The Tree of Life, Temple, and the Bread of Life

[NickHassan]

Hi SS,
Thank you for the exposition of the false trail that has led catholics to believe that receiving bread and wine saves them and to worshiping that bread and wine in their churches. They would have been wiser to feed on the scriptures which are the living bread that has come from heaven and which is symbolised in unity in the body of Christ in the communion.

[NickHassan]

Hi SS,
You say
“How important was the offering of Abraham ONLY Son? What did God give in the place of his Son….Can you see the interwoven offering of the Lamb and the only Son?'
And when John the Baptist saw Jesus he saw in prophecy the lamb that would be sacrificed on our behalf on Calvary, a perfect lamb for his sheep, his lifeblood separated from his body.

And he and his Father, as Spirit, have come back to be one in the body of Christ on earth and the shepherd leads those sheep to feed on pleasant meadows the good food of scripture.

That unity is shown in the bread and wine where the one loaf is broken and then as the fellowship partake together, the bread of the body, as one is shown again enjoined and one and enlivened by the blood of the wine shared among them.

Powerful symbolism and due our utmost respect.

But we do not worship the bread and wine.

[NickHassan]

Hi ss,
You say
“For those that can’t read scripture for what it really says or just find it hard to believe like the Jews, please study the Greek meanings for all these scriptures. What more could Jesus or the Apostles write to reveal the truth about this amazing sacrament.

It amazes me that people can believe in the sacrament of baptism of water and the Holy Spirit and don’t believe in the breaking of bread and the true presence of the Lord that is so clearly taught. Which one has the more scriptural proof and which one has the more revelations attached to it?”

The word SACRAMENT is added by men and implies God works according to the rituals of man.

But it is not of faith in God
but faith in the traditions of men.

God does tell us to obey in certain matters but obedience does not force the hand of a Sovereign God.

Catholics go further and kneel before the bread and wine to worship it
as Jesus
as God.

Such is idolatry.

[NickHassan]

Hi SS,
You say
“Joh 6:55  FOR MY FLESH IS MEAT INDEED, AND MY BLOOD IS DRINK INDEED.
Joh 6:56  HE THAT EATETH MY FLESH, and DRINKETH MY BLOOD, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

Please! how much clearer can he be His blood is DRINK indeed and his flesh is MEAT indeed. Please study all the meanings of these words in Greek that refer to Jesus giving us his flesh to eat they are intense to say the least.

Joh 6:57  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: SO HE THAT EATETH ME, EVEN HE SHALL LIVE BY ME.

Gods word says again that we eat him. Paul even goes into the dangers of eating this bread unworthily.  

Joh 6:58  This is that BREAD WHICH CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: HE THAT EATETH OF THIS BREAD SHALL LIVE FOR EVER.
Joh 6:59  These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
Joh 6:61  WHEN JESUS KNEW IN HIMSELF THAT HIS DISCIPLES MURMURED AT IT, he said unto them, DOTH THIS OFFEND YOU?

He knew they did not understand, they probably did not understand that he came down from heaven, God the Son who became flesh and then offers us His flesh as bread and blood as wine.

Joh 6:62  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend UP WHERE HE WAS BEFORE?

But they are in the Flesh and they profited nothing by the word of God. ONLY THE SPIRIT CAN REVEAL THIS.

Joh 6:63  It is THE SPIRIT THAT QUICKENETH; THE FLESH PROFITETH NOTHING: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

So in view of the last verse you posted is it
the flesh of Jesus as bread or
the Spirit of Christ as word,
that feeds us and gives us life?

Matt 4.4
” 4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. “

[NickHassan]

Hi SS,
Surely those who are leaders and in fact all in the church should be reborn into Jesus?

Catholicism teaches infant baptism so that robs men of the opportunity to repent and be reborn as they think it has already been done for them when they were mewling puking babies and they have a certificate to say so.

Jesus told us in Matt 6

” 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. “

And the way into the kingdom is through the door of Jesus

Jn 10
“1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
And
Jn 3
” 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Peter said in Acts 2
“37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

So these are the basic essentials for joining the body of Christ and those in that body are meant to espress their unity in Christ with each other at the table of the Lord.

So of what benefit is it to anyone to attend the table of the Lord where no one has been through the gate and been reborn, including the leaders?

Is it in fact the table of the Lord or some other table?

Is it of faith, or of sin, for whatever is not of faith is of sin?

[Scripture Seeker]

Hi Nick,

Are you not aware that Jesus was hungry?

Jesus is not teaching against his own supper, this would make him a liar. The Lords supper is extremely important and is taught in every gospel. Does not Jesus say the bread is his body and the wine is his blood? Yes he does and He also teaches us to *EAT* it and while doing so remember his great sacrifice on the cross when he conquered death for all the living, dead and all those yet to be born.

Don’t take offence but let’s look at what the scripture is really teaching.
Scripture teaches the truth by revelations from the Old to the New Testament.

Mat 4:1  Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the WILDERNESS to be tempted of the devil.
Mat 4:2  And when he had FASTED FORTY DAYS and forty nights, he was afterward an HUNGRED.
Mat 4:3  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, COMMAND THAT THESE STONES BE MADE BREAD.
Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, but by EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.

Note the following
the 40 years compares to 40 days
both are in the wilderness
both are provoking the that the rock should be change into bread
both teach not by bread only
both teach we should live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
[Note: the word of God is our sword against the devils temptations and false teachings]
Finally both teach of hunger but the Word/Son of God hunger is due to fasting.

Deu 8:2  And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these FORTY YEARS in the WILDERNESS, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Deu 8:3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to HUNGER, and FED THEE WITH MANNA, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth NOT LIVE BY BREAD ONLY, but BY EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE LORD doth man live.
Deu 8:4  Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, THESE FORTY YEARS.

God provided manna from heaven for them so they would not rely on themselves but instead on God’s food.

*But* what happens when they tempt God by provoking him for meat on a furnished table in the wilderness and bread from a rock….

Psa 78:17  And they SINNED YET MORE against him BY PROVOKING the MOST HIGH in the WILDERNESS.
Psa 78:18  And they tempted God in their heart by ASKING MEAT FOR THEIR LUST.
Psa 78:19  Yea, they spake against God; they said, CAN GOD FURNISH A TABLE IN THE WILDERNESS?
Psa 78:20  Behold, he SMOTE THE ROCK, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; CAN HE GIVE BREAD ALSO? can he provide flesh for his people?

Was it a good idea??

Psa 78:21  Therefore the LORD heard this, AND WAS WROTH: SO A FIRE WAS KINDLED AGAINST JACOB, AND ANGER ALSO CAME UP AGAINST ISRAEL;
Psa 78:22  Because they BELIEVED NOT in God, and TRUSTED NOT in his salvation:

Yet he gives them their desires…But while they are eating overcomes them with His wrath.

Psa 78:23  Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,
Psa 78:24  And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
Psa 78:29  So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
Psa 78:30  They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,

Was it worth it…?

Psa 78:31  THE WRATH OF GOD CAME UPON THEM, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
Psa 78:32  For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
Psa 78:33  Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
Psa 78:34  When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

Now as far as the bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ this is a *very* easy teaching to defend. But only easy for those that Love the bible. I believe you do, so we shouldn’t have any problems.

Lets just look at the gospels of Matthew Mark Luke and John with Paul’s added add of clearing any heresy.  

Every gospel teaches the Lords supper, how can you break and eat a symbol??
Does not Jesus say that the bread IS HIS BODY

Matthew
Mat 26:26  And as they were eating, JESUS TOOK BREAD, AND BLESSED IT, AND BRAKE IT, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, EAT; THIS IS MY BODY.
Mat 26:27  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, DRINK YE ALL OF IT;
Mat 26:28  For THIS IS MY BLOOD of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Mark
Mar 14:22  And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and BLESSED, and BRAKE IT, and gave to them, and said, TAKE, EAT: THIS IS MY BODY.
Mar 14:23  And he TOOK THE CUP, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and THEY ALL DRANK OF IT.
Mar 14:24  And he said unto them, THIS IS MY BLOOD of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Luke
Luk 22:19  And he TOOK BREAD, and gave thanks, and BRAKE IT, and gave unto them, saying, THIS IS MY BODY which is given for you: THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.
Luk 22:20  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Please *note* you can’t break or eat a symbol, there is no symbol, it IS THE BODY OF CHRIST! Please don’t forget when reasoning with your mind that the mind is flesh

Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17  For the flesh lusteth AGAINST THE SPIRIT, and the Spirit against the flesh: AND THESE ARE CONTRARY THE ONE TO THE OTHER: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Jesus says the same thing by saying the flesh profited nothing and that you need the spirit to quicken your understanding.

So walk in the spirit because if you do so you will walk by faith and not by sight. Never forget “the word is truth”, not the fleshly mind of man.

1Co 10:15  I SPEAK AS TO WISE MEN; JUDGE YE WHAT I SAY.
1Co 10:16  THE CUP OF BLESSING WHICH WE BLESS, IS IT NOT THE COMMUNION OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST? THE BREAD WHICH WE BREAK, IS IT NOT THE COMMUNION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST?

1Co 10:21  YE CANNOT DRINK THE CUP OF THE LORD, AND THE CUP OF DEVILS: YE CANNOT BE PARTAKERS OF THE LORD'S TABLE, AND OF THE TABLE OF DEVILS.
1Co 10:22  DO WE PROVOKE THE LORD TO JEALOUSY? ARE WE STRONGER THAN HE?

Now Paul explains away any doubts we may have but we need to have faith in the word. So have child like faith and believe.

1Co 11:23  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, THE SAME NIGHT IN WHICH HE WAS BETRAYED, TOOK BREAD,
1Co 11:24  And giving thanks, broke and said: TAKE YE AND EAT: This IS MY BODY, which shall be delivered for you. This do for the commemoration of me.
1Co 11:25  In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: THIS CHALICE IS THE NEW TESTAMENT IN MY BLOOD. This do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me.
1Co 11:26  FOR AS OFTEN AS YOU SHALL EAT THIS BREAD AND DRINK THE CHALICE, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come.
1Co 11:27  THEREFORE, WHOSOEVER SHALL EAT THIS BREAD, OR DRINK THE CHALICE OF THE LORD UNWORTHILY, SHALL BE GUILTY OF THE BODY AND OF THE BLOOD OF THE LORD.

“Not discerning” what ? What did Paul say the apparent “bread” and “wine” are?

1Co 11:28  But let a man EXAMINE HIMSELF, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

We need to examine ourselves so we don’t eat judgement /damnation
.

1Co 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, EATETH AND DRINKETH DAMNATION TO HIMSELF, NOT DISCERNING THE LORD'S BODY.

The word is truth!
See if we don’t discern that the bread is the body of Christ we eat DAMNATION/JUDGEMENT.  So…..

Rom 3:4  God forbid: yea, LET GOD BE TRUE, BUT EVERY MAN A LIAR; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art JUDGED.

Not discerning the Lords real presence can cause damnation sickness weakness and death

1Co 11:30  Therefore are there many INFIRM and WEAK among you: and many SLEEP.

So judge yourselves so you will not be judged or be made sick or die…

1Co 11:31  But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
1Co 11:32  But whilst we are judged, we are CHASTISED by the Lord, THAT WE BE NOT CONDEMNED WITH THIS WORLD.

Jesus says the same thing in revelations in reference to clothing us in himself, compare above/below

Rev 3:19  AS MANY AS I LOVE, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN: BE ZEALOUS THEREFORE, AND REPENT.

Rev 3:18  I COUNSEL THEE TO BUY OF ME GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, THAT THOU MAYEST BE RICH; AND WHITE RAIMENT, THAT THOU MAYEST BE CLOTHED, and THAT THE SHAME OF THY NAKEDNESS DO NOT APPEAR; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Rev 3:20  BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR, AND KNOCK: IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE, AND OPEN THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN TO HIM, AND WILL SUP [dine] WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME.

*WHAT* would it take to believe if you can’t trust in the word of God??

Now for the gospel of the beloved John

Joh 6:52  THE JEWS THEREFORE STROVE AMONG THEMSELVES, SAYING, HOW CAN THIS MAN GIVE US HIS FLESH TO EAT?

THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND,
SO JESUS ***DRIVES*** THE MESSAGE HOME
When Jesus says verily verily he is saying truly truly.
He is NOT a liar….

Joh 6:53  Then Jesus said unto them, VERILY, VERILY, I say unto you, EXCEPT YE EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN, AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YE HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU.
Joh 6:54  Whoso EATETH my FLESH, and DRINKETH my BLOOD, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Now if that did answer the quarrelling Jews who said “how can this man give us his flesh” well ask yourself what else Jesus could possibly say….

Joh 6:55  FOR MY FLESH IS MEAT INDEED, AND MY BLOOD IS DRINK INDEED.
Joh 6:56  HE THAT EATETH MY FLESH, and DRINKETH MY BLOOD, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

They reject his teaching because they don’t have eyes of Faith
He lets them go because they walk by the flesh and not by the spirit.

Joh 6:66  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

It is by eating his flesh we dwell in him, YES when we eat his flesh we cloth ourselves in Him. Check out all the revelations of the marriage supper.
All Life is found in the Son, He is both the tree of Life and the High priest.
The dynamic range of the Son/Word of God never ceases to amaze me, the Lamb to the Almighty.

Even Luther understood and discerned the Lords body [presence in the Eucharist] .

Luther was convinced that God had blinded Zwingli's eyes so that he could not see the true significance of the Lord's Supper, denouncing Zwingli and his followers as “fanatics” and “devils”and refusing to call his opponents brethren, though he wished them peace and love.

Quoted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther

NO Church father ***EVER*** teaches that the Eucharist is not the lords body and blood. Here are a few quotes of what they really believed…..
St. Ignatius of Antioch, ca. A.D. 110
They [the Gnostics] abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in his goodness, raised up again. (Letter to Smyrn 7:1)
I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire the Bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire His blood, which is love incorruptible. (Letter to Romans 7:3)

Take care, then, to use one Eucharist, so that whatever you do, you do according to God: For there is one flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ, and one cup in the union of His blood; one altar, as there is one bishop with the presbytery… (Letter to Philadelphians 4:1)

St. Justin Martyr, ca A.D. 150
We call this food Eucharist; and no one else is permitted to partake of it, except one who believes our teaching to be true and who has been washed in the washing which is for the remission of sins and for regeneration [being born again in Baptism], and is thereby living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread nor common drink do we receive these; but since Jesus Christ our Savior was made incarnate by the word of God and had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so too, as we have been taught, the food which has been made into the Eucharist by the Eucharistic prayer set down by Him, and by the change of which our blood and flesh is nourished, is both the flesh and blood of that incarnate Jesus. (First Apology 66)

Moreover, as I said before, concerning the sacrifices which you at that time offered, God speaks through Malachi [1:10-12]…It is of the sacrifices offered to Him in every place by us, the Gentiles, that is, of the bread of the Eucharist and likewise of the cup of the Eucharist, that He speaks at that time; and He says that we glorify His name, while you profane it. (Dialogue with Trypho 41)
St. Irenaeus, ca A.D. 140-202
He took from among creation that which is bread, and gave thanks, saying This is My body.” The cup likewise, which is from among the creation to which we belong, He confessed to be His blood. (Against Heresies 4:17:5)

But what consistency is there in those who hold that the bread over which thanks have been given is the body of their Lord, and the cup His blood, if they do not acknowledge that He is the Son of the Creator… How can they say that the flesh which has been nourished by the body of the Lord and by His blood gives way to corruption and does not partake of life? …For as the bread from the earth, receiving the invocation of God, is no longer common bread but the Eucharist, consisting of two elements, earthly and heavenly… (Against Heresies 4:18:4-5)

If the body be not saved, then, in fact, neither did the Lord redeem us with His Blood; and neither is the cup of the Eucharist the partaking of His blood nor is the bread which we break the partaking of His body… He has declared the cup, a part of creation, to be His own blood, from which He causes our blood to flow; and the bread, a part of creation, He has established us as His own body, from which He gives increase to our bodies. When, therefore, the mixed cup and the baked bread receives the Word of God and becomes the Eucharist, the body of Christ, and from these the substance of our flesh is increased and supported, how can they say that the flesh is not capable of receiving the gift of God, which is eternal life — flesh which is nourished by the body and blood of the Lord…receiving the Word of God, becomes the Eucharist, which is the body and blood of Christ… (Against Heresies 5:2:2-3)
Tertullian, ca A.D. 155-250
The flesh feeds on the body and blood of Christ, so that the soul too may fatten on God. (Resurrection of the Dead 8:3)

The Sacrament of the Eucharist, which the Lord commanded to be taken at meal times and by all, we take even before daybreak in congregations… We take anxious
care lest something of our Cup or Bread should fall upon the ground… (The Crown 3:3-4)
Tertullian
“[T]here is not a soul that can at all procure salvation, except it believe whilst it is in the flesh, so true is it that the flesh is the very condition on which salvation hinges. And since the soul is, in consequence of its salvation, chosen to the service of God, it is the flesh which actually renders it capable of such service. The flesh, indeed, is washed [in baptism], in order that the soul may be cleansed . . . the flesh is shadowed with the imposition of hands [in confirmation], that the soul also maybe illuminated by the Spirit; the flesh feeds [in the Eucharist] on the body and blood of Christ, that the soul likewise may be filled with God” (The Resurrection of the Dead 8 [A.D. 210]).
Origen, ca. A.D. 185-254
We give thanks to the Creator of all, and, along with thanksgiving and prayer for the blessings we have received, we also eat the bread presented to us; and this bread becomes by prayer a sacred body, which sanctifies those who sincerely partake of it. (Against Celsus 8:33)

You are accustomed to take part in the divine mysteries, so you know how, when you have received the body of the Lord, you reverently exercise every care lest a particle of it fall, and lest anything of the consecrated gift perish… how is it that you think neglecting the word of God a lesser crime than neglecting His body? (Homilies on Exodus 13:3)

Formerly there was baptism in an obscure way . . . now, however, in full view, there is regeneration in water and in the Holy Spirit. Formerly, in an obscure way, there was manna for food; now, however, in full view, there is the true food, the flesh of the Word of God, as he himself says: “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink’ [John 6:56]” (Homilies on Numbers 7:2).

St. Cyprian of Carthage, ca A.D. 200-258
He Himself warns us, saying, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood you shall not have life in you.” Therefore do we ask that our Bread, which is Christ, be given to us daily, so that we who abide and live in Christ may not withdraw from His sanctification and from His Body. (The Lord's Prayer 18)

ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM, CA. A.D. 350

This one teaching of the blessed Paul is enough to give you complete certainty about the Divine Mysteries, by your having been deemed worthy of which, you have become united in body and blood with Christ. For Paul proclaimed clearly that: “On the night in which He was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ, taking bread and giving thanks, broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying: 'Take, eat, This is My Body.' And taking the cup and giving thanks, He said, 'Take, drink, This is My Blood.'” He Himself, therefore, having declared and said of the Bread, “This is My Body,” who will dare any longer to doubt? And when He Himself has affirmed and said, “This is My Blood,” who can ever hesitate and say it is not His Blood? (22 [Mystagogic 4], 1)

Mat 22:9  Go ye therefore into the highways; and AS MANY AS YOU SHALL FIND, CALL TO THE MARRIAGE.
Mat 22:10  And HIS SERVANTS GOING FORTH INTO THE WAYS, gathered together all that they found, BOTH BAD AND GOOD: and the marriage was filled with guests.
Mat 22:11  And the king went in to see the guests: AND HE SAW THERE A MAN WHO HAD NOT ON A WEDDING GARMENT.
Mat 22:12  And he saith to him: Friend, HOW CAMEST THOU IN HITHER NOT HAVING ON A WEDDING GARMENT? BUT HE WAS SILENT.
Mat 22:13  Then the king said to the waiters: BIND HIS HANDS AND FEET, AND CAST HIM INTO THE EXTERIOR DARKNESS. THERE SHALL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.
Mat 22:14  FOR MANY ARE CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN.

Love and Blessings in the name of Jesus

[NickHassan]

Hi SS,
I do not dispute that it is right to bring to remebrance the death of the Saviour at the table of the Lord with the bread and wine being reunited in us with him.

What I do say it that those who preach this have forgotten that they should seek first the kingdom . They are not reborn in the way Jesus said so the rest is useless. They are not yet one with the Lord as they have not entered through the door, so what they do in his name is only adding further insults to the Master.

The word is our food and Jesus is that Word. He told us it is truth and that we should abide in it. He showed the true meaning of the flesh and blood of Jn 6 by verse 63

“63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

It is folly indeed to teach salvation by reception of the bread and wine from the table anyway as catholicism does. That does not save us but is a further command given to the saved.

No magic sacraments can substitute for faith in the works of Jesus done for us and obedience to the command of God that we be reborn into him.

Parents cannot repent or believe for us so infant baptism is an faithless sham. Men must all repent or they will all perish.

[NickHassan]

Hi SS,
I came out of her and will never sup again with demons.

The great apostasy turned Christ into a historical figure and faith into useless ritual. It made men new self appointed lawgivers, and they taught that access to grace was only through them.

Folly followed folly. Scripture was paid lipservice to while men elevated their own imaginings to be greater than scripture making themselves greater than Jesus and thus stoking the fire for their own futures.

Religion became a selfserving series of artforms, cermonies, sacraments and feasts while the power of God was to be abhored.

Jesus and His Father had no place in the new scheme of things except in being used to justify it's existence and manipulate the guilt of unsaved men.

Confusion arose and served as mysteries to ensure retention of power by the cloistered experts who taught that only they held the keys to understanding.

Those manmade doctrines have had their day and light is breaking through with the emperor being seen by most to be foolishly naked, while the Spirit reawakens God's people and shows them to shun what was never of faith.

[kenrch]

AMEN! AMEN! AND AMEN! Nick.

[seeking the truth]

The Book of Life and The Tree of Life          In order for me to realize a blessing when it comes and to appreciate it, God showed me I also had to possess a share of the many type of weaknesses that lies in men's hearts.  God wrote his book of life for the weak and the hopeless and for all of those who were filled with fear, doubt, foolishness, rebellion, resentments, blindness, stubborness, pride, and so on and so forth.  That book of life came into the flesh and we all know him to be Jesus Christ.  He said, “God is a God of the living, not the dead…” and if God is a God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, then that must mean they are all living.  He also said, “I am in those who are in me and if they are in me, then, they are in the Father as well and the Father is in them…”  I will use some examples to show you how you can be inscribed in the book of life and how each person who lives in Christ testifies to the Truth.

          The book of life begins with Abraham, which wrote a story about faith throughout the experiences of his life.  God used Abraham as an instrument or a 'spiritual pen' to describe what it is to have faith in God, for, God even referred Abraham as his prophet and a prophet is one who sets an example for others by obeying and following God's decrees and laws.  And the first law began with Abraham which is to have faith.  The reason why God said that ALL nations would be blessed through him because he represents the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven, just as Christ preached 'you must first have faith…'

         Another message telling the story of Christ is Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob; who proclaimed throughout his life, the example of forgiveness.  Joseph was a man of forgiveness as he forgave his brothers for the wrongs that they did to him.  After all the mistreatment, suffering and injustice he faced, he forgave them anyway and that's how he prophesied about God's ways and laws, one of which is forgive and forget.  

         Even Mordechai, the man who adopted his neice, Esther who came to be a great queen, set an example of what it means to be discreet and cunning as snakes as he hid himself from his enemies and fooled the soldiers by pretending to be crazy.  Mordechai is also an instrument of God, proclaiming discretion; as well as Esther who was a vessel to declare God's mercy.  Esther interceded for the people as Christ interceded for the world and Esther is also another branch in Christ.

         Samuel who represented a servant who was obedient and did as the Lord instructed him… God used him as a vessel to proclaim what it is to serve obediently.  God proclaimed insight through the instrument, Daniel.  Daniel's main example was portrayed when he mostly interpreted dreams and visions for kings and people.   Jeremiah, you may know as the weeping prophet, proclaimed compassion.  David, who represented repentance as he constantly went out of his way to atone the sins of his own and the sins of others; his main concerns were always making sure he was penitent in his own heart and remain right before God.  That's why he wrote the book of psalms, which is God's knowledge, for it is written,  'by his knowledge their sins were atoned.'  Solomon who proclaimed wisdom as God poured out his common sense through him and he wrote the book of proverbs, song of songs and so on.  Samson is a man of strength as Joshua is a man of courage; Ephraim and Mannassah who were inscribed to being Jacob's own blood sons represented the gentiles becoming God's very own children just as the tribes of Israel is seen to be God's very own children.  Moses is a man of humility who always kept humble even when his own people constantly badgered him and provoked him.  

         By now, I'm sure you get the point… we are the ones God uses to write his book or in another words, 'build his house', also known as Jesus Christ.  Those who have Christ are also in Christ and if you're in Christ, then you are inscribed into the book of life.  If you are indeed written in the book of life, then you are setting an example for the world throughout your life on earth by obeying and following God's decrees and laws.  

         If you lack the fruits of love (mercy, discretion, discernment, wisdom, knowledge, compassion, humility, and so on and so forth), then you are eligible to recieve Christ.  For, he proclaimed, “It's not the healthy that need help but the sick…”  And those who lack love, lack life; and those who lack life, are sick in their souls.  Wherefore, when I used to grieve in my weaknesses and sicknesses of being fearful, doubtful, resentful, hateful, ungrateful which led me into living a miserable life, Christ, which is the root of love came into my heart and gave me a share of his fruits of love.  And when I recieved a share of his fruits of love, that means David, Solomon, Esther, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Daniel, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, ect., all live in me as they reside in Christ.  That's what Christ meant when he said, “and I will share with you my inheritance…”  For, all of God's prophets, those God stored his ways and laws in and they are Christ's inheritance.  Those who set an example by walking in God's ways and love are God's fruit that is born from the Holy Spirit (Christ).  And when Christ came, God blessed the Bread so that it would be enough for all the world.  Hopefully, this will give people a better understanding of how the prophets prophesied about Christ; for, Christ is the Tree of Life, who bore many branches (prophets), which bore good fruit (lived right by God and by men).

[NickHassan]

Hi STT,
Yes it is all GRACE.
Grace comes when we acknowledge weakness and defeat, and ask.

[seeking the truth]

I learned something very important … perhaps it is the most important thing I've ever learned in this lifetime.  

         During a fellowship with a dear friend, we came to realize that not all prayers may be answered right away and that we can't give up our faith in the Lord just because it may feel like they will never be answered.  I know it's easy to give up on hope, especially when what I had asked from God, I had not yet recieved; and because of the increase of my worries, a thought came to challenge me during my time of distress.  The pressures of this world can easily discourage one to give up and when the trials become even more burdensome, many of us are quick to become frustrated and angry… which eventually, causes us to give up and bring charges on one another- and many of us, go as far as accusing God.  It's simple for us to claim ourselves as constant victims in any type of situation that involves suffering and it's also easier for us to place the blame of our pains, downfalls, failures, struggles and oppression on others as we sulk in self pity instead of taking the responsibility to accept the things as the way they are and to make the best out of it.  

You see, there are fortunate people and unfortunate people; free people and enslaved people; sick people and healthy people; poor people and rich people; wicked people and righteous people; godly people and ungodly people; no matter what the difference may be, we all have one thing in common:  We are ALL, in one way or another, guilty of crucifying the son of the Living God of Abraham… from the very first man to the last, we all crucified him, though many of us know it not.  And I strongly believe that it's not the pain we face daily or the dissappointments that we should suffer our souls with depression and sorrows; but the truth and the fact that every time we do wrong (whatever it may be), the Lord, at the present time, is constantly afflicted by cords and whips somewhere in another dimension of time- since he is, after all, omnipresent.  Because every wrong done in this world, creates another wound on the flesh of the one and only who is able to clear us all of our guilty charges.  Indeed the struggles of this world may corner and suffocate me, but I finally realized, who am I to complain?  I wonder, when Jesus prayed at the Gethesmane, did he ever think how unfair it was for someone so innocent to take on the penalties of the world?  There is no love more unconditional than taking the suffering from those who deserve it, only to place it upon himself, that the guilty might live.  Without a certainty that we would be able to see the truth or learn to accept what he's done for us, the Lord used his every last strength to make that choice to do what he did in order for us to live on.  Not just to live on, but to live on without shame or guilt and to enjoy the type of freedom that Christ would've experienced during his walk on earth, if he had not chose to hand that freedom over to us.   He took our place and without demanding of a price, he set us free; even as we were blind in the stubborness of our hearts and even as many continued to beat on him, he did it anyway.  Now I wonder if the Lord ever cried out, 'Stop! Stop! Please, stop! Stop sinning for the pain is unbearable!' as we continue our afflictions on him by sinning against one another.  Though he knew in his heart that it didn't occur to people that, the bottom line, whenever they've done wrong, wrong was being done to him.  Which is why he said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”  In a vision I saw, it's not the soldiers who tortured him and nailed him to the cross that ultimately afflicted him… the true crucifixion was the bruising of his Spirit- the bruising we caused by sinning against God and against one another.  Now that I've come to know and understand this, can I honestly be bold as to complain to the Father about the way my life has gone and is going?  Whether my life was the most fortunate or unfortunate, godly or ungodly, righteous or unrighteous and so forth, have I the oudasity and the right to request for anything more other than for his forgiveness?  That each time I lied, cheated, stole, ect…, I took off a piece of Jesus Christ's flesh, tearing it off from his bones, wounding him and causing him to bleed constantly.  The Lord has humbled me with this Word of Truth and I pray I never forget that GOD'S GRACE  is indeed sufficient; for, he pardoned the world, even as we continue to bruise Christ to this day.  Now I understand what the saints meant by 'we all have sinned', whether we make a common mistake or an intentional wrong, we all have sinned and the Lord expressed his unconditional love by sealing us from death.  And know, when he gives ear to our prayers and requests, he does so because he loves us; and understand, that he doesn't have to do any more than what he's already done for us because he already paid the ultimate price.  I thank God through our Lord, Jesus Christ, for his Grace and Mercy and in his memory, I break this bread and share it with all of you; Peace be yours in abundance!

[NickHassan]

Hi STT,
I agree that we should admit like Paul that we are the greatest sinners, with the roots of every evil born within us and that we are least deserving of mercy. But Christ suffered once for all. His personal sufferings are ended though his body on earth still endures persecution.
Romans 8:17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
2 Corinthians 1:5
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed

Heb9
24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

25Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

[NickHassan]

Hi,
Jesus is the living bread of life that came down from heaven.
He is the living word of God, the truth, and the resurrection and the life
We cannot live by [ordinary]bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
We must keep reading the scriptures till the light of the morning star, Jesus, rises in our hearts and he is born in us.

[NickHassan]

Hi,
Matt 24
 45″Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?

46″Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. “
 

The only useful food to share here is scripture.
The speculations of men are death

“My words are spirit and life” Jn6

[Author]

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