The KJV says this about JESUS's last act in mortality:
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
The JST adds a poignant and powerful statement from the Savior.
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice,
saying, Father, it is finished, thy will is done,
yielded up the ghost.
Obviously much clearer. Definitely better.
Inspired?
You and the Holy Spirit be the judge. I feel that after suffering for numerous hours both on the cross and in the garden, JESUS would certainly have announced his victory over Sin, on His way to creating a victory over Death.
The statement that the Father's will (The Most High GOD) bookends beautifully with CHRIST's prayer for a way out in Gethsemane. There was no escape for JESUS if humanity was to be given an escape from Death and Satan and Hell.
I, for one, am literally eternally grateful that JESUS finished the hardest thing ever done. I am also thankful for a Bible that adds to the majesty of CHRIST.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Friday, May 15, 2020
Matthew 27:44 : The 2 Thieves and the Master
Here is the King James Version of Matthew 27:44 describing the behavior of the two thieves crucified with JESUS...
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
This verse refers back to the mocking of the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the Jews. They derided the Savior with calls for him to come down from the cross and save Himself, and then they would believe. As a younger person I had always hoped that He would have come down and incinerated those fools. But, that would have foiled his other worldly and infinite attempt to save all of mankind.
Joseph Smith was divinely authorized to add the following words to this verse, so that we could see there was one dissenting voice among the self-righteous rubes that mocked the GOD of this world.
One of the thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
But the other rebuked him, saying.
Dost thou not fear God?
seeing thou art under the same condemnation;
and this man is just and hath not sinned;
and he cried unto the Lord, that he would save him.
And the Lord said unto him,
This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise.
(I added the underlining to the last phrase and the question mark.)
I have studied the world of spirits as it relates to scripture, and I can tell you that the LDS depictions of two places to reside before the final judgement are incorrect. There are 3 locations for the dead: Paradise, Prison, and Hell. Paradise is for those who have passed the test of mortality to see who is truly loyal to CHRIST. Prison (a horrible misnomer) is for those who have not yet made up their minds. Hell is for those who have failed the test through above average selfishness and refusal to repent. Persons relegated to Hell have to suffer for their own sins before being released. The chief priests, scribes, and elders of the Jews were undoubtedly sent there.
Now I know that JESUS stated on the cross "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." But the JST of Luke 23:35 makes it clear that CHRIST is referring to the Roman soldiers only.
I love this new and improved verse because it points out how you can know that you will end up in Paradise. Support the Savior even if every other idiot in the building or your family or your town does not believe in Him.
This is Not an example of death bed repentance. The wise thief was being horrifically punished for his crimes. I am pretty sure crucifixion for theft is cruel and unusual punishment, even by Biblical standards. The thief could have joined in the "misery loves company" crowd and mocked GOD the Son. Instead he chose to rebuke the other thief and recognize that JESUS had not sinned and did not deserve any punishment, let alone crucifixion.
He did not ask JESUS to save him in the moment, but in return for defending his Master, CHRIST rewarded him after his death with a spot in Paradise. I think it is well deserved. It is never easy to go against a mob.
For me this is the perfect example of how to avoid Spirit Prison and Hell. Take the suffering this life gives out like the wise thief and have the faith necessary in JESUS to wait for your reward after you die. It is the people who try to take short cuts to salvation that end up with a long delay in the world of spirits. You can thank JRR Tolkien for part of that last idea. In The Lord of the Rings book one Pippin tells Frodo, "short cuts make long delays."
It is the religious folk who think their membership in a church is a kind of short cut to Heaven, that may find themselves bitterly disappointed after this life. Sacrifice and suffering and service in following JESUS at all costs is the long, hard road that leads to eternal life.
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
This verse refers back to the mocking of the chief priests, scribes, and elders of the Jews. They derided the Savior with calls for him to come down from the cross and save Himself, and then they would believe. As a younger person I had always hoped that He would have come down and incinerated those fools. But, that would have foiled his other worldly and infinite attempt to save all of mankind.
Joseph Smith was divinely authorized to add the following words to this verse, so that we could see there was one dissenting voice among the self-righteous rubes that mocked the GOD of this world.
One of the thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
But the other rebuked him, saying.
Dost thou not fear God?
seeing thou art under the same condemnation;
and this man is just and hath not sinned;
and he cried unto the Lord, that he would save him.
And the Lord said unto him,
This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise.
(I added the underlining to the last phrase and the question mark.)
I have studied the world of spirits as it relates to scripture, and I can tell you that the LDS depictions of two places to reside before the final judgement are incorrect. There are 3 locations for the dead: Paradise, Prison, and Hell. Paradise is for those who have passed the test of mortality to see who is truly loyal to CHRIST. Prison (a horrible misnomer) is for those who have not yet made up their minds. Hell is for those who have failed the test through above average selfishness and refusal to repent. Persons relegated to Hell have to suffer for their own sins before being released. The chief priests, scribes, and elders of the Jews were undoubtedly sent there.
Now I know that JESUS stated on the cross "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." But the JST of Luke 23:35 makes it clear that CHRIST is referring to the Roman soldiers only.
I love this new and improved verse because it points out how you can know that you will end up in Paradise. Support the Savior even if every other idiot in the building or your family or your town does not believe in Him.
This is Not an example of death bed repentance. The wise thief was being horrifically punished for his crimes. I am pretty sure crucifixion for theft is cruel and unusual punishment, even by Biblical standards. The thief could have joined in the "misery loves company" crowd and mocked GOD the Son. Instead he chose to rebuke the other thief and recognize that JESUS had not sinned and did not deserve any punishment, let alone crucifixion.
He did not ask JESUS to save him in the moment, but in return for defending his Master, CHRIST rewarded him after his death with a spot in Paradise. I think it is well deserved. It is never easy to go against a mob.
For me this is the perfect example of how to avoid Spirit Prison and Hell. Take the suffering this life gives out like the wise thief and have the faith necessary in JESUS to wait for your reward after you die. It is the people who try to take short cuts to salvation that end up with a long delay in the world of spirits. You can thank JRR Tolkien for part of that last idea. In The Lord of the Rings book one Pippin tells Frodo, "short cuts make long delays."
It is the religious folk who think their membership in a church is a kind of short cut to Heaven, that may find themselves bitterly disappointed after this life. Sacrifice and suffering and service in following JESUS at all costs is the long, hard road that leads to eternal life.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
"And upon my house shall it begin"
A revelation given to Joseph Smith to Thomas Marsh in 1837 includes the following information from JESUS CHRIST:
24 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.
26 First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.
I think this refers to the Mormon Church, which is so eager to jettison the word Mormon from their institution. I wonder how the editor of the Book of Mormon feels about this. Maybe they will change the title to get Mormon's name off the cover.
These 3 verses could also include all Christian religions. Covid-19 has done a mediocre job of killing people, but it has done a great job of closing churches. Only a mere handful of congregations have tried to hold their worship services in defiance of the idiotic orders from government tyrants. Perhaps GOD is trying to see who really is on His team.
It should not be easy to be a true Christian. The Christians from JESUS's life time were not in the majority. They were subject to unfair laws that did not permit them to worship like Jews could. Christians in the Book of Mormon had to secretly meet outside their communities during times of selfish leaders. Alma had to flee from King Noah and his fake priests. That group reminds me of the 15 fools in Salt Lake City. Noah made the mistake of having a 20 percent tax, but modern wolves in sheep's clothing have learned that 10 percent is the best way to get people's money.
Obviously there are Mormon leaders who want people to think they have seen the LORD, and are His chosen representatives. The great majority know they are hypocrites, and use phrases like "too sacred" to hide the fact that they have not met JESUS. There are a couple rubes like Bednar who says things like, "I am scripture" and make it clear how shockingly narcissistic they truly are.
When it is illegal to attend church and you just go along with it like a good Latter-Day Saint or Christian, you have demonstrated that you are not yet part of the Kingdom of GOD.
Thursday, April 23, 2020
How Many More People Have to Die? (From things much deadlier than a virus)
As of midnight Eastern Daylight Time on April 23, 2020 there have been 191,000 deaths linked to Coronavirus.
Governments continue to using the rising death toll to justify all kinds of abuses of people natural's rights.
Going along with this flawed reasoning I offer the following.
If in the same time period 1.5 million people in the world have died this year from their use of tobacco products, why are we not banning the production of all products with tobacco?
1. How many people have to die until we stop making cigarettes?
1.5 million tobacco deaths is almost 8 times as many deaths as Covid-19.
2. How many more people will be killed until we stop making beverages with alcohol?
771,000 people have died from problems directly related to the consumption of alcohol. Time to have a worldwide Prohibition.
That is 4 times as many casualties from drinking than Corona.
3. How many more people have to die until we close all roads?
There have been 419,000 traffic fatalities worldwide in the first 112 days of 2020.
Covid-19 is fairly wimpy compared to the dangers of driving.
4. How many more people will die by their own hand if we do not do something to stop their agency and forbid them from committing suicide?
332,000 people have chosen to end their lives this year.
Should we make a worldwide ban on razor blades and rope?
I am not saying that Coronavirus is not serious. What I am saying is that governments have chosen to focus on the 20th biggest threat to a person's life. These leaders who do not lead are ignoring 19 other threats that are much worse. The blind are truly leading the blind, and we are all headed into the nearest ditch.
The easiest way this literal Hell has come up with for people to die is Abortion. So far this unfathomable right has claimed the lives of 13 million potential humans this year alone.
I think it would be just if GOD killed the same number of people from Covid-19 in 2020 as this world has permitted to die via Abortion. GOD is obviously much more loving than I am, but it would make for a potential wake up call.
However, even if that happens, I know that people would not repent, even if 50 million or so people die from Corona. 50 million is a low estimate of the number of abortions there will be in all of 2020. Most people will just curse GOD, or wonder is there even is One. Then everyone will go back to hiding in fear in their homes, unless they need to visit the local abortion clinic wearing a N-95 mask.
Governments continue to using the rising death toll to justify all kinds of abuses of people natural's rights.
Going along with this flawed reasoning I offer the following.
If in the same time period 1.5 million people in the world have died this year from their use of tobacco products, why are we not banning the production of all products with tobacco?
1. How many people have to die until we stop making cigarettes?
1.5 million tobacco deaths is almost 8 times as many deaths as Covid-19.
2. How many more people will be killed until we stop making beverages with alcohol?
771,000 people have died from problems directly related to the consumption of alcohol. Time to have a worldwide Prohibition.
That is 4 times as many casualties from drinking than Corona.
3. How many more people have to die until we close all roads?
There have been 419,000 traffic fatalities worldwide in the first 112 days of 2020.
Covid-19 is fairly wimpy compared to the dangers of driving.
4. How many more people will die by their own hand if we do not do something to stop their agency and forbid them from committing suicide?
332,000 people have chosen to end their lives this year.
Should we make a worldwide ban on razor blades and rope?
I am not saying that Coronavirus is not serious. What I am saying is that governments have chosen to focus on the 20th biggest threat to a person's life. These leaders who do not lead are ignoring 19 other threats that are much worse. The blind are truly leading the blind, and we are all headed into the nearest ditch.
The easiest way this literal Hell has come up with for people to die is Abortion. So far this unfathomable right has claimed the lives of 13 million potential humans this year alone.
I think it would be just if GOD killed the same number of people from Covid-19 in 2020 as this world has permitted to die via Abortion. GOD is obviously much more loving than I am, but it would make for a potential wake up call.
However, even if that happens, I know that people would not repent, even if 50 million or so people die from Corona. 50 million is a low estimate of the number of abortions there will be in all of 2020. Most people will just curse GOD, or wonder is there even is One. Then everyone will go back to hiding in fear in their homes, unless they need to visit the local abortion clinic wearing a N-95 mask.
Sunday, April 19, 2020
500 Million Infected and 50 Million Dead: The Spanish Flu of 1918-1920
The title has the truly horrific numbers from the flu pandemic that started in the fall of 1918 and continued on into 1919 and 1920.. The timing could not have been worse, coming in the spring in the US before World War I ended on November 11th, 1918. It probably started during the winter of 1917-1918, but the countries involved in that foolish conflict refused to report on the early cases in a misguided attempt to retain morale.
It was called the "Spanish Flu" because only the neutral country of Spain was reporting on it until the war ended.
It was called the "Spanish Flu" because only the neutral country of Spain was reporting on it until the war ended.
Right now Covid-19 has infected 2.4 million people in the world and killed just over 165,000. Those numbers are certainly tragic. Everyone one of the 165,000 fatalities has caused countless other people to mourn each loss.
I am not here to minimize the suffering of this terrible time.
What I do want to point out are the following statistics:
1. Even if there are 10 times the infections by the end of the year that would still be 22.4 million people. I doubt very much, and hope even more, that it does not reach anything near that total.
2. Even if 10 times more people die (and I certainly hope and pray this does not happen), that would be 1,650,000 fatalities.
3. The world population in 1918 was almost 2 billion.
4. The world population today is almost 8 billion. (7.8 Billion to be more exact) I am rounding here to make the math simpler.
5. The Spanish Flu infected 25 percent of the world's population. Some estimates are as high as one third, but I am going low to be safe.
6. The Spanish Flu killed 2.5 percent of the people on the planet at the time. Ten percent of those infected ultimately died from that infamous flu. The Coronavirus is not even close to killing 3 percent of those infected.
7. To get the same devastating result as the Spanish Flu in terms of infecting one quarter of the population, the Coronavirus would have to infect almost 2 Billion people. By the way, a Billion is a 1,000 units of one Million.
8. To get the same death toll of 2.5 percent of the population (NOT 2.5 percent of those infected), the Coronavirus is going to have to kill almost 200 Hundred Million people.
Covid-19 is deadly serious medical crisis, and it hopefully will end sooner rather than later.
The Coronavirus is not the Spanish Flu. It is also not the Andromeda Strain for those of you who like the fiction of Michael Crichton. It is bad, but it pales in comparison to the devastation caused by the influenza of 1918-1919.
Trust GOD, and know that even if someone you love succumbs to this virus, you will see them again on the other side of this vale of tears.
You and I are probably not going to die from this virus, but we will die of something. Please repent ASAP. Do what you know to be right based on the Light of CHRIST inside of you. Every person who has ever lived has had the same influence from the SAVIOR and GOD of this planet. Calling it a "conscience" detracts from the fact that its power comes from GOD.
Finally, be of good cheer, for JESUS has overcome the world.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Robert Smith: Upwardthought.blogspot.com
There are a few people these days online claiming they have seen JESUS. They may all be telling the truth, and they may all be lying. Some may be truthful, and others could be false prophets sent to test us. The only way of knowing is to get your knowledge directly from GOD. We need to pray about each claim.
The only person I know of who fits the defintion of a true prophet is Rob Smith. Why? Because he is the only one begging for people to repent and warning them about what will happen if they do not.
Rob fits the model found in the Book of Mormon. Abinadi did not flatter King Noah or change his message when his life was threatened. Nephi was more worried about Laman and Lemuel's salvation than their feelings. Jacob called the Nephites on their plural marriage delusion. Alma had to teach failed missionary Corianton the gospel and send him back out to try again. Lehi got the whole book started by preaching repentance to Jerusalem, and then having to leave town to preserve his life.
None of them amass wealth by stealing their cut of sincere people's donations. None ask for Hosanna shouts instead of changing your life to align with GOD's will. None cry "peace" or tell you that all is well. All true messengers deliver the truth, and that is always centered around repentance.
Check out Rob's blog listed in the title. He has some profound things to say about the end times.
If you pray about him, and you think he is a prophet too, you may want to move from the I-15 corridor ASAP. I am assuming that corridor runs from self-righteous Rexburg down to the second homes of the wealthy Mormons in St. George. It may even extend as far as Las Vegas, since Sin City has its own temple.
I am not a prophet, but I know one when I see one.
The only person I know of who fits the defintion of a true prophet is Rob Smith. Why? Because he is the only one begging for people to repent and warning them about what will happen if they do not.
Rob fits the model found in the Book of Mormon. Abinadi did not flatter King Noah or change his message when his life was threatened. Nephi was more worried about Laman and Lemuel's salvation than their feelings. Jacob called the Nephites on their plural marriage delusion. Alma had to teach failed missionary Corianton the gospel and send him back out to try again. Lehi got the whole book started by preaching repentance to Jerusalem, and then having to leave town to preserve his life.
None of them amass wealth by stealing their cut of sincere people's donations. None ask for Hosanna shouts instead of changing your life to align with GOD's will. None cry "peace" or tell you that all is well. All true messengers deliver the truth, and that is always centered around repentance.
Check out Rob's blog listed in the title. He has some profound things to say about the end times.
If you pray about him, and you think he is a prophet too, you may want to move from the I-15 corridor ASAP. I am assuming that corridor runs from self-righteous Rexburg down to the second homes of the wealthy Mormons in St. George. It may even extend as far as Las Vegas, since Sin City has its own temple.
I am not a prophet, but I know one when I see one.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
The Coronavirus Did NOT Steal Easter
I have seen a few things on social media where Christians and Mormons (and they are not the same) have been complaining that Covid 19 basically hijacked Easter. I would impolitely have to disagree. Putting aside the pagan origins of Easter, I am pretty sure that nothing can take away from the Atonement of JESUS CHRIST.
It is tragic that you did not get to go to your local church and show your friends and neighbors how righteous you are. Church attendance is actually a hindrance to salvation. Count yourselves lucky that this year you had to stay at home and focus on JESUS with no one around. Salvation is an individual thing. 2020 is really the first time in recent history where individuals had to worship in their own homes. Just like the disciples (male and female) worshiped around the time of CHRIST.
I find it hard to believe that Jewish authorities in Israel or the Romans in the rest of the know world were OK with original Christians building a church in order to worship the real GOD. Why do we need buildings now? There seemed to be a myriad more profound spiritual experiences going on in the days of the real apostles, then there is today in a time of fake ones.
I am absolutely certain of the following concepts:
1. If you only think about JESUS at Christmas and Easter you will not be entering the Kingdom of GOD.
2. If you only talk about JESUS on Sundays you will not be entering the Kingdom of GOD.
3. Without JESUS, everyone goes to Hell and does not get out.
It is tragic that you did not get to go to your local church and show your friends and neighbors how righteous you are. Church attendance is actually a hindrance to salvation. Count yourselves lucky that this year you had to stay at home and focus on JESUS with no one around. Salvation is an individual thing. 2020 is really the first time in recent history where individuals had to worship in their own homes. Just like the disciples (male and female) worshiped around the time of CHRIST.
I find it hard to believe that Jewish authorities in Israel or the Romans in the rest of the know world were OK with original Christians building a church in order to worship the real GOD. Why do we need buildings now? There seemed to be a myriad more profound spiritual experiences going on in the days of the real apostles, then there is today in a time of fake ones.
I am absolutely certain of the following concepts:
1. If you only think about JESUS at Christmas and Easter you will not be entering the Kingdom of GOD.
2. If you only talk about JESUS on Sundays you will not be entering the Kingdom of GOD.
3. Without JESUS, everyone goes to Hell and does not get out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)