Hi John.

I was able to read through your Alpha and Omega paper* yesterday and this morning.  I don’t know that I had ever noticed before that the Father was the Alpha and Omega. The Isaiah 44 reference especially.  Well it makes sense that if Jesus was created the image of the Father that they BOTH would be.  But I found all those verses revealing and it takes slowing down to even consider.  On the other hand, I could see how oneness people could use these verses to prove that the Father and Son are one person (to support their doctrine).  It takes Jesus to understand anything.  Thank God for His mercy and ANY under standing of anything right.

Reading through Job has really helped me to understand that understanding (of Him) is not from intellect.  And I spent time going through the Old Meeting notes you sent, and am now reading through the Iron Kingdom papers on “addicts”, and the other on “holy days and times”.  And I’m telling Jesus, “Jesus let me understand these things”.

Thanks for all these things you are sending.  I’m swimming in papers, but what a way to go!  I’m thankful for everyone you send.  They are important to me.
Gary S.

*   Alpha and Omega PDF

Pastor John,

Last night you spoke about our dead relatives not looking down on us and not knowing what we are doing.  I had an experience with Jesus in 2011 and he put that in my heart.  It was an amazing experience and it changed me.

I had an unnatural fear of death set in on me as a child.  I remember the day it happened.  I can still see exactly where I was sitting that day, when an understanding came on me that we are all going to die at some point.  With it came a heavy fear and I sobbed for hours that day.  I carried that fear with me into adulthood.  When I had my children, just the thought of leaving them here alone would bring tears and that heavy fear.  I couldn’t bring myself to begin to really seek Jesus because the fear of death was so consuming.

One afternoon, after Jesus really started dealing with my heart and at the very beginning of asking him for the holy ghost, Jesus took me flying with him.  I was sitting quietly talking to Jesus about things, and in a moment, I was with Jesus.

Jesus was on my right-hand side, and I could see the brightness of him, but I could not see his face.  We were holding hands and flying over a large rock cliff that went over a sea.  There was no color except the brightness coming off of Jesus.  I would call it white, but it really was just a brightness.

As I held his hand and flew next to him, I was one with him.  I understand being in him more because of this experience.  We were next to each other, but we were one.  I felt the most wonderful warmth coming from him.

As I flew with him, I understood that when we are with him, we do not have one thought of this world.  Not one.  I understood I would not be with Jesus mourning my children.  They wouldn’t even be a thought.  As I realized that in the air with Jesus, it brought such a peace.  I still have that peace.  Jesus changed my heart that day.

At the very end of that experience, Jesus showed me a large painter’s pail and inside of it were so many beautiful colors.  They were all swirled next to the other, but none of them bled into each other, and I was fascinated by that.  I knew that when we reached that pail, we would tip it over and all the colors would spill out and fill the earth, instead of that gray color.  I looked at Jesus, and he said, “Let’s go pour some sunshine on my world!” ….  Then Jerry,  who had dozed off next to me, moved and Jesus dropped me.  I fell straight down to where I was sitting before he took me flying.

I can still feel what it felt like to fall.  It took me days to get over not being with him.  Just ask my husband!!  I mourned having to come back here and leave him.

Actually, I don’t think I am over it yet!
Beth D.   

Hi, Pastor John.

I was reading in Ephesians this morning and was touched by these verses in chapter 5, verses 31-33, which talk about the love of a man concerning his wife as loving himself (and her) as being one body. 

Pastor John’s Version:

31. “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and his mother and cleave to his wife, and they two shall be one body.”
32. This is a great mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the Assembly of God.
33. In any case, let each man among you love his wife as he loves himself.  And let the wife reverence her husband.

I read vs. 32 and had to stop.  Paul was speaking about what Jesus did for the Assembly (or body).  So, I read vs 31 again, substituting Jesus instead of the man.

“For this reason, Jesus left his Father and will cleave to His bride, and they two shall be one body (with the Father because Jesus said he and his Father will take up his abode in us).”  After doing this, I felt so much love from Jesus that I fell to my knees in tears.  Just to think that Jesus left everything and his daddy just so we can be one body together with him (and his Father).  It is a “great mystery”, as Paul said in vs. 32. 

Jesus is doing nothing more than loving himself (and his Father) by loving us.  My . . . now we can love the Father as Jesus loves Him, too. 

The wonderful thing is, you don’t have to have an earthly husband or wife for this to happen as long as you are Jesus’ bride. 

Love always,

Billy

Pastor John,

For all that Christianity is (bad), it is from God, a response to believers’ rejection of the truth of Paul’s gospel.  That is the 10,000-foot view that puts it into perspective in a way that it needs to be.

Christianity reigning over God’s people is much like Egypt reigning over the Israelites.  God’s heart and His ways have not changed.  The Old Testament in the Bible tells us much about the heart and the judgments of God right now.

Thanks,

Jerry

You know dear teacher, some may ask, “Why does one need to learn about the kings of the Bible?” 

I already have the answer to that question and since you are my teacher, I wanted to tell you what I have learned. 1. Anything that God has given us has something in it for us.  God does not do something for naught, for no reason.

Do you know that is in my heart, not my head.  That came from you learning about the tabernacle and seeing what Jesus gave you about the sacrifice of Christ.  It comes from everything that I have learned and understood as you have taught us.

When I read the Bible, I know there is a reason God has it in there. I love that! 

2. As I am reading in 1Kings and through 1 and 2Chronicles, I am seeing what God hated and what pleased God.  I am seeing the mercy and the love of God, over and over again.

You said that on our Old Testament CD for class*, and when I heard it, I felt like it perfectly sums up everything that I am learning and loving, from studying about the Old Testament kings.  I just wanted to tell you what is going into my heart from sitting at your feet.  I thank Jesus for letting me do that.

“Israel divorced God, but God is contesting the divorce!  They are saying. “We don’t want you!  And He is saying, “You are still mine”.

What love! 

Beth D.  

*  Old Testament Course (Pt. 1) – Going to Jesus.com

Pastor John,

Before Copernicus (I guess), men knew the two heavenly lights described in the book of Genesis were moving in and out of our sight, traversing some heavenly path carved out for them above the flat plane beneath our feet.  Or at least that the two luminaries were orbiting our stationary sphere – for those undecided about the shape.  But no one ever dreamed (I don’t think) of declaring Earth to be some kind of displaced rock hurling through space as incidental dust, the way evolutionists do.  As you once said, Pastor John, about such evolutionary thinking, “It can’t be, because it leaves out the love of God.”

I think men were full of wisdom, once, to recognize they were surrounded by a creation.  But that, like so many other truths, is now hidden from men.

I loved your photos of the moon over the ocean.  Almost as brilliant as the sun!

Jerry

Hi, Pastor John,

Beautiful!  I feel this is my favorite section, yet.  The short paragraphs about Phileas touched me greatly.  Here is a man that was killed for the true gospel!  It’s amazing that his story survived throughout the centuries.  This section left me with an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness and gratitude.  I walked around my house this morning and felt a gratitude for turning on lights, seeing the cleanliness of a house from a loving wife that takes such good care of me, clothes, food, and even the pleasures and blessings that God has bestowed upon all of us to enjoy with each other.  And more than anything, feeling peace all around us at this time in history is one the more treasured blessings that we can have, knowing that the gospel which we can serve in sincerity and truth is acceptable to God (if our hearts are clean).

We can serve and praise God with our whole hearts, with gladness and joy knowing the truths that God has given you over the years (not only for us, but for all who will heed God’s call) will set us free so that we can do so without any hindrance.  In fact, we are encouraged to do so and “behave ourselves” in the Spirit.

I thank God that you have the time and heart to labor to do the research and archive this history.  After reading these things, I feel my eyes are clearer to see the value in serving God with sincerity and truth in the truth of Paul’s gospel. What we have together is precious.  It’s a miracle that any truth of Paul’s gospel survived throughout the centuries.  The only reason it did (I feel) is that God wanted it so for someone, somewhere, to honor his Son Jesus without all of the filters of ceremonies in all the brands of Christianity.

It is fearful and sobering that Jesus called us to this truth.  Like you said, “What does God want from us?”  I don’t truly know.  I just know I feel so thankful this morning for everything that Jesus has given to me (us).  Fellowship is an honor!  The least I can do is live a holy life in the Spirit that Jesus died for us to have.

Love always,

Billy

John,

This new section from the Iron Kingdom book concerning “addicts” and ceremonies is fabulous.  It was so exciting to read!  I just wish all God’s people could understand the importance of it, and even care!  But all the way through the reading of it, I kept thinking, “Jesus, I am so blessed to understand this, and why it matters!!”

Thank you for your work on it.  Somehow, God will one day get it out there – I feel certain of it.  We just have to wait for God to get His people’s hearts ready, I suppose.  It seems that indifference to truth is so locked in right now that only very bad times for God’s people will jar their hearts to open up.

Anyway, I did not find typos, and it was great – your best work ever in my opinion.  Completely clear and exciting to read.

Gary

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John,

I enjoyed reading this section.  You have made it very clear how ceremonial worship became a “substitute for being led by the spirit.” 
As I read through this section, I could remember growing up in Catholicism, learning about and participating in various ceremonies, at times even with sincerity.  It is only by the mercy of Jesus that he brought me out.

Thanks for all your work.

Tom

Pastor John,

How does one know if they have heard the voice of Jesus versus the Spirit talking?  Does it actually sound differently?  I have heard audible words before, but how do I know if it was Jesus or the Spirit?

Thanks,
Anna

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Hi Anna,

Most of the time, the litmus test is related to one’s heart.  How did Abraham know that it was God who told him to leave his homeland, or to kill his son Isaac, except by having a perfectly clear conscience?  And the same may be said about others who obeyed God’s commandment to do something they would rather not do.  We can trust Jesus to help us always to know him as long as we are doing our part.  In all such cases, this applies:  “My sheep know my voice, and another they will not follow.”

Concentrate on being righteous, and you will feel where a thought comes from, for, as Solomon said, “The thoughts of the righteous are right.”  Even at that, however, it will take some experiences to become confident in how you feel about the thoughts that will certainly come, whether they are from God or not.  So, be patient with yourself!  God loves you.  If you err, He will use that error to make you more like Him.  He did that with Abraham when fear made that great man think it was a good idea to lie — twice —  about who Sarah really was.

On the other hand, on those rare occasions when God chooses to speak audibly, there is no mistaking that voice.  He is His own witness.  No second opinion, or even biblical confirmation, is needed.  When the Israelites heard it at Mount Sinai, they ran from the mountain.  Even Moses trembled.

That’s as close to an answer I can come to, based on my own experience and understanding.  In sum, as that old hymn says (almost), “Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way to be sure it is Jesus, but to Trust and Obey.”

Thank you for the question, Anna.  And as with anything, I — or anyone else — may ever say about anything, God will do whatever He chooses to do — including (if He chooses) keeping us in the dark about a voice that speaks to us or an event that happens to us, to try our heart.  Just ask Job.

Pastor John

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Hi Pastor John,

Thank you for your response.  It was so good, and I’ll be referring back to it.  I have question, though, just to clarify.  You referred to God talking to the Israelites, and how this caused them, as well as Moses, to tremble.  If we have truly heard from the Lord, and have no doubt about it, but it was not thunderous or terrifying, should it be assumed that it was not actually the voice of Jesus or God, but rather the Spirit?  The reason I’m asking is because I think I recall you saying recently in a meeting that few of us have actually heard Jesus’ voice, but rather heard the Spirit.  I know, as the song goes, “His voice makes the difference,” so I’m seeking more clarification if possible.

Thank you,

Anna

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Hi Anna.

Aaron pointed out to me that I had misunderstood your question, and I had not had the time yet to get back with you.  Thank you for writing back.

Just because the Spirit has spoken to us in our heart does not mean that we have heard the actual voice of Jesus.  It is true that when the Spirit speaks within us, it is the Lord talking to us, but he sometimes speaks in an audible voice.  That is what I meant by just a few of us having heard the Lord’s voice.  But however Jesus speaks, his voice makes all the difference.  We need his guiding hand!

Thank you again for helping clear things up for me.

Pastor John