in-over-Jesus-vs-Religion-Video-/

In Christ, Sarah

Tebow's 316

Tim Tebow Quarterback for the Denver Broncos

John 3:16
"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.


So let's see, we have:

• An unlikely professional starting quarterback
• Who is a devout Christian
• With a track record of giving to the poor
• Leading his team to an unlikely playoff birth
• After several unlikely come-from-behind wins (One of which was over my beloved Chicago Bears)
• Garnering a ton of publicity
• Heading into said playoff game, wobbly passes and all,
• And leading them to another unlikely win, in overtime, no less
• With the scripture verse "John 3:16" written under his eyes
• Throwing for 316 yards in the game
• Which happen to result in an average of 31.6 yards per game
• The final quarter hour of which resulted in a television rating of 31.6
• Which became the highest-rated AFC wild-card game for CBS since 1988
• And "caused millions of fans" to search for the meaning of John 3:16

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/tebow-time-three-3-16-references-boffo-tv-172145772.html


Coincidence? 


Not likely.  Look, who wins a football game doesn't matter one bit.  But people matter to God.  Jehovah will get his message out however he wants using whatever means pleases him.


That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That [there is] none besides Me. I [am] the LORD, and [there is] no other;  I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these [things].'  Isaiah 45:6-7


So where does that leave us? 


Choice.  Choose this day whom you will serve.


"And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  Joshua 24:15


If your car is god, serve it.  If your job is god, serve it.  If pleasure is god, serve it.  If wealth or status or drugs or booze or whatever idol of the land you serve is really god, then go ahead and serve it.


But if the LORD Jehovah, King of all the earth, Creator of heaven and earth, the Holy One of Israel, the Rock of our salvation, the lifter of our head, the redeemer of our souls, is God, then serve Him, and Him alone. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.  Isaiah 55:7 


Source:
http://wakeupbabylon.blogspot.com/2012/01/tebows-316.html


Related:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/tim-tebows-316-yards-fans-keep-the-faith-after-broncos-win/2012/01/08/gIQAYNLOkP_blog.html 




GOD IS AWESOME!! 


WHAT IS SALVATION?
http://believersjourney.blogspot.com/p/what-is-salvation.html

TO THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST- PLEASE READ MY PREVIOUS POST!
http://believersjourney.blogspot.com/2012/01/repent-america-and-believe-in-gospel-of.html


In Christ, Sarah

Repent America and Believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Cape Henry Lighthouse

Dear Saints, 


I often walk on the beach with my dog and take photos. I took the photo above last year on a warm winter day. The Cape Henry lighthouse sits at the intersection of the Atlantic ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. My ancestors sailed by this spot when they came to Virginia from England. The first, John Price in 1611 went to Jamestowne and then the Laniers to Charles City around 1652. I remember the day I took this photo I was filled with deep sadness for what my country once was and how my ancestors came here because they longed for religious freedom after having been persecuted by the Catholic church for centuries. First in France and then in England. But look at us now, a country that once stood for and believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is now mostly Godless, full of idolatry and wickedness, and blind to our pride and stoutness of heart.  


Recently I shared with a brother in Christ that I believe America is really a type of ancient Israel as opposed to Babylon the Great. God willing I will blog on that subject some time. But for now, my heart is aching for what is coming to America if there is no repentance. This so called Christian nation is going to be severely judged just like ancient Israel and Judah were. There is nothing new under the sun and what has been will be again. As Jonathan Cahn so brilliantly points out in his message "The Harbinger" using Isaiah 9:10. After God allowed terrorists to attack us on 9 -11- 2001 as His warning, America did not repent, but instead became filled with pride and stoutness of heart just like Israel.


I listened to Chris Pinto do a commentary about the Harbinger Prophetic warning and I hope you all will give it a listen. It is very good and he brings out some things that I know will not be received by some. But we may not have thought about what Chris suggests regarding deception in the church and how we got here. 


Let  us keep praying.


In Christ, Sarah


Prophetic Warning to America- Commentary by Chris Pinto on The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn
http://www.noiseofthunder.com/noise-of-thunder-radio-show/2012/1/5/notradio_1512.html

Links:
Noise of Thunder Radio- Chris Pinto
http://www.noiseofthunder.com/noise-of-thunder-radio-show/

The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn- on YouTube 
http://youtu.be/tXei0Zb3dxM 

The Coming Shift in 2012 - Just One Roar of the Lion

Happy New Year Saints of God!


Below is a message I want to share that confirms what the Lord has been revealing to me in regards to "soaring above" as conditions worsen and chaos ensues. Those who "bind"  themselves together with Jesus will overcome as per the scripture Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 
(Read more about the word "wait" in Strong's Concordance- http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=H6960.)


The message in the 3 videos below is from Pastor David Hairabedian. He recites a prophetic vision "Just One Roar of the Lion" received by a Christian lawyer in India named Swarna Jha. The vision is from August of 2006 and since that time most of what was received has come to pass and is still coming to pass. It is quite profound. David then speaks about it and gives an awesome message of encouragement. I hope this blesses each of you and inspires you to get into your prayer closet and into the word and get hidden in Christ!


Peace & Grace Sarah

















Links:
"Just One Roar of the Lion" text form-
http://www.issacharministry.org.au/prophetic-articles/just-one-roar-of-the-lion/

Pastor David Hairabedian website and awesome testimony-
http://davidhairabedian.com/?page=about
http://davidhairabedian.com/?page=home

Cleaning Out the Dung and Moving Up

Cleaning Out the Dung and Moving Up

Acts 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

The Lord Almighty is sovereign over our lives and each day I realize the extent of just how true this is. He uses our life experiences to teach us, perfect us and reveal truth to us and others through us. He also uses circumstances in our life to get our attention and confirm what He desires to do in us. These occurrences in our life can also represent a principle that He wants us to understand. Let me explain.

  

This morning while in prayer, the Lord quickened the title of this post to me because I am literally moving to the apartment unit directly upstairs from me and have been cleaning out and throwing away lots of unneeded stuff before I move upstairs. It was revealed to me that this is metaphorical because I believe this is exactly what is about to manifest spiritually for me and many of God’s people. In fact something has already begun because I am starting to see the truth of some things come into clearer focus. I also received a dream as a confirmation. (Two is a witness.)

In the early morning of December 12^th I had an amazing dream that was very in depth and filled with lots of symbols and layers of meaning. In particular, a big take away from the dream was that I was shown how many of God’s people believe they have taken in the milk and meat of the Word, but in fact a lot of it is “dung.” The Bible states that people will not endure sound doctrine. (2 Tim 4:3) In fact many of us who think we are doing OK on that front may also have pet doctrines and beliefs and interpretations that we must let go of before we can move up and into spiritual maturity. So you see, in order to move up, the dung must be cleaned out. How is that going to happen? I do not know, but I can say that if one does not have a love for the truth and is not grounded in the Word of God, sadly this process is probably not going to happen for those individuals.

I am not going to get into what is sound doctrine because it is not my job to instruct. The bottom line is each of us is responsible for what we know and what we do with it. We must study the Bible ourselves and rightly divide the word of truth, endure sound doctrine, test the spirits, examine ourselves to make sure we are in the faith, AND... Practice what we preach!

On that day when we stand before our Lord; there will be no blaming anyone else such as false teachers and false prophets.

Please read these scriptures:

Ezekiel 4 (Click this one to open in new window.)

2 Timothy 2:15 (Mouse over the rest of the list.)

1 John 4:1

2 Cor 13:5

John 16:13-14

Gal 6:5

Rom 1:18-19

Dan 12:10

2 Peter 3:14

 

In Christ, Sarah 

A Lamp In The Dark: The Untold History of the Bible

A Lamp In The Dark: The Untold History of the Bible

This DVD/Video is a must watch! I highly recommend it Saints! This is an extraordinary documentary about our Holy Bible. After you watch it let me know what you think.
Sarah


Here is the info from the DVD product page: (A link to purchase the DVD is below- get several and give as gifts!)


An Adullam Films Production

Written and Directed by Christian J. Pinto 
Running Time: 3 Hours (Yes it is long but worth every bit of the time it takes!)


- Enter into a world of saints and martyrs battling against spies, assassins and wolves in sheep's clothing


- Unfolds the fascinating "untold" history of the Bible


- Reveals critical information often overlooked in modern histories


- Filled with rich visual graphics and dramatic 
re-enactments of key historic events


DESCRIPTION


A Lamp in the Dark is an exciting new documentary that unfolds the fascinating “untold” history of the Bible, revealing critical information often overlooked in modern histories.  Enter into a world of saints and martyrs battling against spies, assassins and wolves in sheep’s clothing. 


Throughout the Middle Ages, the Papal Inquisition forbade biblical translation, threatening imprisonment and death to those who disobeyed.  Learn the stories of valiant warriors of the faith, such as John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, the ancient Waldenses, Albigenses and others who hazarded their lives for the sake of sharing the Gospel light with a world drowning in darkness.


Once the common people were able to read the Bible, the world was turned upside down through the Protestant Reformation.  The Reformers subdued whole kingdoms by preaching the grace of God, and exposing the unbiblical doctrines of Rome.  In response, the Vatican would launch a Counter Reformation to destroy the work of the Reformers, including the bibles they produced.


ABOUT THE PRODUCTION


A Lamp in the Dark was filmed on locations in England and Belgium, and features never before seen interviews with leading Bible scholars, including David Brown, Roger Oakland, Alan O’Reilly, D.A. Waite and others.  Also included are chief curators from the British Library in London, Erasmus House in Belgium, and the William Tyndale Museum in Vilvoorde, where Tyndale himself was burnt at the stake. 


This ground-breaking documentary is also filled with rich visual graphics and dramatic re-enactments of key historic events. 


Included in this 3 hour DVD:


1) The history of the early Church, with the warnings from Jesus and the Apostles about “grievous wolves” and apostasy.


2) How the Inquisition began for the purpose of silencing Christians and outlawing the Bible.


3) The Bible translations of John Wycliffe and William Tyndale, the Great Bible, the Geneva Bible, and finally the King James Version.


4) The Protestant Reformation and the reasons behind it.


5) Key doctrines confronted by the Reformers (i.e. Indulgences, Inspiration of Scripture, Salvation, Transubstantiation, Veneration of Mary, and Papal claims of authority).


6) The Counter Reformation which began with the founding of the Jesuit Order in 1540. 


7) The Vatican’s involvement with the Critical Text and their influence over world-wide biblical translation in the 20th century.


A Lamp in the Dark: The Untold History of the Bible
An Adullam Films Production
Executive Producer: John Doerr
Written and Directed by: Christian J. Pinto
Co-Producers: Kimberly Doerr and Meg A. Pinto
DVD Package Design by: John Shaffer 
Copyright 2009 Adullam Films LLC
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

Watch in Full Screen for best viewing~



Buy the DVD: http://www.adullamfilms.com/ALampInTheDark.html
YouTube Video link: http://youtu.be/GNZ-sOzXWEk

Christian Archeologist Exonerates Russia in the End Times - Russia is not Magog

Where in the world is Magog?

Well this could sure upset the prophecy apple cart. Many so called prophecy experts have written thousands of books claiming that Russia is Magog of Ezekiel 38 and 39. Poor Russia, I wonder if they are mad about that? I looked this up in several other places and sure enough, many other sources do not identify Magog as Russia. Read on to see just where Magog really is.
In Christ, Sarah


Christian Archeologist Exonerates Russia in the End Times
Contact: Jeffrey Goodman Ph.D., 520-885-5874, jg@thecometsofgod.com; www.thecometsofgod.com


TUCSON, Az., Sept. 28, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christian archeologist Dr. Jeffrey Goodman in his book "THE COMETS OF GOD" pokes a big hole in the theory long held by most evangelical Christians that Russia will be one of the bad guys during the end times. Based on misconceptions about Russia's origins, many evangelicals believe Russia is to be the evil empire of Ezekiel 38-39 that is to attack Israel during the end times. Goodman says this error about Russia has the potential to create an international misunderstanding that could provoke unwarranted political action.


Most end times Bible prophecy authors have argued that Russia's origins trace back to the ancient nation of "Magog" of western Asia Minor, and that Magog was the ancient "tribal name" of the "Scythians." They wrongly believe the "Scythians," a group of nomadic tribes from Central Asia traveled across the Russian steppes, and came to live in the territory north of the Black Sea. The erroneous belief that Russia is Magog from Ezekiel 38/39 can be traced back to a small group of 18th and 19th century theologians who based their assertions on historical references that had been purposefully altered. These altered references include statements attributed to the Jewish historian Josephus, and the Roman historian Pliny. Within academia today, no professional archeologists or historians or serious Bible researchers associate Magog with the Scythians or the Scythians with the Russians. The truth is that modern scholars have unequivocally documented that a group of Scandinavian Viking traders called the Rus began the Russian state during the mid AD 800's, and gave their name to Russia.


So if Russia is not Magog of end times Bible prophecy, who is? Dr. Goodman says archeologists and historians know the correct identity of the nations of Ezekiel 38-39 based on the dealings these ancient nations had with the Assyrian Royal Court. Records of the ancient Assyrian Royal Court talk about these ancient nations the same way that the Bible does. Based on the Assyrian records, archeologists recognize the Bible's Gog as a historical militant king who indeed led a multinational force that included the nations of Mesheck and Tubal, as called for in Ezekiel 38-39. Gog of Magog means "Gog of the land of Gog" and the Assyrian records identify this land as Lydia of western Asia Minor. To the Greeks Gog was known as Gyges of Lydia.


Goodman says that since Gog, Lydia (Magog) and their confederates no longer exist, Ezekiel 38-39 uses them as "historical types" of those who are to be involved in the end times battle described in Ezekiel 38-39. As King David is used as a type of the Messiah, Gog is used as a type of the antichrist. The Bible says this battle is to take place in the mountains (Ezekiel 38:8, 21 and Ezekiel 39:2, 4, 17) where God fights for Israel and reveals Himself to Israel. Moreover, the Bible's books of Daniel and Revelation both indicate that a revived Roman Empire (in essence) will be involved in such a battle.


Dr. Goodman explains that there is a connection between ancient Lydia and ancient Rome. Historians know migrants from Lydia called the Etruscans took control of the population of central Italy and put them on the fast track to becoming the powerful Roman Empire. The Etruscans were responsible for the urbanization of Rome, as well as its army and its economic advancement. The Penguin Dictionary of Archeology says "the influence of the Etruscans on Roman civilization was enormous." In the Fifth century BC the famed Greek historian Herodotus told how the Etruscans came to Italy as a result of a migration from Lydia. From fancy pottery to oriental style burial tombs, the culture of Lydia was lifted and replanted in Tuscany, north of the city of Rome. As Gog's descendents became the Kings of Lydia, their Etruscan cousins became the monarchs or Kings of Rome, and they even used the word "Etruria" as a synonym for Italy.


The historical record shows a clear connection between Magog (an eponym for Lydia) and what the Bible says will be the final expression of Roman Empire, since an Etruscan last sat on the throne of Rome before it became a Republic, and the Etruscan right to rule traces back to Lydia.


For details and illustrations please go to FREE DOWNLOADS at www.thecometsofgod.com and see "Russia is Not Magog" and "Armageddon, Magog and the War of Ezekiel 38/39."
Dr. Goodmans article: http://www.thecometsofgod.com/dwnlds/appndx-b.pdf


Source: http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/9509017871.html


Other references:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06628a.htm
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0007_0_07466.html


Maps of Lydia:
http://0.tqn.com/d/ancienthistory/1/0/m/v/2/Lydia-Map-of-Asia-Minor-under-the-Greeks-and-Romans-.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Maps_of_Lydia


Modern day Europe & the Mediterranean region:
http://www.travel-europe.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/europe-map-travel-trip.gif