"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4)

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In a world filled with philosophies and religions of every kind, the need for clarification is in high demand. The verses above, written by the Apostle Paul, tell us that the Gospel (The good news of God's Son and His sacrificial death to set people free from a dept they refuse to acknowledge) spoken by Jesus Christ and expounded by the Apostles as the Holy Spirit inspired them, is veiled to those perishing and in denial. 

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When writing to the believers in Rome, Paul said, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Why do people die? Why do we appreciate relationships, enjoy people, places, and things, then grow old and die? The Bible says we owe wages or debt to God because we hate Him by not acknowledging His existence. Worshipping false gods is idolatry or the refusal to confess the one true God. Instead, people make God in their image so that they can approve of themselves. Paul in 2 Corinthians calls the behavior mentioned above a veil or the inability to see the truth. The veil itself is manufactured by the god small "g" of this world or the devil and his demons through deception and lies.  

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There can be ten million lies, but there is only one truth. The lie is that everyone is entitled to their opinion as if everyone can be correct. In matters of taste, everyone can be right, but not so on principles. The truth is far too narrow for everyone's view to be valid unless, of course, all are agreed. 

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Why are Jews and Christians the most hated people on the planet? I will give you the reason. Written in man's heart is right and wrong; we call it a conscience, placed there by God the creator. The Gospel explained in Romans begins by saying, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness..." (Romans 1:18). The reason men suppress the truth is that it already exists in their mind through conviction over things they do wrong. Therefore, when God wrote two testaments, made His will clear and plain in the ten commandments, and explained their offense to God at the cross, the world became enraged because they couldn't deny it any longer. The hypocrisy of Israel and Christianity makes persecution much easier but no less satisfying. 

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A day is coming when Jesus Christ will fulfill His promise and return to earth. The first time he humbled Himself and became obedient to a criminal's death. When He returns, all men will experience what Revelation calls the wrath of the Lamb. God is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and as such, He continually desires justice for all the wrongs done. However, as the Lamb of God, He holds back His need for justice until the appointed time. He will obliterate and restore the earth to its former glory before its first destruction of The Great Deluge. All false religions will be done away with when He comes to rule by the hand of His people. A people that are not in word only but mighty in deed and righteousness, made so at the cross of Christ and the wedding feast of the Lamb yet to come. He will rule for one thousand years, and then comes The Great White Throne Judgment. Those found cleansed by the blood of the Lamb will experience eternal forgiveness and welcome themselves into the Divine Family. Those never chosen as the recipients of God's grace will receive the justice we all deserve, never having acknowledged God's word, truth, grace, and forgiveness. 

 

If the last line is too hard to comprehend, don't worry about it, no one can. If the last line is too hard to comprehend, don't worry about it, no one can. However, humble yourself, ask God to reveal the truth, and welcome you into His kingdom. There is a distinct difference between understanding a thing to be reasonable and, simultaneously, unable to comprehend it. No one can comprehend the infinite, but that does not mean the infinite as a concept is unreasonable. 
However, humble yourself, ask God to reveal the truth, and welcome you into His kingdom.

 

The last section of the Old Testament contains seventeen books of prophecies. Within them are words of warning, declarations of Israel's sins, coming judgments, and promises of restoration. God gave a name to His people and called them the nation of Israel. Israel was the grandson of Abraham, a man called out of a land of idolaters. God made a covenant with Abraham and blessed him, not based on his good works but on God's unmerited grace and mercy. The New Testament is the fulfillment of God's grace by sending His Son to fulfill the terms of God's covenant with Abraham. Those who believed in Christ repented of their sins, and whose way of life was radically altered to conform to God's will were called Christians. 

 

There is nothing in a name in and of itself. The world is filled with people who rest in the idea that because they belong to one group of people or another, their future in eternity if there is one, will be secure. Apart from all the world's false religions, there are Israelites and Christians, two groups whose religions God instituted. However, many prophecies speak about the corruption of Israel, and written into the commands to the Christian Church is the way and need to keep it pure in God's sight. In the book of Revelation are letters to seven churches, and only two are without severe words of warning against them. There is no value in a name when the people of that name stand condemned before God. Much of Israel and Christianity stand condemned by God today, clearly witnessed by the scriptures. 

 

The hope of eternal salvation lies in God's grace, who saves individuals and not groups of people. God desires that the people who come to a saving knowledge of God by His grace group together to walk together in obedience to God and to hold each other accountable in their walk with Him. One example of proof of the insignificance of a name, when there is no reality to substantiate the validity of that name, is contained in Isaiah 56. I comment on the following verses. 

 

1 "Thus says the LORD, "Preserve justice and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come and My righteousness to be revealed." Men can honor themselves all they want, but no one can stand as innocent when judgment is according to God's standards. 

 

2 "How blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who takes hold of it; who keeps from profaning the sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil." A name without a transformation of the way a person lives is worthless. 

 

3 - 5 "Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely separate me from His people." Nor let the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree." For thus says the LORD, "To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, to them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial,

and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off." God could not be more clear that He approves of the obedient, not those who name themselves but whom God names that will enter the eternal kingdom. 

 

6 & 7 Again, the prophet distinguishes between those who name themselves and those who love God by obeying Him. "Also the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants, every one who keeps from profaning the Sabbath and holds fast My covenant; even those I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples." God's authentic people trust in Him, which is observed by keeping the Sabbath, which is a day of resting in God's work. There is no more significant act of faith than praying to God. God detests offerings and sacrifices, which he repeats many times in His Word, that disobedient people offer. 

 

 If you want something to think about concerning the stumbling block of false religions, click the link below.