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  • Lake of Fire

    Pastor John:

    Ok, bear with me on this.

    So if Lake of Fire was created for the devil and his angels, would that mean every human had their name in the book of life to start with, and that after their bad deeds, they had it removed? Because God wants everyone to make it in the end … right? or is it like Damien said, the Book of Life is only the people who are going to receive the holy ghost?

    SW
    ===========

    Hi SW!

    Whew! Thoughtful question.

    Without pretending to know what was in God’s mind from before the beginning, let me just point out this reality: There are more followers of Satan than the angels who were cast out of heaven with him. The devil has a huge crowd of human followers, such as the men whom Jesus called “sons of the devil”. They are the ones who, having learned the truth, are not faithful to it, but pursue their own ways instead. Jesus said that Satan “did not abide in the truth”, and Paul said that he has made himself out to be an “angel of light”. Those who do not abide in the truth are like him:

    2Corinthians 11
    13. For such men are pseudo-apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
    14. And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.
    15. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.”

    Such men are human “angels” of Satan, and they will spend eternity where their father, the devil, does. God know who they were from the beginning, just as Jesus knew from the beginning which of his disciples would betray him. Hope that helps a little.

    Pastor John

  • Translation Question

    Pastor John:

    Is this translated correctly? When we started reading Hebrews last night, you said that Melchizedek was the greatest Old Testament figure. But then, this scripture came to mind:

    Matthew 11:11

    Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

    Wendell

    ==========

    Good question, Wendell. Others asked me that question last night. Yes, that verse is translated correctly.

    The author of Hebrews never actually made the statement that I made; to wit, “Melchizedek was the greatest Old Testament figure.” So, your question is more directed at what I said than what he said.

    The main point of the book of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the greatest figure of all time. The author takes pains to compare Jesus to angels, to Moses, to Abraham, the Levitical priests, and finally, to Melchizedek. Even the men and women in Chapter 11 can be seen as a list of people who are not as great as the Son of God. As great as they all were, the Son of God is understood, by that point in the book, to be greater.

    The author of Hebrews probably made the effort to point out the superiority of Melchizedek because of the way the Jews looked at Abraham. All of Israel in Jesus’ time would have considered Abraham, “the friend of God”, to be the father of their faith and of their nation, and being the father of the faith and nation, he was greater than anyone who was his descendant. The author of Hebrews uses that logic in 7:9-10. When he showed that Melchizedek was greater than father Abraham, many Jewish readers must have been stunned at the thought that anyone could be greater than Abraham. And so, if Melchizedek was greater than Abraham, Melchizedek must be the greatest Old Testament figure, according to the thinking of the Jews at that time and the logic of Hebrews. The author of Hebrews didn’t mention John the Baptist, and so, neither did I, and I believe that the statement I made accurately reflects what Hebrews teaches.

    Now, if you asked the author of Hebrews about Matthew 11:11, he would probably say something like, “Well, yes, Jesus was right, of course, but my point was….” At least, that is what I will say, and leave it at that.

    Thanks, Wendell.

    Pastor John

  • Stuart and revelation

    Hi John,

    I noticed that a man in a recent correspondence wanted you and us to leave off “revelation” when it came to reasoning about the things of God, and just read the Bible and figure it out. As you have told us many of times in the past, and will tell us many more times in the future, you can take the scriptures and make them line up with whatever doctrine you want. Without revelation from the the Father and the Son, whatever someone believes about anything is just as good as whatever someone else believes. It is just an opinion, and a delusion in our own minds.

    Revelation is what Jesus said he would build his congregation on: He said to them, “But you, who do you think I am?”

    16. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
    17. Jesus answered him, “You are a blessed man, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but my Father who is in heaven.
    18. And I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

    Without revelation, all we have is words. They could be true and they could a lie, but when the revelation comes from God through his spirit, that is the Word and that is truth. I am so thankful, John, that we are taught by the spirit and revelation, and not by the letter. Gods people need to know where their help comes from, and it is from on high, at the ready to help whoever is in need and to teach us all about our Father and the Son, and who we are. Thank you John I am so glad you are my pastor.

    Stuart
    ===============

    Hi Brother Stuart!

    Revelation from God is the only thing that can possibly rescue us from human opinion. If Jesus doesn’t teach us, we are hopelessly lost. I am so thankful he has spoken to us.

    jdc

    ===============

    Br. John,

    The “cult reponse” thing went through my mind after reading that email someone sent to you this morning, and immediately the next thought was, “Moses had ‘cult followers’, too.”  Christians don’t call following the 10 commandments a “cult response” because 1) it’s been recorded in the Bible & 2) Moses is dead now.  I believe the events in our lives and in Preacher Clark’s lifetime are “Bible-worthy”, and in the future, those things may be recorded and reverenced as holy.  But what did evil-hearted or ignorant people say while those events were happening in Moses’ time?  If people really believe God and have real faith, they have to believe that there is someone to follow because God has always given us help.  Yes, He gave us His spirit, and when we follow it, it leads us to fellowship with others who are following it.  And that leads us to the government of God and His leadership and protection that He has always had for His people!

    Just sayin’

    Cris

    ===============

    Historically, even in the Old Testament, faithful children of God, not to mention the prophets and apostles, and Jesus himself, were ridiculed and ostracized by the equivalent of the “good Christians” of their time.  That is standard.  It is our responsibility to make certain that both we ourselves and what we are doing are acceptable to God.  As the old saying goes, “The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.”  Let’s move on, humbly, with the Lord.

    Pastor John

  • T & O Book

    http://pastorjohnshouse.com/books/tithesandofferings.html

    Good morning, John.

    I had an opportunity to read the T & O book working at home yesterday. I had to stop many times because of the love of God that I felt from you in those pages. Over the years, I knew that tithing and offerings were right, but I was truly ignorant of why it was right. When understanding comes, it brings good, holy, and right feelings; in me they always bring tears of gratitude.

    I literally felt wrong thoughts about tithing and offerings leave my body as I turned the pages. I felt as though you had pulled you chest apart and let me see what you truly think about me (us), with all of the examples you wrote about; the love that I felt was overwhelming–I can hardly type now. I had to get up many times from my desk and fall on my face, thanking Jesus for every ounce of love and mercy that I was feeling.

    John, I am so thankful that God used you to rescue me at my kitchen table that day, in 2001. I know you love your sheep, and if I had any doubts about the way that you feel about me, the love from those pages cast them out. I am a different person after reading the T and O book yesterday. Understanding is a deliverer.

    I saw your photo and your uniform :), from the beach. I hope your hands fall off typing (just a catch-phrase) if the truth that God reveals to you will make others and myself feel what I felt reading your book. I think of the all the scores of books over the years that I have read, this is my favorite. However, I feel the Father and Son book will chase more wrong thoughts away and create understanding about our Father in our hearts; I am looking very much forward to it.

    Sending love your way; please say hey to all there.

    billy

  • Last Night

    Hello Pastor John
    What a wonderful message we heard tonight. We enjoyed it very much. I want to hold on to the things the Lord has taught me. I want to learn and grow in the Lord. That was food for my soul tonight.
    Bro. Troy
    ==========

    Hi, Pastor John:

    This Father and Son book really has been something. I remember you coming up KY to read what you had just learned form the beach. Rob N. was touched in a mighty way, and Richard came because he wanted to learn more and get touched, too. This was in 2009. It was three days after my surgery, in which God saved my life.

    Last night reminded me of old time Pentecostal preaching of the holy Ghost and fire. Mom use to take us to camp meetings and revivals all of the time when we were children; last night had those same clean holy feelings.

    The knowledge that is revealed about the trying of Jesus’ faith on the mount has taken scales or blinders off of my eyes and heart. Satan had nothing to do with it, only in part of what God wanted to use him for. My whole life flashed in front of my eyes last night; every trial in our lives is an invitation from Jesus to be blessed by his Father, and he gave us the holy Spirit to overcome this flesh it lives in to receive those things (treasures) from above.

    I was so bubbly and wanted to run around the house, but I didn’t want to miss what was said. I forgot I could have watched the recording of the meeting :). Stuart and I texted after the meeting about what we felt and heard. I couldn’t sleep thinking about the good things I saw and heard, and felt.

    This needs to be, “shouted on the rooftops”, as Gary’s email stated. Last night was like what Token taught Sophia at their dinner table, “more please”.

    Billy M.
    ==========

    Good morning, Bro.John.

    Last night really did something in my heart and mind when you were speaking the truth about Satan. Bro. John, with all my heart, I want Jesus to take away everything that I took in when I was in Christianity. I took in a lot of Lies, and I didn’t even realize that it has affected me the way it has. Jesus really does love me. Even going through the medical issues I having right now, Jesus has been whispering to me, “Kathy, I have my hands on you, not the devil.” Bro. John that is relief for my soul and heart. I wish I could type what I am feeling right now, the feeling and being thankful that I am listening and loving this truth that Jesus is giving to you and that you are giving it to us. I sure to love you and my family!

    Kathy

  • Job a stepping stone to Jesus

     

     

    http://www.goingtojesus.com/site/php/allthings.html

    Hey,

    When Token was talking about Job being a stepping stone to Jesus’ story, that reminded me of when the Lord spoke to me relating both of their trials to each other. Before we had children, I was reading the first “All Things” book and the book of Job. I remember telling God, “Now, I just don’t like that, God. He (Job) was doing everything he was suppose to and it seems like You just started picking on him.” A couple of days later, the Lord said, “Well, if you don’t like what I did to Job, then you certainly don’t like what I did to Jesus.” That brought relief because He had spoken, but I still didn’t understand it. Later, the Lord gave you the message on “Beyond Perfection” and Elihu’s part in Job’s story. That gave us a glimpse of what God was doing with Job. When I reread the book of Job, I saw and felt all of the wonderful things in there about God and how insignificant all of our “rightness” is.

    Cris

  • Knowing God – Blog

    I LOVE THE NEW BIRTH!! Let’s shout this from the rooftop!

    God’s people need it so badly.

    Gary

    Knowing God

    The philosopher Socrates is famous for his exhortation, “Know thyself!” But if you do not know God, you do not know yourself or anyone else. All right understanding comes from the holy Spirit. Since the Lord Jesus said that God’s Spirit guides us into ALL truth (Jn. 16:13), then there is NO truth that can be had without it. Humans can have earthly knowledge; they can know how many pints are in a gallon and how many feet are in a mile. But knowledge about life, knowledge of what is truly good or truly evil, comes only from knowing God.
    Nobody on earth knows God or can know Him unless he is baptized with the holy Spirit (with the evidence of the Spirit’s voice being heard). The day you receive the holy Spirit is your first day in God’s school. Even ministers who have not received the holy Spirit baptism, regardless of their titles and degrees, are completely blind to eternal truth. When I was in the seminary, I heard more truth in one sermon from an old holiness minster with a third grade education than I heard the entire semester from some of my professors. In the kingdom of God, knowledge is not a matter of earthly education; it is a matter of revelation.
    We know whatever we know about life only to the extent that we know God. This is why Jesus said that to know God and His Son is eternal life (Jn. 17:3). Without the knowledge of God, there is only confusion and strife, and eventually, death. But with the knowledge of God, there is righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit.

  • Tithes and Offerings

    http://www.pastorjohnshouse.com/books/tithesandofferings.html

    Hi, Pastor John:

    When I saw the book cover and the pictures, it was very exciting. But, when I read, “The Right Relationship Between A Pastor And His Congregation”, the Spirit flowed up and down my arms and face.

    I went to the internet to read what may be on there about tithes and offerings. Basically, every web site that I went to had supporting scriptures that you couldn’t debate against; the scriptures used by these sites are very clear about tithing and offerings, but something was missing. Some sites spoke about the blessings of God when one gives, some say it is the right thing to do, one even said they gave because of guilt and fear, some said so they would not rob God, some were saying they give to receive back or to sow a seed and receive more in return. But, something was missing in every site I visited, though just about everything I read from their sites I agree with. EVERY site missed the main point.

    The point that was missing in all those sites was the subtitle written above. Not one site listed anything about two hearts that become one with giving your tithes and offerings to the one that God puts over you, to look and watch over you soul. When I saw the pictures of you praying for others on the cover I said, “That’s whats missing (on those sites)!” I would be safe to say that most if not all of especially large xtn denominations people have no relationship with the pastor (whether they give or not),

    If a sheep gives from his heart and a Pastor receives it from his heart, there is a bond that God creates that the sheep will trust the shepherd to “lead them to green pastures and lie down” (rest). That is what is missing from those sites I visited. You can judge a pastor by the rest that the sheep have. Amen.

    I can’t wait to get the book!

    billy m.

  • Books of Judith and Maccabees

    Hi, Pastor John,

    I was looking up scriptures in the KJV, online, when two books, Judith and Maccabees also came up. Are these two books trustworthy?

    billy m.

    ==========

    Hi Billy.

    The book of Judith is worthless mythology. Don’t waste your time. Maccabees is recognized as having some historical value, but it cannot be completely trusted.
    jdc

  • “cult” time again. Yawwwwn.

    http://www.goingtojesus.com/site/php/spirit-of-a-serpent.html

    http://www.goingtojesus.com/site/php/trials-are-opportunities.html

    John,

    Wow, Brother –– is being blessed with persecution now… I’m a little jealous. 🙂 “Blessed are ye when men shall speak evil of you…”

    I have suffered this pain of “cult-rejection”, and now, 18 years later, I realize more what a blessing I really had … I almost wish I could go through it again, and embrace it more, and be more like Jesus. Man it hurt. It hurt BAD. I recall a few times just busting out in tears, and asking God for help.

    I think the way to really get the most out of it is to take the hurt and not strike back – “The Serpent and the Dove” tract is great for this, and “Trials are Opportunities”.

    One think I’d like to know about this most recent “cult” claim: Just what is this “cult” that we are a part of demanding that anyone DO, other than live right, and obey God, worship Jesus and His Father, and love people? What is it that stirs up such a violent reaction from people?

    Still haven’t figured that out yet. I just know it happens. It must be the light of the truth, shining on someone’s secret sin.

    Gary

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