Take Heed
Judging by its cover or contents – We must be careful in making sound judgments. There are people in sheep’s clothing, and there are friends with many faces. We have to trust the Word of God regarding guidance and protection and for an answer regarding who we will charge. Do not be conformed to the attraction of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind that will lead us to God’s perfection.
The Book of Revelation was written many centuries ago; it has never been touched nor interpreted by many believers for their interpretation but was left to those who studied theology and other scholars. However, because the Bible was in circulation after the invention of the printing machine, some believers expressed their freedom to own it and thereby eventually made their interpretation. The leaders of many congregations are still responsible for the correct interpretation of the Scriptures and the spiritual growth of their members; thus, Bible study is critical.
The Book of Revelation is one of the books in the Bible that is symbolic. We could have different thoughts if we are in a separate Bible class or learn it from other preachers of various denominations. Maybe John wrote it as he saw it and had no understanding, and some referenced it from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).
Since it is symbolic, the truth depends on one’s vision of another, except if believers are sitting side by side and exchanging thoughts, they may eventually agree. Centuries have passed, and up to the present time, many still disagree with the inclusion of the Book of Revelation in the Bible. We may also find Bibles that do not include the book of Revelation. Many claims that the book was and is a compilation of various writers; it should not have been included or should have ended in Chapter 3 and ended in verse 7.
The members of the canonical group were influenced by a powerful church that dictated what had to be put in the Bible. The same things happened to the epistles of Paul. Not all letters are his. The time has come to correct our thoughts that our faith in the One True God must be fully acknowledged in every religious gathering. We are not discrediting the work of the Son, but he is the center of every worshipper instead of the Father. I believe that the Son will not be delighted to omit the Father. Without the Father, there will be no Son; without a Son, there will be no Father. We cannot be one without the other.
When we talk about these issues, we should consider the honest approach. Subjective thoughts are open for public investigation, interpretations, and conclusions, and when we come to the objective discussion, we should deal with facts and pieces of evidence.
Whichever thought to start will be a promising startup. Sometimes, the difficulty is based on what others saw but we didn’t see, making the comprehension much harder without properly sharing. Like the Bible, Revelations are not part of the New Testament. The message of the Father was His concern about us.
This book of Revelation is not about God, who will be the judge, and the Son, the faithful witness. It is about us being aware of things to come. Are we saved? Do we still need to be kept?
The Revelation, as I consider being ( Testament of God/God’s Testament for the end of the ages) the third division of the Bible about God’s holy number. Number 3 biblically represents divine wholeness, completeness, and perfection. Number two is an open space, but when we put the sacred number 3, we stamp it with God’s perfect fullness. What more could be added when it is already complete? God works on superior numbers, which are part of His divine perfection.
Someone asked if I shifted my faith (maybe they are following my work) and asked me to join the interfaith group and share my experiences on social media. Additionally, another one invited me to be part of their revival movement to be broadcast worldwide by October 4… with an expected 1 million participants. However, we also need to practice caution. If you are in the ministry, you appreciate significant opportunities. But is that God’s calling? Do I accept it or ignore it?
I believe thinking about it is proper, and I should wait a few more days to respond. We do not know if it is from God until we receive signs of confirmation from the Holy Spirit. People make mistakes by quickly reacting to rejecting or accepting something without awareness of where it comes from. When a decision is needed, consult the Bible; this is what I received “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets are around us.”
I next asked myself these questions; did I shift my faith? Did I walk away from the Christian religion? Where am I now? Am I lost? Did I have a new assignment to pursue? Somebody told me I am a progressive Christian. What do you mean by that?
The first offer was from the interfaith group, which opened my eyes to realize my stand regarding my faith. I know my birth I am a Christian; I was baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. I believe I experienced receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit with fire back in November 2006; since then, I have walked by faith and started to be a servant (minister) of the gospel. I am a Christian! I am a Catholic Evangelical Christian. For an explanation, check http://amazingkingdom.org/catholic-evangelical-defined/.
One time I was in a group of fundamentalist Christians, and I mentioned something about God; for not more than a minute, I was asked if I belonged to a Jehovah’s Witnesses because they thought I was referring to God alone without a Son. In another event, I was told I was talking about Mormons, so I am a Mormon! That is when I mentioned that we could all be gods. Jesus said references from the Old Testament Scripture. If that happened to me, it could also happen to others.
What would they think about Christianity? Would you believe they would want to belong to this environment? Are these the people we call Christians? Very judgmental! Self-righteous people!! It shows they are practicing persecution, and these people are always talking about persecuted Christians.
There are two kinds of Christians; True Christians and other ones. They think they are Christians. We can profess all year long, but without confession, you are not there yet to claim you are a Christian.
The fundamentalists are the most common to make an error in judging open-minded Christians. We do not persecute our brothers; we can correct their mistakes, rebuke them humbly when they are wrong, and encourage them when they are drifting or shifting to another direction, but with gentleness, respect for one another is a sign of brotherly love. Always ask why it is happening, and you may be surprised that our behavior and attitude have become an issue.
Humanity is a natural sinner, and when you read the book of Revelation, you will be engaged with fear of things to come, not an encouragement to hold on to the faith. We are taught that we are not part of the judgment, which is true just because we are sinners subject to die—prejudged.
God has a bigger plan for us, something different that we do not know. There is a hint, during judgment day, we will all be in rapture and taken to a place where we can’t witness the judgment being carried. Is that a mystery or a concealed secret?
What is Christianity? Christianity is often discussed in terms of believing God’s promises, trusting in his faithfulness, and relying on God’s character and commitment to act.-Wikipedia.
While others defined it as; 1:the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies. 2: conformity to the Christian religion. 3: The practice of Christianity—Merriam-webster. com › dictionary › Christianity
Related topic recommended for reading: When Jesus became Christ: http://amazingkingdom.org/?s=when+Jesus+became+Christ.
Christianity has so many ups and downs, so many divisions, and so many different interpretations; some denominations do not believe what was written in the Bible: Speaking in Tongue, baptism of the Holy Spirit; though it is not registered, the majority thinks the existence of the Trinity in different forms.
“Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”—2 John 1:9-11.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect—Romans 12:2.
Christians that believe in following some of the teachings of the Hebrew Bible (God, The Ten Commandments), excluding the Law of Moses, which is designed for the Jews, and some teachings of Islam’s Quran (God, Adam) cannot be judged as lukewarm believers but believers of the truth that we are believers of God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This alone, we can start to unite in the Spirit of God.
A husband and wife with different beliefs yet agreed to live together because of their love for each should not be forced to be separated but rather let them live together for the sake of their children. Let their love be the bridge to make the unbelief holy. God has called everyone to live in love and peace.
Let us give glory to God in the highest by sharing our light to shine before others so that through our good works, they may find what they are missing and witness the goodness of God through us.
Glory to God in the highest