*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
BY WILLIE WONG
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
GOD
1. What or Who is God?
It is wrong to ask what is God because God is not a thing or subject. It is also wrong to ask who is God because God is not a man. God is the most difficult to define. God is the Mystery of all mysteries. God is the Creator and Ruler and Protector of the universe. God is Spirit, Holy Father, Heavenly Father and Eternal Father.
JESUS
2. Who is Jesus?
Jesus means Savior. God sent His Son from Heaven to the earth to save sinners. He died for the sins of the BELIEVERS, rose from death by the power of God. Jesus is coming again to reign with the saints for ever because He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
The Holy Spirit
3. Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Lord Jesus; He regenerates believers in Christ, sanctifies them and leads them into all truth.
The Trinity
4. What is the Trinity?
The Trinity is not the doctrine of three Gods. The Trinity means the Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit — the triune God in One.
Salvation
5. What is salvation?
Salvation is the way of God: by grace God justifies whoever believes in Jesus Christ, by gift He grants eternal life to whoever accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Faith
6. What is faith?
Faith is taking the Word of God at face value, and trust He is able to do what He says.
Hope
7. What is hope?
Hope is believing in the assurance that God will accomplish blessed things He promises.
Love
8. What is love?
Love is genuinely directing your hearts toward God and toward those in the faith.
Sin
9. What is sin?
Sin is disobedience to the Word of God. Sin is the violation of the law.
Heaven
10. What is heaven?
Heaven is the paradise of God and to be with God.
Hell
11. What is hell?
Hell is the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, place of eternal suffering in darkness.
Sanctification
12. What is sanctificatin?
Sanctification is making yourself slave to righteousnes, doing the will of God, and abstaining form sexual immorality.
Baptism
13. What is baptism?
Baptism is a Christian rite, symbolizing the old man buried with Christ and rising the new man with good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Supper
14. What is the Lord’s Supper.
A Christian ritual is done to remember the Body of Christ who died for our sins and the Blood of Jesus who released and cleanses us from our sins.
Justification
15. What is justification?
Through transgression God condemned the sins of all men, and God through the righteousness of Jesus Christ by grace and through faith resulted in justification of life.
The Churh
16. What is the Church?
The Church is the Body of Christ — a body of which Christ is the Head, a body made by one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. Often misunderstood, you can be a member of a local church –the organized religion, and not a member of the Church of Christ.
The Scriptures
17. What are the Scriptures?
The Scriptures are the Word of God, written in the Holy Bible. The Word of God is supreme and ultimate and eternal.
The Christian
18. Who is the Christian?
A saved believer in Christ, a saint on earth who is working, witnessing, and waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is not an equivalent of evangelical or fundamentalist. In other words, you can be an evangelical or fundamentalist and not a Christian.
Christianity
19. What is Chritianity?
The Christian Faith or the Christian Religion.
Christendom
20. What is Christendom?
A misnomer of the nonexisten Christian nations on earth.
Grace
21. What is grace?
The undeserved favor that God grants to believers.
The Kingdom of God
22. What is the Kingdom of God?
The dispensation of grace when Jesus Christ began to proclaim the Gospel of God so that sinners may repent and believe to receive the forginness of sins. The Kingdom of God will close when Jesus Christ returns to reign.
The Kingdom of Heaven
23. What is the Kindom of Heaven?
The Kingdom of Heaven is the last phase of the second coming, it fulfils the Kingdom of God when the devil and the wicked will be thrown down to the Lake of Fire and Brimstone for eternal suffering, and the Lord Jesus will begin His eternal reign with the saints. The Kingdom of Heaven is located in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.
The Rapture
24. What is the Rapture
The Rapture is the first phase to begin the second coming of Christ when those who died in Christ will rise from the dead first and the living saints will be transformed or changed together to meet the Lord in the space. It is a secret process and to be accomplished in the twinkling of an eye.
The Great Tribulation
25. What is the Great Tribulation?
After the Rapture will begin the Great Tribulation a period has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. Those days had been cut short. No one knows how many days had been cut short, then Jesus Christ will descend with angels and saints in great power and glory, visible and audible.
The Millennium
26. What is the Millennium?
When Jesus appears again, He will establish the Millennium — a 1,000 year of peaceful reign after the devil has been cast into the abyss so that he can no more deceive the world. Isa 11:6-10 describe the blessed state.
The Armageddon
27. What is the Armageddon?
When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, to deceive nations and lead many for the war. The King of kings and the Lord of lords will never need to fight a war, for fire comes
down from Heaven and devours the followers of the devil.
The White Throne judgment
28. What is the White Throne judgment?
After the Armageddon, it is the last judgment for the devil, the beast and the false prophet and all the wicked to be thrown into the Lake of Fire and
Brimstone, where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.Then ultimately Jesus Christ and the saints will reign in the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever.
Repentance
29. What is repentance?
Sinners need to repent, a change of heart, feeling sorry for the sins committed, and sorrowful to the point of repentance; turning from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God,and performing deeds consistent with repentance.
The Old Testament
30. What is the Old Testament?
It is the covenant of God with the Jewish people, composed of 39 books, from Genesis to Malachi.
The New Testament
31. What is the New Testament?
It is the covenant of Jesus with the chosen people called Christians. It is composed of 27 books, from the Gospel of Matthew to Revelation.
Idolatry
32. What is idolatry?
The worship of idols or false gods. Money, power and sex can also be idols, the objects of worship.
Adultery
33. What is adultery?
Sexual intercourse committed outside of marriage.
Fornication
34. What is fornication?
Sexual intercouse committed by unmarried persons.
Reconciliation
35. What is reconciliation?
The enmity between God and sinners is made right through the redemption in Jesus Christ.
Adoption
36. What is adoption?
God adopts sinners through the redemption in Christ as sons (children) with inheritance.
Blessed Hope
37. What is the Blessed Hope?
The second coming of Christ for the redemption of the bodies of believers.
The Gospel
38. What is the Gospel?
The good news for all the people that Jesus Christ died for sinners; all who repent and believe in the Lord will receive forgiveness of sins and inherit the eternal life.
Blasphemy
39. What is blasphemy?
Blasphemy is speaking irreverently against God. Jesus warns that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.
Apostle
40. What is an Apostle?
An Apostle is a special disciple of Jesus Christ. The 12 Apostles of the Lamb are: Peter, Andrew, John, James, Philip, Bartolomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus;Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariotwas replaced by Paul.
Crucifixion
41. What is crucifixion?
Crucifixion is the Roman cruelest way to execute a person by nailing him/her with metal spikes. Jesus Christ who had no sin, was crucified for our sins.
Devil
42. Who is the devil?
The devil is the deceiver, a fallen angel called Lucifer; a liar and murderer, also called Satan, the dragon, the old serpent.
Hypocrite
43. What is a hypocrite?
A hypocrite is a pretender who sees only the faults of others, but not his own.
Amen
44. What is amen?
Amen, according to Strong’s Concordance:
“The word “amen” is a most remarkable word. It was transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word in human speech. The word is directly related — in fact, almost identical — to the Hebrew word for “believe” (aman), or faithful. Thus, it came to mean “sure” or “truly”, an expression of absolute trust and confidence. ”
Rabbi
45. What is Rabbi?
Rabbi in Hebrew means “my teacher”, a title of respect for Jewish teachers.
Sabbath
46. What is Sabbath?
It is the seventh day (Saturday) of the week which God sets aside for the Jews to rest.
Satan
47. Who is Satan?
Santan means “accuser.” Another name for the devil who is an enemy of God and God’s children.
Soul
48. What is soul?
Soul is the innermost being of a person. When the soul of a person is departing, the person is dead. God can kill a person’s body and soul in Hell.
Spirit
49. What is spirit?
Spirit is the essence from God, opposed to the flesh. Spirit does not have flesh and bones. We are to worship God in spirit and truth. An angel is a spirit. The spirit of your minds can be renewed. Christians can unite in spirit, stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel. A gentle spirit can be known. OUR spirit and soul and body may be kept complete.
Tripartite OR Trigotomy
50. What is tripartite or trigotomy of mankind?
Holy Trinity is spoken about God, never about man. Man is a tripartite, namely, body, soul and spirit.
sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This is a new knowledge even the scientists do not know: the entire man is made of spirit and soul and body. Every person knows about body, we should not magnify the obvious. How few know the difference between soul and spirit.
(23) And.—The logic of such an expression as, “Do this, and may you be happy,” lies in the writer’s own connection with both the command and the prayer: “I bid you abstain from every evil kind of thing, and I pray that God Himself may enable you to keep the commandment.”
The very God of peace.—In more usual English, “the God of peace Himself:” the contrast is between the futile efforts after holiness of which they in themselves were capable, and the almighty power of sanctification exercised by God. This sanctification (which is the special work of the Third Person) is here ascribed to the First Person of the Holy Trinity, from whom the Holy Ghost proceeds. He is called (as in Hebrews 13:20) the “God of peace,” not in reference to any dissensions between the Thessalonians (1Thessalonians 5:13), but because of the peace which His sanctification brings into the soul, so that it fears neither temptation’s power nor persecution’s rage. (Comp. the Second Collect for Evensong).
Sanctify you wholly.—Rather, sanctify you whole. The idea is rather that of leaving no part unsanctified, than that of doing the work completely so far as it goes: thus it serves to introduce the next sentence, which explains it.
And I pray God.—If there were need of any insertion, it should have been “We pray God:” Silas and Timothy are never forgotten throughout.
Spirit and soul and body.—This is St. Paul’s fullest and most scientific psychology, not merely a rhetorical piling up of words without any particular meaning being assigned to them. Elsewhere, he merely divides man according to popular language, into two parts, visible and invisible, “body and spirit” (1Corinthians 6:20; 1Corinthians 7:34, et al.); the division into “body and soul” he never uses. (Comp. Note on 1Corinthians 2:14.) The “spirit” (pneuma) is the part by which we apprehend realities intuitively—i.e., without reasoning upon them; with it we touch, see, serve, worship God (John 4:23-24; Romans 1:9; 1Corinthians 6:17; Revelation 1:10, et al.); it is the very inmost consciousness of the man (see, e.g., 1Corinthians 2:11); it is the part of him which survives death (Hebrews 12:23; 1Peter 3:19; comp. Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59). The “soul.” (psyche) includes the intellect, the affections, and the will: and it is of the very essence of the gospel to force sharply upon men the distinction between it and the spirit (Hebrews 4:12). Low-living men may have soul (i.e., intellect, affection, will) in abundance, but their spirit falls into complete abeyance (Jude 1:19); the soul belongs altogether to the lower nature, so that when St. Paul uses the two-fold division, “body and spirit,” the soul is reckoned (not, probably, as Bishop Ellicott says on our present passage, as part of the spirit, but) as part of the body; and when St. Paul describes the “works of the flesh,” he includes among them such distinctly soul-sins as “heresies” (Galatians 5:20). Sanctification preserves all these three divisions entire, and in their due relation to each other; without sanctification, the spirit might be overwhelmed by the other parts gaining the predominance, which would, of course, eventually be the ruin both of “soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28. N.B., that our Lord says nothing of the destruction of the “spirit” in hell: the question is whether He there definitely meant to exclude “spirit,” or used “soul” popularly as including it). Where the New Testament writers acquired such a psychology cannot be determined, but it was probably derived from experimental knowledge of life, not from books, and all experience confirms its accuracy. Modern science tends more and more to show that “soul” is a function of “body.”
Unto the coming.—A mistranslation for “at the coming,” caused by the slight difficulty in understanding the true version. The idea is not so much that of their preservation from sin during the interval, but rather the writers hasten in eager anticipation to the Coming itself, and hope that the Thessalonians at the Coming will be found to have been preserved. “Blameless” should have been “blamelessly.”
At the moment, we do not want to ask the question: What is the soul?
The view taken of this verse will depend on the answer to the question whether תּזכר is second or third pers. fem. Following in the wake of Luther (“Thou wilt assuredly think thereon”), C. B. Michaelis, Pareau, Rosenmller, and Kalkschmidt take it as second pers.: “Think, yea, think wilt Thou, that my soul is bowed down in me,” or “that my soul is at rest within me” (Ngelsbach). But it is impossible to maintain either of these views in the face of the language employed. To take the ו before תּשׁיח in the meaning of quod is characterized by Ngelsbach as an arbitrary procedure, unwarranted either by Genesis 30:27 or Ezekiel 13:11; but neither can the meaning of resting, being at east, which is attributed to שׁוּח or שׁיח by that writer, be established. The verb means to sink down, Proverbs 2:18, and metaphorically, to be bowed down, Psalm 44:26. The latter meaning is required in the present passage, from the simple fact that the sentence undeniably refers to Psalm 42:6.
(Note: Luther’s translation, “for my soul tells me,” is founded on the circumstance that the lxx have mistaken שׁיח for שׂיח: καταδολεσχήσει ἐπ ̓ ἐμὲ ἡ ψυχή μου.)
ותּשׁ expresses the consequence of זכר תּזכר, which therefore can only be the third pers., and “my soul” the subject of both clauses; for there is no logical consecution of the meaning given by such a rendering as, “If Thou wilt remember, my soul shall be bowed within me.” The expression, “If my soul duly meditates thereon (on the deep suffering), it becomes depressed within me,” forms the foundation of the request that God would think of his distress, his misery; and Lamentations 3:21, “I will lay this to heart,” connects itself with the leading thought set forth in Lamentations 3:19, the reason for which is given in Lamentations 3:20, viz., that my soul is only bowed down within me over the thought of my distress, and must complain of it to God, that He may think of it and alleviate it: This will I lay to heart and set my hope upon. על־כּן is a strong inferential expression: “therefore,” because God alone can help, will I hope. This self-encouragement begins with Lamentations 3:22, inasmuch as the prophet strengthens his hope by a consideration of the infinite compassion of the Lord. (It is) חסדי, “the mercies of God,” i.e., proofs of His mercy (cf. Psalm 89:2; Psalm 107:43; Isaiah 63:7), “that we are not utterly consumed,” as Luther and similarly our English translators have excellently rendered תּמנוּ. This form stands for תּמּונוּ, as in Jeremiah 44:18; Numbers 17:1-13 :28, not for תּמּוּ, third pers., as Pareau, Thenius, Vaihinger, and Ewald, referring to his Grammar, 84, b, would take it. The proofs of the grace of God have their foundation in His compassion, from which they flow. In Lamentations 3:23 we take חסדי as the subject of חדשׁים; it is the proofs of the grace of God that are new every morning, not “His compassions,” although the idea remains the same. לבּקרים, every morning, as in Isaiah 33:2; Psalm 73:14. Ubi sol et dies oritur, simul et radii hujus inexhaustae bonitatis erumpunt (Tarnovius in Rosenmller). The consciousness of this constant renewal of the divine favour impels to the prayerful exclamation, “great is Thy faithfulness;” cf. Psalm 36:6.”
Therefore will I hope in him – A more full expression of the confidence present in the prophet’s mind in Lamentations 3:21, but based now upon God’s faithfulness in showing mercy.”
Eze 18:4, “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine. The
Verse 4. – Behold, all souls are mine, etc. The words imply, not only creation, ownership, absolute authority, on the part of God, but, as even Calvin could recognize (in loc.), “a paternal affection towards the whole human race which he created and formed.” Ezekiel anticipates here, and yet more fully in ver. 32. the teaching of St. Paul, that “God willeth that all men should be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4). The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The sentence, though taken from the Law, which ordered capital punishment for the offences named, cannot be limited to that punishment. “Death” and “life” are both used in their highest and widest meaning – “life” as including all that makes it worth living, “death” for the loss of that only true life which is found in knowing God (John 17:3). Ezekiel 18:4.”
Mat 10:28, “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear
Him who is able to destroy both soul and body
in Hell.”
God destroys the wicked both soul and body in Hell.
Mat 16:26, “For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul?”
For what is a man profited … – To gain the whole world means to possess it as our own – all its riches, its honors, and its pleasures.
“To lose his own soul” means to be cast away, to be shut out from heaven, to be sent to hell. Two things are implied by Christ in these questions:
1. That they who are striving to gain the world, and are unwilling to give it up for the sake of religion, will lose their souls; and,
2. That if the soul is lost, nothing can be given in exchange for it, or that it can never afterward be saved. There is no redemption in hell.”
Luk 1:46-47, “And Mary said:“My soul exalts the Lord,
and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew the difference between soul and spirit. Her soul exalts the Lord and her spirit has rejoiced in God her Savior. Do you know how to exalt the Lord with your soul, and rejoice in God your Savior with your spirit? I want to; but I don’t know how. Whatever inside me exalt the Lord, whatever inside me rejoice in God my Savior. But I do not know which is which, which does what.
46–56. The Magnificat 46. And Mary said] This chapter is remarkable for preserving a record of two inspired hymns—the Magnificat and the Benedictus—which have been used for more than a thousand years in the public services of Christendom. The Magnificat first appears in the office of Lauds in the rule of St Caesarius of Arles, a. d. 507. (Blunt, Annotated Prayer Book, p. 33.) It is so full of Hebraisms as almost to form a mosaic of quotations from the Old Testament, and it is closely analogous to the Song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10). It may also be compared with the Hymn of Judith (Jdg 16:1-17). But it is animated by a new and more exalted spirit, and is specially precious as forming a link of continuity between the eucharistic poetry of the Old and New Dispensation. (See Bp Wordsworth, ad loc.) My soul doth magnify the Lord] 1 Samuel 2:1; Psalm 34:2-3. The soul (ψυχὴ) is the natural life with all its affections and emotions; the spirit (πνεῦμα) is the diviner and loftier region of our being, 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 2:10.”
Here is the answer. What is the soul? The soul is the natural life with all its affections and emotions. What is the spirit? The Spirit is the diviner and loftier region of our being. Suffice to say I am not going to debate these definitions.
Luk 24:39, “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you plainly see that I have.”
Behold my hands … – Jesus proceeds to give them evidence that he was truly the same person that had been crucified. He first showed them his hands and his feet – still, pierced, and with the wounds made by the nails still open. Compare John 20:27. He told them to handle him and see him. He ate before them. All this was to satisfy them that he was not, as they supposed, a spirit. Nor could better evidence have been given. He appealed to their senses, and performed acts which a disembodied spirit could not do.
Handle me – Or touch me; feel of me. Compare John 20:27.
And see – Be convinced, for you could not thus handle a spirit. The object here was to convince them that his body had really come to life.
For a spirit … – He appeals here to what they well knew; and this implies that the spirit may exist separate from the body. That was the view of the apostles, and our Saviour distinctly countenances that belief.”
A spirit does not have flesh and bones. This is a true knowledge.
Luk 12:20, “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’
20. Thou fool] Literally, “Senseless]” 1 Corinthians 15:36. this night] Compare the death of Nabal, 1 Samuel 25:36. thy soul shall be required of thee] Rather, they demand thy soul of thee. Who are ‘they’? Some say God (Job 27:8), or His death- angels (Job 33:22), or robbers whom they suppose to attack the rich man on the night that his wealth has flowed in. There is however no definite pronoun, the phrase is impersonal, as often in Hebrew. then whose shall those things be] “He heapeth up riches and knoweth not who shall gather them,” Psalm 39:6; Psalm 49:16-17; comp. Psalm 52:7 and James 4:13-15. St James seems to have been deeply impressed with this teaching.”
According to the Scriptures, the fool lost his soul this very night!
Heb 4:12, “For the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even
penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
{4} For the {e} word of God is {f} quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of {g} soul and {h} spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(4) An amplification taken from the nature of the word of God, so powerful that it enters even to the deepest and most inward and secret parts of the heart, fatally wounding the stubborn, and openly reviving the believers.
(e) The doctrine of God which is preached both in the law and in the gospel.
(f) He calls the word of God living, because of the effect it has on those to whom it is preached.
(g) He calls the seat of emotions soul.
(h) By spirit he means the mind.”
I believe in the Scripture, but I know nothing of the division of soul and spirit. Can we accept the definition? The soul is the seat of emotions. The spirit is the mind?
1Pe 2:11, “Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts,which wage
11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims] This is manifestly the beginning of a fresh section of the Epistle. Somewhat after the manner of St Paul, the Apostle, alter having allowed his thoughts to travel through the mysteries of redemption, reaches, as it were, the highest region of the truth, and then pauses in the act of writing or dictating, and takes a fresh start. In doing so, however, he goes back to the opening words of the Epistle (see note on chap. 1 Peter 1:1). Those to whom he wrote were “strangers and pilgrims” (the English reader must remember that “pilgrim” is but another form of peregrinus), not only as belonging to the Jews of the dispersion, but as being, like the patriarchs of old (Hebrews 11:13), men who, in whatever country they might be, felt that their true home was elsewhere. In the LXX. version of Psalm 39:12 we find both the words and the thoughts to which St Peter now gives utterance. It is obvious that the special local position of the disciples, though not, it may be, altogether excluded, is now thrown quite into the background. abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul] The negative aspect of the Christian life is put forward first, as being prior, both in order of thought, and often in that of time, to its more positive development. The entreaty rests upon the character implied in the previous words. Travellers in a strange land, yet more in the land of enemies, do not care commonly to adopt all its customs. They retain their nationality. The exiles who hung their harps by the waters of Babylon did not forget Jerusalem, and would not profane its hymns by singing them at idolfeasts (Psalm 137:1-3). The citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem were in like manner to keep themselves from all that would render them unfit for their true home. The words “fleshly lusts” have, perhaps, a somewhat wider range than the English term suggests, and take in all desires that originate in man’s corrupt nature, as well as those directly connected with the appetites of the body: comp. St Paul’s list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21. In the description of these as “warring against the soul,” we have another striking coincidence of language with St James (James 4:1) and St Paul (Romans 7:23). “Soul” stands here, as in chap. 1 Peter 1:9, for the higher element of man’s nature which, in the more elaborate threefold division of man’s nature, adopted by St Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and elsewhere, includes both “soul and spirit.”
3Jo 1:2, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health,just as your soul
Wrong. This sense of περί is contrary to New Testament usage. The preposition means concerning. So Rev. “I pray that in all things thou mayst prosper.” Εὔχομαι I pray or wish, occurs only here in John’s writings, and not often elsewhere. See Acts 26:29; Romans 9:3; James 5:16.
Mayst prosper (εὐοδοῦσθαι)
Lit., have a prosperous journey. From ἐν well, and ὁδός a way. In this original sense, Romans 1:10. The word occurs only three times in the New Testament. See 1 Corinthians 16:2.
Be in health (ὑγιαίνειν)
Used in the New Testament both in a physical and moral sense. The former is found only here and in Luke’s Gospel. See Luke 5:31; Luke 7:10; Luke 15:27. Paul uses it of soundness in faith or doctrine. See 1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 2:2. Here of Gaius’ bodily health, as is shown by soul in the next clause.
Soul (ψυχή)
See on Mark 12:30; see on Luke 1:46. The soul (ψυχή) is the principle of individuality, the seat of personal impressions. It has a side in contact with both the material and the spiritual element of humanity, and is thus the mediating organ between body and spirit. Its meaning, therefore, constantly rises above life or the living individual, and takes color from its relation to either the emotional or the spiritual side of life, from the fact of its being the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions, and the bearer and manifester of the divine life-principle (πνεῦμα). Consequently ψυχή is often used in our sense of heart (Luke 1:46; Luke 2:35; John 10:24; Acts 14:2); and the meanings of ψυχή soul and πνεῦμα spirit, occasionally approach each other very closely. Compare John 12:27, and John 11:33; Matthew 11:29, and 1 Corinthians 16:18. Also both words in Luke 1:47. In this passage ψυχή soul, expresses the soul regarded as moral being designed for everlasting life. See Hebrews 6:19; Hebrews 10:39; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:19. John commonly uses the word to denote the principle of the natural life. See John 10:11, John 10:15; John 13:37; John 15:13; 1 John 3:16; Revelation 8:9; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 16:3.”
I think Vincent’s Word Studieshas a better definition of the soul: the principle of individuality, the seat of personal impressions.
Gen 41:38, “Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom there is a divine
37–46. Joseph as Grand Vizier 38. such a one as this] Pharaoh and his servants are represented as discerning in Joseph the supreme gifts of one who combined the supernatural power of interpreting dreams with the practical wisdom and sagacity of a statesman. in whom the spirit of God is] The same phrase is employed by Belshazzar when he addresses Daniel: Daniel 5:14, “I have heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.” The presence and operation of the Spirit of God, in the O.T., account for those special manifestations which surpass the limits of ordinary human capacity, in wisdom or prowess. Cf. Exodus 31:3; Numbers 27:18; Jdg 3:10; Jdg 14:6.”
Divine spirit is the Spirit of God.
Exo 28:3, “You shall speak to all the skillful people
whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may serve as priest to Me.”
Only God can endow with the spirit of wisdom.
1Sa 1:15, “But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman despairing in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.”
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, so that they became treacherous towards him. “An evil spirit” is not merely “an evil disposition,” but an evil demon, which produced discord and strife, just as an evil spirit came upon Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-15; 1 Samuel 18:10); not Satan himself, but a supernatural spiritual power which was under his influence. This evil spirit God sent to punish the wickedness of Abimelech and the Shechemites. Elohim, not Jehovah, because the working of the divine justice is referred to here. “That the wickedness to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood (the blood of these sons that had been shed), to lay it upon Abimelech. ” “And their blood” is only a more precise definition of “the wickedness to the seventy sons;” and “to lay it” is an explanation of the expression “might come.” The introduction of לשׂוּם, however, brings an anakolouthon into the construction, since the transitive שׂוּם presupposes Elohim as the subject and דּמם as the object, whereas the parallel חמס is the subject to the intransitive לבוא: that the wickedness might come, and that God might lay the blood not only upon Abimelech, the author of the crime, but also upon the lords of Shechem, who had strengthened his hands to slay his brethren; had supported him by money, that he might be able to hire worthless fellows to execute his crime (Judges 9:4, Judges 9:5).”
It appears to me, everything, good or evil, is under God’s sovereignty.
1Sa 16:14, “Now the Spirit of the LORD left Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrified him.”
This is equally a diffucult passage of the Scripture.
14–23. David’s introduction to the Court of Saul 14. But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul] Note the contrast to 1 Samuel 16:13. As David rose, Saul sank. an evil spirit from the Lord] The cause of Saul’s mental disorder is described as “an evil spirit from Jehovah,” or “of Jehovah” (1 Samuel 19:9); “an evil spirit of God” (1 Samuel 16:15-16, 1 Samuel 18:10); “the spirit of evil” (1 Samuel 16:23); even “the spirit of God” (1 Samuel 16:23); because it was God’s messenger of judgment. Cp. 1 Kings 22:19-22. It is never called “the spirit of Jehovah,” which always designates the spirit of holiness. Saul’s apostasy was punished not merely by the withdrawal of the grace which had been given as the endowment of his office, but by positive assaults from the powers of evil, akin to the demoniacal possession of the N. T. The result was a form of melancholy madness. The cause of the disease was (as we commonly speak) “supernatural,” the cure employed “natural.” The inference is that it is impossible to draw a sharp line of distinction between the two spheres. They are in closer connexion than is commonly recognised.”
1Sa 16:23, “So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would feel relieved and become well, and the evil spirit would leave him.”
When David came to Saul and stood before him, i.e., served him by playing upon his harp, Saul took a great liking to him, and nominated him his armour-bearer, i.e., his adjutant, as a proof of his satisfaction with him, and sent to Jesse to say, “Let David stand before me,” i.e., remain in my service, “for he has found favour in my sight.” The historian then adds (1 Samuel 16:23): “When the (evil) spirit of God came to Saul (אל, as in 1 Samuel 19:9, is really equivalent to על), and David took the harp and played, there came refreshing to Saul, and he became well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” Thus David came to Saul’s court, and that as his benefactor, without Saul having any suspicion of David’s divine election to be king of Israel. This guidance on the part of God was a school of preparation to David for his future calling. In the first place, he was thereby lifted out of his quiet and homely calling in the country into the higher sphere of court-life; and thus an opportunity was afforded him not only for intercourse with men of high rank, and to become acquainted with the affairs of the kingdom, but also to display those superior gifts of his intellect and heart with which God had endowed him, and thereby to gain the love and confidence of the people. But at the same time he was also brought into a severe school of affliction, in which his inner man was to be trained by conflicts from without and within, so that he might become a man after God’s heart, who should be well fitted to found the true monarchy in Israel.”
1Sa 28:8, “Then Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, “Consult the spirit for me, please, and bring up for me the one whom I shall name for you.”
8. they came to the woman by night] It was an adventurous journey. They had to pass over the shoulder of the hill on which the Philistines were encamped, and traverse a distance of not less than ten or twelve miles. The darkness around was a fit emblem of the darkness in Saul’s soul. Cp. John 13:30, and Augustine’s comment “Nox erat, et ipse qui exivit erat nox,” (It was night, and he who went forth was night). bring me him up, &c.] A more precise definition of the method of divination “by Ob.” Cp. Deuteronomy 18:10-11. Probably Saul expected to hear a voice, but not to see a form. Necromancy was practised among the Greeks and other heathen nations. There was a famous oracle of this kind on the River Acheron in Epirus (νεκυομαντεῖον). 1 Samuel 28:8.”
1Sa 30:12, “They also gave him a slice of fig cake and two cakes of raisins, and he ate; then his spirit revived. For he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three
1 Samuel 30:12-13. Three days and nights — One whole day, and part of two others, as appears from the next verse, where he says, Three days ago I fell sick; but in the Hebrew it is, This is the third day since I fell sick. A young man of Egypt — God of his providence so ordering it that he was not one of the race of the Amalekites, devoted to destruction, but an Egyptian, that might be spared. And my master left me — In this place and condition; a barbarous act this, to leave him there to perish, when they had good store of camels for the carriage of men, as well as of their spoil, 1 Samuel 30:17. But this inhumanity cost them dear; for, through it, they lost their own lives, and David recovered what they had taken at Ziklag. Such is the wonderful providence of God, ordering or overruling every thing for his own glory and the good of those that trust in him, even the thoughts and desires, the counsels, works, and ways of men, both the good and the bad! So that there is no fighting against him, who can make the smallest actions serviceable to the production of the greatest effects.”
1Ki 21:5, “But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “How is it that your spirit is so sullen that you are not eating food?”
21:5-16 When, instead of a help meet, a man has an agent for Satan, in the form of an artful, unprincipled, yet beloved wife, fatal effects may be expected. Never were more wicked orders given by any prince, than those Jezebel sent to the rulers of Jezreel. Naboth must be murdered under colour of religion. There is no wickedness so vile, so horrid, but religion has sometimes been made a cover for it. Also, it must be done under colour of justice, and with the formalities of legal process. Let us, from this sad story, be amazed at the wickedness of the wicked, and the power of Satan in the children of disobedience. Let us commit the keeping of our lives and comforts to God, for innocence will not always be our security; and let us rejoice in the knowledge that all will be set to rights in the great day.”
1Ki 22:23, “Now then, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours; and the LORD has declared disaster against
The difficulties which attach to this passage are considerable. On the one hand, it is hard to suppose one of the holy Angels a “lying spirit;” on the other, hard to find Satan, or an evil spirit, included among “the host of heaven” 1 Kings 22:19 and acting as the minister of God. Still, Job 1:6; Job 2:1, lend countenance to the latter point, and 2 Thessalonians 2:11 to the former. But it may be doubted whether we ought to take literally, and seek to interpret exactly, each statement of the present narrative. Visions of the invisible world can only be a sort of parables; revelations, not of the truth as it actually is, but of so much of the truth as can be shown through such a medium. The details of a vision, therefore, cannot safely be pressed, anymore than the details of a parable. Portions of each must be accommodations to human modes of thought, and may very inadequately express the realities which they are employed to shadow forth to us.”
And when the sons of the prophets, which were to view at Jericho, saw him,…. Who went out from thence towards Jordan, to have a sight if they could of the assumption of Elijah; these, when they saw Elisha come over Jordan, the waters being parted by him:
they said, the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha; or he has the same power and spirit to work miracles as he had, which they discerned by his dividing the waters of Jordan with his mantle:
and they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him; in reverence of him as their master, in the room of Elijah.”
2Ki 19:7, “Behold, I am going to put a spirit in him so that he will hear news and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.”
I will send a blast upon him,Heb. a wind, a storm or tempest, by which name God’s judgments are oft called, i.e. a violent, and sudden, and terrible stroke; namely, that miraculous destruction of his army, of which 2 Kings 19:35. Although the place may be rendered thus, I will put a spirit within him, so that he shall hear a rumour, and return, &c. For by spirit is many times understood an imagination, or inclination, or affliction; in which sense we read of the spirit of fear, 2 Timothy 1:7; of the spirit of jealousy, Numbers 5:14; of the spirit of slumber, Romans 11:8. Or, a spirit against (for so the Hebrew preposition beth is oft used, as hath been noted before) him; of whom this word is elsewhere used, as Judges 9:231 Samuel 16:14,23 1 Kings 22:23; as it is also given to man’s soul, Job 12:10Ecclesiastes 12:7, which is a spiritual substance, as the angels are. And this interpretation seems most agreeable to the design of this verse, which is in brief to represent all the judgments of God which were to befall him, and which are related in the following history; and therefore all the other particulars being contained in the following branches of this verse; the tidings of Tirhakah, 2 Kings 19:9, in these words, he shall hear a rumour; his returning to his own land, and being slain there, 2 Kings 19:36,37, in the next words; it seems most probable that the chiefest of all the judgments, to wit, the destruction of 185,000 soldiers in one night, 2 Kings 19:35, is not omitted here, but expressed in the first branch of the verse; and the spirit here is the same thing which is there called an angel; this latter word being there used to limit and explain the former, which otherwise was of a doubtful signification.”
2Ch 36:22, “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—in order to fulfill the Word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah—the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia so that he sent a proclamation
throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying.”
To point out still further how exactly God had fulfilled His word by the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah, it is in conclusion briefly mentioned that God, in the first year of Coresh king of Persia, stirred up the spirit of this king to cause a command to go forth in all his kingdom, that Jahve, the God of heaven, who had given him all the kingdoms of the earth, had commanded him to build again His temple in Jerusalem, and that whoever belonged to the people of God might go up to Jerusalem. With this comforting prospect for the future, the author of the Chronicle closes his consideration of the prae-exilic history of the people of God without completely communicating the contents of the royal edict of Cyrus, since he purposed to narrate the history of the restoration of Judah to their own land in a separate work. This we have in the book of Ezra, which commences by giving us the whole of the edict of Cyrus the king of the Persians (Ezra 1:1-3), and then narrates the return of a great part of the people to Jerusalem and Judah, the rebuilding of the temple, and the re-settlement in the land of their fathers of those who had returned.”
Job 7:11, “Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit,
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
It appears to be a parallelism: the anguish of my spirit, the bitterness of my soul.
Verse 11. – Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; rather, I moreoverwill not refrain my lips; that is, “You may do as you like under affliction, I claim the right of complaining.” Job has already pointed out that nature teaches the animals to complain when they suffer (Job 6:5). Why, then, should not he? Complaint is not necessarily murmuring; it is sometimes merely expostulation, which God allows (comp. Psalm 4:2; Psalm 77:3; Psalm 142:2, etc.). I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Extreme “anguish” and “bitter” suffering excuse complaints that would otherwise be, blare-able (comp. Job 6:2-4). Job 7:11.”
Job 17:1, “My spirit is broken, my days are extinguished, the grave is ready for me.”
1. my breath] Rather as margin, my spirit is spent, i. e. consumed. The “spirit” is the principle of life. the graves are ready for me] lit. graves are mine; the meaning being: the grave is my portion; cf. Job 17:13seq. Coverdale: I am harde at deathes dore.”
Verse 6. – I call to remembrance my song in the night. He bethought himself of the songs of thanksgiving which he used to sing to God in the night (comp. Job 35:10) on account of mercies received; but this did not comfort him. “Nessun maggior dolore che ricordarsi di tempo felice nella miseria.” I commune with mine own heart, and my spirit made diligent search; or, “and I diligently searched out my spirit” (Cheyne). The results of the searchings out seem to be given in vers. 7-10. Psalm 77:6.”
Psa 143:4, “Therefore my spirit feels weak within me;
My heart is appalled within me.”
The spirit can feel weak. As the Lord says, Mat 26:41,
“Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luk 1:17, “And it is he who will go as a forerunner
before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF FATHERS BACK TO
THEIR CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
17. And he shall go before him] Shall go before the Messiah. The English version should have added, “in His (God’s) presence” (ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ). in the spirit and power of Elias] From the last words of Malachi (Luke 4:4-6, Luke 3:1), the Jews universally believed (as they do to this day) that Elijah would visibly return to earth as a herald of the Messiah. It required the explanation of our Lord to open the eyes of the Apostles on this subject. “This is Elias which was for to come,” Matthew 11:14. “Elias truly shall first come and restore all things … Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist,” Matthew 17:10-14. The resemblance was partly in external aspect (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4); and partly in his mission of stern rebuke and invitation to repentance (1 Kings 18:21; 1 Kings 21:20). to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children] Rather, of fathers to children; i. e. as in the original meaning of Malachi, to remedy disunion and restore family life. to the wisdom] Rather, in or by the wisdom.”
Luk 1:47, “And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Which also, may be understood, either of God the Father, who was her Saviour, both as the God of nature and providence; so the Persic version renders it, “in God that gives me life”; and who had supported, maintained, and preserved her life; and as the God of grace, who has contrived the scheme of salvation, fixed upon, and appointed Christ to be the Saviour; and who saves by him, and therefore is sometimes said to be our Saviour. Titus 3:4 or of Christ, the Son of God, who being truly and properly God, was fit to be a Saviour; and is a very suitable, able, and willing one; and which is the great encouragement to sensible sinners, to look up to him, and be saved; and lays a solid foundation for rejoicing in him, since what he did as man, had hereby an infinite virtue and efficacy put into it, as was put into his blood, sacrifice, and righteousness; whereby the purposes designed were answered by them; and since he must be able to keep their immortal souls, which they commit unto him, and must have an interest with his Father, as their advocate, and a fulness, to supply all their wants: the consideration of Christ, by Mary, as God her Saviour, as having an interest in him, as a Saviour, and this her Saviour, God, gave her greater joy, than being the mother of him as man; and this her joy was not carnal, nor merely external, but inward and spiritual: it was a joy in her own spirit, and was excited there by the holy Spirit of God.”
Luke 1:80. And the child grew, &c. — The years of John’s infancy expiring, he grew daily in wisdom and stature; and was in the deserts, &c. — During the whole course of his private life, he continued in the deserts, or hill- country of Judea, Luke 1:39, till his ministry commenced, about the thirtieth year of his age. It is probable that the deserts here mentioned were those of Ziph and Maon, where Saul pursued David. Though there were several country towns and villages in these deserts, yet, as they were but thinly inhabited, they were in the Jewish idiom called deserts. Now it was wisely ordered, to prevent a personal acquaintance between Jesus and John, that the latter should continue in one of these deserts, at the distance of probably one hundred miles from Nazareth, till the time of his entering upon his ministry. There, in a state of solitude and retirement from the world, he lived an austere and mortified life, that his character might be suited to his office — the preaching of repentance, self-denial, and deadness to the world and sin.”
Luk 8:55, “And her spirit returned, and she got up
immediately; and He ordered that something be given her to eat.”
And her spirit came again,…. Her soul, which was departed from her, upon the all-powerful voice of Christ, returned to her body; and “re-entered”, as the Ethiopic version adds: this shows that the soul is immortal, and dies not with the body; that it exists in a separate state from it after death, and will hereafter re-enter the body, and be again united to it in the resurrection, of which this instance was a kind of pledge and emblem: where her spirit was during this time of separation, is needless, and would be curious and rash to inquire; it is enough to say with the Scripture, that it had returned, to God, that gave it, Ecclesiastes 12:7 and by whom it was sent back to its body again:
and she arose straightway: from off the bed, and as Mark says, “walked”; for she was at an age capable of it, and which actions of arising and walking, clearly proved that she was alive, and in health:
and he commanded to give her meat; which was done, partly to show, not only that she was alive, but that her disorder was removed, and her appetite restored, and that she could eat and drink, as she had done before her illness; and partly, to observe that she was raised not to an immortal life, as none were before Christ, but to an animate life, which was to be supported by eating and drinking, and so a mortal one; See Gill on Mark 5:43.”
Because of my ignorance, this only compounds my confusion. The Scripture says her spirit returned, not her soul.
I REACH THE CONCLUSION:
ALL THEOLOGIANS ERR.
ALL COMMENTATORS AND EXPOSITORS ERR.
ALL HUMANS ERR.
THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THE DOCTRINE OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOUL AND SPIRIT IN MANKIND, WE HAVE NOT REACHED A SOUND DOCTRINE THAT WE ONLY SEE DIMPLY, WE SHALL KNOW IT CLEARLY WHEN THE PERFECT ONE COMES, WHEN WE DO FACE TO FACE. 1Co 13:12,
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known.”
I ADMIT MY IGNORANCE, AND WAIT EAGERLY FOR THE SECOND COMING OF THE LORD JESUS.
You have learned a lot about the Bible knowledge, so do not neglect so great a salvation. Today is the day of salvation, Repent of your sins and Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your God and Savior.
To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national refrerendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrified their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrified their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinse government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanse aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN overappointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much covergage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphanes. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron reognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezebolla, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukranians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless.Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, overappointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voordoism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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Being is more fundamental and natural than doing. A good man does good deeds. It is not doing good deeds to make a good man. A good tree bears good fruits. It is not bearing good fruits to make a good tree. Being is more powerful than doing. A saved person is commanded to be. You should not teach a drowning person how to swim, a person knows how to swim so that he may not be drowned. A person is not a sinner because he sins, he sins because he is a sinner. A saint does the will of God. Children of God walk in the light.
To be or not to be, that is not a question. In things God wants you to be, you must be. In things God does not want you to be, you must not be.
) Be joined to his wife.
Gen 2:24, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”
To be married to a woman is to be joined to her. The two shall become one flesh. Nowadays very few follow the priciple of marriage.
Therefore shall a man leave . . . —These are evidently the words of the narrator. Adam names this new product of creative power, as he had named others, but he knew nothing about young men leaving their father’s house for the wife’s sake. Moreover, in Matthew 19:5, our Lord quotes these words as spoken by God, and the simplest interpretation of this declaration is that the inspired narrator was moved by the Spirit of God to give this solemn sanction to marriage, founded upon Adam’s words. The great and primary object of this part of the narrative is to set forth marriage as a Divine ordinance. The narrator describes Adam’s want, pictures him as examining all animal life, and studying the habits of all creatures so carefully as to be able to give them names, but as returning from his search unsatisfied. At last one is solemnly brought to him who is his counterpart, and he calls her Ishah, his feminine self, and pronounces her to be his very bone and flesh. Upon this, “He who at the beginning made them male and female “pronounced the Divine marriage law that man and wife are one flesh.”
2. ) Do well and be cheerful.
Gen 4:7, “If you do well, will your face not be cheerful? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
If thou doest well,or, for the future shalt do well, i.e. repent of thy sin, amend thy life, offer thy offerings with a willing and cheerful mind and honest heart, in faith and love, as Abel did, shalt thou not be accepted? Or, pardoned, received into favour? Or, exalted, and either preserved in or restored unto those rights of the first-born, which thou art conscious to thyself that thou hast forfeited? Or, elevated in thy looks, i.e. would not, or should not, thy countenance have been upright and pleasant, which now is sad and dejected? Sin is here taken, either, 1. Properly; so the sense is: Sin will be growing upon thee; one sin will bring in another, and that malice and purpose of revenge against thy brother, which now lies hid in the secret chamber of thy mind and heart, lies at the door ready to break forth into the view of the world in open murder. Or, 2. For the punishment of sin, as it is taken Genesis 19:15Leviticus 5:1 20:20 Numbers 18:12 Kings 7:9Zechariah 14:19: so the sense is, If thou wilt go on in sin, and execute thy wicked purpose, which I perceive lies working in thy heart, be sure thy sin will find thee out, as it is said Numbers 32:23. Thou shalt not long enjoy the fruits of thy wickedness, but a dreadful judgment shall tread upon the heels of thy sin, and lie like a furious mastiff dog at the very door of thy house, to seize upon thee at thy first coming in or going out. For that person or thing which is very near to us, or at hand, is said to be at the doors, Matthew 24:33Jam 5:9. Unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Those two clauses may relate either, 1. To sin, which may he here spoken of as a person, as it is Romans 7:8-11, &c. So the place may be rendered and expounded thus, The desire of sin is to thee, i.e. to assault, seduce, conquer, and destroy thee; as it is said, Luke 22:31, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you, & c. Or thus, its desire, objectively, not subjectively taken, i.e. thy desire, intention, or resolution of sinning, that evil motion of thy heart against thy brother, shall be against (as the Hebrew particle el oft signifies) thee, i.e. howsoever at present it pleaseth thee, yet it is really not only against him, but against thyself, and will certainly turn to thy own ruin; but (for so the particle and is commonly taken) if thou be wise, give no place to it, but resist it, do thou rule (for the future tense is oft put imperatively, as in the ten commandments, and it frequently signifies not what a man can or shall do, but his duty or what he ought to do, as is evident from Genesis 20:9Malachi 1:6Luke 3:14) over it, i.e. conquer and subdue it, which is thy duty; or, thou shalt rule over it, i.e. by my grace assisting thy endeavours, thou shalt be enabled to subdue thy evil concupiscences and passions, and so overrule, prevent, or remove those punishments which otherwise sin will infallibly bring upon thee. Or, 2. To Abel, and so the sense is, and (as for thy brother Abel, to whose faith and piety I have given this public and honourable testimony, which thy naughty heart makes an occasion of envy and malice, and intention of murder, that thou mayst not by a mistake be led to the perpetration of so horrid a crime, know that this favour of mine concerns only his spiritual privilege, and the happiness of the life to come, which thou despisest; but it makes no change in civil rights, nor doth it transfer the dominion from thee, whose it is by birth, unto him; nor doth he so understand it; for notwithstanding this) unto thee shall be his desire, subject, i.e. he shall and will nevertheless yield to thee as his superior, and thou, according to thy own heart’s desire, shalt rule over him. If it be said the name of Abel is not here mentioned, it may be answered, that this is sufficiently included in the pronouns his and him, and it is not unusual to put those relative pronouns alone, the antecedent being not expressed, but to be gathered either from the foregoing or following words; of which see Poole on “Genesis 3:1“.
He who masters sin, does well.
The world is so wicked that those who do wrong want to be cheerful.
3. ) Be righteous before God.
Gen 7:1, “Then the LORD said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this generation.”
Verse 1. – And the Lord, Jehovah, since Elohim now appears as the covenant God, though this change in the Divine name is commonly regarded by modern critics as betraying the hand of a Jehovist supplementer of the fundamental document of the Elohist (Bleek, Vaihinger, Davidson, Kalisch, Colense, Alford); but “that the variations in the name of God furnish no criterion by which to detect different documents is evident enough from the fact that in ver. 5 Noah does as Jehovah commands him, while in ver. 16 Elohim alternates with Jehovah” (Keil). Said unto Noah. At the end of the 120 years, when the building of the ark had been completed, and only seven days before the Flood – doubtless by an audible voice still speaking to him from between the cherubim, which we can suppose had not yet vanished from the earth. Come thou and all thy house into the ark. I.e. prepare for entering; the actual entry taking place seven days later. So God ever hides his people before the storm bursts (cf. Isaiah 26:20). For thee have I seen righteous (videGenesis 6:9) before me. Literally, before my face; not merely notifying the Divine observance of Noah s piety, but announcing the fact of his justification in God’s sight. “To be righteous before God,” the usual Scriptural phrase for justification (cf. Psalm 143:2). In this generation. Vide Genesis 6:9. Indicating not alone the sphere of Noah’s godly life, but its exceptional character; “involving an opposing sentence of condemnation against his contemporaries” (Lange). Genesis 7:1.”
2Pe 2:5, “and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly.”
And spared not the old world.—The fact that the Flood is taken as the second instance of divine vengeance gives us no clue as to the source of the first instance. In the Book of Enoch the Flood follows closely upon the sin of the angels, as in Genesis 6 upon that of the sons of God, so that in either case the first instance would naturally suggest the second.
Noah the eighth person.—According to a common Greek idiom, this means Noah and seven others; and the point of it is that the punishment must have been signal indeed if only eight persons out of a whole world escaped. The coincidence with 1Peter 3:20 must not pass unobserved, especially as there the mention of “spirits in prison” immediately precedes, just as here, the angels in “caves of darkness.” The suggestion that eight is here a mystical number (the sabbatical seven and one over) is quite gratuitous; as also that “eighth” may mean eighth from Enos, which would be utterly pointless, there being neither mention of Enos nor the faintest allusion to him. (Comp. Clement I. vii. 6; ix. 4; and see Note on 2Peter 2:9.)
Bringing in the flood upon the world.—“In” should be omitted. The phrase is exactly parallel to “bring upon themselves swift destruction “in 2Peter 2:1. The word for “bring” is the same in both cases.”
Note: Ark in Hebrew is tebah which means a chest, coffer; the ship which Noah made like a chest or coffer; – it occurs 28 times in the Old Testament. Something is most interesting and amazing about the Chinese character for ship. Chinese characters are square. The etymology of the Chinese word
” ship” 船 , 舟 (bigboat)
八 (eight) , 口 (mouth).One mouth means one person. So the Chinese character
船 means in a big boat, there were 8 mouths or 8 persons. Thus ship is written with “boat” on the left, “eight mouths” on the right. In the big ship there were 8 persons, one mouth stands for one person. In counting population, you count how many mouths. It is historically significant because Noah, his wife, their three sons and three daughters-in-law made up a family of 8 persons who entered the Ark and were saved from the Flood or the Deluge. And so the Chinese character “ ship ” is written that there are 8 mouths in the Ark. No one can be righteous before God except by the righteousnes of Jesus Christ.
4. ) Be fruitful and multiply.
Gen 9:1, “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”
Then was then, now is now. Then the world was empty, today the world is overpopulated. The most irresponsible are those peoples of underdeloped nations who sing and dance, eat and drink beer, enjoy sex and produce many children they cannot support.
“Each day, more than 360,000 babies are born into a world already facing shortages of food, clean water, affordable housing, and safe, stable communities. Nearly half of humanity lives in poverty, and over 22,000 children die every day from preventable causes tied to that poverty. These are not numbers—they are lives. They are futures lost before they began.”
When I was a young man attending university I already knew about overpopulation problem and thought Thomas Malthus was right. Today in all underdeveloped nations, they suffer all kinds of shortages, and their peoples are unmotivated and unskilled. In Africa today, peoples have sports dream, no desire to grow food and produce to meet all kinds of shortages. They do not work hard. They like to get aeverything free from international community.
Genesis 9:6. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood — Whether upon a sudden provocation, or premeditated, (for rash anger is heart-murder, as well as malice prepense, Matthew 5:21-22,) by man shall his blood be shed — That is, by the magistrate, or whoever is appointed to be the avenger of blood. Before the flood, as it should seem by the story of Cain, God took the punishment of murder into his own hands; but now he committed this judgment to men, to masters of families at first, and afterward to the heads of countries. For in the image of God made he man — Man is a creature dear to his Creator, and, therefore, ought to be so to us: God put honour upon him, let us not then put contempt upon him. Such remains of God’s image are still even upon fallen man, that he who unjustly kills a man, defaceth the image of God, and doth dishonour to him. And what then shall we say of those who commit wilful and deliberate murder in duels? And what shall we say of the magistracy in any country that does not suppress this diabolical practice?”
A lot of people are ignorant for the fact that capital punishment or death penalty was instituted by God. Whoever opposes death penaly, opposes God. In particular, some European nations pretend to be Christian have abolished death penalty.
Exo 21:12, “He who strikes someone so that he dies shall certainly be put to death.”
Exo 21:15, “And one who strikes his father or his mother shall certainly be put to death.”
6. ) Build a tower whose top will reach into Heaven.
Gen 11:4, “And they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into Heaven, and let’s make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of all the earth.”
The purpose of their hearts is now more fully expressed. “Let us build us a city, and a tower whose top may be in the skies.” A city is a fortified enclosure or keep for defense against the violence of the brute creation. A tower whose top may be in the skies for escape from the possibility of a periodical deluge. This is the language of pride in man, who wishes to know nothing above himself, and to rise beyond the reach of an over-ruling Providence. “And let us make us a name.” A name indicates distinction and pre-eminence. To make us a name, then, is not so much the cry of the multitude as of the few, with Nimrod at their head, who alone could expect what is not common, but distinctive. It is here artfully inserted, however, in the popular exclamation, as the people are prone to imagine the glory even of the despot to be reflected on themselves. This gives the character of a lurking desire for empire and self-aggrandizement to the design of the leaders – a new form of the same selfish spirit which animated the antediluvian men of name Genesis 6:4. But despotism for the few or the one, implies slavery and all its unnumbered ills for the many. “Lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole land.” The varied instincts of their common nature here speak forth. The social bond, the tie of kinsmanship, the wish for personal safety, the desire to be independent, perhaps even of God, the thirst for absolute power, all plead for union; but it is union for selfish ends.”
Those that are friends or enemies to thee shall be the same to me; a marvellous condescension and privilege. In thee, i.e. in thy Seed, as it is explained Genesis 22:18 26:4 28:14, i.e. in and through Christ, Acts 3:25Galatians 3:9,16,28,29; or, for thee, as the Chaldee hath it, i.e. for thy sake; or, by thee, i.e. by thy means; or, with thee, by comparing this with Galatians 3:8,9, i.e. in the same way and manner in which thou art blessed, that is, by a fruitful faith: compare Romans 4:11,12,16. All families of the earth, i.e. all nations; which is to be limited to the believers of all nations, by the whole current of the Scriptures. All that shall be blessed shall be blessed by this means, and no other way.”
For that reason, I always stand with Israel. I bless the children of Abraham so that I may be blessed too.
8.) They will be enslaved and oppressed.
Gen 15:13, “Then God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be
strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed for four
a stranger] The word used (gêr) (LXX πάροικος) means more than a “sojourner” (cf. Genesis 23:4, Exodus 2:22). A stranger (gêr) is properly a guest residing in another country, whose rights are in a sense protected. He may be merely a temporary sojourner (tôshâb). But as a “stranger” (gêr) he has a recognized status in the community. As a “sojourner” (tôshâb), he has none; he is a mere social “bird of passage.” The difference is that between a “resident foreigner” and “a foreign visitor.” and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them] The personal pronouns in English are ambiguous. There is a change of subject. Israel shall be slaves to the people of a land that is not theirs, i.e. to the Egyptians; and the Egyptians shall afflict them. The LXX δουλώσουσιν, “they, i.e. the Egyptians, shall make bondmen of them, i.e. the Israelites,” gives a different turn to the first clause, and avoids the interchange of subject and object: cf. the quotation in Acts 7:6. four hundred years] See note on Genesis 15:16. The figure agrees in round numbers with the number of 430 years assigned, in Exodus 12:40, to the sojourning of Israel in Egypt. Cf. Acts 7:6; Galatians 3:17.”
This Scripture contradicts those who think the eternal God does not count in years.
9.) Be blameless.
Gen 17:1, “Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him,“I AM God Almighty; walk before Me, and
Genesis 17:1. And when Abram was ninety-nine years old — Full thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael. So long the promise of Isaac was deferred; 1st, Perhaps to correct Abram’s over-hasty marrying of Hagar. 2d, That Abram and Sarai being so far stricken in age, God’s power in this matter might be the more magnified. The Lord appeared unto Abram — In some visible display of his glory. And said, I am the almighty God — By this name he chose to make himself known to Abram, Isaac, and Jacob, rather than by his name Jehovah, Exodus 6:3, and Genesis 35:11. And they called him by this name. It is the name of God that is mostly used throughout the book of Job, at least thirty times in the discourses of that book, in which Jehovah is used but once. After Moses, Jehovah is more frequently used, and this very rarely. I am El-shaddai. It speaks the almighty power of God, either, 1st, As an avenger, from שׁדד, he destroyed, or laid waste; a title, as some think, taken from the destruction of the old world: Or, 2d, As a benefactor, שׁfor אשׁד, who, and די, it sufficeth. Our old English translation reads it here, very significantly. I am God all-sufficient. The God with whom we have to do is self-sufficient; he hath every thing, and he needs not any thing. And he is enough to us, if we be in covenant with him; we have all in him, and we have enough in him; enough to satisfy our most enlarged desires; enough to supply the defect of every thing else, and to secure us happiness for our immortal souls. But the covenant is mutual; walk before me, and be thou perfect — That is, upright and sincere. To walk before God is to set him always before us, and to think, and speak, and act in every thing as those that are always under his eye. It is to have a constant regard to his word as our rule, and to his glory as our end, in all our actions. It is to be spiritual in all the duties of religious worship, and, wholly devoted to him in all holy conversation. We must remember that this upright walking with God is the condition of our interest in his all- sufficiency. If we neglect him or dissemble with him, we forfeit the benefit of our relation to him.”
10.) Be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin.
Gen 17:11, “And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.”
17:7-14 The covenant of grace is from everlasting in the counsels of it, and to everlasting in the consequences of it. The token of the covenant was circumcision. It is here said to be the covenant which Abraham and his seed must keep. Those who will have the Lord to be to them a God, must resolve to be to him a people. Not only Abraham and Isaac, and his posterity by Isaac, were to be circumcised, but also Ishmael and the bond-servants. It sealed not only the covenant of the land of Canaan to Isaac’s posterity, but of heaven, through Christ, to the whole church of God. The outward sign is for the visible church; the inward seal of the Spirit is peculiar to those whom God knows to be believers, and he alone can know them. The religious observance of this institution was required, under a very severe penalty. It is dangerous to make light of Divine institutions, and to live in the neglect of them. The covenant in question was one that involved great blessings for the world in all future ages. Even the blessedness of Abraham himself, and all the rewards conferred upon him, were for Christ’s sake. Abraham was justified, as we have seen, not by his own righteousness, but by faith in the promised Messiah.”
Even if you are a Christian Jew, I believe you shall be circumcised.
11.) It will be provided.
Gen 22:14, “And Abraham named that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
(14) Jehovah-jireh.—That is, Jehovah will provide. In Genesis 22:8, Abraham had said “Elohim-jireh,” God will provide. He now uses Jehovah as the equivalent of Elohim. It is added that hence arose a proverb “In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen,” or rather, In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided.—The verb literally means to see, or, to see to a thing, and the sense of the proverb plainly is that in man’s necessity God will Himself see to it, and provide due help and deliverance. The Samaritan, Syriac and Vulg. have a better reading, namely, “In the mount Jehovah will provide.” This makes no change in the consonants, which alone are authoritative, but only in the vowels, which were added since the Christian era, and represent the tradition of the Jewish school of Tiberias. The LXX., without changing the vowels, translate, “In the mount Jehovah shall be seen,” which would be a prophecy of the manifestation of Christ. The other two renderings, besides their general proverbial sense, point onward to the providing upon this very spot of the sacrifice that was to take away the sins of the world (comp. Isaiah 53:5).
But when and how did this grow into a proverb? and who added this note? It may have been inserted by Moses when he arranged these marvellous. documents; less probably by Ezra and the men of the Great Synagogue, when they collected and revised the several books of Holy Scripture after the exile. In either case, the proverb is a national testimony to the genuineness of the record, and proves that the facts narrated in it were so impressed upon the memory of Abraham’s descendants, as to shape their thoughts and language.”
A Christian may look back, and see how the Lord has provided.
12.) Your words may be verified.
Gen 42:20, “and bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified, and you will not die.” And they did so.”
After three days, Joseph reverses the numbers, allowing nine to return home, and retaining one. “This do and live.” Joseph, notwithstanding the arbitrary power which his office enabled him to exercise, proves himself to be free from caprice and unnecessary severity. He affords them a fair opportunity of proving their words true, before putting them to death on suspicion of espionage. “The God do I fear.” A singular sentence from the lord paramount of Egypt! It implies that the true God was not yet unknown in Egypt. We have heard the confession of this great truth already from the lips of Pharaoh Genesis 41:38-39. But it intimates to the brothers the astonishing and hopeful fact that the grand vizier serves the same great Being whom they and their fathers have known and worshipped; and gives them a plain hint that they will be dealt with according to the just law of heaven.
“Carry grain for your houses.” The governor then is touched with some feeling for their famishing households. The brothers, though honoring their aged father as the patriarch of their race, had now their separate establishments. Twelve households had to be supplied with bread. The journey to Egypt was not to be undertaken more than once a year if possible, as the distance from Hebron was upwards of two hundred miles. Hence, the ten brothers had with them all their available beasts of burden, with the needful retinue of servants. We need not be surprised that these are not especially enumerated, as it is the manner of Scripture to leave the secondary matters to the intelligence and experience of the reader, unless, as in the case of Abraham’s three hundred and eighteen trained servants, they happen to be of essential moment in the process of events. “Your youngest brother.” Joseph longs to see his full brother alive, whom he left at home a child of four summers. “Verily guilty are we concerning our brother.”
Their affliction is beginning to bear the fruit of repentance. “Because we saw the distress of his soul when he besought us, and we would not hear.” How vividly is the scene of Joseph’s sale here brought before us. It now appears that he besought them to spare him, and they would not hear! “This distress.” Retribution has come at last. “His blood is required.” Reuben justly upbraids them with their hardness of heart. Their brother’s blood is required; for murder was intended, and when he was sold his death was pretended. “The interpreter was betwixt them.” The dragoman was employed in holding conversation with them. But Joseph heard the spontaneous expressions of remorse, coming unprompted from their lips. The fountain of affection is deeply stirred. He cannot repress the rising tear. He has to retire for a time to recover his composure. He now takes, not Reuben, who was not to blame, but Simon, the next oldest, and binds him before them: a speaking act. He then gives orders to supply them with corn (grain), deposit their money in their sacks without their knowledge, and furnish them with provision for the way. Joseph feels, perhaps, that he cannot take money from his father. He will pay for the corn out of his own funds. But he cannot openly return the money to his brothers without more explanation than he wishes at present to give.”
Words that cannot be verified are useless and false.
13.) Your days may be prolonged.
Exo 20:12, “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the LORD your God gives you.”
Verse 12. – Honor thy father and thy mother. The obligation of filial respect, love, and reverence is so instinctively’ felt by all, that the duty has naturally found a place in every moral code. In the maxims of Ptah-hotep, an Egyptian author who lived probably before Abraham, “the duty of filial piety is strictly inculcated” (Birch, Egypt from the Earliest Times, p. 49). Confucius, in China, based his moral system wholly upon the principle of parental authority; and in Rome it may be regarded as the main foundation of the political edifice. In the Decalogue, the position of this duty, at the head of our duties towards our neighbour, marks its importance; which is further shown by this being “the first commandment with promise” (Ephesians 6:2). It is curious that the long life here specially attached to the observance of this obligation, was also believed to accompany it by the Egyptians. “The son,” says Ptah-hotep, “who accepts the words of his father, will grow old in consequence of so doing;” and again – “The obedient son will be happy by reason of his obedience; he will grow old; he will come to favour.” Modern commentators generally assume that the promise was not personal, but national – the nation’s days were to be “long upon the land,” if the citizens generally were obedient children. But this explanation cannot apply to Ephesians 6:1-3. And if obedience to parents is to be rewarded with long life under the new covenant, there can be no reason why it should not have been so rewarded under the old. The objection that good sons are not always long-lived is futile. God governs the universe by general, not by universal laws. Exodus 20:12.”
Honoring your father and mother has divine promise of longevity.
14.) Kidnappers shall certainly be put to death.
Exo 21:16, “Now one who kidnaps someone, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shallcertainly be put to death.”
Verse 16. – He that stealeth a man. Kidnapping, or stealing men to make them slaves, was a very early and very wide-spread crime. Joseph’ s brothers must be regarded as having committed it (Genesis 37:28); and there are many traces of it in the remains of antiquity. (See Herod. 4:183; Strab. 7. p. 467; Sueton. Octav. § 32; etc.) Most kidnapping was of foreigners; and this was a practice of which the laws of states took no cognizance, though a certain disrepute may have attached to it. But the kidnapping of a fellow-country-man was generally punished with severity. At Athens it was a capital offence. At Rome it made a man infamous. We may gather from Deuteronomy 24:7, that the Mosaic law was especially levelled against this lena of the crime, though the words of the present passage are general, and forbid the crime altogether. Man-stealing, in the general sense, is now regarded as an offence by the chief civilised states of Europe and America, and is punished by confiscation of the stolen goods, and sometimes by imprisonment of the man-stealers. Exodus 21:16.”
15.) Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal.
Exo 22:19, “Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal must beput to death.”
Verse 19. – Law against unnatural crime. The abomination here mentioned is said to have prevailed in Egypt, and even to have formed part of the Egyptian religion (Herod. 2:46; Strab. 17. p. 802; Clem. A1. Cohort. ad Gentes, p. 9; etc.). Though regarded by the Greeks and Romans as disgusting and contemptible, it does not seem to have been made a crime by any of their legislators. It was, however, condemned by the Gentoo laws and by the laws of Menu (11:17). Exodus 22:19.”
16.) It must be without defect to be accepted.
Lev 22:21, “When someone offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD to fulfill a special
vow or for a voluntary offering, of the herd or of the flock, it must be without defect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it.”
Leviticus 22:21. To accomplish a vow — It was not unusual with them to make such a vow when they undertook a journey, went to sea, were sick, or in any danger. It shall be perfect — That sacrifice was accounted perfect which wanted none of its parts, nor had any defect in any of them; so that perfect here is the same as without blemish, Leviticus 22:19. The design of this law was still to remind them that they ought to offer to God the most excellent of every thing in its kind, and to guard the worship of God from falling into contempt, as it might have done, had they been allowed to offer to their Maker what men despised, Malachi 1:8. It served also to keep up a due distinction between things sacred and things common, for these same animals which were unfit to be offered to God might be used for common food.”
The principle is whatever we offer to the Lord must be perfect, most excellent of every thing in its kind. God dislikes deformity and defect.
I recalled one uncle who picked up the fallen fruits and gave them to us.
17.) Be doing what is good and right.
Deu 12:28, “Be careful and listen to all these words
which I am commanding you, so that it may go well for you and your sons after you forever, for you will be
doing what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.”
Observe and hear all these words which I command thee,…. Respecting the demolition of all monuments of idolatry, and bringing all holy things to the place the Lord should choose to dwell in; and eating common flesh in their own houses, only to be careful not to eat blood:
that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever; for, as has been often observed, their continuance in the land of Canaan, and enjoyment of all good things in it, depended upon their obedience to the commands of God; see Isaiah 1:19.
when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord thy God; which is to do all his commandments; for these are what are good and right in his sight, and it is for the good of men to do them.”
To do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God is to do all the commandments of the Lord.
18.) Be careful that there is no mean-spirited thought.
Deu 15:9, “Be careful that there is no mean-spirited
thought in your heart, such as, ‘The seventh year, the year of release of debts, is near,’ and your eye is
malicious toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry out to the LORD against you, and it will be a sin in you.”
Beware] be on guard with respect to thyself; see on Deuteronomy 4:9. a base thought in thine heart] Lit. a word or thing in thine heart, baseness, or worthlessness: beliya‘al; see on Deuteronomy 13:13 (14). thine eye be evil] cruel or grudging, Deuteronomy 28:54; Deuteronomy 28:56; the opposite of tender or compassionate. and it be sin unto thee] ‘that which we think our Prudence oft proves sin to us’ (M. Henry).”
Mean-spirited thought in the heart is often the root-cause of sin.
19.) Be on guard against every evil thing.
Deu 23:9, “When you go out as an army against your enemies, you shall be on guard against every
When the host goeth forth against thine enemies,…. An army of soldiers march in order to meet the enemy and fight him:
then keep thee from every wicked thing; the Targum of Jonathan adds, by way of explanation,”from strange worship, uncovering of nakedness, and from shedding innocent blood;”that is, from idolatry, uncleanness of every sort, and murder; and all other wickednesses ought to be abstained from at all times by all persons, but especially by soldiers in such a circumstance, just going to battle; since sin committed weakens natural courage, as it loads the conscience with guilt; and since victory and success, which depend upon the blessing of God on arms, cannot be reasonably expected, where vices of all sorts are indulged and abound; and especially seeing such are about to expose their lives to the utmost danger, and know not but that in a few hours they must exchange this life for another, and appear before God, the Judge of all, against whom they sin; and yet how little are these things thought of by such in common! it was the wisdom of the Jewish legislature, which was of God, to inculcate such things into the minds of their soldiers.”
Be on guard against every evil thing whether at war or in peace.
20.) Be careful and perform what goes out of your lips.
That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform,…. Which were in their power to perform and lawful to do; and this is observed to make them watchful and cautious, and not be rash in making vows, since, when once they were made, an exact and rigid performance of them was expected; see Ecclesiastes 5:4,
even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth; be it what it will, as to the matter of it, it was to be paid, and in the manner as it was vowed and promised. Aben Ezra observes, that every vow is a freewill offering, but not every freewill offering a vow; the Targum of Jonathan enumerates the several things to be performed, sin offerings, trespass offerings, burnt offerings, and oblations of holy things, and drink offerings, and gifts of the house of the sanctuary, and alms to the poor.”
him lie down and have him beaten in his presence with the number of lashes according
to his wrongful act.”
It may be surprising to many that the Bible condones corporeal punishment. In fact, I am all for it. The crook and criminal will be deterned by corporeal punishment than simple jail term. In fact, the wrongful act of many outrageous crimes deserve severe corporeal punishment. Have you heard about canning of Singapore which is very effective.
“The legal and education systems in Singapore are based on the British systems. The Singapore government has credited caning—flogging criminals with a rattan cane, a practice introduced by the British—with making Singapore’s crime rate so low.”
“Singapore is notorious for its tough sentence that include the death penalty for possession of more than 500 grams of marijuana. Vandalism carries a fine of up to S$2000 (US$1415) or up to three years in jail, in addition to three to eight strokes of a cane. In April 2003, a 17-year-old boy was sentenced to 14 years in prison and 24 lashes for stealing cell phones. It was the perpetrator’s first offence, When he was 16 he and two companions where involved in 45 incidents of robbing schoolchildren of their cell phones, threatening to beat them up if they the resisted.”
22.) Be zealous and repent.
Rev 3:19, “Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.”
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten – Of course, only on the supposition that they deserve it. The meaning is, that it is a proof of love on his part, if his professed friends go astray, to recall them by admonitions and by trials. So a father calls back his children who are disobedient; and there is no higher proof of his love than when, with great pain to himself, he administers such chastisement as shall save his child. See the sentiment here expressed fully explained in the notes on Hebrews 12:6. The language is taken from Proverbs 3:12.
Be zealous therefore, and repent – Be earnest, strenuous, ardent in your purpose to exercise true repentance, and to turn from the error of your ways. Lose no time; spare no labor, that you may obtain such a state of mind that it shall not be necessary to bring upon you the severe discipline which always comes on those who continue lukewarm in religion. The truth taught here is, that when the professed followers of Christ have become lukewarm in his service, they should lose no time in returning to him, anti seeking his favor again. As sure as he has any true love for them, if this is not done he will bring upon them some heavy calamity, alike to rebuke them for their errors, and to recover them to himself.”
Japan is a nation that has no redeeming virture. After that many years Japanese leaders never repent of their war crimes and atrocities, never confess and apologize for their war crimes of killing brutally 35 million innocent Chinese, never pay a dime for reparations and compensations, still worship their executed war criminals as national heroes and living gods.
23.) Be constantly alert.
Rev 3:2, “Be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.”
Be watchful] Literally, Become watching: “awake and watch.”] the things which remain] The elements of goodness, or means of goodness, which thou hast not yet lost. Cf. Revelation 2:6, and the first note there. that are ready] Read, which were ready, i.e., would have died, but for the strengthening them. We may perhaps say, that it seems to be taken for granted that the warning, sharp as it is, will be effectual. perfect] Lit. fulfilled; as we say “up to the mark.” before God] Read before my God. The Church had name of being alive among men: its works therefore may have come up to their standard.”
Christians have to be constantly alert because we have an enemy the devil, and there are many false teachers and false doctrines.
24.) Be clothed in the same way, in white garments.
Rev 3:5, “The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
He that overcometh.—The promise is repeated to all who overcome; all, not who have never fallen, or failed, but who conquer, shall be clothed in glistening white raiment. On this glistering appearance comp. Dante’s words, “robed in hue of living flame,” and the description so frequent in the Pilgrim’s Progress—“the shining ones.” Trench, who reminds us that this glistening white is found in the symbolism of heathen antiquity, says: “The glorified body, defecated of all its dregs and impurities, whatever remained of those having been precipitated in death, and now transformed and transfigured into the likeness of Christ’s body (Philippians 3:21), this, with its robe, atmosphere, and effluence of lights, is itself, I believe, the white raiment which Christ here promises to His redeemed.” Professor Lightfoot thinks (see his Epistle to Col. p. 22) that there may be a reference to the purple dyes for which Sardis, as well as Thyatira, was celebrated.
I will not blot out . . .—The negative is emphatic, “I will in no wise blot out.” This figure of speech—a book and the blotting out—was ancient. (See Deuteronomy 32:32; Psalm 69:21; Daniel 12:1; comp. also Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3.) The name shall not be erased from the roll or register of the citizens of heaven. “A process of erasure is ever going on, besides the process of entering. When the soul has finally taken its choice for evil, when Christ is utterly denied on earth and trodden under foot, when the defilement of sin has become inveterate and indelible, then the pen is drawn through the guilty name, then the inverted style smears the wax over the unworthy characters; and when the owner of that name applies afterwards for admittance, the answer is, ‘I know thee not; depart hence, thou willing worker and lover of iniquity’” (Dr. Vaughan).
Rev 10:9, “And I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”
Take it, and eat it up: thus Ezekiel was bidden to eat the roll; and it was in his mouth as sweet as honey, Ezekiel 2:8 3:3. The eating of a book signifies the due reading of it, digesting it, and meditating upon the matters in it. And it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey; it should be sweet in his month, as it was the revelation of the mind and will of God, (which is sweet to all pious souls; see Jeremiah 15:16), but in his belly it should be bitter, being the revelation of the Divine will, as to the bringing such terrible judgments upon an impenitent people.”
The Word of God is sweet as honey.
26.) Be tormented with fire and brimstone.
Rev 14:10, “he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy
Verse 10. – The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; he also… which is mingled unmixed (i.e. undiluted) in the cup of his anger (Revised Version). The warning is given to men while there is yet time; the fall of Babylon, which is prophetically spoken of as having taken place (ver. 8), being yet in the future; that is to say, at the end of the world. The language in which the retribution is couched corresponds to that in which the sin is described (see on ver. 8). The verb κεράννυμι, which originally signified “to mix,” gradually came to signify “to pour,” from the ancient custom of mixing spices, etc., as well as water, with the wine. The Authorized Version “poured out,” therefore, is a correct translation. The pouring is in this case not accompanied by dilution with water; that is, God’s wrath will not be tempered, but the wicked will feel the full force of his anger. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. The figure which is here used to portray the punishment of the wicked is common in the Bible. Isaiah 34:9, 10, cf. with Genesis 19:28, may supply the origin of the simile. The punishment is in the presence of the angels and of the Lamb; that is, probably, the purity and bliss of heaven is visible to the wicked, and the sight of it, combined with the knowledge of its in- accessibility to themselves, is part of their torment (cf. Luke 16:23). It is part of the wrath of God described in the first part of the verse. Revelation 14:10.”
The devil and his followers, and the wicked shall be tormented in Hell forever and ever.
Be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Rev 20:10, “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
And the devil that deceived them . . .—Better, And the devil that deceiveth them, or was deceiving them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the wild beasts and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented by day and by night unto the ages of the ages. The devil cast from heaven (Revelation 12:9), bound in the abyss (Revelation 20:3), is now flung into the flaming lake. There they (i.e., the devil, the wild beast, and the false prophet) are tormented unto the ages of ages. (Comp. Revelation 14:10-11; and Note on Revelation 19:20.)
THE JUDGMENT OF THE WORLD.—The three enemies have been overthrown and driven forth from the earth which they have sought to destroy (Revelation 11:18). The judgment of human beings must follow.”
The trinity of evil, the devil, the beast and the false prophet will be thrown into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone to be tormented day and night forever and ever.
27.) Be glad and give the glory to Him.
Rev 19:7, “Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself.”
Verse 7. – Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him; let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him. Alford reads δώσομεν, “we will give,” with א, A. P, 36; but the T.R. δῶμεν, “let us give,” which is found in א, B, 1, 7, 38, Vulgate, Cyprian, Primasius, is to be preferred. For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. This is somewhat anticipatory; the full vision of the bride of the Lamb is reserved until Revelation 21. But the rejoicing over Babylon and the harlot naturally suggests the allusion to Christ’s faithful Church, just as the vision of Revelation 7. is suggested by the concluding words of Revelation 6. “The marriage of the Lamb” is the figure under which is depicted that complete union between Christ and his faithful Church, which will be consummated at the last day, when Satan has been overcome and sin destroyed. It stands in contrast with the fornication of the harlot – the union of the spiritually unfaithful portion of Christ’s Church with the powers of the world (see on Revelation 17:1, 2). Alford remarks, “This figure, of a marriage between the Lord and his people, is too frequent and familiar to need explanation (cf. in the Old Testament, Isaiah 54:1-8; Ezekiel 16:7, etc.; Hosea 2:19, etc.; and in the New Testament, Matthew 9:15; Matthew 25:1, etc.; John 3:29; Ephesians 5:25, etc.).” This symbol of the wife or bride indicates the redeemed, who have already in several places been alluded to in this book (Revelation 7:9; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 17:14, “they that are with him”). The saints have made themselves ready by enduing themselves with the robe of righteousness (ver. 8). Revelation 19:7.”
Saints are glad to give glory to God.
28.) Be priests of God and of Christ.
Rev 20:6, “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
Blessed and holy &c.] He is sure of eternal blessedness, absolutely and indefeasibly consecrated to God. “Holy” refers to the relation to God into which this brings him, not to the foregoing faithfulness that is implied in his being admitted into it. the second death] See Revelation 2:11, and Revelation 20:14. Cf. Romans 6:9-10. they shall be priests] Cf. Revelation 1:6, Revelation 5:10. of God and of Christ] The strongest proof, perhaps, in the book of the doctrine of Christ’s coequal Deity. If we read these words in the light of St John’s Gospel, or of the Nicene Creed, they suggest no difficulty, but without the doctrine there taught, they make salvation to consist in the deadly sin which the Moslems call “association”—the worshipping the creature by the side of the Creator. Notice, however, that the word “God” in this book always means the Father; and so throughout the N. T., with few exceptions. thousand years] We should probably read, “the thousand years.”
Children of God will be priests of God and of Christ forever in the Kingdom of Heaven.
29.) Be fellow workers with the truth.
3Jo 1:8, “Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may prove to be fellow workers with the truth.”
We therefore ought to receive such – All of us ought hospitably to entertain and help such persons. The work in which they are engaged is one of pure benevolence. They have no selfish aims and ends in it. They do not even look for the supplies of their own needs among the people to whom they go to minister; and we ought, therefore, to help them in their work, and to contribute to their support. Doubtless, the apostle meant to urge this duty particularly upon Gaius; but, in order to show that he recognized the obligation himself, he uses the term “we,” and speaks of it as a duty binding on all Christians.
That we might be fellow-helpers to the truth – All Christians cannot go forth to preach the gospel, but all may contribute something to the support of those who do; and in this case they would have a joint participation in the work of spreading the truth. The same reasoning which was applicable to that case, is also applicable now in regard to the duty of supporting those who go forth to preach the gospel to the destitute.”
Not every believer can preach the Gospel full-time, but every Christian can be fellow worker with the truth.
30.) Be faithful until death.
Rev 2:10, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer – He did not promise them exemption from suffering. He saw that they were about to suffer, and he specifies the manner in which their affliction would occur. But he entreats and commands them not to be afraid. They were to look to the “crown of life,” and to be comforted with the assurance that if they were faithful unto death, that would be, theirs. We need not dread suffering if we can hear the voice of the Redeemer encouraging us, and if he assures us that in a little while we shall have the crown of life.
Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison – Or, shall cause some of you to be cast into prison. He had just said that their persecutors were of the “synagogue of Satan.” He here represents Satan, or the devil – another name of the same being – as about to throw them into prison. This would be done undoubtedly by the hands of men, but still Satan was the prime mover, or the instigator in doing it. It was common to cast those who were persecuted into prison. See Acts 12:3-4; Acts 16:23. It is not said on what pretence, or by what authority, this would be done; but, as John had been banished to Patmos from Ephesus, it is probable that this persecution was raging in the adjacent places, and there is no improbability in supposing that many might be thrown into prison.
That ye may be tried – That the reality of your faith may be subjected to a test to show whether it is genuine. The design in the case is that of the Saviour, though Satan is allowed to do it. It was common in the early periods of the church to suffer religion to be subjected to trial amidst persecutions, in order to show that it was of heavenly origin, and to demonstrate its value in view of the world. This is, indeed, one of the designs of trial at all times, but this seemed eminently desirable when a new system of religion was about to be given to mankind. Compare the notes on 1 Peter 1:6-7.
And ye shall have tribulation ten days – A short time; a brief period; a few days. It is possible, indeed, that this might have been literally ten days, but it is much more in accordance with the general character of this book, in regard to numbers, to suppose that the word “ten” here is used to denote a few. Compare Genesis 24:55; 1 Samuel 25:38; Daniel 1:12, Daniel 1:14. We are wholly ignorant how long the trial actually lasted; but the assurance was that it would not be long, and they were to allow this thought to cheer and sustain them in their sorrows. Why should not the same thought encourage us now? Affliction in this life, however severe, can be but brief; and in the hope that it will soon end, why should we not bear it without complaining or repining?
Be thou faithful unto death – Implying, perhaps, that though, in regard to the church, the affliction would be brief, yet that it might be fatal to some of them, and they who were thus about to die should remain faithful to their Saviour until the hour of death. In relation to all, whether they were to suffer a violent death or not, the same injunction and the same promise was applicable. It is true of everyone who is a Christian, in whatever manner he is to die, that if he is faithful unto death, a crown of life awaits him. Compare the notes on 2 Timothy 4:8.
And I will give thee a crown of life – See the notes on James 1:12. Compare 1 Peter 5:4; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. The promise here is somewhat different from what was made to the faithful in Ephesus Revelation 2:7, but the same thing substantially is promised them – happiness hereafter, or an admission into heaven. In the former case it is the peaceful image of those admitted into the scenes of paradise; here it is the triumph of the crowned martyr.”
Be faithful until death is Christian summum bonum.
BY REPENTANCE AND FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST YOU CAN HAVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS ANDRECEIVE THE ETERNAL LIFE.
EUROPEAN and other Nations that foolishly recognize statehood of Palestine should take Palestinians in and give them aid of all kinds free. What is the use of recognizing the state of Palestine when Palestine does not have territory or sovereignty?
Ukraine nincompoop wants to use USA to fight against Russia. US must ditch Ukraine, EU and abolish NATO. EU alliance has proven meaningless. America must not guarantee security for any nation. International community, knowingly or unknowingly, is greatly mistaken. Gaza does not belong to Palestinians. Gaza belongs to Israeli. Palestinians are originally Arabs who invaded Palestine under British rule. It is good and right for Palestinians to relocate permanently in lands of Arabs to establish a Palestinian State of their own.
Hamas who killed hostages must be killed. Hamas who mistreated hostages must be punished.
Palestinians do not have homeland. Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, etc. belong to the Jews. It is good and right that Palestinians be resettled permanently in any Arab land to build a Palestinian State of their own.
Palestinians must be evacuated from the Jewish lands and resettle permanently in Arab lands to build their own Palestinian state. Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis are terrorists to be destroyed completely. That is the only way to peace.
The world intentionally believes in a lie. Palestinians are originally Arabs who surreptitiously moved to Israel without pay under the British colony called Palestine. Arabs bred like rabbits and called themselves Palestinians. It is most reasonable for Arabs to move to lands of Arabs. For Palestinians do not have claim or resettlement right in the Jewish land of Gaza, West Bank, etc. No one would object for Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in lands of Arabs, but Palestinians cannot build a Palestinian state in the Jewish land. Palestinians prefer to be called refugees in order to receive international aid every thing for free. Palestinians must move out or be removed from the Jewish land. TERRORISTS HAMAS, Hezbollah and Houthis MUST be destroyed completely.
Some fools believe and practice martial arts, boxing, violence, sports such as foot ball to save impoverished and backward nations. The truth is only hard work, being good farmers, herdsmen, fishermen, teachnicians, repairmen, engineers can save poor, undeveloped and backward nations.
There has been undeclared war in the southern border between Mexico and America, which has been neglected by previous American administrations. Mexico flagrantly serves as the open conduit for illegal migrants to enter California and crossing the river to enter Texas. The US must bomb Mexico City to warn them there can not be business as usual; in particular Mexico rejected American airplanes which carried deported illegal migrants to land. America must use its powerful military and National Guards to patrol the borders 24 hours. Fire and shoot at unlawful migrants who climb the wall; who try to destroy the wall; who do graffiti on the wall; who congregate within 100 feet of the wall; who cross the river; who cut the wire to deter the invasion. America declares to REJECT all asylum applicants for 100 years. No humanitarian aid shall be given to any unlawful migrants. In addition to American troops, state National guards must also be used to end the unlawful migrants invasion of America. They are despicable and deplorable peoples who fail in their countries and dream of entering America to live happily and doing nothing on welfare. Immigration Officers must raid Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, San Diego, Miami, etc. — dens of illegal aliens; the Welfare Department has their names and addressees.
Palestinians are also useless, shameless and worthless peoples to loot and rob international aid trucks. They are violent and unproductive. Leaders and politicians of Palestinian Authority lead them to the path of destruction by illegally occupying the Jewish lands. They do not want to go to the Arab lands to build their Palestinian state. They rather stay in Jewish lands in order to receive aid for nothing. No aid should enter to help Palestinians.
Hamas should be held responsible for killing hostages and be punished. The UN chief, Arab, Islamic, Black, EU nations speak and support terrorists should be gone. All UN high-paid officials should be replaced; and UN to be reformed in 100 days. It is a false peace. Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, Rafah, etc. are Jewish lands. UN, WHO, Arab-Muslim-Black nations and Palestinian Authority speaks and supports terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis without making any demand. Palestinians do not have homeland in Jewish lands. They must evacuate from Jewish lands and go to lands of Arab to build a Palestinian state. That would be true peace but they do not want peace.
China generously aided more than 100 nations, while their politicians and leaders practice corruption and looting of national treasures, their unproductive people sing and dance, drink alcohol and produce many children they cannot support.
CHINA is the most unusual nation on earth. The craftsmen or artisans of Tang, Sung, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties created untold and immense treasures for China. Western nations like Britain, US, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Japan (8-nation alliance) attacked, burned, robbed and stole and looted China national treasures at market value of more than US$100,000 trillion dollars. It is better to return them to China now, not wait until China makes demands by military force. Shame on Western nations who claim or pretend to be Christian. For the last 500 years, the manifest evils of the West are imperialism, colonialism and capitalism.
Today Chinese rescue workers respond to any natural disaster, the speed and service they built tents and houses unmatched by any nation. The American homeless people would rejoice just to have the Chinese tents. China must not waste its resources on the lazy people and unproductive peoples who eat and get fat, drink alcohol, sing and dance, have sex and produce many unwanted children they cannot support; like to play, enjoy games and sports but dislike hard work and discipline; cannot even produce food and basic necessities.
Xizang earthquake demonstrates what the Chinese government cares and does for its people. What does the U.S. government do for Californians in Los Angeles wildfires? The world must know the truth.
Japan intends to swallow up the United States Steel in order to control the American economy. This should be an eye-opener to the U.S. government that Japan is not a genuine ally. The US government made a big mistake in rearming Japan. Singapore and Malaysia are wise to establish a special economic zone. Many underdeveloped nations fool China in holding one-China policy. By doing so they think they deserve China’s economic and financial aid. India has conflict of interest in Bricks, it is better to withdraw and Indonesia is wise to join Bricks.
Leaders and politicians of Palestinians are evil and guilty because they lead Palestinians to the path of death and destruction through illegal occupation of the Jewish land and support of the terrorists. They give false hope to Palestinians in so-called “two-state solutions”. Palestinians are Arabs, no one would object to Palestinians building a Palestinian state in an Arab land. When Palestinians want to build a Palestinian state in the Jewish land, that is the cause of conflict. Palestinians speak and support terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis.Palestine leaders and politicians should evacuate all Palestinians from the land of the Jews and go to Arab lands to build a Palestinian state. That would be peace.
The Internet is a cesspool of corruption, fraud and iniquity. No nation polices and punishes their wrongdoings. Money making individuals and institutions would invade your computer to push their products even rejected. Many famous American universities and institutions are selling their fraudulent products for incurable problems. Many individuals and institutions claim to be Christian and shamelessly and aggressively ask for donations. Many sell famous works in public domain through subscriptions and purchases. Many distort and pervert the Word of God but ask for donations.
Any nation which restricts, bans, or interferes with China’s activities is illegal and unlawful. China can do anything within its sovereignty that does not violate the international law.
To appease the fury and wrath of South Koreans, the impeached Yoon and all those who blocked his arrest shall be executed once and for all. Maybe Yoon should experience the 4-horse treatment. South Korea is the nation the world should not be: all incompetent, chaotic and useless.
Henceforth beginning 2025 all undeveloped nations must work, discipline and be responsible to produce their own food and other necessities; all international aid will be terminated beginning November 2025. Undeveloped nations cannot do as usual in dancing, singing, drinking and sporting, have sex and produce many unwanted children they cannot support. They must work hard to support and save themselves. Based on the Biblical principle, 2Th 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.”
How can we be suspicious since we never ask for money, we only tell the truth absolutely free.
China has aided more than 100 nations costing hundreds of $ billions. Tell the truth, which nation has expressed act of gratitude? Won’t it better to spend on internal improvement or buying gold?
WHO IS WILLIE WONG?
I am a Christian by grace, a Chinese by grace, an American by nationality. I am neither a communist nor a capitalist. Above all I am a follower and servant of Jesus Christ. In English I am a Ruskinian, In Management I am a Koontzian. In Politics I am a Nixonian. In Philosophy I am Willie Wong Thought.
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WILLIE WONG AND HIS WORLDVIEW. THIS IS NOT A
COMPANY OR A BUSINESS. IT DOES NOT SEEK
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THE WEST (US, BRITAIN, CANADA, EU) BEING EVIL AND FOUND GUILTY OF SANCTIONING CHINA ALL BECAUSE THEY COVET XINJIANG AND XICHANG AND HONG KONG, USE TAIWAN AND SOUTH CHINA SEA TO ATTACK CHINA’S SOVEREIGNTY.
On the one hand, some White experts pretend to make good suggestions to improve China economy; they may fool many Chinese, I can see malice, envy and ill will through their awkward faces. On the other hand, Black leaders and politicians play coy and con China to support their development for nothing. China needs to stop all foreign aid for two reasons: China needs to pay down deficits and debts. China must not be fooled and must use its hard-earned meager resources wisely to do the following strategic projects:
China should have unswerving commitment only to itself. China should not waste money on useless and unworthy undeveloped countries. Not one nation is grateful. Deficits and debts are bad. China cannot save the world, China must save itself.
2. Make deserts green and reduce sand storms.
3. Repair the Great Walls. Build sea walls around Hainan Island, Shanghai, etc. to prevent climate change that sea water will rise.
4. Promote night markets in big cities and promote domestic travel to expand the economy. Deficits and debts are bad; fiscal surplus is good.
5. Execute crooks and criminals who defraud through Telecom and Internet of more than ONE million yuan. IT is not known who polices the rampant international crooks and criminals who defraud the public by famous American universities and institutions who sell high-priced fake drugs such as to cure knee pain and prevent knee surgery and ear ringing, etc. Sweep clean fraudulent commercials on TV and the Internet.
6. Execute crooks and criminals who defraud in foreign nations and do not bring them home. Faces and names of deceivers must be published on TV to shame them and their families.
7. Increase and strengthen the development and deployment of nuclear weapons for self-defence.
8. Streamline and reduce national and local government debts and deficits.
9. Train 5 million doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, professors and MANAGERS, machinists in the next 5 years.
10. Assist the poor Chinese in the rural areas first.
11. Improve mechanized agriculture, and upgrade technology in every field.
12. Streamline management of central and local governments.
13. Enforce laws to reduce the number of criminal individuals and organizations in many areas.
14. Execute crooks and criminals who create rumors and conduct espionage that harm national security.
15. Reorganize personnel of CGTN and restructure its programs.
16. Protect the environment and punish severely individuals and organizations who dump industrial waste and toxic materials on lands, soils, water ways, lakes and rivers, and seas.
17. Remove all fraudulent commercials and fake advertisements from TV and Internet and punish the culprits severely. Violent gaming produces violent culture. Violent culture destroys any nation.
18. Make it easy for Overseas Chinese to come to China and make their investments.
19. Reward universities that earn and win NOBEL prizes.
20. Conduct ditching and dredging of lakes and rivers to prevent flooding before extreme weather.
21. Innovate and increase therapeutic and pharmaceutical capabilities to produce various vaccines and preventive medicines.
22. Regulate foreign hospitals and clinics in China to prohibit monopoly and prevent high costs of healthcare.
23. Bargain down whole sale price with foreign drug companies to import effective foreign drugs to benefit Chinese consumers.
24. Subsidize elderly apartment renting by 30%, if elderly live with their children, their monthly mortgage will reduce also by 30%.
25. Severely punish companies that manufacture fake or low quality products.
26. The world must condemn the phony currency called Bitcoin and China should not fall into the financial trap.
27. Execute individuals and organizations that rob ancient cemeteries or tombs to sell precious national treasures.
28. Regulate foreign hospitals and clinics in China to prohibit monopoly and prevent high costs of healthcare.
29. Bargain down whole sale price with foreign drug companies to import effective foreign drugs to benefit Chinese consumers.
30. The world must condemn the phony currency called Bitcoin and China should not fall into the financial trap.
31. Mandate providing access to elderly and invalid wheelchairs.
32. Execute individuals and organizations that rob ancient cemeteries or tombs to sell precious national treasures.
33. Prohibit anyone to smoke on TV or in movies. Reduce individual gun violence except in war movies.
34. Execute Hong Kong residents who commit treason or to be exiled permanently. Hong Kong is fortunate to have food, fuel and water, etc. provided by Mainland China. Hong Kong should start de-Biritishization by changing all English street names, for example Victoria Peak should be replaced by Deng Xiaoping Peak.
35. No one speaks Portuguese except Portugal and Brazil. Macao should not hamstring its residents, but replace Portuguese with the English language the sooner the better.
36. Increase, innovate, and modernize public and private toilet facilities.
37. Punish severely those who violate smoking and drinking on buildings, trains, ferries, and airplanes; the third violation deserves to be executed.
38. China needs to make Christmas a national holiday to facilitate the big Christmas business in China.
39. Execute leading organized criminals, attack every form of terror, and destroy vigorous lawlessness.
40. Penalize severely those who have licenses but do not know how to drive or violate traffic rules and regulations on purpose.
41. To deter and destroy corruption, China needs to execute any officer who commits corruption of more than CNY one million.
42. Execute anyone who counterfeits money and seize all his/her assets.
43. Rebuild the Old Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan Park ( 圆明园) which was burned down and destroyed by aggressive and intrusive 8-nation-troops; and DEMAND them reparations now through diplomacy or later by military force.
44. Use force to liberate Taiwan and execute traitorous leaders of the People’s Progressive Party (民進黨) publicly.
How to solve global hunger and poverty? There are nations and peoples who deserve to suffer hunger and poverty. For example, Palestinians do not want to go to lands of Arab to build a Palestinian state of their own. They would rather be in the Jewish land and label as refugees so that they can receive international aid for free. There are undeveloped nations and peoples whose leaders and politicians are corrupt, and the peoples are lazy and unproductive; they eat and get fat, sing and dance, drink beer and have sex, produce many children they cannot support. They like the way of life so that they can beg and receive aid freely. These nations will remain poor and suffer hunger in worse situation a hundred years from now!
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national refrerendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrified their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrified their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinse government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanse aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN overappointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much covergage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphanes. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron reognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezebolla, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukranians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless.Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, overappointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voordoism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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STRANGEST THINGS HAPPEN! 1. UN and most OF ITS MEMBERS ENDORSE THE TWO NATIONS PROPOSAL. NO ONE OPPOSES THIS. PALESTINIANS ARE ARABS WHO DO NOT WANT TO GO TO LANDS OF ARABS TO MAKE A LIVING AND BUILD ITS OWN PALESTINIAN STATE. The problem is the fact Palestinians want to build state of Palestinians in Jewish lands. 2. UN and all ARAB, MUSLIM, BLACK, etc. nations do not say a word against TERRORISTS HAMAS, HAZBOLLAH, and HOUTHIS. INDEED, THEY SUPPORT THEM.
ARE DEPORTATION EFFORTS HURTING THE ECONOMY? WRONG QUESTION. RIGHT QUESTION: ARE ILLEGAL ALIENS HURTING AMERICA? Most of illegal aliens are on welfare, there are 45 million unlawful migrants already residing in America, including their children born in America who are not citizens. America needs to deport illegal aliens without further delay. To warn Mexico not to be an unlawful door for unlawful migrants to invade America, America needs to drop a few bombs on Mexico City to DETER them.
ON September 3, 2025 for China to mark 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression and fascism is a historical necessity and hard-earned victory. All foreigners who heroically sacrificed their lives for China in their fight against Japanese aggression must individually be commemorated and remembered, their relatives are eternal friends of China. I have never seen such a great parade before, the size and scope of it would overwhelm your mind; every aspect of it was systematically planned, every step of male and female soldiers was of uniform procedures, every military vehicle with all nuclear missiles and every war airplane in the sky well performed; the words such as grand, massive, superb, magnificent fail to describe the whole celebration. I wholeheartedly salute every Chinese military man and woman who participated. From 1931-1945, the brutal behavior of Japanese and its inhuman atrocities were worse than wild beasts and deserve ten atomic bombs in recompense. Even today Japanese government and leaders do not admit and repent of their war crimes, they worship executed war criminals as their national heroes and living gods. Japan never apologizes and pays compensation for killing 35 million Chinese, made hundreds of thousands sex slaves, millions of labor slaves and untold atrocities. Never again will China be oppressed. I am sure the militant Japan is deterred, but America is on the wrong side of history. Thank God it did not rain.
The mayors of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Chicago are for crooks and criminals, they must be dismissed and deported. All the facts point to the need, Ukraine must be destroyed and its leader executed in order to end the war. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are terrorists and the countries that harbor them must be destroyed all together.
Since Gaza, West Bank, etc. are the Jewish lands, Palestinians must evacuate from all Jewish lands and flee to Arab lands where they are safe to receive international aid and build a Palestinian state of their choice.
The leader of Ukraine is corrupt and evil. Ukrainians are stupid to follow the path of destruction. He was the one who instigated war with Russia. Now he asks for security guarantees. The nincompoop should be executed to end the war.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national referendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrificed their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrificed their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinese government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanese aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN over–appointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much coverage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphans. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron recognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukrainians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless. Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, over–appointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voodooism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
BY WILLIE WONG
It is wrong to believe a series of process of the second coming of Jesus is a separate and distinct event from the second coming of Christ.Many believers err because they think the second coming of Jesus Chris is one-time event, not knowing that the second coming of Jesus is the process which begins with the Rapture, the Great Tribulation, the Appearing of Jesus Christ, the Millennium, the Armageddon, the White Throne Judgement, and finally the Kingdom of Heaven. There are so many false teachers and false prophets in the world today, it is a waste of time and efforts to study them. It is wrong to start debating the Christian Faith on ground of certain teachings and private interpretations of some individuals no matter how famous they were.
It is my policy never to promote their names. John Calvin was the exception, I deliberately made the Biblical point to refute and reject his false teaching because he was welknown and had immerse influence. His erroneous and cultish teachings could ruin many souls.
On top of the problem, the Bible uses the word Rapture on other meaning, only Jesus teaches the concept of Rapture.
It is wrong when someone wrote, “Rapture doctrine did not exist before John Darby invented it in 1830 AD. Before it “popped into John Darby’s head” no one had ever heard of a secret rapture doctrine.”
Rapture is taught by Jesus Christ Himself some 2,000
“1. Rapture doctrine is one of the most recent “new doctrines” in the history of the Church. The only doctrine more recent is the invention of the sinner’s prayer for salvation by Billy Sunday in 1930, which was made popular by Billy Graham in 1935.
The fact that John Nelson Darby invented the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine around 1830 AD is unquestionably true. All attempts to find evidence of this wild doctrine before 1830 have failed, with a single exception: Morgan Edwards wrote a short essay as a college paper for Bristol Baptist College in Bristol England in 1744 where he confused the second coming with the first resurrection of Revelation 20 and described a “pre-tribulation” rapture. However Edwards ideas, which he admitted were brand new and never before taught, had no influence in the modern population of the false doctrine. That prize to goes to Darby.”
There is nothing more deadly than false doctrines or teachings by false teachers claiming to be authentic or authorative.
The doctine of Rapture has nothing to do with John Nelson Darby or Billy Graham. I believe in the doctrinne of Rapture because 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ Himself taught it.
It is written, Mat 24:37-42, “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not
understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Be Ready for His Coming. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”
Matthew 24:37-41. But as the days of Noe were, &c. — As then they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, till they were surprised by the flood, notwithstanding the frequent warnings and admonitions of that preacher of righteousness: so now, they shall be engaged in the business and pleasures of the world, little expecting, little thinking of this universal ruin, till it come upon them, notwithstanding the express predictions and declarations of Christ and his apostles. Then shall two be in the field, &c. — That is, Providence will then make a distinction between such as are not at all distinguished now. Some shall be rescued from the destruction of Jerusalem, like Lot out of the burning of Sodom; while others, nowise different in outward circumstances, shall be left to perish in it. Two women shall be grinding at the mill — A passage in Dr. E. Daniel Clarke’s Travels in Greece, Egypt, and the Holy Land, published in 1812, (p. 428,) may fitly be quoted here. “Scarcely had we reached the apartment prepared for our reception,” (namely, in Nazareth,) “when, looking from the window into the court-yard belonging to the house, we beheld two women grinding at the mill in a manner most forcibly illustrating a saying of our Saviour’s. In the centre of the upper stone was a cavity for pouring in the corn, and by the side of this an upright wooden handle for moving the stone. As the operation began, one of the women, with her right hand, pushed this handle to the woman opposite, who again sent it to her companion; thus communicating a rotatory and very rapid motion to the upper stone, their left hands being all the while employed in supplying fresh corn, as fast as the bran and flour escaped from the sides of the machine.” Hitherto we have explained the contents of this chapter as relating to the destruction of Jerusalem; of which, without doubt, it is primarily to be understood. But though it is to be understood of this primarily, yet not of this only; for there is no question that our Lord had a further view in it. It is usual with the prophets to frame and express their prophecies so as that they shall comprehend more than one event, and have their several periods of completion. This every one must have observed who has been ever so little conversant in the writings of the ancient prophets, and this doubtless is the case here; and the destruction of Jerusalem is to be considered as typical of the end of the world, of which the destruction of a great city is a lively type and image. And we may observe that our Saviour no sooner begins to speak of the destruction of Jerusalem, than his figures are raised, his language swelled, (The sun shall be darkened, &c.,) and he expresses himself in such terms as, in a lower and figurative sense indeed, are applicable to that destruction; but in their higher and literal sense, can be meant only of the end of the world. The same may be said of that text, Of that day and season knoweth no man, &c: the consistence and connection of the discourse oblige us to understand it as spoken of the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, but in a higher sense it may be true also of the time of the end of the world, and of the general judgment. All the subsequent discourse too, we may observe, does not relate so properly to the destruction of Jerusalem as to the end of the world and the general judgment. Our Lord loses sight, as it were, of his former subject, and adapts his discourse more to the latter. And, indeed, the end of the Jewish state was, in a manner, the end of the world to many of the Jews. It appears next to impossible that any man should duly consider these prophecies, and the exact completion of them, and, if he is a believer, not be confirmed in the faith; or, if he is an infidel, not be converted. Can any stronger proof be given of a divine revelation than the spirit of prophecy; or of the spirit of prophecy, than the examples now before us, in which so many contingencies, and we may say, improbabilities, which human wisdom or prudence could never have foreseen, are so particularly foretold, and so punctually accomplished! At the time when Christ pronounced these prophecies, the Roman governor resided at Jerusalem, and had a force sufficient to keep the people in obedience; and could human prudence foresee that the city, as well as the country, would revolt and rebel against the Romans? Could it foresee pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes in divers places? Could it foresee the speedy propagation of the gospel, so contrary to all human probability? Could human prudence foresee such an utter destruction of Jerusalem, with all the circumstances preceding and following it? It was never the custom of the Romans absolutely to ruin any of their provinces. It was improbable, therefore, that such a thing should happen at all, and still more improbable that it should happen under the humane and generous Titus who was indeed, as he was called, the love and delight of mankind. Yet, however improbable this was it has happened, and it was foreseen and foretold by Christ; but how was it possible for him to foresee it, unless his foresight was divine, and his prediction the infallible oracle of God? Eusebius observes well upon this place, that, “Whoever shall compare the words of our Saviour with the history which Josephus has written of the war, cannot but admire the wisdom of Christ, and acknowledge his prediction to be divine.”
Why did the early church believe about the “Rapture”? Because the Bible says so, stupid. What is wrong with the Rapture? Nothing is wrong with the Rapture, SOMETHING wrong are with those who do not believe. What you believe are not important, what the Bible says matters. Watch out for the enemies who want to destroy the Faith by pretending to be believers or teachers.
There have been many predictions of the date of the second coming of Jesus Christ, all have failed as the Lord says, no one knows.
Many confuse about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ because they think it is only one Event. Most people do not know the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is a series of the process linkin to the Event. Taking the Second Coming of Jesus Christ as a popular subject, many merchandise and peddle the knowledge of God by charging a large sum for subscription and in addition shamelessly ask for donation. False ministers think they are entitled to donations simply because they preach the Gospel. If you take a cursory look at the Internet, you will be surprised how many individuals and organizations engage in merchandising and selling the Bible knowledge for money. If you do not pay a subscription, you will have no access to their articles and they disable any copy of their articles. These enemies of the truth embellish with their private opinions. They do not seem to fear the fiery Hell.
2Pe 1:20-21, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of
someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy
was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
Knowing this first.—The participle belongs to “take heed” in 2Peter 1:19. “First” means “first of all” (1Timothy 2:1), not “before I tell you.” In studying prophecy this is the first thing to be borne in mind.
Is of any private interpretation.—Better, comes to be, or becomes of private interpretation. The word rendered “interpretation” occurs nowhere else in the New Testament; but the cognate verb occurs in Mark 4:34, where it is translated “expound.” (See Note there.) There can be little doubt that “interpretation,” or “solution,” is the right rendering here, although others have been suggested. The main question however, is the meaning of the word rendered “private,” which may also mean “its own.” Hence three explanations are possible. The term may refer (1) to the recipients of the prophecies—that we may not expound prophecy according to our own fancy; or (2) to the utterers of the prophecies—that the prophets had not the power of expounding their own prophecies; or (3) to the prophecies themselves—that no prophecy comes to be of its own interpretation, i.e., no prophecy explains itself. The guide to the right explanation is 2Peter 1:21, which gives the reason why “no prophecy of the scripture,” &c. This consideration excludes (3); for 2Peter 1:21 yields no sense as showing why prophecy does not interpret itself. Either of the other two explanations may be right. (1) If prophecy came “by the will of man,” then it might be interpreted according to man’s fancy. But it did not so come; consequently the interpretation must be sought elsewhere—viz., at the same source from which the prophecy itself proceeded. (2) If the prophets spoke just as they pleased, they would be the best exponents of what they meant. But they spoke under divine influence, and therefore need not know the import of their own words. Prophecy must be explained by prophecy and by history, not by the individual prophet. The whole body of prophecy, “the prophetic word” (2Peter 1:19), is our lamp in the wilderness, not the private dicta of any one seer. In modern phraseology, interpretation must be comparative and scientific. This view is strengthened by comparing 1Peter 1:10-12, where it is stated that the prophets did not know how or when their own predictions would be fulfilled. Possibly this passage is meant to refer to 1Peter 1:10-12, and if so, we have a mark of genuineness; a forger would have made the reference more clear. If the coincidence is accidental, this also points in the same direction; in any case, the coincidence is worth noting.”
Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,
as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these
things, in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unscrupulous people and lose your own firm commitment.”
And account;reckon with yourselves, and be confidently persuaded; or take for granted. The longsuffering of our Lord; viz. in his not yet coming to judgment, and bearing with so much sin in the world without presently punishing it. Is salvation; i.e. tends or conduceth to salvation, in that hereby he gives space for repentance to the elect unconverted, and alloweth time for the building up and perfecting those that are converted, 2 Peter 3:9. Even as our beloved brother Paul; not only brother in Christ, as a saint, but in office, as an apostle. According to the wisdom given unto him; that eminent and profound knowledge in the mysteries of the gospel in which Paul did excel, 1 Corinthians 2:6,7 Eph 3:3,4. Peter makes such honourable mention of Paul: 1. That he might commend to the Jewish Christians the doctrine Paul had preached, though a minister of the uncircumcision; 2. To show that he had nothing the worse thoughts of him for being so sharply reproved by him, Galatians 2:1-21; and: 3. That he might arm the saints against those heretics that abused Paul’s writings, and wrested them to their own meaning, probably, to patronize their errors. Hath written unto you; unto you Jewish believers, viz. either: 1. In his Epistle to the Romans, Romans 2:4, where is a passage very like this: or: 2. In his Epistle to the Hebrews, which, though it were not entitled to the Jews of the dispersion, yet was written to their nation; and in that Epistle several places there are of the same purport with this here; {see Hebrews 9:28 10:23,25,36,37} and other Epistle of Paul to the Jews we have none: and in this he shows much of that wisdom God gave him in the mystery of the gospel; and in this likewise are many things hard to be understood.”
These unscrupulous people do not seem to fear the warnings of the Lord:
2Pe 2:3, “and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
And through covetousness.—Better, In covetousness. This is the atmosphere in which they live. (See Notes on 2Peter 2:18 and 2Peter 1:1-2; 2Peter 1:4; 2Peter 1:13.) Wiclif and Rheims have “in.” Simon Magus offering St. Peter money, which no doubt he was accustomed to take himself for his teaching, may illustrate this (Acts 8:18; comp. 1Timothy 6:5; Titus 1:10-11). These false teachers, like the Greek Sophists, taught for money. A bombastic mysticism, promising to reveal secrets about the unseen world and the future, was a very lucrative profession in the last days of Paganism, and it passed over to Christianity as an element in various heresies. (Comp. the Shepherd of Hermas, Sim. IX. xix. 3.)
Make merchandise of you.—The verb means literally to travel, especially as a merchant on business; and hence “to be a merchant,” “to trade,” and, with an accusative, “to deal in,” “make merchandise of.” (Comp. our commercial phrase, “to travel in” such and such goods.) It may also mean simply “to gain,” or “gain over,” which would make good sense here; but our version is perhaps better. The word occurs elsewhere only in James 4:13. “With feigned words” possibly refers back to “cunningly devised fables” (2Peter 1:16).
Lingereth not.—Literally, is not idle, the cognate verb of the adjective in 2Peter 1:8. Their sentence has long since been pronounced, is working, and in due time will strike them. We have a similar thought in 1Peter 4:17.
Their damnation slumbereth not.—Better, their destruction. (See fourth Note on 2Peter 2:1.) Wiclif and Rheims have “perdition.” The destruction involved in the judgment pronounced by God is awake and on its way to overtake them. The word for “slumbereth” occurs in Matthew 25:5 only.
We now pass on to see how it is that this judgment “of a long time” has been working. It was pronounced against all sinners, such as they are, from the first beginning of the world.”
2Pe 2:14, “having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having hearts trained in greed, accursed children.” 1Th 2:5, “For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness—”
For the love of money, these unscrupulous people ignore the Word of God:
1Co 5:11, “But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is a sexually immoral person, or a greedy person, or an idolater, or is verbally abusive, or habitually drunk, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a person.”
“But now.” In this Epistle. This shows that he had written a former letter.
I have written to you. – Above. I have designed to give this injunction that you are to be entirely separated from one who is a professor of religion and who is guilty of these things.
Not to keep company – To be wholly separated and withdrawn from such a person. Not to associate with him in any manner.
If any man that is called a brother – Any professing Christian; any member of the church.
Or an idolater – This must mean those persons who, while they professed Christianity, still attended the idol feasts, and worshipped there. Perhaps a few such may have been found who had adopted the Christian profession hypocritically.
Or a railer – A reproachful man; a man of coarse, harsh, and bitter words; a man whose characteristic it was to abuse others; to vilify their character, and wound their feelings. It is needless to say how much this is contrary to the spirit of Christianity, and to the example of the Master, “who when he was reviled, reviled not again.”
Or a drunkard – Perhaps there might have been some then in the church, as there are now, who were addicted to this vice. It has been the source of incalculable evils to the church; and the apostle, therefore, solemnly enjoins on Christians to have no fellowship with a man who is intemperate.
With such an one no not to eat – To have no contact or fellowship with him of any kind; not to do anything that would seem to acknowledge him as a brother; with such an one not even to eat at the same table. A similar course is enjoined by John; 2 John 1:10-11. This refers to the contact of common life, and not particularly to the communion. The true Christian was wholly to disown such a person, and not to do anything that would seem to imply that he regarded him as a Christian brother. It will be seen here that the rule was much more strict in regard to one who professed to be a Christian than to those who were known and acknowledged pagans. The reasons may have been:
The necessity of keeping the church pure, and of not doing anything that would seem to imply that Christians were the patrons and friends of the intemperate and the wicked.
in respect to the pagan, there could be no danger of its being supposed that Christians regarded them as brethren, or showed to them any more than the ordinary civilities of life; but in regard to those who professed to be Christians, but who were drunkards, or licentious, if a man was on terms of intimacy with them, it would seem as if he acknowledged them as brethren and recognized them as Christians.
(3) this entire separation and withdrawing from all communion was necessary in these times to save the church from scandal, and from the injurious reports which were circulated. The pagan accused Christians of all manner of crime and abominations. These reports were greatly injurious to the church. But it was evident that currency and plausibility would be given to them if it was known that Christians were on terms of intimacy and good fellowship with pagans and intemperate persons. Hence, it became necessary to withdraw wholly from them to withhold even the ordinary courtesies of life; and to draw a line of total and entire separation. Whether this rule in its utmost strictness is demanded now, since the nature of Christianity is known, and since religion cannot be in “so much” danger from such reports, may be made a question. I am inclined to the opinion that the ordinary civilities of life may be shown to such persons; though certainly nothing that would seem to recognize them as Christians. But as neighbors and relatives; as those who may be in distress and want, we are assuredly not forbidden to show toward them the offices of kindness and compassion. Whitby and some others, however, understand this of the communion of the Lord’s Supper and of that only.”
1Co 6:10, “nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor those habitually drunk, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Eph 5:5, “For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.”
The crux of the matter is to start the Bible knowledge with the chronology sets by the Holy Bible. Needless to say, I do not get pay by presenting the Word of God, neither do I ask for any donation. I believe in rightly dividing the Word of God, I sincerely believe the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will begins with the process chronologically the Rapture,the Great Tribulation, the Appearing of the Lord in great power and glory, the Millennium, the Armagedon,the White Throne Judgement, and finally the Kingdom of Heaven when and where the King of kings and the Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, will reign forever and ever.
Many do not know the so-called Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the same as
Tit 2:13, “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing.—The Greek should here be rendered, looking for the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory. And that holy life, just urged on the believer, of quiet self-restraint, of love to others, of piety towards God, must be lit up by a blessed hope, by a hope which is far more than a hope; that holy life of the faithful must be a continued waiting for a blessed hope—“the hope laid up for us in heaven” (Colossians 1:5). It may be asked, What is this hope? We answer, it is “the hope of glory” which we shall share with the Son of God, when we behold Him as He is. So for us the hope of glory is intimately bound up with the second coming of the Lord. Then the life of the lover of the Lord must be one continued looking for, waiting for, the coming of the Lord in glory—must be a looking for that hour when we shall see in all His divine majesty, Him who redeemed us. In that life and light, in that majesty and glory, His own will share.
Of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.—The translation here should run, of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. From the English version, it would seem that Paul’s idea was that the Christian should live waiting for the glorious appearing of the great God, accompanied with our Lord Jesus Christ. The rendering we have adopted, on what seems conclusive grounds, speaks of a Christian life, as a life ever looking for the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
In this sublime passage the glory of the only begotten Son alone finds mention. Taken thus, it is a studied declaration of the divinity of the Eternal Son, who is here styled “our great God and Saviour.” Reasoning merely on grammatical principles, either translation would be possible, only even then there is a presumption in favour of the translation we have adopted. (See Ellicott’s Note on this verse.) But other considerations are by no means so nearly equally balanced. The word “manifestation” (epiphany), the central thought of the sentence, is employed by St. Paul in his Epistles five times, and in every one of them to describe the manifestation of Christ, and in four of them to designate the future manifestation of His coming in glory, as here. The term epiphany is never applied to the Father.
Again, the whole of the context of the passage specially relates to the “Son of God.” The introduction of the epiphany “of the Father” would be a thought not merely strange to the whole New Testament, but would bring quite a new idea into this statement, which sets forth so sublimely the epiphany of Christ as the ground of the Christian’s hope—an idea, too, no sooner suggested than dropped, for the passage goes on to speak only of the Son. Perhaps, however, the weightiest argument that can be adduced is the consensus of the Greek orthodox fathers, who, with scarcely an exception, concur in the interpretation which understands the expression “of our great God” as used of Jesus Christ. To select two examples out of the long chain of fathers reaching from the apostolic age who have thus understood this text: “St. Paul here calls Christ the great God, and thus rebukes the heretical blasphemy which denies His Godhead” (Theodoret). “What can those persons say,” asks Chrysostom, referring to this passage, “who allege that the Son is inferior to the Father?” (See Wordsworth’s Note here.).”
Although the word “rapture” in the Bible may not be used in the sense related to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, remember the Words of Jesus alone are sufficient to form a doctrine and worth more than words of ten thousand so-called church fathers. The worst practice is to distort the Word of God on account to discredit some teachings of certain individual(s) alluded and linked to a specific sound doctrine. It is a diabolical practice to attack a man in order to discredit a certain Biblical teaching. The Christian Faith is not based on teachings or opinions of any man. False prophets and false teachers invented their teachings as Biblical doctrines.
This is the subject that false preachers and teachers make money by deceiving the people. Roughly, the series of process involving the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is chronologically presented as follows:
1.) The Rapture
Luk 17:34-36, “I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. There will be two women grinding at the same
place; one will be taken and the other will be left. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.”
1Th 4:17, “Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
Rapture in the Scriptures cited above can literally mean “taken up” and “caught up”. Rapture as taken up or caught up the saints to meet the Lord in the air is a secret process. I translate “in the space” for “in the air”. I am not going to dwell in detail here. It is important to say that the Rapture can take place any time now, it is imminent. When it happens, the process of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ has begun. If the Rapture has taken place the whole world will know about it, because people will be missing.
2.) The Great Tribulation
Mat 24:21-25, “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. And if those
days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘He is over here,’ do not believe him.
For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance.” No one knows how many days have been cut short, so no one knows what day or hour Jesus Christ will come and appear the Second Time.
24:4-28 The disciples had asked concerning the times, When these things should be? Christ gave them no answer to that; but they had also asked, What shall be the sign? This question he answers fully. The prophecy first respects events near at hand, the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish church and state, the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of Christ’s kingdom in the world; but it also looks to the general judgment; and toward the close, points more particularly to the latter. What Christ here said to his disciples, tended more to promote caution than to satisfy their curiosity; more to prepare them for the events that should happen, than to give a distinct idea of the events. This is that good understanding of the times which all should covet, thence to infer what Israel ought to do. Our Saviour cautions his disciples to stand on their guard against false teachers. And he foretells wars and great commotions among nations. From the time that the Jews rejected Christ, and he left their house desolate, the sword never departed from them. See what comes of refusing the gospel. Those who will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear the messengers of war. But where the heart is fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in peace, and is not afraid. It is against the mind of Christ, that his people should have troubled hearts, even in troublous times. When we looked forward to the eternity of misery that is before the obstinate refusers of Christ and his gospel, we may truly say, The greatest earthly judgments are but the beginning of sorrows. It is comforting that some shall endure even to the end. Our Lord foretells the preaching of the gospel in all the world. The end of the world shall not be till the gospel has done its work. Christ foretells the ruin coming upon the people of the Jews; and what he said here, would be of use to his disciples, for their conduct and for their comfort. If God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape, otherwise we do not trust God, but tempt him. It becomes Christ’s disciples, in times of public trouble, to be much in prayer: that is never out of season, but in a special manner seasonable when we are distressed on every side. Though we must take what God sends, yet we may pray against sufferings; and it is very trying to a good man, to be taken by any work of necessity from the solemn service and worship of God on the sabbath day. But here is one word of comfort, that for the elect’s sake these days shall be made shorter than their enemies designed, who would have cut all off, if God, who used these foes to serve his own purpose, had not set bounds to their wrath. Christ foretells the rapid spreading of the gospel in the world. It is plainly seen as the lightning. Christ preached his gospel openly. The Romans were like an eagle, and the ensign of their armies was an eagle. When a people, by their sin, make themselves as loathsome carcasses, nothing can be expected but that God should send enemies to destroy them. It is very applicable to the day of judgment, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in that day, 2Th 2:1. Let us give diligence to make our calling and election sure; then may we know that no enemy or deceiver shall ever prevail against us.”
3.) The Appearing of Jesus Christ
Tit 2:13, “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”
Titus 2:13-14. Looking — With eager desire and lively expectation; for the blessed hope — That is, for the blessedness for which we hope; the grace of hope being here put for the object of it, future and eternal felicity. And the glorious appearing — Very different from his former appearance in a state of poverty, reproach, and suffering; of the great God and our Saviour — The original expression, επιφανειαν της δοξης του μεγαλου Θεου και Σωτηρος ημων, are literally, the appearing, or manifestation, of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: or, of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ. If the words be taken in the former sense, the apostle may be considered as alluding to our Lord’s words, Luke 9:26, where the Lord Jesus is spoken of as coming in his own glory and in his Father’s, and of his holy angels; and, (Matthew 16:27,) the Son of man shall come in the glory of the Father with his angels. Beza, however, is of opinion, that one person only is spoken of, namely, Jesus Christ, to whom he thinks the title of the great God is given in this verse; and with him Whitby agrees, both because the article is wanting before Σωτηρος, Saviour, and because, as God the Father is not said properly to appear, so the word επιφανεια, appearing, never occurs in the New Testament but when it is applied to Jesus Christ. But to this Macknight answers, “1st, That the article wanting before Saviour may be supplied, as our translators have done here before επιφανεια, appearing, and elsewhere, particularly Ephesians 5:5, In the kingdom, του Χριστου και Θεου, of Christ and of God. and, 2d, That the apostle does not speak of the appearing ofthe Father, but of the appearing of the glory of the Father; agreeably to what Christ himself declared, that at his return to judgment he will appear surrounded with the glory of his Father.” Whitby, however, as an additional reason for thinking that Christ is only spoken of, observes, that “not only all the ancient commentators on the place do so interpret this text, but the Ante-Nicene Fathers also; Hippolytus speaking of the appearance of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ, and Clemens of Alexandria proving Christ to be both God and man, our Creator, and the Author of all our good things, from these very words of St. Paul.” Who gave himself for us — Namely, to die in our stead; that he might redeem us — Miserable bond-slaves; from all iniquity — As well from the power and the very being, as from the guilt of our sins; and purify to himself — From all pollution of flesh and spirit, (see on 2 Corinthians 7:1,) a peculiar people — Who should thankfully own themselves his property, and express their gratitude for such inestimable favours, by being not only careful to avoid the practice of evil, but zealous of good works — Active in all the duties of life, and in every office of righteousness and goodness to each other. “This is said in allusion to Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6, where God calls the Jews a peculiar and a special people to himself, because he had made them his property by redeeming them from the bondage of Egypt, and had distinguished them from the rest of mankind as his, by rites and ordinances of his own appointment. Christ hath made believers his peculiar people by giving himself for them, to redeem them from all iniquity, and to purify them to himself, a people zealous, not of rites and ceremonies, but of good works. This being the great end of Christ’s death, how dare any person, pretending to be one of Christ’s people, either speak or think lightly of good works, as not necessary to salvation? — Macknight.
Mat 24:30, “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.”
Heb 9:28, “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” It is necessary to say that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is a public event, all will see the Lord Jesus coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many: outwv kai is an illative connection between the antecedent Hebrews 9:27, and this consequent; As it was appointed to men once to die, so it was appointed to Christ once to offer himself. God’s statute determineth both of these; Christ the High Priest, opposed to men, Hebrews 9:27, having died once as a sacrifice for sins, and offered his blood to God to expiate them, bearing their punishment which God laid on him, Isaiah 53:6; and so took away sins, guilt, filth, power and condemnation from many, whom the Father gave to him, and he undertook for, in it, Matthew 20:28 26:28 John 10:15,16. And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin; and to his believing, penitent expectants, such as long for his coming, Philippians 3:20Titus 2:13, stretching out their heads, as the mother of Sisera, Judges 5:28, with a holy impatience of seeing him, such as by faith and prayer are hastening it, Romans 8:232 Corinthians 5:1-101 Peter 1:3-9, shall he once more visibly appear to them and the world, Acts 1:11Revelation 1:7, gloriously, without need to suffer or die again for them, having at his departure after his first coming, carried all their sins into the land of forgetfulness. Unto salvation; and to their persons will he bring entire and complete salvation, raising and uniting bodies and souls together, Philippians 3:21; and then take them as assistants to himself in the judgment-work on men and angels in the air; and having despatched that work, return with them to the holy of holiest in heaven, there to be completely blessed, in praising, serving, glorifying, and enjoying God in Christ, and the blessedness that attends that state, for ever and ever, as 1 Corinthians 6:2,3 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
4.) The Millennium
Rev 20:4-6, “Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had beenbeheaded because of
their testimony of Jesus and because of the Word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast
or his image, and had not received the mark on their foreheads and on their hands; and they came to life
and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
(4) And I saw thrones, and they sat . . . There is a prominence given to the thrones, because the thought of the reign of the saints is uppermost in the mind of the seer. The thrones are seen, and those who sat on them. It has been asked, “By whom are the thrones occupied?” The answer is supplied in the latter part of the verse. Those who are in the latter part said to reign with Christ are clearly those who sit upon the thrones which first caught the prophet’s eye; these are all the real servants of God. They appear before the seer in two great classes:—First, the martyrs who have been faithful unto death; for he speaks first of seeing the souls of those who have been beheaded (strictly, “slain with the axe,” but clearly the special class of beheaded martyrs is to be taken as representing all), because of the testimony of Jesus, and because of the word of God. The number of the martyrs is now complete (comp. Revelation 6:11); these form the first class mentioned. Secondly, those who have been faithful in life occupy these thrones. The prophet sees these, even whosoever did not worship (during life) the wild beast, nor yet his image, and did not receive the mark (comp. Revelation 13:10) on their forehead and upon their hand. The triumph and sovereignty, whatever they be, are shared by all the faithful. These things are stated as constituting their privileges. They lived, whereas the rest of the dead lived not; they reigned, and judgment was given them. This last has been felt to be a difficulty. What sort of judgment is intended? The passage in Daniel (Daniel 7:22) is clearly suggestive of the present one. The phrase (judgment was given) is not there to be understood as meaning that right was done them (see Note in Speaker’s Commentary on Daniel), neither must it be so understood here. Judicial powers are given to the saints as to those who occupy thrones; “the chief power in governing” (Gebhardt) is given them (comp. Matthew 19:28, and 1Corinthians 6:2-3); they reign, they judge, they live; the true and full powers of life are seen to be theirs. And is not this the case always? Who, next to Him who knows the secrets of our hearts, exercises judicial powers over men? Do not those whose lives, as we read them, rebuke our own? Truly, those who lived for God, and refused the mark of earthliness, reign and judge us in our worldliness and weakness. This is their sovereign honour here, besides the glad reign in the unseen world.”
The Bible says a thousand years, I believe it is a thousand years.
Rev 20:1-3, “Then I saw an angel coming down from Heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great
chain in his hand.And he took hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.”
Isa 11:6, “And the wolf will dwell with the lamb,and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fattened steer will be together; and a little boy will lead them.”
5.) The Armageddon
Some phony theologians and false Bible commentators make much ado about the Armargeddon, by calling it the greatest last World War;
“there the final world conflict will take place.”
Even Britannica said falsely, “The term Armageddon has often been used by Protestant fundamentalists to refer to an impending cataclysmic struggle between the forces of good and evil.”
Rev 20:7-9, “When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison,and will come
out to deceive the nations which are at the four
corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from Heaven and devoured them.”
The King of kings and the Lord of lords does not need to fight any war at all and certainly not “an impending cataclysmic struggle between the forces of good and evil.” The fire comes from Heaven destroys all those who follow the devil.
Revelation 20:7. Τα, those) Those thousand years only, during which Satan was bound; for now again Satan is treated of. The article so refers to the noun (thousand years) applied to two preceding subjects [the two distinct periods of a thousand years each], that it has reference to the former subject. Thus altogether τὸ θηρίον, that beast, ch. Revelation 13:15, does not refer to Revelation 20:11, but to Revelation 20:1. Thus 2 Samuel 23:19; 2 Samuel 23:23, τρεῖς refers not to the nearest, but to the more distant, ternary, Revelation 20:8, etc.—χίλια ἔτη, thousand years) The threefold expression of the former millennium (to which the threefold mention of the second millennium harmoniously answers) plainly makes a threefold opposition to the Non-chronus (which occupies the time between 1111 1/9 and 999 9/9 or 1000 years), to the short space [Revelation 17:10] (888 8/9 years), and to the time 1, 2, ½ (777 7/9 years); for these three periods, which the dragon rendered particularly disastrous, are immediately followed by a thousand joyful years, while the dragon is bound, and these years are three times expressed [in Revelation 20:2-3; Revelation 20:7].—λυθήσεται ἐκ τῆς φυλακῆς) An abbreviated expression: that is, shall be loosed from his chain, and sent forth from his prison.”
6.) White Throne Judgment
Rev 20:11-15, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and Heaven fled, and no place was found for them.
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them; and they were judged, each one of them according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death, the Lake of Fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire.”
Rev 20:10, “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Once the universe is safe and secure because the devil, his agents and the wicked are all thrown down into the Lake of Fire, the King of kings and the Lord of lords will begin His eternal reign.
10. And the devil that deceived them] Lit. that deceiveth, but the sense is general: as if we were to say “their deceiver.” into the lake &c.] Revelation 19:20. where] Read, where also. the beast and the false prophet are] It might be better to supply were cast. That they are there still, not consumed by their more than thousand years of torment, is not stated in this clause but is in the next. shall be &c.] To prevent ambiguity we should render, they shall be, all three of them. for ever and ever] Lit. to the ages of the ages, as strong an expression for absolute endlessness as Biblical language affords. The expression “day and night” seems hardly consistent with the view often expressed, that the eternity here spoken of is unaccompanied with a sense of duration like that which we call time.”
Verse 15. – And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying. The participle “saying” is masculine, λέγοντες, in A, B; the feminine, λέγουσαι, is read in א, C, P. Though the latter would be more correct, grammatically, yet irregular construction in such cases is not uncommon in the Apocalypse. The voices were possibly those of the angels rejoicing in the triumph of the kingdom of God. Or perhaps they proceeded from the four living beings, since the elders are next mentioned (ver. 17) as offering the praises of the redeemed Church which they represent. At the opening of the seventh seal there was silence in heaven; here, at the sound of the seventh angel’s trumpet, voices are heard “in heaven,” but there is silence as to the fate of the wicked, with whom the trumpet visions have been chiefly concerned. In the revelation of the fate in store for the Church, as well as in that of the doom awarded to the ungodly, the visions stop short of describing circumstances connected with the life after the judgment day. The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. Ἐγένετο ἡ βασιλαία, in the singular, is found in א, A, B, C, P, and versions, and is adopted by the Revised Version. Ἐγένοντο αἱ βασιλεῖαι, the plural, is read in two cursives. We can understand the first part of this verse by referring to Revelation 12:10. God’s power and authority is established by the final overthrow of Satan. It naturally follows the account, in vers. 12, 13, of the vindication of God’s witnesses, and of the glory rendered by the rest of mankind. With God the Father is associated Christ, by whose means the overthrow of the devil is effected, and by whom his servants overcome (cf. Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:9; Revelation 7:14; Revelation 12:11). This is the final victory; henceforth “he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15.”
I. Why the Rapture isn’t Biblical?
Full of baloneys. This is a diabolical statement:
“One religion is as good as another. We might even find more of Christ in Hinduism and Buddhism than in Christianity.”
There is nothing more wicked than an unbeliever pretending to be a Christian, having a so-called Christian website, charging for a subscription, asking for donation, but actually doing perversion of the truth to distort the Christian Faith. The doctrine of Rapture is not invented by mankind.
As an old man, I also take a nap in the afternoon. Once it was a real shock to me. Lucky it was not real. I started to sleep on 2:30 p.m. I overslept and got up at 7:30 p.m. which I mistook to be 7:30 a.m. I looked at my right side but my wife was not there. I called Lucy, Lucy, but no one answered. I thought Rapture was taken place. God considered Lucy a better Christian, and so she was taken up and I was left behind. Soon I discovered I was mistaken. It was 7:30 p.m. and for sure Lucy had not returned home from work yet. And it was not a Rapture after all. That was a relief.
“There are many Christians who believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ will be in two phases. First, He will come for believers, both living and dead, in the “rapture” (read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). In this view, the rapture—which is the transformation and catching up of all Christians, dead or alive, to meet Christ in the air—will be secret, for it will be unknown to the world of unbelievers at the time of its happening.
The effect of this removal, in the absence of multitudes of people, will, of course, be evident on earth. Then, second, after a period of seven years of tribulation on earth, Christ will return to the earth with His church, the saints who were raptured (Matthew 24:30, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:13, Revelation 1:7). He will be victorious over His enemies and will reign on the earth for 1,000 years (the millennium) with His saints, the church.
After 1,000 years, living unbelievers and the wicked dead now raised to life will be judged at the great white throne judgment. They will then be cast into the lake of fire, while the saved will live forever with Christ in a new heaven and earth (Revelation, chapters 19-22).”
I think confusion takes place when many believers do not know that the second coming of Jesus Christ is not one event, but a series of the process. The process begins with the Rapture, the Great Tribulation, The Appearing of Jesus Christ, the Millinium, the Armegedon, the White Throne Judgment, and finally the Kingdom of Heaven.
The doctrine of Rapture is plentifully Biblical, those who do not believe it are the enemies of truth.
The Bible passages surrounding the rapture include the Word of the Lord:
Mat 24:40-42, “At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Be Ready for His Coming. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”
The one shall be taken.—Literally, the present tense being used to express the certainty of the future, one is taken, and one is left. The form of the expression is somewhat obscure, and leaves it uncertain which of the two alternatives is the portion of the chosen ones. Is the man who is “taken” received into fellowship with Christ, while the other is abandoned? or is he carried away as by the storm of judgment, while the other is set free? On the whole, the use of the Greek word in other passages (as, e.g., in Matthew 1:20; Matthew 1:24; Matthew 12:45; John 1:11; John 14:3) is in favour of the former interpretation. What is taught in any case is that the day of judgment will be, as by an inevitable law, a day of separation, according to the diversity of character which may exist in the midst of the closest fellowship in outward life.”
Two women … – Grinding in the East was performed, as it is now, chiefly by hand. The millstones were about 2 feet in diameter and 12 foot in thickness. The lower one was fixed, and the upper one was turned by a handle or crank. This was done by two persons, who sat opposite to each other. One took hold of the mill-handle and turned it half-way round; the other then seized it and completed the revolution. This was done by women – by servants of the lowest order – and was a very laborious employment. See Exodus 11:5; Job 31:10; Isaiah 47:2; Judges 16:21. The meaning of this verse is similar to the former. Of two persons sitting near each other, one shall be taken and the other. left. The calamity would be sudden, and would come upon them before they were aware.”
Verses 42-51. – Practical exhortation drawn from the uncertainty of the last day: Watch. Verse 42. – Watch therefore. The end will be sudden, the final separation will be then completed; be ye therefore always prepared. Few exhortations are more frequently and impressively given than this of the duty and necessity of watchfulness. Of course, the Christian has to watch against many things – his own evil heart, temptation, the world, but most of all he must watch and be always looking for the coming of his Lord; for whether he be regarded as Redeemer, Deliverer, or Judge, he will come as a thief in the night. What hour. Very many good manuscripts and some late editors read “on what day.” This is probably the genuine reading, “hour” being an alteration derived from ver. 44. What (ποίᾳ) means of what kind or quality – whether sudden, immediate, or remote. Matthew 24:42”
“The rapture is the idea that believers in Jesus Christ will be caught up or taken away from the earth to be with Him before a period of tribulation and judgment. The term “rapture” itself is not explicitly found in the Bible; rather, it is derived from the Latin word “rapturo,” which translates to “caught up” or “snatched away.”
The doctrine of Rapture is according to Word of the Lord. Those who are uninformed are ignorant of Rapture. Mankind, unlike Christians, have no hope. Christians who died have fallen asleep through Jesus.
Those who deny the doctrine of Rapture deny the Word of the Lord. Those who deny the Word of the Lord, deny the Lord. Those who deny the Lord are children of the devil. Do not be fooled by those who claim to be Christians, yet they deny the Word of the Lord.
“Church fathers routinely associate the rapture with the physical resurrection of believers following the tribulation, and many see a close connection between the rapture and other eschatological events, such as the final judgment.
Hippolytus, one of the relatively few proponents of a premillennialist view (chiliasm), sees the rapture as following the tribulation and rule of the Antichrist:
These things, then, being to come to pass, beloved, and the one week being divided into two parts, and the abomination of desolation being manifested then, and the two prophets and forerunners of the Lord having finished their course, and the whole world finally approaching the consummation, what remains but the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from heaven, for whom we have looked in hope? (On Christ and Antichrist, 64)
Others connect even more prophecies with the rapture. For example, Gregory of Nazianzus, using the language of 1 Thessalonians 4:17, writes:
I shall await the voice of the archangel, the last trumpet, the transformation of heaven, the change of earth, the freedom of the elements, the renewal of the universe. Then shall I see Caesarius himself, no longer in exile, no longer being buried, no longer mourned, no longer pitied, but splendid, glorious, sublime. (Fathers of the Church, v22, p22)
Similarly, Augustine writes that this passage refers to both the taking up of believers as well as the final judgment:
These words of the apostle most distinctly proclaim the future resurrection of the dead, when the Lord Christ shall come to judge the quick and the dead. (City of God, 20.20)
Chrysostom and Jerome (quoted below) also connect the rapture with the final judgment.”
anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in Heaven. And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ.”
Roman Catholic Church may have many fathers, we Christians have only One Father, our Heavenly Father.
What the Lord says matters, what earthly men says does not matter. Only the Word of God is inspired and infallible.
Call no man your father.—This also, under its Hebrew form of Abba, was one of the titles in which the scribes delighted. In its true use it embodied the thought that the relation of scholars and teachers was filial on the one side, paternal on the other; but precisely because it expressed so noble an idea was its merely conventional use full of danger. The history of the ecclesiastical titles of Christendom offers in this respect a singular parallel to that of the titles of Judaism. In Abbot (derived from Abba=Father), in Papa and Pope (which have risen from their application to every priest, till they culminate in the Pontifex summus of the Church of Home), in our “Father in God,” as applied to Bishops, we find examples of the use of like language, liable to the same abuse. It would, of course, be a slavish literalism to see in our Lord’s words an absolute prohibition of these and like words in ecclesiastical or civil life. What was meant was to warn men against so recognising, in any case, the fatherhood of men as to forget the Fatherhood of God. Even the teacher and apostle, who is a father to others, needs to remember that he is as a “little child” in the relation to God. (Comp. St. Paul’s claim in 1Corinthians 4:15.)”
1Th 4:13-18, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers andsisters, about those who
are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope.For if we
believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead,
so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede
those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself
will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who
are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort
one another with these words.”
To be uninformed means ignorant. Those who do not believe in Rapture are ignorant. Mankind of the world have no hope.The dead in Christ will rise first. Those who are living in Christ will change and be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. I, (Willie Wong) translate it “in the space.”
1Co 15:50-57, “Now I say this, brothers and sisters,
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised
imperishable, and we will be changed. For this
perishable must put on the imperishable, and this
mortal must put on immortality. But when this
perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal
puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: “DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP
in victory. “WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR VICTORY? WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
1 Corinthians 15:50-52. Now this I say, brethren — This I offer to your consideration as a great and important truth, that we must first undergo an entire change; for flesh and blood — Such as we are now clothed with; cannot inherit the kingdom of God — Cannot enter that happy place which Christ hath gone to prepare for the reception of his people, (John 14:7,) cannot possess that kingdom which is wholly spiritual, because it affords no objects suited either to the senses or to the appetites of such a body. Neither doth corruption — This corruptible body; inherit incorruption — That incorruptible kingdom. Spirits, clothed with corruptible bodies like our present bodies, cannot enjoy objects that are incorruptible. They are not capable of enjoying the divine vision, nor of performing the exalted services, nor of relishing the pure pleasures, which constitute the glory and felicity of the kingdom of God. Behold, I show you a mystery — A truth hitherto unknown, and not yet fully revealed to any of the sons of men. We — Christians: the apostle considers them all as one in their succeeding generations; shall not die — Suffer a separation of soul and body; but we shall all — Who do not die; be changed — So that this animal body shall become spiritual; in a moment — Amazing work of omnipotence! in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump — Blown by the divine command. For the trumpet shall sound, &c. — At the giving of the law from Sinai, there was heard a great noise, like the sounding of a trumpet, exceeding loud, which sounded long, and waxed louder and louder. In like manner, at the descent of Christ from heaven, a great noise called the trump of God, (1 Thessalonians 4:16,) will be made by the attending angels, as the signal for the righteous to come forth from their graves. And this noise being made at Christ’s command, it is called by himself, his voice, John 5:25. After the righteous are raised, the trumpet shall sound a second time; on which account it is called here the last trumpet. And while it sounds, the righteous who are alive on the earth shall be changed. And the dead shall be raised incorruptible — Though this expression be general, yet, as appears from 1 Corinthians 15:51, and indeed from the whole latter part of the chapter, it is evident it must be restricted to the dead in Christ, of whom alone the apostle is discoursing. Besides, as appears from 1 Thessalonians 4:16, the wicked are not to be raised at the same time with the righteous.”
Behold, I shew you a mystery.—It is better to take these words as referring to what follows rather than (as some have done) to the preceding statement. A mystery means something which up to this time has been kept concealed, but is now made manifest (Romans 11:25; Ephesians 3:3-5).
We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be Changed.—There are here a considerable variety of readings in the Greek, but the text from which our English version is taken is probably correct. The Apostle believed that the end of the world might come in the lifetime of some then living. We shall not all, he says, necessarily sleep, but we shall all be changed. The change from the earthly to the spiritual body is absolutely necessary. To some it will come through the ordinary process of death; to those who are alive at Christ’s advent it will come suddenly, and in a moment. The dead shall be raised, but we (the living) shall be changed.”
1 Corinthians 15:52. Ἐν ἀτόμῳ, in a moment) Lest it should be considered hyperbolical, he adds a more popular phrase, in the twinkling of an eye. An extraordinary work of divine omnipotence! Who then can doubt, but that man even at death may be suddenly freed from sin?—σάλπιγγι, at the trumpet) The full description of the trumpets is reserved for the Apocalypse; yet some things may be gathered from Matthew 24:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, concerning the last trumpet; and this epithet is expressed here, as one that takes for granted the trumpets, that have preceded it; either because the Spirit has inspired Paul with an allusion, which anticipates the Apocalypse, or because Scripture long before teaches, that some trumpets, though not definitely enumerated, are before the last. Isaiah 27:13; Jeremiah 51:27; Zechariah 9:14; Hebrews 12:19; 2Es 5:4 : or especially in relation to the trumpet at the ascension, Psalm 47:6, comp. Acts 1:11 : for one may be called the last, where two only are referred to, 1 Corinthians 15:45; not to say, where there is only one [sounding of a trumpet], without another following, Revelation 10:7.—σαλπίσει γὰρ) for the Lord [Engl. V. the trumpet] shall sound by His archangel, 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The trumpet was formerly used on feast days for the purpose of assembling the people.—καὶ) and immediately.—ἄφθαρτοι, incorruptible) Strictly speaking, one would think, that they should have been called immortal; for incorruptibility will be put on by means of the change, 1 Corinthians 15:53; but incorruptibility includes immortality.”
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality] Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:4. The Apostle has just said that ‘flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.’ He now explains in what sense these words are to be taken. The mortal body is not destroyed entirely and created again. “Change,” says Tertullian, “must be dissociated from all idea of destruction. For change is one thing, destruction another.” It receives an addition of qualities which it did not possess before. It is ‘clothed upon’ with immortality. That which was corruptible is now freed from that liability (“sanctified and cleared from all impurity.” Irenaeus). That which is mortal is swallowed up, and disappears in the vastness of the life which knows no end. See note on 1 Corinthians 15:38.”
Death is swallowed up in victory] The English version translates Isaiah 25:8, the passage here quoted, by ‘He will swallow up death in victory.’ But the literal meaning of the word so translated is ‘for ever,’ and the Vulgate here renders ‘in sempiternum,’ though the Septuagint frequently, but not here, renders it by victory, following the analogy of the Syriac and Chaldee, where a kindred word signifies victory. The verb also is in the perfect tense in the Hebrew, as speaking of the fixed purpose of God, and is here rendered by the aorist, and thus referred to the Death and Resurrection of Christ, in which, by ‘the determinate purpose and foreknowledge of God,’ death ‘was swallowed up unto victory.’”
Verse 55. – O death, where is thy sting? A triumphantly fervid exclamation of the apostle, loosely cited from Hosea 13:14. The apostles and evangelists, not holding the slavish and superstitious fetish worship of the dead letter, often regard it as sufficient to give the general sense of the passages to which they refer. O grave, where is thy victory? In the best attested reading (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), “death” is repeated, and in the best manuscripts this clause precedes the last. But if the reading, “O Hades,” were correct, our translators, since they held it here impossible in accordance with their views to render it by “hell,” ought to have taken warning, and seen the pernicious inapplicability of that rendering in other places where they have used it to express this same Greek word. Here “Hades” has probably been introduced into the Greek text from the LXX., which uses it for the Sheol of the original. 1 Corinthians 15:55”
15:51-58 All the saints should not die, but all would be changed. In the gospel, many truths, before hidden in mystery, are made known. Death never shall appear in the regions to which our Lord will bear his risen saints. Therefore let us seek the full assurance of faith and hope, that in the midst of pain, and in the prospect of death, we may think calmly on the horrors of the tomb; assured that our bodies will there sleep, and in the mean time our souls will be present with the Redeemer. Sin gives death all its hurtful power. The sting of death is sin; but Christ, by dying, has taken out this sting; he has made atonement for sin, he has obtained remission of it. The strength of sin is the law. None can answer its demands, endure its curse, or do away his own transgressions. Hence terror and anguish. And hence death is terrible to the unbelieving and the impenitent. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold him in its power. How many springs of joy to the saints, and of thanksgiving to God, are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests of the Redeemer! In verse 58, we have an exhortation, that believers should be stedfast, firm in the faith of that gospel which the apostle preached, and they received. Also, to be unmovable in their hope and expectation of this great privilege, of being raised incorruptible and immortal. And to abound in the work of the Lord, always doing the Lord’s service, and obeying the Lord’s commands. May Christ give us faith, and increase our faith, that we may not only be safe, but joyful and triumphant.”
But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory,…. Over sin the sting of death, over the law the strength of sin, and over death and the grave; and which will be the ground and foundation of the above triumphant song in the resurrection morn, as it is now at this present time of praise and thankfulness to God: and it is all
through our Lord Jesus; he has got the victory over sin; he has put it away by the sacrifice of himself; he has finished and made an end of it; for though it reigns over his people before conversion, and dwells in them after it, yet in consequence of his atonement for it, it loses its governing power through the Spirit and grace of God in regeneration, and entirely its damning power over them, and in the resurrection morn will not be so much as in being in them; the view of which now fills them with joy, thanksgiving, and triumph. Christ has obtained a victory over the law; he has stopped its mouth, and answered all its demands; he has been made under, and subject to it; he has obeyed its precepts, and bore its penalty, and has delivered his from the curse and condemnation of it, so that they have nothing to fear from it; it is dead to them, and they to that: he has also abolished death by dying and rising again, so as that it shall have no more dominion over him; and he has abolished it as a penal evil to his saints; and though they die, they shall not always remain under the power of death, they shall live again, and with him for ever: he has conquered the grave by rising out of it himself, and living for evermore, having the keys of the grave in his hands; and will at the last day oblige it to give up its dead, when his victory over this, with respect to his people, will be abundantly manifest: now this victory, in all its branches, is given by God to believers; they are made to share in all the victories of Christ their head, and are more than conquerors through him; but this is not by merit, but by gift, the gift of God the Father, who gives his Son, and all things with him that are his; and this gift is a distinguishing one; it is given to us, and not to others; and which therefore calls aloud for praise and thankfulness. The title of the “ninth” psalm may be rendered, “to the conqueror over death”, or “that is the author of victory over death, even to the Son, a psalm of David”, Psalm 9:1.”
NOTE: I (Willie Wong) translate “in the air” as “in the space.”
III. The Rapture As It is Written
We (Willie Wong) believe in the Rapture to take place before the Tribulation, not because what the church fathers believe. The saints do not recognize nor believe in church fathers. For Jesus says,
Mat 23:9, “And do not call anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in Heaven.”
The saints acknowledge and obey Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church. Col 1:18, “He is also the Head of
the Body, the Church; and He is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” The saints also have one Leader who is Jesus Christ.
Mat 23:10, “And do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ.”
Ver. 8-10. It is most certain that our Saviour doth not here forbid the giving of the titles of masters and fathers to his ministers, for then Paul would not have given himself the title of father, 1 Corinthians 4:15; nor called the Galatians his little children, Galatians 4:19: nor called Timothy his son, and himself his father, Philippians 2:22; nor called himself a doctor of the Gentiles, 1 Timothy 2:72 Timothy 1:11. That which he forbids is, 1. An affectation of such titles, and hunting after them. 2. Rem tituli, the exercise of an absolute mastership, or a paternal, absolute power; so as to require any to believe things because they said them, or to do things because they bid them, without seeing the things asserted, or first commanded, in the word of God. For in that sense God alone is men’s Father, Christ alone their Master. Pastors and teachers in the church are all but ministers, ministers of Christ to publish his will, and to enjoin his laws; nor must any be owned as masters and fathers, to impose their laws and doctrines. This is twice repeated, because such is the corruption of human nature, that it is very prone, not only to affect these swelling titles, but also to exercise these exorbitant authorities.”
Heaven and earth.—The tone is that of One who speaks with supreme authority, foreseeing, on the one hand, death and seeming failure, but on the other, the ultimate victory, not of truth only in the abstract, but of His own word as the truth. The parallelism of the words with those of Psalm 102:26, Isaiah 40:8, gives them their full significance. The Son of Man claims for His own words the eternity which belongs to the words of Jehovah. (Comp. 1Peter 1:24-25.) The whole history of Christendom witnesses to the fulfilment of the prophetic claim. Amid all its changes and confusions, its errors and its sins, the words of Christ have not passed away, but retain their pre-eminence as the last and fullest revelation of the Father.”
IV. THE RAPTURE IS A SECRET EVENT
According to the Bible, we (Willie Wong) believe the Rapture will be individually secret. The dead in Christ will rise first and the living in Christ will transform and together meet the Lord in the space. Then the saints with the holy angels and the Lord will publicly descend from Heaven in power and glory. Rev 1:7, “BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over
Behold, he cometh with clouds.—Better, with the clouds. The reference to Christ’s words (Mark 14:62) is undoubted. In the “clouds” St. Augustine sees the emblem of the saints of the Church, which is His body, who spread as a vast fertilising cloud over the whole world.
Every eye shall see him, and they also which (they were who = “whosoever”) pierced him.—Here again is a reference to the incident of the piercing of Christ’s side (John 19:34), recorded only by St. John.
Shall wail because of him.—Or, shall wail over Him. The prophecy in Zechariah 12:10, is the suggesting one of this. But the passage in Zechariah describes the mourning of grief over the dead; the passage here is the mourning towards one who was dead, and is alive. He towards whom they now direct their sorrow is the One over whom they should have wailed when He was laid in His tomb.”
Although the Rapture is a secret event, done individually; the coming of the Lord is a public event, visible and audible. Visible of His power and great glory. Audible because the trumpet blast of angels. And no one knows when the Rapture to be taken place, when will the Great Tribulation begins. NO one knows how many days of the Great Tribulation will be shortened, so no one knows eactly the Day of the Lord’s coming.
“There are many Christians who believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ will be in two phases. First, He will come for believers, both living and dead, in the “rapture” (read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). In this view, the rapture—which is the transformation and catching up of all Christians, dead or alive, to meet Christ in the air—will be secret, for it will be unknown to the world of unbelievers at the time of its happening.
The effect of this removal, in the absence of multitudes of people, will, of course, be evident on earth. Then, second, after a period of seven years of tribulation on earth, Christ will return to the earth with His church, the saints who were raptured (Matthew 24:30, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:13, Revelation 1:7). He will be victorious over His enemies and will reign on the earth for 1,000 years (the millennium) with His saints, the church.
After 1,000 years, living unbelievers and the wicked dead now raised to life will be judged at the great white throne judgment. They will then be cast into the lake of fire, while the saved will live forever with Christ in a new heaven and earth (Revelation, chapters 19-22).
Many other evangelical Christians believe that Christ’s return and the rapture will not occur until the seven years of the tribulation have ended. As far as the latter view is concerned, the rapture will not be secret, since it will be part of Christ’s visible and triumphant return to end this present evil age (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). At this point, interpreters differ as to whether there will be a literal thousand year reign of Christ on earth or whether the white throne judgment and the new heaven and earth will immediately appear.
All Christians do not agree on every detail of what will occur in the final events of this world’s history. Some of these events and their order of occurrence have simply not been made clear in the Bible. What is important is that all Christians hold in common that Christ will ultimately return bodily, visibly, and gloriously to reign and rule with His resurrected and transformed saints forever and ever. The details of this great event will be made known in God’s own time.”
I do not want to waste time and effort to point out where
does not conform to the Bible.
Mat 24:30-31, “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man.—Can we picture to ourselves what this sign shall be? Is it distinct from the coming of the Son of Man which here is so closely united with it? Men have given wildly conjectural answers to these questions, and have dreamt of the cross as appearing in the sky (as if the vision of Constantine were to be reproduced in the last days), or the lightning flash that shall dazzle all men with its brightness, or of some visible manifestation which none can imagine till it shall come. The vision of Daniel 7:13 supplies, it is believed, the true answer. The sign of the Son of Man is none other than the presence of the Son of Man Himself, coming in the clouds of heaven, in the ineffable glory of His majesty. And here, too, we must remember that we are still in the region of apocalyptic symbols. All such imagery falls short of the ultimate reality, and a “sign in heaven” is something more than a visible appearance in the sky.
Then shall all the tribes of the earth.—It lies in the nature of the case, that the “tribes” are those who have done evil, and who therefore dread the coming of the Judge. The words find their best comment in Revelation 1:7, where St. John combines them freely with the prediction of Zechariah 12:10, “They also which pierced Him,” obviously including not only those who were sharers in the actual “piercing” of the crucified body of the Lord Jesus (John 19:37), but all who in any age “crucify the Son of God afresh” (Hebrews 6:6).”
We do not believe in any particular branch or brand of theology. We believe in Bible Theology. Any theology which is not based on Bible is useless and worthless. What the Bible does not specify, we do not specify. We cannot and do not specify the time between the series of the process of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
We (Willie Wong) do not believe in church fathers, only the Head and Master of the Church, Jesus Christ. We do not accept any particular form of Bible interpretation, except What is Written — the Holy Scriptures. We only accept what is defined by the Word of God.
1Th 4:13-18, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the space. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
But.—We pass to the third clearly marked point: the share of the Christian dead in the Coming of Christ. Possibly an association of ideas may have caused St. Paul to join these two subjects, of quietude and the Advent, so closely (see Note on 1Thessalonians 4:11). “You need have no distress about your dead: when Christ comes, they will be there too; they will come with Him, and we shall be caught up to meet them.”
I would not have you to be ignorant.—The right reading is we. St. Paul is still speaking in the name of his companions as well as his own. The phrase is very weighty, and marks how lamentable such a piece of ignorance would be. (See references in the margin.)
Which are asleep.—The best reading is rather, which fall asleep; the grief renewed itself over each successive death-bed. The image of sleep is a mere metaphor, drawn from the outward phenomena of death, and is used as an euphemism for death; therefore no doctrine can be deduced with precision from it. It cannot be said (for instance; on the strength of such passages alone, that only the body sleeps, and not the soul; or, again, that the soul sleeps while the body remains in the grave. That the soul, or at any rate the spirit, still retains consciousness after dissolution is clear from other places; but when the metaphor of sleep is used, it is used of the whole man (e.g., John 11:11, “Lazarus”—not” Lazarus’ body”—“sleepeth”), the explanation being either that stated above—i.e., that the word is simply picturesque, describing the peaceful appearance of the dead—or that the reference is to rest from labour (Revelation 14:13). At the same time, the metaphor suggests (otherwise it would be misleading, and St. Paul would not have used it) a continued (even if partly unconscious) existence, and the possibility of a reawakening: Again, for the same reason—i.e., because the word is metaphorical, not doctrinal—it cannot be limited to the Christian dead: when the writers need to mark specially the departed Christians they annex qualifying words, as in 1Thessalonians 4:14. Of course, on the mention of “the dead,” the Thessalonians will at once think of their own brethren departed, so that there is no ambiguity.
That yesorrow not.—The words express St. Paul’s object in wishing them to know the truth. He wants them not to sorrow at all over the dead; sorrow is only fit for Gentiles who have no hope. He does not mean that they are not to sorrow to the same degree as those outside the Church, but that to Christians, who have a hope, and such a hope, death ought to have no sorrows. The Office of Burial in the Prayer-book is as joyous as the Eucharistic Office itself.
Others.—The Greek word is “the others, those who have no hope,” and includes all who were not members of the Church: “That ye mourn not like the rest, which have no hope.” The having no hope does not mean that there is no hope for them, but that they are not cheered by hope.”
1 Thessalonians 4:14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again — Namely, 1st, In attestation of the truth of his doctrine, in which he taught expressly the immortality of the soul, Matthew 10:28; Luke 23:43; and the resurrection of the body, John 5:28-29. 2d, For the expiation of sin, and the procuring of justification and peace with God for the penitent that should believe in him, however guilty they had before been, Hebrews 9:26; Romans 4:24-25. 3d, That he might procure and receive for us the Holy Spirit, to work that repentance and faith in us, assure us of our justification and of our title to that future felicity, and to prepare us for it by inward holiness; and, 4th, That he might ascend, take possession of it in our name, receive our departing souls, and raise from the dust our fallen and corrupted bodies, and so exalt us to that immortal, glorious, and blessed state; even so them also which sleep in Jesus — Who die in the Lord, (Revelation 14:13,) in union with him, and possessed of an interest in him; will God bring with him — They will be found in the train of his magnificent retinue at his final appearance, when he comes to judge the world, and reward his faithful servants.”
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord] Lit., in a word of the Lord,—in the character of a message coming from “the mouth of the Lord;” comp. 1 Corinthians 7:10, “I give charge,—not I, but the Lord;” and ch. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 above, “not men’s word, but God’s.” The “word” that follows (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) can hardly be explained as a traditional saying of Christ, unrecorded in the Gospels, like Acts 20:35; nor as an inference from the teaching of Jesus on the subject of His return. St Paul claims to have received this communication directly from Christ, “the Lord” of His Church, as a revelation to himself (comp. Galatians 2:2, Ephesians 3:3 for similar instances), given to him expressly in order to allay the fears of his readers. The Lord is manifestly Christ, as it is four times in the immediate sequel. St Paul applies to Christ’s word the same august phrase that in the O. T. denotes “the word of God” Himself; comp. note on ch. 1 Thessalonians 1:8.
that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord] This should be: we that are alive, that remain (or survive) unto the coming of the Lord. The second designation qualifies the first,—“those (I mean) who survive till the Lord comes.” St Paul did not count on any very near approach of the second Advent: comp. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2. At the same time, his language implies the possibility of the great event taking place within his lifetime, or that of the present generation. This remained an open question, or rather a matter on which questioning was forbidden (see Acts 1:7; Matthew 24:36). “Concerning the times and seasons” nothing was definitely known (ch. 1 Thessalonians 5:1, see note). The Apostles “knew in part” and “prophesied in part” (1 Corinthians 13:12); and until further light came, it was natural for the Church, ever sighing “Come Lord Jesus, come quickly!” to speak as St Paul does here. The same “we” occurs in this connection in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. But from the time of the dangerous illness recorded in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, the prospect of death occupied the foreground in the Apostle’s thoughts of his own future, and he never afterwards writes “we that remain.” shall not prevent] “Prevent” is obsolete in this sense: comp. the Collect, “Prevent us in all our doings with Thy most gracious favour.” Better, shall in no wise precede (or anticipate) those that fell asleep. The shadow which the event of their premature death had cast over the fate of the sleeping Thessalonian believers was wholly imaginary, and should be dismissed at once from the minds of their sorrowing friends. Instead of their having no place, they will have, as Christ now reveals to His Apostle, the foremost place in His triumphant return. Though dead, they are “dead in Christ” (1 Thessalonians 4:16),—departed to “be with Christ”—“absent from the body” but “at home with the Lord,” as St Paul subsequently teaches (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Php 1:23). So it cannot be that those who are found in the flesh when He comes again, will be beforehand with them in this reunion. “God will bring them with Him,” for they are with Him already. The Apostle proceeds to support this assurance by a description of Christ’s coming, derived from the revelation, or “word of the Lord,” to which he has just appealed. This was one of the most remarkable of the many “visions and revelations” which St Paul experienced (comp. 2 Corinthians 12:1-5).”
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout;the means which effect this. The word shout in the Greek signifies a command, or word of command; alluding to mariners or soldiers summoned to be ready with their assistance when called upon; and may refer to the angels whom Christ now summons to attend and assist in that day. And the evangelist speaks of the voice of Christ, John 5:28, which is there said to raise the dead. Whether this is an oral shout and voice from the mouth of Christ, or only an expression of his Divine power, whereby he shall awaken them that sleep out of their graves, is a question I shall not be curious about. With the voice of the archangel: Christ is said to come with all the holy angels, Matthew 25:31; and to send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, Matthew 24:31. But here is mentioned only the archangel and his voice, instead of all the rest, they all coming under his conduct. Though there be not such distinct orders of angels as the schoolmen affirm, yet there is order among them, as archangel implies. And whether he will put forth an audible voice or not at that day, or whether this archangel be not the same with Christ himself, who is the Head of all principality and power, Colossians 2:10, I leave it as doubtful; but, however, it is certain the angels shall be ministering to Christ at that day, especially in the resurrection of the elect, Matthew 24:31, and severing the righteous from the wicked, Matthew 13:41. And with the trump of God; as 1 Corinthians 15:52. And whether this is to be taken literally, and distinct from the shout and voice before mentioned, or used only to show forth the Divine power of God that shall gather all the elect together out of their graves, as the trumpet in war gathers the scattered army, or as the silver trumpets under the law assembled the congregation of Israel, I shall not be positive. And this is the account of the saints that are raised.”
Verse 17. – Then we which are alive and remain; or, are left; that is, the saints who shall then be found alive on the earth. The apostle classes himself among the living, because he was then alive. Shall be caught up. The expression describes the irresistible power with which the saints shall be caught up, perhaps by the ministry of angels. Together with them; with the dead in Christ who are raised. In the clouds. Our Lord is described as coming to judgment in the clouds of heaven (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7). According to the Old Testament representation, God is described as making the clouds his chariot (Psalm 104:3). To meet the Lord; in his descent from heaven to earth. In the air. Not that he shall fix his throne in the air, but that he passes through the air in his descent to the earth. And so shall we ever be with the Lord; shall share a blessed eternity in the vision and participation of his glory. The apostle does not here describe the solemnities of the judgment; but stops at the meeting of Christ and his risen saints, because his object was to comfort the Thessalonians under bereavement. 1 Thessalonians 4:17.”
The apostle makes application of all this discourse to the end he designed, which was to comfort them under their sorrows for departed Christian friends; and he saith not, be ye comforted, but comfort one another, to put them upon the great duty of Christian sympathy; though this is a duty we owe to all, yet especially to the saints, and more especially of the same particular congregation. And funeral sorrows are usually most afflictive, and therefore need to be allayed with words of comfort; and not with any words, but, saith the apostle, with these words, or these things, as the Hebrew, the things or words that he had before laid before them. The philosophers used many arguments against the fears of death, and for comfort under funeral sorrows, but Christians should fetch their comforts from the Scriptures. These are the best, most solid, most durable, and universal, and therefore the apostle commends them to the believing Romans, Romans 15:4, as here to these Thessalonians particularly. These considerations, that those which sleep in Jesus shall rise again, and that we shall meet them again, and we and they shall be for ever with the Lord together, are a great relief against the sorrows of their departure hence. And the comforts arising hence may serve to support under other sorrows as well as these, which the apostle also might intend in the words.”
How Do Christians Interpreting the Rapture Prophecies?
Some so-called theologians want to pontificate their theories and make the Bible mean what they want to mean. It is a vanity to pay attention to what they have written. It is a futility to pose volumes and volumes of hogwash and come to conclusion they were only private interpretations. I really do not care who they are, they are false teachers anyway.
The worse of the argument is that the view of a certain brand of theology whether they call it Traditionalism, Calvinism, Dispensationalism, Ecumenicalism, ETC.
Brands of Faith: Marketing Religion in a Commercial Age
*I, Willie Wong, do not care what Piper or anyone says or believes. I only care what the Bible says.
Some commentators have said that Christ will return for His beloved in secret; the world of unbelievers won’t know it. That view is fundamental to a series like Left Behind where, at the very start, Christians disappear without explanation. Writers at BillyGraham.org say that Christ will return publicly. “The rapture will not be secret, since it will be part of Christ’s visible and triumphant return to end this present evil age.” Whatever one believes about Christ’s return — whether He takes believers before or after the Tribulation — we won’t be going quietly.
You know the confusion is the fact many who claim to be teachers of the Scriptures are not true teachers. They themselves are confused, and so their teachings are also confused. The term Eschatology is a big word that covers many things.
Someone well meaningfully made different types of Biblical Eschatology, namely, 1. Tribulation 2. Second Coming 3. Millennium 4. Final Judgment. Not only the sequence of events is wrong, the framework is confused. The writer even ventured to list the dangers of Eschatology. I am reminded of the Word of the Lord:
Mat 23:16-17, “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’You fools and blind men! Which is more
important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the
gold?”
Mat 23:19,“You blind men, which is more important,
the offering or the altar that sanctifies the offering?”
Mat 23:26, “You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside
of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean.”
2Pe 1:5-9, “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral
excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these
qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.”
Rom 2:19-21, “and are confident that you yourself are a guide to people who are blind, a light to those in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, possessing in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth—you, therefore, who teach someone else, do you not teach yourself?
You who preach that one is not to steal, do you steal?”
The worst practice are those false teachers who boldly and shamelessly ask for donation in distorting the Word of God.
Someone wrote a book on Eschatology beginning from the Old Testament is missing the point. I consider Eschatology includes the following subjects which gives a proper perspective to any true saints who study and want to have the knowledge of the Bible.
The first advent of Jesus Christ
The Kingdom of God (the dispensation of grace)
The Last Days
The Rapture
The Great Tribulation
The Second Coming or Appearing of Jesus
The Millennium
The Armageddon
The Great Judgment
The Kingdom of Heaven
I know the Anti-christ will come, but we do not wait for the Anti-christ, we wait for the appearance of Jesus Christ. I am very uneasy whenever false teachers make false priorities and emphasize the unimportant, or miss the point. I would not debate a cult who teaches that Jesus has already come and He has an office in New York.
I THINK BRITANICA DESCRIBES ESCHATOLOGY WITH OTHER RELIGIONS SERVES TO CONFUSE THE ISSUES.
Only believers will see Christ and we shall be transformed. We shall be like Him.
1 John 3:2 “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.“
Philippians 3:20-21 “But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await the Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”
When will the rapture happen?
I believe that the Rapture will happen before the great Tribulation according to the Bible. I do not know how soon the great Tribulation will follow the Rapture.
I don’t like the so-called theologians who pontificate their so-called knowledge by making theories of their imagination.
The only pretribulation rapture is supported by the Scriptures. I do not want to waste time and effort in arguing about midtribulation rapture and posttribulation rapture and partial rapture.
The pretribulation view is the only view that understands Christ’s return as truly imminent, meaning that the rapture can happen at any moment without announcement and will leave all who are left behind by surprise.
No one Bible student can ultimately declare they have the right interpretation, however one can hold to a conviction concerning their own study of God’s Word. All Christians can agree regarding the end times: 1) CHRIST will return; 2) There will be a Great Tribulation; and 3) There will be a rapture from mortality to immortality.
What Is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?
The Rapture is the beginning of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, it is a secret and private event. The worthy believers will be taken or caught up in the air to meet the Lord while the unworthy ones will be left behind to go through the Great Tribulation. Although the Great Tribulation is supposed to be seven years, but for the sake elect, it will be cut short. Just as the Rapture is imminent, so the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is also imminent which means it could happen anytime for Jesus to appear with angles and saints. No one knows the day and hour. Just as the Rapture is secret and silent, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be public, the appearing of Jesus Christ in great power and glory will be seen even by His enemies.
“I believe that Christ will renew this world rather than destroy it. The Greek has two different words for “new”: neos and kainos. Neos means new in time, or that which has not yet been. For example, babies are neos. Kainos, however, means new in quality, new and improved, renewed. In Revelation 21:1-5, the apostle John speaks of a “new heaven and a new earth” using kainos, not neos. It is a renewed heaven and earth. Even in verse 5, when Jesus says, “I am making everything new,” that’s also kainos. ”
What is cited above is totally wrong. What theologians or anybodies believe do not matter. What the Bible says matters. I particularly loath so-called theolorigans and false teachers who pontificate their theories and present their private interpretations of the Bible prophecy. I usually do not name names, because I do not want to promote false teachers. With the exception of John Calvin, his fame and influence forced me to call out his false teaching about predestination. Calvin falsely taught that God predestines a group of people to go to Heaven, and another group to go to Hell. If God predestines you to go to Hell, nothing you can do about it.
According to https://www.theologian-theology.com/theologians/john-calvin-predestination/
“According to John Calvin, predestination is God’s unchangeable decree from before the creation of the world that he would freely save some people (the elect), foreordaining them to eternal life, while the others (the reprobate) would be “barred from access to” salvation and sentenced to “eternal death (180, 184).”
“Moreover, Calvin based the damnation of the reprobate solely in God’s decision (189, 200).”
If this heretic doctrine is true, those who go to Hell can blame God for it.
This is contrary to the Holy Scriptures,2Pe 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count
slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”
This is also flagrantly contradicts the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Jhn 6:35-40, “Jesus said to them, “I AM the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty.But I said to you that you have indeed seen Me, and yet you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I certainly will not cast out. For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of everything that He has given Me I will lose nothing, but will raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
All that the Father giveth me.—There is something startling in this power of the human will to reject the fullest evidence, and to remain unbelieving, after the proof which it has itself demanded as a foundation for its belief. In that assembly there are representatives of the differing stages of faith and non-faith in Him, which every age of Christianity has seen. Here are men in the pride of human wisdom rejecting Him because He does not fulfil their own idea of what the Messiah should be. Here are men of humble heart finding in Him the satisfaction of the soul’s deepest wants, and believing and knowing that He is the Holy One of God (John 6:69). Here are men of the Nicodemus type, passing from one stage to the other, almost believing, but held back by their will, which willeth not to believe. Here are men, too, of the Judas type (John 6:64; John 6:71), traitors even in the faithful few. For these varying effects there must be a cause, and in the next few verses Jesus dwells upon this. He finds the reason (1) in the eternal will of God, of whose gift it is that man willeth; and (2) in the determination of the will of man, of whose acceptance it is that God giveth. Men have seized now one and now the other of these truths, and have built upon them in separation logical systems of doctrine which are but half-truths. He states them in union. Their reconciliation transcends human reason, but is within the experience of human life. It is, as St. Bernard said, following the words of Jesus, “If there is no free will, there is nothing to save; if there is no free grace, there is nothing wherewith to save; “or, in words more familiar to English ears, “. . . . the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will” (the Tenth Article of Religion).
And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.—It is not easy to improve the English rendering of this verse, and there is a sacredness in the sound of the old, old words; but still, they convey to few readers the full meaning of the original. The word “come” is made to serve, within two or three lines, for three different Greek words. Literally, we should read, All that the Father giveth Me shall arrive at Me, and him that is on the way I will in no wise cast out: for I am come down. . . . The present tense of “giveth” should be noted. The giving is not of an act in the past, but of a ceaseless love ever in the present. The word “all” is the neuter of the collective whole, thought of without reference to individual action. It is repeated, and still with reference to the gift in John 6:39; while in John 6:40, with the thought of each man’s coming, it passes to the masculine, which marks out the separate life and faith of every unit in the mass.
It may be that the words “come” (arrive at) and “cometh” (is on the way), contrasted as they are in this verse, refer to the different positions of those who seek Him—to the ninety and nine in the fold, and the one who in the far distance hears His voice and comes in doubt and fear; but the context seems rather to point out the fulfilment of the Messianic kingdom as the Father’s gift, and the individual difficulties of, and individual help given to, those who strive to enter it, and shall in no wise be cast out. There were men among those who heard Him who in darkness and difficulty were feeling their way: these men were guided and strengthened by an unseen hand until they found it; there were men there who were being cast out but not by Him.”
The false teaching of John Calvin also flagrantly contradicts the plain Scriptures,
2Pe 3:9, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slack — Ου βραδυνει, does not delay, or is not slow; concerning his promise — To fulfil it, as if the time fixed for the fulfilment of it were past; for it shall surely be fulfilled in its season; but is long-suffering, to us-ward — Children of men; not willing that any should perish — Any human being, any soul that he hath made. That is, he is not primarily willing; his first will, with regard to the whole posterity of Adam, hath been and is, that they should be eternally saved; and as a proof of it he hath given his Son a ransom for all; (1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 2:9😉 hath commanded his gospel, that is, the glad tidings of salvation, to be preached to all, to every human creature, (Mark 16:15,) and, to help man’s weakness, causes his grace, even his saving grace, (as η χαρις η σωτηριος literally signifies,) to appear to, or to visit and strive with, all men,in order to their repentance, faith, and new obedience. But if they reject his counsel against themselves, which they are under no necessity of doing, by continuing impenitent, unbelieving, and disobedient, then, secondly, he wills, and that justly, that they should perish, for they are accountable to him, their rightful Lawgiver, Governor, and Judge, and he will judge them, and all the world, in righteousness.”
You can be sure if you go to Hell is not because God predestines you. You can go to Hell because you neglect so great a salvation that whoever repents of their sins and believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can be saved. You can do it now.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national refrerendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrified their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrified their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinse government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanse aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN overappointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much covergage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphanes. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron reognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezebolla, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukranians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless.Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, overappointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voordoism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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ethics is based -that is, the aim of actions, which, if consistently
pursued, will lead to the best possible life. ”
We stick to the primary meaning of Cicero and deliberately ignore the secondary meaning of other philosophers. It is never used in a comparative sense, good, better, best.
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica defines,
“SUMMUM BONUM (Lat. for “highest good”), in ethics, theideal of human attainment. The significance of the term depends upon the character of the ethical system in which it occurs. It may be viewed as a perfect moral state: as pleasure or happiness (see Hedonism; Eudaemonism); as physical perfection; as wealth, and so forth. If, however, we abandon intuitional ethics, it is reasonable to argue that the term summum bonum ceases to have any real significance inasmuch as actions are not intrinsically good or bad, while the complete sceptic strives after no systematic ideal.”
The outcry(arrogance and evil deeds) of world leaders and politicians has reached the Heavens; their sins and crimes are exceedingly great. They wrongly thought they are doing the highest good in the world; in fact, they are doing the utmost evil in the world. There is ONE GOD, and there is no other. They fail to realize the Highest, Most Supreme, the Ultimate and Eternal Ruler will condemn them soon. What is worse is the fact that Western leaders and politicians consider themselves Christians.
I. WHO IS GOD
How can anyone discover what is good and not knowing the highest?
It is futile to debate the existence of God. The Bible declares,
Psa 14:1, “For the music director. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed detestable acts; There is no one who does good.”
God is GOOD and the origin of all goodness. An atheist is detestable and corrupt. It is impossible for a no good to have a good life and achieve the highest good.
The Word of God judges a person who has said in his heart, “There is no God” to be a fool. The Scripture also says fools who say there is no God are corrupt, and they have committed detestable acts. More than that, God says there is no one who does good.
Logically, a person who does not know good cannot know what is good.
Bruce Edwards believes13 Reasons Why – evidences that God really does exist, namely: 1. Creation, 2. Religion, 3. Man, 4. The Bible, 5. Prophecy, 6. The Resurrection of Jesus, 7. Israel, 8 . Miracles, 9. Having Faith, 10. Love, 11. Truth, 12. Jesus, 13. Changed Lives.
For me only three reasons are more than enough why I believe in God: 1. Creation, 2. The Bible, 3. Jesus.
Through the Creation we know the Creator. Deu 10:14, “Behold, to the LORD your God belong Heaven and the Highest
Heavens, the earth and all that is in it.”
How can any intelligent person look at the universe and deny the Creator?
Gen 1:1, “In the beginning God created the Heavens
and the earth.”
Gen 1:27, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Rom 1:20, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
Big bang and evolution are scientific myths and cannot be proven theories.
“The majority of scientists agreed that the universe was created with a gigantic explosion called the Big Bang. Until then, all of the energy in the universe was concentrated in an extremely small point (smaller than a subatomic particle such as a nucleus). With an explosion, the hot and dense tiny particle then gave birth to the present-day universe, which grew from smaller than the nucleus of an atom to bigger than a galaxy. Thus, the Big Bang characterized by an intense burst of energy is considered an event that is thought to have created our universe.”
What is scientific myth that “a gigantic explosion” can create an orderly universe.I am glad I am not a scientist who believes such a nonsense. Of course, it will never explain where did the Big Bang come from? Where did energy come from? It would become tautology. Of course, energy came from Big Bang. Bib Bang created the energy…Big bang does not save anyone!
Evolution is another scientific ludicrous myth. There is no light in science except myth, full of darkness. Evolution does not redeem anyone.
“For skeptical contemporaries of Darwin, the “missing link”—the absence of any known transitional form between apes and humans—was a battle cry, as it remained for uninformed people afterward. Not one but many creatures intermediate between living apes and humans have since been found as fossils. The oldest known fossil hominins—i.e., primates belonging to the human lineage after it separated from lineages going to the apes—are 6 million to 7 million years old, come from Africa, and are known as Sahelanthropus and Orrorin (or Praeanthropus), which were predominantly bipedal when on the ground but which had very small brains.”
Scientists do not even know when they are going to die, how can they know about things millions of years ago when they were not there?
We witness how men descent and degrade morally into monkeys, no one ever witnesses a monkey ascents to become a man.
Gen 1:21, “And God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, according to their species, and every winged bird according to its species; and God saw that it was good.”
Gen 1:24-25, “Then God said, “Let the earth produce living
creatures according to their species: livestock and crawling things and animals of the earth according totheir species”; and it was so.God made the animals of the earth according to their species, and the livestock according to their species, and everything that crawls on the ground according to its species; and God saw that it was good.”
Kind in Hebrew ismînwhich means a species; form; sort; – which occurs 31 times in the Old Testament. According to
“1620s, “an opening of what was rolled up,” from Latin evolutionem (nominative evolutio) “unrolling (of a book),” noun of action from past participle stem of evolvere “to unroll” (see evolve). Used in medicine, mathematics, and general writing in various senses including “growth to maturity and development of an individual living thing” (1660s).”
According to its own species God created a horse, a horse never evolved into an elephant. God created a monkey according to its own species, a monkey never evolved into a man.
Jas 3:7, “For everyspecies of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.”
Gen 1:3-4, “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.”
The God of the Bible is Light and shines in the darkness from the beginning.
Jhn 1:1-5, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.All things came into being through Him, and apart from Himnot even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.”
Poor sinful mankind including scientists did not grasp the Light, the Light of life.
Gen 1:31-2:4, “And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.By theseventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created ]and made. This is the account of the Heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and Heaven.”
GOD was good and all that He had made was very good. Later sinful mankind ruined the world.
Gen 2:7-8, “Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living person. The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.”
There are several ways to consider the composition of the human body, including the elements, type of molecule, or type of cells. Most of the human body is made up of water, H2O, with bone cells being comprised of 31% water and the lungs 83%.1 Therefore, it isn’t surprising that most of a human body’s mass is oxygen. Carbon, the basic unit for organic molecules, comes in second. 96.2% of the mass of the human body is made up of just four elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
00001. Oxygen (O) – 65% – Oxygen together with hydrogen form water, which is the primary solvent found in the body and is used to regulate temperature and osmotic pressure. Oxygen is found in many key organic compounds.
00002. Carbon (C) – 18.5% – Carbon has four bonding sites for other atoms, which makes it the key atom for organic chemistry. Carbon chains are used to build carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acids, and proteins. Breaking bonds with carbon is an energy source.
00003. Hydrogen (H) – 9.5% – Hydrogen is found in water and in all organic molecules.
00004. Nitrogen (N) – 3.2% – Nitrogen is found in proteins and in the nucleic acids that make up the genetic code.
00005. Calcium (Ca) – 1.5% – Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It’s used as a structural material in bones, but it is essential for protein regulation and muscle contraction.
00006. Phosphorus (P) – 1.0% – Phosphorus is found in the molecule ATP, which is the primary energy carrier in cells. It’s also found in bone.
00007. Potassium (K) – 0.4% – Potassium is an important electrolyte. It’s used to transmit nerve impulses and heartbeat regulation.
00008. Sodium (Na) – 0.2% – Sodium is an important electrolyte. Like potassium, it is used for nerve signaling. Sodium is one of the electrolytes that helps regulate the amount of water in the body.
00009. Chlorine (Cl) – 0.2% – Chlorine is an important negatively-charged ion (anion) used to maintain fluid balance.
00010. Magnesium (Mg) – 0.1% – Magnesium is involved in over 300 metabolic reactions. It’s used to build the structure of muscles and bones and is an important cofactor in enzymatic reactions.
00011. Sulfur (S) – 0.04% – Two amino acids include sulfur. The bonds sulfur forms help give proteins the shape they need to perform their functions.2
Many other elements may be found in extremely small quantities (less than 0.01%). For example, the human body often contains trace amounts of thorium, uranium, samarium, tungsten, beryllium, and radium. Trace elements considered essential in humans include zinc, selenium, nickel, chromium, manganese, cobalt, and lead.
Not all of the elements found within the body are essential for life. Some are considered contaminants that appear to do no harm but serve no known function. Examples include cesium and titanium. Others are actively toxic, including mercury, cadmium, and radioactive elements. Arsenic is considered to be toxic to humans, but serves a function in other mammals (goats, rats, hamsters) in trace amounts. Aluminum is interesting because it is the third most common element in the Earth’s crust, but its role in the human body is unknown. While fluorine is used by plants to produce protective toxins and has “apparent beneficial intake” in humans.”
Mankind is most special in the creation of God.
Eph 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Eph 3:9, “and toenlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things.”
Eph 4:24, “and to put on the newself, whichin the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
Man was created in the image of God, in righteousness, holiness and truth. No monkeys have the concept of righteousness, holiness, and truth.
Col 1:16, “for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
By the grace of God, I came to know the Creator of the universe to be my Heavenly Father from childhood who saved me from crocodile and death, and His only Son Jesus Christ my Great God and Savior. I do believe God created all things, and I do believe Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior — even all scientists of all generations do not believe. Intellectually it is not hard that the Almighty God created all things, big bang is ludicrous to me. The Word of God is more reliable than any science or history. Jesus Christ the God who became Man (Incarnation) is worthy to believe than anyone or anything in the world. Jesus loved me and died for me and rose from the dead. He is now seating at the right hand of God. My Lord is with me in this world. I am waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever.
By the way do you know scientists cannot study or know anything which is Spiritual, Supernatural, Perfect, Invisible, Eternal, Holy, Wise, True, and Ultimate?
Do you know what kind of God is the One and Only?
1. God is the HIGHEST.
Luk 2:14, “Glory to God in the Highest, And on earth peace among peoplewith whom He is pleased.”
2Ch 2:6, “But who is able to build a house for Him, since the Heavens and the Highest Heavens cannot contain Him? And who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him?”
Job 22:12, “Is God not in the height of Heaven? Look also at the highest stars, how high they are!
Psa 68:33，”To Him who rides upon the Highest Heavens, which are from ancient times;Behold, He speaks with His voice, a mighty voice.”
Psa 89:27,“I will also make him My firstborn, The Highest of the kings of the earth.”
Dan 5:21, “He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of animals, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He sets over it whomever He wishes.
Dan 7:18, “But thesaints of the Highest One will receive the Kingdom and take possession of the Kingdom forever,for all ages to come.”
2. God is PERFECT.
Deu 32:4,“The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways arejust; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and just is He.”
Job 37:16, “Do you know about the hovering of the clouds, The wonders of One who is perfect in knowledge.”
Isa 25:1, “LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.”
Mat 5:48, “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”
3. God is HOLY.
Psa 77:13,“Your way, God, is holy; What god is great like our God?
Rev 4:8, “And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say,
“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, who was and who is and whois to come.”
Psa 99:9, “Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy hill, For the LORD our God is holy.”
4. God is a CONSUMING FIRE.
Deu 4:24, “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”
5. God is COMPASSIONATE.
Deu 4:31, “For the LORD your God is a compassionate
God; He will not abandon you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.”
6. God is the GOD of gods.
Deu 10:17, “For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe.”
7. God is GRACIOUS and COMPASSIONATE.
2Ch 30:9, “For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and your sons will find compassion in the presence of those who led them captive, and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”
8. God is MIGHTY.
Job 36:5, “Behold, God is mighty but does not reject anyone;He is mighty in strength of understanding.”
Mat 19:26, “And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but withGod all things are possible.”
9. God is EXALTED.
Job 36:26, “Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him;The number of His years is unsearchable.”
10. God is AWESOME MAJESTY.
Job 37:22, “From the north comes golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty.”
11. God is the JUDGE.
Psa 75:7, “But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another.”
12. God is my SALVATION.
Isa 12:2, “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”
13. God is My STRENGTH.
Isa 49:5, “And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant,To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him(For I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength).”
14. God is RIGHTEOUS.
Dan 9:14, “So the LORD has kept the disaster in store and brought it on us; for the LORD our God is righteous with respect to all His deeds which He has done, but we have not obeyed His voice.”
15. God is ABLE.
Mat 3:9, “and do not assume that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you that God isable, from these stones, to raise up children for Abraham.”
Mar 10:27, “Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people
it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
2Co 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that, always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.”
This is the fundamental doctrine of the Bible: Only God is Good. No one and nothing ELSE is good except God alone. Jesus is GOOD because He is our great God. It is impossible for gurus (psychologists, psychiatrists and philosophers to know what is good life and the highest good when they do not know Jesus Christ.)
17. God is TRUE.
Jhn 3:33, “The one who has accepted His testimony has certified that God is true.”
18. God is SPIRIT.
Jhn 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.”
Big Bang and Evolution are not evident.
20. God is FAITHFUL.
1Co 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of
escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
2Co 1:18, “But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.”
21. God is the HEAD OF CHRIST.
1Co 11:3, “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.”
22. God is not a GOD OF CONFUSION.
1Co 14:33, “for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints.”
23. God is ONLY ONE.
Gal 3:20, “Now a mediator is not for one party only; but God is only ONE.”
24. God is NOT MOCKED.
Gal 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap.”
25. God is LIGHT.
1Jo 1:5, “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
Because God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all, so His Word is our Light also. Human knowledge is full of darkness, incompleteness, and uncertainty.
26. God is GREATER THAN OUR HEART.
1Jo 3:20, “that if our heart condemns us, that God is
greater than our heart, and He knows all things.”
27. God is LOVE.
1Jo 4:16, “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.”
Love is not God. To believe Love is God would be pantheism. The song book of Chinese church teaches that love is God. I pointed the doctrinal error to the responsible party but they did not want to follow the truth.
28. God is ETERNAL.
Deu 33:27, “The eternal God is ahiding place, And underneath are the everlasting arms; And He drove out the enemy from you, And said, ‘Destroy!’
Rom 16:26, “but now has been disclosed, and through the Scriptures of the prophets, in accordance with the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith.”
I want you to know that gurus of the world and scientists do not know the TWENTY EIGHT ITEMS THE SCRIPTURES cited above.
Historically, Jethro was right in rejoicing over all the goodness which the Lord had done for Israel, not because Israel had done goodness.
Exo 18:9, “And Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness
which the LORD had done for Israel,in rescuingthem from the hand of the Egyptians.”
If after you have read this article come to the knowledge of good and highest good, it is because:
Jas 1:17, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
II. WHAT IS GOOD
Even the wisest of mankind hesitates to step into the holy ground of “good” and often blames himself for his stupid act and calls himself a fool. You know Apostle Paul declaredRom 7:18-21, “For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I do the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.”
In other words, sin – the principle of evil – dominates the human nature. That is why Jesus says,
Jhn 3:6-7, “That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.”
By flesh alone no one can do good. That is why we must be born by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. No one can be justified before God by his own good deeds.
Pearl S. Buck said, “When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail.”
The world is so bad, even good people do their vigilance and struggle, evil men still prevail.
The Bible says,Gen 6:5, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually.”
In the days of Noah, the Lord saw every intent of the thoughts of mankind was only evil continually. I do not see the present day is any better than the days of Noah. For that reason, God used water to destroy that world. The present evil world will be destroyed by fire.
The ten brothers of Joseph meant evil for Joseph.
Gen 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.”
The liberal psychology that man means good is far from reality. Most people do not realize how depraved is mankind.
Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from political conviction. Hundreds of European history of imperialism and colonialism proved the point. American history since the end of World War II also proves the point. So now America and Europe team up in Ukraine war and the war of aggression to dominate the world. American strategy of teaming up with Australia, Japan, UK, and India is to solely target China in Asia Pacific.
What people think is good may be evil. Some religion practices to have several wives as good. Some religion practices to discriminate women and girls as good. Some religions believes superstition is good.
What is good or evil, mankind cannot have the final say. What is good or evil is in the sight of God. It is most dangerous and wrong for those who view the world through the distorting medium of their views and the unholy passion of their desires. Your highest ideal may not be ideal enough. The poor know that they are poor; but fools do not know they are fools. The stupid people do not know they are stupid. How awful that foolish ideas are treated as good ideas!
You do not become what you believe. You may believe you are an angel does not make you an angel. You may believe you are a superman, yet you cannot fly. You may believe there is no God and no Hell. Soon Hell will surprise you. Your highest ideal may be not the way it is.
I wholeheartedly agree with David Wilkerson for saying,
The highest good is not necessarily what you can achieve, the highest good is to obey the will of God in doing exactly what He wants you to do with your life.
Exo 18:8-12, “Moses told his father-in-law everything that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had confronted them on the journey, and how the LORD had rescued them.
And Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness which the LORD had done for Israel, in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. So Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians
and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; indeed, it was proven when they acted insolently against the people.” Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses father-in-law before God.”
If God wanted you like Moses to go through the wilderness, He will prove His goodness and greatness to you.
That is the way to the highest good. The wisdom of the world as taught by gurus (psychologist, psychiatrist, philosopher) who declare there are different ways to reach the same destination (goal). For thousands of years, the Chinese believe the summum bonuum (the highest good) are 榮華富貴(glory, prosperity, wealth, honor). The good life most Americans want are money, power and sex. They do not say it aloud because that sounds crude and cross. So they must beautify it with more acceptable and beautiful words like the good life. Gurus are smart not to define the highest good or good life so that there may be some flexibility for individuals. This flexibility gives them opportunities to make good money. They predictably reach the conclusion, good life is based on good relationship. Good relationship brings happiness and health. Good relationship must be nurtured.
In the sight of God, there is only one Way. For Jesus Christ who is the Founder of Christianity and the Head of the Church says,Jhn 14:6, “Jesus said to him,
“I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Clearly there is one one Way, one Truth, and one Life. Just as Jesus is the Way to God, Jesus is the Way to the highest good. IN this world, multiplicity is the way of things. IN Heaven, singularity is the Way of God.
When you have good relationship with the Lord, you will have good relationship with your earthly ones. You do not need to use your imagination, but you claim the Promises of the Lord backed up by His power. What you do and don’t do are prescribed in the Word of God which is a light to your path. You cannot do wrong if you follow the Lord. Christians do not rely on anyone who can die, for the Lord is with you forever. God is eternal who does not die.
The following is a list of peoples or individuals who completely could not conceive or practice “the highest or ultimate good”; in fact, knowingly or unknowingly they practice “the highest or ultimate evil.”
Aggressors
*Anarchists
Builders (who make unsafe and poor quality buildings)
Businessmen (who defraud and exploit)
Capitalists
Con artists
Crooks & criminals
Dentists and doctors (who defraud and overcharge)
Drivers (who take tourists down to the cliffs)
Drug traffickers
Firemen (who commit arson, risk lives and property)
Gun traffickers
Human traffickers
Journalists (who spew out fake news & misinformation)
Politicians (who serve themselves & their parties)
Prostitutes
Psychopathic supervisors (who abuse their subordinates)
***Rapists
Repairmen (who defraud and fake service)
Robbers
Salesmen (who sell fake products with unkept promises)
Scientists (who make false claims and false theory)
Soldiers (who commit war crimes and genocide)
Supremacists
Surgeons (who perform unnecessary surgeries)
Teachers (who are incompetent and harm students)
Terrorists
Thieves
Warmongers
Writers (who wrote trash novels and bad writings)
* Extremists who call themselves freedom fighters
** Luxury promoters who price a T shirt at $5,000.
*** A Cuban man told me that his father raped his daughter and he wanted to kill his father. I do know about human depravity, this family misfortune must not spread around.
You see any religion which teaches salvation by one’s good deeds is false. Any teaching which depends on one’s good deeds cannot save.
An ordinary good person (male or female) who is born of the flesh could never conceive or achieve the supreme or highest good, because restricted by inherent moral inferiority and intellectual disability. The so-called good life that many gurus are teaching is exclusive of the highest good. In these days where crowds are crazy about sports stars, none of them is close to summum bonum.
However, there are three persons in the Bible who had been born of the Word and the Spirit whom I believe had conceived and achieved the highest (ultimate) good as the object of their lives.
(1). John the Baptist whose head was worth half a kingdom. He had made most excellent testimony of Jesus by crying in the wilderness,
Jhn 1:29, “The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
It touches my heart deeply when John the Baptist said,
Jhn 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
In comparison, there are many false preachers in America who use every sermon to increase themselves. They make people the disciples of themselves, not disciples of Jesus. There was one famous but false preacher of prosperity gospel who often asserted himself by
making declaration, “Do you know who I am?”
(2). Stephen who was the first Christian martyr in the real sense of the word. He was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. When can you find such a preacher like that? I have known many famous preachers in the world, it is wrong to identify a magnetic personality and eloquence as the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Additionally the Scripture says,
Act 6:8, “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and miracles among the people.”
I do not perform wonders and miracles, and I have never met a preacher who performs wonders and miracles among the people.
But I know God has performed great wonders and miracles on me.
Stephen was the only man mentioned in the Bible, his face was like the face of an angel. Jesus Christ is usually “sitting at the right handof God.” At the moment of his death, Stephen “saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Why? The Lord Jesus Christ was welcoming His good and faithful servant home.
Act 7:55, “But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into Heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”
All Christians should copy Stephen when we die, Act 7:59,
“They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”
For a person to live is Christ, then fame, fortune, position, power, money, wealth, reputation, honor, glory, pleasure, comfort, luxury, etc. would not mean anything. For that reason Paul said,
Phl 3:8, “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ.” What people cherish and highly value in this world, Paul counted them mere rubbish. Would anyone in America count money as mere rubbish?
Although Apostle Paul suffered more and most than anyone else, yet he said,Rom 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Apparently, Paul did not live for himself. Paul also did not live for this world. Saints who had achieved the highest good, their goals of life are different than most people. Paul had mastered the greatest lesson in life, Phl 4:11, “……., for I have learned to be content in whatever
circumstances I am.” Here is a conqueror of all circumstances.
Going to the highest principle, Jesus asks,
Mar 10:17-18, “As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good?No one is good except God alone.”
Many misunderstand the Scriptures. Jesus was good not because He was a good man, definitely He was; Jesus is good because He is God.
“The concept of good refers to preferred conduct in the given circumstances.”
The preferred conduct in the given circumstances defines the concept of good. It is based on what is visible — the preferred conduct. The truth goes further than that, good is defined as the inside, not the outside; the invisible, not the visible. It follows a logic a good tree bears good fruit. A good man does good deeds. A man is not good because he does good deeds, he does good deeds because he is good. It is referring to the nature, not the nurture. People call Jesus Good Teacher because Jesus is truthful and teaches the way of God in truth. All prophets of old taught the way of God in truth. Jesus is much more than that. Jesus wants you to know no one is good except God. If you know anything about good, you should know only God is good; and Jesus is our God, therefore He is good. The concept of good is NOT a basic concept in philosophy.The concept of good is a divine concept, a basic concept of God. You know nothing about good until you know God. For that reason philosophers do not know God, they make false statements about God. All false religions make false statements about God.
Mat 12:33-34, “Either assume the tree to be good as well as its fruit good, or assume the tree to be bad as well as its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, express any
good things? For the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart.”
There is such a thing called hypocrisy. A hypocrite is one who pretends to be what he is not. An evil man can express good things. Warmonger can promote democracy, and an unrighteous man can propagandize justice. Western media habitually and customarily spew out fake news and misinformation.
According to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology,
“Goodness involves not only right behavior but also avoiding its opposite, evil. The choice between good and evil has lain before people since the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate fruit from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9 ). Since then God’s curse has fallen on “those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20 ). A wise ruler like Solomon, or indeed anyone who wants to obey God, needs the wisdom to tell good from evil (1 Kings 3:9; Hebrews 5:14 ). Those who serve God will “seek good, not evil, hate evil, love good” (Amos 5:14-15 ).
For the Christian or the faithful Israelite, goodness has never been a matter of outward behavior alone; it comes from within. An evil person is evil within (Genesis 6:5; Mark 7:14-23; and parallels). In the same way a good person’s good behavior shows a good heart (Matthew 12:33-35 ).”
In my study, I have not found satisfactory explanation between “good” and “goodness” by any theologian or philosopher. It is ludicrous when I come across such explanation,“Good is an adjective (word to describe
something), while goodness is a noun (athing).” I mean to use and explain “good” as a noun, not a thing but as a concept.
International Standard Bible Encyclopediaprovides the following interesting note:
“(2) In the New Testament the words most frequently translated “good” are agathos and kalos ̌ . The former, agathos , denotes good as a quality , physical or moral. Thus, “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good” ( Matthew 5:45 ); “good gifts” (Matthew 7:11 ); “Good Master (the Revised Version (British and American) “Teacher”) … Why callest thou me good? none is good save one” (Mark 10:17 f; Luke 18:18 f; compare Matthew 19:16 ); “they that have done good” (John 5:29 ). Sometimes it is equivalent to “kind” (thus Titus 2:5 the Revised Version (British and American)); to agathon is “that which is good” (Luke 6:45; Romans 7:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:13 ), etc.; “that which is honest,” the Revised Version (British and American) “honorable” (2 Corinthians 13:7 ); “meet” (Matthew 15:26; Mark 7:27 ); “worthy,” the Revised Version (British and American) “honorable” (James 2:7 ); agathon is “a good thing,” as “good things to them that ask him” (Matthew 7:11 ); Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46 ), etc.; agathoergéō (1 Timothy 6:18 ), and agathopoiéō (Mark 3:4; Acts 14:17 ), etc., “to do good.”
Jesus says, Mat 5:8,“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Apparent God is more than good. The pure in heart will see God more than perfection, perfect; more than holiness, holy; more than righteousness, righteous; more than truth, true; more than immortality, immortal; more than eternity, eternal; more than glorious, glory; more than possibility, Almighty. This divine knowledge is too high for mankind.
Summum bonum of Christians are never influenced by the rich, the powerful, the wise, the high, the famous, the philosophers or the scientists. Summum bonum of Christians are rooted and established in the Word of God which is unchangeable and eternal.
Some people reason if so and so believed, me too gets added value. I tell you even all the philosophers in the world do not believe, I would still believe in God. I do not know whether Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, etc. believed in God or not. However, their belief or disbelief would not affect mine one bit. For instance, I believe George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were true Christians.Although I took a graduate course in American Presidency, I am not sure about other presidents. I also believe from Eisenhower down to the present president, they were not and are not Christians at all. I do not know President Richard Nixon was a saved believer or not. I recalled when Nixon resigned I wrote a letter to comfort him with the Scriptures: Psa 30:5, “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” I supported President Nixon was not because he was a Christian. I supported President Nixon because he has the right political philosophy in seeking a just and lasting peace for the world. I know Obama repeatedly said he is a Christian. I have strong evidence against Obama’s claim to be a Christian. As the American president he first said that America took no position on the sovereignty of China’s Diaoyu Islands, later he changed that America would defend Japan over Diaoyu Islands. Obama was the first American president who advocated homosexuals and the legal marriage of same sex marriage. If Obama says he is a Muslim, I would believe him. I do not intend to waste more time on any presidents. I read somewhere that the Catholic pope says that homosexuality is not a crime. Well, polygamy, adultery and fornication are not a crime in some countries. Homosexuality was a serious sin that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for it.
The best of human wisdom is what philosophers grope for thousands of years. They generally concur that a virtuous life brings the goodness of life. A good life is a virtuous life– that is how far they go. Scientists and philosophers know nothing about the “eternal life”, the “abundant life” in Jesus Christ. People who believe in Big Bang and Evolution are in deed spiritual darkness. They practice by choice. Let us see some generally accepted virtue in the light of the Scriptures:
First you need to know, what the gurus and scientists use the words may not have the same meanings as the Word of God. We Christians believe and accept only the Word of God, no matter how plausible may be the wisdom of men.
After years of studying theologians and philosophers, I do not wish to waste my life and time on them. However, I intend to examine what they call cardinal virtues in the light of the Scriptures for the benefit of true believers.
“Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
God’s goodness is a bedrock truth of Scripture. His goodness is praised in the psalms (25:8; 34:8; 86:5; 100:5; 118:1; 136:1; 145:9). Jesus affirms the Father’s goodness when speaking to the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19 ). In 1 Peter 2:3 Peter echoes the language of Psalm 34:8 : “Taste and see that the Lord is good!”‘
Although we might discuss God’s goodness in some abstract philosophical sense, in Scripture his goodness appears most clearly in his dealings with people. He is not only good in general, but he is good to us ( Psalm 23:6; 68:10; 73:1; 119:65; 145:9; Lamentations 3:25; Luke 6:35; Romans 2:4; 11:22; Ephesians 2:7; Titus 3:4 ). Human goodness is modeled on divine goodness (Matthew 5:48 ). For human beings goodness involves right behavior, expresses itself in kindness and other praiseworthy qualities, includes avoiding evil, and springs from the inner person.
It is nearly impossible to think about goodness in the abstract. In Scripture goodness always involves particular ways of behaving. Because God is good, he is good to his people; when people are good they behave decently toward each other, based on God’s goodness to them. Moses’ invitation to Hobab expresses this emphasis: “Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel” (Numbers 10:29 ). The general biblical words for “good/ goodness” include this idea of right behavior, although the idea is often expressed by means of a more specific term like “upright/uprightness” or “righteous/righteousness.”
The goodness God’s people exhibit shows itself in various moral qualities, notably kindness; hesed [חֶסֶד, חֶסֶד], translated “goodness” or “kindness, ” serves as one of the major synonyms of tob [טָב], “good, ” in the Old Testament. In the New Testament many words describe the specific characteristics and behaviors of good people, including “just/justice, ” “righteous/ righteousness, ” “holy/holiness, ” “pure/ purity, ” “gentle/gentleness, ” and “kind/kindness.” If “goodness” is the general term, these other specific terms show what goodness means in daily living.
Goodness involves not only right behavior but also avoiding its opposite, evil. The choice between good and evil has lain before people since the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate fruit from the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9 ). Since then God’s curse has fallen on “those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20 ). A wise ruler like Solomon, or indeed anyone who wants to obey God, needs the wisdom to tell good from evil (1 Kings 3:9; Hebrews 5:14 ). Those who serve God will “seek good, not evil, hate evil, love good” (Amos 5:14-15 ).
For the Christian or the faithful Israelite, goodness has never been a matter of outward behavior alone; it comes from within. An evil person is evil within (Genesis 6:5; Mark 7:14-23; and parallels). In the same way a good person’s good behavior shows a good heart (Matthew 12:33-35 ).
In the Old Testament God’s goodness to his people and their goodness in response is based on the covenant between them. God’s appeal to his people to return to the covenant relationship finds expression in a call to simple goodness (Micah 6:6-8 ). In the New Testament goodness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 ), while moral excellence is one of the steps on the “ladder of virtue” (2 Peter 1:5 ).”
What gurus and scientists believe the good life is simply happiness. To them if you are happy, you have the good life, even the highest good. In their surmise and estimation happiness is equal to good life. If you ask a heroin addict whether he is happy, he will tell you he is happy while he is high on heroin. If you ask a prostitute whether she is happy, she will tell you she is happy making money. If you ask a pimp whether he is happy, he is supported by a group of women and he lives better than most people. If you ask a warmonger whether he is happy, the warmonger is happy to have blood full in his hand. So to use happiness as a test whether a person is happy or not becomes a suspect and a questionable matter.
Let us see what the Word of God says about happiness.
Gen 30:12-13, “And Leah’s slave Zilpah bore Jacob a second son.Then Leah said, “Happy am I! For women will call me happy.” So she named him Asher.”
Leah was happy because her slave bore Jacob a second son. There are women who bear many sons and still be unhappy.
Moses said to the children of Israel:
Deu 30:15-16, “See, I have placed before you today
life and happiness, and death and adversity, in that I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, so that you may live and become numerous, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to take possession of it.”
The Word of God made it clear to the children of Israel: If they love the Lord, walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, they will have life and happiness.
Elihu said, Job 36:11, “If they listen and serve Him, they will end their days in prosperity, and their years in happiness.”
If we listen and serve God, we will end our days in prosperity, and our years in happiness. It alludes that a man cannot have happiness without prosperity. It concludes that poverty does not bring happiness. The rich do not automatically have happiness, the poor certainly do not have happiness.
Deu 24:5, “When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken.”
I do not know any country that provides such a benefit.
Psa 1:1, “Happy is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in thepath of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!”
Strange are Western leaders and politicians who do wickedness daily and they do not seem unhappy!
Psa 2:12, “Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way, for His wrath may be kindled quickly. How happy are all who take refuge in Him!”
How happy are all who are saved and who take refuge in Jesus Christ.
Psa 32:1, “By David. — An Instruction. O the happiness of him whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Happy is the person whose transgression is forgiven, and whose sin is covered by the blood of Jesus.
Psa 32:2, “How happy is a person whose guilt the LORD does not take into account, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!”
The Lord justifies a person whose guilt He does not take into account. Example was Abraham.
Psa 34:8, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!”
An unbeliever can never taste and see that the Lord is good, and so could never have a good life no matter how much he pays to get private instruction from a guru.
Psa 40:4, “How happy is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who become involved in falsehood.”
The man who has made the Lord his trust does not turn to the proud nor to those who lie. Western leaders and politicians trust in their military might, they are proud and lie, kill, and rob.
Psa 41:1, “For the music director. A Psalm of David. Happy is one who considers the helpless; The LORD will save him on a day of trouble.”
Justice must be upheld to support the helpless.
Psa 84:12,“LORD of armies, Happy is the person who trusts in You!”
Happy is the person who trusts in the Lord. Gurus and scientists do not have this knowledge.
Psa 106:3, “How happy are those who maintain justice, who practice righteousness at all times!”
There is no justice in this world. That is why the people of the world are miserable. And that is why people lost faith in their governments. People lost faith in their leaders and politicians who said one thing and did another thing. Any leader can promise much because it did not cost him anything.
Psa 128:1, “A Song of Ascents. Happy is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways.”
Gurus and scientists do not fear the Lord, and they do not walk in His ways.
Psa 146:5, “Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God.”
The happiness and hope of Christians are in the Lord our God. There is no hope in this world no matter who you are.
Pro 3:13, “Happy is a person who finds wisdom, and one who obtains understanding.”
Intellectually wisdom and understanding are most important to any person.
Exo 31:3, “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds ofcraftsmanship.”
Gurus and scientists do not have the Spirit of God, so they do not have wisdom and understanding. Although the world presume they have wisdom and understanding and pay a lot for their writings.
Dan 2:20, “Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.”
Wisdom and power belong to God. It is most incredible that world leaders and politicians think they have wisdom and power. They have made a mess of the world.
Pro 16:20, “One who pays attention to the Word will find good, and happy is one who trusts in the LORD.”
The Word of God is absolutely free. If you pay attention to the Scriptures presented you will find good, a good life and the highest good and absolutely free. I am aware some so-called Christian organizations charge annual fee for Bible study.
Pro 22:9, “One who is generous will be happy, because he gives some of his food to the poor.”
A generous person is happier than a selfish person.
Ecc 9:7,“Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works.”
If God has already approved your works, then you can eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart. An imperialist and a capitalist and a monopolist can never be happy because God never approves their lives and works.
Isa 52:7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion “Your God reigns.”
The Gospel brings good news of happiness and peace. Peace with God is salvation.
Lam 3:17, “my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.”
A person who has no peace also has no happiness.
Isa 30:18, “Therefore the LORDlongs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.For the LORD is the God of justice; How happy are all those who long for Him.”
There is no justice in this world, you cannot expect any government to execute justice. I learn by bitter experience. But our God is the God of justice, how happy are all those who long for Him.
Mat 5:3, “Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Do you notice Western leaders and politicians and Western mass media are so arrogant? They have no part or portion in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Mat 5:4, “Happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Mat 5:5, “Happy are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.”
Mat 5:6, “Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.”
Mat 5:7, “Happy are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”
Mat 5:8, “Happy are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Mat 5:9, “Happy are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
Western leaders and politicians are cursed because they are warmongers, they are children of the devil. They send money, arms, and weapons to Ukraine to prolong the war.
Mat 5:10, “Happy are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
If you live a godly life, you will be persecuted.
Mat 5:11, “Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”
Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Jesus Christ.
Mat 11:6, “And happy is any person who does not take offense at Me.”
Happy is any person who does not take offense at Jesus.
Mat 16:17, “And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven.”
In answer to the question who is Jesus. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Flesh and blood did not and cannot reveal the spiritual truth about Jesus, so all the knowledge of gurus and scientists is useless.
Mat 25:34,“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
Christians are citizens of Heaven, and they have the Kingdom of Heaven which is forever. There is no country on earth can compare with the Kingdom of Heaven. You may be disappointed in your earthly country, no one will be disappointed in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Gal 3:9, “So then, those who are of faith are blessed
with Abraham, the believer.”
I am with Abraham, not the gurus and scientists.
Eph 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places in Christ.”
Every spiritual truth by God and Father is not temporary but eternal.
The children of God are blessed of the Heavenly Father to inherit the Kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world.
Frankly, America suffers such a bad political, economic, financial, medical, legal, social, and cultural environment that it is very difficult for an ordinary American to have a normal and safe life, how hard it is to talk about a good life, to aspire the highest good. My hope is in the darkest hour, a good, great and right American leader will appear, like Deng Xiaoping of China, to save America. One thing that frightens me most is the fact the Bible prophecy never mentions the United States of America in the end time.
Is it possible that the American structural and systematic problems are so overwhelming to abort the appearance of the new American leader? I am aware some white Bible scholars who believe the positive role of America in the end time. But one thing is sure, all Bible scholars agree that the Bible prophecy does not mention America in the end time just like the Bible also does not mention many other nations. Is it possible that in the end time America has become so insignificant that is is not worthy to mention it? Or is it possible that in the end time America does not exist anymore, so America is not mentioned at all? How could I like the current American leaders and politicians who are killing America. Whether an America leader is going to appear or not, one thing is sure as God is, Jesus Christ is coming again to establish the Kingdom of Heaven. As an American citizen, I am very worried about America, because American leaders and politicians are doing all they can to cause America to commit suicide.As a Heavenly citizen, I am eagerly waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
The Scriptures cited above are the Word of God which gurus and scientists have no knowledge or understanding.
I must repeat and stress:Jas 1:17, “Every good thing
given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
If you know the good life and the highest good, it is not because you are good, it is because given from above. It is futile to receive instruction from below of so-called gurus and scientists. Let us examine the thoughts and words of Cicero in the light of the Holy Bible.
Christian or not. Anyway it is too late to find out. If Cicero did not know and have Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, then all his efforts and endeavors would come to nothing. For no one can justify himself before God on his own good deeds. Amazing was Cicero, however, whose thoughts and sayings were not all contrary to the Scriptures. I select some to make comments about them.
I agree with Cicero, a nation cannot survive treason from within. For a long time, I maintain America is committing suicide. American leaders and politicians lead America astray, and going the wrong direction. Traitors move and wield power within the government, in the very halls of government itself.
Jesus says, Jhn 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.”
HOW can American leaders and politicians be liars, killers, and robbers and not knowing it?
Is this not the description of American government? Elections are useless, for votes with which to perpetuate itself. For that reason I propose to change the US government and abolish political parties. All candidates must campaign on individual virtue, not party affiliation.
A nation is as good as its citizens. For that reason, America must deport all its 65 million illegal aliens already residing in America and expel all illegal and undesirable migrants by force and keep its borders safe.
Do you know the America values are money, power, and sex? Luk 11:39, “But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish; but your inside is full of greed and wickedness.”
Luk 12:15, “But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when
one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.”
1Ti 6:8, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
Heb 13:5, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU,
Act 25:11,“If, therefore, I am in the wrong and have committed something deserving death, I am not trying to avoid execution; but if there is nothing to the accusations which these men are bringing against me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
The Bible teaches it was God who established death penalty, anyone or any nation that opposed capital punishment, opposes God.
Does it sound the American bureaucracy? For that reason in my comprehensive plan to save America I propose 1/3 cut across the board of the vase American bureaucracy, and 1/3 cut of all wages, benefits, and pensions. I also propose the justices of the US Supreme Court to audit the unaccountable $21 trillion in the Defense Depart and punish those who are responsible. I also propose to abolish secret service for former American presidents, abolish budget for American president libraries, offices, mail privilege, and travel. The living retired American presidents will receive only basic pension as approved by American citizens in a National Referendum.
From the statement, you can guess Cicero was a believer in God, although you cannot be sure it is a Christian God or not. You can understand the first statement. The second statement is questionable and unsure.
Mar 10:27, “Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people
it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
Jesus says,
Jhn 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
I do not know Latin, but the translation is remarkable. I am afraid the mob (extremists and anarchists) will seize power in the United States, so it is more urgent for American citizens to change and save America now. Right now the whole political system is deceptive. No one is telling the truth. No one is practicing justice.
There are so many imitations of the true in our age that make most people confused and confounded:
Imitations of democracy, freedom, equality, justice, equality, honor, virtue, morality, liberty, peace, security, charity, respectability, civility, honesty, integrity, new birth, salvation, the way to God, etc.
A little Johnny has been behaving. He asks his mother for a quarter because he has been good. But the mother said to Johnny that you must be good for nothing. Of course Johnny could not understand how to be good for nothing. Many adults today still do not know why they have to be good for nothing. They have not heard, Honesty is the best policy. Virtue is its own reward.
Jesus says,
Mat 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.”
I was young, now I am old. I can testify that mankind is ungrateful creature. I wish I had not met a number of people and wished they had never existed in my world.
This reminds me of an incident in Jesus’ life:
Luk 17:11-19, “While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed.
Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,
and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”
Where are the nine? Probably one out of ten among men is grateful. People do not know how to return a kindness.
For a thousand persons, you can find one who can speak. For ten thousand persons, you may find one who can write. For one hundred thousands persons, you can find one who thinks. For a million persons, you can hardly find one who is wise.1Co 1:26, “For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise
according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.”
Out of the millions of peoples I have known and met, very few can be said wise. I remember one good friend who is with the Lord. One I do not want to mention name, he was not rich but contented. He was famous and gifted but not greedy. He was great but humble. Unlike a famous evangelical evangelist who claimed that he had preached the Gospel to more peoples than Apostle Paul. In my opinion, anyone who compares himself with Biblical figures is not wise.
There is no “wisdom” and no “justice” in any government of men in any country. There is no Christian nation anywhere. Yes, the world needs “wisdom” and “justice.”
2Pe 1:5-8, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
What America wants today is not virtue, but money, power, and sex. It can say the same about the whole world. That is why the world is so bad, corrupt, evil, and wicked.
Luk 1:37, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
With God everything is possible. God does not have difficulty or problem. A god who has problem is no God at all. God cannot lie. It means God has power not to lie, it is contrary to Divine nature to lie. It is devil who lies, kills and robs.
Mat 22:29, “But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, since you do not understand the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
Mankind often errs because they do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God. The Scriptures are the Word of God. There is power in the Word of God. The power of God is manifest in His creation – the universe.
Western leaders and politicians are practicing always seeking their own advantages at anther’s expense. The West has dominated the world for hundreds of years, they use the military and all other means to maintain the status of hegemony and monopoly.
Many people make the same mistake twice, thrice, etc.
Pro 26:11, “Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so is a fool who repeats his foolishness.”
Mankind is a fool who makes the same mistake many times and repeats his foolishness.
2Pe 2:22, “It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”
This is the principle of all training and education. A pastor asked me what should his son study at the university. I answered, what is he good at. The preacher did not know what his son is good at. Not all can go for academic degrees. Most people can have vocational training. We made a joke at the university: To major in English does not make you an English man; to major in philosophy does not make you a philosopher; to major in history does not make you a historian, etc. It would be a disaster if I were trained for an accountant because I do not like to lie weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually, and annually.
IV. CARDINAL VIRTUES
The cardinal virtues are accepted by most philosophers include the following:
Wisdom (Moral Prudence)
Courage (Fortitude)
Temperance (Self-control)
Justice (Fairness)
1. Wisdom (Moral Prudence)
From the point of the Bible, wisdom is more than moral prudence. There is also spiritual wisdom which gurus and scientists do not know about.
Exo 31:3, “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship.”
Wisdom in Hebrew isḥāḵmâwhich means shrewdness; prudence; good sense; wit; judgment; insight; a wise attitude; discernment; skill; – which occurs 149 times in the Old Testament.
Gurus and scientists do not have the Spirit of God, so they could not have wisdom, understanding and knowledge in the spiritual. Therefore, the people who do not have the Spirit of God, their kind of wisdom is a suspect.
Deu 34:9, “Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the Spirit of Wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.”
Joshua was filled with the Spirit of Wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him as the Lord had commanded Moses.
The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Wisdom.
1Ki 3:28-30, “When all Israel heard about the judgment which the king hadhanded down, they feared the king, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.”
Leaders who lie, kill, and rob do not have the wisdom of God. The worst kind of leader is the one who does not uphold the law and does not administer justice.
“Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great
discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom
of all thepeople of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.”
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind. A wise person must have wisdom, discernment and breadth of mind. Most people do not have discernment, therefore they do not have wisdom. Interesting, in ancient times, the people of the east had more wisdom than the west. You know the wise men from the East came to worship Jesus. Even today the people of the West do not have wisdom, so they practiced imperialism, colonialism, capitalism and engage in wars of aggression and destruction. The ancient Egypt also had wisdom; Act 7:22, “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.”
Wisdom in Greek issophiawhich means broad and full intelligence; varied knowledge of things human and divine;
science and learning; worldly or spiritual wisdom; – which occurs 51 times in the New Testament.
1Ki 10:24, “And all the earth was seeking the attention of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.”
It is interesting to know that God had put wisdom in Solomon’s heart, not his head. The problem of man is not his head, but his heart.
According to Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
“The biblical literature that comes from these wisdom teachers is of two main kinds. The first, represented by the book of Proverbs, gives the principles of right and wrong as they apply to life in general; for example, the righteous will prosper but the wicked will perish (Proverbs 11:5-8). The second, represented by the books of Job and Ecclesiastes, looks at the exceptions; for example, the righteous often have all sorts of troubles, while the wicked enjoy peace and prosperity (Job 12:4; Job 21:7-13; Ecclesiastes 7:15; Ecclesiastes 8:14).
These two kinds of wisdom are not in conflict, but simply show different aspects of life. The same teacher could look at life’s problems from several viewpoints. The book of Proverbs recognizes that the same principle may not apply equally in all cases (Proverbs 26:4-5), while the books of Job and Ecclesiastes recognize that the general principles are still the basis for wise teaching (Job 28:20-28; Ecclesiastes 7:1-13).
The wisdom teachers of the Bible were godly believers who made an honest effort to examine life, with all its inconsistencies, so that they might help people live more meaningful lives. Though they were aware of an afterlife (Job 19:26), their main concern was to deal with problems in the present life.”
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
“For the Greeks “love of wisdom” involved inquiry into the basis and origin of things; the Hebrew “wisdom” was the capacity so to order life as to get out of it the greatest possible good.”
“And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom – The hidden things that pertain to wisdom. The reference here is to the wisdom of God himself. The sense is this, “you now think yourself pure and holy. You have confidence in your own wisdom and integrity. But this apprehension is based on a short-sighted view of God, and on ignorance of him. If he would speak and show you his wisdom; if he would express his sense of what purity is, you would at once see how far you have come from perfection, and would be overwhelmed with a sense of your comparative vileness and sin.”
That they are double to that which is – Noyes renders this,” his wisdom which is unsearchable.” Dr. Good, strangely enough, “for they are intricacies to iniquity.” The expression, as it stands in our common version, is not very intelligible; and indeed it is difficult, to attach any idea to it. Of the words used in the Hebrew, the sense is not difficult. The word כפלים kı̂playı̂m, “double,” is from כפל kâphal “to fold,”” to double;” and means a doubling Job 41:5; and then two folds, or double folds, and the sense here is, that the wisdom of God is “double-fold;” that is, complicated, inexplicable, or manifold. It is not spread out and plain, but is infolded, so that it requires to be unrolled to be understood. The word rendered “that which is” (תשׁיה tûshı̂yâh), means properly a setting upright, uprightness – from ישׁע yâsha‛. Hence, it means help, deliverance, Job 6:13; purpose, undertaking, see the notes at Job 5:12; and then counsel, wisdom, understanding, Job 12:16; Isaiah 28:29. It means here, I suppose, “understanding;” and the idea is, that the wisdom of God is “double of understanding;” that is, it is so infolded, so complex, that it greatly surpasses our comprehension. What we see is a small part of it; and the “secrets” of his wisdom – the parts of his wisdom which are not unfolded, are far above our grasp. His wisdom is like a vast roll or volume, only the first and a very small part of which is unrolled so that we can read it. But who can look into that that remains unopened, and penetrate between the involutions, so as to perceive and read it all? It is but little that is now unrolled of the mighty volume – the remainder will be unfolded as years and ages shall pass on, and the entire unfolding of the book will be reserved for eternity.
Know, therefore, that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth – The word here rendered “exacteth” (ישׁה yasheh) more properly means “to forget” – from נשׁה nâshâh. It also means to loan on usury, or to borrow; but the sense here is rather that of forgetting. It is not used in the sense of exacting. The true meaning is, “know, therefore, that for thee God hath caused to be forgotten a part of thy iniquity.” That is, he has treated you as if he had caused a part of your sins to be out of mind, or as if they were not remembered. Instead of treating you, as you complain, with severity, he has by no means inflicted on you the calamities which you deserve. The ground of this unfeeling assertion is the abstract proposition that God is infinitely wiser than human beings; that he has a deeper insight into human guilt than people can have; and that if he should disclose to us all that he sees of the heart, we should be amazed at the revelations of our own sins. This sentiment is undoubtedly true, and accords almost exactly with what Job had himself said Job 9:19-22, but there is something very harsh and severe in the manner in which Zophar applies it.”
Job 11:6, “And show you the secrets of wisdom! For sound wisdom has two sides. Know then that Godforgets part of your guilt.”
I myself have not found satisfactory explanation of Job 11:6, in particular sound wisdom has two sides. Be that as it may, Whatever a man may think he knows, there is much more that he does not know. Suffice to say,
Rom 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”
scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world?”
Gurus and scientists represent the wisdom of the world which is foolish in the sight of God. What they write about the good life or the highest or ultimate good at high price are nothing but foolishness that no Christians should subscribe or believe.
1Co 1:22-24, “For indeed Jews ask for miracles and Greeks search for wisdom;but we preach Christ
crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to
Gentiles foolishness,but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God — this truth is more profound than Job 11:6.
Thus for Christians, Christ is our power and our wisdom.
More than that, 1Co 1:30, “But it isdue to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.”
Christ is not only to us power and wisdom from God, Christ is our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Christ is all and everything of Christians.
1Co 2:4-8, “and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words ofwisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,so that your faith would notrest on the wisdom of mankind, but on the power of God.
Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;but wespeak God’s
wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God
predestined before the ages to our glory;the wisdom
which none of the rulers of this world has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified
the Lord of glory.”
There are two kinds of wisdom: the wisdom mankind and the wisdom of God.
1Co 2:13, “We also speak these things, not in words
taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
1Co 3:19, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness
in the sight of God. For it is written: “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE BY THEIR CRAFTINESS”.”
Human wisdom is the wisdom of this world, it is foolishness in the sight of God.
So may I remind you what gurus and scientists have is human wisdom, the wisdom of this world.
2Co 1:12, “For ourproud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.”
Human wisdom is also fleshly wisdom, the wisdom of this world.
Eph 1:17, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give youthe Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
To know God one must have the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation. Gurus and scientists do not have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, and so they do not have the knowledge of God.
Eph 3:10, “so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the Heavenly places.”
God’s wisdom is the multifaceted wisdom of God.
Col 1:9. “For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with theknowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Only believers in Christ may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Regarding the special will of God, the children of God can know in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Col 1:28, “We proclaim Him,admonishing every person
and teaching every personwith all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ.”
Christians must be filled with all wisdom in order to be complete in Christ.
Col 2:2-3, “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealththat comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Having been knit together in love, Christians would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
For Christians to have all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge is not to show off, but to conduct ourselves with wisdom toward outsiders (non-Christians).
2Ti 3:15, “and that from childhood you have known the Sacred Writings which are able to give you the wisdom
that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
The Holy Bible is Sacred Writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith. Gurus and scientists are not saved because they do not have the wisdom of the Scriptures.
Jas 1:5,“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
From childhood to old age I have been asking God to give me wisdom. No one is wise enough.
Jas 3:13, “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”
A Christian who is wise and understanding must show his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
People who exhibitanger, a desire for revenge, and self-aggrandizement (trying to make ourselves look important) do not have gentleness of wisdom.
Jas 3:15, “This wisdom is not that which comes down
from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.”
There are two kinds of wisdom: wisdom from above and wisdom which is earthly, natural, demonic. Beware of the wisdom of the world.
Jas 3:17, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle,reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits,impartial, free of hypocrisy.”
We are greatly benefited by this definition of the wisdom from above: pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. You can be sure Western leaders and politicians do not have the wisdom from above. Those who send money, arms, weapons, tanks, etc. to the nincompoop and puppet of Ukraine to continue war are clearly not peace-loving.
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive
power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.”
Rev 7:12, “saying,“Amen, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Let all Christians bow down and say with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.
Amen, blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might belong to our God forever and aver. Amen.
No one is wise enough to know the circumstances and situations may change. Although you give your hundred percent, the person you trust may change. I have learned that nine out ten persons in this world are ungrateful.
My dear brothers and sisters, are you not amazed by the multifaceted wisdom of God cited above?
Worldly wise men consider courage as fortitude. But what is courage? The following historical incident illustrates what courage is:
Rahab said to the Israel spies,Jos 2:10-11, “For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.
“When we heard these reports, our hearts melted and nocourage remained in anyone any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in Heaven above and on earth below.”
Courage in Hebrew is rûaḥwhich means spirit; breadth; mind; vigour; vivacity; disposition; energy of life; bravery; guts; mental or moral strength to venture; – which occurs 378 times in the Old Testament.
Rahab knew the factual reports how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea, etc. and so their hearts melted and no courage remained in anyone of them any longer.
Apparently, courage is an abstract concept. But what you
do with courage? Generally we need courage to do right.
There are physical courage and moral courage. When you see a cobra in front of you, that affects your physical courage.
1Sa 4:7, “So the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “God has come into the camp!” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before.”
The Philistines were strong enemies of the sons of Israel. They were afraid and lost courage because they thought God had come into the camp to fight them. For nothing like this had happened before. When a person is afraid he has no courage.
2Sa 4:1, “Now when Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died in Hebron,his courage failed, and all Israel was horrified.”
When Saul’s son heard that Abner, the commander of the army died, his courage failed. When a person whom you rely is dead, your courage fails and you are horrified.
But even the children of God who want to do right and obey the Lord need courage.
Psa 27:14, “Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.”
Psa 31:24, “Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who wait for the LORD.”
Act 5:29, “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
The day may come when we must obey God rather than men, and it requires courage.
We view temperance as self-control. It requires self-control not to smoke or drink.
Pro 25:28, “Like a city that is broken into and without
walls so is a person who has no self-control over his spirit.”
The Scripture gives a clear picture of what self-control is about over one’s spirit. A man without self-control is like a city that is broken into without walls.
Self-control in Hebrew ismaʿṣārwhich means restraint; rule; – which occurs 1 time in the Old Testament. Temperance used to meanabstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages. Merriam Webster defines self-control as restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires. Truth is offensive: Drinkers and smokers are lack of self-control. Drug addicts may be worse.
Act 24:25, “But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come,Felix became
frightened and responded, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.”
A high ranking official like Felix,the cruel Roman governor of Judea, became frightened when Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come. There are high ranking officials who do not uphold the law and execute justice, they are worse than Felix because they do not become frightened at all.
Self-control in Greek isegkrateiawhich means temperance; the virtue of mastering one’s sensual appetites; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Corruption and failure to execute justice are more serious sins or crimes than drinking and smoking.
1Co 7:9, “But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
In my opinion, those priests and nuns who commit rapes of boys and girls should suffer death penalty.
exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
The world has changed a lot. Those who do well in football make millions, not a perishable wreath. In my opinion, many corporate executives are overpaid so that their employees make too little.
But the poor philosophy of American Ivy league universities is to educate for self-expression and self-advancement so much so to get the most out of life at the expense of others.
4. Justice
Gen 18:19, “For I havechosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”
God had chosen Abraham. God wanted Abraham to command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice. God is more interested in His way than anything else. The way of the Lord is doing righteousness and justice. Justice in Hebrew ismišpāṭwhich means judgment; right; cause; order; execution; proper measure; determination; – which occurs 424 times in the Old Testament. Merriam Webster defines justice as the maintenance and administration of what is just. A government is supposed to maintain law and order and administer justice. Most countries when they have a general election they deem themselves as democracy. The problem is: once leaders and politicians are elected, they can do evil deeds and there is no mechanism to remove them until the next election. This is called deluded democracy. That is why I propose for all countries must have a Constitution that stipulates the national sovereignty lies in the hands of majority citizens. In a National Referendum the majority (51%) of citizens can remove any official (including the president) on ground of no confidence without the ineffective impeachment process. Clinton had proved the uselessness of impeachment. When a government does not maintain law and order and does not execute justice, it has no reason to exist. When leaders and politicians do not administer justice, they usually do not suffer penalty. But they will not escape God’s judgment. That was why Felix, the Roman procurator of Judea became frightened when Paul discussed justice with him.
Gen 42:22, “Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now justice for his blood is required.”
Blood is required for justice. That is why God instituted death penalty. Christians need to support death penalty for all killers, murderers, terrorists, etc. Those nations that abolish death penalty oppose God.
Exo 23:2, “You shall not follow the crowd in doing evil, nor shall youtestify in a dispute so as to join together
with a crowd in order to pervert justice.”
When the president does not uphold the law but perverts justice, and when the regulator protects the regulated industry, people lost faith in their government. Injustice may be the greatest evil.
Exo 23:6, “You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute.”
Many countries practice justice for the rich and powerful, and pervert the justice for the poor.
I agree with Theodore Roosevelt, justice is finding out the right and upholding it. Leaders and politicians do not practice justice because there is no money in it; they engage in war to make money.
The highest court is the Supreme Court of Heaven where no leaders and politicians can escape God’s judgment.
Publilius Syrus was right, “He who spares the bad injures the good.”Injustice always injures justice. In my opinion, the greatest injustice today is committing by Japan which killed 35 million Chinese and denies them without compensation and sex slavery with denial and without compensation.
CONCLUSION
Does it not appear to you it is of utmost selfishness that the goal of a person’s life is seeking only self-satisfaction and self-fulfilment at the expense of others?
After a life time of study the Word of God, I believe I reach the conclusive finding with all my heart that the good life even the highest good is contingent upon the twin factors: obedience of faith and doing the will of God. If you do not know this, you live only after the flesh. The best and most expensive instruction of the guru is nothing but how to satisfy the flesh.
I believe the teaching of Jesus Christ on the flesh is most comprehensive and complete. Study well and keep the Word in your heart:
Jhn 3:6,“That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Mat 26:41, “Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jhn 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh provides
no benefit; the Words that I have spoken to you are Spirit, and are Life.”
Jhn 8:15, “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone.”
Apostles through revelations supplement the teaching of Christ:
Rom 2:28, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.”
Rom 4:1-3, “What then shall we say that Abraham,our forefather according to the flesh, has found?
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.
For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
Rom 7:5, “For while we were in the flesh, the sinful
passions, which were brought to light by the Law, were at work inthe parts of our body to bear fruit for death.”
Rom 8:3-9, “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in
the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,so that the requirement of
the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk
according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
For the mindset on the flesh is death, but the mind
set on the Spirit is life and peace,because the mindset on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone
does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”
I want to pause and ask those special group of people who are seeking the good life under the private instruction of gurus and scientists, Do you really find life and peace? Whatever gurus and scientists say their values are money, power and sex.
Rom 8:12-13, “So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—. for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Rom 9:4-5, “who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as
sons and daughters, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple service, and the promises;whose are the fathers, and from whom is theChrist according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed
forever. Amen.”
Rom 9:8, “That is, it is not the children of the fleshwho are children of God, but the children of thepromise are regarded asdescendants.”
Rom 13:14,“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
2Co 1:17-22, “Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I decide, do I decide according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but has been yes in Him.For as many as the promises of God are, in Him they are yes; therefore through Him also is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”
2Co 10:4, “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, butdivinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”
Gal 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; andthe life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Gal 3:3, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”
No one and nothing can be perfected by the flesh.
Gal 5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity
for the flesh, butserve one anotherthrough love.”
Gal 5:16-17, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the
desire of the flesh.For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and
the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.”
Gal 5:19, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior.”
Gal 5:24, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified
the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Gal 6:8, “For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.”
Eph 2:3-7,“Among themwe too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus,so that in the ages to come He might show theboundless riches of His grace inkindness
toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Phl 3:3, “for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.”
1Pe 3:18, “For Christ alsosuffered for sins once for
all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.”
1Pe 4:2, “so as tolive the rest of the time in the
flesh no longer forhuman lusts, but for the will of God.”
1Pe 4:6, “For the Gospel has for this purpose beenpreached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as people, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.”
1Jo 2:16-17, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.”
To be frank with you, the Bible does not teach Christians in search of happiness, as the so-called secrets of science behind leading a good life. To find happiness through Jesus Christ is another gospel, the false gospel. You find life, eternal life, through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ never promises you to have a good life in this world. Instead Jesus says, Mat 16:24, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyonewants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Jesus also says,Mat 10:37, “The one who loves father or mother more
than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”
Further Jesus says, Luk 9:62, “But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.”
You do not ask if the Kingdom of God is fit for you. You must ask if you are fit for the Kingdom of God.
Two things the Bible stresses more than anything else: obedience of faith and doing the will of God.
Rom 16:26-27, “but now has been disclosed, and through the Scriptures of the prophets, in accordance
with the commandment of the eternal God, has been made knownto all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;to the only wise God, through
Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.”
This is not only made known to you only, but to all nations, in accordance with the commandment of the eternal God, we must have obedience of faith through Jesus Christ. America and Europe do not have obedience of faith, therefore they are not Christian nations. They are going astray against the truth.
Rom 6:16, “Do you not know that the one to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of that same one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death,or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”
Christians are slaves of Christ for obedience.
Rom 15:18, “For I will not presume to speak of anythingexcept what Christ hasaccomplished through me,
resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed.”
Christians are obedient to Christ by word and deed.
arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
For this reason, I am destroying arguments that believers find good life and achieve the highest or ultimate good in this world. For Jesus says,Jhn 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Jesus promises His disciples to have peace in Him. Jesus never promises the good life or happiness that the gurus and scientists promise to those who pay them handsomely. Although in the world Christians have tribulation, but take courage; Christ has overcome the world.
Concerning doing the will of God,Eph 6:6, “Not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doingthe will of God from the heart.”
This Scripture tells all believers how to do the will of God:
As slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
But what is the will of God, that is where many have confusion. It is most important to know there are two wills of God, one is general, the other is special.
It is easy to know the general will of God, because it is all written in the Bible that every Christian must do and follow. For examples:
Mat 5:48, “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”
This is the general will of God which is easy to know, but most difficult to do. Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. To be perfect is not a one time thing, Christians learn to be perfect day by day, an ongoing process, until we meet the Lord face to face. Eph 1:4.“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless beforeHim. In love.”
This is another general will of God that we must be holy and blameless before Him.
1Pe 1:15-16, “but like the Holy One who called you,be holy
yourselves also in all your behavior, because it is written:
“YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
2Pe 3:11, “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.”
Christians are to be in holy conduct and godliness.
Heb 12:14, “Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
I think the two requirements of the general will of God are most difficult are perfection and holiness. These are big topics that must be dealt with separately. No Christian would think he is perfect and holy enough before God. So much for the general will of God, now we get into the special will of God. Just as the general will of God is for every Christian, the special will is for the specific individual. In other words, the special will of God for you is not the same for me. The special will of God for your life I would not know at all.
Rom 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
American and European leaders and politicians not only they are conformed to this world, they represent the world and rule the world under Satanic influence. This Scripture is speaking about the special will of God for you, for your life. You have to prove what the will of God is. Whatever the special will of God, it is good and acceptable and perfect.
Brothers and sisters, you have gone deep in studying the Word of God. Conclusively and definitely, summum bonum, or the good life or the highest or ultimate good is only possible with obedience of the faith and doing the will of God. I do not know the will of God for your life so I do not know if God wants you to lead a good life or not without persecution and tribulations. Even you live a life of tribulations like Apostle Paul you are blessed.
The current administration is strengthening the political powers of the group LGBTQ=lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer; and solidifying its social influence. If a Christian man marries a feminist (who belongs to LGBTQ), he will encounter trouble and tragedy all his life. Because LGBTQ group is like heroin addicts they are high and happy on what they claim to be and practice, there is completely no chance they will change or compromise. They believe marriage is a game of winning and losing. The feminists want to win by subjecting their husbands. For a Christian man to marry a feminist would be better to stay single all his life.
You do not need to use your imagination or follow the imagination of some gurus, you need to follow the Word of God to shine as a Christian in all relationships by obedience to the faith and doing the will of God.
Western democracy, and all forms of government, totalitarian, authoritarian, etc. only make the world worse. The only hope for the world is the second coming of Jesus Christ to set up the Kingdom of Heaven in righteousness, to rule as King of kings and Lord of lords forever and ever.
If you are an unbeliever or the wicked, the second coming of Jesus Christ is your judgment day, your day of doom. But you can escape the judgment to come by now repentance of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and so you may be saved and your sins may be forgiven to receive the eternal life, and become an heir to the Kingdom of Heaven.
You can do it now. Believe and be saved.
Are you ready for the end of the world?
You can escape the judgment to come by repentance and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord
and Savior now. For Jesus Christ is coming again soon!
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national refrerendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrified their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrified their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinse government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanse aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN overappointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much covergage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphanes. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron reognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezebolla, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukranians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless.Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, overappointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voordoism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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Deliberation has been long and covered all pertinent and contingent factors involved in order to come to conclusion to SAVE AMERICA from destruction and decay. AMERICA needs to cut off the two continents of Africa and Latin America: NO TRADE, NO DIPLOMACY, NO POSTAL SERVICES, NO NEWS, NO COMMUNICATIONS, NO BANKING TRANSACTION, NO RELATIONSHIP, NO AID, AND NO ENTRY TO THE U.S.
America declares no immigration, no assylum application, no entry from African and Latin American peoples.
Build the great wall secure and strong along Mexican borders and maintain military action to deter and stop illegal migrations from Mexico, via land, sea or air.
Expell all personnels from African and Latin American embassies and consulates located in America.
Deport illegal aliens 45 million already residing in America and most of them on welfare. Deport unlawful migrants of Latin America to Mexico, those who are not Mexicans can find their ways home. If Mexico refuses, bomb and attack them. Deport all unlawful Africans back to Africa. Designate one African nation to receive deportees by airplanes.
Reform the welfare system that all applicants require to be American citzens and require work to get their benefits.
Leave Africa and Latin America alone, let them do or die.
Iran is a terrorist nation, its nuclear facilities sooner or later should be destroyed completely. Apparently, last time bombing did not do a good job.
Terrorists Hamas, Hezebollah and Houthis should be destroyed completely. Palestinians should be forced out of Gaza.
African, Arab, and Muslim nations should have no part in reconstruction of Gaza.
It does not mean all old people have wisdom. Some age at forty, some age at eighty. It is like saying, The old horse knows the way. But it does not mean all old horses know the way. Wisdom is supreme, more difficult to find than a fine pearl. It is important to know from the start that Wisdom belongs to God.
With the ancient is wisdom,…. Meaning not himself, who was not very ancient; though some think Eliphaz so understood him; hence those words of his, in Job 15:9; rather, as others, Job tacitly wishes that some ancient man, with whom wisdom was, would undertake to examine the affair between him and his friends, and judge of it, and decide the point; or, as others, he has respect to Bildad’s advice to search the fathers, and learn their sentiments, and be determined by them; to which he replies, that though it will be allowed that wisdom is with them, for the most part, yet their judgment of things is no further to be regarded than as it agrees with the wisdom of God, and the revelation he has made of his will; though it seems best of all to consider these words as an adage or proverbial sentence generally agreed to, that it often is, as it might be expected it should, though it is not always, that men well advanced in years are wise; that as they have lived long in the world, they have learned much by observation and experience, and have attained to a considerable share of wisdom and knowledge in things, natural, civil, and religious:
and in length of days is understanding; the understandings of men are improved and enriched, and well stored with useful science, having had the opportunity of much reading, hearing, and conversation; by this Job would suggest, that if his friends had more knowledge of hidden and recondite things, beyond common people, which yet they had not, it was not so wonderful, since they were aged men, and had lived long in the world; or rather it may be that this is mentioned, to observe that from hence, seeing it is so among men, that ancient men have, or it may be expected they should have, a considerable share of wisdom and understanding; it may be most easily and strongly concluded, that God, who is the Ancient of days, has the most perfect and consummate wisdom and knowledge, which is asserted in Job 12:13.”
2.) Wisdom is more valuable the pearls.
Job 28:18, “Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned;
“Pearls are unique gems that come from the sea, and there are many different types of pearls. Akoya pearls, South Sea pearls, and Keshi pearls are just a few examples of the variety available.
Each type of pearl has its own special look and feel, making them all special in their own way. For example, mabe pearls have a distinctive style that sets them apart from others.
It’s exciting to learn about how each pearl is formed and where it comes from. Understanding these gems can help us appreciate their beauty even more.
The 13 Different Types Of Pearls And What They Look Like
Pearls are fascinating gems with a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. The four major types of pearls are Akoya pearls, South Sea pearls, Tahitian pearls, and freshwater pearls, each with its own unique appearance.
In addition to these four, there are other interesting types of pearls that may fall under one of these categories. These gems show the incredible variety the ocean has to offer, with each type bringing its own special beauty to the world.
Akoya Pearls
Akoya pearl provided by TalkPearl
Akoya pearls are a type of pearl that are known for their luster and round shape. They are one of the different types of pearls people can find and admire.
These pearls typically have a white or cream color, but they can also have hints of pink or silver. The surface of Akoya pearls is smooth and shiny, reflecting light beautifully.
One of the most notable features of Akoya pearls is their size, which is generally smaller compared to other types. This small size makes them a subtle yet elegant option for all kinds of looks.
Where you can find Akoya pearls
Akoya pearls are primarily found in the waters off Japan and China, where the conditions are just right for pearl oysters. These regions are famous for cultivating Akoya pearls, using techniques passed down for generations.”
“Pearls are an elegant status symbol, and they’ve been prized by royalty, wealthy merchants, and politicians since ancient times. As such, pearls have never been an ordinary or cheap commodity. But what is the most expensive pearl in the world, and what makes it so pricey?
Let’s discover which pearls are the most expensive and discuss why they fetch thousands or millions of dollars!
Here Are the 10 Most Expensive Pearls in the World:
Giga Pearl – $200 Million
Beauty Of Ocean Pearl – $138.7 Million
Pearl of Lao Tzu – $93 Million
Marie Antoinette’s Pearl Pendant – $36 Million
La Peregrina Pearl – $11.8 Million
The Big Pink Pearl – $9.9 Million
Pierre Cartier’s Pearl Necklace – $206,066
The Duchess of Windsor’s Pearls – $179,000
The Cowdray Pearls – $153,070
The Baroda Pearls – $142,740.”
The Bible says, wisdom is more valuable than pearls. Here we know that Giga Pearl is worth $200 million. Do you know anyone who has wisdom worth $200 million?
Mat 13:45-46, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,and upon finding one
pearl of great value, he went and sold everything that he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46. Again, the kingdom of heaven — That is, one that earnestly seeks for it; is like unto a merchant-man, who goes about from one city or country to another, seeking goodly, or beautiful pearls, or jewels. Thus the sacred writers often compare and prefer wisdom, or true religion, to costly jewels. See Job 28:15-19; Proverbs 3:15; Proverbs 8:11. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price — Of an exceeding great value, sold all that he had and bought it — As well knowing he would be a great gainer though he should part with all he possessed for it. Titus the truly enlightened believer freely and readily gives up, not only all sin, but all that is in the world, which he is called to part with, that he may receive the kingdom of God into his heart, and may be made a partaker of the blessings of the gospel. “He,” says Baxter, “that findeth not by faith enough in the love of God and heavenly glory, and in Christ the way thereto, to make him consent sincerely and practically to sell or part with all the world, rather than lose it, is not capable of a just title to it, nor shall obtain it.”
I was lucky to have seen Denmark—Crown of Christian V
“Next on our list is the Crown of Christian V, which people can see on display at the Rosenberg Castle in Copenhagen. This ornate crown is truly one-of-a-kind, something that is evident with just one glance. Weighing more than two kilos (4 pounds), the crown features an array of splendid gemstones as part of its alluring design, including interwoven rows of diamonds, garnets, and sapphires. Perhaps the most special part of this crown, however, is the extraordinary cabochon ruby that sits atop the diamond-studded cross.”
And also I saw, United Kingdom—St. Edward’s Crown
“Coming in at number one on our list of the most expensive crown jewels in the world is St. Edward’s Crown, which is arguably the most famous crown jewel in the world. With over 400 precious and semi-precious gemstones, the crown weighs nearly five pounds. It includes 345 aquamarines, 37 topazes, 27 tourmalines, 12 rubies, seven amethysts, six sapphires, two jargoons, one garnet, one spinel, and one carbuncle. Experts have valued St. Edward’s Crown at 40 million dollars. St. Edward’s Crown was worn by Queen Elizabeth II during her precession in 1953, but since then has very rarely worn it. The reason for this is because of the weight, which the Queen said makes looking down when reading a speech nearly impossible.”
“The successive owners of Hope in the twentieth century are Pierre Cartier, son of the famous jeweler Alfred Cartier (from 1910 to 1911) who sells it for 300,000 dollars to Evalyn Walsh McLean. It was owned from 1911 until his death in 1947, then it passed to Harry Winston in 1949, who donated it to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington in 1958.
In order to make the transport of the stone as discreet and safe as possible, Winston sends it to the Smithsonian by post, in a small parcel wrapped in kraft paper.
Remaining the largest blue diamond ever discovered to date, the diamond is still visible in the famous institution, where it benefits from a reserved room: it is the second most admired art object in the world (six million annual visitors) after the Mona Lisa at the Louvre (eight million annual visitors).”
Pro 4:7, “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
and with all your possessions, acquire understanding.”
The principal thing;the most excellent of all possessions. With all; even with the price of all, though it cost thee the loss of all which thou hast. Or, or among all. Whilst you labour for other things, do not neglect this.”
4.) Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning.
Verse 13. – Wisdom is found (comp. Psalm 37:30). The man of understanding is discreet in speech, and does not cause trouble by rash or foolish words. A rod (Proverbs 19:29; Proverbs 26:3). A fool brings upon himself punishment by his insensate talk. Void of understanding; Hebrew, “wanting in heart;” Vulgate, qui indiget corde. The LXX. combines the two members into one proposition, “He who putteth forth wisdom with his lips is a rod to chastise the man without heart.” In the Hebrew conception the “heart” is the seat, not only of the passions and affections, but also of the intellectual faculties. Proverbs 10:13.”
Verse 10. – Only by pride cometh contention. Some render “surely” (raq) for only, as in Genesis 20:11. Others rightly translate, “By pride cometh only, nothing but, contention.” Vulgate, “Between the proud disputes are always rife.” One who is haughty and overbearing, or who is too conceited to receive advice, is sure to quarrel with others. Septuagint, “An evil man with insult doeth evil.” With the well advised is wisdom; those who are not, like the proud, above taking advice and following it, are wise (Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 12:15). As the Vulgate puts it, “They who do all things with counsel are directed by wisdom.” The LXX., reading differently, has, “They who know themselves are wise,” which implies that the wise know their own weakness and imperfection, and hearken humbly to good counsel Proverbs 13:10.”
Wisdom is with the well advised.
Do you think the world leaders are well advised?
6.) Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding.
Pro 17:24, “Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.”
Verse 24. – Wisdom is before [the face of] him that hath understanding. The idea is that the intelligent man directs his look towards Wisdom, and therefore she beams upon him with all her light; as the Vulgate puts it, “In the face of the prudent wisdom shines.” He has one object to which he directs all his attention (Proverbs 15:14). The Septuagint rendering is not so satisfactory: “The countenance of a prudent man is wise;” he shows in his look and bearing the wisdom that guides him. Thus Ecclesiastes 8:1, “A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.” The eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. A fool has no one definite object in view; he pursues a hundred different things, as they happen to come in his way, but misses the most important quest of all and fritters away the powers which might have aided him to obtain wisdom. Proverbs 17:24.”
Wisdom is in the presence of one who has understanding.
7.) The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Pro 18:4, “The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters;the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”
Verse 4. – The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters. “Man” (ish) here means the ideal man in all his wisdom and integrity, just as in Proverbs 18:22 the ideal wife is intended under the general term “wife.” Such a man’s words are as deep waters which cannot be fathomed or exhausted. The metaphor is common (see Proverbs 20:5; Ecclesiastes 7:24; Ecclus. 21:13). For “mouth,” the Septuagint reads “heart:” “Deep water is a word in a man’s heart.” The second hemistich explains the first: The well spring of wisdom as a flowing (gushing) brook. A man’s words are now called a well spring of wisdom, gushing forth from its source, the wise and understanding heart, pure, fresh, and inexhaustible. Septuagint, “And it leapeth forth (ἀναπηδύει) a river and a fountain of life.” Or we may, with Delitzsch, take the whole as one idea, and consider that a man’s words are deep waters, a bubbling brook, and a fountain of wisdom. Proverbs 18:4.”
Verse 4. – The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters. “Man” (ish) here means the ideal man in all his wisdom and integrity, just as in Proverbs 18:22 the ideal wife is intended under the general term “wife.” Such a man’s words are as deep waters which cannot be fathomed or exhausted. The metaphor is common (see Proverbs 20:5; Ecclesiastes 7:24; Ecclus. 21:13). For “mouth,” the Septuagint reads “heart:” “Deep water is a word in a man’s heart.” The second hemistich explains the first: The well spring of wisdom as a flowing (gushing) brook. A man’s words are now called a well spring of wisdom, gushing forth from its source, the wise and understanding heart, pure, fresh, and inexhaustible. Septuagint, “And it leapeth forth (ἀναπηδύει) a river and a fountain of life.” Or we may, with Delitzsch, take the whole as one idea, and consider that a man’s words are deep waters, a bubbling brook, and a fountain of wisdom. Proverbs 18:4.”
Proverbs 24:7. Wisdom is too high for a fool — For a wicked man, whose sins enfeeble his mind, and make it incapable of wisdom. Or, he judges it too difficult for him to understand: he despairs of attaining it, because he will not put away his sins, and be at the trouble of using the means necessary in order to that end: as, on the contrary, wisdom is said to be easy to him that understandeth, Proverbs 14:6, because he seriously gives his mind to it, and therefore easily and certainly attains it. He openeth not his mouth in the gate — He knows not how to speak acceptably in the public assembly.”
Wisdom is too exalted for a fool. Exalted in Hebrew is rûmwhich means high. Wisdom is too high for a fool.
9.) Wisdom is the same for your soul.
Pro 24:14, “Know that wisdom is the same for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”
When thou hast found it;whereby he implies that there is indeed some difficulty and trouble in the pursuit of wisdom, but that it is abundantly compensated with the sweetness and advantage of it when a man arrives at it. Then there shall be a reward, Heb. and or also there is a reward. It is not only as good as honey, sweet for the present, but it is infinitely better, bringing a sure and everlasting reward with it.”
Those who find wisdom have a future.
10.) Wisdom is protection.
Ecc 7:12, “For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom keeps its possessors alive.”
Is a defence,Heb. is a shadow; which in Scripture use notes both protection and refreshment. And thus far wisdom and money agree. But herein knowledge or wisdom (which commonly signifies the same thing) excels riches, that whereas riches frequently expose men to death or destruction, true wisdom doth ofttimes preserve a man from temporal, and always from eternal ruin.”
Wisdom keeps its possessors alive.
11.) Wisdom is better than strength.
Ecc 9:16, “So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are ignored.”
“And I:said: Better is wisdom than strength; but the wisdom of the poor is despised, and his words are not heard.” With the words, “I saw,” the author introduces his observations, and with “I said” his reflections. Wisdom is better than strength, since it does more for the wise man, and through him for others, than physical force, – more, as expressed in Ecclesiastes 7:19, than ten mighty men. But the respect which wisdom otherwise secures for a man, if it is the wisdom of a poor man, sinks into despect, to which his poverty exposes him, – if necessity arises, his service, as the above history shows, is valued; but as a rule his words are unheeded, for the crowd estimate the worth of him whom they willingly hear according to the outward respect in which he is held.
To the lessons gathered from experience, are now added instructive proverbs of kindred contents.”
Wisdom is better than strength. Samson was the strongest man but he had no wisdom.
12.) Wisdom is better than weapons of war.
Ecc 9:18, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.”
Verse 18. – Wisdom is better than weapons of war. Such is the moral which Koheleth desires to draw from the little narrative given above (see vers. 14-16; and Ecclesiastes 7:19). Wisdom can do what no material force can effect, and often produces results which all the implements of war could not command. But one sinner destroyeth much good. The happy consequences which the wise man’s counsel might accomplish, or has already accomplished, may be overthrown or rendered useless by the villany or perversity of a bad man. The Vulgate, reading differently, has, Qui in uno peccaverit, multa bona perdet. But this seems to be out of keeping with the context. Adam’s sin infected the whole race of man; Achau’s transgression caused Israel’s defeat (Joshua 7:11, 12); Rehoboam’s folly occasioned the great schism (1 Kings 12:16). The wide° reaching effects of one little error are illustrated by the proverbial saying which every one knows, and which runs in Latin thus: “Clavus unus perdit equi soleam, soles equum, equus equitem, eques castra, castro rempublicam.”
The West has nuclear weapons, they may destroy the world.
13.) Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.
Mat 11:19, “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a heavy drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
Verse 19. – The Son of man (Matthew 8:20, note) came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold (ἰδού, simply demonstrative, as in the LXX. of 1 Samuel 24:12; 2 Samuel 24:22) a man gluttonous (a gluttonous man, Revised Version, for the Greek, ἄνθρωπος φάγος, merely reproduced the original Semitic order), and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners (Matthew 9:10, note). A friend. The idea of affection, which through common use of the words has fallen so much into the background both in the Greek φίλος and our English “friend,” is brought out clearly in the Syriac roh’mo, which is, perhaps, the very word that our Lord spoke. But; and (Revised Version); καί: i.e. and yet, whatever you may say. Wisdom; i.e. the Divine wisdom, by which all creation was made (Proverbs 8:22-31; Wisd. 7:22), and which is the source of all true understanding (Proverbs 8:12-16), particularly of the will of God (Wisd. 7:27, 28; comp. Luke 11:49, “The Wisdom of God” speaking in Scripture). Is justified (ἐδικαιώθη). The aorist is used either as expressing what is wont to happen (Madvig, § 111, Romans a), or perhaps as expressing the completeness of the justi fication, (cf. ἐβλήθη, John 15:6). Nosgen, contrary to New Testament usage, under stands ἐδικαιώθη as meaning “is condemned because of her works” (“So haben sie die Weisheit… um ihrer Werke willen ve rurtheilt”), but the ordinary interpreta tion holds good that she is acquitted of any error or wrong. Of her children; works (Revised Version); ἀπὸ τῶν ἔργων αὐτῆς, with the Sinaitic manuscript and the original hand of the Vatican, besides some of the versions. The common reading, τέκνων, has come from Luke. In these words lie the chief difficulty of this difficult sentence. Of (ἀπό) may be used of agents (comp. James 1:13; James 5:4: Luke 6:18, almost as though it were ὑπό), but it is more natural to understand it here of the causes or reasons for the verdict. And ἀπό thus gives au excellent sense. Our Lord says that the Divine Wisdom is justified in the minds of men from the results she brings about. Of what is he thinking? Doubtless moral results, and probably those found in the change that might be seen in the publicans and sinners of which he has just been speaking. The Divine Wisdom, which appeared to the careless and unsympathetic so strange and changeable in her methods, is, notwithstanding, pronounced to be in the right, because of the results of her activity, the men and the women brought under her influence. These κανιναὶ κτίσεις (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15) are always the best justification of misunderstood plans. While, however, this seems the best interpretation of the sentence as recorded in Matthew, it must be confessed that in Luke it appears more natural to understand “her children” as those who justify her; and further, this was probably St. Luke’s own interpretation. For he seems to purposely give an explanation of the apothegm in the verses (Luke 7:29, 30) by which he joins the equivalent of our vers. 16-19 to the equivalent of our ver. 11. He there tells us that all the people and the publicans “justified God,” having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s plan towards them, not having been baptized by him. Wisdom’s children justified her; others did not. Anyhow, ἔργων would appear to be the more original of the two terms, for with the explanation preferred above, τέκνων would be very easily derived from it. It may, indeed, be due to a more primitive confusion between עֹבָדָהָא (“her works,” cf. Ecclesiastes 9:1) and עַבְדָּהָא (“her servants,” Hebrew עֶבֶד), this last word being commonly rendered δοῦλοι, and, perhaps through παῖδες, even υἱοί and τέκνα (cf. Reseh, ‘ Agrapha,’ p. 277), but even then it is unlikely that the former and harder reading should be only due to a mistake for the latter. That the harder and metaphorical should be changed into the easier and more literal, even as early as St. Luke’s time, appears much more probable. Matthew 11:19.”
Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.
14.) Wisdom is vindicated by all her children.
Luk 7:35, “And yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
Verse 35. – But wisdom is justified of all her children. One of those bright, wise sayings of the Son of man which belong not to the society of Capernaum and Jerusalem, but which are the heritage of all ages. The words find their fulfilment in all those holy and humble men of heart – rich as well as poor – who rejoice in goodness and purity, in self-denying love and bright faith, whether it be preached or advocated by a Fenelon or a Wesley. Luke 7:35”
Wisdom is vindicated by all her children.
15.) Wisdom is that which comes down from above.
Jas 3:15, “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.”
This wisdom descendeth not from above – Compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 3:3. The wisdom here referred to is that carnal or worldly wisdom which produces strife and contention; that kind of knowledge which leads to self-conceit, and which prompts a man to defend his opinions with over-heated zeal. In the contentions which are in the world, in church and state, in neighborhoods and families, at the bar, in political life, and in theological disputes, even where there is the manifestation of enraged and irascible feeling, there is often much of a certain kind of wisdom. There is learning, shrewdness, tact, logical skill, subtle and skilful argumentation – “making the worse appear the better reason;” but all this is often connected with a spirit so narrow, bigoted, and contentious, as to show clearly that it has not its origin in heaven. The spirit which is originated there is always connected with gentleness, calmness, and a love of truth.
But is earthly – Has its origin in this world, and partakes of its spirit. It is such as men exhibit who are governed only by worldly maxims and principles.
Sensual – Margin, “natural.” The meaning is, that it has its origin in our sensual rather than in our intellectual and moral nature. It is that which takes counsel of our natural appetites and propensities, and not of high and spiritual influences.
devilish – Demoniacal (δαιμονιώδης daimoniōdēs). Such as the demons exhibit. See the notes at James 2:19. There may be indeed talent in it, but there is the intermingling of malignant passions, and it leads to contentions, strifes, divisions, and “every evil work.”
Wisdom comes down from above.
16.) The wisdom of the angel of God knows all that is on the earth.
2Sa 14:20, “In order to change the appearance of things your servant Joab has done this thing. But my lord is wise, like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know all that is on the earth.”
Verse 20. – To fetch about this form of speech; correctly, as in the Revised Version, to change the face of the matter hath thy servant Joab, etc. The matter was that referred to in ver. 15, which the king now understands to refer to Absalom. For in the earth, translate in the land. The Hebrew has no means of distinguishing the wider and narrower significations of the word; but while the king would be flattered by the supposition that he knew all that happened in his dominions, the assertion that he knew all that was done in all the world was too broad and general to be agreeable. The Authorized Version has been misled by the thought of what an angel might know; but while it was a compliment to ascribe to the king an angel’s intelligence in his own sphere, it would have been bad taste and unmeaning to ascribe to him omniscience. Nay, it is an assumption without proof that even an angel knows “all things that are in the earth.” 2 Samuel 14:20.”
The wisdom of the angel of God who knows all that is on the earth.
17.) The wisdom of Solomon is of very great discernment and breath of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.
1Ki 4:29, “Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.”
29–34. The wisdom and fame of Solomon (Not in Chronicles) 29. largeness of heart] By this is meant a comprehensive powerful mind capable of grasping the knowledge of many and difficult subjects; poetry, philosophy, natural history in its various branches; he was master of them all. as the sand that is on the sea shore] The proverbial expression for greatness of every kind. See above 1 Kings 4:20.”
The wisdom of Solomon was of great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.
Job 28:20-21. Whence then cometh wisdom, &c. — By what means, then, shall we get this precious treasure of wisdom, of which we are so desirous? Who can show us where it lies, that we may go and search for it? By a diligent prosecution of this inquiry he brings us at length to this issue: That there is a two-fold wisdom; one hid in God, which is secret, and belongs not to us; the other made known by him, and revealed to man, which belongs to us and to our children. It is hid from the eyes of all living — Of all men that live upon the earth. And kept close from the fowls of the air — Though they fly high, and can see far and clearly, they cannot discern this: men of the most exalted and comprehensive minds, of the most enlarged and elevated understanding, cannot discover it: however acute their discernment may be, and however high their thoughts may soar, yet they cannot rise to this height, they cannot comprehend this. The line and plummet of human reason can never fathom the abyss of the divine counsels. Who can account for the maxims, measures, and methods of God’s government? Let us then be content, not to know the future events of Providence, till time discovers them; and not to know the secret reasons of Providence, till eternity brings them to light.”
Wisdom comes from God, from above.
19.) The fear of the Lord is wisdom.
Job 28:28, “And to mankind He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
and unto man he said] This ordinance in regard to man is also considered contemporary with creation; then God saw and searched out Wisdom, and at the same time, as suitable to man’s place, He ordained for him his Wisdom, which is the fear of the Lord and to depart from evil. The Wisdom spoken of throughout the chapter is a possession of God alone, it is His who is Creator; man has a wisdom also, which is that of the creature, to fear the Lord. There is not, however, in all the chapter the shadow of a complaint; there is no turning of the spirit against God (ch. Job 15:13) under the feeling that the “envious” Creator has reserved the higher insight for Himself, and only bound on mankind the heavy burden of “fearing” Him. Such a thought is wholly at variance with the spirit of the passage. The speaker is calm and reflective and, to all appearance, satisfied that things are as we see them because they could not be otherwise. Wisdom is the idea or principle lying under the order of the Universe, the world plan. This order of the world, however, is not a mere physical one, an order of “nature.” Such an idea as “nature” was foreign to the Hebrew mind. Equally unknown was the idea of a mere physical constitution of things. The constitution of the world was moral, and hence the life and destinies of men, no less than the phenomena of the world, were comprised under Wisdom. When it is said that Wisdom has no place where it can be found and can be purchased for no price, the language is based upon the conception of Wisdom as an objective thing; but the meaning is that intellectual apprehension of the scope of the phenomena of the world and the events of man’s life is beyond the reach of man; such knowledge belongs only to God, who made the world. To inculcate this truth and the other truth related to it, that man’s wisdom is the fear of the Lord, is the object of the chapter. It seems an entire misapprehension of the meaning of the passage when it is regarded as teaching that “Wisdom, unlike earthly treasures, is nowhere to be found in the visible, sensible world”; that “not in the world of sense, but only from and with God can it be acquired, through the fear of God.” The distinctions introduced here are modern. The passage teaches that Wisdom cannot be found either in the visible or the invisible world (Job 28:22), neither by man nor by any creature (Job 28:21). It is a thing possible to God alone; and man does not attain to it through the fear of the Lord,—the fear of the Lord is the substitute ordained for man instead of it; for as the absolute Wisdom belongs to the Creator, so the fear of the Lord is the wisdom that befits the creature. The connexion between chapters 27 and 28 is difficult to perceive. Very many suggestions have been offered, of which two may be noticed. Chap. 27 ends with a dark picture of the fate of the wicked at “the hand of God,” and ch. 28 begins, “for there is a vein for the silver … but where shall Wisdom be found?” As Job in ch. 27 is understood to be modifying his former statements he is supposed by some to speak thus: “I concede that such (ch. Job 27:13-23) is the fate of the wicked [but all riddles of Providence are not thereby solved, for example the afflictions of just men like myself, nor can they be solved] for, though men may attain to much by their skill and insight, Wisdom is beyond them.” This makes the whole of ch. 28, introduced by for, the support of a thought which is not expressed nor even hinted at, but merely interpolated from the mind of the commentator. Others, assuming Job to be the speaker, connect thus: “such (ch. Job 27:13-23) is the disastrous fate of the wicked [and it must be so] for Wisdom [which is the way to prosperity in life] can be reached only through the fear of the Lord [which such men have rejected”]. Apart from the strong interpolations needful to help out the thought, the extraordinary circumlocution, in the shape of the long disquisition on Wisdom, which the speaker is supposed to employ in order to express his idea, marks this attempt to construct a bridge between the two chapters as desperate. Besides, if the remarks made above in regard to the general meaning of ch. 28 have any worth, the attempt is based upon a reading of the sense of that chapter which is entirely wrong.”
The fear of the Lord is wisdom.
20.) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Psa 111:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning
of wisdom; all those who follow His commandments have a good understanding; His praise endures forever.”
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom] The fundamental principle of the ‘Wisdom’ or religious philosophy of Israel (Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 1:7; Job 28:28; Sir 1:20). The A.V. reverend in Psalm 111:9 obscures the close connexion between this verse and Psalm 111:9. Jehovah has revealed Himself as One Who is to be feared; to fear Him therefore is the starting point of all true wisdom; and Psalms 112 developes the thought of the happiness of the man whose life is governed by this principle. In connexion with the attribute holy in Psalm 111:9c it may be noted that Proverbs 9:10 adds, “and the knowledge of the Holy One is discernment.” a good understanding] A.V. marg. good success, R.V. marg. good repute. The cognate verb often denotes success resulting from intelligence, and in Proverbs 3:4 the word approximates to the meaning repute, but it is best to retain the rendering understanding. Cp. Proverbs 13:15. that do his commandments] Heb. that do them; i.e. all that is implied in the fear of Jehovah. Insight is the reward of obedience. Cp. John 7:17. R.V. restores Coverdale’s that do thereafter. his praise standeth fast for ever] All the attributes of Jehovah which demand man’s praise are, like His righteousness (Psalm 111:3), eternal. Thus the Psalmist rounds off his song by returning to the thought with which he began it, and gives the reason for the Hallelujah prefixed to it.”
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Pro 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of
wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One isunderstanding.”
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,…. This shows who the wise men are, and in what true wisdom lies; no man is wise till he fears the Lord, and he that does so is a wise man, at least then he begins to be one; this is the principal part of wisdom, Proverbs 1:7; and is at the first of it; it is the beginning of grace; it is the first act of wisdom, or grace; or which appears as soon as a man is converted and caused to know wisdom in the hidden part; as repentance, faith, and love, quickly show themselves in one act or another, so does the fear of God; for the former are never without the latter; for fear is an awe and reverence of the divine Being, joined with love to him, trust in him, and a desire to serve and worship him in a right manner; no sooner is a man converted, but presently there is in him a fear of offending God, from a principle of love to him; for not a slavish but a filial fear is here intended;
and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding: either the knowledge of the Holy Ones, as the three divine Persons in the Godhead, who are so called, Joshua 24:19; the knowledge of God the Father, who is holy in his nature and works; not a mere natural knowledge of him by the light of nature; nor a mere notional knowledge of him by revelation; not a legal knowledge of him as a lawgiver, and an offended Judge; but an evangelical knowledge of him in Christ, as his God and Father; and as the God of all grace in him; so as to have faith and hope in him, access unto him, and communion with him; this is right understanding: so the knowledge of Christ, God’s Holy One; a knowledge of him in his person, offices, and grace; an inward knowledge of him, a spiritual acquaintance with him, so as to approve of him, believe in him, and appropriate him to one’s self; this is to attain to a good degree of understanding: as likewise the knowledge of the Holy Spirit, the author of sanctification; of his person, and operations of grace; as a convincer and comforter; as a Spirit of illumination and faith, of regeneration and sanctification; and as the Spirit of adoption, and the earnest of glory; this is another branch of spiritual understanding. Moreover, such knowledge which holy men have, and which makes them so; and which holy men of God, moved by the Holy Ghost, have communicated in the sacred Scriptures, of which they are the penmen. The knowledge of holy things may also be meant; of the holy mysteries of religion, of the holy doctrines of the Gospel, which are all according to godliness, and teach men to live in a holy manner: the faith once delivered to the saints is a most holy faith, encourages and promotes holiness of heart and life; as the doctrines of God’s everlasting love; eternal election; the unconditionality of the covenant of grace; redemption by Christ; conversion by efficacious grace; justification by Christ’s righteousness; pardon by his blood; satisfaction by his sacrifice; and perseverance by his power: and now a knowledge of these things, not notional, but experimental, is understanding indeed; as well as a knowledge of holy and gracious experiences.”
Pro 2:7, “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
Verse 7. – Wisdom which is the foundation of security and safety, and hence is sound wisdom, is that which God treasures up for the righteous. The teacher passes to another phase of the Divine character. God is not only the Source of wisdom; he is also the Ensurer of safety, the Source of salvation to those who act uprightly. It will be noted that the use of the word is confined to the Proverbs and Job, with the exception of the two passages in Isaiah and Micah. Buckler. Besides storing up the treasures of sound wisdom, which the righteous may use and so obtain security in their uprightness, God is himself a Buckler, or Shield (מָגֵן, magen), to those who walk in innocence. This aspect of God’s directly protecting power is met with in other parts of Scripture. In Genesis 15:1 he encourages Abram with the assurance, “I am thy Shield.” In Psalm 33:20; Psalm 84:11; Psalm 89:18; Psalm 144:2, Jehovah is called a Shield to his saints. He renders them security against the assaults of their enemies, and especially against the fiery darts of the wicked one. Again, in Proverbs 30:5, it is said, “God is a Shield (magen) up to them that walk uprightly.” It is incorrect to take מָגֵן (magen) either as an accusative after the verb or in apposition with “sound wisdom.” To them that walk uprightly; literally, to the walkers in innocence (לְחֹלֵכֵי תֹם, l’khol’key thom). תֹם (thom) is “integrity of mind,” “moral faultlessness,” “innocence.” “To walk uprightly” is to maintain a course of life regulated by right principles, and directed to right ends. He “walks uprightly who lives with the fear of God as his principle, the Word of God as his rule, and the glory of God as his end” (Wardlaw). The completeness of the moral and religious character is involved in the expression which is found also in Proverbs 10:9 and Psalm 84:11. The Vulgate translates the latter clause of the verse, proteget gradientes simpliciter, “he will protect those who walk in simplicity;” cf. 2 Corinthians 1:12 in illustration of the phrase. He layeth up; i.e. he treasures up (LXX., θησαυρίζειν), or preserves and protects (custodire, Vulgate), as a person does “treasure or jewel, that it may not be stolen” (Zockler). The majority of commentators read the Keri (יִצפֹן, “he will treasure up,” future of צָפַן) in preference to the Khetib (צָפַן, perfect of same verb, with prefix וְ, “and he treasured up”), and this is the; reading adopted in the Authorized Version. The Keri implies that God does treasure up sound wisdom, while the Khetib, as Delitzsch observes, has the force of the aorist, and so represents the treasuring up as an accomplished fact. The same verb occurs in Proverbs 2:1, where it is translated in the Authorized Version by “hide,” and also in Proverbs 7:1 and Proverbs 10:14 by “lay up.” The laying up, or treasuring, points to the preciousness of that which is treasured, “sound wisdom.” Sound wisdom. A great variety of opinions exists as to the true meaning of the word in the original, תְוּשִׁיָה (tvushiyyah), of which “sound wisdom” is an interpretation. Zockler explains it as “wisdom, reflection;” Delitzsch, as “advancement and promotion;” Dathe, as “solid fortune;” Gesenius, as “aid.” The proper meaning of the word seems to he “substance,” from the root יָשָׁה, “to be, to exist, to be firm.” Professor Lee remarks on the word, “From the places in which it occurs, either wealth, thought, or some such sense it manifestly requires. It occurs in Job 6:13, in parallelism with ‘help;’ in Proverbs 2:7, with a ‘shield;’ in Job 1:6, with ‘wisdom;’ in Job 12:16, with ‘strength;’ in Proverbs 3:21, with ‘discretion;’ in Proverbs 8:14, with ‘counsel’ and ‘understanding;’ in Isaiah 28:29, with ‘counsel;’ and so in Job 26:3. In Job 30:22 and Micah 6:9, ‘entirely’ or the like seems to suit the context; see also Proverbs 18:1, and generally ‘excess,’ or ‘abundance,’ taken either in a good or bad sense, and varied by other considerations, seems to prevail in every case in which this word is used” (see Professor Lee, on Job 5:12). The parallelism of the passage before us seems to require that it should be understood in the sense of security; and transferring the idea to wisdom as the means of security. This idea is reproduced in the LXX. σωτήρια, the Vulgate salus, and the Targum incolumitas. Proverbs 2:7.”
Pro 15:33, “The fear of the LORD is the instruction
Verse 33. – The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; that which leads to and gives wisdom (see Proverbs 1:3, 7, etc.; Proverbs 9:10). ‘Pirke Aboth,’ 3:26, “No wisdom, no fear of God; no fear of God, no wisdom. No knowledge, no discernment; no discernment, no knowledge.” Before honour is humility (Proverbs 18:12). A man who fears God must be humble, and as the fear of God leads to wisdom, it may be said that humility leads to the honour and glory of being wise and reckoned among the wise (ver. 31). A man with a lowly opinion of himself will hearken to the teaching of the wise, and scrupulously obey the Law of God, and will be blessed in his ways. For “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6; comp. Luke 1:52). The maxim in the second clause has a general application. “He that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12; comp. Luke 14:11; James 4:6). It is sanctioned by the example of Christ himself, the Spirit itself testifying beforehand his sufferings that were to precede his glory (1 Peter 1:11; see also Philippians 2:5, etc.). Septuagint, “The fear of the Lord is discipline and wisdom, and the beginning of glory shall answer to it.” Another reading adds, “Glory goeth before the humble,” which is explained to mean that the humble set before their eyes the reward that awaits their humility, and patiently endure, like Christ, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
21.) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Pro 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
This verse stands out as the motto, or key-note, both of the whole Book, and of the whole subject of which the Book treats. I am offering, the writer would seem to say, to give you the right of entering into the House of Knowledge, to conduct you through some of its goodly chambers, to display to you a portion of the rich and varied treasures with which it is stored. But as you approach the portal, note well the inscription which is traced above it: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The House is not a Palace only, but a Temple. They only who reverence the Deity who inhabits it are admitted within the shrine. It is the Temple of God; yet not that only but of Jehovah, the God of Israel, the God of revelation and of covenant. To recognise this is the beginning, the necessary condition, the essential pre-requisite of knowledge. Those who seek knowledge in any other spirit or by any other path, really “despise wisdom and discipline,” and in so doing shew themselves to be not wise men but “fools.” See further, Introd. ch. i. p. 10. The fear] not slavish dread, the “fear that hath torment” (1 John 4:18), but childlike reverence. See Malachi 3:16-17; Luke 12:5; Luke 12:7. In the LXX. this verse has been amplified by the addition of ἀρχὴ σοφίας φόβος κυρίου, σύνεσις δὲ ἀγαθὴ πᾶσι τοῖς ποιοῦσιν αὐτήν, from Psalm 111:10. the beginning] “the beginning and foundation of all knowledge,” Maur. This is better than the chief part, R.V. marg. Comp. Proverbs 9:10, where however the Heb. is different. instruction] Rather, discipline. See note Proverbs 1:2.”
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
22.) Blessed is a person who finds wisdom.
Pro 3:13, “Blessed is a person who finds wisdom,and one who obtains understanding.”
Proverbs 3:13-15. Happy is the man — Notwithstanding all his afflictions; that findeth wisdom — Which supposes his diligent searching for it, expressed Proverbs 2:4. And the man that getteth — Hebrew, יפיק, that draweth out, understanding — Which expression implies two things: 1st, That man hath it not naturally in himself, but must have it from another, even from God and his word; 2d, That men should labour for it as those labour that dig and draw forth metals out of the earth. For the merchandise of it, &c. — It is more necessary and advantageous, because it is so, not only for this short life, but also for the future and everlasting life, in which gold and silver bear no price. All the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her — For true worth and usefulness.
Blessed is a person who finds wisdom.
23.) Wisdom is sound and has advice.
Pro 8:14, “Advice is mine and sound wisdom;I am understanding, power is mine.”
Verse 14. – Having said what she hates, Wisdom now says what she is, and what she can bestow on her followers. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom. There is some doubt about the meaning of the word translated “sound wisdom” (tushiyyah). The Vulgate has aequitas; the Septuagint, ἀσφάλεια, “safety.” The word occurs elsewhere in this book and in Job, but only in two other places of Scripture, viz. Isaiah 28:29 and Micah 6:9. It means properly “elevation” or “furtherance,” or, as others say, “substance;” and then that which is essentially good end useful, which may be wisdom, aid, or security (see on Proverbs 2:7). Wisdom affirms that she possesses counsel and all that can help forward righteousness; see Job 12:13, 16, passages very similar to the present (comp. Wisd. 8:9, etc.). I am understanding. Wisdom does not merely possess these attributes; they are her very nature, as it is said, “God is love” St. Jerome’s mea est prudentia, and the LXX.’s ἐμὴ φρόνησις, lose this trait. I have strength. Wisdom directs the energies and powers of her pupils, which without her control would be spent wrongly or uselessly (comp. Ecclesiastes 7:19). Wisdom, understanding, and might are named among the seven gifts of the Spirit in Isaiah 11:2; and we may see in the passage generally an adumbration of him who is called “Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6). Proverbs 8:14.”
Wisdom is sound and has advice.
24.) There is wisdom with the humble.
Pro 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes dishonor;but with the humble there is wisdom.”
Verse 2. – Then cometh shame (Proverbs 16:18: 18:12); literally, cometh pride, cometh also shame. Pride shall have a fall; self-assertion and self-confidence shall meet with mortification and disgrace in the end. “Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased” (Luke 14:11); “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Septuagint, “Where violence (ὅβρις) entereth, there also dishonor.” But with the lowly is wisdom. “Mysteries are revealed unto the meek” (Ecclus. 3:19, Complutensian; Psalm 25:9, 14). The humble are already rewarded with wisdom because their disposition fits them to receive grace and God’s gifts (comp. Proverbs 15:33). Septuagint, “The mouth of the humble meditateth wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2.”
There is wisdom with the humble.
25.) The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way.
Pro 14:8, “The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, but the foolishness of fools is deceit.”
Verse 8. – The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way. The wisdom of the prudent is shown by his considering whither his actions lead, the motives from which they spring, the results that attend them. As the apostle enjoins (Ephesians 5:15), “See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.” Or the clause may be taken as enjoining a wise choice in life, a selection of such a calling or occupation as best suits one’s capabilities, station, and opportunities. The folly of fools is deceit. This is not self-deceit, which the word does not denote, but deceit of others. Stupid persons show their folly in trying to cheat others, though they are sure to be detected, and their fraud recoils on themselves. In the case of fools, what they would call wisdom is folly; hence the wording of the sentence. Proverbs 14:8.”
A person who does not understand what he is doing does not understand his way. A person who does not understand his way has no wisdom.
26.) Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding.
Pro 14:33, “Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but among fools it is made known.”
Verse 33. – Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding. The wise man is not always blurting out and making a display of his wisdom; he lets it lie still and hidden till there is occasion to use it with effect (Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 12:23). But that which is in the midst of fools is made known; literally and better, but in the midst of fools it, wisdom, maketh itself known. That is, in contrast to the folly of fools, wisdom is seen to great advantage; or, it may be, the conceited display of the fool’s so called wisdom is contrasted with the modesty and reticence of the really intelligent man. “A fool’s heart is ever dancing on his lips,” says a proverb. So Ecclus. 21:26, “The heart of fools is in their mouth; but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.” Theognia, 1163 – Ὀφθαλμοὶ καὶ γκῶσσα καὶ οὔατα καὶ νόος ἀνδρῶν Ἐν μέσσῳ στηθέων ἐν αυνετοις φύεται. “The eyes, and tongue, and ears, and mind alike Are centred in the bosom of the wise.” Vulgate, “In the heart of the prudent resteth wisdom, and it will teach all the unlearned.” Wisdom sits enshrined in the intelligent man’s mind, and thence disseminates instruction and light around to all who need it. The Septuagint, with which agree the Syriac, Aquila, and Theodotion, inserts a negative in the second clause, thus: “In the good heart of a man shall rest wisdom, but in the heart of fools it is not discerned” (Wisd. 1:4). Proverbs 14:33.”
Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding.
27.) It is much better to get wisdom than gold.
Pro 16:16, “How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.”
Verse 16. – To get wisdom than gold (comp, Proverbs 3:14; Proverbs 8:10, 11, 19); and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver; Revised Version better, yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than [to get] silver. If the clauses are not simply parallel, and the comparative value of silver and gold is So be considered, we may, with Wordsworth, see here an intimation of the superiority of wisdom (chochmah) over intelligence (binah), the former being the guide of life and including the practice of religion, the latter denoting discernment, the faculty of distinguishing between one thing and another (see note on Proverbs 28:4, and the quotation from ‘Pirke Aboth’ on Proverbs 15:33). The LXX., for kenoh reading kinnot, have given a version of which the Fathers have largely availed themselves: “The nests of wisdom are preferable to gold, and the nests of knowledge are preferable above silver.” Some of the old commentators take these “nests” to be the problems and apothegms which enshrine wisdom; others consider them to mean the children or scholars who are taught by the wise man. Proverbs 16:16.”
There is no wisdom nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord. No human schemes whatever, formed with the greatest wisdom and prudence, can ever prevail against God, or set aside or hinder the execution of any design of his; nothing that is pointed against his church, his cause, and interest, his truths and ordinances, in the issue shall succeed; all that are found fighters against him shall not prosper, let them be men of ever so much sagacity and wisdom; though there may be ever so many devices in a man’s heart, and these ever so well planned, they shall never defeat the counsel of the Lord; see Proverbs 19:21. The Targum is,
“there is no wisdom, &c. as God’s;”
and so the Syriac version, “as the Lord’s”; there is none like his, there is none to be compared with his; there is none of any value and worth but his; all is folly in comparison of that: or there is none “before the Lord” (n); no wisdom of the creature can stand before him, it presently vanishes and disappears.”
To plan against the Lord has no wisdom.
29.) By wisdom a house is built.
Pro 24:3, “By wisdom a house is built, and byunderstanding it is established.”
Through wisdom is a house builded,…. A family is built up, furnished and supplied with the necessaries and conveniences of life, and brought into flourishing and prosperous circumstances, by wise and prudent management, by diligence and industry, through the blessing of God upon them, without taking such methods as evil men do. The house of God, the church of the living God, is built by Wisdom, that is, by Christ; on a good foundation, a rock, upon himself, against which the gates of hell can never prevail; see Proverbs 9:1. Every good man’s house, himself, his soul, and the eternal salvation of it, are built on the same; and he is a wise man that builds his house through wisdom; that builds on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the one and only foundation which God has laid, which is Jesus Christ;
and by understanding it is established; the prosperity of a man’s family is continued and secured by his prudent conduct. The church of God is established by Christ, who is understanding as well as wisdom; see Proverbs 8:14; and every true believer is established in Christ, and in the faith of him; and that as he has more and more an understanding of him and of divine things.”
By the way, Pro 14:1, “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.”
I shall not dwell on it because it is another subject.
Building a house requires wisdom, destruction is folly.
30.) It is a sorry task to seek and explore by wisdom.
Ecc 1:13, “And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom about everything that has been done under heaven. It is a sorry task with which God has given the sons of mankind to be troubled.”
Verse 13. – I gave my heart (ver. 17; Ecclesiastes 7:25; Daniel 10:12). The heart, in the Hebrew conception, was the seat, not of the affections only, but of the understanding and intellectual faculties generally. So the expression here is equivalent to “I applied my mind.” To seek and search out. The two words are not synonymous. The former verb (דָּרַשׁ, darash) implies penetrating into the depth of an object before one; the other word (תּוּר, tur) taking a comprehensive survey of matters further away; so that two methods and scopes of investigation are signified. By wisdom; ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ (Septuagint). Wisdom was the means or instrument by which he carried on his researches, which were directed, not merely to the collecting of facts, but to investigating the causes and conditions of things. Concerning all things that are done under heaven; i.e. men’s actions and conduct, political, social, and private life. We have “under the sun” in ver. 9, and again in ver. 14. Here there is no question of physical matters, the phenomena of the material world, but only of human circumstances and interests. This sore travail (rather, this is a sore travail that) God hath given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. The word rendered “travail” (עִנְיָן, inyan) occurs often in this book (e.g., Ecclesiastes 2:23, 26, etc.), and nowhere else in the Old Testament. The same root is found in the word translated “exercised;” hence Wright has, “It is a woeful exercise which God has given to the sons of men wherewith to exercise themselves.” If we keep to the word “travail,” we may render, “to travail therein.” It implies distracting business, engrossing occupation. Septuagint, περισπασμόν; Vulgate, occupationem. Man feels himself constrained to make this laborious investigation, yet the result is most unsatisfactory, as the next verse shows. “God” is here Elohim, and so throughout the book, the name Jehovah (the God of the covenant, the God of Israel) never once occurring. Those who regard Solomon as the author of the book account for this on the plea that the king, in his latest years, reflecting sadly on his backsliding and fall, shrank from uttering with his polluted lips the adorable Name once so often used with filial reverence and beloved. But the true reason is found in the design of Koheleth, which was to set forth, not so much Israel’s position under the covenant, as the condition of man in the face of the God of nature. The idiosyncrasies and peculiar features of the chosen people are not the subject of his essay; he deals with a wider sphere; his theme is man in his relation to Divine providence; and for this power he uses that name, common alike to the true and false religions, Elohim, applied to the Supreme Being by believers and idolaters. Ecclesiastes 1:13.”
It is a sorry task to seek and explore by wisdom about everything that has been done under heaven.
31.) It is striving after wind to know wisdom, insanity and foolishness.
Ecc 1:17, “And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know insanity and foolishness; I realized that this also is striving after wind.”
Verse 17. – And I gave my heart. He reiterates the expression in order to emphasize his earnestness and energy in the pursuit of wisdom. And knowing, as St. Jerome says, that “contrariis contraria inteiliguntur,” he studies the opposite of wisdom, and learns the truth by contrasting it with error. And to know madness and folly (Ecclesiastes 2:12). The former word, holeloth (intensive plural), by its etymology points to a confusion of thought, i.e. an unwisdom which deranges all ideas of order and propriety; and folly (hero sikluth), throughout the sapiential books, is identified with vice and wickedness, the contradictory of practical godliness. The LXX. has παραβολὰς καὶ ἐπιστήμην, “parables and knowledge,” and some editors have altered the Hebrew text in accordance with this version, which they consider more suitable to the context. But Koheleth’s standpoint is quite consistent. To use the words of St. Jerome in his ‘Commentary,’ “AEqualis studii fuit Salomoni, scire sapientiam et scientiam, et e regione errores et stultitiam, ut in aliis appetendis et aliis declinandis vera ejus sapientia probaretur.” On the other hand, Den-Sirs gives a much-needed warning against touching pitch (Ecclus. 13:1), and argues expressly that “the knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom” (Ecclus. 19:22). Plumptre unnecessarily sees in the use of the term” madness ‘an echo of the teaching of the Stoics, who regarded men’s weaknesses as forms of insanity. The moralist had no need to travel beyond his own experience in order to learn that sin was the acme of unwisdom, a declension from reason which might well be called madness. The subject is handled by Cicero, ‘Tusc. Disput.,’ 3:4, 5. We are reminded of Horace’s expression (‘Carm.,’ 2:7. 27) – “Recepto Dulce mihi furere est amico.” And Anacreon’s (31.), Θέλω θέλω μανῆναι. Thus far we have had Koheleth’s secret thoughts – what he communed with his own heart (ver. 16). The result of his studies was most unsatisfying I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit; or, a striving after wind, as ver. 14 Though the word is somewhat different. As such labor is wasted, for man cannot control issues. Ecclesiastes 1:17.”
Recepto Dulce mihi furere est amico: Receiving candy makes me crazy with joy.
Θέλω θέλω μανῆναι.
The wise want to know.
It is striving after the wind to know wisdom, insanity and foolishness.
1:12-18 Solomon tried all things, and found them vanity. He found his searches after knowledge weariness, not only to the flesh, but to the mind. The more he saw of the works done under the sun, the more he saw their vanity; and the sight often vexed his spirit. He could neither gain that satisfaction to himself, nor do that good to others, which he expected. Even the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom discovered man’s wickedness and misery; so that the more he knew, the more he saw cause to lament and mourn. Let us learn to hate and fear sin, the cause of all this vanity and misery; to value Christ; to seek rest in the knowledge, love, and service of the Saviour.”
In much wisdom there is much grief.
33.) It is futility and a great evil to give legacy to one who has not labored for wisdom, knowledge, and skill.
Ecc 2:21, “When there is a person who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and then gives his legacy to one who has not labored for it; this too is futility and a great evil.”
2:18-26 Our hearts are very loth to quit their expectations of great things from the creature; but Solomon came to this at length. The world is a vale of tears, even to those that have much of it. See what fools they are, who make themselves drudges to the world, which affords a man nothing better than subsistence for the body. And the utmost he can attain in this respect is to allow himself a sober, cheerful use thereof, according to his rank and condition. But we must enjoy good in our labour; we must use those things to make us diligent and cheerful in worldly business. And this is the gift of God. Riches are a blessing or a curse to a man, according as he has, or has not, a heart to make a good use of them. To those that are accepted of the Lord, he gives joy and satisfaction in the knowledge and love of him. But to the sinner he allots labour, sorrow, vanity, and vexation, in seeking a worldly portion, which yet afterwards comes into better hands. Let the sinner seriously consider his latter end. To seek a lasting portion in the love of Christ and the blessings it bestows, is the only way to true and satisfying enjoyment even of this present world.
It is futility and a great evil to give the legacy to one who has not labored for wisdom, knowledge, and skill.
34.) God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy to a person who is good in His sight.
Ecc 2:26, “For to a person who is good in His sight, He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is futility and striving after wind.”
Verse 26. – For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight. The subject “God” is not, in the Hebrew, an omission which is supposed to justify its virtual insertion in ver. 25. The Vulgate boldly supplies it here, Homini bone in conspectu sue dedit Deus. To the man that finds favor in God’s sight (1 Samuel 29:6; Nehemiah 2:5), i.e. who pleases him, ha gives blessings, while he withholds them or takes them away from the man who displeases him. The blessings specified are wisdom, and knowledge, and joy. The only true wisdom which is not grief, the only true knowledge which is not sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:18), and the only joy in life, are the gifts of God to those whom he regards as good. But to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up. The sinner takes great pains, expends continuous labor, that he may amass wealth, but it passes into other. (more worthy) hands. Horace, ‘Carm.,’ 2:14. 25 – “Absumet heres Caecuba dignior Servata centum clavibus.” The moral government of God is here recognized, as below, Ecclesiastes 3:15, 17, etc., and a further thought is added on the subject of retribution: That he may give to him that is good before God. This idea is found in Proverbs 28:8, “He that augmenteth his substance by usury and increase, gathereth it for him that hath pity upon the poor;” and Ecclesiastes 13:22, “The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous” (comp. Job 27:16, 17). So in the parable of the talents, the talent of the unprofitable servant is given unto him who had made best use of his money (Matthew 25:28). This also is vanity. It is a question what is the reference here. Delitzsch considers it to be the striving after pleasure in and from labor (ver. 24); Knobel, the arbitrary distribution of the good things of this life; but, put thus baldly, this could hardly be termed a “feeding on wind;” nor could that expression be applied to the “gifts of God” to which Bullock confines the reference. Wright, Hengstenberg, Gratz, and others deem that what is meant is the collecting and heaping up of riches by the sinner, which has already been decided to be vanity (vers. 11, 17, 18); and this Would limit the general conclusion to a particular instance. Taking the view contained in ver. 24 as the central idea of the passage, we see that Koheleth feels that the restriction upon man’s enjoyment of labor imposed by God’s moral government makes that toil vain because its issue is not in men’s hands, and it is a striving for or a feeding on wind because the result is unsatisfying and vanishes in the grasp.”
God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy to a person who is good in His sight.
35.) Wisdom along with an inheritance is good.
Ecc 7:11, “Wisdom along with an inheritance is good,
Verse 11. – Such hasty judgment is incompatible with true wisdom and sagacity. Wisdom is good with an inheritance; Septuagint, Ἀγαθὴ σοφία μετὰ κληρονομίας. Vulgate, Utilior eat sapientia cam divitiis. The sentence thus rendered seems to mean that wealth lends a prestige to wisdom, that the man is happy who possesses both. The inheritance spoken of is an hereditary one; the man who is “rich with ancestral wealth” is enabled to employ his wisdom to good purpose, his position adding weight to his words and actions, and relieving him from the low pursuit of money-making. To this effect Wright quotes Menander – Μακάριος ὅστις οὐσίαν καὶ νοῦν ἕχει Ξρῆται γὰρ οῦτος εἰς α} δεῖ ταύτῃ καλῶς. “Blest is the man who wealth and wisdom hath, For he can use his riches as he ought.” (Comp. Proverbs 14:24.) Many commentators, thinking such a sentiment alien front the context, render the particle עִם not “with,” but “as” Wisdom is [as] good as an inheritance” (see on Ecclesiastes 2:16). This is putting wisdom on rather a low platform, and one would have expected to read some such aphorism as “Wisdom is better than rubies” (Proverbs 8:11), if Koheleth had intended to make any such comparison. It appears then most expedient to take im in the sense of “moreover,” “as well as,” “and” (camp. 1 Samuel 17:42, “ruddy, and (ira) of a fair countenance”). “Wisdom is good, and an inheritance is good; ‘both are good, but the advantages of the former, as ver. 12 intimates, far outweigh those of the latter. And by it there is profit to them that see the sun; rather, and an advantage for those that see the, sun. However useful wealth may be, wisdom is that which is really beneficial to all who live and rejoice in the light of day. In Homer the phrase, ὁρᾶν φάος ἠελίοιο, “to see the light of the sun” (‘Iliad,’ 18:61), signifies merely “to live;” Plumptre considers it to be used here and in Ecclesiastes 19:7 in order to convey the thought that, after all, life has its bright side. Cox would take it to mean to live much in the sun, i.e. to lead an active life – which is an imported modern notion. Ecclesiastes 7:11.”
Wisdom along with an inheritance is good.
36.) A person’s wisdom makes his face shine.
Ecc 8:1, “Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the sternness of his face is changed.”
1. Who is as the wise man?] The question comes in abruptly as from a teacher who calls the attention of his scholars to things that are φωνήεντα συνέτοισιν (“significant to those who understand”) and remind us of the “He that hath ears to hear let him hear” in our Lord’s teaching (Matthew 11:15; Matthew 13:9; Mark 4:9). Something there was in what he is about to add, to be read between the lines. It required a á man to “know the interpretation” (the noun is Chaldaean and is found, with a slight variation, as the prominent word in Daniel 4:5; Daniel 4:7) of the “thing” or better, “of the word.” We find the probable explanation of this suggestive question in the fact that the writer veils a protest against despotism in the garb of the maxims of servility. a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine] Literally, illuminates his face. The word paints with a wonderful vividness the almost trans-figuring effect of the “sweetness and light” of a serene wisdom, or of the joy that brightens a man’s countenance when he utters his Eureka over the solution of a long-pondered problem. the boldness of his face shall be changed] Literally, the strength of face, i.e. its sternness. The words have been very variously translated, (1) as in the LXX. “his shameless face shall be hated,” (2) as by Ewald “the brightness of his countenance shall be doubled.” There is no ground, however, for rejecting the Authorised Version. The “boldness of the face” is, as in the “fierce countenance” of Deuteronomy 28:50; Daniel 8:23, the “impudent face” of Proverbs 7:13, the coarse ferocity of ignorance, and this is transformed by culture. The maxim is like that of the familiar lines of Ovid, “Adde quod ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes, Emollit mores nec sinit esse feros.” “To learn in truth the nobler arts of life, Makes manners gentle, rescues them from strife.” Epp. ex Ponto ii. 9. 47.”
A man’s wisdom makes his face shine.
37.) Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.
Ecc 10:10, “If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength.
If the iron be blunt] The proverb seems obviously suggested by that of the preceding verse, but its meaning is far from clear. The axe (literally, the iron) is used to cut wood. What if it fail to cut (i. e. if, going below the imagery, the man has not the sharpness or strength to carry his plans promptly into effect), if he (the cutter down of trees) has not sharpened its edge, literally its face as in Ezekiel 21:21, i.e. if he has entered on his plans without due preparation. In that case he must “put to more strength,” must increase his force (i. e. the impact of his stroke). He will have to do by the iteration of main force what might have been effected by sagacity and finesse. So interpreted, the whole imagery is consistent. The man who enters on the perilous enterprise of reform or revolution has to face not only the danger that he may perish in the attempt, but the risk of failure through the disproportion of his resources to his ends. The meaning of the proverb would be clear to any one who united the character of an expert in felling timber with the experience of a political reformer. Briefly paraphrased, the maxim would run thus in colloquial English, “If you must cut down trees, take care that you sharpen your axe.” but wisdom is profitable to direct] Better, But it is a gain to use wisdom with success, i.e. It is better to sharpen the axe than to go on hammering with a blunt one, better to succeed by skill and tact than by mere brute strength.”
Wisdom has the advantage of bringing success.
38.) Let no man boost of his wisdom, his might, nor his riches.
Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,…. Not in his natural wisdom, or knowledge of natural things: this is often but an appearance of wisdom, and is science falsely so called; and whatever is real of this kind is of God; and the best falls short of leading men to a true and saving knowledge of God; the foolishness of God is wiser than it; and it is made foolish, destroyed, and brought to nought by him: nor in evangelical wisdom and knowledge; not in that which is less common, or what fits men for public usefulness, as ministerial gifts; for such are received from above; are more for the use of others than a man’s self; there is something better than these, which a man may not have, and yet have these, which is grace; those may fade, or be taken away; and a man have them, and be lost eternally: nor in that which is more general, speculative knowledge of Gospel truths; for if it is attended with conceit, it is little or nothing that a man knows; if he is proud of it, his knowledge is not sanctified; and it is no other than what the devils themselves have: nor in that which is more special; wisdom in the inward part, or a spiritual and saving knowledge of God in Christ; this a man has wholly of free grace, and should give the praise and glory of it to God, and not attribute it to himself:
neither let the mighty man glory in his might; not in his natural might or strength; this is of God, and is greater in some of the brutes than in men; and is what God can take away, and does often weaken it in the way by diseases, and at last destroys it by death; nor in moral strength, or in the power of free will; which is very weak and insufficient to do anything that is spiritually good: nor even in spiritual strength; this is from Christ; it is only through him strengthening his people that they do what they do; and all supplies and increase of it are from him; and therefore no room for glorying:
let not the rich man glory in his riches; these come of the hand of God, and are what he can take away at pleasure; they are very uncertain and precarious things; there is a better and more enduring substance; these cannot profit in a day of wrath, nor deliver from death, corporeal, spiritual, or eternal. And the intention of the words here is to show, that neither the wise man with all his art and cunning, nor the mighty man by his strength, nor the rich man through his riches, could save themselves from the destruction before prophesied of. The Targum paraphrases them thus,
“thus saith the Lord, let not Solomon the son of David the wise man praise (or please himself) in his wisdom; nor let Samson the son of Manoah the mighty man please himself in his might; nor let Ahab the son of Omri the rich man please himself in his riches.”
Let no man boost of his wisdom, his might, nor his riches.
39.) What is this wisdom that has been given to Him.
Mar 6:2, “And when the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man learn these
things, and what is this wisdom that has been given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?”
Verse 2. – As usual, he made the sabbath the special time for his teaching. And many hearing him were astonished. They were astonished at the ability, the sublimity, the holiness of his teaching, as well as at the signs and wonders by which he confirmed it. “Many” hearing him; not all. Some listened with faith; but “the many” (there is some authority for οἱ πολλοὶ)were envious of him. Whence hath this man these things? The expression, “this man,” is repeated, according to the best authorities, in the next clause, What is the wisdom that is given (not “unto him,” but) unto this man? There is a contemptuous tone about the expression. Mark 6:2.”
The wisdom that has been given to Jesus is without measure.
40.) Christ Jesus, who became to us Wisdom from God, and Righteousness and Sanctification, and Redemption.
1Co 1:30, “But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us Wsdom from God, and Righteousness and Sanctification, and Redemption.”
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus;of his grace ye are implanted into Christ, and believe in him. You are of him, not by creation only, as all creatures are, but by redemption and regeneration, which is in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto uswisdom; the principal means by which we come to the knowledge of God, and an acquaintance with his will; for he is the image of theinvisible God, Colossians 1:15. The brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person, Hebrews 1:3. Godhath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge ofthe glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 4:6. So that he who hath seen him, hath seen the Father, John 14:9. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in him,Colossians 2:3. And no man knoweth the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoeverthe Son will reveal him, Matthew 11:27. Thus, though God destroyed the wisdom of the wise, yet the Corinthians were not without wisdom; for God had made Christ to them wisdom,both causally, being the author of wisdom to them; and objectively, their wisdom lay in their knowledge of him, and in a fellowship and conmmnion with him. And whereas they wanted a righteousness in which they might stand before God justified and accepted, God had also made Christ to them righteousness: Sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness ofthe law might be fulfilled in us, Romans 8:3,4. And sanctification also, believers being renewed and sanctified by his Spirit. And he is also made redemption: where by redemption is meant the redemption of the body, mentioned Romans 8:23; so as redemption here signifies the same with resurrection of the body. Christ is the resurrection, and the life, John 11:25.”
Christ Jesus, who became to us Wisdom from God, and Righteousness and Sanctification, and Redemption. Believers are justified by the Righteousnes of Christ, sanctified by His precious blood, and redeemed to be children of God.
41.) The wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God;God accounteth that folly which the world calleth wisdom, and indeed it is so (for God cannot err, nor be mistaken in his judgment): the philosophers and wise men of the world propose the happiness of man as their end, which indeed is the true end which all men aim at, and do propound to themselves; true wisdom directeth the best means in order to the best end. Whatsoever directeth not to the best end, or to what is not the best means in order to that end, is not wisdom, but real folly; worldly wisdom neither directeth to the best end, for it looks at no further happiness than that of this life, nor yet to the best means, and therefore is truly, what God accounts it, foolishness. For it is written: He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; and to see the wise and learned men of the world thus err both in their judgment and practice, is no wonder at all; for God is set out of old by Eliphaz, as one that taketh the wise in their own craftiness, Job 5:13.”
The wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God.
42.) Our proud confidence ins not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God.
2Co 1:12, “For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.”
For our rejoicing is this] “It is this,” says the Apostle, “which causes such a perennial flow of joy and consolation into my heart amid all my anxieties and distresses. I can feel in my conscience that what knits us together in sympathy is a Divine and not a human bond. On my part there is the inspiration from above, on yours the verifying faculty which enables you to recognize the truth of what I deliver to you.” This seems to be the connection of thought in this and the two following verses. The connection with what precedes appears to be the conviction of the Apostle that the honesty and genuineness of his efforts to minister Christ to the Corinthians have fairly entitled him to hope for a share in their prayers. the testimony of our conscience] Cf. 1 Corinthians 4:4. Also Acts 23:1; Acts 24:16; Romans 9:1; 1 John 3:21. that in simplicity and godly sincerity] For simplicity the best MSS. and editors read holiness; but simplicity, i.e. singleness of purpose, seems to suit the context best. The word translated sincerity, clenness, Wiclif, purenes, Tyndale, originally signifies that which is tested by the sun’s rays, and is therefore entirely transparent. See note on 1 Corinthians 5:8. See also ch. 2 Corinthians 2:17; Php 1:10; 2 Peter 3:1. The word sincerity was adopted by our translators from the Rhemish version. The words translated godly sincerity are in the original sincerity of God, i.e. either (1) that which is His gift, comes from Him, or, (2) that which is befitting His service, as in the A. V. not with fleshly wisdom] Literally, in. Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 2:1; 1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Corinthians 2:13. These passages shew that there existed among the Corinthians a tendency to exalt the wisdom of this world, i.e. acquirements such as those of dialectic skill and rhetoric above the spiritual enlightenment obtained by the submission of the intellect and will to the direction of God. but by the grace of God] Literally, inthe grace of God, i.e. in possession of it. The word grace, like the Latin gratia, originally signified favour, kindness. St Paul here would say that his behaviour at Corinth, to which he appeals, was the result of the favour of God to him, enabling him to shape his life in obedience to God’s commands. we have had our conversation] This word, which is a nearly literal rendering of the Greek, is derived from two Latin words signifying to turn together, and hence from the idea of having your attention turned to a thing, being versed in it, it has the signification of a man’s ordinary conduct in life. It has come to mean in modern English interchange of thought in speech. In the Epistle to the Philippians it is twice used as the translation of ‘citizenship.’ and more abundantly to you-wards] This either refers (1) to the special proofs the Apostle had given the Corinthians of his singleness of purpose and avoidance of fleshly wisdom, or (2) to the fact that he had remained longer at Corinth, and so had additional opportunities of displaying those qualities; or it has reference perhaps (3) to his self-abnegation in refusing to receive his maintenance at the hands of his Corinthian converts. Sec 1 Corinthians 9 and ch. 2 Corinthians 9:8-10.”
Our proud confidence is not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God.
If you have learned to conduct yourself in the world, “not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God,” you have not studied in vain.
43.) The Sacred Writings give you the wisdom.
2Ti 3:15, “and that from childhood you have known the Sacred Writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith
And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures,…. And therefore must know that the doctrines he had learned were agreeable to them; and so is another reason why he should continue in them. The Jews very early learned their children the holy Scripture. Philo the Jew says (w), “from their very infancy”; a phrase pretty much the same with this here used. It is a maxim with the Jews (x), that when a child was five years of age, it was proper to teach him the Scriptures. Timothy’s mother being a Jewess, trained him up early in the knowledge of these writings, with which he became very conversant, and under divine influence and assistance, arrived to a large understanding of them; and it is a practice that highly becomes Christian parents; it is one part of the nurture and admonition of the Lord they should bring up their children in: the wise man’s advice in Proverbs 22:6 is very good. From hence the apostle takes occasion to enter into a commendation of the sacred writings; and here, from the nature and character of them, calls them the
holy Scriptures; to distinguish them from profane writings; and that because the author of them is the Holy Spirit of God; and even the amanuenses of him, and the penmen of them, were holy men of God; the matter of them is holy, both law and Gospel; and the end of writing them is to promote holiness; the precepts, promises, and doctrines contained in them are calculated for that purpose; and even the account they give of the sins and failings of others, are for the admonition of men: and next these Scriptures are commended from the efficacy of them:
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. Men are not wise of themselves; they are naturally without an understanding of spiritual things; and the things of the Spirit of God cannot be known by natural men, because they are spiritually discerned; particularly they are not wise in the business of salvation, of which either they are insensible themselves, and negligent; or foolishly build their hopes of it upon their civility, morality, legal righteousness, or an outward profession of religion: but the Scriptures are able to make men wise and knowing in this respect; for the Gospel is one part of the Scriptures, which is the Gospel of salvation, and shows unto men the way of salvation. The Scriptures testify largely of Christ, the Saviour; and give an ample account both of him, who is the able, willing, suitable, complete, and only Saviour, and of the salvation which is wrought by him; and describe the persons who do, and shall enjoy it: not that the bare reading of the Scriptures, or the hearing of them expounded, are able to make men wise in this way; but these, when accompanied with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, are; when he who endited the Scriptures removes the veil from their eyes, opens their understandings, and gives them light and knowledge in them: and then may persons be said to be wise unto salvation, when they not only have a scheme of it in their heads, but are in their hearts sensible of their need of it, and know that there is salvation in no other but in Christ; and when they look to him for it, to his righteousness for justification, to his blood for peace, pardon, and cleansing, to his sacrifice for atonement, and to his fulness of grace for a continual supply, and to him for eternal life and glory; when they rejoice in him and his salvation, and give him all the glory of it: the apostle adds,
through faith which is in Christ Jesus: wisdom to salvation lies not in the knowledge of the law the Jew boasted of; nor in the works of it, at least not in a trust and confidence in them for salvation; for by them there is no justification before God, nor acceptance with him, nor salvation: but true wisdom to salvation lies in faith, which is a spiritual knowledge of Christ, and a holy confidence in him; and that salvation which the Scriptures make men wise unto, is received and enjoyed through that faith, which has Christ for its author and object; which comes from him, and centres in him, and is a looking to him for eternal life.”
The Holy Scriptures are the Holy Bible. There is nothing more important for you than to study the Gospel of John and the Book of Romans 100 times. Because the Sacred Wrtings give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
44.) Show good behavior in the gentleness of wisdom.
Jas 3:13, “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”
13–18. The false Wisdom and the true 13. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?] The adjective corresponding to “endued with knowledge” (literally knowing or understanding) is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, but occurs in the LXX. of Deuteronomy 1:13; Deuteronomy 1:15; Deuteronomy 4:6; Isaiah 5:21. So far as a distinction is intended, it expresses the intellectual, as “wise” does the moral, aspect of wisdom. Both qualities were required in one who claimed to be, as in James 3:1, a “Master” or “Teacher,” and St James, in strict sequence of thought, proceeds to point out how the conditions may be fulfilled. out of a good conversation] The tendency of modern usage to restrict the meaning of the substantive to “talk” is in this instance, where the immediate context suggests some such meaning, specially unfortunate, as lowering the range of the precept. Better by, or out of, his good (the word expresses the nobler form of goodness) conduct. Comp. the use of the word in Galatians 1:13; 1 Peter 1:15; 1 Peter 1:18, and elsewhere. with meekness of wisdom] Better, inmeekness, as expressing not something super-added, but the very form and manner in which the noble conduct was to be shewn. The “meekness” thus defined is thought of as belonging to “wisdom” as its characteristic attribute. St James is hence led back to the thought with which the Epistle opened, that wisdom is the crown and consummation of the character of a true believer; and lest a counterfeit wisdom should be taken for the true, he proceeds to give the notes of difference between them.
Show good behavior in the gentleness of wisdom.
45.) The wisdom from above is first pure.
Jas 3:17, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy.”
The wisdom of God is the wisdom from above. The Scripture definitely defines the wisdom from above is first pure, peace-loving, gentle, resonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy.
No one can confuse the wisdom of the world with the wisdom from above.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable] The sequence is that of thought, not of time. It is not meant, i. e. that purity is an earlier stage of moral growth in wisdom than peace, but that it is its foremost attribute. The “purity” indicated is especially that of chastity of flesh and spirit (comp. 2 Corinthians 7:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Titus 2:5), and as such is contrasted with the “sensual” character of the false wisdom. Here again we have the tone of one who has learnt from the Masters of those who know, among the teachers of his own people, that wisdom will not “dwell in the body that is subject unto sin” (Wis 1:4). The sequence which places “peaceful” after “pure” has its counterpart in the beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:8-9). gentle, and easy to be intreated] The word for “gentle” means literally, forbearing. It describes, as in Aristotle (Eth. 10:6), the temper that does not press its rights, that is content to suffer wrong (comp. Php 4:5; 1 Timothy 3:3). The second adjective is used by classical writers, both in a passive sense as here, and active, (1) as meaning “persuasive,” “winning its way by gentleness,” or (2) as “obedient.” Our choice between the three meanings must depend on our view of what is most likely to have been the sequence of St James’s thoughts. On the whole, the second seems to me to have the most to commend it. True wisdom shews itself, St James seems to say, in that subtle yet gentle power to persuade and win, which we all feel when we come in contact with one who is clearly not fighting for his own rights, but for the cause of Truth. full of mercy and good fruits] The train of thought is carried on. Wisdom is suasive because she is compassionate. In dealing with the froward she is stirred, not by anger, but by pity, and she overflows, not with “every vile deed,” but with the good fruits of kindly acts. without partiality] Here again we have a Greek word which admits of more than one sense. The English version gives it an active sense, as describing the temper which does not distinguish wrongly, which is no respecter of persons. The sense in which the verb, from which the adjective is formed, is used in ch. James 1:6, James 2:4, is, however, that of “doubting,” or “wavering;” and it seems, therefore, probable that St James means to describe true wisdom as free from the tendency which he thus condemns. That freedom goes naturally with the freedom from unreality which the next word expresses. Without vacillation is the condition of “without hypocrisy.” Where the purpose is single there is no risk of a simulated piety.”
The wisdom from above is first pure.
I believe this Scripture alone is worth more than the whole article.
46.) The Lamb is worthy to receive power…
Rev 5:12, “saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.”
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain – See the notes on Revelation 5:2, Revelation 5:9. The idea here is, that the fact that he was slain, or was made a sacrifice for sin, was the ground or reason for what is here ascribed to him. Compare the notes on Revelation 5:5.
To receive power – Power or authority to rule over all things. Compare notes on Matthew 28:18. The meaning here is, that he was worthy that these things should be ascribed to him, or to be addressed and acknowledged as possessing them. A part of these things were his in virtue of his very nature – as wisdom, glory, riches; a part were conferred on him as the result of his work – as the mediatorial dominion over the universe, the honor resulting from his work, etc. In view of all that he was, and of all that he has done, he is here spoken of as “worthy” of all these things.
And riches – Abundance. That is, he is worthy that whatever contributes to honor, and glory, and happiness, should be conferred on him in abundance. Himself the original proprietor of all things, it is fit that he should be recognized as such; and having performed the work which he has, it is proper that whatever may be made to contribute to his honor should be regarded as his.
And wisdom – That he should be esteemed as eminently wise; that is, that as the result of the work which he has accomplished, he should be regarded as having ability to choose the best ends and the best means to accomplish them. The feeling here referred to is what arises from the contemplation of the work of salvation by the Redeemer, as a work eminently characterized by wisdom – wisdom manifested in meeting the evils of the fall; in honoring the law; in showing that mercy is consistent with justice; and in adapting the whole plan to the character and needs of man. If wisdom was anywhere demanded, it was in reconciling a lost world to God; if it has been anywhere displayed, it has been in the arrangements for that work, and in its execution by the Redeemer. See the notes on 1 Corinthians 1:24; compare Matthew 13:54; Luke 2:40, Luke 2:52; 1 Corinthians 1:20-21, 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:8; Ephesians 3:10.
And strength – Ability to accomplish his purposes. That is, it is meet that he should be regarded as having such ability. This strength or power was manifested in overcoming the great enemy of man; in his control of winds, and storms, and diseases, and devils; in triumphing over death; in saving his people.
And honor – He should be esteemed and treated with honor for what he has done.
And glory – This word refers to a higher ascription of praise than the word honor. Perhaps that might refer to the honor which we feel in our hearts; this to the expression of that by the language of praise.
And blessing – Everything which would express the desire that he might be happy, honored, and adored. To bless one is to desire that he may have happiness and prosperity; that he may be successful, respected, and honored. To bless God, or to ascribe blessing to him, is that state where the heart is full of love and gratitude, and where it desires that he may be everywhere honored, loved, and obeyed as he should be. The words here express the wish that the universe would ascribe to the Redeemer all honor, and that he might be everywhere loved and adored.”
The Lamb of God is Jesus Christ who is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.
Whenever you think you have any of these seven attributes, remember they belong to the Lamb of God.
After years of study and life pursuit of wisdom, I have learned this one thing:
Wisdom is knowing when to prevent your folly.
In my opinion, I think the greatest folly is for anyone to reject so great a salvation, and so grand an inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven; all you need to do is to repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your God and Savior. The salvation is the gift of God. Such wisdom is not money can buy, better than any pearl or jewelry in the world.
So would you now repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus as your God and Savior. You can do it now.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national refrerendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrified their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrified their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinse government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanse aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN overappointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much covergage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphanes. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron reognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezebolla, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukranians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless.Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, overappointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voordoism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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–This article is written to let you know why mankind has pain. No matter who you are, a miserable life full of trouble and tragedy is a painful existence. What causes pain; and Christians can count on a bright future where in the Kingdom of Heaven there is neither sorrow nor pain, but joy and justice, love and truth, peace and glory will last for eternity.
There maybe people who never experience happiness, there is not one person on earth who does not know what pain is. Sorrow, suffering, affliction, agony, adversity, anguish, tear, trouble, travail, tribulation may all represent by the word “pain”. Man cannot choose their sorrows and joys; sorrows are inevitable in this world. Job 14:1, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” Trouble is another word for pain. Trouble in Hebrew is rōḡezwhich means turmoil; rage; fear; wrath; agitation; trembling; trepidation; raging; restlessness; disquiet; perturbation; commotion; disturbance; distress; difficulty; annoyance; – which occurs 7 times in the Old Testament.
Although pain is a physical phenomenon, but it entails emotional and mental dimension. Even an infant understand what pain is although it is a hard subject even for an adult to describe. There was an experiment for infants: a cotton swab of sweet liquid was applied to the lips of an infant, the instant response was pleasantness with a smile. Another cotton swab of vinegar was applied to the lips of the infant, instantly the baby frowned in anger.
Once I confronted a neurologist what it meant by “sour pain.” You never heard the expression of “sour pain” in English. In Chinese language there is a compound noun called “sickness-pain” 病 疼.It is most logical to think sickness is a pain, and a pain is indicative of sickness. Even a child knows about tooth ache and stomach ache. Blessed is an old man who does not have sickness or pain.
According to https://inspirassion.com/en/adj/pain,There are 450 Adjectives to Describe « pain ». Ordinarily we describe pain with the words like mild, slight, moderate, severe, terrible, intense, excruciating, debilitating, acute, chronic,sharp, dull, burning, steady, throbbing, stabbing, spasmodic, etc.
Kidney stone pain is generally understood the most severe or worst pain. Once I asked a woman who had both kidney stone pain and labor pain, which is worst, the woman answered, “Kidney stone pain.” Once I had a spasmodic throbbing head pain, it was most scarry.
TheInternationalAssociation for the Study of Pain defines pain as “anunpleasantsensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.”
I think 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica gives the following a very good introduction of pain.
“Pain(from Lat. poena, Gr. 7roivn, penalty, that which must be paid: O. Fr. peine), a term used loosely (I) for the psychological state, which may be generally described as “unpleasantness,” arising, e.g. from the contemplation of a catastrophe or of moral turpitude, and (2) for physical (or psycho-physical) suffering, a specific sensation localized in a particular part of the body. The term is used in both senses as the opposite of “pleasure,” though it is doubtful whether the antithesis between physical and psychical pleasure can be equally well attested. The investigation of the pleasure-pain phenomena of consciousness has taken a prominent place in psychological and ethical speculation, the terms “hedonics” and “algedonics” (itXynblov, pain of body or mind) being coined to express different aspects of the subject. So in aesthetics attempts have been made to assign to pain a specific psychological function as tending to increase pleasure by contrast (so Fechner): pain, e.g. is a necessary element in the tragic. Scientists have experimented elaborately with a view to the precise localization of pain-sensations, and “pain-maps” can be drawn showing the exact situation of what are known as “pain-spots.” For such experiments instruments known as “aesthesiometers” and “algometers” have been devised. The great variety of painful sensations throbbing, dull, acute, intermittent, stabbing – led to the conclusion among earlier investigators that pains differ in quality. It is, however, generally agreed that all pain is qualitatively the same, though subject to temporal and intensive modification.”
I. SIN BRINGS PAIN
Gen 3:16, “To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you shall deliver children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, and he shall rule
over you.”
Only a woman who has been a mother knew what pain in childbirth is like.
Through missionary school I had watched childbirth and learned obstetrics. Natural birth was such a joy. Surgical delivery of a baby poses a risk to the mother or the baby. It was most scary to watch the first Cesareansection or cesarean delivery. After participation for many times of childbirths and deliveries, once the doctor had completed the difficult suture, I was still shocked when the doctor asked me what was next? A quick wit called out Pitocin administration. Even to this day I did not know whether the doctor was testing me or he just got lost a moment of what to do. Anyway, most men do not know labor is like a battle. I think the husband would love his wife more if he went through watching the process of child delivery.
Gen 18:20, “And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.”
God describes the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah (homosexuality) as “exceedingly grave.”
Gen 20:9, “Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.”
Abimelect understood the sin of adultery is “a great sin.”
Gen 39:9, “There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil, and sin against God?”
Young Joseph knew to have sex with the wife of his boss is “great evil, and sin against God.”
Exo 20:20, “However, Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Himmay remain with you, so that you will not sin.” Fear of God prevents one to sin.
Exo 32:30, “And on the next day Moses said to the people, “You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” Idolatry is a great sin.
Exo 34:9, “Then he said, “If in any way I have found favor in Your sight, Lord, please may the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate, and pardon our wrongdoing and our sin, and take us as Your own possession.” Sin is a wrongdoing.
An unbeliever said, “Man is condemned to be free.” That is far from the truth. Jesus says, Jhn 8:34,
“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.” A sinner is condemned to be a slave of sin. A slave suffers severe delusion, illusion, and hallucination to fancy he is free. No slavery is more cruel than the bondage of sin.
Lev 5:18, “He is then to bring to the priest a ram without defect from the flock, according to your assessment, as a guilt offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin which he committed unintentionally and did not know it, and it will be forgiven him.”
Sin committed unintentionally is still a sin.
Lev 18:17, “You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter, nor shall you take her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; they are blood relatives. It is an outrageous sin.”
To uncover the nakedness of a woman and of her daughter or blood relatives is an outrageous sin.
Lev 19:17, “You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may certainly rebuke your neighbor, but you are not to incur sin because of him.”
To hate your fellow countryman in your heart is to incur sin. Many still do not know that hatred is sin. In America the hate sin caused by racism is so bad. I watched on TV how a big black man for no reason trampled on the body and head of an Asian woman!
Lev 19:29, “Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, so that the land does not fall into prostitution, and the land does not become full of outrageous sin.”
Jer 13:27, “As for your adulteries and your lustful neighing, the outrageous sin of your prostitution on the hills in the field, I have seen your
abominations. Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?”
Prostitution is an outrageous sin, it is an abomination.
Lev 20:14, “If there is a man who marries a woman and her mother, it is an outrageous sin; both he and they shall be burned with fire, so that there will be no such outrageous sin in your midst.”
For a man to marry a woman and her mother is an outrageous sin; both shall be burned with fire.
Lev 24:15, “You shall also speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If anyone curses his God, then he will bear the responsibility for his sin.”
To curse God is a sin.
Num 5:6-7, “Speak to the sons of Israel: ‘When a man or woman commits any of the sins of mankind, acting unfaithfully against the LORD, and that person is guilty, then he shall confess his sin which he has committed, and he shall make restitution in full for his wrong and add to it a fifth of it, and give it to him whom he has wronged.”
When a man commits sin unfaithfully, he shall confess his sin and shall make restitution in full for his wrong doing.
Num 9:13, “But the person who is clean and is not on a journey, yet refrains from celebrating the Passover, that person shall then be cut off from his people, because he did not present the offering of the LORD at its appointed time. That person will bear the responsibility for his sin.”
Many do not realize that sin has responsibility. It is painful to bear the responsibility for one’s sin.
Num 15:28, “And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD for the person who goes astray by an unintentional sin, making atonement for him so that he may be forgiven.” There is unintentional sin. Even for an unintentional sin, one has to make atonement for him so that he may be forgiven.
Num 16:26, “and he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Get away now from the tents of these wicked men, and do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you will be swept away in all their sin!”
Sin is worse than a flood, a man may be swept away in all his sin.
Num 18:22, “And the sons of Israel shall not come near the tent of meeting again, or they will bring sin on themselves and die.”
A man may bring sin on himself and dies. A warmonger may bring sin on his nation and perish.
Num 27:3, “Our father died in the wilderness, yet he was not among the group of those who gathered together against the LORD, in the group of Korah; but he died in his own sin, and he had no sons.”
A man may die in his own sin.
Num 32:23, “But if you do not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure that your sin will find you out.”
Your sin will find you out. This is a terrible truth. Sinners have no way to run or to hide. Your sin will find you out. Japanese, European, and Americans –their sins will find them out.
Deu 9:18, “Then I fell down before the LORD like the first time, for forty days and nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin which you had committed by doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.”
Sin is doing evil in the sight of the Lord and to provoke Him to anger.
Deu 15:9, “Be careful that there is no mean-spirited thought in your heart, such as, ‘The seventh year, the year of release of debts, is near,’ and your eye is malicious toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry out to the LORD against you, and it will be a sin in you.”
Sin is a mean-spirited thought in your heart.
Deu 20:18, “so that they will not teach you to do all the same detestable practices of theirs which they have done for their gods, by which you would sin against the LORD your God.”
Detestable practices done for false gods are sins against the Lord.
Deu 21:22, “Now if a person has committed a sin carrying a sentence of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree.”
A person who has committed a sin carrying a sentence of death is to be put to death. There is nothing wrong with death penalty.
Deu 22:21, “then they shall bring the girl out to the doorway of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death, because she has committed a disgraceful sin in Israel by playing the prostitute in her father’s house; so you shall eliminate the evil from among you.”
Prostitution is a disgraceful sin. For money, most prostitutes and pimps do not feel shame.
Deu 23:21, “When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly require it of you, and it will be a sin for you.”
To make a vow to the Lord and delay to pay it is a sin for you. Do not make promise you cannot keep.
Deu 24:15, “You shall give him his wages on his day before the sun sets—for he is poor and sets his heart on it—so that he does not cry out against you to the LORD, and it becomes a sin in you.”
Withholding wages is a sin in you.
Jdg 19:23, “Then the man, the owner of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, please do not act so wickedly. Since this man has come into my house, do not commit this vile sin.”
Homosexuality is a vile sin.
1Sa 14:34, “Then Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people and say to them, ‘Each one of you bring me his ox or his sheep, and slaughter it here and eat; and do not sin against the LORD by eating it with the blood.‘” So all the people brought them that night, each one his ox with him, and they slaughtered them there.”
Eating meat with the blood is a sin against the Lord. Christians are not allowed to eat any blood.
1Sa 15:23, “For rebellion is as reprehensible as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as reprehensible as false religion and idolatry.Since you have rejected the Word of the LORD,He has also rejected you from being king.”
Rebellion, divination, insubordination, idolatry, rejecting the Word of God are sins.
1Sa 19:5, “For he took his life in his hand and struck the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel; you saw it and rejoiced. Why then would you sin against innocent blood by putting David to death for no reason?”
Putting the innocent to death for no reason is a sin. Oh, how many millions of innocent have been put to death by the West?!
2Sa 13:12, “But she said to him, “No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this disgraceful sin!”
A girl and woman must say no. No to anybody.
To violate and and rape your sister is a disgraceful sin.
1Ki 8:46, “When they sin against You (for there is no person who does not sin) and You are angry with them and turn them over to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to the land of the enemy, distant or near.”
2Ch 6:36, “When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You are angry with them and turn them over to an enemy, so that they take them away captive to a land far off or near.”
Ecc 7:20, “Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who always does good and does not ever sin.”
There is no person who does not sin. There is no one who does not sin. There is not a righteous person on earth who always does good and does not ever sin. So do not think you are exceptional. All have sinned.
2Ki 14:6, “But he did not put the sons of the murderers to death, in obedience to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, as the LORD commanded, saying, “The fathers shall not be put to death for the sons, nor the sons be put to death for the fathers; but each shall be put to death for his own sin.”
Each shall be put to death for his own sin.
2Ki 17:17, “Then they made their sons and their daughters pass through the fire, and they practiced divination and interpreting omens, and gave themselves over to do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him.”
To make your sons and daughters pass through the fire, to practice divination and interpreting omen are doing evil and is a great sin.
Psa 32:5, “I acknowledged my sin to You, And I did not hide my guilt; I said, “I will confess my wrongdoings to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah”
Sin has guilt. Sin is the cause, guilt is the effect.
“In the Hebrew Bible, “sin” is more than a religious label and “guilt” is more than a feeling. They are central elements of the human condition that may plague the individual and the nation, pollute the sanctuary and the land, and prevent safe human-divine interaction. Sin and guilt produce a real burden on a person and perhaps even a community, one that persists until dealt with appropriately.
In general, sin is an error understood to be serious enough to produce a real stain or burden that weighs on an individual. Sin can be intentional or unintentional, and it can be an act (such as murder) or a failure to act (such as not testifying as a witness to a crime). Where sin is the cause, guilt is the effect—the logical consequence of having committed a sin. Guilt may lead to death if unaddressed.
The consequences of sin could manifest in several ways. In court, for example, a person convicted of a crime was guilty and had to pay the assigned penalty. People might also feel guilty, which is not the problem in itself but rather an indication that they know that they have committed an offense. Suffering could also trigger the recognition of guilt. In the world of the Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East, people generally believed that the cycle of sin, guilt, and punishment functioned like a natural law, much like we think of gravity. Committing a sin led naturally to negative consequences for the sinner. So, if people encountered hardship, the conclusion was that they must be guilty of some sin. However, the book of Job in particular wrestles with the possibility that the law of sin, guilt, and punishment is not absolute and that certain righteous people may suffer and wicked people may prosper.”
The results of two studies on overt guilt in psychiatric patients in general and depressives in particular, involving 221 and 134 patients respectively, suggest that neurotic depressives as a group are guiltier than nondepressives. The results with psychotic depressives were less consistent; most measures employed did not show them as differing greatly from nondepressives, but some scattered evidence suggested that psychotic depressives may score higher than nondepressives on overt guilt. Overall, guilt was not intrinsic to all depressive disorders. While there was a relationship between psychiatric diagnosis and guilt, diagnosis was not a very strong factor. Guilt and negative self-images were strongly related. Depressive patients had lower selfimages than nondepressives. The results suggested that negative selfconcepts are a more striking feature of depressive, as opposed to nondepressive, patients than is guilt.”
“Psychological pain and emotional suffering are less dramatic than physical pain. However, they’re more common and harder to bear.”
Pro 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Sin is a disgrace to any people. The people who are proud of their sins are hopeless.
Pro 24:9, “The devising of foolishness is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to humanity.”
The devising of foolishness is sin. There are many schemes and devices of the West are foolishness.
Isa 3:9, “The expression of their faces testifies against them, and they display their sin like Sodom; they do not even conceal it. Woe to them! For they have done evil to themselves.”
The sin of homosexuality is having done evil to themselves.
Isa 30:1, “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, who execute a plan, but not Mine, and make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin.”
American alliance of NATO, AUKUS and QUAD add sin to sin.
Jer 13:27, “As for your adulteries and your lustful neighing,the outrageous sin of your prostitution on the hills in the field, I have seen your
abominations. Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?”
Sin is unclean. Lustful neighing are outrageous.
Eze 18:24, “But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness, commits injusticeand does according to all the abominations that the wicked person does, will he live? All his righteous deeds which he has done will not be remembered for his treachery which he has committed and his sin which he has committed; for them he will die.”
Treachery is a sin. There are many Chinese traitors in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet, America and Europe.
Eze 23:29, “They will deal with you in hatred, take all your property, and leave you naked and bare. And the nakedness of your prostitution will be exposed, both your outrageous sin and your obscene practices.”
Nakedness and prostitution are outrageous sins and obscene practices.
Eze 30:16, “I will set a fire in Egypt; Sin will writhe in anguish, Thebes will be breached and Memphis will have distresses daily.”
Sin writhes in anguish and has distresses. Sin writhes in pain and agony.
Mat 12:31, “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.”
Mar 3:29, “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—
Blasphemy is a sin. Blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is guilty of an eternal sin. This is no joking matter. I believe the Harvard female professor who sought fame and fortune by falsely declaring that she found Jesus had a wife has blasphemed against the Holy Spirit.
Jhn 1:29, “The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. No one and only Jesus can take your sins away.
Jhn 8:34, “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.”
Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A sinful fool thinks he is condemned to freedom.
A fool said, “Our highest good is pleasure.” The Bible says, Heb 11:25, “choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin.” The saints know that the pleasures of sin are temporary. This can be illustrated by the lives of drug addicts, prostitutes, pimps, crooks and criminals.
Jhn 15:22, “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not havesin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.”
No one has excuse for his sin.
Jhn 16:9, “regarding sin, because they do not believe in Me.”
Not to believe in Jesus Christ is sin.
Rom 3:9, “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin.”
Both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin means all the peoples of the world are under sin. No sinners are better than others.
Rom 3:20, “because by the works of the Law none of mankind will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes knowledge of sin.”
The Law can save no one. The Law brings knowledge of sin. Sin points to the need of salvation.
Rom 6:10, “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all time; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.”
Jesus died for our sins once for all time; He lives to God for eternity.
Rom 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The wages of sin is death. There is a payday for everyone. For all have sinned, so all will die.
Rom 7:14, “For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into bondage to sin.”
Man is fleshly, sold into bondage to sin.
1Co 6:18, “Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin that a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
All sins are committed outside the body, except sex sin is sin against one’s own body. Pimps and prostitutes are the ones who sin most against their bodies.
1Co 15:56, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law.”
The sting of death is sin.
Gal 3:22, “But the Scripture has confined everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”
The Scripture has confined everyone under sin. John Calvin was a false teacher. Just as everyone is under sin, so everyone who repents and believes in Jesus Christ can be under the grace of God.
Heb 3:13, “But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Sin is deceitful and it can harden a person.
Heb 11:25, “choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin.”
Sin is deceitful because it gives temporary pleasures. Every heroin addict understands the meaning of the temporary pleasures that heroin provides.
Heb 12:1, “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
Every sin is an obstacle and which so easily entangles the sinner.
Jas 1:15, “Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death.”
Lust is the mother of sin and it gives birth to sin; and sin runs it course, the end is death.
1Jo 1:7, “but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Sin must be cleansed. The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. A false teacher taught that fire can burn away sin. Even the eternal Hell Fire cannot burn away sin, the unquenchable Fire only burns the wicked and sinners. The holy water of fake religions cannot cleanse sin away. Detergents, degreasers, abrasives and acids cannot cleanse sin away. Human blood and the blood of bulls or rams cannot cleanse sin away. Sin cannot be covered up or buried. Only the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, cleanses us from all sin.
1Jo 3:4, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.”
Sin is lawlessness. The West has been practicing lawlessness for the last 500 years or more.
1Jo 3:8, “the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”
The devil is the origin of sin. The devil has been sinning from the beginning. The works of the devil are sinful. All the problems and pains in this world are the works of the devil. The one who practices sin is of the devil. The children of the devil also practice sin.
1Jo 5:16, “If anyone sees his brother or sister committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will, for him, give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death;I am not saying that he should ask about that.”
There is sin leading to death.
1Jo 5:17, “All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.”
All unrighteousness is sin. The world is full of unrighteousness and lawlessness.
You wonder why the world has so much pains because the world has so much sins.
II. SICKNESS BRINGS PAIN
There are various sicknesses, and various seriousness of sickness that bring different degree of pain. Once I watched TV about a young woman who first had sex with a man and contracted AIDS. The young woman had kept her virginity a long time, unfortunately the first time she had sex brought her the incurable AIDS. To say devastating is an understatement.
According to
https://cn.bing.com/search?q=aids%2fhiv&qs
“Aviral infection that attacks the immune system and causes AIDS. HIV is primarily a sexually transmitted disease (STD), transmitted by heterosexual and homosexual practices: anal, vaginal, andoral sex.
Common (Morethan 200,000 cases per year in US)
Treatments can help manage condition, no known cure.”
“Catastrophicillness. A catastrophic illness is a severe illness requiring prolonged hospitalization or recovery. Examples would include cancer, leukemia, heart attack or stroke.”
Mother gave births to their children in pain. In a way people should love their mothers more than their fathers. Once I met a woman who had both experienced labor pain and kidney stones pain. I asked her which is worse. She said, “Kidney stones pain.”
2Ch 21:18-19, “So after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable sickness.Now it came about in the course of time, at the end of two years, that Jehoram because of his sickness and he died in great pain. And his people made no fire for him like the fire for his fathers.”
The wicked king Jehoram the Lord smote him with an incurable bowels disease.
Do you want to be free of all diseases, incurable or not?
Rev 21:4, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
III. HARDSHIP BRINGS PAIN
Gen 3:17, Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; cursed is the ground because of you; with hard labor you shall eat from it all the days of your life.”
Sin brings curse to the world. We live in a cursed world after the Fall of Adam. Hard labor is hardship, although not all hardships are hard labor.
My early days in America was quite a struggle and more than hardship. Because my parents were poor missionaries, so I got to support myself completely. I had known hunger and cold. I got up at 5 a.m. and went to bed at 11 p.m. for some years and earned the minimum wage of $1.25 to work my way through college. Moral support from my good friends Dr. Arthur Mouw, Dr. Harold Ronning, Dr. Edmond Hiebert were like giving a push of my life boat upstream against the current. I lived like Robinson Crusoe. Looking back that was the hardest part or period of my life. I would not have the courage to do it again. Was it an American dream or nightmare depends on who went through the school of hard knocks. The whole experience taught me trusting God and self-reliance. Life is full of hardship; hardship after hardship is with me. I am grateful how my Heavenly Father led me through all the hardships that had overtaken me in all my life. I can honestly say: The good Lord is my Shepherd from childhood to old age. I thank God for giving me a meaningful life worth living for.
“The Golden Venture tragedy brought to world attention the thriving multinational criminal enterprise that made millions by transporting immigrants from Fujian Province to the US. The media focused on sensational accounts of vicious snakeheads, indentured servitude and desperately poor immigrants willing to do anything to make it to the US.
However, the Golden Venture was really only the latest dramatic episode in the sad story of the Chinese in America that goes back many years. Starting from the early 1800’s, Chinese immigrants have made the arduous, costly journey in the face of severe discrimination and economic hardship.
But what in America has called to the Chinese and brought about the establishment of vibrant, growing Chinatowns? As we take a look through the years at important milestones in Chinese immigration to the U.S., we see many of the same goals and dreams pursued.
1848 Gold Mountain The first major waves of Chinese immigrants came to the U.S. after hearing of the “Golden Mountain” or “Gum Saan” when California’s Gold Rush began in 1848. Civil war and famine back home in southern China, where most of the first immigrants were from, propelled them on as well, so that they could work in the U.S. and send money to families back home. In steamships, they arrived in San Francisco’s harbor, where the first Chinatown was founded.
1865 Transcontinental Railroad The Chinese immigrants, almost 95% male, also worked on the Transcontinental Railroad in the later 1800’s. By agreeing to lower-paying wages than other workers, and by enduring the rough and dangerous working conditions, they were largely responsible for laying down the tracks for the western railways, in one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century. It was completed in 1868, at a breakneck pace.”
Someone said, “Happiness is man’s greatest aim in life. Tranquility and rationality are the cornerstones of happiness.”
Luk 12:15-21, “But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ “And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there.‘ And I will say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years to come;relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!”But God said to him, ‘You fool!This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”
The rich fool represents the philosophy of the world: You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself! Don’t they sound like most Americans? A man may be rich in the world, but not rich in relation to God. A person who does the will of God and rich in relation to God is the one who has fulfilled man’s greatest aim in life. He is truly rational and has tranquility and happiness.
IV. POVERTY BRINGS PAIN
I had nothing when I worked my way through college in America. That was the golden era of Nixon administration when the dollar was valuable, the society was stable, crime rate was low, and people were moral. I earned the minimum wage of $1.25 an hour. I lived like Robinson Crusoe; got up 5 a.m. and went to bed at 11 p.m. for some years. Necessity made me to invent ways of money saving: using computer department throw-away papers as note books, refilling high lighters, cutting my own hairs, making $1 a meal (fry noodles with ground meat and lettuce) in five minutes, etc. I was so tired of poverty for so long that I turned down the university full offer to Ph. D. program.
“The 2021 federal poverty level (FPL) for a single person residing in the 48 contiguous states or Washington, D.C. is $12,880. In Alaska, the federal poverty level for a single person is $16,090 and in Hawaii it is $14,820. To calculate larger household sizes or get percentages such as 133% of the FPL, or 135%, 138%, 150%, 175%, and so forth please use the free calculator tool above.”
In America, a person needs not to be poor if he is willing to work and has employable skills. With employment, you have income. The minimum wage has risen since I earned $1.25 an hour. With income, you are not poor. But most important is to learn how to live. You do not go into debt. You do not buy if you cannot afford it. You take care of the basic needs first, practice thrift and frugality. If the economy is so bad when the educated and professional cannot find a job, then poverty is inevitable.
Nationally speaking, I want all poor nations to embrace the Protestant Ethics, and every national leader and politician to read the article on Self-ReliancebyRalphWaldoEmerson.
Poverty is a big subject that involves many cause factors, obviously we cannot dwell on the subject in this article. Since China has successfully eliminated 770 million of peasants from abject poverty, it is beneficial for the leaders of poor countries to learn from China and adopt the Chinese model.
The rich are ignorant of the miseries of poverty just like the American children were ignorant where milk comes from, They answered, “You get it from the supermarket.”
“Jeffrey Sacks identified three degrees of poverty: extreme poverty, moderate poverty and relative poverty. Extreme poverty means that households cannot meet basic needs for survival, moderate poverty refers to conditions in which basic needs are met just barely, relative poverty is generally construed as a household income level below a given proportion of average national income. The relative poor, in high-income countries, lack access to cultural goods, entertainment, and recreation, and to quality health care, education etc. The overwhelming share of the world’s extreme poor, 93 percent in 2001, live in three regions: East Asia, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Half of Africa’s population lives in extreme poverty, and the proportion have risen; the proportion of the extreme poor in East Asia has plummeted from 58 percent in 1981 to 15 percent in 2001; in South Asia extreme poverty has dropped from 52 percent to 31 percent. Eastern Europe’s extreme poverty rate rose from negligible levels in 1981 to 4 percent in 2001 (Sacks, 2005: p. 21).”
Most shocking shortages of poverty include no running water, no electricity, no heat, no toilet, no air conditioning (according to the climate, some countries have no need of air conditioning). If you spend the summer in Washington, D.C. you will soon realize air conditioning is a basic necessity. Some years ago, Norway had eliminated poverty.
V. IGNORANCE BRINGS PAIN
The truth is not obvious to the ignorant. The poor know that they are poor. The ignorant do not know that they are ignorant. Foolish people are ignorant. Most peoples in the world are ignorant of the True and Living God, Jesus Christ the Savior of the world, the way of salvation; therefore we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free.
Paul on a trip to the Areopagus, he found peoples were very religious in all respects.
Act 17:23, “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.”
People who worship in ignorance are superstitious. Superstitious peoples are full of fears. So they worship sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, trees, fire etc. as gods.
The consequences of ignorance are detrimental and harmful: Primitive peoples were afraid of sea god, so they even threw a virgin girl to the sea to appease their god. Poor and ignorant people burn coals at home to get warm, and the fumes kill the whole family.
“Fumes from diesel engines ‘killing thousands of Germans every year’
The Federal Environmental Office (UBA) has said that the nitrogen oxide pollution (NO2) emitted by diesel engines is responsible for thousands of premature deaths every year.
In 2014 some 6,000 people died early from cardiovascular diseases which were caused by NO2 pollution, UBA head Maria Krautzberger stated on Thursday.
She also blamed the pollutant for eight percent of type two diabetes diagnoses and 14 percent of all asthma cases. She concluded that roughly a million people had suffered an illness due to nitrogen oxide in the air.”
Now Germany is an advanced nation, there are still ignorant people who were killed by fumes from diesel engines.
We are all born ignorant, but you do not have to do anything to remain stupid.
George Bernard Shaw said, “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” Those who believe when they die, they will return to the earth in the form of an animal. They call it life cycle. This false belief is more dangerous than ignorance. Some religion teaches that a suicide bomber in a holy war (actually terrorism) may go to paradise to enjoy sex with a number of virgins –this false knowledge is more dangerous than ignorance. Many illegal migrants believe once they enter a rich nation, they are entitled to live on welfare happily hereafter, this false knowledge is more dangerous than ignorance. White and black supremacists believe they are appointed by God to rule the world, this false belief is more dangerous than ignorance.
Daniel J. Boorstin said, “The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance – it is the illusion of knowledge.”
Both the rich and the poor have many illusions which are greatest obstacles to learn the true knowledge.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.”
White and black supremacists take actions to be against China and Russia considering them to be threats, competitors, and rivals of the West; their ignorance may incite a nuclear war that will destroy the whole world. The actions of the ignorant are usually frightful. Afghanistan is a prime example. For 20 years America pushed American model of democracy and established the Afghan government and army; but in the face of Taliban the Afghan government collapsed instantly and the Afghan army were on the run without even a fight.
Marcus Aurelius had the right attitude, “If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: the harm is to persist in one’s own self-deception and ignorance.” American and European and Japanese leaders are wrong in their foreign policy of aggression; Islamic terrorists are wrong in their action and operation of destruction: however, they do not examine themselves and they do not want to change; they persist in their own self-deception and ignorance. They pose the greatest threat to world peace.
Plato said, “Ignorance, the root and the stem of every evil.”
I disagree with Plato, ignorance is not the root and and the stem of every evil. Opposition to or suppression of the truth is the root and the stem of every evil.
Epicurus said, “The misfortune of the wise is better than the prosperity of the fool.”
The failure of a great leader is more meaningful than the success of a simpleton.
Rom 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”
VI. LOSS BRINGS PAIN
Life loss is more important than any loss because the dead cannot be resurrected. I cried for more than 115,000 health workers world-wide who have died because they were trying to save the COVID-19 patients. I cried for 35 million Chinese who had been killed by Japanese democide and genocide. I cried for 6 million Jews who had been killed by German Nazis.
Loss of life is probably the greatest loss. A mother not knowingly called her beloved daughter by phone. The daughter was driving and picked up the call, in a sudden it caused an accident that killed the daughter. Later the mother learned about the casualty and she could not forgive herself and bore the pain all her life. The lesson is no one should drive and answer the phone at the same time.
Loss of loved ones, whether a spouse, a child, and a close relative or friend is more than devastating to many. Loss of a spouse whether by death or divorce is unbearable. Divorce can be a trauma to many couples and and their children.
Loss of business and subsequent bankruptcy is an unbearable pain to not a few.
Loss of employment is a big problem in America, because it leads to loss of home, loss of dignity, loss of a good neighborhood, loss of friends, loss of possessions, etc. And it may lead to a life on the streets.
Loss of virginity due to a rape is unbearable pain to the victim.
Loss in a critical exam terminates the opportunity of attending a university, loss of getting a good job or promotion, or professional licensing, etc. can be a great pain.
Loss of war may bring a life-long pain to its citizens. In a twist of logic, Japanese deny all its war crimes.
Loss of reputation tarnishes a person’s character with life-long consequences.
Euripides said, “There is no greater grief than the loss of one’s fatherland.”
I think the Chinese in history were most sorrowful when the brutal Japanese troops occupied China. By the same token, six million Jews were killed by the Nazis.
American world-wide aggression defeat brings phony sense of loss where internal division and question of so-called democracy brings out the veneer of democracy as brittle as glass. The defeat in Afghanistan where Taliban won without a fight, where a puppet government collapsed instantly and its military were on the run. The defeat in Tibet where demise of Dalai Lama’s separation forces vanished. The defeat in Xinjiang where false charges of genocide and forced labor are exposed and lies succumbed to facts. How China successfully eliminated the terrorists in Xinjiang, the Western mainstream media refused to encounter. The defeat in Hong Kong where Chinese traitors and terrorists are discredited and the government consolidated and united constitutionally, Hong Kong is forever secure under China’s sovereignty. Taiwan is an open sore and public disgrace of American foreign policy of aggression and intervention. Even so after years of events and happenings, American leaders and politicians have not learned anything but they are still on the path of defeat and destruction, playing fire with AUKUS and QUAD in Asia Pacific.
The phony loss of so-called liberal values where American failures, incompetence, injustice, corruption, waste, neglect, special interests, un-competitiveness, unilateralism, abuse of American power, phony concerns, highest deficits and largest national debt, etc., are all blamed on China.
VII. FAILURE BRINGS PAIN
There are various kinds of failure: personal failure, institutional failure, corporate failure, government failure, etc. All failures bring pain.
Personal or individual failure is the most shameful and has the greatest impact directly on the individual. Among personal failures include failure in exams, failure in job, failure in marriage, failure in business, failure in life.
Government failures make its citizens victims include debt, deficit, inflation, corruption, environmental degradation, poor infrastructure, poor public sanitation and health, and many shortages of the basic necessities, underdeveloped, poor education, no social benefits, no pension, etc.
Historical example was the failure and fall of China’s Qing Dynasty that would make every patriotic Chinese weep and cry. The humiliation, oppression, and abuse by Japan and Western powers would anger and burn every patriotic Chinese to rise up for action.
· The Qing dynasty promoted itself as a conquering force, ruling China for 268 years before collapsing in 1911–1912. The elites’ self-proclaimed position as outsiders contributed to their eventual demise.
· A major contribution to the downfall of the last dynasty were external forces, in the form of new Western technologies, as well as a gross miscalculation on the part of the Qing as to the strength of European and Asian imperialistic ambitions.
· A second major contributor was internal turmoil, expressed in a series of devastating rebellions beginning in 1794 with the White Lotus rebellion, and ending with the Boxer Rebellion of 1899–1901 and Wuchang Uprising of 1911–1912.”
“Britain began a lucrative, illicit trade in opium, traded from British imperial India into Canton, far from Beijing. The Chinese authorities burned 20,000 bales of opium, and the British retaliated with a devastating invasion of mainland China, in two wars known as the Opium Wars of 1839–42 and 1856–60.”
Failure of a large enterprise also causes great pain to its employees. For example, the demise of McDonnell Douglas Corporation resulted in loss of jobs for 250,000 employees worldwide and risk for their families. McDonnellDouglasCorporation was the best company I had ever worked for. I believe if I had arrived 5 years earlier and given a free hand I could save the corporation. I had great respect for its top management.
“Facts have proven that American democracy is doomed to fail, because it is a false democracy that has led to division of society. Likewise, their “democracy” experiment in Iraq will fail, because it is built upon feeble, divisive foundations, and does not respond to the demands of the Iraqi people.
We reject the American model of democracy on account of its superficial and unjust nature. However, we are still in need of a democracy built upon a just foundation, so that everyone, without exception, will be an indispensable part of the political decision-making process.”
American model of democracy is false because 1 % of population rules over the 99%, and 1% of the population owns most of the power and wealth. The two parties serve the interest of the few.
“American democracy is broken. It’s very future is in doubt. I want to discuss two of the major issues that need to be addressed—1) the inability of the national government to produce action at the national level on critical, in some cases existential, issues and 2) the increasing threat, that in contraindication to Lincoln’s memorable phrase that “government of the people, by the people and for the people” shall not perish from the earth, there is evidence that it is perishing before our eyes.”
In my opinion, American democracy failures because of multi-factors:
1. The U.S. Constitution is not vested the national sovereignty in the hands of its citizen.
2. There is no national referendum to decide and determine the major issues of the country.
3. The two parties and politicians turn the Republic into an evil empire.
4. America is ruled and controlled by white and black supremacists.
5. America does not serve the interest of the greatest number of its citizens.
Many small and poor nations in the world fail for the following reasons:
1. There is no decent and upright leadership.
2. The defective culture is devoid of Protestant ethics.
3. There is lack of sound structural basis in education, development, infrastructure, public health, employment, and environment.
4. There is no population control.
5. There is no fiscal and financial control.
6. There is civil war or civil unrest.
I believe the following are major causes of individual or personal failures:
1. Do not know how to live.
2. Do not know how to work hard.
3. Do not know how to manage money.
4. Do not know how to spend time.
5. Do not know how to discipline and motivate oneself.
6. Lack of perseverance and tenacity.
7. Lack of vision and goal.
Nations fail not without reasons. Nations succeed also not without reasons.
During the course of the war, 8 million soldiers died in total and 9 million civilians. In addition, the bombings destroyed 300,000 houses, 6000 factories, 1000 miles of train lines and 112 coal mines. In military terms, 12 million tons of ships were sunk.
2- Economic consequences
The war was a significant economic cost to the nations that participated in it. Germany and Britain spent about 60 percent of what their economy produced, having to raise taxes and borrow money from citizens.
Money was also printed to buy weapons and other inputs needed for battles, which contributed to the generation of inflation.
3- Appearance of new ideological currents
With the collapse of Russia under the pressure of war, the revolutionary socialists increased their power, making communist ideology an important force within Europe.
4- The end of the monarchies
World War I ended four major monarchies: that of Tsar Nicholas II in Russia, after which the War communism , The reign of the Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, the monarchy of Emperor Charles of Austria and the reign of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
5- Emergence of new countries
From the old empires emerged new countries, for example, the Austro-Hungarian Empire that was divided in a number of independent states. Russia and Germany turned over land to Poland.
6- Social Effects
World War I generated major social changes, birth rates abruptly fell by the death of millions of young men. In addition to this, many citizens lost their homes and had to flee to other countries.
7- Lost a generation
Some historians consider that a complete generation was lost when so many young soldiers died. In addition, more than 7 million men were completely disabled to continue their lives normally due to the aftermath of the war.
“Describe the terms under which Germany, Japan, and Italy surrendered
Key Points
· The German Instrument of Surrender ended World War II in Europe on the night of May 8, 1945.
· The terms of Germany’s unconditional surrender had been discussed since January 1944 and further clarified at the Yalta conference. They established, among other things, that the Allied Representatives “will take such steps, including the complete disarmament, demilitarisation and dismemberment of Germany as they deem requisite for future peace and security.”
· The surrender of Japan was announced by Imperial Japan on August 15 and formally signed on September 2, 1945, bringing the hostilities of World War II to a close.
· Their terms of surrender included disarmament and occupation by Allied forces.
· The terms of Italy’s defeat were determined during the Paris Peace Conference in 1947, and included limits on their military and a ban on all fascist organizations.
Key Terms
· Potsdam Declaration: A statement that called for the surrender of all Japanese armed forces during World War II.
· unconditional surrender: A surrender in which no guarantees are given to the surrendering party.
· Paris Peace Treaties: A series of document wherein victorious wartime Allied powers negotiated the details of peace treaties with minor Axis powers, namely Italy (though it was considered a major Axis Power), Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Finland, following the end of World War II in 1945.
· German Instrument of Surrender: The legal document that established the unconditional surrender of Germany in World War II.”
“Casualties of World War II
Some 75 million people died in World War II, including about 20 million military personnel and 40 million civilians, many of whom died because of deliberate genocide, massacres, mass-bombings, disease, and starvation.”
2Pe 3:11-13, “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the Heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new Heavens and a new Earth, in which righteousness dwells.”
Christians are not afraid of a nuclear war, because we are looking for new Heavens and a new Earth, in which righteousness dwells.
The Bible has good news for you all. In the 1,000 year peace reign of Jesus Christ on earth, Isa 2:4, “And He will judge between the nations, and will mediate for many peoples; and they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning knives.Nation will not lift up a sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.”
The most idyllic and ideal scene that you have never seen or imagined in your life will become a reality:
Isa 11:6-9, “And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the young goat, And the calf and the young lion and the fattened steer will be together; and a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, Their young will lie down together, And the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
THE West and the puppet of Ukraine cause war and bring pain all over the world, thousands of deaths and millions of refugees and displaced persons and global inflation and high cost of living.
IX. SORROW BRINGS PAIN
Gen 44:29, “If you also take this one from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”
Jacob’s wicked children sold their brother Joseph as a slave to Egypt and lied to their father regarding Joseph harmed by wild beasts. So Jacob declares to his children: If they take Benjamin from him and harm happens to him, they will bring Jacob’s gray hair down to death in sorrow. So many peoples in this world die in sorrow for one reason or another. Sorrow not only brings pain, sorrow can bring death.
Gen 48:7, “Now as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died, to my sorrow, in the land of Canaan on the journey, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath. I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”
The beloved wife of Jacob, Rachel died to his sorrow. Is there anything more sorrowful than to bury your beloved wife?
Psa 31:10, “For my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing; My strength has failed because of my guilt, and my body has wasted away.”
How many can say the same about their lives as the Scriptures cited above. Long before psychologists and psychiatrists have existed, a sinner suffering guilt describes his life: My life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing; my strength has failed because of my guilt, and my body has wasted away.” This Scripture has clinical significance.
Psa 32:10, “The sorrows of the wicked are many, But the one who trusts in the LORD, goodness will surround him”
“Râshâ‛ also denotes the category of people who have done wrong, are still living in sin, and are intent on continuing with wrongdoing. This is the more general meaning of the word. The first psalm exhorts the godly not to imitate the deeds and behavior of the ungodly, wicked people. The “wicked” does not seek God (Ps. 10:4); he challenges God (Ps. 10:13). In his way of life the “wicked” loves violence (Ps. 11:5), oppresses the righteous (Ps. 17:9), does not repay his debts (Ps. 37:21), and lays a snare to trap the righteous (Ps. 119:110). Ps. 37 gives a vivid description of the acts of the “wicked” and also of God’s judgment upon them. Facing the terrible force of the “wicked,” the righteous prayed for God’s deliverance and for His judgment upon them. This theme of judgment has already been anticipated in Ps. 1:6: “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” The expectation of the righteous includes God’s judgment on the “wicked” in this life that they might be ashamed (Ps. 31:17), be overcome by sorrows (Ps. 32:10), fall by their devices (Ps. 141:10), and die a premature death (Prov. 10:27), and that their remembrance will be no more (Prov. 10:7). It is expected that at the time of their death there will be great shouting: “When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: when the wicked perish, there is shouting” (Prov. 11:10).”
Psa 38:17, “For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me.”
Continuous sorrow can make a man to fall.
Pro 17:21, “He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.”
Many cultures believe children are blessings. Foolish children only brings sorrows to their parents. How many American parents are in distress because their children are addicted to illegal drugs like heroin. A fool brings no joy to their parents. The burden of parents is heavy, it is heavier to raise a daughter.
Ecc 11:10, “So remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.”
Childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. Yesterday I was in the prime of life, today I am old. Life is fleeting. It is wise to remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body.
Isa 35:10, “And the redeemed of the LORD will return and come to Zion with joyful shouting, and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
No matter how much sorrows, Christians need not to commit suicide. Suicide is wrong and useless. There is good news. In the Paradise of God, there will be everlasting joy and full of gladness. There will be no more sorrow and sighing.
Isa 53:3, “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”
The prophet prophesies that Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. What pain the Lord Jesus had endured for the sins of the world.
Jer 8:18, “My sorrow is beyond healing, my heart is faint within me!”
Is there sorrow beyond healing? I believe even psychiatrists do not know. But one thing I know, there is nothing impossible with God. Exo 15:26, “And He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your Healer.” THE Lord is your Healer. The Lord is my Healer. The Lord is our Healer.
Jer 20:18, “Why did I ever come out of the womb To look at trouble and sorrow, so that my days have been spent in shame?”
It appears there are peoples who come out of the womb to look at trouble and sorrow and spend their days in shame. Is such a life worth living? However, no matter how hard life is, Christians cannot and must not commit suicide.
Luk 22:45, “When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.”
It is possible that people sleep from exhaustion. It is also possible that people sleep from sorrow.
Rom 9:2, “that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.”
Paul had deep concern for Israel that he had great sorrow and unceasing grief in his heart. I also pray for Israel so that Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas will get out of the Jewish land in peace.
2Co 2:7, ‘so that on the other hand, you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a person might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.”
In certain situation it is better to forgive and comport the offender, lest he might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Excessive sorrow is not good.
2Co 7:10-11, “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.”
Not all sorrows are bad. The sorrow of the world produces death. The sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret. It is very bad that world leaders and politicians who rejoice in doing evil.
Phl 2:27, “For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.”
Epaphroditus was a brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier who ministered to Paul’s need. He was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him and Paul so that Paul would not have sorrow upon sorrow. The ministry of Paul was a ministry of suffering for Christ. Very few understand what “sorrow upon sorrow” means. Do you?
“When the woes of life o’ertake me, hopes deceive, and fears annoy, never shall the cross forsake me. Lo! it glows with peace and joy.”
Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.”
Victor Hugo had some good words. “Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.”
Joseph Addison had a point, “Man is subject to innumerable pains and sorrows by the very condition of humanity, and yet, as if nature had not sown evils enough in life, we are continually adding grief to grief and aggravating the common calamity by our cruel treatment of one another.”
Victor Hugo said, “Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters.”
Pro 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
You may find your friends and relatives not dependable in time of trouble, I can assure there is a Friend in Jesus who will never fail you. Psa 50:15, “Call upon Me on the day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.” I am an old man who has gone through all kinds of adversities, I can testify to the faithfulness of my Lord.
There is only way to deal with sorrow. Ovid said, “Bear and endure: This sorrow will one day prove to be for your good.” Thomas Moore said, “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.” 1Co 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” Jesus also says, Mat 24:10-13, “And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people.And because lawlessness is increased,most people’s love will become cold.But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.” That time is this time. People who compare Jesus with Buddha, Mohammed,etc. and who put Jesus on the same level with them do not know Jesus Christ at all. Jesus is the Only Son of God, the only Savior of the world.
A sad man in his last words said, “The sadness will last forever.”
No. The Bible has good news for you who are broken-hearted: Sorrow and sighing will flee away. Jesus says, Mat 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” All who are weary and burdened may find rest in Christ.
Rev 21:2-4, “And I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
In the Paradise of God, Christians will rejoice because God will dwell among His children. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will be no longer any mourning (sorrow), or crying, or pain. This is the lot of God’s children in the Holy City, New Jerusalem.
“What is Fear?Fear is one of the seven universal emotions experienced by everyone around the world. Fear arises with the threat of harm, either physical, emotional, or psychological, real or imagined. While traditionally considered a “negative” emotion, fear actually serves an important role in keeping us safe as it mobilizes us to cope with potential danger.”
Gen 9:2,“The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every animal of the earth and on every bird of the sky; on everything that crawls on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea. They are handed over to you.”
God blessed Noah and his son, every animal and every bird, and everything that crawls on the ground and all the fish of the sea were handed over to them. The word “fear” occurs 310 times in the Bible.
Fear often involves both physical and emotional symptoms. Each person may experience fear differently, but some of the common signs and symptoms include:
· Chest pain
· Chills
· Dry mouth
· Nausea
· Rapid heartbeat
· Shortness of breath
· Sweating
· Trembling
· Upset stomach
In addition to the physical symptoms of fear, people may experience psychological symptoms of being overwhelmed, upset, feeling out of control, or a sense of impending death.”
Gen 15:1, “After these things the Word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I AM a shield to you; your reward shall be very great.”
The first thing God said to Abram or Abraham was: Do not fear. I think God knows the human primary problem is fear. When the angel proclaimed the good news to the shepherds, Luk 2:10, “And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” Do not fear means do not be afraid. When Jesus rose from the dead, Mat 28:5-6, “And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” The God of Abraham is our Heavenly Father, Christians have no reason to fear no matter what.
Epicurus was right, “A man who causes fear cannot be free from fear.” For example, a man who is unskilled, unmotivated, and undisciplined…can he be free from fear of unemployment? A promiscuous homosexual, HOW can he be free from fear of AIDS? A man who spends what he does not have, his debts are piling up high, how can he be free from poverty? A sinner who does not want to repent and believe in the Savior of the world, how can he be free from the judgment to come? A nation without an able leader of character, with a large uneducated and unskilled population, suffering deep debts and deficits, lack of development and infrastructure, how can the nation be free from poverty?
When the sons of Israel were facing the Red Sea and chased by the Egyptian chariots and army from behind, Exo 14:13-14, “But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever.The LORD will fight for you, while you keep silent.”
Palestinians, Arabs, and Hamas have no resettlement right, no claim to any part or portion of the Jewish land, so they had better get out from the Promised Land in peace the sooner the better. For the Lord will fight for Israel. Exo 14:25, “He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians each said, “Let me flee from Israel, for the LORD is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”
Gen 26:24, “And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants, for the sake of My servant Abraham.”
The Scripture cited above, the Lord said to Isaac: Do not fear, for I am with you. The good Lord also says to every Christian: Do not fear, for I am with you.
How fear can grip on people. A historical incident describes it: Mat 28:2-4, “And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men.” The guards were trained soldiers who were braver than ordinary men, but they shook from fear of the Angel and became like dead men. The Chinese has an expression, fear to death.
Epicurus said, “The fool’s life is empty of gratitude and full of fears; its course lies wholly toward the future.”
I want to add: The fool’s life has no future.
Christians are assured of divine protection. Luk 12:7, “But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows.”
Unlike unbelievers, Christians have no fear of the future. On the contrary, Christians are sure of their future. Christians straighten up and lift up their heads to see the Son of God Jesus Christ coming with power and great glory.
Luk 21:25-28, “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Christians are not afraid of the future because the future belongs to Christians. Things are taking place, Christians straighten up and lift up our heads because our redemption is drawing near.
XI. HUMAN EXISTENCE IS A PAIN
Psa 89:47, “Remember how short my life is, how empty and futile this human existence!”
There are at least three reasons why human existence brings pain: (A). Life is short. (B). Life is empty. (C.) Life is futile.
Ecc 1:13, “I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under Heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.”
The (D). Life is tragic.
The human existence seemingly ties to the existence of the universe. The existence of the universe logically ties to the existence of the Creator. There is a design in the existence of the universe. Even a little mistake could be catastrophic.
“Physicist Brandon Carter notes that the speed of light, multiplied by Planck’s constant, and divided by the square of the electron’s charge, roughly equals 137. Carter argues that if this ratio were ever so slightly more than it is, then all stars would be blue giants and there would be no planets at all, let alone living creatures; if it were somewhat smaller, all stars would be red dwarfs and thus the planets orbiting them far too cold to sustain any kind of organism. The speed of light, it seems, was fixed at the beginning for the sake of the whole show.”
God is perfect does not only mean that God does not need or lack of anything. The Person of God is perfect. Jesus teaches that God is perfect. Mat 5:48, “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” God is perfect in His righteousness, holiness, goodness, beauty, power, knowledge, wisdom, justice, honor, glory, majesty and everything. God is perfect in His work. Deu 32:4,“The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; the God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and just is He.” The Word of God is perfect. Every word is pure. 1Pe 1:23, “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring Word of God.” In comparison to God, the mortal man is nothing, less than nothing. God is supreme and ultimate in everything.
Someone said, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear with any ‘how.’”
Why Christians live in this world?
Before Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, He has a prayer with the Holy Father: Jhn 17:13-21,“But now I am coming to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one.They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world.And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word,that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
I am one with all sanctified believers in Christ. I want to be one with all true believers. For unity in Christ I do not ask and do not want anything from anybody. I just want all believers become ONE in Christ.
XII. DEATH BRINGS PAIN
A famous person said, “We don’t actually fear death, we fear that no one will notice our absence, that we will disappear without a trace.” Those who are having sense of self-importance, hear and listen, when you pass away, no one will remember you. You will disappear like a cloud without a trace.
Job 18:17, “All memory of their existence will fade from the earth,no one will remember their names.” Here the Scripture refers to the wicked: All memory of the existence of the wicked will fade from the earth, so no one will remember their names. Sure because the written record, people will remember the wicked Hitler, but all his agents the Nazis their existence will fade from the earth, and no one will remember their names.
According to https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory“Memory is the faculty by which the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information. It is a record of experience that guides future action.
Memory encompasses the facts and experiential details that people consciously call to mind as well as ingrained knowledge that surface without effort or even awareness. It is both a short-term cache of information and the more permanent record of what one has learned. The types of memory described by scientists include episodic memory, semantic memory, procedural memory, working memory, sensory memory, and prospective memory.”
I venture to say, as long as mankind keeps history record, Hitler will be remembered because he links to World War II. However, in eternity Hitler will burn in Hell for ever; and those in the Paradise of God all memory of Hitler will vanish and no one will remember his name. All those who are in Hell will be forever forgotten.
Exo 17:14, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly wipe out the memory of Amalek from under Heaven.”
God is able to utterly wipe out the memory of the wicked under Heaven.
Psa 90:10, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
Whether it makes sense or not, all will die because all have sinned. You cannot resolve the problem of death without resolving the problem of sin.
Gen 5:5, “So all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.”
The first man lived to 930 and died. The oldest man in history died at 969 years old.
Gen 5:27, “So all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.”
For a Christian, a pilgrim on earth, Psa 23:6, “Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, and my dwelling will be in the house of the LORD forever.”
When I leave this world, I shall dwell in the mansion of the Lord, the Paradise of God, forever.
An unbeliever facetiously said, “Man is condemned to be free.”
Heb 2:15, “and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
How can men who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives be free?
Someone said, “Better to die once and for all than to suffer pain for all my life. “ Someone does not know there is such a thing as eternal suffering in Hell. It is true. Death is the separation of soul from the body. For the wicked and unbeliever, it is eternal separation from God and suffering in pain in darkness for eternity.
Psa 116:3, “The snares of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.”
Many find distress and sorrow encompassing them by the snares of death and the terrors of Sheol come upon them, they find distress and sorrow.
· “Hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar falls below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), it can lead to accidents, coma, and death.
· Hyperglycemia. Blood sugar that goes above 180 to 200 mg/dL can give you heart, nerve, kidney, and vision problems. Over the long term, it also can cause coma and death.”
No one pays attention: Sin brings death. In most cases, eternal sufferings in Hell. Rom 5:12, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned—Heb 9:27, “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment.” It seems no one is paying attention to the judgment to come either. God is not joking. You are warned once more time.
IN CONCLUSION
YOU have learned many problems bring or cause pain. The human existence is pain. Life is pain. The world is pain. No matter who you are, there is no hope in the world.
Ecc 1:2, “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
Psa 90:10, “The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
It is so sad about our lives on earth. Soon we fly away. But there is hope, when Jesus was born hope was born. God sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, to come down to earth from Heaven to save sinners. There is hope in Christ. Col 1:5, “because of the hope reserved for you in Heaven, of which you previously heard in the Word of truth, the Gospel.” Because of the Word of truth, the Gospel, our hope in not on earth, but the hope reserved for us in Heaven. We do not want you to be uninformed. Christians have the hope of salvation. Col 1:27, ”to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The Christian hope of glory is Jesus Christ coming again to reign with the saints for eternity. Christians have set our hope in Christ, He will yet deliver us.
Gal 5:5, “For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for thehope of righteousness.” Christians do not belong to the world, we are citizens of Heaven. If you repent and believe in Jesus Christ, you can become citizens of Heaven by grace too. With the hope of righteousness, 2Pe 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for new Heavens and a new Earth, in which righteousness dwells.” God will dwell with His children, we will be in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. I am waiting; and billions and billions of believers of all generations have been waiting; are you? Rev 21:4, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
If you really want eternal joy in the Kingdom of Heaven without pain and tear, come and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
IX. SORROW BRINGS PAIN
Gen 44:29, “If you also take this one from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”
Jacob’s wicked children sold their brother Joseph as a slave to Egypt and lied to their father regarding Joseph harmed by wild beasts. So Jacob declares to his children: If they take Benjamin from him and harm happens to him, they will bring Jacob’s gray hair down to death in sorrow. So many peoples in this world die in sorrow for one reason or another. Sorrow not only brings pain, sorrow can bring death.
Gen 48:7, “Now as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died, to my sorrow, in the land of Canaan on the journey, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath. I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”
The beloved wife of Jacob, Rachel died to his sorrow. Is there anything more sorrowful than to bury your beloved wife?
Psa 31:10, “For my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing; My strength has failed because of my guilt, and my body has wasted away.”
How many can say the same about their lives as the Scriptures cited above. Long before psychologists and psychiatrists have existed, a sinner suffering guilt describes his life: My life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing; my strength has failed because of my guilt, and my body has wasted away.” This Scripture has clinical significance.
Psa 32:10, “The sorrows of the wicked are many, But the one who trusts in the LORD, goodness will surround him”
“Râshâ‛ also denotes the category of people who have done wrong, are still living in sin, and are intent on continuing with wrongdoing. This is the more general meaning of the word. The first psalm exhorts the godly not to imitate the deeds and behavior of the ungodly, wicked people. The “wicked” does not seek God (Ps. 10:4); he challenges God (Ps. 10:13). In his way of life the “wicked” loves violence (Ps. 11:5), oppresses the righteous (Ps. 17:9), does not repay his debts (Ps. 37:21), and lays a snare to trap the righteous (Ps. 119:110). Ps. 37 gives a vivid description of the acts of the “wicked” and also of God’s judgment upon them. Facing the terrible force of the “wicked,” the righteous prayed for God’s deliverance and for His judgment upon them. This theme of judgment has already been anticipated in Ps. 1:6: “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” The expectation of the righteous includes God’s judgment on the “wicked” in this life that they might be ashamed (Ps. 31:17), be overcome by sorrows (Ps. 32:10), fall by their devices (Ps. 141:10), and die a premature death (Prov. 10:27), and that their remembrance will be no more (Prov. 10:7). It is expected that at the time of their death there will be great shouting: “When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: when the wicked perish, there is shouting” (Prov. 11:10).”
Psa 38:17, “For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me.”
Continuous sorrow can make a man to fall.
Pro 17:21, “He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.”
Many cultures believe children are blessings. Foolish children only brings sorrows to their parents. How many American parents are in distress because their children are addicted to illegal drugs like heroin. A fool brings no joy to their parents. The burden of parents is heavy, it is heavier to raise a daughter.
Ecc 11:10, “So remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.”
Childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. Yesterday I was in the prime of life, today I am old. Life is fleeting. It is wise to remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body.
Isa 35:10, “And the redeemed of the LORD will return and come to Zion with joyful shouting, and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
No matter how much sorrows, Christians need not to commit suicide. Suicide is wrong and useless. There is good news. In the Paradise of God, there will be everlasting joy and full of gladness. There will be no more sorrow and sighing.
Isa 53:3, “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”
The prophet prophesies that Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. What pain the Lord Jesus had endured for the sins of the world.
Jer 8:18, “My sorrow is beyond healing, my heart is faint within me!”
Is there sorrow beyond healing? I believe even psychiatrists do not know. But one thing I know, there is nothing impossible with God. Exo 15:26, “And He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your Healer.” THE Lord is your Healer. The Lord is my Healer. The Lord is our Healer.
Jer 20:18, “Why did I ever come out of the womb To look at trouble and sorrow, so that my days have been spent in shame?”
It appears there are peoples who come out of the womb to look at trouble and sorrow and spend their days in shame. Is such a life worth living? However, no matter how hard life is, Christians cannot and must not commit suicide.
Luk 22:45, “When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.”
It is possible that people sleep from exhaustion. It is also possible that people sleep from sorrow.
Rom 9:2, “that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.”
Paul had deep concern for Israel that he had great sorrow and unceasing grief in his heart. I also pray for Israel so that Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas will get out of the Jewish land in peace.
2Co 2:7, ‘so that on the other hand, you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a person might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.”
In certain situation it is better to forgive and comport the offender, lest he might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Excessive sorrow is not good.
2Co 7:10-11, “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.”
Not all sorrows are bad. The sorrow of the world produces death. The sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret. It is very bad that world leaders and politicians who rejoice in doing evil.
Phl 2:27, “For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.”
Epaphroditus was a brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier who ministered to Paul’s need. He was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him and Paul so that Paul would not have sorrow upon sorrow. The ministry of Paul was a ministry of suffering for Christ. Very few understand what “sorrow upon sorrow” means. Do you?
“When the woes of life o’ertake me, hopes deceive, and fears annoy, never shall the cross forsake me. Lo! it glows with peace and joy.”
Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.”
Victor Hugo had some good words. “Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.”
Joseph Addison had a point, “Man is subject to innumerable pains and sorrows by the very condition of humanity, and yet, as if nature had not sown evils enough in life, we are continually adding grief to grief and aggravating the common calamity by our cruel treatment of one another.”
Victor Hugo said, “Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters.”
Pro 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
You may find your friends and relatives not dependable in time of trouble, I can assure there is a Friend in Jesus who will never fail you. Psa 50:15, “Call upon Me on the day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.” I am an old man who has gone through all kinds of adversities, I can testify to the faithfulness of my Lord.
There is only way to deal with sorrow. Ovid said, “Bear and endure: This sorrow will one day prove to be for your good.” Thomas Moore said, “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.” 1Co 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” Jesus also says, Mat 24:10-13, “And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people.And because lawlessness is increased,most people’s love will become cold.But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.” That time is this time. People who compare Jesus with Buddha, Mohammed,etc. and who put Jesus on the same level with them do not know Jesus Christ at all. Jesus is the Only Son of God, the only Savior of the world.
A sad man in his last words said, “The sadness will last forever.”
No. The Bible has good news for you who are broken-hearted: Sorrow and sighing will flee away. Jesus says, Mat 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” All who are weary and burdened may find rest in Christ.
Rev 21:2-4, “And I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
In the Paradise of God, Christians will rejoice because God will dwell among His children. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will be no longer any mourning (sorrow), or crying, or pain. This is the lot of God’s children in the Holy City, New Jerusalem.
“What is Fear?Fear is one of the seven universal emotions experienced by everyone around the world. Fear arises with the threat of harm, either physical, emotional, or psychological, real or imagined. While traditionally considered a “negative” emotion, fear actually serves an important role in keeping us safe as it mobilizes us to cope with potential danger.”
Gen 9:2,“The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every animal of the earth and on every bird of the sky; on everything that crawls on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea. They are handed over to you.”
God blessed Noah and his son, every animal and every bird, and everything that crawls on the ground and all the fish of the sea were handed over to them. The word “fear” occurs 310 times in the Bible.
Fear often involves both physical and emotional symptoms. Each person may experience fear differently, but some of the common signs and symptoms include:
· Chest pain
· Chills
· Dry mouth
· Nausea
· Rapid heartbeat
· Shortness of breath
· Sweating
· Trembling
· Upset stomach
In addition to the physical symptoms of fear, people may experience psychological symptoms of being overwhelmed, upset, feeling out of control, or a sense of impending death.”
Gen 15:1, “After these things the Word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I AM a shield to you; your reward shall be very great.”
The first thing God said to Abram or Abraham was: Do not fear. I think God knows the human primary problem is fear. When the angel proclaimed the good news to the shepherds, Luk 2:10, “And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” Do not fear means do not be afraid. When Jesus rose from the dead, Mat 28:5-6, “And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” The God of Abraham is our Heavenly Father, Christians have no reason to fear no matter what.
Epicurus was right, “A man who causes fear cannot be free from fear.” For example, a man who is unskilled, unmotivated, and undisciplined…can he be free from fear of unemployment? A promiscuous homosexual, HOW can he be free from fear of AIDS? A man who spends what he does not have, his debts are piling up high, how can he be free from poverty? A sinner who does not want to repent and believe in the Savior of the world, how can he be free from the judgment to come? A nation without an able leader of character, with a large uneducated and unskilled population, suffering deep debts and deficits, lack of development and infrastructure, how can the nation be free from poverty?
When the sons of Israel were facing the Red Sea and chased by the Egyptian chariots and army from behind, Exo 14:13-14, “But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever.The LORD will fight for you, while you keep silent.”
Palestinians, Arabs, and Hamas have no resettlement right, no claim to any part or portion of the Jewish land, so they had better get out from the Promised Land in peace the sooner the better. For the Lord will fight for Israel. Exo 14:25, “He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians each said, “Let me flee from Israel, for the LORD is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”
Gen 26:24, “And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants, for the sake of My servant Abraham.”
The Scripture cited above, the Lord said to Isaac: Do not fear, for I am with you. The good Lord also says to every Christian: Do not fear, for I am with you.
How fear can grip on people. A historical incident describes it: Mat 28:2-4, “And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men.” The guards were trained soldiers who were braver than ordinary men, but they shook from fear of the Angel and became like dead men. The Chinese has an expression, fear to death.
Epicurus said, “The fool’s life is empty of gratitude and full of fears; its course lies wholly toward the future.”
I want to add: The fool’s life has no future.
Christians are assured of divine protection. Luk 12:7, “But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows.”
Unlike unbelievers, Christians have no fear of the future. On the contrary, Christians are sure of their future. Christians straighten up and lift up their heads to see the Son of God Jesus Christ coming with power and great glory.
Luk 21:25-28, “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Christians are not afraid of the future because the future belongs to Christians. Things are taking place, Christians straighten up and lift up our heads because our redemption is drawing near.
XI. HUMAN EXISTENCE IS A PAIN
Psa 89:47, “Remember how short my life is, how empty and futile this human existence!”
There are at least three reasons why human existence brings pain: (A). Life is short. (B). Life is empty. (C.) Life is futile.
Ecc 1:13, “I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under Heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.”
The (D). Life is tragic.
The human existence seemingly ties to the existence of the universe. The existence of the universe logically ties to the existence of the Creator. There is a design in the existence of the universe. Even a little mistake could be catastrophic.
“Physicist Brandon Carter notes that the speed of light, multiplied by Planck’s constant, and divided by the square of the electron’s charge, roughly equals 137. Carter argues that if this ratio were ever so slightly more than it is, then all stars would be blue giants and there would be no planets at all, let alone living creatures; if it were somewhat smaller, all stars would be red dwarfs and thus the planets orbiting them far too cold to sustain any kind of organism. The speed of light, it seems, was fixed at the beginning for the sake of the whole show.”
God is perfect does not only mean that God does not need or lack of anything. The Person of God is perfect. Jesus teaches that God is perfect. Mat 5:48, “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” God is perfect in His righteousness, holiness, goodness, beauty, power, knowledge, wisdom, justice, honor, glory, majesty and everything. God is perfect in His work. Deu 32:4,“The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; the God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and just is He.” The Word of God is perfect. Every word is pure. 1Pe 1:23, “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring Word of God.” In comparison to God, the mortal man is nothing, less than nothing. God is supreme and ultimate in everything.
Someone said, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear with any ‘how.’”
Why Christians live in this world?
Before Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, He has a prayer with the Holy Father: Jhn 17:13-21,“But now I am coming to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one.They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world.And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word,that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
I am one with all sanctified believers in Christ. I want to be one with all true believers. For unity in Christ I do not ask and do not want anything from anybody. I just want all believers become ONE in Christ.
XII. DEATH BRINGS PAIN
A famous person said, “We don’t actually fear death, we fear that no one will notice our absence, that we will disappear without a trace.” Those who are having sense of self-importance, hear and listen, when you pass away, no one will remember you. You will disappear like a cloud without a trace.
Job 18:17, “All memory of their existence will fade from the earth,no one will remember their names.” Here the Scripture refers to the wicked: All memory of the existence of the wicked will fade from the earth, so no one will remember their names. Sure because the written record, people will remember the wicked Hitler, but all his agents the Nazis their existence will fade from the earth, and no one will remember their names.
According to https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory“Memory is the faculty by which the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information. It is a record of experience that guides future action.
Memory encompasses the facts and experiential details that people consciously call to mind as well as ingrained knowledge that surface without effort or even awareness. It is both a short-term cache of information and the more permanent record of what one has learned. The types of memory described by scientists include episodic memory, semantic memory, procedural memory, working memory, sensory memory, and prospective memory.”
I venture to say, as long as mankind keeps history record, Hitler will be remembered because he links to World War II. However, in eternity Hitler will burn in Hell for ever; and those in the Paradise of God all memory of Hitler will vanish and no one will remember his name. All those who are in Hell will be forever forgotten.
Exo 17:14, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly wipe out the memory of Amalek from under Heaven.”
God is able to utterly wipe out the memory of the wicked under Heaven.
Psa 90:10, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
Whether it makes sense or not, all will die because all have sinned. You cannot resolve the problem of death without resolving the problem of sin.
Gen 5:5, “So all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.”
The first man lived to 930 and died. The oldest man in history died at 969 years old.
Gen 5:27, “So all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.”
For a Christian, a pilgrim on earth, Psa 23:6, “Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, and my dwelling will be in the house of the LORD forever.”
When I leave this world, I shall dwell in the mansion of the Lord, the Paradise of God, forever.
An unbeliever facetiously said, “Man is condemned to be free.”
Heb 2:15, “and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
How can men who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives be free?
Someone said, “Better to die once and for all than to suffer pain for all my life. “ Someone does not know there is such a thing as eternal suffering in Hell. It is true. Death is the separation of soul from the body. For the wicked and unbeliever, it is eternal separation from God and suffering in pain in darkness for eternity.
Psa 116:3, “The snares of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.”
Many find distress and sorrow encompassing them by the snares of death and the terrors of Sheol come upon them, they find distress and sorrow.
· “Hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar falls below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), it can lead to accidents, coma, and death.
· Hyperglycemia. Blood sugar that goes above 180 to 200 mg/dL can give you heart, nerve, kidney, and vision problems. Over the long term, it also can cause coma and death.”
No one pays attention: Sin brings death. In most cases, eternal sufferings in Hell. Rom 5:12, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned—Heb 9:27, “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment.” It seems no one is paying attention to the judgment to come either. God is not joking. You are warned once more time.
IN CONCLUSION
YOU have learned many problems bring or cause pain. The human existence is pain. Life is pain. The world is pain. No matter who you are, there is no hope in the world.
Ecc 1:2, “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
Psa 90:10, “The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
It is so sad about our lives on earth. Soon we fly away. But there is hope, when Jesus was born hope was born. God sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, to come down to earth from Heaven to save sinners. There is hope in Christ. Col 1:5, “because of the hope reserved for you in Heaven, of which you previously heard in the Word of truth, the Gospel.” Because of the Word of truth, the Gospel, our hope in not on earth, but the hope reserved for us in Heaven. We do not want you to be uninformed. Christians have the hope of salvation. Col 1:27, ”to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The Christian hope of glory is Jesus Christ coming again to reign with the saints for eternity. Christians have set our hope in Christ, He will yet deliver us.
Gal 5:5, “For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for thehope of righteousness.” Christians do not belong to the world, we are citizens of Heaven. If you repent and believe in Jesus Christ, you can become citizens of Heaven by grace too. With the hope of righteousness, 2Pe 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for new Heavens and a new Earth, in which righteousness dwells.” God will dwell with His children, we will be in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. I am waiting; and billions and billions of believers of all generations have been waiting; are you? Rev 21:4, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
If you really want eternal joy in the Kingdom of Heaven without pain and tear, come and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
IX. SORROW BRINGS PAIN
Gen 44:29, “If you also take this one from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”
Jacob’s wicked children sold their brother Joseph as a slave to Egypt and lied to their father regarding Joseph harmed by wild beasts. So Jacob declares to his children: If they take Benjamin from him and harm happens to him, they will bring Jacob’s gray hair down to death in sorrow. So many peoples in this world die in sorrow for one reason or another. Sorrow not only brings pain, sorrow can bring death.
Gen 48:7, “Now as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died, to my sorrow, in the land of Canaan on the journey, when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath. I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).”
The beloved wife of Jacob, Rachel died to his sorrow. Is there anything more sorrowful than to bury your beloved wife?
Psa 31:10, “For my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing; My strength has failed because of my guilt, and my body has wasted away.”
How many can say the same about their lives as the Scriptures cited above. Long before psychologists and psychiatrists have existed, a sinner suffering guilt describes his life: My life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing; my strength has failed because of my guilt, and my body has wasted away.” This Scripture has clinical significance.
Psa 32:10, “The sorrows of the wicked are many, But the one who trusts in the LORD, goodness will surround him”
“Râshâ‛ also denotes the category of people who have done wrong, are still living in sin, and are intent on continuing with wrongdoing. This is the more general meaning of the word. The first psalm exhorts the godly not to imitate the deeds and behavior of the ungodly, wicked people. The “wicked” does not seek God (Ps. 10:4); he challenges God (Ps. 10:13). In his way of life the “wicked” loves violence (Ps. 11:5), oppresses the righteous (Ps. 17:9), does not repay his debts (Ps. 37:21), and lays a snare to trap the righteous (Ps. 119:110). Ps. 37 gives a vivid description of the acts of the “wicked” and also of God’s judgment upon them. Facing the terrible force of the “wicked,” the righteous prayed for God’s deliverance and for His judgment upon them. This theme of judgment has already been anticipated in Ps. 1:6: “For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” The expectation of the righteous includes God’s judgment on the “wicked” in this life that they might be ashamed (Ps. 31:17), be overcome by sorrows (Ps. 32:10), fall by their devices (Ps. 141:10), and die a premature death (Prov. 10:27), and that their remembrance will be no more (Prov. 10:7). It is expected that at the time of their death there will be great shouting: “When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: when the wicked perish, there is shouting” (Prov. 11:10).”
Psa 38:17, “For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me.”
Continuous sorrow can make a man to fall.
Pro 17:21, “He who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.”
Many cultures believe children are blessings. Foolish children only brings sorrows to their parents. How many American parents are in distress because their children are addicted to illegal drugs like heroin. A fool brings no joy to their parents. The burden of parents is heavy, it is heavier to raise a daughter.
Ecc 11:10, “So remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.”
Childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. Yesterday I was in the prime of life, today I am old. Life is fleeting. It is wise to remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body.
Isa 35:10, “And the redeemed of the LORD will return and come to Zion with joyful shouting, and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
No matter how much sorrows, Christians need not to commit suicide. Suicide is wrong and useless. There is good news. In the Paradise of God, there will be everlasting joy and full of gladness. There will be no more sorrow and sighing.
Isa 53:3, “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”
The prophet prophesies that Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. What pain the Lord Jesus had endured for the sins of the world.
Jer 8:18, “My sorrow is beyond healing, my heart is faint within me!”
Is there sorrow beyond healing? I believe even psychiatrists do not know. But one thing I know, there is nothing impossible with God. Exo 15:26, “And He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and listen to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your Healer.” THE Lord is your Healer. The Lord is my Healer. The Lord is our Healer.
Jer 20:18, “Why did I ever come out of the womb To look at trouble and sorrow, so that my days have been spent in shame?”
It appears there are peoples who come out of the womb to look at trouble and sorrow and spend their days in shame. Is such a life worth living? However, no matter how hard life is, Christians cannot and must not commit suicide.
Luk 22:45, “When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow.”
It is possible that people sleep from exhaustion. It is also possible that people sleep from sorrow.
Rom 9:2, “that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.”
Paul had deep concern for Israel that he had great sorrow and unceasing grief in his heart. I also pray for Israel so that Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas will get out of the Jewish land in peace.
2Co 2:7, ‘so that on the other hand, you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a person might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.”
In certain situation it is better to forgive and comport the offender, lest he might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Excessive sorrow is not good.
2Co 7:10-11, “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.”
Not all sorrows are bad. The sorrow of the world produces death. The sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret. It is very bad that world leaders and politicians who rejoice in doing evil.
Phl 2:27, “For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.”
Epaphroditus was a brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier who ministered to Paul’s need. He was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him and Paul so that Paul would not have sorrow upon sorrow. The ministry of Paul was a ministry of suffering for Christ. Very few understand what “sorrow upon sorrow” means. Do you?
“When the woes of life o’ertake me, hopes deceive, and fears annoy, never shall the cross forsake me. Lo! it glows with peace and joy.”
Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.”
Victor Hugo had some good words. “Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.”
Joseph Addison had a point, “Man is subject to innumerable pains and sorrows by the very condition of humanity, and yet, as if nature had not sown evils enough in life, we are continually adding grief to grief and aggravating the common calamity by our cruel treatment of one another.”
Victor Hugo said, “Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters.”
Pro 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
You may find your friends and relatives not dependable in time of trouble, I can assure there is a Friend in Jesus who will never fail you. Psa 50:15, “Call upon Me on the day of trouble; I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.” I am an old man who has gone through all kinds of adversities, I can testify to the faithfulness of my Lord.
There is only way to deal with sorrow. Ovid said, “Bear and endure: This sorrow will one day prove to be for your good.” Thomas Moore said, “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.” 1Co 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” Jesus also says, Mat 24:10-13, “And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people.And because lawlessness is increased,most people’s love will become cold.But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.” That time is this time. People who compare Jesus with Buddha, Mohammed,etc. and who put Jesus on the same level with them do not know Jesus Christ at all. Jesus is the Only Son of God, the only Savior of the world.
A sad man in his last words said, “The sadness will last forever.”
No. The Bible has good news for you who are broken-hearted: Sorrow and sighing will flee away. Jesus says, Mat 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” All who are weary and burdened may find rest in Christ.
Rev 21:2-4, “And I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
In the Paradise of God, Christians will rejoice because God will dwell among His children. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will be no longer any mourning (sorrow), or crying, or pain. This is the lot of God’s children in the Holy City, New Jerusalem.
“What is Fear?Fear is one of the seven universal emotions experienced by everyone around the world. Fear arises with the threat of harm, either physical, emotional, or psychological, real or imagined. While traditionally considered a “negative” emotion, fear actually serves an important role in keeping us safe as it mobilizes us to cope with potential danger.”
Gen 9:2,“The fear of you and the terror of you will be on every animal of the earth and on every bird of the sky; on everything that crawls on the ground, and on all the fish of the sea. They are handed over to you.”
God blessed Noah and his son, every animal and every bird, and everything that crawls on the ground and all the fish of the sea were handed over to them. The word “fear” occurs 310 times in the Bible.
Fear often involves both physical and emotional symptoms. Each person may experience fear differently, but some of the common signs and symptoms include:
· Chest pain
· Chills
· Dry mouth
· Nausea
· Rapid heartbeat
· Shortness of breath
· Sweating
· Trembling
· Upset stomach
In addition to the physical symptoms of fear, people may experience psychological symptoms of being overwhelmed, upset, feeling out of control, or a sense of impending death.”
Gen 15:1, “After these things the Word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I AM a shield to you; your reward shall be very great.”
The first thing God said to Abram or Abraham was: Do not fear. I think God knows the human primary problem is fear. When the angel proclaimed the good news to the shepherds, Luk 2:10, “And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” Do not fear means do not be afraid. When Jesus rose from the dead, Mat 28:5-6, “And the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” The God of Abraham is our Heavenly Father, Christians have no reason to fear no matter what.
Epicurus was right, “A man who causes fear cannot be free from fear.” For example, a man who is unskilled, unmotivated, and undisciplined…can he be free from fear of unemployment? A promiscuous homosexual, HOW can he be free from fear of AIDS? A man who spends what he does not have, his debts are piling up high, how can he be free from poverty? A sinner who does not want to repent and believe in the Savior of the world, how can he be free from the judgment to come? A nation without an able leader of character, with a large uneducated and unskilled population, suffering deep debts and deficits, lack of development and infrastructure, how can the nation be free from poverty?
When the sons of Israel were facing the Red Sea and chased by the Egyptian chariots and army from behind, Exo 14:13-14, “But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever.The LORD will fight for you, while you keep silent.”
Palestinians, Arabs, and Hamas have no resettlement right, no claim to any part or portion of the Jewish land, so they had better get out from the Promised Land in peace the sooner the better. For the Lord will fight for Israel. Exo 14:25, “He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians each said, “Let me flee from Israel, for the LORD is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”
Gen 26:24, “And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants, for the sake of My servant Abraham.”
The Scripture cited above, the Lord said to Isaac: Do not fear, for I am with you. The good Lord also says to every Christian: Do not fear, for I am with you.
How fear can grip on people. A historical incident describes it: Mat 28:2-4, “And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men.” The guards were trained soldiers who were braver than ordinary men, but they shook from fear of the Angel and became like dead men. The Chinese has an expression, fear to death.
Epicurus said, “The fool’s life is empty of gratitude and full of fears; its course lies wholly toward the future.”
I want to add: The fool’s life has no future.
Christians are assured of divine protection. Luk 12:7, “But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not fear; you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows.”
Unlike unbelievers, Christians have no fear of the future. On the contrary, Christians are sure of their future. Christians straighten up and lift up their heads to see the Son of God Jesus Christ coming with power and great glory.
Luk 21:25-28, “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Christians are not afraid of the future because the future belongs to Christians. Things are taking place, Christians straighten up and lift up our heads because our redemption is drawing near.
XI. HUMAN EXISTENCE IS A PAIN
Psa 89:47, “Remember how short my life is, how empty and futile this human existence!”
There are at least three reasons why human existence brings pain: (A). Life is short. (B). Life is empty. (C.) Life is futile.
Ecc 1:13, “I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under Heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.”
The (D). Life is tragic.
The human existence seemingly ties to the existence of the universe. The existence of the universe logically ties to the existence of the Creator. There is a design in the existence of the universe. Even a little mistake could be catastrophic.
“Physicist Brandon Carter notes that the speed of light, multiplied by Planck’s constant, and divided by the square of the electron’s charge, roughly equals 137. Carter argues that if this ratio were ever so slightly more than it is, then all stars would be blue giants and there would be no planets at all, let alone living creatures; if it were somewhat smaller, all stars would be red dwarfs and thus the planets orbiting them far too cold to sustain any kind of organism. The speed of light, it seems, was fixed at the beginning for the sake of the whole show.”
God is perfect does not only mean that God does not need or lack of anything. The Person of God is perfect. Jesus teaches that God is perfect. Mat 5:48, “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” God is perfect in His righteousness, holiness, goodness, beauty, power, knowledge, wisdom, justice, honor, glory, majesty and everything. God is perfect in His work. Deu 32:4,“The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; the God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and just is He.” The Word of God is perfect. Every word is pure. 1Pe 1:23, “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring Word of God.” In comparison to God, the mortal man is nothing, less than nothing. God is supreme and ultimate in everything.
Someone said, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear with any ‘how.’”
Why Christians live in this world?
Before Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, He has a prayer with the Holy Father: Jhn 17:13-21,“But now I am coming to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one.They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world.And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word,that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
I am one with all sanctified believers in Christ. I want to be one with all true believers. For unity in Christ I do not ask and do not want anything from anybody. I just want all believers become ONE in Christ.
XII. DEATH BRINGS PAIN
A famous person said, “We don’t actually fear death, we fear that no one will notice our absence, that we will disappear without a trace.” Those who are having sense of self-importance, hear and listen, when you pass away, no one will remember you. You will disappear like a cloud without a trace.
Job 18:17, “All memory of their existence will fade from the earth,no one will remember their names.” Here the Scripture refers to the wicked: All memory of the existence of the wicked will fade from the earth, so no one will remember their names. Sure because the written record, people will remember the wicked Hitler, but all his agents the Nazis their existence will fade from the earth, and no one will remember their names.
According to https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/memory“Memory is the faculty by which the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information. It is a record of experience that guides future action.
Memory encompasses the facts and experiential details that people consciously call to mind as well as ingrained knowledge that surface without effort or even awareness. It is both a short-term cache of information and the more permanent record of what one has learned. The types of memory described by scientists include episodic memory, semantic memory, procedural memory, working memory, sensory memory, and prospective memory.”
I venture to say, as long as mankind keeps history record, Hitler will be remembered because he links to World War II. However, in eternity Hitler will burn in Hell for ever; and those in the Paradise of God all memory of Hitler will vanish and no one will remember his name. All those who are in Hell will be forever forgotten.
Exo 17:14, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly wipe out the memory of Amalek from under Heaven.”
God is able to utterly wipe out the memory of the wicked under Heaven.
Psa 90:10, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
Whether it makes sense or not, all will die because all have sinned. You cannot resolve the problem of death without resolving the problem of sin.
Gen 5:5, “So all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.”
The first man lived to 930 and died. The oldest man in history died at 969 years old.
Gen 5:27, “So all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.”
For a Christian, a pilgrim on earth, Psa 23:6, “Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, and my dwelling will be in the house of the LORD forever.”
When I leave this world, I shall dwell in the mansion of the Lord, the Paradise of God, forever.
An unbeliever facetiously said, “Man is condemned to be free.”
Heb 2:15, “and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
How can men who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives be free?
Someone said, “Better to die once and for all than to suffer pain for all my life. “ Someone does not know there is such a thing as eternal suffering in Hell. It is true. Death is the separation of soul from the body. For the wicked and unbeliever, it is eternal separation from God and suffering in pain in darkness for eternity.
Psa 116:3, “The snares of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.”
Many find distress and sorrow encompassing them by the snares of death and the terrors of Sheol come upon them, they find distress and sorrow.
· “Hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar falls below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), it can lead to accidents, coma, and death.
· Hyperglycemia. Blood sugar that goes above 180 to 200 mg/dL can give you heart, nerve, kidney, and vision problems. Over the long term, it also can cause coma and death.”
No one pays attention: Sin brings death. In most cases, eternal sufferings in Hell. Rom 5:12, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned—Heb 9:27, “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment.” It seems no one is paying attention to the judgment to come either. God is not joking. You are warned once more time.
IN CONCLUSION
YOU have learned many problems bring or cause pain. The human existence is pain. Life is pain. The world is pain. No matter who you are, there is no hope in the world.
Ecc 1:2, “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
Psa 90:10, “The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
It is so sad about our lives on earth. Soon we fly away. But there is hope, when Jesus was born hope was born. God sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, to come down to earth from Heaven to save sinners. There is hope in Christ. Col 1:5, “because of the hope reserved for you in Heaven, of which you previously heard in the Word of truth, the Gospel.” Because of the Word of truth, the Gospel, our hope in not on earth, but the hope reserved for us in Heaven. We do not want you to be uninformed. Christians have the hope of salvation. Col 1:27, ”to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The Christian hope of glory is Jesus Christ coming again to reign with the saints for eternity. Christians have set our hope in Christ, He will yet deliver us.
Gal 5:5, “For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for thehope of righteousness.” Christians do not belong to the world, we are citizens of Heaven. If you repent and believe in Jesus Christ, you can become citizens of Heaven by grace too. With the hope of righteousness, 2Pe 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for new Heavens and a new Earth, in which righteousness dwells.” God will dwell with His children, we will be in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. I am waiting; and billions and billions of believers of all generations have been waiting; are you? Rev 21:4, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
If you really want eternal joy in the Kingdom of Heaven without pain and tear, come and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
This is not a Biblical or Christian subject. You may ask what is wrong with me? I shall explain to you how I feel as an old dying man who is a Christian by grace, a Chinese by race, and American by nationality. As a Christian I have done most of the work, I shall engage in the ministry of the Word until I die. As an American I have done all I have done, trying to warn Americans going the wrong way and trying to save America from committing suicide. As a Chinese I had been contributing as a professor hired by the Chinese Ministry of Education, and lectured at some major universities over the years. I think the Open Letter to President Bush published by China Daily has reached more students than anything I had written, it was even carried by UC Berkeley.
I wrote an article called The Incomparable Jesus which is deemed the most important work of my website.
https://williewong.cw.center/wp
Furthermore, before too long, I shall publish an article showing how to write Chinese in alphabetical manner.
Now what I am to propose is not for poor foreign travelers OR overseas Chinese who have no means. Travel is not for poor people. The world has never been fair.
You do not need to fly first class, but you need to stay at first class (5-star hotel). I propose you stay 7 days in Beijing, 5 days in Kanas Lake (Xinjiang), 5 days in Xian, 7 days in Hangzhou, 3 days in Jiuzhaigou, 7 days in Shanghai, and 4 days in Guangzhou. A poor man or woman certainly cannot afford a 38-day trip. Once you take the trip as I suggested, you will never forget or regret, and convinced it is worth all the money you spend.
There are important reasons that I write the Treasures of China.
2Pe 3:10-14, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be BURNED up.
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
But according to His promise we are looking for
New Heavens and a New Earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless
Verse 10. – But the day of the Lord will come. The word ἥξει, will come, stands emphatically at the beginning of the clause; whatever the mockers may say, whatever may happen, come certainly will the day of the Lord. “The day of the Lord” meets us often in the prophets; it is usually associated with the thought of judgment (see Isaiah 2:12; Ezekiel 13:5; Joel 1:15; Malachi 3:2). In the New Testament it signifies the second advent of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:2; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:2). As a thief in the night. The best manuscripts omit here “in the night.” St. Peter is evidently echoing the Lord’s words in that great prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives, which must have made such a deep impression upon the apostles. This illustration of the sudden coming of the thief is repeated not only by St. Peter here, but also by St. Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:2), and twice by St. John (Revelation 3:3 and Revelation 16:15). In the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise. The Greek for “with a great noise (ῤοιζηδόν)” occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, and is one of those remarkable poetic forms which are not unfrequent in this Epistle: the noun ῤοῖζος is used of the whizzing of arrows, of the rush of wings, of the sound of mighty winds or roaring waters. It may be understood here of the crash of a falling world or of the roar of the destroying flames. The word rendered “pass away” is that used by our Lord in the prophecy just referred to (Matthew 24:35; also in Matthew 5:18 and in Luke 16:17). And the elements shall melt with fervent heat. It is uncertain whether by “the elements” (στοιχεῖα) St. Peter means the four elements (in the old and popular use of the word), or the great constituent parts of the universe, the heavenly bodies. Against the first view is the assertion that one of those elements is to be the agent of destruction. But the word rendered “melt” means “shall be dissolved” or “loosed;” and it may be, as Bishop Wordsworth says, that “St. Peter’s meaning seems to be that the στοιχεῖα, elements or rudiments, of which the universe is composed and compacted, will be loosed; that is, the framework of the world will be disorganized; and this is the sense of στοιχεῖα in the LXX. (Wisd. 7:17 Wisd. 19:17) and in Hippolytus, ‘Philos.,’ pages 219, 318. The dissolution is contrasted with the consistency described by the word συνεστῶσα in verse 5. The heavens are reserved for fire, and will pass away with a rushing noise, and, being set on fire, will be dissolved; the elements will be on fire and melt, and he reduced to a state of confusion; the earth and the works therein will be burnt up. There does not seem, therefore, to be any cause for abandoning the common meaning of στοιχεῖα, the elemental principles of which the universe is made.” On the other hand, the word στοιχεῖα is certainly used of the heavenly bodies by Justin Martyr (‘Apolog.,’ 2. c. 5, and ‘Dial. cum Tryphon,’ c. 23); and the heavenly bodies are constantly mentioned in the descriptions of the awful convulsions of the great day (Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24; Luke 21:25; Acts 2:20; Revelation 6:12, etc.). The objection that the word does not bear this meaning elsewhere in Holy Scripture is of little weight, as this is the only place in which it has a physical sense. The literal translation of the clause is, “The elements, being scorched, shall be dissolved.” The word for “being scorched” (καυσούμενα) occurs in the New Testament only here and in verse 12; it is used by the Greek physicians of the burning heat of fever. The verb λυθήσεται means “shall be dissolved or loosened.” The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. By “the works that are therein” St. Peter seems to mean all the works both of God and of man, “opera naturae et artis” (Bengel). There is a very remarkable reading here (supported by the Sinaitic and Vatican and another uncial manuscript), εὑρεθήσεται, “shall be discovered,” instead of κατακαήσεται, “shall be burned up.” If we understand “the works that are therein” of man’s works and actions, this reading will give a good sense (comp. 1 Corinthians 3:13, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is”). Or the clause may be regarded as interrogative, “Shall the earth and the works that are therein be found?” But the reading, “shall be burned up” is well supported, and suits the context best. 2 Peter 3:10”
This is one of the many self-evident examples of the stupidity of foolish theologians who propagate false interpretations of the Scriptures.
By elements I believe THEY are chemical elements such as iron, copper, gold, lead, etc. I don’t agree with the interpretation of the four elements of air, water, fire, and earth–in the first place, how air, water, fire, and earth are melted?
The time is coming, not only the Treasures of China will be burned up, the whole world will be burned up, and all the elements will be melted because of intense heat. Come and see China’s treasures while you can!
Beijing
7 days in Bejing you must see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Palace Museum, the Temple of Heaven, Tienanmen Square, Yiheyuan(Summer Palace), Galaxy SOHO, etc.
Having travelled all over the world, there is no one single structure more beautiful than the Temple of Heaven.
Kanas Lake
5 days in Kanas Lake (Xinjiang), you must see Kanas Lake & Xinjiang Kanas National Geopark – the Private Garden of God
I believe Kanas Lake is natural beauty and the national treasure of China. You have to see and experience for yourself. The air is fresher than those of Norway. The river is like the River of Life.
Xian
5 days in Xian must include Paying a Visit to the Terracotta Warriors. Let the enemies of China beware of the spirit of Terracotta Warriors. Even though they may be able to kill 1 billion Chinese mainland, there will still be 400 million overseas Chinese warriors like Terracotta Warriors.
The Terracotta Warriors are artificial beauty the national treasures of China.
Hangzhou
7 days in Hangzhou, I recommend to say at Wanghu Hotel, and order Beggar’s Chicken in advance. I have been to Hangzhou more times than Chairman Mao had. Wanghu Hotel is a walking distance from West Lake. Of all the cities in the world, may I tell you I love Hangzhou the best, and West Lake the best. I have been to Hangzhou in four seasons.
Take a Seat in Round-the-Lake Sightseeing Golf Cart
Evening Bell at Nanping Hill – Chinese: 南屏晚钟
Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer – Chinese: 曲院风荷
Orioles Singing in the Willows – Chinese: 柳浪闻莺
Spring Dawn at Su Causeway – Chinese: 苏提春晓
Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor – Chinese: 花港观鱼
I have borrowed from the Internet some beautiful pictures of West Lake, Hangzhou to convince you why I love Hangzhou best.
West Lake, Hangzhou is both artificial and natural beauty of China, the national treasures of China. Beggar’s Chicken and Hangzhou Cuisine are Chinese national treasures that you will discover.
Jiuzhaigou
JIUZHAIGOU is a natural beauty and the national treasure of China. When you see it, you will know it.
Shanghai
I have lived in Shanghai more than 20 years, so you know I know what I am talking about. I want to assure you the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower is better than Seattle’s Needle Tower or Paris Eiffel Tower, because I have been to the three towers, so I am qualified to compare and comment.
Because most of the Treasures of China are on display are there. The treasures of China I refer to are China National Treasures of antiques or precious porcelains OR china of Ming and Qing dynasties. I want you to spend days on the Third Floor of Ceramics Gallery. Here you will witness the master handicrafts menof Sung, Ming and Qing dynasties produce inestimable, invaluable and priceless treasures of China. By their handiwork they created treasures and riches for China. According to
Unlike the British Museum, Louvre Museum Paris, France, Smithsonian Institutions and Japanese palace museums, etc. who robbed and looted China national treasures by force. In Shanghai Museum there is not one piece looted or robbed or stolen foreign national treasure. The treasures of China you can personally witness their beauty, loveliness, excellent forms and appearances, skills, attractive qualities, gorgeousnessand matchlessness. Looking at those antiques and national treasures, you wonder there are such beautiful things in the world.
Oriental Pearl Tower
Shanghai Museum with China’s antiques and precious porcelains and the Oriental Pearl Tower are artificial beauties and the national Chinese treasures. There is no place where you can see and experience so much Chines treasures at one place in terms of Chinese antiques and priceless porcelains. Once you have seen them, you will never forget as long as you live.
I have been and saw the Taipei Palace Museum myself. Years ago Chiang Kai Sheck moved the Chinese Treasures from the mainland to Taiwan as Kuo Ming Tang regime fled. The Taipei Palace Museum housed the priceless Chinese Treasures worth more than the current market value of
US$100,000 trillion dollars. They do not belong to Taiwan. They belong to China and Chinese people. They must be returned to China unconditionally.
Guangzhou
In Beijing you must not miss eating Peking Duck. In Guangzhou you can eat anything is delicious because Cantonese cuisine is number one in the world. However, you must not miss Barbecue Piglet with sweet-sour sauce.
Guangzhou is China’s national treasure in many ways, and it was the first city touched by foreign influence. Cantonese cuisine and Dim Sum are well-known all over the world, you must not miss them.
In summary, according to the Word of God,
1Co 7:31, “and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the present form of this world is passing away.”
Not only China is passing away. America is passing away. Japan is passing away. The present form of this world is passing away. The end of the world is near.
Without God, there is no hope for the world.
But for Christians or the saints, “But according to His promise we are looking for New Heavens and a
New Earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace.”
If you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world, you can inherit and look for New Heavens and a New Earth, in which righteousness dwells. As Christians or Saints, you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Jesus Christ, the coming Judge of the living and dead, at peace.
You can come to Jesus now, for today is the day of salvation; and tomorrow may be too late.
Will you come now so that you may inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.
On October 1, 2025 I urge the Hong Kong government and people to start de-Biritishization by changing all English street and road names; for example Victoria Peak should be replaced by Deng Xiaoping Peak and Queen’s street should be replaced by Mao Zedong Street, etc.
All undeveloped, backward, and poor nations are the same. They absolutely have nothing, and suffer shortages of everything. Their leaders and politicians are corrupt and looting the national treasuries. Their people are lazy, sing and dance, drink beer and enjoy sex to produce many children they cannot support. The dislike work, but
prefer games and sport. They are big talkers, and small doers. Internation community should not give aid to them; for 100 years they will remain the same way of life.
China has aided more than 100 nations, none of them has done China any good for China. Some countries laudicrously believe because they uphold the principle of One China, they think they have done China a great favor. Because China founded BRICKS, BELT & ROAD, SCO, etc. so China is obliged to do and finance every project.
EUROPEAN and other Nations that foolishly recognize statehood of Palestine should take Palestinians in and give them aid of all kinds free. What is the use of recognizing the state of Palestine when Palestine does not have territory or sovereignty?
Ukraine nincompoop wants to use USA to fight against Russia. US must ditch Ukraine, EU and abolish NATO. EU alliance has proven meaningless. America must not guarantee security of any nation. International community, knowingly or unknowingly, is greatly mistaken. Gaza does not belong to Palestinians. Gaza belongs to Israeli. Palestinians are originally Arabs who invaded Palestine under British colonial rule. It is good and right for Palestinians to relocate permanently in lands of Arabs to establish a Palestinian State of their own.
Hamas who killed hostages must be killed. Hamas who mistreated hostages must be punished.
Palestinians do not have homeland. Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, etc. belong to the Jews. It is good and right that Palestinians be resettled permanently in any Arab land to build a Palestinian State of their own. This is the true “two-state” solution.
Palestinians must be evacuated from the Jewish lands and resettle permanently in Arab lands to build their own Palestinian state. Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis are terrorists to be destroyed completely. That is the only way to peace.
The world intentionally believes in a lie. Palestinians are originally Arabs who surreptitiously moved to Israel without pay under the British colony called Palestine. Arabs bred like rabbits and called themselves Palestinians. It is most reasonable for Arabs to move to lands of Arabs. For Palestinians do not have claim or resettlement right in the Jewish land of Gaza, West Bank, etc. No one would object for Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in lands of Arabs, but Palestinians cannot build a Palestinian state in the Jewish land. Palestinians prefer to be called refugees in order to receive international aid every thing for free. Palestinians must move out or be removed from the Jewish land. TERRORISTS HAMAS, Hezbollah and Houthis MUST be destroyed completely.
Some fools believe and practice martial arts, boxing, violence, sports such as foot ball to save impoverished and backward nations. The truth is only hard work, being good farmers, herdsmen, fishermen, teachnicians, repairmen, engineers can save poor, undeveloped and backward nations.
There has been undeclared war in the southern border between Mexico and America, which has been neglected by previous American administrations. Mexico flagrantly serves as the open conduit for illegal migrants to enter California and crossing the river to enter Texas. The US must bomb Mexico City to warn them there can not be business as usual; in particular Mexico rejected American airplanes which carried deported illegal migrants to land. America must use its powerful military and National Guards to patrol the borders 24 hours. Fire and shoot at unlawful migrants who climb the wall; who try to destroy the wall; who do graffiti on the wall; who congregate within 100 feet of the wall; who cross the river; who cut the wire to deter the invasion. America declares to REJECT all asylum applicants for 100 years. No humanitarian aid shall be given to any unlawful migrants. In addition to American troops, state National guards must also be used to end the unlawful migrants invasion of America. They are despicable and deplorable peoples who fail in their countries and dream of entering America to live happily and doing nothing on welfare. Immigration Officers must raid Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, San Diego, Miami, etc. — dens of illegal aliens; the Welfare Department has their names and addressees.
Palestinians are also useless, shameless and worthless peoples to loot and rob international aid trucks. They are violent and unproductive. Leaders and politicians of Palestinian Authority lead them to the path of destruction by illegally occupying the Jewish lands. They do not want to go to the Arab lands to build their Palestinian state. They rather stay in Jewish lands in order to receive aid for nothing. No aid should enter to help Palestinians.
Hamas should be held responsible for killing hostages and be punished. The UN chief, Arab, Islamic, Black, EU nations speak and support terrorists should be gone. All UN high-paid officials should be replaced; and UN to be reformed in 100 days. It is a false peace. Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, Rafah, etc. are Jewish lands. UN, WHO, Arab-Muslim-Black nations and Palestinian Authority speak and support terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis without making any demand. Palestinians do not have homeland in Jewish lands. They must evacuate from Jewish lands and go to lands of Arab to build a Palestinian state. That would be true peace but they do not want peace.
China generously aided more than 100 nations, while their politicians and leaders practice corruption and looting of national treasures, their unproductive people sing and dance, drink alcohol and produce many children they cannot support.
CHINA is the most unusual nation on earth. The craftsmen or artisans of Tang, Sung, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties created untold and immense treasures for China. Western nations like Britain, US, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Japan (8-nation alliance) attacked, burned, robbed and stole and looted China national treasures at market value of more than US$100,000 trillion dollars. It is better to return them to China now, not wait until China makes demands by military force. Shame on Western nations who claim or pretend to be Christian. For the last 500 years, the manifest evils of the West are imperialism, colonialism and capitalism.
Today Chinese rescue workers respond to any natural disaster, the speed and service they built tents and houses unmatched by any nation. The American homeless people would rejoice just to have the Chinese tents. China must not waste its resources on the lazy people and unproductive peoples who eat and get fat, drink alcohol, sing and dance, have sex and produce many unwanted children they cannot support; like to play, enjoy games and sports but dislike hard work and discipline; cannot even produce food and basic necessities.
Xizang earthquake demonstrates what the Chinese government cares and does for its people. What does the U.S. government do for Californians in Los Angeles wildfires? The world must know the truth.
Japan intends to swallow up the United States Steel in order to control the American economy. This should be an eye-opener to the U.S. government that Japan is not a genuine ally. The US government made a big mistake in rearming Japan. Singapore and Malaysia are wise to establish a special economic zone. Many underdeveloped nations fool China in holding one-China policy. By doing so they think they deserve China’s economic and financial aid. India has conflict of interest in Bricks, it is better to withdraw and Indonesia is wise to join Bricks.
Leaders and politicians of Palestinians are evil and guilty because they lead Palestinians to the path of death and destruction through illegal occupation of the Jewish land and support of the terrorists. They give false hope to Palestinians in so-called “two-state solutions”. Palestinians are Arabs, no one would object to Palestinians building a Palestinian state in an Arab land. When Palestinians want to build a Palestinian state in the Jewish land, that is the cause of conflict. Palestinians speak and support terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis. Palestine leaders and politicians should evacuate all Palestinians from the land of the Jews and go to Arab lands to build a Palestinian state. That would be peace.
The Internet is a cesspool of corruption, fraud and iniquity. No nation polices and punishes their wrongdoings. Money making individuals and institutions would invade your computer to push their products even rejected. Many famous American universities and institutions are selling their fraudulent products for incurable problems. Many individuals and institutions claim to be Christian and shamelessly and aggressively ask for donations. Many sell famous works in public domain through subscriptions and purchases. Many distort and pervert the Word of God but ask for donations.
Any nation which restricts, bans, or interferes with China’s activities is illegal and unlawful. China can do anything within its sovereignty that does not violate the international law.
To appease the fury and wrath of South Koreans, the impeached Yoon and all those who blocked his arrest shall be executed once and for all. Maybe Yoon should experience the 4-horse treatment. South Korea is the nation the world should not be: all incompetent, chaotic and useless.
Henceforth beginning 2025 all undeveloped nations must work, discipline and be responsible to produce their own food and other necessities; all international aid will be terminated beginning November 2025. Undeveloped nations cannot do as usual in dancing, singing, drinking and sporting, have sex and produce many unwanted children they cannot support. They must work hard to support and save themselves. Based on the Biblical principle, 2Th 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.”
How can we be suspicious since we never ask for money, we only tell the truth absolutely free.
China has aided more than 100 nations costing hundreds of $ billions. Tell the truth, which nation has expressed act of gratitude? Won’t it better to spend on internal improvement or buying gold?
WHO IS WILLIE WONG?
I am a Christian by grace, a Chinese by grace, an American by nationality. I am neither a communist nor a capitalist. Above all I am a follower and servant of Jesus Christ. In English I am a Ruskinian, In Management I am a Koontzian. In Politics I am a Nixonian. In Philosophy I am Willie Wong Thought.
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THE WEST (US, BRITAIN, CANADA, EU) BEING EVIL AND FOUND GUILTY OF SANCTIONING CHINA ALL BECAUSE THEY COVET XINJIANG AND XICHANG AND HONG KONG, USE TAIWAN AND SOUTH CHINA SEA TO ATTACK CHINA’S SOVEREIGNTY.
On the one hand, some White experts pretend to make good suggestions to improve China economy; they may fool many Chinese, I can see malice, envy and ill will through their awkward faces. On the other hand, Black leaders and politicians play coy and con China to support their development for nothing. China needs to stop all foreign aid for two reasons: China needs to pay down deficits and debts. China must not be fooled and must use its hard-earned meager resources wisely to do the following strategic projects:
China should have unswerving commitment only to itself. China should not waste money on useless and unworthy undeveloped countries. Not one nation is grateful. Deficits and debts are bad.
China cannot save the world, China must save itself.
2. Make deserts green and reduce sand storms.
3. Repair the Great Walls. Build sea walls around Hainan Island, Shanghai, etc. to prevent climate change that sea water will rise.
4. Promote night markets in big cities and promote domestic travel to expand the economy. Deficits and debts are bad; fiscal surplus is good.
5. Execute crooks and criminals who defraud through Telecom and Internet of more than ONE million yuan. IT is not known who polices the rampant international crooks and criminals who defraud the public by famous American universities and institutions who sell high-priced fake drugs such as to cure knee pain and prevent knee surgery and ear ringing, etc. Sweep clean fraudulent commercials on TV and the Internet.
6. Execute crooks and criminals who defraud in foreign nations and do not bring them home. Faces and names of deceivers must be published on TV to shame them and their families.
7. Increase and strengthen the development and deployment of nuclear weapons for self-defence.
8. Streamline and reduce national and local government debts and deficits.
9. Train 5 million doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, professors and MANAGERS, machinists in the next 5 years.
10. Assist the poor Chinese in the rural areas first.
11. Improve mechanized agriculture, and upgrade technology in every field.
12. Streamline management of central and local governments.
13. Enforce laws to reduce the number of criminal individuals and organizations in many areas.
14. Execute crooks and criminals who create rumors and conduct espionage that harm national security.
15. Reorganize personnel of CGTN and restructure its programs.
16. Protect the environment and punish severely individuals and organizations who dump industrial waste and toxic materials on lands, soils, water ways, lakes and rivers, and seas.
17. Remove all fraudulent commercials and fake advertisements from TV and Internet and punish the culprits severely. Violent gaming produces violent culture. Violent culture destroys any nation.
18. Make it easy for Overseas Chinese to come to China and make their investments.
19. Reward universities that earn and win NOBEL prizes.
20. Conduct ditching and dredging of lakes and rivers and waterways and seas to prevent flooding before extreme weather.
21. Innovate and increase therapeutic and pharmaceutical capabilities to produce various vaccines and preventive medicines.
22. Regulate foreign hospitals and clinics in China to prohibit monopoly and prevent high costs of healthcare.
23. Bargain down whole sale price with foreign drug companies to import effective foreign drugs to benefit Chinese consumers.
24. Subsidize elderly apartment renting by 30%, if elderly live with their children, their monthly mortgage will reduce also by 30%.
25. Severely punish companies that manufacture fake or low quality products.
26. The world must condemn the phony currency called Bitcoin and China should not fall into the financial trap.
27. Execute individuals and organizations that rob ancient cemeteries or tombs to sell precious national treasures.
28. Regulate foreign hospitals and clinics in China to prohibit monopoly and prevent high costs of healthcare.
29. Bargain down whole sale price with foreign drug companies to import effective foreign drugs to benefit Chinese consumers.
30. The world must condemn the phony currency called Bitcoin and China should not fall into the financial trap.
31. Mandate providing access to elderly and invalid wheelchairs.
32. Execute individuals and organizations that rob ancient cemeteries or tombs to sell precious national treasures.
33. Prohibit anyone to smoke on TV or in movies. Reduce individual gun violence except in war movies.
34. Execute Hong Kong residents who commit treason or to be exiled permanently. Hong Kong is fortunate to have food, fuel and water, etc. provided by Mainland China.
35. No one speaks Portuguese except Portugal and Brazil. Macao should not hamstring its residents, but replace Portuguese with the English language the sooner the better.
36. Increase, innovate, and modernize public and private toilet facilities.
37. Punish severely those who violate smoking and drinking on buildings, trains, ferries, and airplanes; the third violation deserves to be executed.
38. China needs to make Christmas a national holiday to facilitate the big Christmas business in China.
39. Execute leading organized criminals, attack every form of terror, and destroy vigorous lawlessness.
40. Penalize severely those who have licenses but do not know how to drive or violate traffic rules and regulations on purpose.
41. To deter and destroy corruption, China needs to execute any officer who commits corruption of more than CNY one million.
42. Execute anyone who counterfeits money and seize all his/her assets.
43. Rebuild the Old Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan Park ( 圆明园) which was burned down and destroyed by aggressive and intrusive 8-nation-troops; and DEMAND them reparations now through diplomacy or later by military force.
44. Use force to liberate Taiwan and execute traitorous leaders of the People’s Progressive Party (民進黨) publicly.
How to solve global hunger and poverty? There are nations and peoples who deserve to suffer hunger and poverty. For example, Palestinians do not want to go to lands of Arab to build a Palestinian state of their own. They would rather be in the Jewish land and label as refugees so that they can receive international aid for free. There are undeveloped nations and peoples whose leaders and politicians are corrupt, and the peoples are lazy and unproductive; they eat and get fat, sing and dance, drink beer and have sex, produce many children they cannot support. They like the way of life so that they can beg and receive aid freely. These nations will remain poor and suffer hunger in worse situation a hundred years from now!
PEOPLE should ask, why most of the criminals and crooks at the national capital are blacks? HEAR YE, HEAR YE, AMERICANS. America needs a new beginning. I am to propose moving the national capital to Lincoln, Nebraska.
Lincoln is the greatest American president, greater than Washington. The special interest is concretely and concentrically established in Washington, D.C.
The White House, Supreme Court, etc. can be sold to luxurious hotels. American government must be freed from all encumbrances, monopolies, lobbies, and special interests once and for all. Washington can be a regular city of Maryland, most likely a tourist city because the Monuments and Smithsonian Institutions shall be kept. The city can charge admission to all Smithsonian Institutions. There shall be a national referendum to decide the moving of the national capital to Lincoln, Nebraska. Congressmen and Senators shall decide whether to move the Capitol or not. The political names of D.C. and Capitol shall be dropped. All unnecessary government employees shall be dismissed and useless departments and agencies shall be discarded.
They were not “immigration raids” in Los Angeles, they were and they are ”unlawful migration raids.” You see there are evil forces conspiring to destroy America from within. Some are flying Mexican flags. It may be good idea not to imprison protesters but deport them to Mexico! California governor and Los Angeles mayor are on the wrong side of history. I have lived through two most horrible Los Angeles black riots. Unlawful migrants are not immigrants. It is mentally retarded who cannot distinguish between an immigrant and unlawful migrant. Children born to illegal aliens although in America are not American citizens. Latino, Mexican, Black illegal aliens must be deported without further delay. Protesters and labor unions are not patriotic Americans. Enforecement of the law is neither repression nor authoritarianism. Unlawful migrants are criminals who do not have any right, do not deserve any humanitarian aid. The only right is to deport 45 million illegal aliens already in America right away, including the mayor of Washington, D.C., the mayor of Los Angeles, and the mayor of Chicago.
. To hire or hide illegal aliens are felony. Most of them are on welfare; their names and addresses can be checked on the Welfare Department.
It is sheer stupidity to give debt relief to Africa whereas its leaders are con men who live in luxury; and its people are lazy, eat and drink beer, sing and dance, enjoy sex and produce many children they cannot support.
There is no hope for the world because what should be done is not done:
1.For all war crimes and terrorist acts, Putin failed to annihilate Ukraine and execute its nincompoop and left Ukraine desolate and never be rebuilt. NATO & EU should be aslo abolished.
2.The chiefs of UN & WHO and all high-paid officials must be replaced, be reformed in a year.
3.Terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis must be destroyed FOR GOOD.
4.The nuclear facilities of Iran must be demolished for good. Do not give a breathing space. Aim at total annihilation so that Iran cannot retaliate OR rebuild.
5.Palestinians must be evacuated from Jewish lands and resettle in Arab lands to build a Palestinian state and make living on their own.
6. Undeveloped nations and peoples who do nothing to help themselves must be left to gut and rot.
7.The USA must give up its empire, world domination.
World media portrays Palestinians as victims in struggle. The world believes in a lie! The truth is the fact Palestinians were Arabs who surreptitiously moved into Palestine without pay during the British colonial rule. They bred like rabbits and occupied the Jewish lands. The Palestinian authority is not a state, and misleads the Palestinians to a path of destruction. Palestinians are irrational, bad, irresponsible, unmotivated and useless people. They would rather be classified as refugees so that they can get everything free through international aid, they would not go to Arab lands to build its own Palestinian state and make a life of their own.
Any country who shares destiny with corrupt countries will certainly come to RUIN!!!
If all the China’s treasures, robbed by Chiang Kai Shek, worth US$100,000 trillion dollars, now located at Taipei Palace Museum, return to Beijing Palace Museum; like Egypt, China can have a Grand Museum.
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
-This article is written to let you know those who seek money, power, and pleasure do not know how to live. Those who lie, kill, and destroy are doomed to suffer in Hell for eternity.
This article is written to let you know that neither success nor happiness is the abundant life that every human aspires to. How to live does not mean how to live like Socrates or any world-famous individual. Socrates is not our model; any great individual is not our model also. Jesus sets as our Example, Christians must imitate Christ. But we do not imitate to live like Christ; Christ did not not have many problems and limitations like most people do: education, employment, marriage, family, sickness, loneliness, pain, sorrow, failure, disappointment, ignorance, weakness, and the list goes on indefinitely.
Even Christians do not have the nature and power to live like Christ. It is obvious, Christ is sinless. Even the godly Christians are not sinless. Christ is omniscient and He knows all men and all things. Christians have limited knowledge. Christ is omnipotent, there is nothing impossible with God. Even Christians have difficulty and impossibility. We cannot imitate Christ to walk on the sea, to turn water into wine, to feed the 5,000 with five barley loaves and two fish, to calm the wind and the waves, to raise Lazarus who had been dead 4 days, etc. etc. We cannot imitate Christ in His sinlessness, power, and wisdom, etc. What we can learn from Christ?
Mat 11:29-30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Note: To learn of Christ is to follow Christ; to follow Christ is to take up the cross. We must learn from Christ to subject to the will of God even to death on the cross. Gentle in Greek is prauswhich means meek, mild, humble, free from violence; “Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will (Gal 5:23).” (Strong’s Concordance); – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Humble in Greek is tapeinoswhich means lowly in spirit, not proud or arrogant, cast down, unpretentious, down-to-earth, meek, modest; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. Have you ever seen American and European leaders who are gentle and humble in heart? All white and black supremacists are arrogant, puffed up, egomaniacs.
I believe “yoke” here does not mean “sonship”, it means “discipleship” — the relationship between the Lord and His follower. I think the Lord used “yoke” and “burden” synonymously. Yoke in Greek is tapeinoswhich means “metaphorically used of any burden or bondage” (Strong’s Concordance); servitude; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Burden is phortionwhich means a load, the obligations Christ lays upon his followers; a task or service; duty and responsibility; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament.
Discipleship is a partnership between the Lord and His follower. The disciple must submit to the Lordship, submit to the authority of the Lord. The Lord and His disciple also share things together; as the Lord leads, His sheep follows. Take the yoke and burden of the Lord is to obey His commandments, and share afflictions of Christ, the sufferings of Christ; to suffer for His name’s sake, to suffer for the Gospel. I think the Words of Jesus explain the meaning of yoke and burden: Mar 10:39, “They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.” The cup symbolizes hardship, sacrifice, and bearing the cross.
The Christian life is to take upon the yoke and burden of Jesus, and to drink the cup that Jesus drank and be baptized with the baptism with which Jesus was baptized. Christians do not live life on their terms. Christians live on the terms of Jesus Christ.
If you lie, kill, and rob; defraud, rape, and burn; corrupted by greed, violence, and immorality so much so that you violate the commandments of God; if you are a dictator, corrupt ruler or leader, warmonger, oppressor, terrorist, robber, rapist, arsonist, clearly and certainly not only you do not know how to live; the world would be better off if you had never been born or never had existed. The wicked and the evildoers are destined to be sent to Hell for eternal punishment.
Jesus Christ is both Divine and Human. Christians are simply human beings, we are born with depraved nature and restricted by many limitations. Jesus Christ never attended university, He is the Wisdom of God, He knows everything and all things and all human beings without being taught.
Jhn 7:15-18, “The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, having never been educated?” So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
There is one word “unrighteousness” which can capture the reality of all nations and the condition of all human beings on earth. There is unrighteousness everywhere, and there is no righteousness anywhere.
Unfortunately, human problems influence much how a person lives. The following factors may cause problems for individual lives and affect how people live.
I. BIRTH COUNTRY
Where you were born has a lot to do with how you live. The difference between being born in an advanced society and a primitive country is vast and inestimable. At university, we had a joke if Einstein were born in African jungle, he would be a good headhunter, but never a physicist. If you were born in Scandinavia, you will not encounter famine, food shortage, epidemic diseases, violence, poverty, corruption, unsanitary condition, etc. that are prevalent and prevailing in many countries and many parts of the world. So the first thing to determine your destiny is where you were born. To be born in a good country is your asset, to be born in a bad country is your bad luck. However, a Chinese can be born in Scandinavia and still is a Chinese with a specific nationality such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, or Iceland. I do not want to list good and bad countries in this world.
II. RACE
We do not want to get into the technicality of Anthropology and classification of the human races. We just speak human race in general. We do not want to debate whether racial superiority exists or not. We are not interested in knowing how many races in the world. Like it or not, your race has a lot to determine how you live in this world. Simply there are white, black, yellow, brown, and red races in the world.For example, Singapore is 70% Chinese. It is sheer stupidity to classify Singaporean as Australoid. It is a poor thing that certain racial groups are so backward and unproductive even in the age of high technology. If you belong to a race which treats women and girls badly as a matter of fact. This cultural bias influenced how people live and behave all their lives. One thing is sure the Jews are neither African nor black. I am glad that I am neither Black nor White.
III. EDUCATION
Being human, education is a big part of our life, from childhood to adulthood. It is true where you are born, where did you live what language you speak, what university you attend, what kind of job you have, where do you live now can determine your destiny. All these were irrelevant to Jesus Christ. However, they are relevant to Christians on earth.
Language has a great deal that influences the way of thinking, expression, and conduct of life. I say the English language is the only one that “I” is a capital letter, so it maybe the English speaking people are more self-centered. However, English is a very systematic and accurate language. For example, in spoken Chinese language you hardly know whether it is plural or singular, male or female, singular or plural verbs or tenses. It says, People come. 有人来。You will not know whether it is one person or more than one persons come。 You cannot know whether it is a male or female who comes. You do not know what kind of people come.
Once on a train to Copenhagen I met a mother and a young girl. I heard they speak beautifully and melodiously, but I had no idea what language they spoke. Even though I do not speak many languages, I could identify them by just hearing. Although I could not tell the difference between Korean and Japanese, Hindu and Pakistani. I can identify the dialect of Cantonese although I speak hardly. After inquiry I discovered the mother and daughter spoke Castalian Spanish. I was so surprised because it was not like the Spanish spoken by Mexicans in California. I am glad that I was not born in certain nations. I do not want to list the harsh languages in the world, that would offend many countries and peoples.
When I was working my way in college, there was a British nurse in the hospital. We teased her by saying how come she spoke like something in her tongue. She was not happy about that. However, I thank God from childhood I speak, read, write, and think in English. Years ago in California and even recently I propose my country the United States in the U.S. Constitution to declare American English as the only official language to be used in all communications, public and private, and at all times and all places in America. I believe American English is the most powerful, useful, beautiful and scientific language in the world.
The educational process from kindergarten to university involves many things and many people. Those formative years are vital and consequential. I had a female colleague who told me she was disappointed with her master’s degree program. There was a young man who thought to be a social worker was interesting, so he studied sociology. After he got his B.S. degree in Sociology, he landed a job in a county welfare department. He lamented every day because he had to deal with the lowest strata of the society and not interested in their problems. You see what kind of job you do may determine your destiny.
IV. EMPLOYMENT
There are more problems with a human life. Your job could be a blessing or a great curse. There are not many people who like or enjoy their jobs. Years ago I have discovered that to like your job you need to like your boss or supervisor, he or she can make your life miserable. Secondly, you must like or enjoy your work daily and weekly and yearly. Thirdly, you need to be happy with your salary and benefits. Fourthly, you need to like your co-workers and get along with them. They can also make your life miserable. The worst of human beings I have ever met in life I met them at work. No one has a choice to decide with whom they work with. Fifthly, you need to like your corporate culture and work environment. Do you know you spend more hours with your colleagues and your supervisor than with your spouse and family members? Although I have retired more than ten years, I am still hunted by the bad corporate ghost in my dreams.
V. MARRIAGE
With whom and to whom you are married also occupies most of your life. Jesus never married or had sex with any woman. The female professor of Harvard divinity school who declared she discovered the wife of Jesus is such a hoax and blasphemy; I believe she had committed the unpardonable sin. Your husband or wife has an unerasable impact on your life. If you have a good wife or husband, you are blessed all your life. A beautiful woman in old age told me she made a big mistake in her life in looking for the wrong man.
Surprised? The highest divorce rate is not America. It is reported that the divorce rates in America are somewhere between 40% and 50%, almost half of people married will get a divorce. I must make it clear from the beginning that Jesus Christ forbids Christian to get divorce. Mat 19:9,“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Appearances are most deceptive. Millions of people who attended the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana on TV must have believed it was a most ideal marriage. The rest is history.
Although I have met millions of peoples, I do not know one marriage made in Heaven.
I knew a most beautiful girl in my youth, due to the mix up of time and space we were separated many years. When the most beautiful girl in the world turned into an old lady, she confided me the greatest secret of her life; the sorest grief of her soul. I was shocked to hear that she said in Chinese that her heart was unwilling
心不甘 (there is no English equivalent that her heart was deeply and regretfully unwilling) because she found the wrong man in her life. It was a marriage without love, she did not love him, in a life long of unhappiness without relief of divorce. You do not know how a woman suffers when the real did not match up with the ideal. The pain of marriage without love is not outsiders can comprehend or understand.
It goes without saying that religion greatly influenced how a person lives in this world. Thank God, I was not born a certain race or nationality that predetermines my religion. Some evil religion approves bad treatment of women and girls as a way of life. Some culture devalues women as property. If a religion denigrates and abuses women and girls, so its people do so as a matter of fact. If a religion is superstitious, the people act just the same. Once I met a Catholic girl, I told her the virgin Mary was not perpetual virgin because after giving birth to Jesus, Mary and Joseph had sex and produced several children. I told her it is written in the Holy Bible. Mat 13:55-56,“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” So Mary had Jesus and four other sons and daughters not mentioned. But the Catholic girl believed her church and not the Bible.
VII. RESIDENCY
For better for worse, the place you live has great impact on your life. Recently, I was grieved for millions of Texans who did not have water and power due to the wintry blast in February 2021. It is no doubt that where you live affects your happiness, health, and life expectancy. For example, how can you live long and well if you live in a war zone?
VIII. INTELLIGENCE, VALUE AND PERSONALITY (IVP)
I invented a theory of man called IVP. IVP stands for Intelligence, Value and Personality. Man is a tripartite of being consists of Intelligence, Value and Personality. You do not like or reject certain things or persons or ideologies because your IVP drives you to do so. A low intelligent person does not put much value on education, knowledge, and wisdom. A wicked man does not have moral values. An unpleasant person does not have a charming personality. Lately, on world stage, we watch bullies, tyrants, dictators, and oppressors tell lies on TV. I often think why would a leader or politician attack, oppress, smear, lie, kill, and rob other nations and peoples. Well, such is a warmonger without moral values. You may be surprised to know that the formula of IVP for Hitler is this: HIxLVxMP.
H=High, L=Low, M=Middle.
VIII. ENVIRONMENT
Most people think when we speak of environment we mean only the physical environment. Physical environment does have great impacts on human beings; for example, overpopulation, pollution, soil erosion, deforestation, burning fossil fuels, shortage of water, and climate change. More or less, economic and financial environment, political environment, cultural environment, and social environment have probably greater negative impacts too.
Racial discrimination and racial problems are facts of life in the world, in particular the United States of America. Recently the world witnessed how a black suspect was asphyxiated and killed by a white policeman in public on TV. America practices White supremacism where the Whites rule the nation, money and power are in the few hands of Whites. All supervisors are white men and white women although they maybe less educated and less qualified. After living almost half a century in America, my personal experiences confirm the fact of racial discrimination in employment whether hiring and promotion. A white man was hired as manager in the department although he never had policy and procedure experience. The funny part was that every morning he shook hands with me at the office for he made the statement no one in his department knew how to develop policy and procedure, except Willie Wong. The practice of job discrimination had many aspects. Once a white woman in Human Resources asked me if I knew how to climb a tree, a young man who holds a Master’s degree from a top American university and who had job experience with the Federal government in Washington, D.C., listened to an Human Resources requirement of climbing a tree put me in a position not knowing whether to laugh or to cry. Once I submitted copies of my B.A. and Master’s degree certificates to a big corporation. The strangest and insidious and devious thing was that the Master’s degree copy disappeared from the personnel file, in this way when the H.R. is audited could rationally defend itself why the employee was understaffed and underpaid.
I had a colleague of mine who was a Korean American and she holds a CPA. The fact her supervisor, the controller and the Vice President of Finance also did not have a CPA tells the simple fact of job discrimination. I told her not to think about it or else she would be unhappy all her life. I advised her to seek something interesting outside the job. My way of compensating the job discrimination was to lecture at Chinese major universities during my vacation and to satisfy my intellectual abilities with extra curriculum activities such as building and maintaining Internet websites to reach millions of global readers with the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free.
The world has been controlled, dictated, dominated, exploited, oppressed, suppressed by Western (American, European, UK, Canadian, Australian) and Japanese imperialism, colonialism, militarism, capitalism, supremacism for more than 500 years. Many atrocities, genocide, injustice, and evil deeds have been disclosed. Only God knows every evil deed committed by America, Europe, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan. The funny and ludicrous part is the fact that America and EU now accuse China of practicing national capitalism! Indeed America, EU, UK, NATO, AUKUS, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, and JAPAN have been responsible for 90% of world problems today, another 5% are committed by undeveloped nations self-inflicted civil wars, corruption, backwardness, etc., and the last 5% are committed by Islamic terrorism. The West and Western mainstream media deliberately and habitually ignore the achievements of China such as the historical and monumental achievement of lifting out 770 million peasants from extreme poverty. White supremacists are very wicked people who distort the facts with pleasure: the Chinese virtues they call vices, the Chinese achievements they call failures, the Chinese aid to poor nations they call aggression and neocolonialism, the Chinese hard work and thrift, they call theft of intellectual property, etc., etc. The West continues to lie, kill, and rob in order to maintain world dictatorship and domination. The most atrocious and vicious is the fact that America and European nations, (except the pagan Japan), claim to be Christians nations and doing the most wicked and evil things contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Political environment and circumstances can be formidable. For example,the absurdity is America Extending the Hard Line with China. It is no surprise that White supremacists deliberately and immorally assert that Beijing seems to be galvanizing a new consensus at home. They had been singing the swan song of the demise of Chinese government since 1949. AS NEVER BEFORE, Beijing is even more popular with the Chinese people for all of its concrete achievements, including eliminating abject poverty of 770 million peasants. It is evil and irresponsible to suggest that China triggers American actions. The South China Sea, Yellow Sea, and the East China Sea legally belonged to China long before America, Japan, Australia, India and other nations existed. Under the pretense and pretext of freedom of navigation, America, EU, UK, Australia, Japan habitually violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of many nations. China and Russia never violated the sovereignty of America and NATO. Words matter to American leaders and politicians? Remember, you can lie to the whole world, but you cannot fool God who is the Judge of Living and Dead.
In my life time Obama at first declared that the U.S. was neutral on the sovereignty of Diaoyu Islands. For he knew very well that America illegally gave administrative control to the wartime criminal and unconditionally surrendered nation of Japan. In 1971 the U.S. again violated international law and China’s sovereignty by illegally giving administrative control of China’s Diaoyu Islands to the unconditionally surrendered war crime nation of Japan. Diaoyu Islands have belonged to China longer than the existence of Japan and America combined. Later Obama changed his words by saying Diaoyu Islands belong to Japan and America would fight to defend Japan. America has defended evil dictators, corrupt rulers, warmongers, thieves and robbers if only they bow to the leadership of America. The lies told by American leaders and politicians in the last 300 years are more than the stars in the sky! Taiwan has always been a part of China long before America existed; and why the U.S. makes Taiwan a de facto American colony, and its allies are trying to rob Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang, and trying to destroy China? The world already knows who is robbing 31 ton gold of Venezuela and oil of Syria, the wealth and palaces of Saddam Hussein, and the wealth of Mohammad Gaddafi of Libya, etc. In the first place the world also knows who robbed the land of the original natives of America and almost killed off the Indian Race!
If China has stolen the intellectual property of America, how come the Chinese corporation called Huawei has the most advanced 5G technology in the world? Why America and Europe are so afraid of Huawei 5G that they do everything possible to boycott, smear, sanction, target and destroy Huawei? Who is competing with America? Isn’t it every nation is free to achieve under the international law? Whenever and wherever China is taking the lead such as trade, manufacturing, supply chain, space, diplomacy, poverty reduction, currency exchange, etc. America and EU immediately attack and target and sanction China as national security threat. The sham and shame would even blush the devil with these falsely called Christian nations! With respect to COVID-19, China has aided many nations without strings attached while the U.S. could not even protect its own citizens that more than 50,000 deaths have occurred in early March and leading the world in both infections and deaths! As regards Nobel Peace Prize laureate, I had argued with Norway that they could not just pick a nobody but one who was a Chinese traitor to be awarded Nobel Peace Prize. The same Americans called those Hong Kong rioters and terrorists as freedom fighters, but those who protest against injustice at home are thugs, criminals and terrorists. Well, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Ask Americans whether they have been treated well and do they trust their government? I cannot understand why those nations and leaders could not see logs in their own eyes, but they want to take specks out of the eyes of other nations. As Jesus says, Mat 7:5, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Historically, the United States of America has wronged China too many times since the Infamous Opium Wars led by the evil British Empire to force opium on the Chinese. At first, the West looked down at China because China was then weak and backward. Now, the United States, EU, NATO, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, etc. are so afraid of the peaceful rise of China. They are so afraid of losing their world dictatorship and domination. My, if they don’t like China so much, why don’t they return the Chinese national treasures that they robbed and looted and stole since the Opium Wars to this day. China never did any wrong to America and Europe and Japan. The West, America and Europe, irrationally harbor so much malice, jealousy, envy, hatred, ill will, hostility, aggression, etc. toward China. Why do American war ships, aircraft carriers, war plans, spy planes, bombers, etc. continuously and constantly invading and encroaching China’s territories in the South China, Sea, Yellow Sea, the East China Sea? China does not have one warplane or warship close to America or Europe. Trillion tons of Western propaganda of democracy, human rights, freedom, justice, etc. are useless and meaningless when their actions of aggression and sanction speak louder than their words.
China does not want to compete with America or any country. China is lawfully competing with itself in solving many national problems. In solving terrorism, China has succeeded in eliminating terrorism in Tibet and Xinjiang and Hong Kong. China achieves liberty and harmony in those areas with prosperity. AFTER more than 10 years, America is still failing to fight against terrorism abroad, and now facing internal terrorism at home. China has succeeded in lifting 770 million peasants from extreme poverty. Although China is still a poor nation, thank God not one Chinese is freezing or starving to death. It is vital for American leaders to look within. Are you not ashamed to see many homeless people living in tents on streets in Los Angeles? There is a new class of poverty in Texas when people are driving pretty cars to accept food charity. China is still backward, but there is not one day anywhere in China without running water and electricity. The homeless people of the world would be jealous to look at the new houses of the Chinese poor in countryside.
America is able to solve all its pressing problems simply by abandoning the empire, closing all foreign military bases and operations, withdrawing all overseas troops, and stop building weapons of mass destruction, war planes and warships, etc. Trillions and trillions of dollars that vanish in the black hole of so-called defense and national security could be used to rebuild America. You can be sure America is safe from China and Russia. For years America has wasted trillions and trillions of dollars in unnecessary and unjust wars, so-called defense and national security. The world is safe if there is no threat from America, EU, NATO, UK, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, and Islamic terrorists. Most of the world still does not know that the China-India border conflict was created by the evil empire of Britain. Britain took large areas of Chinese territories to incorporate into its colony of Indian Map to make its colony look bigger. The leaders of UK do not have the moral character and courage to come out and explain the truth about the Indian Map and resolve the conflict once and for all.
IX. THE 18 VIRTUES
After much deliberation and research of the Holy Scriptures, I discover there are virtues or qualities that a human being must possess in order for learning and practicing HOW TO LIVE. Human wisdom is handicapped in discovering the truth. The Word of God reveals what virtues or qualities we need to live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present world. (Tit 2:12). If you live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present world, it means you know HOW TO LIVE.
To cope with life problems and the problems of the world, you need to know and learn HOW TO LIVE. The fact that the overwhelming majority of people do not know how to live speaks clearly and loudly the predicament of life. That drives people in different direction or pursuit. Some gullible people try drugs, alcohols, and promiscuous sex. Some go for so-called philosophy to find the meanings of life. Some spend their lives in amassing wealth and material things. Some pursue power. Others pursue fame.
No matter of your birth country, race, educational background, religion, employment, marital status, environment, etc. I believe you can learn HOW TO LIVE to be a decent human being. However, this article is written only and specifically to focus on how Christians can learn HOW TO LIVE. It is impossible to have those 18 virtues without first having the Christian experience of having a new life in Christ. ALTHOUGH the factors mentioned above greatly influence a person HOW TO LIVE, I want to make it clear for a Christian the grace of God can overcome those difficulties, and so a Christian is responsible for his/her conduct of life and HOW TO LIVE.
For every CHRISTIAN who desires to live a meaningful life must learn HOW TO LIVE. A person who has learned how to live usually possesses the following 18 virtues or qualities of life. A person who does not have these virtues or qualities are blind and short-sighted. All those who seek the values of money, power, and sex are fools who do not know how to live.
1. Diligence
2. Faith
3. Virtue
4. Knowledge
5. Self-control
6. Perseverance
7. Godliness
8. Brotherly kindness
9. Love
10. Joy
11. Peace
12. Goodness
13. Faithfulness
14. Righteousness
15. Truth
16. Honor
17. Honest and good heart
18. Excellence
If you have the virtues or qualities listed above, it is impossible for you to fail, to live in vain.
Let us examine the 18 virtues or qualities one by one:
1. Diligence.
2Pe 1:5, “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,”
Other words for diligence are industry or hard work. It is corresponding to the Protestant Ethic.
Pro 4:23, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”
Note: The most important of a man is his heart not his head, therefore one must watch over his heart with all diligence. For from the heart it flow the springs of life. An evil heart fails any man. An evil heart of unbelief will send you to Hell.
Pro 12:27, “A lazy man does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a man is diligence.“
Note: The precious possession of a man is not money, power, and sex; it is diligence. Everything a man does must show his diligence. Without diligence, no man can accomplish anything. Pro 15:19, “The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.” Confucius said, “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.“
2. Faith
It is written, Mar 11:22, “And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God.“
Note: The wisdom of the world says, “Have faith in yourself.” A Christian not only has faith in God, he also has faith in Jesus Christ. The whole Christian experience is from faith to faith, by faith and through faith. Christians follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham. Unbelief makes a man weak, faith makes believers grow strong.Unbelief wavers, faith stands firm. 1Co 2:5, “so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” Faith on the power of God can remove mountains of problems.
Gal 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Note: This is the crux of HOW TO LIVE for all Christians. Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. Many are confused and do not know the difference between faith and the faith. Faith is your belief in God, the Faith is the body of truth that all Christians of all generations believe in Christ Jesus.
3. Virtue
2Pe 1:5, “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply virtue, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,”
Note: Virtue in Greek isaretē which means moral excellence; moral goodness; a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action (Strong’s Concordance); – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Based on
Phl 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” We can deduce that truthfulness, honor, rightness, purity, loveliness, praiseworthiness, good reputation are considered virtues. Dwell in Greek is logizomaiwhich means to think; to count; to reckon; to reason; to take into account; to make an account of; to gather or infer; to weigh the reasons; to deliberate; to meditate on; to consider; to deem or judge; to determine or decide; – which occurs 44 times in the New Testament. We have to deliberate and meditate on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, whatever is excellent, and whatever is worthy of praise. Whatever includes everything and all things.
A man who has sex with many women and produce children they both cannot and do not want to be responsible is morally bankrupt.
A morally bankrupt person cannot be a Christian, much less a preacher or a leader. Take the virtue of truthfulness. It is amazing and appalling that some people say that testing, wearing mask, isolation, lockdown do not save lives. This is the age of lie and distortion and disinformation, there is no truth in politicians, mainstream media, business and industry, etc. There are people who call the rioters and terrorists in Hong Kong as freedom fighters. There are those who call the rioters in the Capitol as freedom fighters. After examining the evidence of the Capitol riots, I agree with the FBI to call them domestic terrorism.
4. Knowledge.
Knowledge is divided into human and divine knowledge. Human knowledge is human knowledge whether it is a priori or a posteriori, explicit or tacit. Even human knowledge is infinite while human life is short. There are many types of human knowledge which are not helpful or useful in learning HOW TO LIVE. Christians are more concerned not only in the knowledge of good and evil, but the true knowledge, the revealed knowledge of God and in real knowledge of truth, the knowledge of every good thing in Jesus Christ so that we can live worthy of the Gospel anddoing the will of God from theheart. All scientific knowledge is tentative and progressive. They will pass away. There are people who are so proud because they know Wall Street economic and financial systems. In Heaven or Hell stocks and bonds would be good for nothing. For this reason, Christians seek spiritual wisdom and understanding. Col 1:9, “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,” Earthly people boast to have worldly knowledge and understanding so much so they practice knowledge management, Christians want to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
5. Self-control
1Co 7:5, “Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Note: Self-control is necessary in building a good character. If you lack of self-control, Satan will tempt you in many things and in many ways. Many become obese because they lack self-control in eating. Christians do not drink and drive and kill people. Some people especially women commit malicious gossips without self-control.
For a worldly man, self is the most important thing. He does everything for the sake of himself: self-love, self-image, self-esteem, self-advancement, self-service, self-glorification, self-promotion, self-respect, self-indulgence, self-gratification, self-obsession, etc. The Christian, on the contrary is to deny oneself and take up his cross, lay aside the old self, and put on the new self.
Mat 16:24, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Not only that, Mar 8:35, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it.” Christians have three enemies: Self, Satan, and the world. Self-control is a virtue has nothing to do with others. A worldly man is self-centered, a Christian is Christ-centered. Have you ever met a Western politician who is not self-centered?
6. Perseverance
Rom 5:3-4, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;”
Note: For this reason it is believed that it is good for the youth to suffer hardship and adversity. If you had to work your way through college independently in America when the minimum wage was $1.25, you would know what it means that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance proven character. In Chinese language, the character ‘patience’ means a knife in the heart. Perseverance is an unwavering spirit. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.” I think Longfellow was influenced by the Words of Jesus,
Mat 7:7,“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” I told my students the Words of Jesus are the secrets of success. You have to ask, seek, and knock.
Diligence + Perseverance = Success
7. Godliness
1Ti 4:7-8, “But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Note: This is not sexist statement, it is true that worldly fables fit only for old women. Christians need to discipline oneself for the purpose of godliness. Do you know, godliness is profitable for all things; it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. There are many things which hold promise for only the present life, such as money, power, property, even knowledge. For example, medicine is useless for the life to come whether in Heaven or Hell. All Christian doctrines agree with sound words, and with conforming to godliness. I often wonder why in the world those men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth want to preach the gospel in order to get rich. One more reason to be in holy conduct and godliness is the fact the things of the world will soon be destroyed by fire. 2Pe 3:11, “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,'” Godliness is unlike other human virtues, it is a godlike quality. Cleanliness maybe next to godliness.
8. Brotherly kindness
Pro 19:22, “What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.”
Note: White and black supremacists think what are desirable in a man are their money and power and pleasure. God says, It is better to be a poor man than a liar. Western leaders lie, kill, and rob other nations. Brotherly kindness does not mean all men are brothers, there are children of the devil who are not brothers of the children of God. Brotherly kindness refers to show and do a kindness to a Christian brother and sister. Gal 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” It is not possible for a true believer who does not have the fruit of the Spirit. Col 3:12,“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;” Kindness is the highest human virtue.
Aristotle defined kindness “helpfulness towards someone in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but for that of the person helped.” In other words, kindness is helping someone in need without strings attached.
9. Love
The Christian virtue of love is described and defined in 1 Cor Chapter 13, and also commanded by Jesus Christ, Mat 5:44,“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Note: The Bible teaches love for all people, love for the Household of God, and Jesus teaches the highest love, the love of your enemies. I often wonder why American and European (including UK, Canadian and Australian) leaders and politicians and journalists habitually tell lies about China and Russia and sanction them as enemies. Their hatred and malice are virulent and vicious without cause. In fact, Russia and China are no enemies of the West at all. How can those Western leaders and politicians call themselves Christians and do not do what Jesus Christ commands and says?
10. Joy
Luk 6:23, “Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in Heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.”
Note: Even today in certain countries to be a Christian is to be beheaded! All those who live godly lives will be persecuted. Jhn 16:20, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.”Rom 14:17, “for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Phl 1:25, “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,” Be convinced, true Christians have progress and joy in the faith.
Jde 1:24, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,” The day Jesus is coming again will be the Day of Great Joy.
11. Peace
Mar 9:50, “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Note: The devil started the first war in Heaven and lost. Christ wants us to be at peace with one another. White supremacists engaged in endless wars in the last 500 years to dictate and dominate the world, to make other nations colonies and their peoples slaves. Even today they do not know the way of peace. America, Europe (including UK, Canada, Australia, France, NATO, etc.) and Japan constantly prepare for war and conduct military exercises and operations to target Russia and China. The Western war planes, spy planes and war ships habitually violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia and China. How can white and black warmongers claim to be Christians? There is no peace on earth because of American and European and Japanese imperialists, militarists, and Islamic terrorists want to dominate the world.
Jhn 14:27,“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
Rom 8:6, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,”
Note: The mind set of white and black supremacists is on the world domination, on war, on the flesh and death.
Christians cheer up and head up! Rom 16:20, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” God will soon crush Satan and Satan will be under the feet of Christians.
12. Goodness Gal 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,“
Note: The Word of God makes a distinction between kindness and goodness. What is kindness? Kindness in Greek is chrēstotēs which means gentleness, the state or quality of being kind; goodness; virtue; integrity; benignity; usefulness, charitableness; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. For example, David and Jonathan were unusual friends. After the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, King David asked, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.”David said to Mephibosheth, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.” It was most touching how David showed kindness to the son of Jonathan. (2 Samuel 9:1-13).
Goodness in Greek is agathōsynēwhich means uprightness of heart and life; virtue; benevolence; beneficence; the quality or state of being good; morality; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament.
Kindness may be human virtue as its best, giving help and showing mercy whenever is needed. Goodness is godly virtue, like the Good Samaritan, love your enemies and feel compassion.
13. Faithfulness
Our God is the Godof faithfulness and without injustice.
Gal 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Note: The fruit of the Spirit includes faithfulness. Those who do not have the Holy Spirit in them cannot have the fruit of the Spirit.
Mat 23:23, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.”
Note: Jesus pronounces woe to scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites and points out the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. Woe also to the hypocrites of Western leaders and politicians who deliberately manufacture deadly lies about China’s Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong and sanctions against Russia. The Western leaders and politicians do not care about justice and mercy and faithfulness which Jesus Christ upholds.
Rom 3:3, “What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?”
Note: Faithfulness in Greek is pistis which means faith; fidelity; assurance; “conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it” (Strong’s Concordance); “belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same” (Strong’s Concordance); moral conviction of the Christian truth; the substance of Christian faith or what is believed by Christians; – which occurs 243 times in the New Testament. The unbelief of some scientists and philosophers does not nullify the faithfulness of God. Faithfulness is not about whether God can be trusted, faithfulness is a question whether you can be trusted. Christians can be trusted in time of crisis.
14. Righteousness
Righteousness is the opposite of unrighteousness, lawlessness or wickedness. Righteousness is close to justice. If you are in righteousness, you are also in justice.
Mat 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Note: Led by the West, now the whole world hungers and thirsts for money, power, and sex. Can you single out one nation which hungers and thirsts for righteousness?
Mat 5:10, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Note: This is a serious matter. Christians shall be persecuted for the sake of righteousness.
Eph 5:9, “(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),”
Note: True Christians have the fruit of the Light consisting in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Those who do not have goodness and righteousness and truth are children of darkness. God is Light, the image of God is goodness, righteousness, and truth.
2Pe 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for new Heavens and a new Earth, in which righteousness dwells.”
Note: There is no righteousness in this world. Do you know righteousness dwells in any country? Not one that I know. Righteousness dwells in new Heaven and a new Earth, in the Kingdom of Heaven. Christians must be on the side of righteousness. It is most deplorable that those so-called Christian nations and leaders are on the side of unrighteousness and injustice. Those who are righteous must be instruments of righteousness and practice righteousness. He who practices righteousness is righteous. The Sun of Righteousness will rise to judge the unrighteous.
15. Truth
The God of the Universe is the God of Truth. God is true, every man a liar. Truth is one of the few things which is eternal. The sum of the Word of God is truth.
There is no truth is this world:
Isa 59:14, “Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter.”
Lately you witness the leaders of the world who lie, lie, lie without shame; and the Western mainstream media lie, lie, and lie. They spew out lies, false information, disinformation, and misinformation.Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth. Lies and not truth prevail in America and the Western world, for they proceed from evil to evil.
Jhn 1:17, “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.“
Note: Historically, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. This may be the manifesto of Jesus Christ,
Jhn 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” The truth in Christ is the real truth.
Jhn 8:32, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Jhn 3:19-21, “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Light of the world.
Jhn 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Note: Jesus Christ speaks the truth, why do you not believe Him? The truth of Christ is without hypocrisy. Truth is supreme, without truth everything falls apart. Even in this world, nothing works without truth.
16. Honor
Rom 2:7, “to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;”
Note: Christians by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor not in this world. Some church members are ambitious to have access to the White House and seek glory and honor in this world, and thus so-called Christian nationalism was born. Some American preachers consider it a great honor to be briefed by the White House. There is no immortality and eternal life in this world. The suffering saints when Christ returns to reign will share glory and honor and immortality and eternal life with Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven. While on earth, we honor the Son now.
Jhn 5:23, “so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.“
2Ti 2:21, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.“
Note: The honor Christians seek on earth is to be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. Your life matters if you are a vessel for honor. In America people would honor the greatest crook because he has wealth and riches. A Christian does not need to be a hero, but he must have honor. A Christian who does not have honor cannot honor the Lord. Some white supremacists (high ranking leaders) who raped young girls without honor and try to use their positions and powers to discredit their accusers. Some silly girls committed suicide. Australian leaders (white supremacists) are without honor instead of correcting and compensating their past genocide of killing Australian aborigines, they attack and sanction China on account of fake news and disinformation and false information.
Those who use foul and vulgar (F) words have no honor. Hollywood is promoting vulgarity at full speed. When you hear a young girl uses vulgarity, you know how low a society has fallen.
Christians are also commanded to honor their father and mother. Eph 6:2, “HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise),” Many believers also do not know that offering to God is to honor the Lord.
Pro 3:9, “Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;”
17. Honest and good heart
Luk 8:15, “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the Word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.”
Note: The seed in the good soil are those who are the one who have heard the Word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. True Christians have the Word of God in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. An honest and good heart is more important the American presidency, more precious than Wall Street, and more glorious than the fame and glamour of Hollywood. An honest and good heart is more valuable than all the gold in Fort Knox. Honesty is not only the best policy, the first step toward humanity is having honesty. With an honest and good heart, you definitely will learn HOW TO LIVE, and how to do the will of God in your life.
18. Excellence
Ruth was a woman of excellence which is very rare today. Christians do not seek mediocrity.
Phl 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Note: Excellence is not about productivity, popularity and property. Excellence is making the best of yourself. As Confucius said, “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential, these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” The Christian excellence is personal excellence.
In addition to seek whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, Christians also seek excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Excellence in Greek is aretēwhich means virtue; any moral goodness; any particular moral excellence; an eminent endowment; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Dwell in Greek is logizomai which means to think; to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over; to to take into account, to make an account of; to deliberate; to weight or meditate on; to esteem; to deem or judge; to determine or decide; – which occurs 44 times in the New Testament.
X. THE 30 PRINCIPLES
Of all the exemplary lives we could examine, I believe the Apostle Paul was the most qualified and suitable for us to imitate Christ because Paul was human like us. We can imitate Paul’s faith and conduct in how he imitated Christ. CHRISTIANS can learn from Apostle Paul in imitating Christ. For no one has character and conduct more ideal of Christianity as did the Apostle Paul.
If I am not mistaken, Paul was the only Apostle who urged Christians to imitate him. Why?
1Co 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” So it safe to imitate Paul just as he also imitated Christ. How to imitate Paul just as he also imitated Christ?
The way how a person lives is not an act, is a habit, is a way of life. We imitate Paul to imitate Christ. There are following principles we must follow in order to learn HOW TO LIVE. If you live by the Scriptural principles described below as Paul lived, it will be well with you for now and eternity.
The following 30 principles are very important for Christians to learn HOW TO LIVE:
1. Paul counted all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ.
Phl 3:8, “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,”
Note: Paul counted the value of knowing Christ Jesus surpassing all things. Knowing Christ Jesus is the highest value, the surpassing value. Well, how can white and black supremacists claim to be Christians since they value money, power, and sex more than anything else. The world does not know that money, power, and sex are rubbish. The Christian values of faith, hope, and love are contrary to the worldly values of money, power, and sex. There is no one like the people of Washington who love power; they want to continue dictate and dominate the world. There is no one like the people of Wall Street who love money, they want to monopolize everything in this world. There is no one like the people of Hollywood who love sex, so they produce millions of movies driven by sex and violence. The evil of trinity, Washington-Wall Street-Hollywood love money, power, and sex because they love the world, they are sons of this world, the sons of disobedience, and sons of darkness. They are the agents of the ruler of this world. Paul counted all things (power, money, sex) as rubbish so that he may gain Christ.
2. Paul was a chosen instrument of Christ.
Act 9:15-16, “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Note: Along with Perter, John, and James, etc. Paul was a chosen instrument of Christ. I do not know any other person is a chosen instrument of Christ. If you are willing to suffer for Christ, as Paul imitated Christ, you can be an instrument for Christ. Every Christian can be an instrument for Christ, to suffer for Jesus’ name sake. If we suffer with Christ, we will glorify with Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven.
To see how much Paul suffered for Christ, we may have a glimpse:
2Co 11:23-33, “Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers,dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands.” In comparison, there are quite few American preachers who live in million-dollar-mansions, drive and own Mecedes-Benz, fly private planes, and have large bank accounts. They never preach against the sins and crimes of American presidents and politicians, the evil of American empire, corrupt capitalism, unjust wars and aggression, world dictatorship and domination.
3. Paul did not consider his life of any account as dear to himself.
Act 20:24, “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the Gospel of the grace of God.”
Note: What is dearest to your life shows who you are.
I could not forget years ago an American female preacher and her husband who had fallen from grace, she confessed on TV that she loved beautiful and expensive things; as if if you preach the Gospel you deserve to have luxuries and riches of the world!?
Act 20:33,“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.”
Note: I believe a minister who wears a $5,000 suit, eats $1,000 dinner and his wife wears a $30,000 mink coat is unworthy to be called a servant of Christ.
4. Paul lived his life with a perfectly good conscience before God and before men. Act 23:1, “Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.”
Note: My father was a minister, and we have known preachers from all over the world. When I was a boy I thought every preacher must be a man of God. Later I realized not a few preachers who did not live his life with a perfectly good conscience before God. I knew a preacher who was the head of a mission who used offerings to mission like his own money. He used mission money to educate his children, but not a penny to the children of missionaries who worked with him.
Act 24:16, “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.” A blameless conscience both before God and before men is better and higher than the Medal of Honor, Medal of Freedom, Nobel Prize.
5. Paul was not a wrongdoer and had committed nothing worthy of death.
Act 25:11,“If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
Note: God instituted death penalty. Paul would not refuse capital punishment if he was a wrongdoer who had committed anything worthy of death. Death penalty is fit for any person who had committed anything worthy of death. Not a few so-called Christian nations have abolished capital punishment against God. To oppose death penalty is to oppose the law of God. To oppose the law of God is to oppose God.
6. Paul did not prove disobedience to the Heavenly vision.
Act 26:19, “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the Heavenly vision,”
Note: The first sin of mankind against God was disobedience, not just eating the forbidden fruit.
Eph 2:2, “in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.“
Note: The course of this world is disobedience to God. The evil spirit are working in the sons of disobedience, Western and Japanese leaders and politicians, and Islamic terrorists. For every Christian, two simple things are quite important, trust and obey God. History is full of examples of disobedience.
7. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel.
Rom 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.“
Note: Paul did everything for the Gospel.
Rom 15:18-19, “For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, in the power of miracles and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ.”
Remember the Words of Jesus, Mar 8:38, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
8. Paul wanted all the churches of the Gentiles to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
Rom 16:19,“For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.”
Note: When a person is wise in what is evil and innocent in what is good, I call it negative intelligence. There are many people in this world who are wise in what is evil and innocent or stupid in what is good. Don’t you think the wicked is wise and expert in what is evil? Let me tell you a life insurance policy can be so complicated that a law school student cannot understand it. This is what a classmate told me. Even if you are a Ph.D, you may not understand pages and pages and pages of fraudulent charges made by corrupt doctors and hospital owners with technical names. No matter what race you are, if you are wise in what is evil and ignorant in what is good, your lives do not matter. Don’t you see white supremacists (of Europe and America, including UK, Canada, Australia, ) and Japan, are wise in what is evil and ignorant in what is good? Their iniquities intensify in these days.
9. Paul determined that Gentile believers know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1Co 2:2, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.“
Note: The wicked are proud to know the economic, finance and political systems of the world with knowledge of global strategy to control the world. It is better you know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified and rose from the dead. Why Jesus Christ crucified is so important? The death of Christ occupies a place of highest importance and value in Christianity. Christ fulfilled all righteousness in obedience to the will of God to die for sinners on the cross.
Rom 5:6-10, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” The death of Christ is necessary for the redemption of man. Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ are the two cardinal doctrines of Christianity.
10. Paul wrote that believers not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler.
1Co 5:11, “But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.”
Note: If you are an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler — you cannot be a Christian. There is a racial group of people who cover up and glorify their immoral leaders and preachers. The Western nations cannot be called Christian because they have dictated and dominated the world in the last 500 years by wars and conquests. Western leaders and politicians are not Christians because they lie, kill, and rob many nations and peoples even to this day. If I shake hands with a warmonger and dines with such a corrupt leader, I would share his sins and evil deeds.
11. Paul did all things for the sake of the Gospel.
1Co 9:23, “I do all things for the sake of the Gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”
Note: White and black supremacists do all things for the sake of money, power, and sex. Some preachers become rich by preaching the gospel, so they are not fellow partakers of the Gospel. For Christians to do things for the sake of the Gospel is the same for the sake of Christ. Stephen for the sake of the Gospel became the first martyr and was stoned to death.
12. Paul pleased all men in all things, not seeking his own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.
1Co 10:33, “just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”
Note: A capitalist seeks only his own profit. A supremacist seeks everything his own power, profit and interest. Paul pleased all men in all things so that they may be saved. In fact, Paul did all things for the sake of the Gospel. Selfishness is the rule of the world, self-denial is the Christian principle. What you do for tells what you really are. Greedy capitalist becomes a philanthropist just to compensate his greed and covetousness. The motive of Christians to preach the Gospel in the all parts of the world so that they may be saved. Saving souls are Paul’s driving motive.
13. Paul wanted you to understand that Christ is the Head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the Head of Christ.
1Co 11:3, “But I want you to understand that Christ is the Head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the Head of Christ.“
Note: Christ is the Head of every Christian, and the man is the head of a woman. Christians do not pledge allegiance to anyone except Jesus Christ. The feminist movement is contrary to Christianity. Woman cannot be the head of a man. However, it is wrong for any religions to abuse and mistreat woman and girl.
14. Paul became a man, he did away with childish things.
1Co 13:11, “When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.“
Note: All Christians must become a man, and do away with childish things. Childish things mean the things of the child. Childish things are many such as playing with cellphone, video games, temper tantrums, speaking in tongues, pride,oneupsmanship,climbing trees of self-promotion, watching cartoons instead of reading the Scriptures, playing with toys, crying in public, laughing loudly, screaming and yelling, envy and jealousy, partiality, favoritism, deeds of the flesh, inordinate communication, infantile behavior, infatuation, childish imaginations, childish reasoning, love of showoff, love of self, love of money, love of the place of honor, love of respectful greetings, love of bribery, love for boasting, love of pleasure, arrogance, ingratitude, disobedience, filthiness, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutality, treachery, recklessness, self-conceit, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, malice, fightings, lust, make-belief, debauchery, indiscretion, insubordination, etc. I know this list of childish things may offend some people.
The proof of manhood is to do away with childish things. However, there are those who think to be rioter, lawless criminal and terrorist is to be a man and to become freedom fighter.
15. Paul delivered to believers as of first importance.
1Co 15:3, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”
Note: The first importance of the Gospel is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and He rose from the dead the third day. This is Christianity in a capsule summary. To know what is important and what is not important is to know the meaning of priority. Jesus tells us to seek the first things first. The leaders of a nation is so wrong to put all money on war or so-called defense. Trillions and trillions of dollars are spent on preparation for wars, on development and deployment of deadly weapons, on diplomacy of sanctions, on hundreds of overseas military bases, on so-called national security and the nation suffers dilapidated infrastructure, polluted environment, high cost and fraudulent healthcare, poor transportation, ineffective educational system, high employment, increasing homelessness, prevalent injustice, ineffective government, and domestic terrorism.
16. Paul was what he was by the grace of God and he labored even more.
1Co 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”
Note: Grace, the grace of God, is what made Paul what he was. No one can boast because of his own merit that he became somebody. He who receives the most grace labors even more.
17. You ought to become sober-minded and stop sinning. 1Co 15:34, “Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”
Note: Sober-minded in Greek iseknēphōwhich means to metaphorically to return to soberness of mind (Strong’s Concordance), to rouse oneself out of stupor; to be free from drunkenness; to be characterized by seriousness and lack of excess; to be sensible and serious; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament.
You watch TV daily and see many drunk drivers who killed or caused accidents. The Bible says those who practiceenvying, drunkenness, carousing will not inherit the Kingdom of God. To live a Christian life is a sensible and serious matter. A believer who lives in sin has no knowledge of God. A believer who gets drunk, uses drugs, engages in sexual immorality, speaks filthy and vulgar language is not a normal Christians. Hollywood has produced countless movies that promote sex and violence, and using F word constantly. There is also a fashionable movement for women to dress in a way to expose their breasts. A Christian woman must not do the same.
18. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2Co 9:6, “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
Note: A Christian lives in a way to sow bountifully so that he will also reap bountifully. What do you invest in your life? This is the natural law: What you sow is what you reap. You sow a litter, you reap a little. You sow bountifully, you reap bountifully.
19. Paul would rather boast about his weakness so that the power of Christ may dwell in him.
2Co 12:9-10, “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Note: If the greatest Apostle Paul had weakness, distresses, difficulties for Christ’s sake, how much worse we are. So Christians need to seek more grace of Christ to be perfected in weakness.
20. Paul was not seeking the favor of men or striving to please men.
Gal 1:10, “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”
Note: No Christian can live godly and righteously if he is seeking the favor of men or striving to please men. You know democracy is intended to please men. Therefore to practice democracy may oppose the Kingdom of God.
21. Christ lived in Paul and the life which Paul lived by faith in Christ.
Gal 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Note: A believer who has been crucified with Christ no longer lives for himself. A Christian lives in Christ, for Christ, and by faith to live in the Son of God.
22. Paul walked by the Spirit, and not carry out the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
Note: Christians walk by the Spirit; to walk by the Spirit is not to carry out the desire of the flesh. People who carry out the desires of the flesh do not walk by the Spirit. This is the secret of successful Christian life.
23. Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
Phl 1:27, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel;“
Note: How do you know American and European leaders and politicians are not Christians? Simply they do not conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
If ordinary Christians must conduct their lives in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, how much is a preacher of the Gospel?
24. Whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Phl 3:7, “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”
Note: The secret of a Christian life is “for the sake of Christ”. Whatever is a big word, what are your “whatever things”? Money, power, sex?
Who counts money, power, and sex as loss for the sake of Christ?
25. Paul pressed on.
Phl 3:12, “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”
Note: A Christian cannot be satisfied that he has already become perfect, he must press on so that he may lay hold of that for which also he was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Life must be lived forward, not backward, so life must press on.
26. Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.
Phl 3:13, “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,”
If there is a formula on HOW TO LIVE, it is forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.
27. Rejoice in the Lord always.
Phl 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”
Note: This is the secret of a happy Christian life. Rejoice in the Lord always. There are many things that a Christian can rejoice in the Lord. Be thankful.
28. I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Phl 4:11-13, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.“
Note: These Scriptures provide the secret of success in a Christian life: Learn to be content in whatever circumstance you are. It may be easier to learn philosophy than to learn to be content in whatever circumstance you are.
29. Paul had fought the good fight, had finished the course, had kept the faith.
2Ti 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;“
Note: HOW TO LIVE involves fighting the good fight, finishing the course, and keeping the faith. There are three things that all Christians must do: Fight, Finish, and Keep. Fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith.
30. Behold, I have come to do Your will.
Heb 10:9, “then He said, “BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second.’
Note: This is what Jesus Christ said. This is what Paul would imitate Jesus to say. What have you come to the world for? I have come to do the will of God. Blessed are those who have come to do the will of God. It may not be a blessing to become the president of the United States. It may not be a blessing to become the richest man on earth. It may not be a blessing to live in the most expensive mansion in this world. If you do not do the will of God, you are a failure, everything else you do does not matter. The summum bonum of a Christian life is to do the will of God. Blessed are those who find out and know what is the will of God for their lives, and do it. Your life begins only when you know what God wants you to do with your life. I hope you grasp this great truth for yourself, for it will set you on fire.
IN CONCLUSION
If you possess the 18 virtues or qualities of life and have learned and practiced the 30 principles, you really know HOW TO LIVE. To know is one thing, to do is another thing.
Regarding Paul’s estimate of life, G. Campbell Morgan wrote:
“To me to live is Christ.” What did the apostle mean? There are seven things which he might have meant. By these words he intended to say that:
1. Christ was the author of his life. It was as though he had written, “To me to live at all is Christ.”
2. Christ was the sustainer of his life. “To me to continue to live is Christ.”
3. Christ was the law of his life. “The conditions in which I live my life are summed up in Christ.”
4. Christ was the product of his life. “To me to live is to reproduce Christ.”
5. Christ was the aim and influence of his life. “To me to live is to lead men to Christ.”
6. Christ was the impulse of his life. “To me to live is to be swept along under the compassion of the Christ.”
7. Christ was the finisher, the crown of his life. “To me to live is at last to be what he is, and to find the crowning of all my manhood in him.”
What is the highest point of a Christian life? This is it:
Rom 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
Nothing separates Christians who have learned HOW TO LIVE, how to do the will of God, from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Happiness is the assurance and feeling you are safe and secure in the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Those who are in the love of God have found the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.
You also may receive the love of God by repentance and belief in Jesus Christian, the Lord and Savior. You can do it now.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national refrerendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrified their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrified their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinse government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanse aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN overappointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much covergage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphanes. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron reognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezebolla, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukranians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless.Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, overappointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voordoism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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Deliberation has been long and covered all pertinent and contingent factors involved in order to come to conclusion to SAVE AMERICA from destruction and decay. AMERICA needs to cut off the two continents of Africa and Latin America: NO TRADE, NO DIPLOMACY, NO POSTAL SERVICES, NO NEWS, NO COMMUNICATIONS, NO BANKING TRANSACTION, NO RELATIONSHIP, NO AID, AND NO ENTRY TO THE U.S.
America declares no immigration, no assylum application, no entry from African and Latin American peoples.
Build the great wall secure and strong along Mexican borders and maintain military action to deter and stop illegal migrations from Mexico, via land, sea or air.
Expell all personnels from African and Latin American embassies and consulates located in America.
Deport illegal aliens 45 million already residing in America and most of them on welfare. Deport unlawful migrants of Latin America to Mexico, those who are not Mexicans can find their ways home. If Mexico refuses, bomb and attack them. Deport all unlawful Africans back to Africa. Designate one African nation to receive deportees by airplanes.
Reform the welfare system that all applicants require to be American citzens and require work to get their benefits.
Leave Africa and Latin America alone, let them do or die.
Iran is a terrorist nation, its nuclear facilities sooner or later should be destroyed completely. Apparently, last time bombing did not do a good job.
Terrorists Hamas, Hezebollah and Houthis should be destroyed completely. Palestinians should be forced out of Gaza.
African, Arab, and Muslim nations should have no part in reconstruction of Gaza.
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
This article is written to let you know. All men must die because all have sinned against God. God does not take pleasure even in the death of the wicked.
GOD says,
Psa 34:21, “Evil will bring death to the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will suffer for their guilt.”
Eze 18:23, “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord GOD, “rather than that he would turn from his ways and live?”
Eze 18:32, “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live!”
What is death? Most people know and understand the physical death, the end of a human life on earth. Some foolish people even think death is the end of everything. Not so! The Holy Bible says, Heb 9:27, “And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment.” After death, there comes judgment. God will judge every thought, word, and deed of every man and woman, including president, king, queen, prime minister, pimp, prostitute, etc.
And there is another kind of death, besides the physical death. Jesus says, Mat 10:28, “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
As a matter of fact, there will be two resurrections, the first is the resurrection of the righteous, and the second is the resurrection of the wicked. When Jesus returns to earth, the Trumpet of God will sound, all those who died in Christ will rise first and transformed into a glorious and immortal bodies to meet the Lord in the space. After the Millennium, in the Last Judgment, the wicked will be destroyed both soul and body in Hell forever. They will have a body that can feel heat and bite of the worm. They feel dying all the time but they are not dead. This is the terror of everlasting death.
This articles is written to let you know, as the Bible says, we all have sinned, for this reason we all will die. It is wise to prepare for the inevitable, and prepare to meet your God. For no one knows when he is going to die, even scientists do not know.
Rom 3:23 , “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Rom 5:12 , “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— ”
This is the origin of death, through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all have sinned.
Rom 6:23, ”For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Note: Death in Greek is thanatoswhich means that separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and the body by which the life on earth is ended (Strong’s Concordance); the loss of life; the miserable state of the wicked or sinner dead in hell; destruction; the inevitable necessity of dying; the end of life; – which occurs 119 times in the New Testament.
If you have never sinned, you don’t have to die. The fact all have sinned, all will die.
There are three kinds of death: physical death, spiritual death and eternal death.Physical death takes place when the soul is separated from the body. Spiritual death is dead in sins; the current status of every unbeliever. Every sinner is dead in sins although he may walk and talk, eat and drink. Sinners live in the world without God and without hope. Eternal death is the death in Hell body and soul forever and ever – the second death.
Unlike American hospital emergency doctors who are usually medical terrorists, not to save lives but to slaughter helpless patients financially with predatory and fraudulent practices of many unnecessary tests and procedures and treatments and fraudulently and excessively bill patients to bankrupt them. Sadly in Shanghai a good emergency doctor who was only 31 years old was infected with H7N9 bird flue and after rescue he died on January 18, 2014. When death knocks at your door, even a doctor cannot save himself. Although America claims to have the best medical treatment in the world, recently it was reported that 29 children already died of bird flue. Death – the wages of sin – is inevitable for all, for all have sinned, and so all will die.
American aggression and arrogance and provocation and false accusations and threatening warnings and negative attitudes towards China and Russia manifested in words and deeds are increasing exponentially with the passage of time and event. These hostilities include all sorts of sanctions, false accusations, attacks, smears and spying AND provocative activities of massive nature.
Watch whatAmerica and EU, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan are doing in word and deed. Jesus Christ can never be wrong when He says; you shall know them by their fruits (deeds). Mat 7:17-20 ,“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Since the end of World War II, all American presidents wanted to destroy China except President Richard Nixon. American leaders produce only bad fruits, not good fruits, since the end of World War II.
Never before in the history of the United States of America as it is today, a general and universal fear, worry and anxiety has gripped on so many young Americans from elementary to college students wondering whether what they have learned will be able to help them find employment in a world of rapid globalization and fierce competition. The older American professionals fear their jobs would not last until their retirement age. It dawns on all Americans, young and old, male and female, that the era of American dream has turned into American nightmare. I hold these truths to be self-evident that American problems are mainly created by American leaders since the end of World War II and the American wrong way of life. There is no doubt; American problems are Made in the U.S.A. not by China or Russia. Overwhelming majority of American people know and realize the country is off track and accelerating on the wrong track . Overwhelming majority of Americans do not have confidence in the leadership of president or congress. Unless the U.S. changes its course, the inevitable will arrive sooner than they think. As an American, I propose the following course of actions but I am sure the establishment who is greatly benefited by being 1 percent of the American population would not accept or buy in the truths. American peoples have been fooled, the special interests (1 percent of the population) have held America hostage, and American leaders, politicians and officials, the industrial-military complex, Wall Street and Hollywood executives and bankers, predatory and fraudulent healthcare providers and corrupt lawyers, are not conspiring but collaborating, knowingly or unknowingly, for the demise and destruction of America. Do you know why the United States continuously and consistently have huge annual deficits and increasingly the largest national debt of more than $28 trillion dollars? The root cause is the fact the 1 percent of American population enriches themselves with national resources and public funds at the expense of the 99 percent.
I therefore propose the U.S. promptly implement the following changes:
(1). Save the Republic by abandoning the American empire – the root cause of all American and most of world problems.
(2). Give up and close all American overseas military bases and withdraw American weapons and troops from all over the world, including Asia Pacific, NATO, Korea, Japan, etc. and annul the US-Taiwan Relations Act. Unlike Japan which has a long history of aggression, even the great imperial China did not colonize any nation. American people can rest assured, China will not covet one inch of American land. China dream has nothing to do with aggression and expansion, it has everything to do with revitalization, reunification, rejuvenation and restoration of China to its past glory and prosperity.
(3). Stop treating China or Russia as the enemy and start cooperating with China and Russia in particular for mutual benefits economically and win-win financially, and peace and security politically and militarily.
(4). Return to the Protestant ethics of hard work, thrift, responsibility and morality.
(5). Pursue a foreign policy of seeking a just and lasting peace as President Richard Nixon had pursued.
(6). Cooperate with China, EU, Russia, etc. to establish a new world order based on justice and the fair principle and policy of cooperation, consultation and collaboration for progress and prosperity. It does not require high intelligence to know that cooperation is better than confrontation, peace is superior to war. Some enlightened European nations have already started to cooperate with China for mutual benefits. There are many big projects with exploration and innovation in the fields of energy, environment, food and drug, medicine, public transportation, water and natural resources, elimination of terrorists that all can reap benefits by working together.
(7). Treatthe community of nations with respect and equality in word and deed supported by a new American national policy of reconstruction and reconciliation.
(8). For 20 years with superior military power, resources, weapons and equipment and money American military could not defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan, as predicted in August 2021, Afghanistan will fall into the hands of Taliban. Apparently, the soldiers and people of Afghanistan will not fight for themselves. American leaders and politicians have not learned the lesson that American aggression and intervention is a policy of failure, a program of defeat, and a strategy of disaster.
Note: If American leaders refuse to change, by this you will know they want to have a war of aggression with China and Russia, and you will know the second coming of Jesus Christ to rule and reign is near.
The problem of the world is NOT China threat, not Russia threat, it IS American aggression and world domination. Because America wants to continue world domination and dictatorship, so American leaders and their running dogs gang up on China in order to rob China’s territories and loot China’s resources in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. Xinjiang is such a promising land, so America, Europe, and Western mass media fabricated lies and false charges that China committed genocide, abuses of human rights, and forced labor in Xinjiang in order to destabilize and destroy China from within. Hong Kong is a world business and finance center and the most expensive real estates in the world. America, UK, Canada, and Australia wanted to capture Hong Kong as another Western colony again, and so they financed and incited Hong Kong young traitors to create riots and terrors and the West called them freedom fighters. Now China has strengthened its constitutional sovereignty and patriot rule, they West gainsaid Hong Kong is losing democracy and freedom.
These are sober facts to ponder:
(1). To cover up their naked aggression and expansion, the leaders of America, DISTORT the fact and deliberately and falsely accuse China of threat. It is the United States and its allies that encircle China, and the U.S. puts its 65 per cent of military forces and more than 330,000 troops stationed at China’s doorsteps poised to strike at China’s nuclear capabilities. Since the infamous Opium Wars, American and European and Japanese leaders have attacked, occupied China and killed Chinese and looted China’s national treasures and priceless relics worth more than US$100,000 trillion dollars. Looted and stolen goods from China are now on display in American, European, and Japanese public and private museums and libraries.
(2). Obama’s proved himself the no. 1 enemy of China and threat to the world security. His “pivot to Asia” policy was the American code word for aggression and world domination. Since the end of World War II, American leaders have been proven liars and killers in inciting and instigating hundreds of unjust wars and bloody military interventions that killed millions and millions of innocent peoples around the world. All American presidents since the end of World War II have practiced aggression and sought world domination, except President Richard Nixonwho sought a just and lasting peace for the world.
(3). Jesus Christ defines children of the devil by saying, Jhn 8:44 ,“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Jesus Christ defines liars and killers as children of the devil. The hands of American leaders are found bloody and dirty in Iraq, Libya, Tibet, Xinjiang, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Ukraine and many parts of the world. They cannot fool the entire world all the time. The thieves call thieves, the liars and killers call for peace and security can no longer fool the world. Lies will be exposed and terminated by truth, and truth will be ultimately triumphant.
Evil leaders continue to lie and distort facts and kill – the Hell is opening up to swallow them. The evil leaders are preparing to launch a war of aggression against China and Russia under many guises and false pretenses, they may trigger a global nuclear war that may destroy and end the world. If the United States dares to attack China, China will be forced to implement “mutual destruction” policy and 1.45 billion strong Chinese worldwide will rise up to defend the motherland. The devil is disguised as an angel of light. Let the leaders and peace-loving peoples of all nations examine the vicious lies and evil deeds of warmongers in the light of truth and stop their brinkmanship and evil plot before it is too late.
Let leaders and peace-loving peoples of nations arise and be alert to the clear and imminent danger of a global nuclear war ! Let the wise see the devils disguised as angels of light.
The state of the world is not good, very bad and very dangerous in 2021 all because there are two evil forces running amok and at work to dominate and destroy the world. Ninety-nine percent of all the problems and troubles and miseries in the world are caused and created by the Axis of Evil led by America with members include EU, Japan, rat and rogue nations, etc. The other evil force is the Islamic terrorism causing regional and local death and destruction.
China needs to make clear its “mutual destruction ” policy because that is the only effective deterrence available. The United States wants to have a dragged out and prolonged war with China using its allies and fight the war in Mainland China. Once the U.S. attacks China, China will be forced to execute “mutual destruction” policy with massive nuclear retaliations targeting the whole mainland America which will be worse than 1 million 9-11 incidents and America will be burning worse than 1 million Sodom(s) and Gomorrah(s) and vital American interests worldwide will be destroyed completely and simultaneously.
Jer 13:23,“Can the Ethiopian change his skin
Or the leopard his spots?
Then you also can do good
Who are accustomed to doing evil.”
For hundreds of years, European and American white supremacists have been accustomed to doing evil in this world. Just as a leopard does not change its black spots, there is not one single slightest evidence that American leaders will change their negative attitudes, arrogance and aggression in pursuit of absolute military supremacy and bent on world domination and dictatorship.
Jesus Christ says, Mat 24:37-39, “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
Luk 17:26-30, “And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.”
It can no longer be business as usual. The nuclear war inciting by America is coming. The end of the world is at hand.
My kingdom is not of this world, but I have a wish. I wish all Chinese and all honest peoples of the world come to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ in order to receive the eternal life. So when the nuclear war breaks out, even though they die they will go to Heaven. The Bible makes it clear, the children of the devil and the sons of perdition will go to Hell to be punished or tortured forever and ever.
It is extremely disappointed and depressed and dismayed to watch the American leaders choosing the path of death and destruction since the end of World War II. Clearly and unmistakably the United States of America is making its last move in the final preparation of the coming war of aggression against China. I do not know whether this is the Armageddon or not. I know seriously this will be the unprecedented global nuclear war that may end the world.
Why the United States wants to have war with China?
Since the infamous Opium Wars and intensified in 1949 the United States has been the no. 1 enemy of China covertly and overtly. In 1949 the United States violated China’s sovereignty by sending the 7th Fleet to protect Chiang Kai-shek regime and prevented Taiwan from reunification with mainland China, the American leaders have consistently and persistently implemented the “containment of China”policy intended to “divide and destroy” China. Since the end of World War II the American leaders have incited and executed many unjust wars in killing millions of innocent peoples around the world in the pursuit of absolute military supremacy and world dictatorship. All American presidents, especially Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson who threatened to drop atomic bombs on China, wanted to destroy China if they could. Under the international environment they could not destroy China even if they would. President Nixon was the only American president who assured Chairman Mao that he would not attack China. Out of fear, hatred, envy, malice and jealousy American presidents want to use war to destroy China. The United States cannot compete with China in economy, so American leaders want to destroy China through the military. American aggressive policy may be the last straw that breaks the camel’s back. Why do I dwell so much on American aggression and hostility against China? Because they are on a path of death and drag the world to it.
1Jo 3:10 , “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.”
The American imperialists and supremacists craftily argue that the United States has nurtured the rules-based international order. If that is the case, whyDesmond Tutu, the retired Anglican Church’s archbishop of South Africa is calling for the ex-leaders of Britain and the United States to be made to “answer for their actions” and face prosecution at the International Criminal Court for their role in the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq? Since the end of World War II almost all the unjust wars and unholy and brutal military interventions have been instigated by the United States and its allies which had killed millions of peoples around the world. “The strong do as they can, and the weak suffer what they must.” – Who is the strong, and who are the weak are clear to all as the day. China has been oppressed and suppressed by the United States, Western powers and Japan since the infamous Opium Wars to the present. An evil and sinful and spiritual darkness has blinded the mind of American and Japanese supremacists and militarists like cataract blinds the elderly. Although the U.S. is located in North America, according to its Monroe Doctrine, it has no legal right or legitimate interest to be the supreme power in Asia Pacific.
The history of mankind is the history of the evil deeds of mankind. Just as Jesus Christ says,
Mat 7:13-23, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.”
Note: The dichotomy is clear: the narrow gate vs. the wide gate; the narrow way vs. the broad way. Narrow in Greek is stenos which means strait, small, not wide; – it occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Wide in Greek is platys which means broad, wide; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Broad in Greek is eurychōros which means spacious, wide; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Wide gate, broad way and many followers describe the way of death.
To enter in Greek is eiserchomaiwhich means to go in, come in, come into; – it occurs 198 times in the New Testament. To enter is an act of choice. No one forces you to enter the wide gate and the broad way. The wide gate and the broad way mean the way of the world. No one forces you to enter the small gate and the narrow way. In the eyes of the world, the love of power, money and sex is the broad way. In the eyes of the world, faith, hope and love are the small gate and the narrow way. The world is ruled by the devil and his agents. There are two ways: the narrow way and the broad way. There are two gates: the small gate and the wide gate. So we must beware. The American way of life is the broad way and wide gate that leads to destruction.
Beware means to give heed, take heed, be attentive to, turn the mind to. We must beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Sheep is not wolf, and wolf is not sheep. The wicked appear to be sheep but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Everything false is not what it appears to be. There are false prophets, false teachers, and false leaders. Watch out for people who pretend to be what they are not, wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are leaders who preach freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law, security – what they do is to enslave and dictate and destroy the world. You will know them by their fruits. Japanese prime minister wants to share Japanese values with unsuspecting Asian nations – but Japanese values are the values of denial of Japanese war crimes and atrocities, making hundreds of thousands of Chinese and Korean women sex slaves, robbing China’s Diaoyu Islands with the aid of the American imperialist, revising history to whitewash their evil past to fool the world and Japanese younger generation, refusing to pay for war reparations and compensations, worshiping war criminals enshrined as national heroes.
This is the indisputable and universal truth: A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Evil doers practice lawlessness, warmongering, injustice and oppression. Lawlessness in Greek is anomiawhich means the condition of without law, contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness, unrighteousness, anarchy; – it occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Since the end of World War II, Western powers become the most lawless nations in world domination and dictatorship. The bad tree and bad fruit are transparent for all who can see.
The end result is inevitable.
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
This means God will judge the evil deeds of the wicked. Cut them down and throw them into fire means to punish them by sending them to Hell to be tortured forever and ever. The great comfort is the fact that the kingdom of Christians are not of this world. My kingdom is not of this world. Christians belong to the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the children of God. As the wicked wax worse and worse, the night is far spent, and the end of the world is near. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Come, Lord Jesus!
I have thought, and thought, and thought why people do evil.
This kind of naked evil puzzles and frightens me, until I find answer in the words of Jesus Christ,
Mat 7:16-18 , “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.”
Conclusively and evidently, warmongers are bad trees; so the bad trees bear bad fruits. A tree is not bad because it bears bad fruit; a tree bears bad fruit because it is a bad tree. Why they are bad trees? I believe by their own choice. This involves the profound question and interpretation of free will as it is taught in the Bible. You are free to make a choice to do good or to do evil. You have no choice to be born; but you have a choice to do good or evil.
Act 15:7 ,”After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe.”
Note: To make choice in Greek is eklegomai which means to pick out, choose, to pick or choose out for one’s self; – it occurs 21 times in the New Testament. God’s purpose according to His choice would stand. God made a choice, those who hear the word of the Gospel and believe in Jesus Christ will be saved, and those who reject the Gospel will perish. Man is saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ according to God’s gracious choice. From the standpoint of God’s choice, believers are beloved in Christ. Those who reject Jesus Christ and do evil are the enemies of God. Man is free to make a choice, to believe or not to believe, to do good or to do evil. I am very pessimistic about American leaders with its allies whether they will repent and change course. In fact, every fact and indicator points to the unthinkable that America leaders working with its evil allies are leading the world into a global nuclear holocaust. I am equally pessimistic about American people whether they will do anything to save America from destruction. Perhaps God has let the evil leaders of America, Japan and others to have their way and so has determined to destroy the world that way.
I have thought, and thought, and thought about the origin of evil for a long time. I have discovered, learned and concluded that all evil deeds done by dictators, warmongers, oppressors, evildoers, imperialists, colonialists, racists, supremacists, militarists, monopolists, hegemonists, capitalists, terrorists, corrupt officials, doctors and hospital owners, lawyers, robbers, thieves, liars, and murderers were committed either for the love of money, or power or sex or a combination. I could not find any crime or sin which is not caused or related either by the love of money, or power or sex or a combination. Wall Street represents money, Washington represents power, and Hollywood represents sex. These three evils work together closely. This explains why the United States since the end of World War II had killed millions of innocent peoples around the world and has done so much evil and especially in oppressing China and Russia. This also explains why the leaders of Japan who killed millions of Chinese, made millions of Chinese slave workers, made hundreds of thousands of Chinese and Korean women sex slaves and other atrocities denied them all and blatantly remilitarized Japan with the aid of America. This explains why the executives of Wall Street created the 2008 economic and financial crisis which defrauded and looted the world more than $50 trillion. American leaders want the U.S. to become the supreme power in Asia Pacific as well as the dictator of the world — that will come with power, money and pleasure which they seek relentlessly. Every crook or criminal, liar or killer who does evil does it for money, or power or sex or a combination.
Leaders and peoples of the world ponder the following truths:
1. I do not know the day of my death.
Gen 27:2 , “Isaac said: Behold now, I am old and I do not know the day of my death.”
Note: Even the patriarch Isaac did not know the day of his physical death. Arrogant scientists and scholars do not know the day of their death. The wisest man does not know the day of his death. I do not know the day of my death. You do not know the day of your death. No one knows the day of his death. The smartest man or woman does not know the day of his/her death. Death is unpredictable and sudden. So prepare to meet God. Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ before you die, before it is too late.
Do you know the smartest philosophers and scientists, the most powerful and richest people do not know the day of their death?
2. He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.
Exd 21:12 , “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.” Note: Cf. Lev 24:17 , Num 35:16 , Num 35:21, Num 35:30 . Murderer deserves a capital punishment. Gen 9:6 , “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in His own image.” It was God who instituted death penalty. See my article on Death Penalty. Europe was wrong to abolish death penalty. The United States is wrong to give people sentenced to death with almost unlimited appeal at public expense. American penal system is wrong because it costs more to keep a convict alive than to educate a child – a wrong priority.
Death penalty is necessary and it serves justice. Death penalty is not cruel, murder is cruel. Those who oppose death penalty are on the side of killers, not on the side of victims. A criminal justice that does not execute death penalty invites more murders and killings of the innocent.
3. He who kidnaps a man…shall surely be put to death.
Exd 21:16 , “He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.”
Note: Kidnapping is a death penalty. Kidnapping of children and women for sale or prostitution should be a death penalty.
4. Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.
Exd 22:19 , “Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death”
Note: Animal sex was a capital offense under Mosaic Law.
5. The adultery and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
Lev 20:10, “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”
Note: Under Mosaic Law, adultery is also punishable by death. Mosaic Law is not applicable to secular states. If death penalty is applicable to adulteries, the world population will be reduced greatly instantly, the West, America, India, Middle East and Africa may be depopulated significantly.
6. If a man has sex with a male as those who have sex with a woman…they shall surely be put to death.
Lev 20:13 , “If a man has sex with a male as those who have sex with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.”
Note: Homosexuality is a detestable act; and a capital offense under Mosaic Law. Homosexuals cannot enter Heaven. Imagine the sin committed by Obama who claims to be a Christian and some lawmakers and politicians who advocate and support legalization of same-sex marriage and homosexual practice.
7. Let me die the death of the upright.
Num 23:10 , “Who can count the dust of Jacob, or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!”
Note: Sooner or later, everyone will die. For all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death. To die the death of the righteous is very different from the death of the wicked, it is as different as Heaven from Hell. If you live the life of the righteous, you will die the death of the upright. The righteous shall live by faith.
8. Everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.
Deu 24:16 , “Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.” Cf. 2Ch 25:4.
Note: Sin is personal, not hereditary. Everyone is responsible for his/her own sin. So all have sinned, and all will die.
9. I have set before you life and death.
Deu 30:19, “I call Heaven and Earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.”
Note: A human being has a choice. You had no choice to be born, but you have a choice how to live. You have a choice to obey God or to reject Him. If you reject Christ, death is for you. If you accept Christ and repent of your sins, life is for you.
10. Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death.
Psa 13:3 , “Consider and answer me, O Lord my God. Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death.”
Note: India should be enlightened. The purpose of America and Australia and Japan is to make QUAD the Asian NATO, the military alliance against China as NATO is against Russia. The motive of America and Australia and Japan to align Asian nations against China is a dirty and malicious plot, no other nations including India should participate. American supremacists are practicing “divide and destroy” policy again. America is setting up the snare of death in Asia as it has done in Europe. If EU leaders are smart and wise, they should set itself free from Americanism and try to live in peace with Russia and China.
11. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil.
Psa 23:4 , “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Note: This Scripture explains the complete confidence of Christians in Christ. Sooner or later everybody will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, can you do it all alone without the Savior? Those who fear God do not fear evil. Christians are not afraid to die, for to die is to be with the Lord. Americans fear death most because all rich people fear death since they have a lot to lose. The poor people do not fear death because they have nothing. The poor people get to know to die in sins is to die in Hell forever. So the poor must also repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
12. God…will guide us until death.
Psa 48:14 , “For such is God, our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death.”
Note: Us does not mean everyone. This is God’s promise only to all His children. God will guide His children until death.
13. You have rescued my soul from death.
Psa 116:8 , “For You have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.”
Psa 56:13 , “For You have delivered my soul from death, indeed my feet from stumbling, so that I may walk before God in the light of the living.”
Note: The salvation of your soul is the most important. When you are born again by the Holy Spirit, you have passed from death to life, eternal life. When Jesus returns, it will be the redemption of our bodies. The Lord also rescues His children from physical death. Had it not for the Lord, I would have drowned in childhood.
14. What man can live and not see death.
Psa 89:48 , “What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.”
Note: No one can live and not see death; not scientist, atheist, terrorist, capitalist, imperialist, warmonger, oppressor, or aggressor. Japanese are pagans and idol worshipers, there is no wonder their leaders lie and deny their genocide and war crimes and sex slavery. But you wonder if American leaders are really not afraid to die because they continue to lie and kill since the end of World War II.
The famous co-founder of Apple Inc., died Wednesday (October 5, 2011) at age 56. All his brilliance and wealth could not save him or prolong his life one minute. For the wages of sin is death. I have been thinking about the crooks and criminals of Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood as well as the crooks and criminals of healthcare providers (doctors, owners of hospitals, drug-makers, insurance and medical suppliers) should have known what would happen to them shortly and unexpectedly. What is the use of all that money, power, and pleasure after all? What is the use of the pride and arrogance of unbelieving scientists seeing they do not even know the day of their death? They cannot by evolution escape death and the judgment to come.
According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the 40 richest individuals on Earth are worth $1.1 trillion. In my estimate, the 1,000 richest individuals in America have more money than 1 billion poorest peoples on earth. You know what is wrong with the world, what is wrong with capitalism, and what is wrong the Western values?!
One man who is worth $19.8 billion said he would swap 99 percent of his wealth for 30 years of time. Fatally mistaken, for 100 percent of his wealth he would not even swap one minute of time. When death knocks at your door, there is no escape.
Luk 12:16-21,“And He (Jesus Christ) told them a parable, saying: The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying: What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops? Then he said: This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul: Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry. But God said to him: You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared? So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
At least in ancient times people made money the old-fashioned way through the productive land. Today billionaires make money through speculation in real estate, currency, commodity, etc. and gambling on papers. Not only you cannot swap one minute of your life for $1 trillion, there is judgment after death. There are so many billionaires who store up treasure on earth and they are not rich toward God. At the moment of your death, you are not worth a penny! Actually, it costs money to dispose your dead body. The high cost of death and burial in America is worse than any country.
15. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.
Psa 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.”
Note: Believers in Christ are godly ones. The death of His godly ones is precious in the sight of the Lord. The death of the wicked is not worth a dime. Arrogant warmongers, imperialists, aggressors, oppressors, supremacists, militarists, capitalists and terrorists will die like a dog or a pig. In fact dogs and pigs are better and more fortunate because they will not go to Hell for eternal punishment.
16. He who pursues evil will bring about his own death.
Pro 11:19, “He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.”
Note: Ahab was an ancient example of a king who pursued evil and brought about his death. Hitler was a modern example. Many Western powers are pursuing evil through wars of aggression and oppression. Warmongers pursue evil will bring about their own deaths. A nuclear war will destroy and end the world. The most foolish are the American strategists who falsely believe they could win a nuclear war against Russia and China.
17. Its end is the way of death.
Pro 14:12 , “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Note: The way of life that pursues money, power and sex; its end is the way of death. The American way of life is the way of death because Americans are driven by the love of money, power and sex. The nation that exists for aggression and expansion, for absolute military supremacy and world domination is doomed to destruction. The American imperial way of seeking absolute military supremacy and world domination is the way to death and destruction.
18. The fear of the Lord…that one may avoid the snares of death.
Pro 14:27 , “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.”
Note: There are many snares of death, namely, money, power and sex. If you fear the Lord, you will avoid them. What Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood do is to create the snares of death. Although many claim to be Christians and yet they do not fear the Lord. If they fear the Lord, they will not continuously lie and kill and rob.
19. The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue…the pursuit of death.
Pro 21:6 , “The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.”
Note: Do you know any rich person who acquires wealth not by a lying tongue? Wall Street in 2008 created the greatest economic and financial crisis that looted the world more than $50 trillion, and yet no one has been sent to jail.
20. I discovered bitterer than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets.
Ecc 7:26 , “And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her.”
Note: The woman whose heart is snares and nets is a bad woman, like Jezebel, Delilah, Herodias, prostitute, adulterous woman, etc.
21. No man has authority…over the day of death.
Ecc 8:8,“No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and evil will not deliver those who practice it.”
Note: American leaders speak and act as if they have authority to rule the world. They can pass laws involving and violating the sovereignty of other nations (the US-Taiwan Relations Act is one example, ironically signed by Carter who claims to be a born again Christian), and they seek absolute military supremacy and world dictatorship; but they have no authority over the day of their death. American leaders must repent of their sins or perish.
22. Love is as strong as death.
Sgs 8:6 , “Put me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, jealousy is as severe as Sheol; its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.”
Note: Today, true love is rare. True love is as strong as death. The love which is as strong as death is very rare because in the last days people are lovers of themselves. In Europe and America, sex is mistaken for love.
23. I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Jer 21:8 , “You shall also say to this people: Thus says the Lord, Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.”
Note: The way of life is in the opposite direction of the way of death. God sets before you the way of life and the way of death, choose wisely and live. Apparently, leaders of America and Europe choose the way of death because they wage wars to dictate and dominate the world. One thing is not sure whether their peoples also prefer the way of death.
24. Those who are meant for death will be given over to death.
Jer 43:11 , “He will also come and strike the land of Egypt; those who are meant for death will be given over to death, and those for captivity to captivity, and those for the sword to the sword.”
Note: Some people are meant for something, others for other things. Aggressors and warmongers are meant for death. When God appoints, no one can escape his destiny.
25. I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies.
Eze 18:32 , “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, declares the Lord God. Therefore, repent and live.” Cf. Eze 18:23 , Eze 33:11 .
Note: God has no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, not just the physical death but the eternal death in hell. God wants people to repent and live. Warmongers and supremacists seem to have pleasure in the deaths of millions of innocents peoples around the world. Peoples do not know, evil leaders are leading them to death. I watched on TV the man who covered up himself in all black seemed to have pleasure in pushing a very old Asian to his death. The black man who trampled on an Asian woman did it again and again with pleasure. There are only two groups of people who attack Asian Americans: they are whites and blacks. The government cannot and does not protect its citizens is a incompetent and useless government.
26. Like death, never satisfied.
Hab 2:5 , “Furthermore, wine betrays the haughty man, so that he does not stay at home. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and he is like death, never satisfied. He also gathers to himself all nations and collects to himself all peoples.”
American and European supremacists enlarge their appetite like Sheol, they established NATO to encircle and target Russia. Now they also established QUAD to encircle and target China. You know supremacists black and white, imperialists, colonialists, capitalists, monopolists, militarists have an appetite like Hell, they never have enough. Hell has unlimited capacity to swallow up all crooks and criminals, liars and killers, terrorists and warmongers.
27. But has passed from death into life.
Jhn 5:24 , “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
Note: This Scripture refers to spiritual life. A saved person has passed from spiritual death into spiritual life. Because Jesus died on the cross for sinners, and rose again by the power of God, the Lord Jesus is able to save all who come to Him. To be saved is to have passed from death into life. So salvation is passing from death into life, eternal life. When you believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, you receive the Holy Spirit and a spiritual life. The Holy Spirit leads in the heart of a child of God, to lead and guide him. This spiritual life is the beginning of eternal life. Even though a believer may die a physical death, he will have a resurrection when Jesus returns and receive a spiritual body which will never die.
28. Putting an end to the agony of death.
Act 2:24 , “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”
Note: Death is not a pleasure, for it has agony. God is able to put an end to the agony of death. Death was impossible to hold Jesus Christ; He rose from the dead by the power of God.
29. If I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death.
Act 25:11 , “If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
Note: Paul supported death penalty for anyone worthy of death. If anyone commits a crime worthy of death, then he must be put to death. God instituted death penalty, all nations must observe it. Those who oppose death penalty, oppose the law of God. Those who oppose the law of God oppose God. There are distorted and deceptive people who say death penalty is cruel. No, death penalty for murderers and serial rapists and terrorists are not cruel. Killing an innocent person is cruel. There is a shameless kind of wrongdoers, when they are caught doing evil deeds, they say it is lawful for them to do. No matter how wrong and evil they do, they make laws and they make themselves lawful. American leaders practice unilateralism: Whatever illegal acts they and their running dogs do are considered legal; and whatever legal acts that other nations do which are not their running dogs are considered illegal. They hold double-standard and duplicity.
30. We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.
Rom 5:10, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Note: The substitutionary or vicarious death of Christ reconciles sinners to God. If you come to Christ and receive forgiveness of sins, you get right with God, you are reconciled to God by the blood of Jesus Christ.
31. Death spread to all men, because all sinned.
Rom 5:12 , “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.”
Note: The only proof that you have not sinned is that you will not die. All will die because all have sinned. You will die because you have sinned. No one can escape death, not terrorist or warmonger, not crooked bankers and executives, not fraudulent and predatory doctors and hospital owners, not corrupt law-makers and lawyers. All will die because all have sinned.
32. Sin reigned in death.
Rom 5:21 , “So that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The wages of sin is death, so sin reigns in death. The good news is that grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
33. Death no longer is master over Him.
Rom 6:9 , “Knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.”
Note: The Lord of life is not and cannot be held by death. Because Jesus Christ is the Lord of life. Death is master over man, sinful man can only be saved by Jesus Christ.
34. The wages of sin is death.
Rom 6:23 , “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Note: No sinner can escape death. No one can escape the wages of sin.
A journalist wrote, “Among the attributes I most envy in a public man (or woman) is the ability to lie. If that ability is coupled with no sense of humor, you have the sort of man who can be a successful football coach, a CEO or, when you come right down to it, a presidential candidate. Such a man is Mitt Romney… A marathon of debates and an eon of campaigning have toughened and honed Romney. He commands the heights of great assurance, and he knows, as some of us learn too late in life, that the truth is not always a moral obligation but sometimes merely what works. He often cites his business background as commending him for the presidency. That’s his forgivable absurdity. Instead, what his career has given him is the businessman’s concept of self — that what he does is not who he is. This is what enables the slumlord to be a charitable man. This is what enables the corporate raider to endow his university. Business is business. It’s what you do. It is not who you are. Lying isn’t a sin. It’s a business plan.”
Sad and tragic is the American way of life. Sad and dirty is American politics. Such is the abnormality and absurdity of American mentality. Do you know any American president or who wants to be president that does not lie? Let Christians everywhere beware this is contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ. Jhn 8:44 , “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” 1Jo 2:21 ,“I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.” 1Cr 6:9-10,“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the Kingdom of God.” The Word of God speaks clearly; I do not need to explain.
35. The mind set on the flesh is death.
Rom 8:6 , “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”
If you watch the American TV or read the media, it will clearly demonstrate to you the mind set on the flesh. The people who run Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood have the mind set on the flesh. The mind set on the flesh is death.
36. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.
1Cr 15:26 , “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.”
Note: When Jesus Christ returns to save the bodies of believers, He will abolish death so that the children of God will live forever in the Kingdom of Heaven. Death is the last enemy to be abolished for children of God. The children of the devil will suffer eternal death body and soul in Hell.
37. The sting of death is sin.
1Cr 15:56 , “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.”
Note: Ordinary people are stung by the sting of death in private. Famous people are stung by the sting of death in public. There are so many shameless politicians and officials. The more shameless politicians and officials a nation has, the more useless its rule of law.
38. The sorrow of the world produces death.
2Cr 7:10 , “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
The poor has sorrow, and the rich also has sorrow. No one is immune from the sorrow of the world even the most powerful.
39. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.
Phl 2:8 , “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Note: Jesus Christ set the example of obedience to God’s will, even obedient to the point of death. Jesus Christ died for sinners.
40. Through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death.
Hbr 2:14 , “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He (Christ) Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.”
Note: By the power of God Jesus rose from death and renders the devil powerless and renders death powerless.
41. Free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
Hbr 2:15 , “And might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
Fear of death is a slavery. Americans and Europeans are afraid to die. All rich and powerful people are afraid to die. This is one of many reasons the United States must not have war with China to defend Japan. Although the U.S. can kill 1 billion Chinese; there will still be 450 million Chinese left all over the world. China and Russia can kill 350 million Americans, and there will not be one American left in the world.The numbers are against America and Europe.
42. When sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Jam 1:15 , “Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”
The Holy Scripture cited above gives the etiology of sin and death.
43. He who does not love abides in death.
1Jo 3:14 , “We know that we have passed from death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.”
Note: The most miserable people in the world are those who lie and kill and rob in order to gain power and domination of the world. The most pitiful people in the world are those who seek money, power and sex at all costs. In the last 500 years Western powers displayed hatred and greed by conquering and destroying nations and killing millions of peoples.
44. There is a sin leading to death.
1Jo 5:16 , “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.”
Note: The sin against the Holy Spirit and against the truth is a sin leading to death. A Harvard divinity school professor declared that she found Jesus had a wife — a hoax to seek fame and fortune; I believe she had committed the unpardonable sin. The sin of trampling on the truth is a sin leading to death. Evil Japanese leaders deny their war crimes and distort history are committing a sin leading to death. American leaders in pursuit of absolute military supremacy and world dictatorship with lies and mass murders are committing a sin leading to death. Terrorists who kill for the sake of their religion commit a sin leading to death.
If you do not believe in Jesus Christ, you will die in your sins. Unbelief is a sin that leads to death.
45. I have the keys of death and of Hades.
Rev 1:18 , “And the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”
Note: Jesus Christ has conquered death and He possesses the keys of death and of Hell. Those who reject Christ will be thrown into Hell to be tormented body and soul for eternity.
46. Be faithful until death.
Rev 2:10 , “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Christians are not afraid of death. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Those who are faithful until death will receive the crown of life. Christians are not afraid of death, for to die is to be with the Lord in Paradise.
47. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.
Rev 2:11 , “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.”
Note: The second death is the eternal death in the lake of fire. Death here does not mean a ceasing of existence, it means continuously and eternally suffering in hell. The first death is the physical death, the second death is the eternal damnation for the wicked and unbelievers and evildoers.
48. This is the second death, the Lake of Fire.
Rev 20:14 , “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”
Note: Believers had the first birth which was the physical birth from their mother’s womb. Believers have the second birth which is the new birth, born by the Holy Spirit. Believers were born twice, but die once. Unbelievers have only one birth, and die twice. The second death is the eternal death in the lake of fire, in Hell.
49. There will no longer be any death.
Rev 21:4 , “And He (God) will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
Note: There will be no longer any death for children of God because they have received the eternal life. For children of the devil and unbelievers will suffer eternal death in Hell. This is the eternal life in Christ in the Kingdom of heaven. Death will be no more. Mortality will be swallowed up by immortality. Eternal life with glory is for all the children of God. No one is good enough to go to heaven. But the grace of God is great in Jesus Christ who died for sinners. By repentance and faith in Jesus Christ you are given the right to become a child of God.
Now it is clear to you death is the most determining factor in a human being. If you are an unbeliever, living in the world without God and without hope, you are now spiritually dead even if you are walking and eating. All have sinned, and so all will die. That is a physical death, when you breath your last. When you bodily die, there are only two destinations: Heaven or Hell. There is no third place, which Roman Catholic Church invented, called Purgatory. Hell is eternal death, Heaven is eternal life. This is most serious, it is no joking matter. Repent and believe in Jesus Christ, you will be saved and receive the eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
You have learned from the Word of God concerning death which may happen to you any time and any place.
Do you want to live forever? Come to Jesus now to receive the eternal life.
Pompous Pompeo is a small politician with no grain of truth, zero integrity and credibility but large self-delusion, self-conceit and deception, without realization or shame that no country in the Free World would follow America anyway.
American leaders and politicians consciously make America the most hated nation on earth. There is not one nation who has been helped by America without strings attached. All South American nations hate America, most do not dare to say so because afraid of American invasion. African nations receive so much benefits from China without strings attached, and with their bitter colonial experiences they look down at America. Some Asian nations don’t dare to express their hatred of America. The Philippines is the loudest to ditch America for good. The leader of the Philippines complained that America treated them like a dog.
American allies all express displeasure with higher and higher protection fees. Korea leaders are really dumb to surrender their sovereignty to America in time of war to be under the American command. Imagine the troops of a nation under foreign command?! The Korean people want American troops to be out of Korea. Japanese people do not want American troops to be on their soil. Japan also complains of the high protection fees but their leaders have ulterior motive because they want American might to help rob China’s Diaoyu Islands and its resurgent militarism needs American support. EU or NATO also expresses discontent about American higher and higher protection fees and worried about America First policy and world domination. Germany in self-interest even dares to say no. Canada was forced into doing something unlawful to arrest and detain Huawei executive without cause. United Kingdom was told to rob 31 tons of gold from Venezuela. Australia has the same dark secret history of killing the theindigenous peoples of Australia and robbing their land.
This is no secret. American allies like Korea, Japan, and NATO or EU know that really there is no security threat to them at all, for Russia and China are no enemies, they don’t even have to pay protection fees. The fees are big waste which can be used beneficially to build up their countries into good societies.
Now who are really the Free World? The Free World are nations and peoples who do not want to be enslaved by the United States or any country. Beside a few reluctant American allies, no one really follows America. America is a self-appointed world leader and self-anointed world police and judge. Most of the world countries and peoples follow the United Nations and choose multilateralism and free trade and free of American domination.
There is a great risk caused by the evil Empire of America to force small and weak and poor nations into the model of communism. The Free World should be left free, so that each nation and its peoples may choose whatever form of government or economic system that suits their national condition. No nation, big or small, may impose its will and wishes on other nations. A country may run its own country the way they see fit so long they do not violate international laws and that it does not violate the sovereignty of other nations. The real democracy is majority rule, not after the American model. The real freedom is not afraid to be attacked or occupied by other nations. Let the Free Word stand up and choose its destiny without duress. When there is peace and security, look how the nations of the world choose!
Willie Wong, 11/22/2020
Nuclear War
It is sad and mad because there are American leaders, politicians, military, and civilian strategists who believe
they can win in a nuclear war against Russia and China, although Russia and China DO NOT want a war.
American warmongers daily and constantly promote and promulgate the biggest and blackest lie of the 21st Century by making false charges that Russia and China are national security threats to America. As a matter of fact America is the number one threat to the world.
American leaders and politicians are fooling the American Public by disseminating disinformation and fake news that America is ready to fight a nuclear war, destroys the enemies in 72 hours, and wins and continues as usual to rule the world.
As attested by history the United States of America is the most warring state since its inception. Members of the military-Industrial-security complex are the beneficiaries of all American wars and they are the most powerful and richest people in America. America has wasted so many trillions and trillions of
dollars in the name of national security and defense. I am telling you in a nuclear war, there will be no winner, only losers. The coming nuclear war incited by America means the total destruction of America, Russia, China, and the whole world.
Most Americans must know by now that election, general election, presidential election and ballot are useless and exercises of futility. American supremacists (white and black) want you to believe America is democratic and free. Democracy and freedom are empty slogans when and where 1 percent of the population rules over the 99 percent of American people. The system is rigged when and where the 1 percent of the minority owns the wealth of the majority. American leaders and politicians are most afraid of a national referendum to determine the fate of the nation whether American citizens want a respectable Republic or an evil Empire. The only measure that can change America is through the national referendum to determine the direction of America.
America cries “wolf” too many times, not realizing that American leaders and politicians are the savage wolves that swallow up American people (sheep and lamb). Jesus
Christ says, Mat 26:52, “Then Jesus said to him,
“Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.” You cannot watch America to perish by the sword (nuclear war). American warmongers take pleasures in waging war. American citizens have the right to stop the madness and demand a national referendum which is true democracy in action.
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
This article is written to let you know that the Word of God says Greed is the Root of all Evil, the evil that ruins the world. The United States is a capitalistic nation driven by greed and ruined by greed. Any nation that follows America will also be ruined by greed. Their greed is for money, power and sex.
Certainly there is no sin more deadly, dangerous, destructive and devastating than greed. For one can be greedy for money, greedy for power, greedy for possession, as well as greedy for sex. Therefore greed is the root of all evil. This article is written to show you what the Bible says about greed is true, and you can verify it. Greed is the root of all evil.
Greed is not external, something imposed by outside forces. The Lord Jesus who knows every man and says that the inside of Pharisees is full of greed and wickedness.
Luk 11:39, “But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish; but your inside is full of greed and wickedness.”
Luk 12:15,“But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.”
Jesus also warns against every form of greed. Greed has many forms. The Scripture also says, Eph 5:3, “But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints.”
Col 3:5,“Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”
Greed amounts to idolatry. It means, if you have greed it is the same you have committed idolatry.
1Th 2:5,“For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness—.”
There are many pretexts for greed, flattering speech is one of them. Western supremacists use democracy, freedom, human rights, justice as pretexts to fool their people and the world in waging war of aggression and conquest of many nations. They use national security as a pretext to target China and Russia, their real motive is to dictate and dominate the world.
2Pe 2:3,“and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” They also exploit the world with their false words. If you want to watch them with their false words, you just watch TV and read mainstream media. 2Pe 2:14,“having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having hearts trained in greed, accursed children.”
I do not know any groups having hearts trained in greed than Washing, Wall Street, Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex, corrupt doctors, dentists and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, labs and medical supplies, think tanks and corporate executives. They have best credentials from the Ivy League universities and they rule and own America and the world.
Pro 28:25, “Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity.”
Significantly, European imperialism and colonialism were drive by greed in the last 500 years. American imperialism and capitalism are also driven by greed. All the wars involved Europeans, Americans, and Japanese were caused by greed. I am afraid the coming nuclear war incited by the West is also caused by greed.
There is another group of people who are full of greed.
1Pe 5:2, “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not with greed but with eagerness.”
I was shocked to learn that “Forbes Richest Pastors In The World: Top 10 (2020)”. I am not going to mention and promote their names. You can find them on the Internet. I am shocked that the richest preacher in America has an assets of worthanestimated$300 millionto $760 million. A mainstream media accused Billy Graham of missing the mark by refusing to join civil rights movement led by a black political false preacher. In fact, the true missing the mark of Billy Graham was that he never preached against the sins of American presidents and politicians. Some dudes and dupes believe the civil rights movement was equivalent to Christian movement. I just want to say in passing, prosperity gospel, political and social gospel, etc. are not the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. As regards the rich preachers in America, I just wan to quote Jesus who says,Mat 8:20, “Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” And I want to reassure: We preach the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
“In a capitalist economy like ours, the basic premise is that everyone is motivated by a healthy dose of economic self-interest…” Jesus declares to the world, Luk 12:15:“Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Greed has many forms.Note: To beware you have to be careful. Greed in Greek is pleonexia which means covetousness; avarice; abnormal desire to have more; selfish and excessive desire for more of something; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Overwhelmingly in a capitalistic society such as the West and America, people are greedy by nature and nurture. The financial crisis of 2008 was created by the executives of Wall Street which defrauded the world more than US$50 trillion dollars with immunity. American way of life is a way of every form of greed. In fact, greed of every form has infected the whole world. The rich and powerful are greedy in a big big way, the poor and helpless are greedy in a small way. With the perspective of a period from 1985 to the present, I have watched how greed has transformed even the Chinese society. China used to have the most moral and honest society in the world. In opposition to the way of the world, Jesus Christ teaches a man’s life does not consist in an abundance of his possessions. What you are is more important than what you have. The saddest thing is the phenomenon that in America people even respect the richest and greatest crook. A man is measured by what he has.
There is no healthy dose of greed just as there is no healthy dose of poison. The nature of greed is such that it wants more and more like Hell there is no limit. Greed is Bottomless Pit. Greed is like Hell without bottom. American society has three evils: the love of money (greed), the love of power (violence), and the love of sex (lust). Wall Street, Washington and Hollywood are guilty of these three evils. These three evils are intimately linked to each other. You cannot find any crime, vice or sin or evil which is not related to the love of money, power and sex. It does not mean other societies do not love money, power and sex. It is just more so quantitatively and qualitatively in American society.
This is a concrete illustration how greed is a Bottomless Pit. China has been infected by the deadly virus of greed. More than 10 years ago a cleaning woman (maid) earned 6 yuan an hour in Shanghai. Today in 2021they earned 40 yuan an hour promoted by maid service agencies that make good money on both accounts, hirer and hired or employer and employee. These employment agencies make more money if the cleaning women earn more.
Some 48 years ago when I was working my way in America, the minimum wage was $1.25; and even in 2015, federal law requires most workers to be paid at least $7.25 per hour. There has been no astronomical rise of minimum wage in America. Comparing the minimum wage of America with that of Shanghai, the minimum wage in Shanghai in ten years rises like a balloon. So much so the wages of usually uneducated cleaning women (maids) incredibly make more money than college graduates. A maid service agency even brags about how a maid earns 10,000 yuan a month! If that is the case, the wages of a maid is two times more than a college graduate. I do not know any other nation has such a phenomenon of unequal pay. Maids of other nations might want to come to work in Shanghai. Could it be in the near future China will import cheaper maids from some countries to meet the needs in China?
This is a proven fact which can be verified that I have lived and observed some 50 years in America with shock and sober awakening. Immigrants who came from many parts of the world to America, no matter how honest and moral they were, as soon as they arrived in America they were infected with the most deadly and virulent virus of American greed, maybe more deadly than COVID-19, and started making false claims and committing frauds of many kinds and using fake documentations, etc… They become more greedy than even Americans born in America. The American culture of money, power and sex has such a great negative impact and evil influence on the whole world.
Washington seeks in the order of power, money and sex. Wall Street seeks in the order of money, power and sex. Hollywood seeks in the order of sex, money and power. What the evil Trinity of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood have sought since the end of World War II that resulted in sins, crimes, violations of law, injustice, greed, oppression, sanctions, suppression, iniquities, unrighteousness, abuses, tortures, terrors, difficulties, poverty, troubles, wars and interventions, aggression, thefts, robberies, looting, lies and killings if all put together the weight would be enormously heavy that it will sink the United States of America into two halves, one half to the bottom of Pacific Ocean, the other half to the bottom of Atlantic Ocean. God will judge the deeds of men and women. The Day of Judgment is at hand!
Facts speak louder than propaganda and prejudice.
Now what does it mean that the seven nations own 64 percentof the net global wealth ($263 trillion)?
Here is the simplest explanation:
Number of nations: 193
Number of G-7 nations: 7
The rest of nations：186
Net Global wealth： $263 trillion
Wealth of G-7: 64% of $263 trillion
If net global wealth is = 100 loaves of bread
G-7 nations own = 64 loaves of bread
186 nations own: 36 loaves of bread
If G-7 nations represent 7 persons; the 7 persons eat 64 loaves of bread. The rest of the world 186 nations represent 186 persons who eat only 36 loaves of bread. Do you call this world order fair, just and democratic? Are not the G-7 nations the Greedy-7? Yes, indeed!
If using the analogy of one nation stands for one person. The G-7 nations have 64 loaves of bread, all the rest of 186 nations have only 36 loaves of bread; if you take into account of rich Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi, etc. , how many loaves of bread are left for developing and undeveloped nations are very clear — hardly any. This is the root cause of poverty and misery in the world.
Out of the left 186 nations there are still other rich nations such as Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi, etc. Can you guess how few loaves of bread left for the developing and undeveloped nations in the world? Do you know why there is hunger, poverty and misery in the world? Because G-7 and its allies monopolize the whole world in economies, politics, military, industry and technology, transportation, infrastructure, trade, etc。
It is clear that the world needs a new order。 You see greed, violence and wickedness, and injustice covering the entire world.
Psa 9:8 , “And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.”
Note: Righteousness in Hebrew istsedeqwhich means justice; rightness; what is right or just or normal; natural, moral or legal; straightness; rectitude; what is right and just; what ought to be so; integrity; morally right or justifiable; – which occurs 123 times in the Old Testament. Equity in Hebrew ismeysharwhich means uprightness; evenness; right things; straightness; rectitude; in a straight way; justice according to natural law or right; probity; – which occurs 23 times in the Old Testament.
Psa 96:13 , “Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness.”
God will judge the world in righteousness soon.
Psa 33:8 , “Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”
Evil leaders do not fear the Lord, and they are proven liars and killers.
Isa 24:4, “The earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away.”
The arrogant leaders will fade away.
Mat 13:38 , “And the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are thesons of the Kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one.”
Christians are the sons of the Kingdom. Unbelievers and liars and killers are children of the devil.
Rom 3:19 , “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.”
All evil leaders and everyone are accountable to God.
Jas 4:4 , “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
There is no doubt, evil leaders are enemies of God.
1Jo 2:16 , “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”
The lust of the flesh is sex. The lust of the eyes is greed (money). The pride of life is power. The American values are sex, money and power. America represents the world at its worst. The American way of life is the worldly way of life, the wrong way of life.
If you ask me to use three words to describe the world, I would say: sinful, stupid, sad. All the evil deeds of humans make the world sinful, stupid and sad.
Sinful because they lie, lie and lie; kill, kill, and kill; rob, rob, and rob; destroy, destroy and destroy.
Stupidbecause the nature of evil deeds is stupid, stupid and stupid.
Sad because those who are responsible do not realize their depravity and iniquity.
Jesus says, Mat 25:31-46, “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherdseparates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These will go away intoeternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Sheep is by nature good, innocent, harmless and civilized. The difference between goat and sheep is the difference between eternal punishment and eternal life. May Chinese people become the sheep of Jesus Christ.
If a nation is like a big tree, frauds are termites. The frauds committed in America is what most people do not know or understand; there are more frauds committed in America than the stars in the sky. They include government fraud (defense and other department and agencies), corporate fraud, business fraud, securities fraud (Wall Street), bank fraud, foundation fraud, healthcare fraud, law fraud, education fraud, industry fraud, charity fraud, welfare fraud, subsidy fraud, etc…The crooks and criminals (termites) have eaten the American giant tree empty and hollow with huge debts and largest national debt in the world. Not only American national debt is the largest in the world, the combination of state, city, corporation, organization, institution, and individual debts are incalculable. All of them combined someday will overwhelm the United States like giant tsunamis and sweep America clean like miles long tornadoes. The American fraud problems are compounded by flawed legal system and ineffective criminal justice that encourages and enriches crooks and criminals of all kinds.
Fraud is a child of Greed. Corruption is a sister of Fraud. Fraud is the financial Ebola which must be totally eradicated or it may sink a nation. In 2008Wall Street created the largest economic and financial crisis that looted the world more than $50 trillionand hardly anyone was sent to jail for their crimes. Worse than that, Wall Street executives and bankers are rewarded with bailout and bonuses in billions annually. Do you not see America is committing suicide financially, politically and economically and legally?
Greed has never produced a good man, a moral man, a civilized man, an honorable man or a responsible man. Since ancient times greed produced evil empires, evil emperors and empresses, bad kings and queens, dictators, wicked bankers and merchants, oppressive landlords and militant war lords, depraved nobilities, and the abusive and oppressive and corrupt upper classes, etc. The love of money, power and sex can be summed up in greed. The love of money is actually greedy for money. The lust for power is greedy for power. The lust for sex is greedy for sex. Greed manifests itself in unhealthy, unwholesome, and immoral love of money, power and sex. Historically greed was intensified, glorified, magnified and brutalized by the Roman Empire followed by European imperial and colonial powers, Japan and finally by the American empire. Today the American imperialism and Islamic terrorism account for 99 percent of human miseries, hardships, tribulations and problems in the world. You cannot find a crime or sin which is not related to greed, or the love of money, power and sex.
On November 14, 2014 I carried a heavy bag and I was worn out. I saw a man working on the street and asked him to help me carry the bag to the subway station. He willingly took my large bag and carried it up to the entrance of the subway station, I gave him a tip but he consistently refused until I finally placed the tip in his hand. Second thought I should have given the man more. Here was a Chinese worker whose wages are among the lowest, and yet he was not greedy but very helpful. Years ago when I was in California, I saw an old woman carrying a load walking upstairs, an American boy came along and said to her, If you give me money I would help you carry the load. This Chinese street worker is more civilized, moral, and a better human being than many executives of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood who are products of American Ivy League universities and they live a luxurious lifestyle.
Do not get the wrong idea if a person is more educated, has a higher position, and in a better living environment – he will become a better and more moral and helpful human being. The most wicked and greedy people in the world are those who are well-educated, rich and powerful people. This is going to strike you hard but it is verifiable: Confucian education is more likely to produce simple, honest and good people than American higher education which costs a great deal and more than the dream of ordinary people.
It dawns on me: To be a civilized and good person has something to do with human nature and choice, practically nothing to do with education, position and social status.
Greed has destructive and erosive effect and negative impact both on nations and individuals. The era of President Richard Nixonwas the golden era of America – decent, rich, honorable and most desirable. The United States was greatly respected by friends or foes alike. Greed (love of money, power and sex) has destroyed America, with the largest deficits and greatest national debt, the most hated nation on earth; the richer get richer and most American people get poorer and poorer. The American dream is dead because upward mobility or opportunity is gone. As a case in point, it is now impossible for a poor American youth to work his way through college as I did before. I have lived almost all my life in California and relished the best part of America – Orange County in the best part of Orange County. Due to mismanagement of government, the Golden State has become a bankrupt and backward state. California used to lead the nation almost in all the good things, now just as America the state of California has also become un-competitive. I have watched and witnessed how a beautiful and nice California is being destroyed by illegal aliens, Latino and black gangs, corrupt politicians and officials, greedy and crooked doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, crooks and criminals. Greed makes and turns everything bad.
On September 6, 2014 in a Shanghai fashion show, a set of fashionable woman dress was auctioned at a price of RMB 1,200,000.For a Christian even if you are very rich to wear clothes of such high price is a sin. If a minister wears US$10,000 suit, his wife wears a mink coat of $30,000, eats a dinner of $1,000 and lives in a million-dollar mansion, owns a private jet, drives a fancy luxurious car and with a big bank account, I say to you, he is not a servant of Christ but a religious thief. For Jesus Christ says, Mat 8:20 ,“Jesus said to him: The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” A minister who gets rich on preaching the gospel is unfit for the ministry. Peter said,
Act 3:6 , “But Peter said: I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” In America there are many pastors who possess silver and gold, but they do not have the power of the Holy Spirit. All prosperity gospel preachers and followers want to get rich in this world. They think they get serve God and Mammon at the same time. The greed of American capitalism has infected China and the whole world. The American values of money, power and sex have ruined the world.
The Bible makes it clear, 1 Cr 6:9-10,“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Note: The Greek word for the unrighteous is adikoswhich means unjust, sinful, deceitful, one who violates or has violated justice, one who deals fraudulently with others; – it occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Examples of the unrighteous are fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, the covetous (greedy), drunkards, revilers, swindlers. These unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God mean they will go into Hell. These Scriptures list 10 kinds of people (the doers) who will go into Hell. Those who drink and drive and kill people may not know that drunkards will go to Hell. In the United States the legal system is so flawed that drunken drivers who killed and killed were not executed.
(1). The Greek word for fornicator is pornoswhich means a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire, a male prostitute, a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a whoremonger; – it occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Fornicators will go into Hell.
(2). The Greek word for idolater is eidōlolatrēswhich means a worshiper of false gods, a covetous man as a worshiper of Mammon; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Even if a believer is participating in any way in the worship of the heathen gods, esp. one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of things offered is guilty of idolatry. Some Taiwanese leaders claim to be Christians and yet they are idolaters and who publicly worship idols reported on TV. The Taiwanese preachers dare not rebuke them.
Note: Taiwanese preachers and ministers are very strange people because they do not warn the Taiwanese politicians who claim to be Christians for being idolaters as required by the Scripture. This message must be conveyed to those Taiwan politicians. You cannot claim to be a Christian and an idolater at the same time. If you are a Christian, you cannot worship idols. If you worship idols, you should not claim to be a Christ. Those Taiwan politicians must come clean one way or another. The former Taiwan leader who is a traitor has practiced the same; to be an idolater in order to win votes from idol worshipers, and claiming to be a Christian in order to win American military support. In America only primitive immigrants worship idols, but most Americans, Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood worship money or Mammon; greed is the same sin as idolatry. Idolaters will go into Hell. Most Americans worships the gods of money, power and sex.
(3). The Greek word for adulterer is moichoswhich means a married person who is guilty of sexually immorality, a person unfaithful to God; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. An idolater is also an adulterer because he is unfaithful to God by worshiping false gods. Adulterers do not go to Heaven, they will go into Hell.
(4). The Greek word for effeminate is malakoswhich means of a catamite, of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man, of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness, of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness, of a male prostitute; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Sodomites and male prostitutes will go into Hell. And yet Obama who claims to be a Christian supports same-sex marriage and advocates homosexuality and used executive order to advance their causes.
(5). The Greek word for homosexual is arsenokoitēswhich means one who has sex with a male as with a female, sodomite, a male who has sex with a male, a female who has sex with a female, an abuser of oneself; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Homosexuals will go into Hell. Obama was the first American president who advocated legalizing of same-sex marriage and homosexuality.
(6). The Greek word for thief is kleptēs which means an embezzler, pilferer, misappropriator, robber and plunderer, one who steals; – it occurs 16 times in the New Testament. The word kleptomaniac is derived from the Greek word. The American healthcare providers (such as doctors, hospital owners, drug and insurance companies executives, labs and medical suppliers, etc.) are thieves because they routinely defraud and fleece patients and have bankrupted millions of families. Thieves will go into Hell. The reason the United States has huge annual deficits and the largest national debt of more than$28 trillionis because the government serves special interests and there are so many thieves and robbers in American government.
(7). The Greek word for the covetous is pleonektēswhich means one eager to have more, esp. what belongs to others, the greedy, greedy of gain; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. The corrupt officials of Washington, executives of Wall Street, bankers, mortgage, drug and insurance companies, defense contractors, healthcare providers, lawyers, etc. are the greediest. The greedy will go into Hell.
(8). The Greek word for drunkard is methysoswhich means a drunken person, the intoxicated; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Most people may not realize that drunkards will go into Hell.
(9). The Greek word for reviler is loidoroswhich means a railer, one who uses bad language, one who uses abusive and contemptuous language; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament. If I understand the Bible correctly, those who use F work (which is prevalent in America) and filthy language will ALSO go into Hell.
(10). The Greek word for swindler is harpaxwhich means an extortioner, a robber; – it occurs 5 times in the New Testament. As I understand the meaning of this Scripture and what crooked doctors, hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, labs and medical suppliers are doing – they are guilty of being a swindler, defrauding and extorting and bankrupting millions of American families. Obviously Wall Street executives who created the economic and financial crisis beginning in 2007-2008 and looted the world more than $50 trillionare also guilty of this sin and will be cast into Hell. Those who manufacture and sell fake and deadly drug, food, oil and drink, etc. will also go into hell. All corrupt politicians and officials will also go into Hell.
Gen 3:1-21 ,“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman: Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’? The woman said to the serpent: From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said: You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die. The serpent said to the woman: You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes , and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him: “Where are you?” He said, I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself. And He said: Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said: The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate. Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said: The serpent deceived me, and I ate. The LORD God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you will go, And dust you will eat all the days of your life; and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel. To the woman He said: I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you will bring forth children; yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you. Then to Adam He said: Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you will eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”
The Scriptures cited above explains the origin of lie. To do justice in expounding the Scriptures will require many pages. Jesus Christ gives authoritative definition and explanation of the devil,
Jhn 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” I can only give you the highlights of the truth as follows: (1). The devil was the first liar (the serpent was the symbol of the devil); he does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. The devil is the father of lies and liars. The nature of the devil is like the crafty and cunning serpent. The evil Western leaders seemingly are the most crafty and cunning politicians of the 21st century.
(2). The devil was the first murdererwho killed Adam and Eve by leading them to sin, for wages of sin is death.
(3). The devil and his children always cast doubton the Word of God and distort the truth. The way evil leaders distort historical facts chills the heart of every decent person.
(4). American leaders and politicians since the end of World War II have proven to be liars and killers and robbers . For example, American leaders used one lie of the weapons of mass destruction to falsely accuse Iraq and under the pretext attacked and occupied Iraq and killed so many innocent peoples. Obama knew in 1971 the U.S. violated the international law and China’s sovereignty by illegally giving administrative control of China’s Diaoyu Islands to the unconditionally surrendered war crime nation of Japan. That was why Obama at first said the U.S. took no position on the sovereignty of Diaoyu Islands. Later he declared to defend Japan against China. The prime minister of Japan shamelessly denies all Japanese war crimes, genocide, sex slavery and unprecedented atrocities. The lawless man even distorts history by saying Japanese soldiers were fighting for peace in World War II . The children of the devil who are liars and killers are like their father the devil.
(5). Eve admitted she was deceivedby the devil. Women are more easily deceived than men.
(6). Appearance is deceptive. Eve saw the forbidden fruit was a delight to the eyes. Do you know the wild deadly mushroom looks beautiful? Deadly prostitutes may also look delightful to some men.
(7). Sin brings curse and pain and eventually death.The love of money, power and sex has caused so much pain in the world. Be sure your sin will find you out . The sins and crimes of evil leaders are found out more and more.
(8). Sinful man cannot save himself; he needs redemption by Jesus Christ the Lamb of God.
Here another big lie is uncovered before our eyes in Shanghai. The evil deeds done by the American company are a strong reflection of American disregard and disrespect of Chinese life, health and well-being.
For the love of money, corporations and individuals do all kinds of illegal acts. In response to the illegal and evil deeds done by OSI Shanghai Husi Food Company , the following measures are suggested for Shanghai Municipal government and Chinese central government to execute actively and effectively without further delay.
(1). Gullible Chinese should open their eyes and realize they can no longer view everything made in U.S.A. is good or excellent. American capitalism is the fountain of greed, and greed is the bottomless pit of all evil. Driven by greed the evil deeds committed by American corporations discovered so far are only a drop in the ocean of fraud and falsehood. Whether in politics, military, economics, government, law, trade, food and drug, etc. China and Chinese people cannot trust the American. Intelligent Chinese should have a big QUESTION MARK about everything American or Japanese. China needs to be vigilant.
(2). Shanghai Husi Food, a unit of Aurora, Illinois-based OSI Group, has committed most egregious crime punishable by death penalty, seizure of all its assets and forever shut down its operations in China.
(3). Those Chinese co-conspirators who are responsible for falsifying and burning records deserve to be executed because not only they had committed the unpardonable crime and they compounded the evil by obstruction of investigation and justice.
(4). Sue OSI BOTH in American and Chinese courts for huge sums of compensation money in terms of billions of dollars in viewed of the fact millions and millions of Chinese are involved as victims.
(5). Shut down OSI China’s operations forever to warn other foreign companies and fine McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, and other co-conspirators very huge financial penalties and execute its responsible executives who deliberately participated in the evil scheme of poisoning millions and millions of Chinese consumers. It is humanly impossible to calculate the harmful effects of contaminated, adulterated and poisoned food for a long period of time for hundreds of millions of people.
(6). Revamp China’s food, drink and drug inspection. The fact it took years to discover that OSI Shanghai Husi Food has deliberately violated Chinese food laws and deceived and poisoned millions and millions of Chinese consumers does not speak well of the Chinese regulatory system and law enforcement. Any contamination, poisoning, addition, falsification, and expiration of food, drug and drink deserves death penalty. It would be wise to require all foreign corporations that export food, drug, and drink, etc. to China to sign a legal document to guarantee its purity and quality or suffer dire consequences and legal liability.
(7). Enforce death penalty effectively, promptly and cheaply.
The world order established by American and European powers is so crooked, corrupt, convoluted, contentious, conniving, cruel, cryptic, cunning, crude, consumptive, combative and crazy – a total lack of goodness, righteousness and justice – should be overthrown and to reestablish a new world order of harmony, justice, integrity, prosperity and security. There is no place in the new world order for aggressors, warmongers, oppressors, exploiters, manipulators, dictators, imperialist, terrorist, monopolist and supremacist.
Since the infamous Opium Wars, the United Stated has done many wrongs to China. China has never done anything wrong to the U.S. Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson had intent and threatened to use atomic bombs in China. In 2012 Obama openly declared China is an adversary without cause. He insisted that China plays by the same rules as everybody else. Let us examine the facts and face the truth:
1. Since the infamous Opium Wars the U.S. had killed Chinese, robbed and looted China’s national treasures now displayed in Smithsonian Institution, public and privates museums and libraries across the nation as well as in European and Japanese public and private museums and libraries worth at least US$100,000 trillions plus interest.
2. In 1949 the U.S. violated international law and violated China’s sovereignty by sending the 7th Fleet to protect the defeated Chiang Kai-shek’s regime and prevented Taiwan from reunification with Mainland China to this day. In 1979 the U.S. violated international law and China’s sovereignty by passing the illegal US-Taiwan Relations Act (signed by Carter a self-proclaimed born again Christian) to colonize Taiwan and force selling costly and deadly weapons to Taiwanese so that Chinese may kill Chinese to this day. Now the U.S. government has the Taiwan Act and Hong Kong Act to make Taiwan and Hong Kong colonies of America. The imperial America is evidently greedy for territorial expansion.
3. In 1959 the U.S. violated international law and China’s sovereignty by aiding Dalai Lama in an armed rebellion against China, failed and fled and has ever since become the highest paid foreign agent to separate Tibet from China, incited bloody riots and self-immolations of his followers to regain power to this day.
4. In 1971 the U.S. violated international law and China’s sovereignty in illegally giving administrative control of China’s Diaoyu Islands to unconditionally surrendered war crime nation of Japan. At first Obama said the U.S. took no position; not only the U.S. did not right its wrong, Obama in 2014 declared to defend Japan against China. The U.S. violated international law by arming and re-militarizing Japan, changing its peace constitution into War Constitution although 4 Japanese political parties oppose it, thousands and thousands of Japanese demonstrate against it, and one Japanese set him on fire and he would rather die than to live in a warmongering Japan repeating the tragedy of World War II aggression. The U.S. has done nothing when Japanese leaders shamelessly deny its war crimes, genocide, sex slavery and unprecedented atrocities committed in World War II and refuse to pay war reparations and compensations. This does not include the destructions of Chinese national treasures, public and private properties by Japanese bombing, burning and looting.
5. Obama’s “pivot to Asia” policy was the American code word for aggression and expansion into Asia Pacific, not only violated international law but also American Monroe Doctrine . By 2014 over 65 percent of American most advanced weaponry such as fleets, aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, massive radars, missiles and antimissile, war planes and unmanned planes, and more than 330,000 troops stationed at China’s doorsteps poised to strike at China’s nuclear capability from its 700 overseas military bases all over the world to encircle China and Russia. The U.S. incites and supports rat and rogue nations to make false claims to China’s territories and loot China’s resources. They are practicing a tactic of manufacturing and loudly spreading the biggest and blackest lie of China threat. They believe if you keep telling a big lie loud and long enough people would believe it. They are walking in craftiness and speaking black lies.
6. Since China joining the WTO in 2001 , the U.S. and Western powers had put many obstacles, sanctions, unfair trade and restrictions on China; but in spite of everything China by its ingenuity, innovation and industry and hard work became no. 2 economic power in the world in 2010.
7. Since the end of World War II American presidents had killed millions and millions of innocent peoples around the world in inciting and conducting hundreds of unjust wars and blood military interventions. Recent exposure by Edward Snowdengave a glimpse of the global illegal activities of the U.S. by NSA in spying many leaders of nations including the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkeland violations of the privacy of billions of decent peoples in the world and more.
8. There is not an ounce of truth about China’s threat and Russia threat, but there are million tons of truth about the U.S. threat to China and the world. In the past the U.S. despised a weak China and participated in war of aggression known as the Opium Wars. In 1949 the U.S. feared of Chinese communism and implemented “containment of China” policy even to this day. Recently American leaders are afraid and jealous of China’s most spectacular successes in the last 40 years that no nation had ever done before in the history of mankind under the capable leadership of Deng Xiaoping the paramount leader of China. Now American leaders (in executive and legislative branches) and self-serving bureaucrats hate and show malice to China and Chinese people because they are fearful of losing its sole superpower status with many privileges as by 2030China will bypass the U.S. and become the no. 1 economy in the world. For a combination of reasons mentioned above, American leaders (executive and legislative) and bureaucrats harbor hatred and ill will and jealousy toward China and they have both intent and capacity to destroy China.
9. There are two greatest threats to the world today: American imperialism and Islamic terrorism. They are accountable for 99 percent of all human problems, troubles, divisions, miseries, poverty, destruction and injustice in the world.
10. On the other hand, China is not interested in aggression or expansion. When China was the greatest civilization on earth, it did not colonize any nation and there was no trace of abuse or oppression. China dream is only to rejuvenate, revitalize, and restore China to its past glory and prosperity and share a world of harmony, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence with the community of nations. Actions speak louder than words. Truth will ultimately triumph over a thousand lies.
I. The greedy premise is wrong.
The definition of greed is not a healthy dose of economic self-interest; it is a lethal dose of grabbing more and more by hook or by crook.
Jesus Christ said,Luk 12:15, “Then He said to them, Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Greed in Greek is pleonexiawhich means greedy desire to have more, covetousness or avarice. There are various modes which greed shows itself, including fraud, deceit, extortion, exploitation, unrighteousness, etc. Because of greed, the American S&L executives looted customers’ deposits and used the money to benefit themselves some years ago. Because of greed, Enron and many others falsified records to show a veneer of high profitability recently. Because of greed, mortgaged companies made loans to people who were not qualified to buy expensive houses. Because of greed, investment banks closed their eyes to make unnecessary profits known as subprime, short sale, creative accounting, etc. Because of greed, insurance companies and banks and mortgage companies, etc. made big bets on others’ money and lost.
Socrates said, “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”
Capitalism is driven by greed to have more and more and more …. endlessly. Business by nature wants more and more and more profits. That is why the unregulated American healthcare is the highest cost in the world because it is predatory, fraudulent and organized crime so that corrupt doctors and hospitals may charge whatever they please fraudulently and excessively without penalty. The Chinese has a wise saying, “The greedy snake swallows up an elephant.”
Why the American banking system is so unfair and predatory that if you put your money of $15,000 at an American bank like Citibank, you may only earn more or less $0.13 (13 cents) a month, at an annual rate of 0.01%, which is $1.80 a year. If you do not maintain a balance of $15,000, the bank will charge you $20 a month, which is $240 a year. The bank also charges you $5 for each check issued. It is possible that your money in the bank may dwindle to zero and you still owe bank’s charges. If you borrow from the bank mortgage interest rate is 1 Year ARM 4.14% , Credit Card is 13.24% – 20.24% APR based on credit worthiness, and 48 month new car loan is 2.9%. Do you see how capitalism exploits and extorts and robs the people? Why do the banks make all the rules that enrich themselves and the government approves them? The rate on the 10-year Treasury is just 1.62 percent.This is the beauty of capitalism, the government let banks to practice monopoly and set almost zero interest for savings but high interest for loans. This is the kind of democracy American leaders are so proud of in making the 1 percent of the population very rich at the expense of 99 percent of the population.
II. American capitalism is a product of greed.
In the name of profit business and industry would do anything. Doctors, hospitals, labs, medical supplies, drug and insurance companies dared to make false claims and fraudulent billings that led to the highest medical and health care costs in the world and sucked more than $8 trillion dollars a year from the economy. It only takes a major illness to bankrupt a middle class family that has been working hard and saving for a lifetime. Due to greed people commit predatory and fraudulent practices of infinite varieties. It is an open secret that fake injury victims in collaboration with crooked doctors and lawyers made false claims worth billions of dollars a year. There are more frauds and more varieties of fraud committed in America than the stars in the sky; identity theft was an invention by crooks and criminals in America. People who got filthy lucre inevitably become philanthropists and set up foundations (tax-free) to compensate for their guilty conscience because of evil deeds. American legal system is also a product of greed. Just like an infamous woman said, “The rich do not pay taxes.”
Many large corporations also do not pay taxes. The rich and powerful have a group of lawyers to protect them and defend their illegal acts. Crooks and criminals can use the legal system to blackmail and threaten people who cannot afford a lawyer. The political system is also a product of greed. Lobbyists spend billions to buy off lawmakers and politicians. National, state, and local campaigns for offices involve billions of dollars. Frauds in government contracts (including defense, etc.) entail billions of dollars. Bureaucrats use government credit cards to purchase expensive items for themselves. American society is also a product of greed where the prevailing values of money, power and sex drive people mad. Crime and violence run rampant. You do not have real friends, people only use each other. American society is the most alienated society in the world.
Example, just as the government spends needlessly by borrowing endlessly, many Americans live beyond their means on credit, buying houses and cars, etc. that they were not qualified, etc. The richest men in America did not make their money on the basis of their own ingenuity, skill and hard work; but by monopoly, unfair and predatory and fraudulent practices. American problems will not go away, the more problems the more money is needed and can be made. Special interests make money on American problems.
For example, if there is no single-parent family problem, there would be no need for social services. If there is no Medicare & Medicaid, how would doctors, hospitals, drug and insurance companies make so much money by sucking more than $8 trillions a year from the economy? If there is no war, how would the military-industrial complex and defense contractors live lavishly? Greed breeds corruption. In summary, the current American economic and financial crisis is an accumulation and culmination of evil deeds of greed that drive politicians, Wall Street, large firms and ordinary Americans to excess and madness and now the taxpayers are paying the price.
The single evidence of greed in government is the huge deficits and the national debt of over $29 trillion.
According to 2011 Institute for Policy Studies Executive Excess report, “Corporate outlays for CEO compensation — despite the lingering Great Recession — are rising. Employment levels have barely rebounded from their recessionary lows. Top executive pay levels, by contrast, have rebounded nearly all the way back from their pre-recession levels. This contrast shows up starkly in the 2010 ratio between average worker and average CEO compensation. In 2009, we calculate, major corporate CEOs took home 263 times the pay of America’s average workers. Last year, this gap leaped to 325-to-1. Among the nation’s top firms, the S&P 500, CEO pay last year averaged $10,762,304, up 27.8 percent over 2009. Average worker pay in 2010? That finished up at $33,121, up just 3.3 percent over the year before. What are America’s CEOs doing to deserve their latest bountiful rewards? We have no evidence that CEOs are fashioning, with their executive leadership, more effective and efficient enterprises. On the other hand, ample evidence suggests that CEOs and their corporations are expending considerably more energy on avoiding taxes than perhaps ever before — at a time when the federal government desperately needs more revenue to maintain basic services for the American people. This disinvestment also undermines the infrastructure and services that small and large businesses also depend upon. Investigative journalists and tax research organizations have been documenting how U.S.-based global companies are aggressively shearing — and even totally eliminating — their federal income tax obligations.
This past March, for instance, The New York Times traced the steps General Electric has taken to avoid U.S. corporate taxes for the last five years. Citizens for Tax Justice, as part of a forthcoming study on tax avoidance among the Fortune 500, has identified 12 corporations that have paid an effective rate of negative 1.5 percent on $171 billion in profits.” The American capitalism enriches the business executives and robs the workers and the country. Apparently the political system is benefiting the rich and powerful greatly financially at public expense.
III. America is the prime example how a country and society is ruined by greed.
“Wall Street is nothing if not an organized system of greed, a high-stakes game in which the object is to take advantage of customers and counterparties by buying pieces of paper from them at less than they are really worth and selling them to others for more than they are worth.” That is the underlying and root cause of the failure of capitalism. No, old-fashioned incompetence is not greed. They were very competent and highly intelligent in making up false financial statements and cover-up of their crime. Greed turns a republic into an empire, democracy into dictatorship, the public interest into special interest, public servants into self-serving politicians and bureaucrats – American greed has infected the whole world. What is needed is a new responsible economic and financial system, a new and just legal and political structure, a leadership of integrity, and a new way of life – or the evil (not mistake) will be repeated again and again until the end comes.
STONE LAKE, Wis. (AP) reported (2011-8-11) that a man concealed his mother’s decomposing body at their home in rural northwestern Wisconsin for years so he could continue to receive her monthly social security checks of $1,128.
According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the 40 richest individuals on Earth are worth $1.1 trillion. In my estimate, the 1,000 richest individuals in America have more money than 1 billion poorest peoples on earth.You know what is wrong with the world, what is wrong with capitalism, and what is wrong the Western values.
One man who is worth $19.8 billion said he would swap 99 percent of his wealth for 30 years of time. Fatally mistaken, for 100 percent of his wealth he would not even swap one minute of time. When death knocks at your door, there is no escape.
Luk 12:16-21,“And He (Jesus Christ) told them a parable, saying: The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying: What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops? Then he said: This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul: Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry. ButGod said to him: You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared? So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
At least in ancient times people made money the old-fashioned way through the productive land. Today billionaires make money through speculation in real estate, currency, commodity, etc. and gambling on papers. Not only you cannot swap one minute of your life for $1 trillion, there is judgment after death. There are so many billionaires who store up treasure on earth and they are not rich toward God. At the moment of your death, you are not worth a penny!
The American healthcare system is the most costly, fraudulent, ineffective and predatory in the world all because greedy and corrupt doctors, hospital owners, labs and medical suppliers, drug and insurance companies want to make more profits incessantly with immunity and there is NO controlling authority to stop the fraudulent and predatory practices AND excessive charges without end.
IV. The love of money is the root of all evil.
1Ti 6:10 , “For the love of money is the root of all evil, for which some have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
Note: The Greek word for love of money is philargyriawhich means avarice, greed, covetousness, the desire of having more and more, lust; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. All sorts of evil are endless. For the love of money most dangerous to health and life are the recycling of expired drugs, manufacturing of fake and toxic drugs, manufacturing of fake and toxic food and drink, etc. For the love of money doctors used pain killer injections paid at high price to be divided with some patients each paying full price. I believe those who make and sell deadly food and drug and drink should meet with death penalty. The American healthcare system is the most costly in the world because greedy doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies commit predatory practices and defraud patients. For the love of money Wall Street executives created the economic and financial crisis started in 2007 which looted the world more than $50 trillion . For the lust of power warmongers attacked and occupied nations and killed millions of people. Can you prove any crime or sin which is not directly related to greed for power, greed for money, or greed for sex?
The Greek word for sorrow is odynē which means consuming grief, pain, sadness, mental or emotional suffering; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament. I am not surprised that Las Vegas is the saddest city in America with the third-highest suicide rate. Gambling is an obvious form of greed, unlike the predatory practices of doctors and hospitals are hidden in their fraudulent billing. The greedy are consumed or will be consumed by grief and pain caused by their own greed; if not in this world, it will be in hell forever and ever.
It was reported that a dentist in the U.S. in an effort to save money used paper clips instead of stainless steel posts in root canals which can cause pain and even infection. You must have heard how Taiwan manufacturers used toxic substance in food and drink products in order to make high profits. For the love of money, the evil deeds of men are unlimited.
Forbes ranks the world’s billionaires of 2012. The world belongs to them and they belong to the world. Do you know anyone of them is a true follower of Jesus Christ?
Mat 19:23-24,“And Jesus said to His disciples: Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
Luk 12:21 ,“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” A man can be rich toward men, but not rich toward God.
2Cr 8:9,“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” The children of God are richer than all the world’s billionaires put together because they shall inherit the Kingdom of God.
1Ti 6:17,“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” Those billionaires are only rich in this present world; they have nothing in the world to come. The uncertainty of riches even the rich is aware of it. Executives of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood are rich only in this present world, without hope and without God. They have nothing in the world to come!
Jam 1:11,“For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.” The rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.
Jam 2:5,“Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”
The poorest Christians are richer than those billionaires because they are rich in faith and they are heirs of the Kingdom of God. The Bible has a word for those billionaires,
Jam 5:1, “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you!”
Greed not only ruins the rich, greed also ruins the poor.
1Ti 6:9 ,“ People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ”
Note: By wanting more and more, the rich fall into temptation and a trap into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. Some poor want to get rich quick and get trapped into many foolish and harmful desires fall into temptation and plunge themselves into ruin and destruction also. The foolish and harmful desires of the rich and poor are unlimited.
A foolish young man born of a foolish woman wanted to get rich quick and he did not want to continue making bread and earn little money. So he cooked up a dumb plan of pretending to be rich by borrowing at high interest from organized crime syndicate. He used the borrowed money 70,000 yuan to buy expensive cellphone, and lavishly entertained business people at luxurious restaurants with gifts etc. hoping they would give him some business deal. He got zero business deal and the high-interest debt of 70,000 provided by gangs demand immediate pay payment. The young man who inflicted himself with foolish and harmful passions now immediately plunges into ruin and destruction. When a man is desperate, he becomes dangerous. A desperate person is a dangerous person; he may resort to robbery, swindling or something worse. It is very dangerous not to make payment to gangsters who lend with usury. There are billions of similar and other stories how foolish and harmful desires ruined and destroyed people who wanted to get rich quick. Greed leads to self-destruction.
The newspaper reported a corrupt Chinese official was convicted of corruption and sentenced to death, among large amount of cash and other things, he owned 374 apartment houses. If the crook and criminal visits the properties acquired by crooked means one unit a day, he cannot finish the job in a year. Greed is as wide as Hell, as bottomless as the Pit.
In the last days people are more dangerous because they have triple most deadly loves: not only lovers of money, lovers of self, and lovers of pleasure. This evil trinity drives them more to evil deeds.
Imagine warmongers make high profit in wars such as Ukraine now!
(A). There are many forms of greed.
Luk 12:15 ,“Then He said to them: Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Note: There are endless forms of greed, from love of money, power, sex to fame and glory, luxurious life style, shameless corruption, etc. Greed appears in business and industry, government, charity, school and university, religion, healthcare, Wall Street, Washington, Hollywood, and military-industrial-security complex. A form of greed is selling the fake as true. For example, selling non-organic vegetables as organic vegetables at many times the prices. All fake products from food, drug, drink to manufactured goods and products are selling as real for high profits. As an illustration, the price disparity between a Ming or Qing antique and a modern imitation is so vast that may be millions of dollars in difference. You need to guard against greed more than you guard against thieves and robbers.
Because of greed, criminals destroyed portions of the Great Wall. Because of greed, people robbed the tombs of emperors. Because of greed China’s national treasures were smuggled out to foreign nations. The evil deeds done in the world because of greed are more than the stars in the sky. Because of greed the American healthcare becomes the most costly in the world whereas doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies defraud and fleece and bankrupt patients and suck the blood of the economy more than $8 trillion a year.
Of some 6,500 swindling spams (not advertising) I have received through e-mails and messages since the Christmas season of 2011, most of them are Africans and Muslims, most are women black and white, some Muslims call themselves doctors, some Muslims call themselves princes, a few call themselves princesses, one calls himself a prince with an English name, most are Nigerian con artists, some whites, many women who want to sell their bodies, few men want to sell sex, one Chinese, one crook from Taiwan offering phony partnership, one used the name of the United Nations Office to beg for money (the beggar has an English name), a Microsoft Award of Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Great British Pound (£950,000.00) from the Event Manager Dr. Christopher Baker, Australian National Lottery Department cash prize of $1,000,000 even though you never play the lottery with a winning ticket number, EUROPEAN LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION of TWO MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($2,800,000.00) from JAMES WALTER even you never bought a ticket, a cheque of $500,000 approved by the World Bank director Robert Zoellick from KRISTINALINA .G SECRETARY GENERAL of WORLD BANK for no reason, various investment scams and phony business proposals, phony winning of lottery without buying or awards, one who calls himself a pastor in Sweden, and two who claimed to be pastors want to do business with me by selling my products (writings) although I preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ for free, most shamelessly call their intended victims dearest, all demand urgent attention. Their methods of deception vary: some appeal in the name of charity, some sheer begging, most use baits, a few even use the name of God in vain – they are all liars and swindlers. These shameless, lawless, artless, senseless, wicked and conscienceless people have only one in common; they con people for money, money, and money. Some women solicit sex for money. Deviousness and shamelessness characterize all scam artists and swindlers. These swindlers are so shameless, low, degenerate and depraved that they even ask their intended victims to trust them. They are everything what a human being should not be; the scums of the earth. They lie and lie and lie because they are the children of the father of lies, the children of darkness.
The crux of fraud through spams is that crooks and criminals fraudulently offer you phony money as bait, but their intent is to defraud lots of real money from you. Using money as a bait to get money is a satanic trick, because what these con artists offer you are empty false promises, what they will get from you is real money. So wise up, do not fall into the trap. The best thing is to mark their e-mails as “spam” and delete them without even reading because they are not worth wasting your time. The origins of these crooks and criminals reflect the true color and character of their countries and cultures.
Scam and spam through email is predominantly committed by one racial and religious group. They are the shameless scums of the earth, the enemies of truth, the parasites of humanity, and the children of darkness. They have no shame, no sense, no self-esteem, no scruples – they exist to deceive, defraud and debase.
This is one of billions of fraud and scam and spam sent out daily through the Internet to deceive and defraud peoples around the world. The Internet (including emails) is the most fertile and fraudulent land of crooks and criminals who scheme and do all kinds of evil with impunity. This one has an address in United Kingdom. Although the United States controls the Internet, there is no government that prosecutes Internet frauds and organized crimes. The Internet is used by evildoers to spy on leaders of nations, businesses and industries, and billions of law-abiding peoples around the world. You wonder if the real Coca-Cola Company does anything to protect its name and fight against fraud. You wonder if United Kingdom is interested in cracking down frauds and crimes.
The coca cola company.
Prize Claim Centre
1 Queen Caroline Street,
London W6 9HQ,
United Kingdom.
Greetings,
We are pleased to inform you that your E-Mail number has won you £995,000 in (Nine Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand British Pounds) in the 2014 Coca-Cola Live Int’l Draw. You were selected randomly by our Computer system and emerged as the winner in the final category of the Draw with the following numbers; (15 – 40 – 23 – 07 – 02). All E-mails were obtained from the International web Directory.
I wish to let you know the steps that you must follow to receive your prize money at the earliest possible time. In this process, we shall respect your views, opinions and most importantly, protect your privacy. Please provide us with the following information to enable us issue you the Award Certificate and process your prize release.
You are required to contact our dispatch dept via email ( rajoscar245@yahoo.com ) with information below in order for us to complete your winning certificate and for further information.
Full Name…………………
Address……………………
Age…………………………
Sex…..male…………………….
Nationality…………………
Occupation………………
Home Phone………………
Mobile Phone……………..
Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) is IMD-112211 and must be quoted in the subject of every correspondence. Please keep details of your winning confidential until the successful transfer of your fund to you, as any form of double claim will lead to withdrawal of the Prize. This draw was conducted solely by Coca-Cola Company, UK and cannot be redeemed at your Local Coca-Cola Office.
Yours in service,
Mr. Raj Oscar
(Claim Agent)
——————————————————
Now Chinese in Singapore (probably Singaporeans) also engaged in global scam, using the name of RHB BANK Singapore. There are so many evil people and liars in the world. Remind you hell is the bottomless pit with infinite capacity! A Singaporean claimed he works as an External auditor of RHB BANK Singapore and a family member of mine left behind an estate/capital of USD12.5 Million. Singapore is known to be a law and order city state, it is time RHB BANK Singapore take Freddie Chee Ng to court to be prosecuted.
Spams used to be the defrauding game of Africans, now Europeans and Americans and Asians also get into the very act. The following is a real example of a spam. To evaluate a spam, you need to do internal and external evidence check analysis.
(1)． Internal
There are many inconsistencies and inappropriate and illogical statements with incongruous procedure.
A. The man who calls him a pastor in Sweden wrote me the following e-mail without specified the name to.
B. “I am the new beneficiary of partner.” – This does not specify who is the partner, who was the “old beneficiary.”
C. “I am contacting you in respect of compensation.” – I do not work for any of them, so compensation does not exist. You do not get something for nothing.
D. “I was related of your formal participation longed to run a transaction which failed you at a stage.” – I never had a formal participation, nor any transaction which failed at a stage (whatever stage).
E. “I have received the amount to start my project.” – He did not specify receive what amount from whom to start what project; anyhow it does not concern me; it must be a simple and pure bait.
F. “I hope you should thank God with me in succeeding the privilege, through the instruction of your partner that you were the first person to have had the accomplishment of this transaction with him but for one reason and another you could not achieve the process.” – This gobbledygook comes right from hell, using the name of God in vain, since I never had a partner. The deceitful process gets deeper and darker.
G. “Admitting to his guide lines I dropped a cashier cheque of “HALF A MILLION” Five Hundred Thousand Dollar (500, 000.00 Dollar) for your compensation.” – Deliberately “his guide lines” does not identify the person, perhaps is the devil disguised as an angel of light. He dropped a cashier check of half a million, amazing – maybe it dropped right back to hell. Again, a hallucination that anyone can be compensated for nothing.
H. “Being that I am busy with my project and I have no address or your destination you should contact my representative in Burkina Faso Mr. Adams.Kabour to receive the cashier cheque or transfer the cash to you under your instruction through; Email; mr_adamskabouri01@yahoo.co.jp ” – How convenient to be busy in dropping half a million dollar, it gets more and more ludicrous and ridiculous. How could a man being a pastor of church in Sweden having no address? The name of his representative is of great suspect, and the country mentioned is in Africa abnormally strange in relation to Sweden.
(2). No waste of time is needed to go into further analysis. I waste my time so that you will not be fooled.
(3). As regards external evidence, my friends in Scandinavia can easily verify the identity of the man who calls himself a pastor in Sweden.
There is an international ring of organized crime to defraud and scam people who are gullible, because the con artists always use large sum of money of fictitious existence as a bait. Only fools fall into their traps.
(4). Yahoo email service should not be made available to crooks and criminals who swindle and defraud unsuspecting people in the world. I wonder why Yahoo knowingly carries spams nonetheless.
You are reading from Pastor. Nils W. Olsson, the G. O. S of Agape Love Ministry, Sweden (Sverige). I am the new beneficiary of partner. I am contacting you in respect of compensation. I was related of your formal participation longed to run a transaction which failed you at a stage. I have received the amount to start my project.
I hope you should thank God with me in succeeding the privilege, through the instruction of your partner that you were the first person to have had the accomplishment of this transaction with him but for one reason and another you could not achieve the process. Admitting to his guide lines I dropped a cashier cheque of “HALF A MILLION” Five Hundred Thousand Dollar (500, 000.00 Dollar) for your compensation. Being that I am busy with my project and I have no address or your destination you should contact my representative in Burkina Faso Mr. Adams.Kabour to receive the cashier cheque or transfer the cash to you under your instruction through; Email; mr_adamskabouri01@yahoo.co.jp
Write me back sooner or later you receive the cashier cheque. Moreover it will later be a great pleasure to know you in person maybe I can visit you or you pay me a visit in my church in Sweden.
Thank you very much and may good God continue to shower his abundant blessing upon us and every member of your family.
The following probably is the most incredible spam I have ever received so far because it claims to be from the World Bank president Jim Yong Kim which I copied exactly from the email received. Notice the email does not address my name personally. Without name is a trick of mass production for mass circulation.
Attention / From World Bank RE/NO: 002-Rbs/0047/2012
Attention
On behalf of the entire staff of the World Bank and the United Kingdom in collaboration with IMF and EU Office. We apologize for the delay of your contract payment, and all the inconveniences you encountered while pursuing this payment. However, from the records of outstanding due payment with the United Kingdom, your name was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding beneficiary who have not yet received their payments.
I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter via diplomatic means of payment. so if you like to receive your fund this way, please let us know by contacting Diplomat Allan Bowler, and also re-confirm to him the following information’s, in order to proceed immediately:
Your Full Name: ______________________________ Your Contact House Address: ______________________ Name of City of Residence:_______________________________ Country:____________________________________ Direct Telephone Number:________________________ Mobile Number:____________________________________ Working Identity Card/Int’l Passport:________________________________ AGE: ________________________________ OCCUPATION: ________________________________
However, kindly find below the contact person: Diplomat Allan Bowler A Diplomatic Agent by profession Email: deliveredofficeuk@voila.fr
Note that from the record in the file, your outstanding payment is US$5,500,000.00 (Five Million five hundred United States Dollars). So as soon as the you re-confirm to Diplomat Allan Bowler the above mentioned details, your fund will be deliver to you immediately via diplomatic means of delivery without any holdup.
You are hereby advice to stop dealing with some non-officials in the bank as this is an illegal act and will have to stop if you so wish to receive your payment immediately. We discovered with dismay that your payment has been unnecessarily Delayed by corrupt officials of the Bank who are Trying to divert your funds into their private accounts. You are further advised to STOP further contact with any offices or agency related on your transactions and in your best interest.
Yours Sincerely, Jim Yong Kim World Bank president—Crooks and criminals get bolder and bolder, more and more blatant. Here is a case of using the name of the secretary of the United Nations:UNITED NATIONS 2012/2013 SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATION PAYMENT VIA OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES Internal Audit, Monitoring, Consulting And Investigations Division. website http:http://www.un.org/sg/biography.shtml
Attn: Funds Beneficiary,
With all due respect, Ban Ki-moon is the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations; I wish to inform you that I just arrived London The United Kingdom few days ago with the United Nation Deputy-Secretary General (JAN ELIASSON) on a two days official visit to London with the queen of England, but was directed to Central London-England, United Kingdom yesterday from Manchester on a special duty, after series of complains from the FBI and other Security agencies from Asia, Europe, Oceania, Antarctica, South America and the United States of America respectively, against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the British Government for the rate of scam Activities going on in these two nations..
I have spoken with the adviser on international matters to the Prime minister here in London and have also spoken to the president of Nigeria Dr. Good luck Jonathan of Nigeria since the problem originated from Nigeria which he is the president of “On our telephone conversation, He told me that he has been trying his best to make sure you receive your fund since the assumption of office as the president sometime this year. Right now, i am the secretary general Mr. Ban Ki-Moon after his recent meeting with the President of America on his recent trip to America for the United Nation Peace keeping talk with the world leaders, We are working in collaborations with the Republic of Ghana cybercrime Commission (GCC) and have decided to waive away all your clearance fees/Charges and authorize the Government of England through an apex bank here in England to effect the payment of your compensation of an amount of (US$3.6 Million United state Dollar) approved by the UNITED NATION,
Sincerely, you are a lucky person because I have just discovered that some top Nigerian and British Government Officials are interested in your fund and they are working in collaboration with One FAKE ROBERT MUILLER who claimed to work with the FBI from USA to frustrate you and there after divert your fund into their personal account. On the acceptance of this email, I will advise you to reconfirm me with your present phone number and address to enable me cross-check with what I have here in our database.
I have a very limited time to stay in London here so I would like you to urgently respond to this message so that I can advise you on what next to do as soon as you can take care of the Notarization fees of US$400 as written above.
You can contact our United nation agent in LAGOS NIGERIA through this Email address only: (ms5geh01@yahoo.cn)
Yours Sincerely, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. the eighth Secretary-General Of the United Nations———————– Note: This letter was produced for mass distribution, although I received it but it does not address to me is the proof. This crook cannot spell and use capitalization, etc. The U.N. should investigate and prosecute the so-called United Nation agent in Lagos Nigeria with the email address only listed. Why so many crooks and criminals come from Africa, in particular Nigeria? ———–Here is a scam in the name of the Prime Minister of Britain. If the United Kingdom has any sense of law and order, it is about time to investigate Rt Hon William Hague MP and Mrs. Elaine Rooker Smith. How ridiculous that a poor British government wants to give me £2,000,000.00 (Two Million, Great British Pounds Sterling)? What a bait and trap for fools!OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, LONDON,UNITED KINGDOM.
Our ref: BRT/3470/IDR our ref:..14/03/2013
BRITISH GOVERNMENT (2013) POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM.
On Behalf of the British Government, i wish to inform you of your selection as one of the Beneficiary for the on going 2013 British Government Poverty Alleviation and Financial Empowerment Program worldwide. All participants/beneficiaries were selected randomly from Worldwide online networks Directories as a beneficiary of £2,000,000.00 (Two Million, Great British Pounds Sterling).
So, this letter is to officially inform you that two(2) option of payment has been opened for you. 1) Issuance of an ATM Card 2) Bank Wire transfer
Please do indicate your PAYMENT OPTION.
As this office will mail you a Visa/ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw your funds in any ATM MACHINE CENTER or Visa card outlet in the world with a maximum of £5000 GBP daily or our contracted paying bank here in London, United Kingdom will make the transfer to you depending on your OPTION OF PAYMENT you have indicated. Further more, You will be required to re-confirm your Bio-Data as stated below to enable; Rt Hon William Hague MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, begin in processing your awarded funds.
Forward all your details reply to: ——————————————————- Rt Hon William Hague MP Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs ukgovt_ssfca@hotmail.co.uk Tel:+44 703-592-5923 Fax:+44-742-356-7161 ——————————————————
Regards, Mrs. Elaine Rooker Smith. Liaison Officer On Foreign PaymentNow even the Chinese in Hong Kong get into the act of scam, the following is a case in point.Dear E-mail User,
:::YEAR 2013 EMAIL PRIZE AWARDS:::
Your Email ID has won a cash prize of 1.5million USD and a BMW X6 MODEL in China Shenhua Energy Company. Send your details for claims. Full Name, Add, Age, Occupation, Telephone Number: to Name: Mr. Li Jun Chan E-mail: claimsagent71@yahoo.com.hk
Signed, Mrs. Li Haicang (China Shenhua Secretary).
——————————————————————————————————
There are more new varieties of fraud created by greed on the Internet and fraudulent emails, you can find it yourself. I do not want to waste more time on those crooks and criminals. It is ludicrous, no actually dangerous, for those who create virus to cause troubles of many personal and business computers and then those who create software and sell them to uninstall those virus software! They are Internet terrorists, it is hoped the powerful USA may drop atomic bombs to eliminate them once and for all.
(B). Greed is idolatry.
Col 3:5 ,“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”
Note: Idolatry in Greek is eidōlolatriawhich means the worship of false gods; the sacrifice held in honor of false gods; a worship of Mammon; vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it; image worship; worship of a physical object as god; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. The sin of greed is the same as idolatry – worshiping of idols. You may say I am advanced, I do not worship idols. But the Bible says, greed is equal to idolatry. If you are greedy, it is just the same like you worship idols.
(C). Greed exploits people.
2Pe 2:3, “And in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
Note: Exploit in Greek is emporeuomai which means to make merchandise of; to use a person or thing for gain; to traffic or trade; to deal in; to make use for one’s own advantage; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. In the last 500 years or more the White race exploits all other races in the world. Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex who represent 1 percent of the American population exploit the 99 percent.
I saw with my eyes and heard with my ears (May 14, 2012) on TV that a Wall Street executive said, “…We know we are sloppy. We know we are stupid…” How incredible are American capitalists who defrauded the public by their own confession! The problem is they are much more than being sloppy and stupid; they are crooks and criminals, thieves and robbers. What is even more desperate, the flawed legal system let them do it with impunity. What is needed is not to Occupy Wall Street, but to Obliterate Wall Street. Woe is to America, who shall save Americans from the evil of Wall Street？ America and Europeans have exploited many nations and peoples of the world.
(D). Greed is as wide as Hell.
Hab 2:5 ,“Moreover, wine is treacherous; the arrogant man shall not abide. His greed is as wide as Hell; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations, and collects as his own all peoples.”
Note: Greed is like Hell because it never has enough. Hell is the Bottomless Pit. COVID-19 Pandemic in the Spring of 2020 is like Hell, more than 2.6 million persons in the world have been infected (the number changes by day). No one can tell how many persons will be swallowed up by the pandemic. Nuclear weapons are helpless in the face of COVID-19. The sole superpower looks desperate in the midst of the pandemic and so incompetent and negligent leaders and politicians try to blame others for their failures.
If you watch all the TV news and reports on how companies and individuals manufacture drugs, food and drink with high content of toxic and harmful and deadly materials and additives, you would not dare to eat or drink anything! This appears to be a national emergency more dangerous and deadly than SARS or COVID-19 because it is intentionally caused and created by wicked people infected by incurable capitalistic greed. Just as China has demonstrated its abilities in dealing with natural disasters, I am sure China is fully capable in dealing with such man-made disaster. It is hoped Chinese government will prosecute and execute any responsible people or groups of people who manufacture and sell toxic and harmful products in the form of drug, food, drink, etc. It is high time to eliminate those mass murderers who violate the law boldly for the sake of high profits. Perhaps mass execution is necessary to stop and eliminate this evil deed infected by capitalistic greed. If corrective action is not taken promptly and effectively to stop those mass killers, the consequences would be disastrous of unimaginable magnitude and unthinkable calamity and catastrophe. It would be like committing suicide. When you have internal enemies like those deliberate killers, you do not need external enemies who are at work to destroy China.
It is truly an amazing site: monstrous US hotels and casinos, just a few hundred meters from the Mainland China. All that kitsch that one usually associates with Las Vegas or Atlantic City, but bigger, much bigger! In fact, Macau is the biggest casino sprawl in the world.
Casinos, most of them confined inside the US mega-hotels, make approximately 5 times more money here, than in Las Vegas.
Macau is tiny, measuring only some 115 km square. But with around 650,000 people, it is one of the most over-populated places in the world. There is no space to move around here, anymore. Macau is a total, thorough urban nightmare and failure, propelled and ‘justified’ only by greed. But its plans are still Napoleonic. The territory wants more and more. Or more precisely: the Macau government, together with big business from the West, want more and more visitors, more and more casinos, luxury retail stores, and of course, profits.
24 hours a day, 365 days a week, Macau sucks in like a monstrous turbine, millions, in fact billions of dollars, yuan or whatever currency manages to enter its territory. It attracts like a magnet, masses of people from the PRC, who are often still naïve, innocent and defenseless when confronted by brutal and extreme forms of capitalism and its advertisements.
In January 2019, I visited several casinos in Macau, and not surprisingly, there are very few traditional roulette tables there, but masses of electronically controlled machines. Everything is noisy, confusing and lacking transparency. Western casinos treat Chinese people like some brainless children. At least the classic roulette mainly wins (for casino) on ‘neutral’ 0 (zero), giving a gambler very fair chance. But electronic, futuristic machines are a sham, and can ‘strip’ an unseasoned gambler of everything, in just a few hours, even minutes. But that is, obviously, precisely the goal.
I am horrified to see hordes of good Chinese (PRC) citizens who work hard, building their beautiful country, and then crossing to that fake universe of Macau, where they are literally blowing their savings in spasmodic, insane sprees.
Macau gangs are brutal and they are dealing with huge amounts of money. Antagonizing them is dangerous. Even journalists and academics connected to this tiny but super rich territory, prefer not to speak openly; only on condition of anonymity.
Frankly, all that Macau represents is wrong: it has already ruined millions of human lives through mass gambling. It robs Mainland China of billions of dollars. Instead of educating people, it offers fake culture, in fact a disgusting parody ‘Las Vegas-style ’. It is brainwashing Chinese people, so they see ‘the world according to Disney, Hollywood and big US hotel chains’.
Many hotel managers come from Portugal (for ‘authenticity’, I suppose). They are arrogant, more North American than North Americans themselves, ambitious and unscrupulous. Many of them speak about Mainland China sarcastically, with spite. Typical Western ‘democracy’ and ‘freedom of speech’ nonsense.
Stripped of authenticity and decency, Macau adopted a gold-digging, repulsive culture. Talk about ‘fake news’ and fake culture! Everything that is fake, is here, in Macau.
Across the water, in the PRC, beautiful modern cities are growing, simple, elegant, and confident; built for the people.
In Macau, morale, socialist spirit, as well as family savings, are getting ruined and burned.
‘One country two systems’ has gone too far in Macau. This territory produces nothing. Not even those traditional firecrackers, perhaps. It only consumes, and perverts.
I don’t recognize Macau either. And people who come here, from Mainland China, tend to change, quickly. Is this yet another Western subversion, an attempt to break China into pieces? Definitely. The government of the PRC should take more decisive action, soon; protecting its people and funds. ”
Western and American media are usually enemies of China with fake news and slanted views. Here is a Western journalist cited above who reports facts with a positive motive and good concern for China, and I agree wholeheartedly with his points of view and value. I think China should adopt his suggestion with respect to Macau.
V. American contagion of healthcare terrorism has infected China.
Something frightening and fearful has happened in China! The American fraudulent and predatory practices of doctors and hospitals have come to China! It was reported that one man was treated in a Harbin hospital emergency and intensive care and died; his medical bill was5.5 million yuan. One recent case of a patient who had gall stone surgery which was told the cost would be a couple thousand yuan. Under the pretext of saving life, then doctors and the hospital made the patient very ill but prohibited the family to visit and told them the patient was getting better but never mentioned or demanded to advance payment or disclosed the amount. Later a simple gall stone surgery killed the patient and the bill was RMB 450,000 with a dead patient. I watched on TV how the responsible doctor shamelessly and unconscionably rationalized the costs and justified the high fees of RMB 450,000 as normal and not much. Apparently the doctor had seared his conscience and lost his sense of morality and honesty and respectability. Since healthcare is a monopoly, what evil doctors and hospitals can do is inestimable and immeasurable.
It is hoped the Chinese government would take drastic action now to stop the deadly contagion of American capitalistic greed before it becomes unstoppable and devastates the Chinese society AS it has ruined American society. The simple but effective remedy is to execute doctors who commit fraudulent and predatory practices (such as charging large sums for unnecessary or unperformed tests, procedures, treatments, drugs, etc., excessive and fake billing, fake medical record, lies about patient condition, malpractice, misinformation, misrepresentation, etc.) and execute hospital owners who participate in the organized crime and seize their assets to pay victims. Doctors and hospitals that commit outrageous and malicious illegal practices must be put to death and put out of business. There are already American and Western doctors and dentists who practice medicine in China’s big cities and charge the rich Chinese high fees (many times what Chinese public hospitals charge). This dual medical system cannot be tolerated in a just society. Do not allow doctors and dentists and hospitals become healthcare terrorists in China. Under the Chinese legal system, no one is allowed to prey on another person. Do not let the Chinese health-care system fall into the monopolistic, abusive and oppressive and most costly health-care like that of the United States which sucks the blood of American people and bankrupted millions of American families with impunity.
My view and position is that the three evils exist in the world today are imperialism, capitalism and terrorism.
Imperialism is represented by nations that seek absolute military supremacy in order to dictate and dominate the world – they are warmongers, war makers, trouble makers not peace makers. Today imperialism is synonymous with hegemonism. There is no glory in imperialism, but shame AND disgrace. It is senseless and meaningless and worthless to seek world domination and dictatorship at the death and destruction of millions. Today imperialism is represented by the U.S., NATO, UK, Canada, Australia and Japan. Terrorism is usually known as Islamic extremism characterized by suicidal bombing and mass killing. There is no humanity in terrorism, but violence. In my opinion American healthcare system is also a financial form of terrorism because healthcare providers work like an organized crime and they charge excessively and fraudulently with impunity and they have bankrupted millions of family. Capitalism driven mad by greed resulted in the economic and financial crisis created by Wall Street executives in 2008 that looted the world more than $50 trillion dollars. There is no honesty in capitalism, but fraud. The rich and powerful had surreptitiously and structurally changed the rule of game that Wall Street executives and bankers may gamble on investors’ money with impunity and without fiduciary responsibility or financial and legal liability. In their massive gambling winning is winning big, losing is also winning big – that is something new in the history of modern states. Those who were responsible for creating the Wall Street crisis were bailed out by taxpayer money and gave themselves exorbitant executive compensation, luxurious perks and pensions and billions in annual bonuses. The flawed legal system gives crooks and criminals of Wall Street full immunity. The raison d’être of Capitalism is to create wealth for the few. Such exploitative, fraudulent, unproductive and immoral system works for the 1 percent of the population at the expense of the 99 percent. Evidence upon evidence and fact upon fact demands destruction of the American capitalism to be replaced by a new responsible and reliable economic and financial system for the good of the greatest number of people. As long as Washington and Wall Street have symbiotic relations and adulterous liaisons, American capitalism will continue to rule over the helpless American people and the world.
Exd 20:17 , “You shall not covetyour neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Note: Covet in Hebrew is chamad which means to desire, take pleasure in, delight in; to delight greatly, desire greatly; – it occurs 21 times in the Old Testament. There is nothing wrong to enjoy your own house, but it is a sin to covet your neighbor’s house. There is nothing wrong in taking great pleasure in your wife. It is a sin to desire your neighbor’s wife. To delight in your wife is one thing, to desire your neighbor’s wife is a sin.
Deu 5:21, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field or his male servant or his female servant, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Note: To desire anything or anyone that belongs to others is a sin. Greed is to want what do not belong to you. Palestinians and Hamas suffer greed in claiming the Holy Land. In the beginning God gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants. There was no Palestine or Palestinian or Hamas. The Jews rebelled against God and were scattered all over the world. During the colonial period, the British empire created Palestine, and illegal Arabs moved in and occupied without payment. The State of Israel was reestablished. All Arabs and Palestinians should have been evicted long ago. The two-state proposal is not the two-state solution. Palestinians can seek statehood or residency in neighboring Arab states. The United Nations or any organization does not have authority to give the Jewish land to Palestinians or Arabs. Jerusalem is forever the capital of great king David. God will fight for Jerusalem. The leaders of United Kingdom do not have moral character and courage to come out and explain to the Palestinians and Hamas that they do not have the right of resettlement. Israel is God’s holy nation, it cannot be mixed with other nations or peoples. The Holy Land forever belongs to the Jews, God’s chosen people. So, Palestinians and Hamas do not fight or claim what does not belong to you. Get out of the Jewish land in peace or be evicted by force.
Rom 7:7 , “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”
Note: In Greek coveting is epithymiawhich means desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust, lust arousing, concupiscence; – it occurs 38 times in the New Testament. In Greek covet is epithymeōwhich means to turn upon a thing, to have a desire for, set one’s heart upon, long for, to desire, to lust after, to seek the forbidden; – it occurs 16 times in the New Testament.
Rom 13:9, “For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
In America almost everything is corrupted by the love of money, power and sex. The truth can be verified. Government, politics, business, industry, economy, culture, commerce, trade, education, transportation, healthcare, insurance, drug and medicine, charity, religion, mass media, movie, election, science and technology, subsidy, welfare, legislation, foreign policy, imperial war of conquest, defense, advertising, management, labor union, insider information, etc. are corrupted. You have heard the president having sex with intern and committed perjury repeatedly, governor hiring prostitutes at $5,000 an hour, officials having extramarital affairs and children out of wed log, bribery, selling and buying influence, etc. – government and politics corrupted by money, power and sex. Charity is also corrupted, many fundraisers give one dollar for every one hundred dollars they raise and qualify as charity.
The United States exercises a bad influence on the world such as violence, aggression, pornography, vulgarity, incivility, sexual immorality, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, greed, extravagance, excess, deviation, counter-culture, secularism, monopoly, etc.
Monopoly is inherently corrupt. A recent announcement that Shanghai New York University is going to charge RMB 100,000 for annual tuition. You have heard university presidents making $1 million a year, etc. University is a monopoly because young men and women need to have higher education. American universities come to China not because they want to disperse knowledge and educate Chinese youth, but because they want to make big money. Any monopoly tends to have predatory and corrupt practices such as in healthcare where doctors, dentists and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, lab and medical suppliers gouge and defraud patients so much so that bankrupted millions of American families. American greed has also infected China increasingly in many ways. American dentists and doctors come to China not because they want help and heal the sick, but because they want to make big money. It is outrageous for any university to charge ￥100,000 for tuition a year. The government should regulate doctors, dentists, hospitals, lawyers, schools and universities, cemetery, etc. where they exercise monopolistic power and tax them heavily for making high profits.
2Cr 9:5, “So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.”
Note: Covetousness in Greek is pleonexiawhich means greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice, extortion; – it occurs 10 times in the New Testament. All governments are corrupt more or less, no matter what form or system. Why does government tend to be corrupt? Government is the largest form of monopoly, monopoly of power and money. The people are most affected by corrupt officials.
Jesus Christ warns, Luk 12:15, “Then He said to them: Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Cowley says, “There are two sorts of avarice; the one is but of a bastard kind; and that is, the rapacious appetite of gain, not for its own sake, but for the pleasure of refunding it immediately through all the channels of pride and luxury; the other is the true kind, and properly so called, which is a restless and un-satiable desire of riches, not for any further end or use, but only to hoard and preserve, and …”
Col 3:5 , “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”
Note: Greed amounts to idolatry; greed is idolatry. A greedy person is no better than an idol worshiper.
2Pe 2:14 , “Having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children.”
Note: Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex display having a heart trained in greed. Only people having a heart trained in greed could produce the American economic and financial crisis in 2008. If you ever audit a medical bill, you will quickly understand what it means to have a heart trained in greed. They seek to maximize profits by fraudulent and overcharge long billing of very sophisticated and technical nature that even a Ph.D. might not understand. A life insurance policy is masterpiece of lawyers having a heart trained in greed.
1Ti 6:10 , “Forthe love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Note: The love of money in Greek is philargyria which means avarice, greed; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Apostle John sums it up:
1Jo 2:16 , “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”
Note: The word lust in Greek is epithymia, the same original word used in Rom 7:7. Avarice, greed, covetousness, and lust are synonymous.
Actually there are three forms of greed: greedy for money, greedy for power, and greedy for sex. Wall Street exemplifies greed for money, Washington exemplifies greed for power, and Hollywood exemplifies greed for sex. Military-industrial-security complex exemplifies greed for money and power. As you can see, everything in America is corrupted by greed in three forms.
Because of greed there are so many crooks and criminals who link their dirty and filthy and fraudulent sites to my name and my sites. There is actually no rule of law on the Internet, it is the biggest jungle in the world and full of beastly predators; no government is prosecuting any violation of rules and decency. These evildoers have no moral, no decency, no conscience – all they want is to make money on the labor and reputation of others.
On April 5, 2020 lured by the advertisement of free anti-virus, so I loaded a software program to my computer. Little did I know I had let the most vicious and malicious software of a certain company starting with the letter A… to invade my computer, and its free-anti-virus became worse than COVID-19. The A… company invaded my computer with thousands of items which the A… did not allow to delete them. It is like mafia that makes you an offer that you cannot refuse. They made it hard for use and almost impossible to uninstall the malicious program. I did battle two days and two nights to eliminate thousands its items one by one. It kept saying I do not have permission to delete them. It multiplies its items as I deleted them like cancer cells metastasized. It wasted my time and efforts and made me very tiresome. There are many unscrupulous and predatory businesses on the Internet that lure you with free software, free website, free email, free program, etc. Once you are led in, they made offer that you can refuse but pay or suffer a big loss. Another company with the name starting with the letter O… They advertised free website, when you put a lot of time and effort into your website and established yourself as a well-known entity, then they started to give you all kinds of technical problems and urged you to upgrade. They even blocked your website so that you cannot visit, you pay or lose your website. There are so many shameless crooks and criminals on the Internet, no government will enforce the law to prosecute them. Just remember, “free” or “100% free” may be a bait that can harm and hurt you.
The fact that the American national debt has surpassed $28 trillion (and this amount does not count the debts and deficits of states, counties, cities, agencies, institutions, corporations, individuals, students, etc.) and is going higher not day by day, but grows exponentially minute by minute proves that greed is a bottomless pit.Those who are benefited by American debts and deficits want to continue to live in luxuries and affluencies without end. Those who are rich and powerful in government and industry and military and security complex do not want to change. The one percent of the population who controls and rules over the 99 percent want to maintain the status quo. My fellow Americans, China and Russia are not American enemies. The real American enemies are those who are in power and position and have power to enrich themselves by spending America into oblivion. Can you see the handwriting is on the wall?
The virus of the greed (probably more deadly than CORONAVIRUS) of capitalism has infected the whole world, it permeates through government, bureaucracy, business, trade, economy, union, corporation, charity, church, institution, farm, university, defense, military, industry, health care, market, currency, construction, security, entertainment, and all walks of life beyond calculation.
The love of money (greed) is the most prominent sin committed in these last days. Peoples become lovers of themselves, lovers of pleasures, and lovers of money.
Evildoers are of all races. Let the evil advertisers, crooks and criminals, the military-industrial-security complex, makers of computer viruses, corrupt doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance company executives, labs and medical supplies, evil leaders and politicians, liars and killers and robbers beware; Hell is opening up wide to swallow them up. They will not escape God’s judgment sooner or later.
Will you repent of your sin and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
You can do it now.
This article is written to let you know that the Word of God says Greed is the Root of all Evil, the evil that ruins the world. The United States is a capitalistic nation driven by greed and ruined by greed. Any nation that follows America will also be ruined by greed. Their greed is for money, power and sex.
Certainly there is no sin more deadly, dangerous, destructive and devastating than greed. For one can be greedy for money, greedy for power, greedy for possession, as well as greedy for sex. Therefore greed is the root of all evil. This article is written to show you what the Bible says about greed is true, and you can verify it. Greed is the root of all evil.
Greed is not external, something imposed by outside forces. The Lord Jesus who knows every man and says that the inside of Pharisees is full of greed and wickedness.
Luk 11:39, “But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish; but your inside is full of greed and wickedness.”
Luk 12:15,“But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.”
Jesus also warns against every form of greed. Greed has many forms. The Scripture also says, Eph 5:3, “But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints.”
Col 3:5,“Therefore, treat the parts of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”
Greed amounts to idolatry. It means, if you have greed it is the same you have committed idolatry.
1Th 2:5,“For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is our witness—.”
There are many pretexts for greed, flattering speech is one of them. Western supremacists use democracy, freedom, human rights, justice as pretexts to fool their people and the world in waging war of aggression and conquest of many nations. They use national security as a pretext to target China and Russia, their real motive is to dictate and dominate the world.
2Pe 2:3,“and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” They also exploit the world with their false words. If you want to watch them with their false words, you just watch TV and read mainstream media. 2Pe 2:14,“having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having hearts trained in greed, accursed children.”
I do not know any groups having hearts trained in greed than Washing, Wall Street, Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex, corrupt doctors, dentists and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, labs and medical supplies, think tanks and corporate executives. They have best credentials from the Ivy League universities and they rule and own America and the world.
Pro 28:25, “Greed causes fighting; trusting the LORD leads to prosperity.”
Significantly, European imperialism and colonialism were drive by greed in the last 500 years. American imperialism and capitalism are also driven by greed. All the wars involved Europeans, Americans, and Japanese were caused by greed. I am afraid the coming nuclear war incited by the West is also caused by greed.
There is another group of people who are full of greed.
1Pe 5:2, “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not with greed but with eagerness.”
I was shocked to learn that “Forbes Richest Pastors In The World: Top 10 (2020)”. I am not going to mention and promote their names. You can find them on the Internet. I am shocked that the richest preacher in America has an assets of worthanestimated$300 millionto $760 million. A mainstream media accused Billy Graham of missing the mark by refusing to join civil rights movement led by a black political false preacher. In fact, the true missing the mark of Billy Graham was that he never preached against the sins of American presidents and politicians. Some dudes and dupes believe the civil rights movement was equivalent to Christian movement. I just want to say in passing, prosperity gospel, political and social gospel, etc. are not the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. As regards the rich preachers in America, I just wan to quote Jesus who says,Mat 8:20, “Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” And I want to reassure: We preach the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
“In a capitalist economy like ours, the basic premise is that everyone is motivated by a healthy dose of economic self-interest…” Jesus declares to the world, Luk 12:15:“Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Greed has many forms.Note: To beware you have to be careful. Greed in Greek is pleonexia which means covetousness; avarice; abnormal desire to have more; selfish and excessive desire for more of something; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Overwhelmingly in a capitalistic society such as the West and America, people are greedy by nature and nurture. The financial crisis of 2008 was created by the executives of Wall Street which defrauded the world more than US$50 trillion dollars with immunity. American way of life is a way of every form of greed. In fact, greed of every form has infected the whole world. The rich and powerful are greedy in a big big way, the poor and helpless are greedy in a small way. With the perspective of a period from 1985 to the present, I have watched how greed has transformed even the Chinese society. China used to have the most moral and honest society in the world. In opposition to the way of the world, Jesus Christ teaches a man’s life does not consist in an abundance of his possessions. What you are is more important than what you have. The saddest thing is the phenomenon that in America people even respect the richest and greatest crook. A man is measured by what he has.
There is no healthy dose of greed just as there is no healthy dose of poison. The nature of greed is such that it wants more and more like Hell there is no limit. Greed is Bottomless Pit. Greed is like Hell without bottom. American society has three evils: the love of money (greed), the love of power (violence), and the love of sex (lust). Wall Street, Washington and Hollywood are guilty of these three evils. These three evils are intimately linked to each other. You cannot find any crime, vice or sin or evil which is not related to the love of money, power and sex. It does not mean other societies do not love money, power and sex. It is just more so quantitatively and qualitatively in American society.
This is a concrete illustration how greed is a Bottomless Pit. China has been infected by the deadly virus of greed. More than 10 years ago a cleaning woman (maid) earned 6 yuan an hour in Shanghai. Today in 2021they earned 40 yuan an hour promoted by maid service agencies that make good money on both accounts, hirer and hired or employer and employee. These employment agencies make more money if the cleaning women earn more.
Some 48 years ago when I was working my way in America, the minimum wage was $1.25; and even in 2015, federal law requires most workers to be paid at least $7.25 per hour. There has been no astronomical rise of minimum wage in America. Comparing the minimum wage of America with that of Shanghai, the minimum wage in Shanghai in ten years rises like a balloon. So much so the wages of usually uneducated cleaning women (maids) incredibly make more money than college graduates. A maid service agency even brags about how a maid earns 10,000 yuan a month! If that is the case, the wages of a maid is two times more than a college graduate. I do not know any other nation has such a phenomenon of unequal pay. Maids of other nations might want to come to work in Shanghai. Could it be in the near future China will import cheaper maids from some countries to meet the needs in China?
This is a proven fact which can be verified that I have lived and observed some 50 years in America with shock and sober awakening. Immigrants who came from many parts of the world to America, no matter how honest and moral they were, as soon as they arrived in America they were infected with the most deadly and virulent virus of American greed, maybe more deadly than COVID-19, and started making false claims and committing frauds of many kinds and using fake documentations, etc… They become more greedy than even Americans born in America. The American culture of money, power and sex has such a great negative impact and evil influence on the whole world.
Washington seeks in the order of power, money and sex. Wall Street seeks in the order of money, power and sex. Hollywood seeks in the order of sex, money and power. What the evil Trinity of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood have sought since the end of World War II that resulted in sins, crimes, violations of law, injustice, greed, oppression, sanctions, suppression, iniquities, unrighteousness, abuses, tortures, terrors, difficulties, poverty, troubles, wars and interventions, aggression, thefts, robberies, looting, lies and killings if all put together the weight would be enormously heavy that it will sink the United States of America into two halves, one half to the bottom of Pacific Ocean, the other half to the bottom of Atlantic Ocean. God will judge the deeds of men and women. The Day of Judgment is at hand!
Facts speak louder than propaganda and prejudice.
Now what does it mean that the seven nations own 64 percentof the net global wealth ($263 trillion)?
Here is the simplest explanation:
Number of nations: 193
Number of G-7 nations: 7
The rest of nations：186
Net Global wealth： $263 trillion
Wealth of G-7: 64% of $263 trillion
If net global wealth is = 100 loaves of bread
G-7 nations own = 64 loaves of bread
186 nations own: 36 loaves of bread
If G-7 nations represent 7 persons; the 7 persons eat 64 loaves of bread. The rest of the world 186 nations represent 186 persons who eat only 36 loaves of bread. Do you call this world order fair, just and democratic? Are not the G-7 nations the Greedy-7? Yes, indeed!
If using the analogy of one nation stands for one person. The G-7 nations have 64 loaves of bread, all the rest of 186 nations have only 36 loaves of bread; if you take into account of rich Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi, etc. , how many loaves of bread are left for developing and undeveloped nations are very clear — hardly any. This is the root cause of poverty and misery in the world.
Out of the left 186 nations there are still other rich nations such as Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Saudi, etc. Can you guess how few loaves of bread left for the developing and undeveloped nations in the world? Do you know why there is hunger, poverty and misery in the world? Because G-7 and its allies monopolize the whole world in economies, politics, military, industry and technology, transportation, infrastructure, trade, etc。
It is clear that the world needs a new order。 You see greed, violence and wickedness, and injustice covering the entire world.
Psa 9:8 , “And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.”
Note: Righteousness in Hebrew istsedeqwhich means justice; rightness; what is right or just or normal; natural, moral or legal; straightness; rectitude; what is right and just; what ought to be so; integrity; morally right or justifiable; – which occurs 123 times in the Old Testament. Equity in Hebrew ismeysharwhich means uprightness; evenness; right things; straightness; rectitude; in a straight way; justice according to natural law or right; probity; – which occurs 23 times in the Old Testament.
Psa 96:13 , “Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness.”
God will judge the world in righteousness soon.
Psa 33:8 , “Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”
Evil leaders do not fear the Lord, and they are proven liars and killers.
Isa 24:4, “The earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away.”
The arrogant leaders will fade away.
Mat 13:38 , “And the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are thesons of the Kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one.”
Christians are the sons of the Kingdom. Unbelievers and liars and killers are children of the devil.
Rom 3:19 , “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.”
All evil leaders and everyone are accountable to God.
Jas 4:4 , “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
There is no doubt, evil leaders are enemies of God.
1Jo 2:16 , “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”
The lust of the flesh is sex. The lust of the eyes is greed (money). The pride of life is power. The American values are sex, money and power. America represents the world at its worst. The American way of life is the worldly way of life, the wrong way of life.
If you ask me to use three words to describe the world, I would say: sinful, stupid, sad. All the evil deeds of humans make the world sinful, stupid and sad.
Sinful because they lie, lie and lie; kill, kill, and kill; rob, rob, and rob; destroy, destroy and destroy.
Stupidbecause the nature of evil deeds is stupid, stupid and stupid.
Sad because those who are responsible do not realize their depravity and iniquity.
Jesus says, Mat 25:31-46, “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherdseparates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These will go away intoeternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Sheep is by nature good, innocent, harmless and civilized. The difference between goat and sheep is the difference between eternal punishment and eternal life. May Chinese people become the sheep of Jesus Christ.
If a nation is like a big tree, frauds are termites. The frauds committed in America is what most people do not know or understand; there are more frauds committed in America than the stars in the sky. They include government fraud (defense and other department and agencies), corporate fraud, business fraud, securities fraud (Wall Street), bank fraud, foundation fraud, healthcare fraud, law fraud, education fraud, industry fraud, charity fraud, welfare fraud, subsidy fraud, etc…The crooks and criminals (termites) have eaten the American giant tree empty and hollow with huge debts and largest national debt in the world. Not only American national debt is the largest in the world, the combination of state, city, corporation, organization, institution, and individual debts are incalculable. All of them combined someday will overwhelm the United States like giant tsunamis and sweep America clean like miles long tornadoes. The American fraud problems are compounded by flawed legal system and ineffective criminal justice that encourages and enriches crooks and criminals of all kinds.
Fraud is a child of Greed. Corruption is a sister of Fraud. Fraud is the financial Ebola which must be totally eradicated or it may sink a nation. In 2008Wall Street created the largest economic and financial crisis that looted the world more than $50 trillionand hardly anyone was sent to jail for their crimes. Worse than that, Wall Street executives and bankers are rewarded with bailout and bonuses in billions annually. Do you not see America is committing suicide financially, politically and economically and legally?
Greed has never produced a good man, a moral man, a civilized man, an honorable man or a responsible man. Since ancient times greed produced evil empires, evil emperors and empresses, bad kings and queens, dictators, wicked bankers and merchants, oppressive landlords and militant war lords, depraved nobilities, and the abusive and oppressive and corrupt upper classes, etc. The love of money, power and sex can be summed up in greed. The love of money is actually greedy for money. The lust for power is greedy for power. The lust for sex is greedy for sex. Greed manifests itself in unhealthy, unwholesome, and immoral love of money, power and sex. Historically greed was intensified, glorified, magnified and brutalized by the Roman Empire followed by European imperial and colonial powers, Japan and finally by the American empire. Today the American imperialism and Islamic terrorism account for 99 percent of human miseries, hardships, tribulations and problems in the world. You cannot find a crime or sin which is not related to greed, or the love of money, power and sex.
On November 14, 2014 I carried a heavy bag and I was worn out. I saw a man working on the street and asked him to help me carry the bag to the subway station. He willingly took my large bag and carried it up to the entrance of the subway station, I gave him a tip but he consistently refused until I finally placed the tip in his hand. Second thought I should have given the man more. Here was a Chinese worker whose wages are among the lowest, and yet he was not greedy but very helpful. Years ago when I was in California, I saw an old woman carrying a load walking upstairs, an American boy came along and said to her, If you give me money I would help you carry the load. This Chinese street worker is more civilized, moral, and a better human being than many executives of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood who are products of American Ivy League universities and they live a luxurious lifestyle.
Do not get the wrong idea if a person is more educated, has a higher position, and in a better living environment – he will become a better and more moral and helpful human being. The most wicked and greedy people in the world are those who are well-educated, rich and powerful people. This is going to strike you hard but it is verifiable: Confucian education is more likely to produce simple, honest and good people than American higher education which costs a great deal and more than the dream of ordinary people.
It dawns on me: To be a civilized and good person has something to do with human nature and choice, practically nothing to do with education, position and social status.
Greed has destructive and erosive effect and negative impact both on nations and individuals. The era of President Richard Nixonwas the golden era of America – decent, rich, honorable and most desirable. The United States was greatly respected by friends or foes alike. Greed (love of money, power and sex) has destroyed America, with the largest deficits and greatest national debt, the most hated nation on earth; the richer get richer and most American people get poorer and poorer. The American dream is dead because upward mobility or opportunity is gone. As a case in point, it is now impossible for a poor American youth to work his way through college as I did before. I have lived almost all my life in California and relished the best part of America – Orange County in the best part of Orange County. Due to mismanagement of government, the Golden State has become a bankrupt and backward state. California used to lead the nation almost in all the good things, now just as America the state of California has also become un-competitive. I have watched and witnessed how a beautiful and nice California is being destroyed by illegal aliens, Latino and black gangs, corrupt politicians and officials, greedy and crooked doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, crooks and criminals. Greed makes and turns everything bad.
On September 6, 2014 in a Shanghai fashion show, a set of fashionable woman dress was auctioned at a price of RMB 1,200,000.For a Christian even if you are very rich to wear clothes of such high price is a sin. If a minister wears US$10,000 suit, his wife wears a mink coat of $30,000, eats a dinner of $1,000 and lives in a million-dollar mansion, owns a private jet, drives a fancy luxurious car and with a big bank account, I say to you, he is not a servant of Christ but a religious thief. For Jesus Christ says, Mat 8:20 ,“Jesus said to him: The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” A minister who gets rich on preaching the gospel is unfit for the ministry. Peter said,
Act 3:6 , “But Peter said: I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” In America there are many pastors who possess silver and gold, but they do not have the power of the Holy Spirit. All prosperity gospel preachers and followers want to get rich in this world. They think they get serve God and Mammon at the same time. The greed of American capitalism has infected China and the whole world. The American values of money, power and sex have ruined the world.
The Bible makes it clear, 1 Cr 6:9-10,“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Note: The Greek word for the unrighteous is adikoswhich means unjust, sinful, deceitful, one who violates or has violated justice, one who deals fraudulently with others; – it occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Examples of the unrighteous are fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, the covetous (greedy), drunkards, revilers, swindlers. These unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God mean they will go into Hell. These Scriptures list 10 kinds of people (the doers) who will go into Hell. Those who drink and drive and kill people may not know that drunkards will go to Hell. In the United States the legal system is so flawed that drunken drivers who killed and killed were not executed.
(1). The Greek word for fornicator is pornoswhich means a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire, a male prostitute, a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a whoremonger; – it occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Fornicators will go into Hell.
(2). The Greek word for idolater is eidōlolatrēswhich means a worshiper of false gods, a covetous man as a worshiper of Mammon; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Even if a believer is participating in any way in the worship of the heathen gods, esp. one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of things offered is guilty of idolatry. Some Taiwanese leaders claim to be Christians and yet they are idolaters and who publicly worship idols reported on TV. The Taiwanese preachers dare not rebuke them.
Note: Taiwanese preachers and ministers are very strange people because they do not warn the Taiwanese politicians who claim to be Christians for being idolaters as required by the Scripture. This message must be conveyed to those Taiwan politicians. You cannot claim to be a Christian and an idolater at the same time. If you are a Christian, you cannot worship idols. If you worship idols, you should not claim to be a Christ. Those Taiwan politicians must come clean one way or another. The former Taiwan leader who is a traitor has practiced the same; to be an idolater in order to win votes from idol worshipers, and claiming to be a Christian in order to win American military support. In America only primitive immigrants worship idols, but most Americans, Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood worship money or Mammon; greed is the same sin as idolatry. Idolaters will go into Hell. Most Americans worships the gods of money, power and sex.
(3). The Greek word for adulterer is moichoswhich means a married person who is guilty of sexually immorality, a person unfaithful to God; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. An idolater is also an adulterer because he is unfaithful to God by worshiping false gods. Adulterers do not go to Heaven, they will go into Hell.
(4). The Greek word for effeminate is malakoswhich means of a catamite, of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man, of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness, of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness, of a male prostitute; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Sodomites and male prostitutes will go into Hell. And yet Obama who claims to be a Christian supports same-sex marriage and advocates homosexuality and used executive order to advance their causes.
(5). The Greek word for homosexual is arsenokoitēswhich means one who has sex with a male as with a female, sodomite, a male who has sex with a male, a female who has sex with a female, an abuser of oneself; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Homosexuals will go into Hell. Obama was the first American president who advocated legalizing of same-sex marriage and homosexuality.
(6). The Greek word for thief is kleptēs which means an embezzler, pilferer, misappropriator, robber and plunderer, one who steals; – it occurs 16 times in the New Testament. The word kleptomaniac is derived from the Greek word. The American healthcare providers (such as doctors, hospital owners, drug and insurance companies executives, labs and medical suppliers, etc.) are thieves because they routinely defraud and fleece patients and have bankrupted millions of families. Thieves will go into Hell. The reason the United States has huge annual deficits and the largest national debt of more than$28 trillionis because the government serves special interests and there are so many thieves and robbers in American government.
(7). The Greek word for the covetous is pleonektēswhich means one eager to have more, esp. what belongs to others, the greedy, greedy of gain; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. The corrupt officials of Washington, executives of Wall Street, bankers, mortgage, drug and insurance companies, defense contractors, healthcare providers, lawyers, etc. are the greediest. The greedy will go into Hell.
(8). The Greek word for drunkard is methysoswhich means a drunken person, the intoxicated; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Most people may not realize that drunkards will go into Hell.
(9). The Greek word for reviler is loidoroswhich means a railer, one who uses bad language, one who uses abusive and contemptuous language; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament. If I understand the Bible correctly, those who use F work (which is prevalent in America) and filthy language will ALSO go into Hell.
(10). The Greek word for swindler is harpaxwhich means an extortioner, a robber; – it occurs 5 times in the New Testament. As I understand the meaning of this Scripture and what crooked doctors, hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, labs and medical suppliers are doing – they are guilty of being a swindler, defrauding and extorting and bankrupting millions of American families. Obviously Wall Street executives who created the economic and financial crisis beginning in 2007-2008 and looted the world more than $50 trillionare also guilty of this sin and will be cast into Hell. Those who manufacture and sell fake and deadly drug, food, oil and drink, etc. will also go into hell. All corrupt politicians and officials will also go into Hell.
Gen 3:1-21 ,“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman: Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’? The woman said to the serpent: From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said: You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die. The serpent said to the woman: You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes , and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him: “Where are you?” He said, I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself. And He said: Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said: The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate. Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said: The serpent deceived me, and I ate. The LORD God said to the serpent: Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you will go, And dust you will eat all the days of your life; and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel. To the woman He said: I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you will bring forth children; yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you. Then to Adam He said: Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you will eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face you will eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.”
The Scriptures cited above explains the origin of lie. To do justice in expounding the Scriptures will require many pages. Jesus Christ gives authoritative definition and explanation of the devil,
Jhn 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” I can only give you the highlights of the truth as follows: (1). The devil was the first liar (the serpent was the symbol of the devil); he does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. The devil is the father of lies and liars. The nature of the devil is like the crafty and cunning serpent. The evil Western leaders seemingly are the most crafty and cunning politicians of the 21st century.
(2). The devil was the first murdererwho killed Adam and Eve by leading them to sin, for wages of sin is death.
(3). The devil and his children always cast doubton the Word of God and distort the truth. The way evil leaders distort historical facts chills the heart of every decent person.
(4). American leaders and politicians since the end of World War II have proven to be liars and killers and robbers . For example, American leaders used one lie of the weapons of mass destruction to falsely accuse Iraq and under the pretext attacked and occupied Iraq and killed so many innocent peoples. Obama knew in 1971 the U.S. violated the international law and China’s sovereignty by illegally giving administrative control of China’s Diaoyu Islands to the unconditionally surrendered war crime nation of Japan. That was why Obama at first said the U.S. took no position on the sovereignty of Diaoyu Islands. Later he declared to defend Japan against China. The prime minister of Japan shamelessly denies all Japanese war crimes, genocide, sex slavery and unprecedented atrocities. The lawless man even distorts history by saying Japanese soldiers were fighting for peace in World War II . The children of the devil who are liars and killers are like their father the devil.
(5). Eve admitted she was deceivedby the devil. Women are more easily deceived than men.
(6). Appearance is deceptive. Eve saw the forbidden fruit was a delight to the eyes. Do you know the wild deadly mushroom looks beautiful? Deadly prostitutes may also look delightful to some men.
(7). Sin brings curse and pain and eventually death.The love of money, power and sex has caused so much pain in the world. Be sure your sin will find you out . The sins and crimes of evil leaders are found out more and more.
(8). Sinful man cannot save himself; he needs redemption by Jesus Christ the Lamb of God.
Here another big lie is uncovered before our eyes in Shanghai. The evil deeds done by the American company are a strong reflection of American disregard and disrespect of Chinese life, health and well-being.
For the love of money, corporations and individuals do all kinds of illegal acts. In response to the illegal and evil deeds done by OSI Shanghai Husi Food Company , the following measures are suggested for Shanghai Municipal government and Chinese central government to execute actively and effectively without further delay.
(1). Gullible Chinese should open their eyes and realize they can no longer view everything made in U.S.A. is good or excellent. American capitalism is the fountain of greed, and greed is the bottomless pit of all evil. Driven by greed the evil deeds committed by American corporations discovered so far are only a drop in the ocean of fraud and falsehood. Whether in politics, military, economics, government, law, trade, food and drug, etc. China and Chinese people cannot trust the American. Intelligent Chinese should have a big QUESTION MARK about everything American or Japanese. China needs to be vigilant.
(2). Shanghai Husi Food, a unit of Aurora, Illinois-based OSI Group, has committed most egregious crime punishable by death penalty, seizure of all its assets and forever shut down its operations in China.
(3). Those Chinese co-conspirators who are responsible for falsifying and burning records deserve to be executed because not only they had committed the unpardonable crime and they compounded the evil by obstruction of investigation and justice.
(4). Sue OSI BOTH in American and Chinese courts for huge sums of compensation money in terms of billions of dollars in viewed of the fact millions and millions of Chinese are involved as victims.
(5). Shut down OSI China’s operations forever to warn other foreign companies and fine McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, and other co-conspirators very huge financial penalties and execute its responsible executives who deliberately participated in the evil scheme of poisoning millions and millions of Chinese consumers. It is humanly impossible to calculate the harmful effects of contaminated, adulterated and poisoned food for a long period of time for hundreds of millions of people.
(6). Revamp China’s food, drink and drug inspection. The fact it took years to discover that OSI Shanghai Husi Food has deliberately violated Chinese food laws and deceived and poisoned millions and millions of Chinese consumers does not speak well of the Chinese regulatory system and law enforcement. Any contamination, poisoning, addition, falsification, and expiration of food, drug and drink deserves death penalty. It would be wise to require all foreign corporations that export food, drug, and drink, etc. to China to sign a legal document to guarantee its purity and quality or suffer dire consequences and legal liability.
(7). Enforce death penalty effectively, promptly and cheaply.
The world order established by American and European powers is so crooked, corrupt, convoluted, contentious, conniving, cruel, cryptic, cunning, crude, consumptive, combative and crazy – a total lack of goodness, righteousness and justice – should be overthrown and to reestablish a new world order of harmony, justice, integrity, prosperity and security. There is no place in the new world order for aggressors, warmongers, oppressors, exploiters, manipulators, dictators, imperialist, terrorist, monopolist and supremacist.
Since the infamous Opium Wars, the United Stated has done many wrongs to China. China has never done anything wrong to the U.S. Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson had intent and threatened to use atomic bombs in China. In 2012 Obama openly declared China is an adversary without cause. He insisted that China plays by the same rules as everybody else. Let us examine the facts and face the truth:
1. Since the infamous Opium Wars the U.S. had killed Chinese, robbed and looted China’s national treasures now displayed in Smithsonian Institution, public and privates museums and libraries across the nation as well as in European and Japanese public and private museums and libraries worth at least US$100,000 trillions plus interest.
2. In 1949 the U.S. violated international law and violated China’s sovereignty by sending the 7th Fleet to protect the defeated Chiang Kai-shek’s regime and prevented Taiwan from reunification with Mainland China to this day. In 1979 the U.S. violated international law and China’s sovereignty by passing the illegal US-Taiwan Relations Act (signed by Carter a self-proclaimed born again Christian) to colonize Taiwan and force selling costly and deadly weapons to Taiwanese so that Chinese may kill Chinese to this day. Now the U.S. government has the Taiwan Act and Hong Kong Act to make Taiwan and Hong Kong colonies of America. The imperial America is evidently greedy for territorial expansion.
3. In 1959 the U.S. violated international law and China’s sovereignty by aiding Dalai Lama in an armed rebellion against China, failed and fled and has ever since become the highest paid foreign agent to separate Tibet from China, incited bloody riots and self-immolations of his followers to regain power to this day.
4. In 1971 the U.S. violated international law and China’s sovereignty in illegally giving administrative control of China’s Diaoyu Islands to unconditionally surrendered war crime nation of Japan. At first Obama said the U.S. took no position; not only the U.S. did not right its wrong, Obama in 2014 declared to defend Japan against China. The U.S. violated international law by arming and re-militarizing Japan, changing its peace constitution into War Constitution although 4 Japanese political parties oppose it, thousands and thousands of Japanese demonstrate against it, and one Japanese set him on fire and he would rather die than to live in a warmongering Japan repeating the tragedy of World War II aggression. The U.S. has done nothing when Japanese leaders shamelessly deny its war crimes, genocide, sex slavery and unprecedented atrocities committed in World War II and refuse to pay war reparations and compensations. This does not include the destructions of Chinese national treasures, public and private properties by Japanese bombing, burning and looting.
5. Obama’s “pivot to Asia” policy was the American code word for aggression and expansion into Asia Pacific, not only violated international law but also American Monroe Doctrine . By 2014 over 65 percent of American most advanced weaponry such as fleets, aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, massive radars, missiles and antimissile, war planes and unmanned planes, and more than 330,000 troops stationed at China’s doorsteps poised to strike at China’s nuclear capability from its 700 overseas military bases all over the world to encircle China and Russia. The U.S. incites and supports rat and rogue nations to make false claims to China’s territories and loot China’s resources. They are practicing a tactic of manufacturing and loudly spreading the biggest and blackest lie of China threat. They believe if you keep telling a big lie loud and long enough people would believe it. They are walking in craftiness and speaking black lies.
6. Since China joining the WTO in 2001 , the U.S. and Western powers had put many obstacles, sanctions, unfair trade and restrictions on China; but in spite of everything China by its ingenuity, innovation and industry and hard work became no. 2 economic power in the world in 2010.
7. Since the end of World War II American presidents had killed millions and millions of innocent peoples around the world in inciting and conducting hundreds of unjust wars and blood military interventions. Recent exposure by Edward Snowdengave a glimpse of the global illegal activities of the U.S. by NSA in spying many leaders of nations including the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkeland violations of the privacy of billions of decent peoples in the world and more.
8. There is not an ounce of truth about China’s threat and Russia threat, but there are million tons of truth about the U.S. threat to China and the world. In the past the U.S. despised a weak China and participated in war of aggression known as the Opium Wars. In 1949 the U.S. feared of Chinese communism and implemented “containment of China” policy even to this day. Recently American leaders are afraid and jealous of China’s most spectacular successes in the last 40 years that no nation had ever done before in the history of mankind under the capable leadership of Deng Xiaoping the paramount leader of China. Now American leaders (in executive and legislative branches) and self-serving bureaucrats hate and show malice to China and Chinese people because they are fearful of losing its sole superpower status with many privileges as by 2030China will bypass the U.S. and become the no. 1 economy in the world. For a combination of reasons mentioned above, American leaders (executive and legislative) and bureaucrats harbor hatred and ill will and jealousy toward China and they have both intent and capacity to destroy China.
9. There are two greatest threats to the world today: American imperialism and Islamic terrorism. They are accountable for 99 percent of all human problems, troubles, divisions, miseries, poverty, destruction and injustice in the world.
10. On the other hand, China is not interested in aggression or expansion. When China was the greatest civilization on earth, it did not colonize any nation and there was no trace of abuse or oppression. China dream is only to rejuvenate, revitalize, and restore China to its past glory and prosperity and share a world of harmony, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence with the community of nations. Actions speak louder than words. Truth will ultimately triumph over a thousand lies.
I. The greedy premise is wrong.
The definition of greed is not a healthy dose of economic self-interest; it is a lethal dose of grabbing more and more by hook or by crook.
Jesus Christ said,Luk 12:15, “Then He said to them, Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Greed in Greek is pleonexiawhich means greedy desire to have more, covetousness or avarice. There are various modes which greed shows itself, including fraud, deceit, extortion, exploitation, unrighteousness, etc. Because of greed, the American S&L executives looted customers’ deposits and used the money to benefit themselves some years ago. Because of greed, Enron and many others falsified records to show a veneer of high profitability recently. Because of greed, mortgaged companies made loans to people who were not qualified to buy expensive houses. Because of greed, investment banks closed their eyes to make unnecessary profits known as subprime, short sale, creative accounting, etc. Because of greed, insurance companies and banks and mortgage companies, etc. made big bets on others’ money and lost.
Socrates said, “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”
Capitalism is driven by greed to have more and more and more …. endlessly. Business by nature wants more and more and more profits. That is why the unregulated American healthcare is the highest cost in the world because it is predatory, fraudulent and organized crime so that corrupt doctors and hospitals may charge whatever they please fraudulently and excessively without penalty. The Chinese has a wise saying, “The greedy snake swallows up an elephant.”
Why the American banking system is so unfair and predatory that if you put your money of $15,000 at an American bank like Citibank, you may only earn more or less $0.13 (13 cents) a month, at an annual rate of 0.01%, which is $1.80 a year. If you do not maintain a balance of $15,000, the bank will charge you $20 a month, which is $240 a year. The bank also charges you $5 for each check issued. It is possible that your money in the bank may dwindle to zero and you still owe bank’s charges. If you borrow from the bank mortgage interest rate is 1 Year ARM 4.14% , Credit Card is 13.24% – 20.24% APR based on credit worthiness, and 48 month new car loan is 2.9%. Do you see how capitalism exploits and extorts and robs the people? Why do the banks make all the rules that enrich themselves and the government approves them? The rate on the 10-year Treasury is just 1.62 percent.This is the beauty of capitalism, the government let banks to practice monopoly and set almost zero interest for savings but high interest for loans. This is the kind of democracy American leaders are so proud of in making the 1 percent of the population very rich at the expense of 99 percent of the population.
II. American capitalism is a product of greed.
In the name of profit business and industry would do anything. Doctors, hospitals, labs, medical supplies, drug and insurance companies dared to make false claims and fraudulent billings that led to the highest medical and health care costs in the world and sucked more than $8 trillion dollars a year from the economy. It only takes a major illness to bankrupt a middle class family that has been working hard and saving for a lifetime. Due to greed people commit predatory and fraudulent practices of infinite varieties. It is an open secret that fake injury victims in collaboration with crooked doctors and lawyers made false claims worth billions of dollars a year. There are more frauds and more varieties of fraud committed in America than the stars in the sky; identity theft was an invention by crooks and criminals in America. People who got filthy lucre inevitably become philanthropists and set up foundations (tax-free) to compensate for their guilty conscience because of evil deeds. American legal system is also a product of greed. Just like an infamous woman said, “The rich do not pay taxes.”
Many large corporations also do not pay taxes. The rich and powerful have a group of lawyers to protect them and defend their illegal acts. Crooks and criminals can use the legal system to blackmail and threaten people who cannot afford a lawyer. The political system is also a product of greed. Lobbyists spend billions to buy off lawmakers and politicians. National, state, and local campaigns for offices involve billions of dollars. Frauds in government contracts (including defense, etc.) entail billions of dollars. Bureaucrats use government credit cards to purchase expensive items for themselves. American society is also a product of greed where the prevailing values of money, power and sex drive people mad. Crime and violence run rampant. You do not have real friends, people only use each other. American society is the most alienated society in the world.
Example, just as the government spends needlessly by borrowing endlessly, many Americans live beyond their means on credit, buying houses and cars, etc. that they were not qualified, etc. The richest men in America did not make their money on the basis of their own ingenuity, skill and hard work; but by monopoly, unfair and predatory and fraudulent practices. American problems will not go away, the more problems the more money is needed and can be made. Special interests make money on American problems.
For example, if there is no single-parent family problem, there would be no need for social services. If there is no Medicare & Medicaid, how would doctors, hospitals, drug and insurance companies make so much money by sucking more than $8 trillions a year from the economy? If there is no war, how would the military-industrial complex and defense contractors live lavishly? Greed breeds corruption. In summary, the current American economic and financial crisis is an accumulation and culmination of evil deeds of greed that drive politicians, Wall Street, large firms and ordinary Americans to excess and madness and now the taxpayers are paying the price.
The single evidence of greed in government is the huge deficits and the national debt of over $29 trillion.
According to 2011 Institute for Policy Studies Executive Excess report, “Corporate outlays for CEO compensation — despite the lingering Great Recession — are rising. Employment levels have barely rebounded from their recessionary lows. Top executive pay levels, by contrast, have rebounded nearly all the way back from their pre-recession levels. This contrast shows up starkly in the 2010 ratio between average worker and average CEO compensation. In 2009, we calculate, major corporate CEOs took home 263 times the pay of America’s average workers. Last year, this gap leaped to 325-to-1. Among the nation’s top firms, the S&P 500, CEO pay last year averaged $10,762,304, up 27.8 percent over 2009. Average worker pay in 2010? That finished up at $33,121, up just 3.3 percent over the year before. What are America’s CEOs doing to deserve their latest bountiful rewards? We have no evidence that CEOs are fashioning, with their executive leadership, more effective and efficient enterprises. On the other hand, ample evidence suggests that CEOs and their corporations are expending considerably more energy on avoiding taxes than perhaps ever before — at a time when the federal government desperately needs more revenue to maintain basic services for the American people. This disinvestment also undermines the infrastructure and services that small and large businesses also depend upon. Investigative journalists and tax research organizations have been documenting how U.S.-based global companies are aggressively shearing — and even totally eliminating — their federal income tax obligations.
This past March, for instance, The New York Times traced the steps General Electric has taken to avoid U.S. corporate taxes for the last five years. Citizens for Tax Justice, as part of a forthcoming study on tax avoidance among the Fortune 500, has identified 12 corporations that have paid an effective rate of negative 1.5 percent on $171 billion in profits.” The American capitalism enriches the business executives and robs the workers and the country. Apparently the political system is benefiting the rich and powerful greatly financially at public expense.
III. America is the prime example how a country and society is ruined by greed.
“Wall Street is nothing if not an organized system of greed, a high-stakes game in which the object is to take advantage of customers and counterparties by buying pieces of paper from them at less than they are really worth and selling them to others for more than they are worth.” That is the underlying and root cause of the failure of capitalism. No, old-fashioned incompetence is not greed. They were very competent and highly intelligent in making up false financial statements and cover-up of their crime. Greed turns a republic into an empire, democracy into dictatorship, the public interest into special interest, public servants into self-serving politicians and bureaucrats – American greed has infected the whole world. What is needed is a new responsible economic and financial system, a new and just legal and political structure, a leadership of integrity, and a new way of life – or the evil (not mistake) will be repeated again and again until the end comes.
STONE LAKE, Wis. (AP) reported (2011-8-11) that a man concealed his mother’s decomposing body at their home in rural northwestern Wisconsin for years so he could continue to receive her monthly social security checks of $1,128.
According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the 40 richest individuals on Earth are worth $1.1 trillion. In my estimate, the 1,000 richest individuals in America have more money than 1 billion poorest peoples on earth.You know what is wrong with the world, what is wrong with capitalism, and what is wrong the Western values.
One man who is worth $19.8 billion said he would swap 99 percent of his wealth for 30 years of time. Fatally mistaken, for 100 percent of his wealth he would not even swap one minute of time. When death knocks at your door, there is no escape.
Luk 12:16-21,“And He (Jesus Christ) told them a parable, saying: The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying: What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops? Then he said: This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul: Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry. ButGod said to him: You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared? So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
At least in ancient times people made money the old-fashioned way through the productive land. Today billionaires make money through speculation in real estate, currency, commodity, etc. and gambling on papers. Not only you cannot swap one minute of your life for $1 trillion, there is judgment after death. There are so many billionaires who store up treasure on earth and they are not rich toward God. At the moment of your death, you are not worth a penny!
The American healthcare system is the most costly, fraudulent, ineffective and predatory in the world all because greedy and corrupt doctors, hospital owners, labs and medical suppliers, drug and insurance companies want to make more profits incessantly with immunity and there is NO controlling authority to stop the fraudulent and predatory practices AND excessive charges without end.
IV. The love of money is the root of all evil.
1Ti 6:10 , “For the love of money is the root of all evil, for which some have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
Note: The Greek word for love of money is philargyriawhich means avarice, greed, covetousness, the desire of having more and more, lust; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. All sorts of evil are endless. For the love of money most dangerous to health and life are the recycling of expired drugs, manufacturing of fake and toxic drugs, manufacturing of fake and toxic food and drink, etc. For the love of money doctors used pain killer injections paid at high price to be divided with some patients each paying full price. I believe those who make and sell deadly food and drug and drink should meet with death penalty. The American healthcare system is the most costly in the world because greedy doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies commit predatory practices and defraud patients. For the love of money Wall Street executives created the economic and financial crisis started in 2007 which looted the world more than $50 trillion . For the lust of power warmongers attacked and occupied nations and killed millions of people. Can you prove any crime or sin which is not directly related to greed for power, greed for money, or greed for sex?
The Greek word for sorrow is odynē which means consuming grief, pain, sadness, mental or emotional suffering; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament. I am not surprised that Las Vegas is the saddest city in America with the third-highest suicide rate. Gambling is an obvious form of greed, unlike the predatory practices of doctors and hospitals are hidden in their fraudulent billing. The greedy are consumed or will be consumed by grief and pain caused by their own greed; if not in this world, it will be in hell forever and ever.
It was reported that a dentist in the U.S. in an effort to save money used paper clips instead of stainless steel posts in root canals which can cause pain and even infection. You must have heard how Taiwan manufacturers used toxic substance in food and drink products in order to make high profits. For the love of money, the evil deeds of men are unlimited.
Forbes ranks the world’s billionaires of 2012. The world belongs to them and they belong to the world. Do you know anyone of them is a true follower of Jesus Christ?
Mat 19:23-24,“And Jesus said to His disciples: Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”
Luk 12:21 ,“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” A man can be rich toward men, but not rich toward God.
2Cr 8:9,“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” The children of God are richer than all the world’s billionaires put together because they shall inherit the Kingdom of God.
1Ti 6:17,“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” Those billionaires are only rich in this present world; they have nothing in the world to come. The uncertainty of riches even the rich is aware of it. Executives of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood are rich only in this present world, without hope and without God. They have nothing in the world to come!
Jam 1:11,“For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.” The rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.
Jam 2:5,“Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”
The poorest Christians are richer than those billionaires because they are rich in faith and they are heirs of the Kingdom of God. The Bible has a word for those billionaires,
Jam 5:1, “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you!”
Greed not only ruins the rich, greed also ruins the poor.
1Ti 6:9 ,“ People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ”
Note: By wanting more and more, the rich fall into temptation and a trap into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. Some poor want to get rich quick and get trapped into many foolish and harmful desires fall into temptation and plunge themselves into ruin and destruction also. The foolish and harmful desires of the rich and poor are unlimited.
A foolish young man born of a foolish woman wanted to get rich quick and he did not want to continue making bread and earn little money. So he cooked up a dumb plan of pretending to be rich by borrowing at high interest from organized crime syndicate. He used the borrowed money 70,000 yuan to buy expensive cellphone, and lavishly entertained business people at luxurious restaurants with gifts etc. hoping they would give him some business deal. He got zero business deal and the high-interest debt of 70,000 provided by gangs demand immediate pay payment. The young man who inflicted himself with foolish and harmful passions now immediately plunges into ruin and destruction. When a man is desperate, he becomes dangerous. A desperate person is a dangerous person; he may resort to robbery, swindling or something worse. It is very dangerous not to make payment to gangsters who lend with usury. There are billions of similar and other stories how foolish and harmful desires ruined and destroyed people who wanted to get rich quick. Greed leads to self-destruction.
The newspaper reported a corrupt Chinese official was convicted of corruption and sentenced to death, among large amount of cash and other things, he owned 374 apartment houses. If the crook and criminal visits the properties acquired by crooked means one unit a day, he cannot finish the job in a year. Greed is as wide as Hell, as bottomless as the Pit.
In the last days people are more dangerous because they have triple most deadly loves: not only lovers of money, lovers of self, and lovers of pleasure. This evil trinity drives them more to evil deeds.
Imagine warmongers make high profit in wars such as Ukraine now!
(A). There are many forms of greed.
Luk 12:15 ,“Then He said to them: Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Note: There are endless forms of greed, from love of money, power, sex to fame and glory, luxurious life style, shameless corruption, etc. Greed appears in business and industry, government, charity, school and university, religion, healthcare, Wall Street, Washington, Hollywood, and military-industrial-security complex. A form of greed is selling the fake as true. For example, selling non-organic vegetables as organic vegetables at many times the prices. All fake products from food, drug, drink to manufactured goods and products are selling as real for high profits. As an illustration, the price disparity between a Ming or Qing antique and a modern imitation is so vast that may be millions of dollars in difference. You need to guard against greed more than you guard against thieves and robbers.
Because of greed, criminals destroyed portions of the Great Wall. Because of greed, people robbed the tombs of emperors. Because of greed China’s national treasures were smuggled out to foreign nations. The evil deeds done in the world because of greed are more than the stars in the sky. Because of greed the American healthcare becomes the most costly in the world whereas doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies defraud and fleece and bankrupt patients and suck the blood of the economy more than $8 trillion a year.
Of some 6,500 swindling spams (not advertising) I have received through e-mails and messages since the Christmas season of 2011, most of them are Africans and Muslims, most are women black and white, some Muslims call themselves doctors, some Muslims call themselves princes, a few call themselves princesses, one calls himself a prince with an English name, most are Nigerian con artists, some whites, many women who want to sell their bodies, few men want to sell sex, one Chinese, one crook from Taiwan offering phony partnership, one used the name of the United Nations Office to beg for money (the beggar has an English name), a Microsoft Award of Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Great British Pound (£950,000.00) from the Event Manager Dr. Christopher Baker, Australian National Lottery Department cash prize of $1,000,000 even though you never play the lottery with a winning ticket number, EUROPEAN LOTTERY WINNING NOTIFICATION of TWO MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($2,800,000.00) from JAMES WALTER even you never bought a ticket, a cheque of $500,000 approved by the World Bank director Robert Zoellick from KRISTINALINA .G SECRETARY GENERAL of WORLD BANK for no reason, various investment scams and phony business proposals, phony winning of lottery without buying or awards, one who calls himself a pastor in Sweden, and two who claimed to be pastors want to do business with me by selling my products (writings) although I preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ for free, most shamelessly call their intended victims dearest, all demand urgent attention. Their methods of deception vary: some appeal in the name of charity, some sheer begging, most use baits, a few even use the name of God in vain – they are all liars and swindlers. These shameless, lawless, artless, senseless, wicked and conscienceless people have only one in common; they con people for money, money, and money. Some women solicit sex for money. Deviousness and shamelessness characterize all scam artists and swindlers. These swindlers are so shameless, low, degenerate and depraved that they even ask their intended victims to trust them. They are everything what a human being should not be; the scums of the earth. They lie and lie and lie because they are the children of the father of lies, the children of darkness.
The crux of fraud through spams is that crooks and criminals fraudulently offer you phony money as bait, but their intent is to defraud lots of real money from you. Using money as a bait to get money is a satanic trick, because what these con artists offer you are empty false promises, what they will get from you is real money. So wise up, do not fall into the trap. The best thing is to mark their e-mails as “spam” and delete them without even reading because they are not worth wasting your time. The origins of these crooks and criminals reflect the true color and character of their countries and cultures.
Scam and spam through email is predominantly committed by one racial and religious group. They are the shameless scums of the earth, the enemies of truth, the parasites of humanity, and the children of darkness. They have no shame, no sense, no self-esteem, no scruples – they exist to deceive, defraud and debase.
This is one of billions of fraud and scam and spam sent out daily through the Internet to deceive and defraud peoples around the world. The Internet (including emails) is the most fertile and fraudulent land of crooks and criminals who scheme and do all kinds of evil with impunity. This one has an address in United Kingdom. Although the United States controls the Internet, there is no government that prosecutes Internet frauds and organized crimes. The Internet is used by evildoers to spy on leaders of nations, businesses and industries, and billions of law-abiding peoples around the world. You wonder if the real Coca-Cola Company does anything to protect its name and fight against fraud. You wonder if United Kingdom is interested in cracking down frauds and crimes.
The coca cola company.
Prize Claim Centre
1 Queen Caroline Street,
London W6 9HQ,
United Kingdom.
Greetings,
We are pleased to inform you that your E-Mail number has won you £995,000 in (Nine Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand British Pounds) in the 2014 Coca-Cola Live Int’l Draw. You were selected randomly by our Computer system and emerged as the winner in the final category of the Draw with the following numbers; (15 – 40 – 23 – 07 – 02). All E-mails were obtained from the International web Directory.
I wish to let you know the steps that you must follow to receive your prize money at the earliest possible time. In this process, we shall respect your views, opinions and most importantly, protect your privacy. Please provide us with the following information to enable us issue you the Award Certificate and process your prize release.
You are required to contact our dispatch dept via email ( rajoscar245@yahoo.com ) with information below in order for us to complete your winning certificate and for further information.
Full Name…………………
Address……………………
Age…………………………
Sex…..male…………………….
Nationality…………………
Occupation………………
Home Phone………………
Mobile Phone……………..
Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) is IMD-112211 and must be quoted in the subject of every correspondence. Please keep details of your winning confidential until the successful transfer of your fund to you, as any form of double claim will lead to withdrawal of the Prize. This draw was conducted solely by Coca-Cola Company, UK and cannot be redeemed at your Local Coca-Cola Office.
Yours in service,
Mr. Raj Oscar
(Claim Agent)
——————————————————
Now Chinese in Singapore (probably Singaporeans) also engaged in global scam, using the name of RHB BANK Singapore. There are so many evil people and liars in the world. Remind you hell is the bottomless pit with infinite capacity! A Singaporean claimed he works as an External auditor of RHB BANK Singapore and a family member of mine left behind an estate/capital of USD12.5 Million. Singapore is known to be a law and order city state, it is time RHB BANK Singapore take Freddie Chee Ng to court to be prosecuted.
Spams used to be the defrauding game of Africans, now Europeans and Americans and Asians also get into the very act. The following is a real example of a spam. To evaluate a spam, you need to do internal and external evidence check analysis.
(1)． Internal
There are many inconsistencies and inappropriate and illogical statements with incongruous procedure.
A. The man who calls him a pastor in Sweden wrote me the following e-mail without specified the name to.
B. “I am the new beneficiary of partner.” – This does not specify who is the partner, who was the “old beneficiary.”
C. “I am contacting you in respect of compensation.” – I do not work for any of them, so compensation does not exist. You do not get something for nothing.
D. “I was related of your formal participation longed to run a transaction which failed you at a stage.” – I never had a formal participation, nor any transaction which failed at a stage (whatever stage).
E. “I have received the amount to start my project.” – He did not specify receive what amount from whom to start what project; anyhow it does not concern me; it must be a simple and pure bait.
F. “I hope you should thank God with me in succeeding the privilege, through the instruction of your partner that you were the first person to have had the accomplishment of this transaction with him but for one reason and another you could not achieve the process.” – This gobbledygook comes right from hell, using the name of God in vain, since I never had a partner. The deceitful process gets deeper and darker.
G. “Admitting to his guide lines I dropped a cashier cheque of “HALF A MILLION” Five Hundred Thousand Dollar (500, 000.00 Dollar) for your compensation.” – Deliberately “his guide lines” does not identify the person, perhaps is the devil disguised as an angel of light. He dropped a cashier check of half a million, amazing – maybe it dropped right back to hell. Again, a hallucination that anyone can be compensated for nothing.
H. “Being that I am busy with my project and I have no address or your destination you should contact my representative in Burkina Faso Mr. Adams.Kabour to receive the cashier cheque or transfer the cash to you under your instruction through; Email; mr_adamskabouri01@yahoo.co.jp ” – How convenient to be busy in dropping half a million dollar, it gets more and more ludicrous and ridiculous. How could a man being a pastor of church in Sweden having no address? The name of his representative is of great suspect, and the country mentioned is in Africa abnormally strange in relation to Sweden.
(2). No waste of time is needed to go into further analysis. I waste my time so that you will not be fooled.
(3). As regards external evidence, my friends in Scandinavia can easily verify the identity of the man who calls himself a pastor in Sweden.
There is an international ring of organized crime to defraud and scam people who are gullible, because the con artists always use large sum of money of fictitious existence as a bait. Only fools fall into their traps.
(4). Yahoo email service should not be made available to crooks and criminals who swindle and defraud unsuspecting people in the world. I wonder why Yahoo knowingly carries spams nonetheless.
You are reading from Pastor. Nils W. Olsson, the G. O. S of Agape Love Ministry, Sweden (Sverige). I am the new beneficiary of partner. I am contacting you in respect of compensation. I was related of your formal participation longed to run a transaction which failed you at a stage. I have received the amount to start my project.
I hope you should thank God with me in succeeding the privilege, through the instruction of your partner that you were the first person to have had the accomplishment of this transaction with him but for one reason and another you could not achieve the process. Admitting to his guide lines I dropped a cashier cheque of “HALF A MILLION” Five Hundred Thousand Dollar (500, 000.00 Dollar) for your compensation. Being that I am busy with my project and I have no address or your destination you should contact my representative in Burkina Faso Mr. Adams.Kabour to receive the cashier cheque or transfer the cash to you under your instruction through; Email; mr_adamskabouri01@yahoo.co.jp
Write me back sooner or later you receive the cashier cheque. Moreover it will later be a great pleasure to know you in person maybe I can visit you or you pay me a visit in my church in Sweden.
Thank you very much and may good God continue to shower his abundant blessing upon us and every member of your family.
The following probably is the most incredible spam I have ever received so far because it claims to be from the World Bank president Jim Yong Kim which I copied exactly from the email received. Notice the email does not address my name personally. Without name is a trick of mass production for mass circulation.
Attention / From World Bank RE/NO: 002-Rbs/0047/2012
Attention
On behalf of the entire staff of the World Bank and the United Kingdom in collaboration with IMF and EU Office. We apologize for the delay of your contract payment, and all the inconveniences you encountered while pursuing this payment. However, from the records of outstanding due payment with the United Kingdom, your name was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding beneficiary who have not yet received their payments.
I wish to inform you now that the square peg is now in square hole and your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter via diplomatic means of payment. so if you like to receive your fund this way, please let us know by contacting Diplomat Allan Bowler, and also re-confirm to him the following information’s, in order to proceed immediately:
Your Full Name: ______________________________ Your Contact House Address: ______________________ Name of City of Residence:_______________________________ Country:____________________________________ Direct Telephone Number:________________________ Mobile Number:____________________________________ Working Identity Card/Int’l Passport:________________________________ AGE: ________________________________ OCCUPATION: ________________________________
However, kindly find below the contact person: Diplomat Allan Bowler A Diplomatic Agent by profession Email: deliveredofficeuk@voila.fr
Note that from the record in the file, your outstanding payment is US$5,500,000.00 (Five Million five hundred United States Dollars). So as soon as the you re-confirm to Diplomat Allan Bowler the above mentioned details, your fund will be deliver to you immediately via diplomatic means of delivery without any holdup.
You are hereby advice to stop dealing with some non-officials in the bank as this is an illegal act and will have to stop if you so wish to receive your payment immediately. We discovered with dismay that your payment has been unnecessarily Delayed by corrupt officials of the Bank who are Trying to divert your funds into their private accounts. You are further advised to STOP further contact with any offices or agency related on your transactions and in your best interest.
Yours Sincerely, Jim Yong Kim World Bank president—Crooks and criminals get bolder and bolder, more and more blatant. Here is a case of using the name of the secretary of the United Nations:UNITED NATIONS 2012/2013 SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATION PAYMENT VIA OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES Internal Audit, Monitoring, Consulting And Investigations Division. website http:http://www.un.org/sg/biography.shtml
Attn: Funds Beneficiary,
With all due respect, Ban Ki-moon is the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations; I wish to inform you that I just arrived London The United Kingdom few days ago with the United Nation Deputy-Secretary General (JAN ELIASSON) on a two days official visit to London with the queen of England, but was directed to Central London-England, United Kingdom yesterday from Manchester on a special duty, after series of complains from the FBI and other Security agencies from Asia, Europe, Oceania, Antarctica, South America and the United States of America respectively, against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the British Government for the rate of scam Activities going on in these two nations..
I have spoken with the adviser on international matters to the Prime minister here in London and have also spoken to the president of Nigeria Dr. Good luck Jonathan of Nigeria since the problem originated from Nigeria which he is the president of “On our telephone conversation, He told me that he has been trying his best to make sure you receive your fund since the assumption of office as the president sometime this year. Right now, i am the secretary general Mr. Ban Ki-Moon after his recent meeting with the President of America on his recent trip to America for the United Nation Peace keeping talk with the world leaders, We are working in collaborations with the Republic of Ghana cybercrime Commission (GCC) and have decided to waive away all your clearance fees/Charges and authorize the Government of England through an apex bank here in England to effect the payment of your compensation of an amount of (US$3.6 Million United state Dollar) approved by the UNITED NATION,
Sincerely, you are a lucky person because I have just discovered that some top Nigerian and British Government Officials are interested in your fund and they are working in collaboration with One FAKE ROBERT MUILLER who claimed to work with the FBI from USA to frustrate you and there after divert your fund into their personal account. On the acceptance of this email, I will advise you to reconfirm me with your present phone number and address to enable me cross-check with what I have here in our database.
I have a very limited time to stay in London here so I would like you to urgently respond to this message so that I can advise you on what next to do as soon as you can take care of the Notarization fees of US$400 as written above.
You can contact our United nation agent in LAGOS NIGERIA through this Email address only: (ms5geh01@yahoo.cn)
Yours Sincerely, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. the eighth Secretary-General Of the United Nations———————– Note: This letter was produced for mass distribution, although I received it but it does not address to me is the proof. This crook cannot spell and use capitalization, etc. The U.N. should investigate and prosecute the so-called United Nation agent in Lagos Nigeria with the email address only listed. Why so many crooks and criminals come from Africa, in particular Nigeria? ———–Here is a scam in the name of the Prime Minister of Britain. If the United Kingdom has any sense of law and order, it is about time to investigate Rt Hon William Hague MP and Mrs. Elaine Rooker Smith. How ridiculous that a poor British government wants to give me £2,000,000.00 (Two Million, Great British Pounds Sterling)? What a bait and trap for fools!OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, LONDON,UNITED KINGDOM.
Our ref: BRT/3470/IDR our ref:..14/03/2013
BRITISH GOVERNMENT (2013) POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM.
On Behalf of the British Government, i wish to inform you of your selection as one of the Beneficiary for the on going 2013 British Government Poverty Alleviation and Financial Empowerment Program worldwide. All participants/beneficiaries were selected randomly from Worldwide online networks Directories as a beneficiary of £2,000,000.00 (Two Million, Great British Pounds Sterling).
So, this letter is to officially inform you that two(2) option of payment has been opened for you. 1) Issuance of an ATM Card 2) Bank Wire transfer
Please do indicate your PAYMENT OPTION.
As this office will mail you a Visa/ATM CARD which you will use to withdraw your funds in any ATM MACHINE CENTER or Visa card outlet in the world with a maximum of £5000 GBP daily or our contracted paying bank here in London, United Kingdom will make the transfer to you depending on your OPTION OF PAYMENT you have indicated. Further more, You will be required to re-confirm your Bio-Data as stated below to enable; Rt Hon William Hague MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, begin in processing your awarded funds.
Forward all your details reply to: ——————————————————- Rt Hon William Hague MP Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs ukgovt_ssfca@hotmail.co.uk Tel:+44 703-592-5923 Fax:+44-742-356-7161 ——————————————————
Regards, Mrs. Elaine Rooker Smith. Liaison Officer On Foreign PaymentNow even the Chinese in Hong Kong get into the act of scam, the following is a case in point.Dear E-mail User,
:::YEAR 2013 EMAIL PRIZE AWARDS:::
Your Email ID has won a cash prize of 1.5million USD and a BMW X6 MODEL in China Shenhua Energy Company. Send your details for claims. Full Name, Add, Age, Occupation, Telephone Number: to Name: Mr. Li Jun Chan E-mail: claimsagent71@yahoo.com.hk
Signed, Mrs. Li Haicang (China Shenhua Secretary).
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There are more new varieties of fraud created by greed on the Internet and fraudulent emails, you can find it yourself. I do not want to waste more time on those crooks and criminals. It is ludicrous, no actually dangerous, for those who create virus to cause troubles of many personal and business computers and then those who create software and sell them to uninstall those virus software! They are Internet terrorists, it is hoped the powerful USA may drop atomic bombs to eliminate them once and for all.
(B). Greed is idolatry.
Col 3:5 ,“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”
Note: Idolatry in Greek is eidōlolatriawhich means the worship of false gods; the sacrifice held in honor of false gods; a worship of Mammon; vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it; image worship; worship of a physical object as god; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. The sin of greed is the same as idolatry – worshiping of idols. You may say I am advanced, I do not worship idols. But the Bible says, greed is equal to idolatry. If you are greedy, it is just the same like you worship idols.
(C). Greed exploits people.
2Pe 2:3, “And in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”
Note: Exploit in Greek is emporeuomai which means to make merchandise of; to use a person or thing for gain; to traffic or trade; to deal in; to make use for one’s own advantage; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. In the last 500 years or more the White race exploits all other races in the world. Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex who represent 1 percent of the American population exploit the 99 percent.
I saw with my eyes and heard with my ears (May 14, 2012) on TV that a Wall Street executive said, “…We know we are sloppy. We know we are stupid…” How incredible are American capitalists who defrauded the public by their own confession! The problem is they are much more than being sloppy and stupid; they are crooks and criminals, thieves and robbers. What is even more desperate, the flawed legal system let them do it with impunity. What is needed is not to Occupy Wall Street, but to Obliterate Wall Street. Woe is to America, who shall save Americans from the evil of Wall Street？ America and Europeans have exploited many nations and peoples of the world.
(D). Greed is as wide as Hell.
Hab 2:5 ,“Moreover, wine is treacherous; the arrogant man shall not abide. His greed is as wide as Hell; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations, and collects as his own all peoples.”
Note: Greed is like Hell because it never has enough. Hell is the Bottomless Pit. COVID-19 Pandemic in the Spring of 2020 is like Hell, more than 2.6 million persons in the world have been infected (the number changes by day). No one can tell how many persons will be swallowed up by the pandemic. Nuclear weapons are helpless in the face of COVID-19. The sole superpower looks desperate in the midst of the pandemic and so incompetent and negligent leaders and politicians try to blame others for their failures.
If you watch all the TV news and reports on how companies and individuals manufacture drugs, food and drink with high content of toxic and harmful and deadly materials and additives, you would not dare to eat or drink anything! This appears to be a national emergency more dangerous and deadly than SARS or COVID-19 because it is intentionally caused and created by wicked people infected by incurable capitalistic greed. Just as China has demonstrated its abilities in dealing with natural disasters, I am sure China is fully capable in dealing with such man-made disaster. It is hoped Chinese government will prosecute and execute any responsible people or groups of people who manufacture and sell toxic and harmful products in the form of drug, food, drink, etc. It is high time to eliminate those mass murderers who violate the law boldly for the sake of high profits. Perhaps mass execution is necessary to stop and eliminate this evil deed infected by capitalistic greed. If corrective action is not taken promptly and effectively to stop those mass killers, the consequences would be disastrous of unimaginable magnitude and unthinkable calamity and catastrophe. It would be like committing suicide. When you have internal enemies like those deliberate killers, you do not need external enemies who are at work to destroy China.
It is truly an amazing site: monstrous US hotels and casinos, just a few hundred meters from the Mainland China. All that kitsch that one usually associates with Las Vegas or Atlantic City, but bigger, much bigger! In fact, Macau is the biggest casino sprawl in the world.
Casinos, most of them confined inside the US mega-hotels, make approximately 5 times more money here, than in Las Vegas.
Macau is tiny, measuring only some 115 km square. But with around 650,000 people, it is one of the most over-populated places in the world. There is no space to move around here, anymore. Macau is a total, thorough urban nightmare and failure, propelled and ‘justified’ only by greed. But its plans are still Napoleonic. The territory wants more and more. Or more precisely: the Macau government, together with big business from the West, want more and more visitors, more and more casinos, luxury retail stores, and of course, profits.
24 hours a day, 365 days a week, Macau sucks in like a monstrous turbine, millions, in fact billions of dollars, yuan or whatever currency manages to enter its territory. It attracts like a magnet, masses of people from the PRC, who are often still naïve, innocent and defenseless when confronted by brutal and extreme forms of capitalism and its advertisements.
In January 2019, I visited several casinos in Macau, and not surprisingly, there are very few traditional roulette tables there, but masses of electronically controlled machines. Everything is noisy, confusing and lacking transparency. Western casinos treat Chinese people like some brainless children. At least the classic roulette mainly wins (for casino) on ‘neutral’ 0 (zero), giving a gambler very fair chance. But electronic, futuristic machines are a sham, and can ‘strip’ an unseasoned gambler of everything, in just a few hours, even minutes. But that is, obviously, precisely the goal.
I am horrified to see hordes of good Chinese (PRC) citizens who work hard, building their beautiful country, and then crossing to that fake universe of Macau, where they are literally blowing their savings in spasmodic, insane sprees.
Macau gangs are brutal and they are dealing with huge amounts of money. Antagonizing them is dangerous. Even journalists and academics connected to this tiny but super rich territory, prefer not to speak openly; only on condition of anonymity.
Frankly, all that Macau represents is wrong: it has already ruined millions of human lives through mass gambling. It robs Mainland China of billions of dollars. Instead of educating people, it offers fake culture, in fact a disgusting parody ‘Las Vegas-style ’. It is brainwashing Chinese people, so they see ‘the world according to Disney, Hollywood and big US hotel chains’.
Many hotel managers come from Portugal (for ‘authenticity’, I suppose). They are arrogant, more North American than North Americans themselves, ambitious and unscrupulous. Many of them speak about Mainland China sarcastically, with spite. Typical Western ‘democracy’ and ‘freedom of speech’ nonsense.
Stripped of authenticity and decency, Macau adopted a gold-digging, repulsive culture. Talk about ‘fake news’ and fake culture! Everything that is fake, is here, in Macau.
Across the water, in the PRC, beautiful modern cities are growing, simple, elegant, and confident; built for the people.
In Macau, morale, socialist spirit, as well as family savings, are getting ruined and burned.
‘One country two systems’ has gone too far in Macau. This territory produces nothing. Not even those traditional firecrackers, perhaps. It only consumes, and perverts.
I don’t recognize Macau either. And people who come here, from Mainland China, tend to change, quickly. Is this yet another Western subversion, an attempt to break China into pieces? Definitely. The government of the PRC should take more decisive action, soon; protecting its people and funds. ”
Western and American media are usually enemies of China with fake news and slanted views. Here is a Western journalist cited above who reports facts with a positive motive and good concern for China, and I agree wholeheartedly with his points of view and value. I think China should adopt his suggestion with respect to Macau.
V. American contagion of healthcare terrorism has infected China.
Something frightening and fearful has happened in China! The American fraudulent and predatory practices of doctors and hospitals have come to China! It was reported that one man was treated in a Harbin hospital emergency and intensive care and died; his medical bill was5.5 million yuan. One recent case of a patient who had gall stone surgery which was told the cost would be a couple thousand yuan. Under the pretext of saving life, then doctors and the hospital made the patient very ill but prohibited the family to visit and told them the patient was getting better but never mentioned or demanded to advance payment or disclosed the amount. Later a simple gall stone surgery killed the patient and the bill was RMB 450,000 with a dead patient. I watched on TV how the responsible doctor shamelessly and unconscionably rationalized the costs and justified the high fees of RMB 450,000 as normal and not much. Apparently the doctor had seared his conscience and lost his sense of morality and honesty and respectability. Since healthcare is a monopoly, what evil doctors and hospitals can do is inestimable and immeasurable.
It is hoped the Chinese government would take drastic action now to stop the deadly contagion of American capitalistic greed before it becomes unstoppable and devastates the Chinese society AS it has ruined American society. The simple but effective remedy is to execute doctors who commit fraudulent and predatory practices (such as charging large sums for unnecessary or unperformed tests, procedures, treatments, drugs, etc., excessive and fake billing, fake medical record, lies about patient condition, malpractice, misinformation, misrepresentation, etc.) and execute hospital owners who participate in the organized crime and seize their assets to pay victims. Doctors and hospitals that commit outrageous and malicious illegal practices must be put to death and put out of business. There are already American and Western doctors and dentists who practice medicine in China’s big cities and charge the rich Chinese high fees (many times what Chinese public hospitals charge). This dual medical system cannot be tolerated in a just society. Do not allow doctors and dentists and hospitals become healthcare terrorists in China. Under the Chinese legal system, no one is allowed to prey on another person. Do not let the Chinese health-care system fall into the monopolistic, abusive and oppressive and most costly health-care like that of the United States which sucks the blood of American people and bankrupted millions of American families with impunity.
My view and position is that the three evils exist in the world today are imperialism, capitalism and terrorism.
Imperialism is represented by nations that seek absolute military supremacy in order to dictate and dominate the world – they are warmongers, war makers, trouble makers not peace makers. Today imperialism is synonymous with hegemonism. There is no glory in imperialism, but shame AND disgrace. It is senseless and meaningless and worthless to seek world domination and dictatorship at the death and destruction of millions. Today imperialism is represented by the U.S., NATO, UK, Canada, Australia and Japan. Terrorism is usually known as Islamic extremism characterized by suicidal bombing and mass killing. There is no humanity in terrorism, but violence. In my opinion American healthcare system is also a financial form of terrorism because healthcare providers work like an organized crime and they charge excessively and fraudulently with impunity and they have bankrupted millions of family. Capitalism driven mad by greed resulted in the economic and financial crisis created by Wall Street executives in 2008 that looted the world more than $50 trillion dollars. There is no honesty in capitalism, but fraud. The rich and powerful had surreptitiously and structurally changed the rule of game that Wall Street executives and bankers may gamble on investors’ money with impunity and without fiduciary responsibility or financial and legal liability. In their massive gambling winning is winning big, losing is also winning big – that is something new in the history of modern states. Those who were responsible for creating the Wall Street crisis were bailed out by taxpayer money and gave themselves exorbitant executive compensation, luxurious perks and pensions and billions in annual bonuses. The flawed legal system gives crooks and criminals of Wall Street full immunity. The raison d’être of Capitalism is to create wealth for the few. Such exploitative, fraudulent, unproductive and immoral system works for the 1 percent of the population at the expense of the 99 percent. Evidence upon evidence and fact upon fact demands destruction of the American capitalism to be replaced by a new responsible and reliable economic and financial system for the good of the greatest number of people. As long as Washington and Wall Street have symbiotic relations and adulterous liaisons, American capitalism will continue to rule over the helpless American people and the world.
Exd 20:17 , “You shall not covetyour neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Note: Covet in Hebrew is chamad which means to desire, take pleasure in, delight in; to delight greatly, desire greatly; – it occurs 21 times in the Old Testament. There is nothing wrong to enjoy your own house, but it is a sin to covet your neighbor’s house. There is nothing wrong in taking great pleasure in your wife. It is a sin to desire your neighbor’s wife. To delight in your wife is one thing, to desire your neighbor’s wife is a sin.
Deu 5:21, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field or his male servant or his female servant, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Note: To desire anything or anyone that belongs to others is a sin. Greed is to want what do not belong to you. Palestinians and Hamas suffer greed in claiming the Holy Land. In the beginning God gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants. There was no Palestine or Palestinian or Hamas. The Jews rebelled against God and were scattered all over the world. During the colonial period, the British empire created Palestine, and illegal Arabs moved in and occupied without payment. The State of Israel was reestablished. All Arabs and Palestinians should have been evicted long ago. The two-state proposal is not the two-state solution. Palestinians can seek statehood or residency in neighboring Arab states. The United Nations or any organization does not have authority to give the Jewish land to Palestinians or Arabs. Jerusalem is forever the capital of great king David. God will fight for Jerusalem. The leaders of United Kingdom do not have moral character and courage to come out and explain to the Palestinians and Hamas that they do not have the right of resettlement. Israel is God’s holy nation, it cannot be mixed with other nations or peoples. The Holy Land forever belongs to the Jews, God’s chosen people. So, Palestinians and Hamas do not fight or claim what does not belong to you. Get out of the Jewish land in peace or be evicted by force.
Rom 7:7 , “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”
Note: In Greek coveting is epithymiawhich means desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust, lust arousing, concupiscence; – it occurs 38 times in the New Testament. In Greek covet is epithymeōwhich means to turn upon a thing, to have a desire for, set one’s heart upon, long for, to desire, to lust after, to seek the forbidden; – it occurs 16 times in the New Testament.
Rom 13:9, “For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
In America almost everything is corrupted by the love of money, power and sex. The truth can be verified. Government, politics, business, industry, economy, culture, commerce, trade, education, transportation, healthcare, insurance, drug and medicine, charity, religion, mass media, movie, election, science and technology, subsidy, welfare, legislation, foreign policy, imperial war of conquest, defense, advertising, management, labor union, insider information, etc. are corrupted. You have heard the president having sex with intern and committed perjury repeatedly, governor hiring prostitutes at $5,000 an hour, officials having extramarital affairs and children out of wed log, bribery, selling and buying influence, etc. – government and politics corrupted by money, power and sex. Charity is also corrupted, many fundraisers give one dollar for every one hundred dollars they raise and qualify as charity.
The United States exercises a bad influence on the world such as violence, aggression, pornography, vulgarity, incivility, sexual immorality, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, greed, extravagance, excess, deviation, counter-culture, secularism, monopoly, etc.
Monopoly is inherently corrupt. A recent announcement that Shanghai New York University is going to charge RMB 100,000 for annual tuition. You have heard university presidents making $1 million a year, etc. University is a monopoly because young men and women need to have higher education. American universities come to China not because they want to disperse knowledge and educate Chinese youth, but because they want to make big money. Any monopoly tends to have predatory and corrupt practices such as in healthcare where doctors, dentists and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies, lab and medical suppliers gouge and defraud patients so much so that bankrupted millions of American families. American greed has also infected China increasingly in many ways. American dentists and doctors come to China not because they want help and heal the sick, but because they want to make big money. It is outrageous for any university to charge ￥100,000 for tuition a year. The government should regulate doctors, dentists, hospitals, lawyers, schools and universities, cemetery, etc. where they exercise monopolistic power and tax them heavily for making high profits.
2Cr 9:5, “So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift, so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness.”
Note: Covetousness in Greek is pleonexiawhich means greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice, extortion; – it occurs 10 times in the New Testament. All governments are corrupt more or less, no matter what form or system. Why does government tend to be corrupt? Government is the largest form of monopoly, monopoly of power and money. The people are most affected by corrupt officials.
Jesus Christ warns, Luk 12:15, “Then He said to them: Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Cowley says, “There are two sorts of avarice; the one is but of a bastard kind; and that is, the rapacious appetite of gain, not for its own sake, but for the pleasure of refunding it immediately through all the channels of pride and luxury; the other is the true kind, and properly so called, which is a restless and un-satiable desire of riches, not for any further end or use, but only to hoard and preserve, and …”
Col 3:5 , “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”
Note: Greed amounts to idolatry; greed is idolatry. A greedy person is no better than an idol worshiper.
2Pe 2:14 , “Having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children.”
Note: Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex display having a heart trained in greed. Only people having a heart trained in greed could produce the American economic and financial crisis in 2008. If you ever audit a medical bill, you will quickly understand what it means to have a heart trained in greed. They seek to maximize profits by fraudulent and overcharge long billing of very sophisticated and technical nature that even a Ph.D. might not understand. A life insurance policy is masterpiece of lawyers having a heart trained in greed.
1Ti 6:10 , “Forthe love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
Note: The love of money in Greek is philargyria which means avarice, greed; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Apostle John sums it up:
1Jo 2:16 , “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”
Note: The word lust in Greek is epithymia, the same original word used in Rom 7:7. Avarice, greed, covetousness, and lust are synonymous.
Actually there are three forms of greed: greedy for money, greedy for power, and greedy for sex. Wall Street exemplifies greed for money, Washington exemplifies greed for power, and Hollywood exemplifies greed for sex. Military-industrial-security complex exemplifies greed for money and power. As you can see, everything in America is corrupted by greed in three forms.
Because of greed there are so many crooks and criminals who link their dirty and filthy and fraudulent sites to my name and my sites. There is actually no rule of law on the Internet, it is the biggest jungle in the world and full of beastly predators; no government is prosecuting any violation of rules and decency. These evildoers have no moral, no decency, no conscience – all they want is to make money on the labor and reputation of others.
On April 5, 2020 lured by the advertisement of free anti-virus, so I loaded a software program to my computer. Little did I know I had let the most vicious and malicious software of a certain company starting with the letter A… to invade my computer, and its free-anti-virus became worse than COVID-19. The A… company invaded my computer with thousands of items which the A… did not allow to delete them. It is like mafia that makes you an offer that you cannot refuse. They made it hard for use and almost impossible to uninstall the malicious program. I did battle two days and two nights to eliminate thousands its items one by one. It kept saying I do not have permission to delete them. It multiplies its items as I deleted them like cancer cells metastasized. It wasted my time and efforts and made me very tiresome. There are many unscrupulous and predatory businesses on the Internet that lure you with free software, free website, free email, free program, etc. Once you are led in, they made offer that you can refuse but pay or suffer a big loss. Another company with the name starting with the letter O… They advertised free website, when you put a lot of time and effort into your website and established yourself as a well-known entity, then they started to give you all kinds of technical problems and urged you to upgrade. They even blocked your website so that you cannot visit, you pay or lose your website. There are so many shameless crooks and criminals on the Internet, no government will enforce the law to prosecute them. Just remember, “free” or “100% free” may be a bait that can harm and hurt you.
The fact that the American national debt has surpassed $28 trillion (and this amount does not count the debts and deficits of states, counties, cities, agencies, institutions, corporations, individuals, students, etc.) and is going higher not day by day, but grows exponentially minute by minute proves that greed is a bottomless pit.Those who are benefited by American debts and deficits want to continue to live in luxuries and affluencies without end. Those who are rich and powerful in government and industry and military and security complex do not want to change. The one percent of the population who controls and rules over the 99 percent want to maintain the status quo. My fellow Americans, China and Russia are not American enemies. The real American enemies are those who are in power and position and have power to enrich themselves by spending America into oblivion. Can you see the handwriting is on the wall?
The virus of the greed (probably more deadly than CORONAVIRUS) of capitalism has infected the whole world, it permeates through government, bureaucracy, business, trade, economy, union, corporation, charity, church, institution, farm, university, defense, military, industry, health care, market, currency, construction, security, entertainment, and all walks of life beyond calculation.
The love of money (greed) is the most prominent sin committed in these last days. Peoples become lovers of themselves, lovers of pleasures, and lovers of money.
Evildoers are of all races. Let the evil advertisers, crooks and criminals, the military-industrial-security complex, makers of computer viruses, corrupt doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance company executives, labs and medical supplies, evil leaders and politicians, liars and killers and robbers beware; Hell is opening up wide to swallow them up. They will not escape God’s judgment sooner or later.
Will you repent of your sin and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
