Rich Man And Lazarus

The Rich Man And Lazarus Parable - What does this illustration mean?

Luke 16:14-31

A parable is an illustration. What is the story of the Richman and Lazarus an illustration of? Is is one of afterlife? Well, let's examine it part by part. It tells us that the beggar died and went to Abraham's bossom. Well, the Bible says that Abraham was still in the grave, since no one went to heaven before Jesus died. Acts 26:23; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 So, where was Abraham? Abraham was in the grave, like King David, and all mankind were. Acts 2:29,34 So, how could a beggar literally go to Abraham's bossom? These and other questions will be answered shortly.

TWO HELLS

The Greek word hades is translated as "hell" and so is the Greek word "gehenna."  What's the difference, if any?

 In a previous note below, I outlined the Bible's meaning of hellfire translated from the Greek word "gehenna, " as being the valley outside of Jerusalem that was used as a garbage dump that was kept burning day and night to turn all the waste to ash.  Included in that waste were the dead bodies of animals and criminals.  But, neither the animals, nor the criminals felt the flames of the garbage dump, since they were dead. [Death is defined in another paragraph below.]  But, we find that the "hell" mentioned in the parable or illustration that Jesus gave about the Rich Man and Lazarus is translated from the Greek word "hades," not "gehenna."   Luke 16:22-23 tells us in part,  ". . . . .the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell [hades] he lift up his eyes, being in torments . . . . ."    Is there a difference between this hades [hell] and the gehenna [hellfire]? 

What is hellfire?

Yes, there was a literal "hellfire" in Jesus day. The KJV of the Bible translates the Greek word "gehenna" into the English word "hellfire;" but, do you know what "gehenna" means?

It was the Greek name of the Valley of Hinnom outside of Jerusalem that was kept burning 24.7 with brimstone (sulphur) for the purpose of burning up the refuse thrown there. This refuse included the dead bodies of animals and criminals who didn't deserve a descent honorable burial in a tomb. But, these dead bodies did NOT feel anything, since they were already dead. Death according to the Biblical definition is an unconscious state. Psalm 146:4 explains, "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." Also, please read Ecclesiastes 9:5-6,10. Therefore, "hellfire" represented the dishonorable death of evildoers. It didn't mean they were tortured. It meant they were not worthy of a resurrection to an eternal life. How do we know?

Begotten & Created 2

Some are confused regarding the word ‘begotten’ thinking it means the same thing as ‘created’. The difference between ‘begotten’ and ‘created’ is clearly seen when we compare Christ with Lucifer (before his fall). What is the difference between Christ and Lucifer?

Proverbs 8:24, 25 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.

- Twice we are told that Christ was “brought forth” or “begotten.”

Ezekiel 28:13, 15 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

- Twice we are told that Lucifer was “created.” Christ was “brought forth” while Lucifer was “created.” There is a world of difference between these two words.

To say that “begotten” means the same thing as “created” is to equate Christ with Lucifer! People should be careful before they dishonor Christ in such a way.

Jesus Christ is the only-begotten Son of God. He was begotten of the Father in the ages of eternity past. He was not created out of nothing, as Lucifer was, but was brought forth from the substance of His Father. This is the evidence and proof of His divinity and deity. This was His consistent teaching while here on earth, and this is the testimony of the Scriptures.

Ten Commandments

Ten Commandments are often referred to as the “testimony”.
The Ten Commandments are recorded in full in Exodus 20:3-17. Briefly they are as follows:

1. You shall have no other Gods before Me.
2. You shall not make unto thee any graven image.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5. Honour your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness.
10. You shall not covet.

The first four deal with our love to God, and the last six deal with our love for our fellowman. They can be divided into these two sections. There is one underlying principle behind these commands – LOVE. In these commands we see a transcript of God’s character: “God is love”. At first they may appear to be a list of “don’ts, but when a Christian is motivated by love, he wants to please God and respect his fellowman.

James 2:8-12 If you really fulfill the ROYAL LAW according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET STUMBLE IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be JUDGED BY THE LAW OF LIBERTY.

There is no virtue in keeping 9 commandments instead of ten. If a man is hanging from a great height by a chain with ten links, and only one link breaks, he falls. The strength of the chain is dependent on its weakest link. If we willingly break one of God’s commandments, we are as guilty as if we break them all. True, we are not saved by keeping the law, but this text shows we will be judged by it. If Jesus reigns within, He will give us the strength to keep it.

Psalm 111:7,8 The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. THEY STAND FAST FOREVER AND EVER, and are done in truth and uprightness.

God’s commandments are eternal.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; HERE ARE THOSE WHO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD and the faith of Jesus.

God’s last people on earth before the end of time are commandment keepers. There is no thought that the law is abolished, instead they establish it.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD AND KEEP
HIS COMMANDMENTS, FOR THIS IS MAN’S ALL.

John 14:15 IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.

The test of love is obedience. Friend, do you love Jesus enough to obey Him? Remember, He loved you enough to die for you. His plea to you today is to keep His commandments. They are not grievous – in fact to keep them, will keep you out of trouble in this life, and bring you happiness. God’s way of willing obedience is the best way, and if Jesus is supreme in your life, He will give you the strength to keep the commandments of God.

Remember the SABBATH

Exodus 20:8-11 REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but THE SEVENTH DAY IS THE SABBATH of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. FOR IN SIX DAYS THE LORD MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

There are many who say all is well providing we worship one day in seven, but God is specific. He says; “Remember the SABBATH day”, not any other day. He further states, “The SEVENTH DAY is the Sabbath”. A Look at most calendars shows Saturday to be the seventh day. Some modern calendars have made a change in the order of the days of the week, but this is a very recent change.

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and THE WORD WAS GOD. He was in the beginning with God. ALL THINGS WERE MADE THROUGH HIM, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

The “Word” in this chapter is Christ (see verse 14). Here we see that nothing was made without Christ. If Christ therefore is responsible for the existence of all things, then He also made the Sabbath.

Man changes his views and ideas, but God is perfect – He never changes. In His sight good is always good and evil is always evil. His principles of righteousness are eternal.

Genesis 2:1-3 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and HE RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY from all His work which He had done. Then God BLESSED the seventh day and SANCTIFIED it, because in it He RESTED from all His work which God had created and made.

Here is this world’s first Sabbath. God set the example by working six days and resting on the seventh. Notice how He blessed this day. To bless means to make happy, but obviously it has a deeper meaning than the mere surface happiness – it involves real satisfaction. Secondly, God sanctified it, or “set it apart” for a holy use. It was a day different from all other days. No matter how sincerely a person may keep another day other than the Sabbath, it does not make it a holy day. Only God can make a day holy. Thirdly, it is a rest day.

Begotten & Created

Christ is not a created being. The misunderstanding in people’s mind is due to the false assumption that the words ‘begotten’ and ‘created’ mean the same thing. The fact is they do not mean the same thing at all.

The Bible gives us examples of both showing the difference between them. From the Bible we learn that God created the world out of nothing.

Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 

Psa 33:7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. 

Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 

Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Thus we see a clear demonstration of the meaning of the word “create”, which is to make something out of nothing. It is when something comes into existence while there was no pre-existing matter for it to come from. Therefore it is created.

Question of all Questions

Matthew 19:16, “And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do,, that I may have eternal life?”

Isn’t that the question of all questions? What must I do to have eternal life? That was the earnest question of this young man who came to Jesus. I don’t know of any more important question to answer than the question that the young man asked, What must I do to have eternal life?

Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

Remember that that is the reply of the greatest person that’s ever lived, on religious matters, Jesus Himself, and He said, If you’re going to enter into life, keep the commandments.

The Sunday-keepers who preach on the subject of what must I do to be saved, I have never heard one quote the text of Jesus, and that is, “If ye enter into life, keep the commandments.” The text that they usually turn up is Paul’s statement in Acts 16, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved.” I have never heard them turn up this verse in Matthew 19. And yet this is a strange thing that the greatest authority, when it comes to eternal life, is Jesus Himself, and He is never consulted. Jesus said, “If you’ll enter into life, keep the commandments.”

If you’ll read on there’s no question as to what commandments He’s referring to. You see, there was an argument amongst the Jews as to which commandments you had to keep, the Jewish law, the old ceremonies, or the Ten Commandments. That’s why in the next verse the young man says to Him)

Verse 18. “He said unto Him, Which?”

Which Lord? The Jewish ones, traditions, or the Ten Commandments? What did Jesus say?

Verses 18:19. “Jesus said, Thou shall do no murder, Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not steal, Thou shall not bear false witness,
19. “Honor thy father and thy mother.”

Where’s He quoting from? The Ten Commandments. And so Jesus said, if you’ll enter into life, you keep the Ten Commandments. Remember this, that that’s the greatest authority on religious matters that ever walked this earth, Jesus Himself. He said, “Keep the commandments.”

Clean & Unclean

Act 10:9  The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.

Act 10:10  And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance

Act 10:11  and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.

Act 10:12  In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.

Act 10:13  And there came a voice to him: "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."

Act 10:14  But Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."

Act 10:15  And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common."

Act 10:16  This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

Act 10:17  Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate

Act 10:18  and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.

Act 10:19  And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you.

Act 10:20  Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them."

Act 10:21  And Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?"

Act 10:22  And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say."

Act 10:23  So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

Act 10:24  And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.

Act 10:25  When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.

Act 10:26  But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am a man."

Act 10:27  And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.

Act 10:28  And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

Act 10:29  So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me."

In Acts 10, Peter's vision was about MEN. Jewish tradition was to not enter the home of a gentile because they and their home would be "unclean." The vision of the sheet with unclean items uses the same terminology that Peter uses in verse 28, proving this point: 

28) "And he (Peter) said to them (gentiles), 'You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean.'" 

The whole point of the vision was that gentiles were to be included in the covenant, not to change non-food to food.

SDA Fundamental Statements

1872 Fundamental Statement of Seventh-day Adventists

I. That there is one God, a personal, spiritual being, the creator of all things, omnipotent, omniscient, and eternal, infinite in wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness, truth, and mercy; unchangeable, and everywhere present by his representative, the Holy Spirit. Ps. 139:7.

II. That there is one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal Father, the one by whom God created all things, and by whom they do consist; that he took on him the nature of the seed of Abraham for the redemption of our fallen race; that he dwelt among men full of grace and truth, lived our example, died our sacrifice, was raised for our justification, ascended on high to be our only mediator in the sanctuary in Heaven, where, with his own blood he makes atonement for our sins; which atonement so far from being made on the cross, which was but the offering of the sacrifice, is the very last portion of his work as priest according to the example of the Levitical priesthood, which foreshadowed and prefigured the ministry of our Lord in Heaven. See Lev. 16; Heb. 8:4, 5; 9:6, 7; &c.

Talk to God About the Sabbath!

Lord, I have been thinking about the Sabbath. Some people keep it; some say it isn’t important. Should I be concerned about it?

"One man esteemeth one day above another : Another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" (Romans 14:5)

Then tell me about the Sabbath. Is every day alike or do you have a special day of rest for Your followers?

"I was in the Spirit on THE LORD’S DAY: (Revelation 1:10)

God's Love

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Is faith the science of unseen realities or is it believing what doesn‟t make understandable meaning? Would a loving Creator leave me in this confusion after giving me a mind created in the likeness of his own creative mind? Would He expect me to suffer on through the years ignorant of His nature, His reality, or wouldn‟t He rather at least try to give me a knowledge of Himself and His Son whom to know is life eternal? (John 17)

1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

God [the father, the only true God] manifests his love to us by giving his only  son.

Unpopular Truth

Why is the devil so fiercely opposed to the truth that Jesus is the true Son of God? It is not difficult to find the answer to this question. The Bible declares that God's love is revealed in the fact that God gave His Son to die for mankind (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9,10). How can we understand and appreciate the wonder of that love if we fail to discern the identity of the One who was sent? If we fail to grasp the value of the gift that was given and what it cost God to give it? It is only as we understand Christ's identity that we shall love God as we should (1 John 4:19). Therefore our love for God and our victory over sin are linked to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:5)?" No wonder the devil hates this truth!

What is difficult to understand is why Christians should so determinedly oppose the plainest statements of the word of God. Why should persons who claim to love God and to desire His glory so stubbornly oppose the one truth which reveals the love of God more fully than anything else in the universe? This truly is a mystery almost as great as the so-called Trinity!

Hundreds of years ago during the fourth century AD the spirit of compromise, the desire for worldly popularity combined with the influence of paganism, brought the doctrine of the trinity into the Christian faith. Since that time it has become so deeply ingrained into the traditions of Christendom that it has become the foundation doctrine of most Christian denominations and it is considered blasphemy to speak against it. But why do Christian men and women cling so tenaciously to the error? Why, in the light of the plain statements of Scripture, do they continue to embrace a Trinitarian God? The answer is popularity. No church will be accepted today (this has been true for the past 1500 years) unless it professes belief in the trinity. A denial of the trinity will result in a church instantly receiving the label of CULT. Therefore, this doctrine which is entirely founded upon the traditions of men rather than the word of God has risen to such universal prominence that when one simply expresses the biblical truth that Jesus is the Son of God, he is accused of heresy. 

What is Hell?

The word HELL in the Bible is translated from GEHENNA- (Ge.hen'na) [Gr. form of the Heb. Geh Hin.nom', "Valley of Hinnom"]. This name appears 12 times in the Christian Greek Scriptures.

Gehenna was a the deep, narrow Valley of Hinnom, later known by this Greek name, and lay to the south/southwest of ancient Jerusalem and is the modern-day Wadi er-Rababi (Ge Ben Hinnom). (Jos 15:8; 18:16; Jer 19:2, 6) Judean Kings Ahaz and Manasseh engaged in idolatrous worship there, which included the making of human sacrifices by fire to Baal. (2Ch 28:1, 3; 33:1, 6; Jer 7:31, 32; 32:35) God said this was "a thing that I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart" (Jer 7:31; 32:35). God looked at this as a terrible thing. Why would he use this as a picture of what he himself wanted to do? Where God planning to do the same, or was this the place they choose, away from God?

According to Jewish commentator David Kimhi Gehenna was "… a place in the land adjoining Jerusalem, and it is a loathsome place, and they throw their unclean things and carcasses. Also there was a continual fire there to burn the unclean things and the bones of the carcasses. Hence, the judgment of the wicked ones is called parabolically Gehinnom."

The Deity Of Christ

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord," Rev.1:8, Again the Lord said: "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:" Rev. 1:11.

Not everything has a beginning nor does everything have an ending. God Himself never had a beginning and He will not have an ending. He is the self-existent One, who never had a beginning.

If there is one truth that the Bible teaches, it is that there is only one absolute God and none beside Him who is an absolute God. In the 15th chapter of First Corinthians, Paul teaches this doctrine so there can be no doubt as to Christ's subordination and submission to the Father. Paul says: "Then cometh the end, when He (Christ) shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; ... For He (the Father) hath put all things under His (Christ's) feet. But that He (God) is excepted, which did put all things under Him (Christ). And when all things shall be subdued unto Him (Christ), then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him (God) that put all things under Him (Christ), that God may be all in all." 1 Cor. 15:24-28.

What you worship?

Our most important work is to magnify the presence of God wherever and whenever possible in the world. Surely no one of us is up to the task, even though we "are fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) by a generous and loving God. But we are assured that we need only to care for the world as God does in order to be true disciples. With persistent prayer (Luke 18:6-7) and a steadfast faith (2 Timothy 3:14), we will love the prisoner, welcome the stranger (Hebrews 13:1-3), give to others abundantly, and rejoice when they cannot repay us (Luke 14:14). These everyday gestures to family, friends, co-workers, and strangers will reveal to all that we worship the one true God.

Every religion is based upon some conception of God. Unfortunately many religions are based upon a conception of false gods, and some are even based upon false conceptions of the true God.

One thing is sure, for those who choose to worship, their whole life and character is molded by the type of person they perceive their God to be.

2Co 3:18 So our faces are not covered. They show the bright glory of the Lord, as the Lord's Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord. 

People who worship a harsh and cruel god will generally become harsh and cruel themselves. People who worship a pretender, role player god will become generally role player and pretender themselves. So a person’s perception of God dramatically affects whether that person is a good person or not, and it ultimately will determine whether that person will live forever or be destroyed in the lake of fire.

Why Was Lucifer Jealous

Why Was Lucifer Jealous of the Son of God?

Isa 14:13,14 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Satan’s desire was to be like the Most High, yet if the “second person of the Godhead” was actually the Most High in the same way as the Father, then why would Lucifer be Jealous?

The Law Of God

It is commonly believed by many Christians today that God’s commandments were meant for those who lived in Old Testament times, and do not apply to Christians who are under grace in the New Testament. The Bible has much to say on the subject of law and grace, but even though it is true that Christians are saved by faith in Christ, nowhere does it say God’s laws are not binding upon man. Keeping the commandments is not the method of salvation, but the fruit of it. Obedience to God is the test of the genuine Christian.

Son of God

When did Jesus become the Son of God?

Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

The thought that I want from that text is that GOD CANNOT LIE.

God the Father could not have called Christ as a Son until He became His Son. Does this sound logical? If Jesus had existed before He became God's Son, then God may have called Him as a brother, as a friend, may even have been said to call Himself, if as some say, Jesus was God Himself. However, He could not have called Him as His Son until He became His Son.

So, when did Jesus become the Son of God?

Who is Jesus?

The Bible makes it clear that there is one God only and none other but He. This one God is the Father:

Deuteronomy 4:35

Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.

Ephesians 4:6 

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1 Corinthians 8:6 

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Trinity so loved the world

God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son.

Still Trinitarians claim that they believe this... but in actuality they have to read it like this... For the Trinity so loved the world that it gave us a third of themselves.

Or "God the trinity loved the world so much that two of the members pretended to be a father and son, and this pretender father pretended that he gave this pretender son to the world, that if we believe these pretenders we would have eternal life". Imagine we are being told to believe pretenders. My bible calls this a "cunningly devised fable"

That's the Trinitarian gospel. And these trinitarians want us to believe in this God which is in actuality 3 Gods but yet 1 God 3 pretenders, manifestations, liars or whatever other versions of this office of persons is.

I personally like John 3:16 just the way it is. And praise God that we have a true "unity of the faith and knowledge of the son of God"[Eph 4:13]

Ellen White and Godhead.

 Who was the first, second, and third highest being in heaven before the fall?


“The Son of God was next in authority to the great Lawgiver. He knew that His life alone could be sufficient to ransom fallen man.” (Ellen White, Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, page 9, also in Lift Him Up, page 24) 


“Satan’s position in heaven had been next to the Son of God. He was first among the angels.” (Ellen White, Selected Messages, book 1, page 341)


Please note that Christ was next in authority behind his father.  The third highest being was none other than Satan himself. 


“Lucifer in heaven, before his rebellion, was a high and exalted angel, next in honor to God’s dear Son.” {The Story of Redemption, p.15}


“Satan, the chief of the fallen angels, once had an exalted position in Heaven. He was next in honor to Christ.” (Ellen White, Review & Herald, February 24, 1874) 


“Speaking of Satan, our Lord says that “he abode not in the truth.” He was once the covering cherub, glorious in beauty and holiness. He was next to Christ in exaltation and character. It was with Satan that self-exaltation had its origin. He became jealous of Christ, and falsely accused him, and then laid blame upon the Father. He was envious of the position that was held by Christ and the Father, and he turned from his allegiance to the Commander of heaven and lost his high and holy estate.” (Ellen White, Review & Herald, October 22, 1895) 


Note:  Christ and the father are the highest beings in heaven.  Satan wanted to be like God.  He wasn’t envious of a Holy Spirit being.  He wanted to be part of a trinity of beings.  He became jealous of the son of God.  Now on this planet he has declared there is a trinity of beings to be worshipped.  When the father and son alone are to be exalted.  He has created a false God.

If the trinity is true

If the trinity is true, Then Christ was a co-eternal being who took the role of the son. While another being pretended to be the son.

"In order to eradicate sin and rebellion from the universe and to restore harmony and peace, one of the divine Beings accepted, and entered into, the role of the Father, another the role of the Son. The remaining divine Being, the Holy Spirit,... By accepting the roles that the plan entailed, the divine Beings lost none of the powers of Deity.... The divine Beings entered into the roles they had agreed upon before the foundations of the world were laid." (The Week of Prayer issue of the Adventist Review, October 31, 1996)

Who gave his son?

If Jesus was not actually God's Son, then what sacrifice did the Father make? Whom did He give? Another God? A friend? A colleague? This does not demonstrate love on the Father's part, but rather selfishness, in sending another, rather than coming Himself! Yet the whole point of John 3:16 is the love of God (the Father)."God so loved the world ..." If we embrace the idea of three Gods in one, or one God in three (the trinity), then which one are we talking about here? All three? Or only the Father? "God so loved ... that He gave His ... Son..." Did the Father give His Son? Did the Holy Spirit give His Son? Did the Son give His Son? These questions are ridiculous, and yet, they need to be asked in order that we may clearly see what the text is saying. God is the Father. It is He who gave His Son. It is He who had a Son to give. The Son is not the God who gave His Son, neither is the Holy Spirit that God. The focus of this text is the love of God; but we must understand that this refers specifically to the Father. It is His love which is being emphasized here. It is He who is God. (1 Cor. 8:6)

Spirit is Presence

"For it is the presence, power, life and character of God and His Son"

Explanation:

HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENCE OF GOD AND SON

 Psalms 51:11 "Cast me not away from thy PRESENCE; and take not thy holy spirit from me."

Psalms 139:7  "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy PRESENCE?"

Romans 8:9-11  "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the SPIRIT OF GOD DWELL IN YOU. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, he is none of his. And if CHRIST BE IN YOU, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the SPIRIT IS LIFE because of righteousness. But if the SPIRIT OF HIM (GOD) that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by HIS SPIRIT that dwelleth in you."

By the Spirit (their presence) is Jesus and God the Father abiding in us. But there is no mention of a third being abiding in us! The Spirit (power, mind, presence) of God is not limited to being stuck with Him. Paul says in 1 Cor. 2:11 "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the SPIRIT OF MAN WHICH IS IN HIM? EVEN SO the things of God knoweth no man, but the SPIRIT OF GOD."<- (no mention of it being limited to being only in GOD) But Paul makes a parallel comparison of both by saying "EVEN SO" or "just like". Paul can make this comparison because he knows that we are made in the image of God.

HOLY SPIRIT IS POWER OF GOD AND SON

Luke 4:14 "And Jesus returned in the POWER OF THE SPIRIT into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about."

Romans 15:19 "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ."

The Roman Catholic Inquisition

E. B. said:
In my bible it says that we are to preach the gospel. It doesn't say that we are to preach our opinions about different churches and the people that go to those churches.

G. C. said:
The Word Cult is'nt in the Bible because Christians back then were in Unity (catholic) Then we ended up with a bunch of Crack pots and all founded in America !

God the Holy Spirit!

It is ultimately our own decision if we want to focus and promote what is not in scripture. I have never read of any disciples or apostles doing the things that we do in churches today regarding the Holy Spirit! They never prayed to IT, they never worshipped IT, they never honoured IT, and they never say that IT shares or is part of the Throne of Father and the Lamb.

If the bible is silent regarding performing these things that are sooooo common in a Christians life today... then these actions must be the traditions and doctrines of men!

Do I believe in God the Holy Spirit... no I do not!

Do I believe in God's Holy Spirit... yes I do! For it is the presence, power, life and character of God and His Son!

"That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3

What I think of Jesus Christ

"But if I am asked what I think of Jesus Christ, my reply is, I believe all that the Scriptures say of him. If the testimony represents him as being in glory with the Father before the world was, I believe it. If it is said that he was in the beginning with God, that he was God, that all things were made by him and for him, and that without him was not anything made that was made, I believe it. If the Scriptures say he is the Son of God, I believe it. If it is declared that the Father sent his Son into the world, I believe he had a Son to send. … Children inherit the name of their father. The Son of God “hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than” the angels” (R. F. Cottrell, The Review & Herald, June 1 1869, emphasis in the original).

Did the Jews kill Jesus?

The general assumption accepted through the centuries by Muslims is that God loved His prophet so much that just before the crucifixion, He lifted up Jesus into heaven and allowed someone else made to resemble Him to be crucified in His place.

The key passage from the Qur'an upon which this assumption is based states: "And because of [the Jews'] disbelief and because of their saying: We slew the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, Allah's messenger--They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain. But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise" (Surah 4, Al-Nisa, 156-158).

The Comforter

John 15:26

Some quote John 15:26 and claim that the ‘comforter’ is Muhammad. Let’s read few parallel verse and we can see who this ‘comforter’ is.

Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

You see, the comforter is Spirit, which proceedeth from the Father (Allah). Muhammad not a ‘Spirit’ proceedeth from Allah.

Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Muhammad not ‘abide’ in us

Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

We know and saw Muhammad and he did not ‘dwelleth’ in us neither he is in us.

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Again, Muhammad is not a Holy Ghost but human beings.

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Not Muhammad neither Gabriel who deliver the Quran to Muhammad ‘appeared unto us cloven tongues like as of fire’. And I never read or heard a Muslim filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

So, obviously the ‘Comforter’ which is the Bible talking about is not Muhammad.

Messiah

Messiah, Masih, Mashiach, Christos

Messiah is the transliteration of a Hebrew term, Mashiach. The New Testament (Greek) equivalent is Christos. Both terms mean "the anointed one." The verb mashach, found about 140 times in the Old Testament, means "to smear, anoint, or spread."

The verb was frequently used for the ceremonial induction into leadership.

The anointing meant that someone was authorized to serve God in a position of honor and responsibility. Divine enablement often accompanied the anointing. While many were anointed, only One was given the title of "the Anointed One."


Masih ad-Dajjal (Arabic: المسيح الدجّال al-Masīḥ ad-Daǧǧāl, Arabic for "the false messiah") is an evil figure in Islamic eschatology. He is to appear pretending to be Masih (i.e. the Messiah) at a time in the future, before Yawm al-Qiyamah (Judgment Day), directly comparable to the figures of the Antichrist.

The Truth of the Bible

What does the Qur'an say about it?

Muslims and Christians believe in the infallibility of the original biblical manuscripts. But many adherents of Islam think that today's Bible has undergone substantial changes with regard to its early manuscripts and their translated versions. However, the Qur'an does not support this claim unanimously! In fact, it makes it clear that the Bible, known as the Torah and the Injil, was found reliable in Muhammad's time, the sixth century. To prove that the twentieth century Bible is still authentic it only has to be compared with a copy from the sixth century.

Islam in the Bible

The concept of ‘Islam’ in the Bible

Do we find the word of “Islam” in the Bible?

We do not find it as a term, for which there are three reasons:

• It is an Arabic word, and the Bible in our hand is an English translation of Ancient Greek and Hebrew.
• Islam” is a translatable word. Since it bears some meaning, it lends itself to translation.
• Many religions of today, being identified by means of names ending with “ism” and “ity”, did not exist during Biblical times. There was either the religion of obeying the One and Only God, or there was idolatry. People were either believers in the One God, or they were pagans or heathens.

Obviously, when we want to look for the word “Islam” in the Bible, we have to look for its meaning only.

Two gods or one?

Two gods or one?

Question:

Does not your belief in two divine beings equate to a belief in two gods? For if God the Father is God and Jesus is God, then you have 2 gods and not one.

Answer:

Were it not for the fact that Christ is the divine Son of God then we would indeed have two gods.

The Bible makes it clear that there is one God only and none other but He. This one God is the Father:

Deuteronomy 4:35

Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.

Ephesians 4:6 

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1 Corinthians 8:6 

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Who is Jesus, son of Mary?

One questions so many answers. The problem starts when the people who claim to believe in Jesus and yet has different understanding about his personality. For this reason I have no room for mans tradition. All my quotation will be from God books. (Old Testament, New Testament and Quran)

As I quote the Quran we will read the word Allah which is the Arabic word for God, the Creator and Ruler of the universe, used by Arabic speakers everywhere whether Arabic speaking Christians, Arabic speaking Muslims, or Arabic speaking atheists. Allah is the ONLY word used by Arabic speakers to refer to this Creator God who is also Master of the Judgment Day.

Antichrist

Antichrist

The word "antichrist," according to Strong's concordance, means "an opponent of Christ's." John then goes on to make a very interesting observation about the antichrist that is to come. He gives us one of the identifying marks of this opponent of Christ. (The second identifying mark can be found in 1 John 4:3.)

1 John 2:22 "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."

Understand The Gospel

Child Can Understand The Gospel

Over and over again I have heard it said that the gospel is so simple a child can understand it. I believe that, don't you? Well, if it is so simple a child can understand, then doesn't that throw some question upon the teaching of the Trinity? Not only do children not understand it; our best theologians can't even explain it. However, the thought that God sent His Son to this earth to die for you and me is easy to comprehend when we believe the simple Bible statement that Jesus is truly the Son of God; not one of three mysterious beings making up "one God." One of the biggest problems that our missionaries have faced in the past, is trying to share the gospel in the Muslim countries around the globe. One leader of a division of workers was perplexed by the slow progress Christianity seemed to be making among these people. As he analyzed the problem, he realized that it was very difficult for the Muslim mind to accept the teaching that God is a "Trinity," because to them, as to the Jews, there is one God. The Trinity teaching was confusing. This started a search through the Scriptures for this missionary, which led him to realize that there is indeed, one God and His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. 

Jesus declares Himself

Jesus called God His Father and His God!! The Father called Christ His Son but never called Him His God! We will see why as we go on.

Jesus declares Himself to be the Son of God.

John 10:36 "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"

Jesus was declaring Himself to be the Son of God and the Jews considered that blasphemy! You see, Jesus could never deny who He really was. It would be just like you or me declaring who we are. He did not say that He was one of the three members of a Trinity who took on the role of the Son of God. He said He was the Son of God!

ONE GOD

ONE GOD

"...Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord.... And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:" (Mark 12:28-32)

Jesus, Himself, tells us that there is only one God! The great Apostle Paul tells us this same truth:

"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." (1 Corinthians 8:6)

THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE HOLY SPIRIT

Questions:

1. Why do we see only two thrones in Heaven?

2. Why are only the Father and Son mentioned as living among us in Heaven after Christ comes to take us home?

3. Why does the Bible never call God a "Trinity"?

4. Why are the pronouns "He" and "It" both used in Scripture when referring to the Holy Spirit?

5. Why are only the Father and the Son to be worshiped?

These are some very important questions that we must answer in order to begin to understand the Holy Spirit. The Trinitarian view makes it difficult to answer these questions from the Scriptures. Remember, our own thinking is not what is important. We must see what the Scriptures actually say, and not try to philosophize away the meaning. Let's take a deeper look now.