WHEN THE WOLF IS AT THE DOOR!
WHEN THE WOLF IS AT THE DOOR!
Some time ago, I was watching a biography of George Washington on cable television’s- the History Channel®. He was the first President of the United States of America. I must say that I had NO idea that he had overcome so many challenges in his journey to the Presidency!
At the end of the show, the narrator was interviewing various historians and politicians for their assessment of President Washington. One of those interviewed is the historian and Pulitzer prize winning author- Jon Meacham. He gave a poetic description of George Washington that I fell in love with! In describing Washington's place in American history, he said:
“There are very few Washington-like figures in American history.
People who [they weren’t perfect but] you had a sense-
that when the crisis came,
when the winds were howling,
when the wolf was at the door, you would want them in charge.”
So beautifully said!
But if the truth is to be told, who among us hasn’t already faced crisis, calamity and catastrophe? All of us have had to overcome challenges and face the wolves at our doors.
§ A loved one dies.
§ You get divorced.
§ You get fired.
§ You lose your home.
§ You’re living in the middle of a war zone.
§ You’re living in the middle of a famine.
§ You’re living with religious persecution.
In times of doom and despair, in times of test and trial, where do you turn for comfort and guidance? What have you chosen as the foundation of your life?
If you are a person of God, then I hope that during your times of crisis you turn to the Bible. And I know that in His Word you will find the answers that you seek.
So beautifully said!
But if the truth is to be told, who among us hasn’t already faced crisis, calamity and catastrophe? All of us have had to overcome challenges and face the wolves at our doors.
§ A loved one dies.
§ You get divorced.
§ You get fired.
§ You lose your home.
§ You’re living in the middle of a war zone.
§ You’re living in the middle of a famine.
§ You’re living with religious persecution.
In times of doom and despair, in times of test and trial, where do you turn for comfort and guidance? What have you chosen as the foundation of your life?
If you are a person of God, then I hope that during your times of crisis you turn to the Bible. And I know that in His Word you will find the answers that you seek.
The problem is- is everything in the Bible actually God’s Word?
We know that the Old Testament is God’s Word. And we know that there are certain Books in the New Testament that are God’s Word. But are ALL the books in the New Testament the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God?
We know that the Old Testament is God’s Word. And we know that there are certain Books in the New Testament that are God’s Word. But are ALL the books in the New Testament the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God?
Let’s consider the following.
CHRIST’S MESSAGE GIVES US A TRUSTWORTHY FOUNDATION
Matthew 7:24-27 is a well known analogy about the importance of choosing the right foundation.
Matthew 7:24-27 KJV (emphasis mine) says:
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings OF MINE, and doeth them,
CHRIST’S MESSAGE GIVES US A TRUSTWORTHY FOUNDATION
Matthew 7:24-27 is a well known analogy about the importance of choosing the right foundation.
Matthew 7:24-27 KJV (emphasis mine) says:
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings OF MINE, and doeth them,
I will liken him unto a WISE MAN.
WHICH BUILT HIS HOUSE UPON A ROCK:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and IT FELL NOT:
for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and DOETH THEM NOT,
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and DOETH THEM NOT,
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it fell:
AND GREAT WAS THE FALL OF IT.
What does this passage mean? Simply this. If you build your life and trust your life to Christ’s message, then when the storms come, you will survive. But if you choose to build your life and trust your life to a false message, then your survival is not promised. If you build on sand, when the storms come- destruction is inevitable.
CHRIST’S VALIDATION OF AUTHORSHIP
This passage from Matthew highlights the importance of believing Christ's message, as opposed to believing in others' messages. So how do we know which New Testament books we can trust and which ones we shouldn't trust? After all, all the authors claim to be delivering Christ's true word!
What does this passage mean? Simply this. If you build your life and trust your life to Christ’s message, then when the storms come, you will survive. But if you choose to build your life and trust your life to a false message, then your survival is not promised. If you build on sand, when the storms come- destruction is inevitable.
CHRIST’S VALIDATION OF AUTHORSHIP
This passage from Matthew highlights the importance of believing Christ's message, as opposed to believing in others' messages. So how do we know which New Testament books we can trust and which ones we shouldn't trust? After all, all the authors claim to be delivering Christ's true word!
Fortunately for us, Christ validated His Apostles, so we know which books we can trust!
The authorship of the New Testament should be an important matter for all believers. It should be of extra special importance for people who consider themselves to be a part of God’s remnant. Why? Because embracing the ‘testimony of Jesus Christ’ (Revelation 12:17) is an integral part of what we believe.
John 17:8 KJV (emphasis mine) says:
8 For I have given unto THEM THE WORDS WHICH THOU GAVEST ME;
John 17:8 KJV (emphasis mine) says:
8 For I have given unto THEM THE WORDS WHICH THOU GAVEST ME;
and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee,
and they have believed that thou didst send me.
In this passage, Jesus declared in no uncertain terms that His Apostles' Books are the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God! Five of His Apostles- Matthew, John, James of Alphaeus, Simon Peter and Jude (aka Lebbaeus Thaddaeus) wrote the ten books of the Apostolic Scriptures.
§ Gospel of Matthew
§ Gospel of John
§ Epistle of James
§ First Epistle of Peter
§ Second Epistle of Peter
§ First Epistle of John
§ Second Epistle of John
§ Third Epistle of John
§ Epistle of Jude
§ The Revelation of Jesus Christ
What does this information mean for us? When calamity and catastrophe come knocking at our door, in addition to trusting the words of the Old Testament, now we know that we can also trust the words in the Apostolic Scriptures. We can safely turn to these ten Books for comfort and for guidance.
But when we rely on false messages given by false teachers (aka false prophets), then it is like building a house on sand. In the storm, we will discover that we have no foundation!
John 17:8 is an important verse because, in it, Christ validates His Apostles’ authorship.
THE PAULINE WRITINGS
Seventeen New Testament books, written by four individuals, are referred to as the PAULINE WRITINGS.
In this passage, Jesus declared in no uncertain terms that His Apostles' Books are the infallible, inerrant and inspired Word of God! Five of His Apostles- Matthew, John, James of Alphaeus, Simon Peter and Jude (aka Lebbaeus Thaddaeus) wrote the ten books of the Apostolic Scriptures.
§ Gospel of Matthew
§ Gospel of John
§ Epistle of James
§ First Epistle of Peter
§ Second Epistle of Peter
§ First Epistle of John
§ Second Epistle of John
§ Third Epistle of John
§ Epistle of Jude
§ The Revelation of Jesus Christ
What does this information mean for us? When calamity and catastrophe come knocking at our door, in addition to trusting the words of the Old Testament, now we know that we can also trust the words in the Apostolic Scriptures. We can safely turn to these ten Books for comfort and for guidance.
But when we rely on false messages given by false teachers (aka false prophets), then it is like building a house on sand. In the storm, we will discover that we have no foundation!
John 17:8 is an important verse because, in it, Christ validates His Apostles’ authorship.
THE PAULINE WRITINGS
Seventeen New Testament books, written by four individuals, are referred to as the PAULINE WRITINGS.
Luke, Mark, the unknown author of Hebrews and Paul formed a small group and they were united in purpose (see 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 1:24).
Should we be following any of their advice or doctrines? Did Christ validate the authors of the Pauline writings? No, He didn’t!
Let's start with Luke. Have you ever wondered why Luke wrote his two New Testament books (his gospel and Acts)? He wasn’t one of Christ’s named Apostles (Matthew 10:1-4). Therefore, who gave him the authority to write on behalf of the Son of God?
Believe it or not, Luke claimed this authority for himself!
Luke 1:1-3 KJV (emphasis mine) says:
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as THEY DELIVERED THEM UNTO US, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 IT SEEMED GOOD TO ME ALSO, HAVING HAD PERFECT UNDERSTANDING OF ALL THINGS of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
In this passage, Luke never hides the fact that his gospel is based on the words of Christ’s Apostles. He even admits that Christ's Apostles had the authority to write! They were ‘from the beginning eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word.’ Luke simply decided, all by himself, that he had a ‘perfect understanding of all things from the very first’ and therefore set out to write his version of Christ's gospel to his friend Theophilus! Therefore, we should ask ourselves- why are Luke's books even in the New Testament? I don't know but I have my suspicions!
Mark, another of the Pauline authors, never revealed why he wrote his gospel or who gave him the authority to write it! All we know is that he was not one of Christ’s twelve named Apostles (Matthew 10:1-4).
The author of the book of Hebrews is unknown! Should the people of God be relying on the doctrines of an unknown author? Are any of the Books in the Old Testament written by unknown authors? Are any of the Apostolic Books written by unknown authors? Do you think that this is how God operates?
And finally, we come to Paul, aka Saul of Tarsus. The man who re-named himself in order to hide his name association with the ungodly ‘Sauls’ of the Old Testament! The man who wrote 13 epistles! Paul, one of the self-appointed apostles referred to in Revelation 2:2 and 2:9!
CHRIST’S WARNINGS
Jesus knew that false messages delivered by false prophets would be believable. He also knew that these messages would damage us. Do you know how many times Christ WARNED us that false messages and false prophets were coming? In the Apostolic Scriptures, there are over THIRTY-FIVE instances of Christ warning us about false messages, false prophets and their dire consequences!
Let's start with Luke. Have you ever wondered why Luke wrote his two New Testament books (his gospel and Acts)? He wasn’t one of Christ’s named Apostles (Matthew 10:1-4). Therefore, who gave him the authority to write on behalf of the Son of God?
Believe it or not, Luke claimed this authority for himself!
Luke 1:1-3 KJV (emphasis mine) says:
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as THEY DELIVERED THEM UNTO US, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 IT SEEMED GOOD TO ME ALSO, HAVING HAD PERFECT UNDERSTANDING OF ALL THINGS of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
In this passage, Luke never hides the fact that his gospel is based on the words of Christ’s Apostles. He even admits that Christ's Apostles had the authority to write! They were ‘from the beginning eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word.’ Luke simply decided, all by himself, that he had a ‘perfect understanding of all things from the very first’ and therefore set out to write his version of Christ's gospel to his friend Theophilus! Therefore, we should ask ourselves- why are Luke's books even in the New Testament? I don't know but I have my suspicions!
Mark, another of the Pauline authors, never revealed why he wrote his gospel or who gave him the authority to write it! All we know is that he was not one of Christ’s twelve named Apostles (Matthew 10:1-4).
The author of the book of Hebrews is unknown! Should the people of God be relying on the doctrines of an unknown author? Are any of the Books in the Old Testament written by unknown authors? Are any of the Apostolic Books written by unknown authors? Do you think that this is how God operates?
And finally, we come to Paul, aka Saul of Tarsus. The man who re-named himself in order to hide his name association with the ungodly ‘Sauls’ of the Old Testament! The man who wrote 13 epistles! Paul, one of the self-appointed apostles referred to in Revelation 2:2 and 2:9!
CHRIST’S WARNINGS
Jesus knew that false messages delivered by false prophets would be believable. He also knew that these messages would damage us. Do you know how many times Christ WARNED us that false messages and false prophets were coming? In the Apostolic Scriptures, there are over THIRTY-FIVE instances of Christ warning us about false messages, false prophets and their dire consequences!
To give you some context. Christ's first 'sermon' was given in Matthew 4:17. This was the first time that He mentioned the 'kingdom of heaven'. This 'kingdom of heaven' message is mentioned in Matthew on 33 different occasions! This phrase is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament!
And yet, if you can believe this, Christ warned us about FALSE MESSAGES and FALSE PROPHETS on more occasions than He mentioned His 'kingdom of heaven' message'! If Christ thought that it was important to emphasise this warning by repeating it on at least thirty-five different occasions, then shouldn't we be concerned about the problem of false messages and false prophets as well?
Did Christ provide any clue as to who the main false prophet would be? Consider John 5:43.
John 5:43 KJV (emphasis mine) says:
43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not:
John 5:43 KJV (emphasis mine) says:
43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not:
IF ANOTHER SHALL COME IN HIS OWN NAME, him ye will receive.
Did Paul come in his own name? YES! Remember, his parents had named him Saul. As a Pharisee, he was known as ‘Saul of Tarsus’. Even in the Pauline book of Acts, when Christ supposedly spoke to Paul, even here- Christ NEVER refers to Saul as Paul (read Acts 9:4, 9:11, 22:7, 22:13 and 26:14)! Christ did not change Saul’s name to Paul (see Matthew 16:18)! Saul changed his own name!
Therefore, just as Christ had prophesied in John 5:43, Paul came in his OWN NAME and the world has accepted his message! His new name was used for the first time in Acts 13:9: ‘Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,)...’
Those who study the Bible know that names matter! Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised that Saul of Tarsus wanted to change his name! Look up all the people in the Old Testament who were called Saul and decide for yourself if they were truly persons of God and deserving of our admiration! We must not forget the lessons of the 'Sauls' who were rejected by God. Likewise, we should reject the writings from the New Testament's Saul of Tarsus and his associates.
WHEN THE WOLF IS AT THE DOOR!
Being a person of God does not mean that we will never face calamity or catastrophe. Jesus faced it and so will we! But if we are properly prepared, if our expectations of life are realistic, then we will survive and we will thrive. We will build our faith and we will endure.
Did Paul come in his own name? YES! Remember, his parents had named him Saul. As a Pharisee, he was known as ‘Saul of Tarsus’. Even in the Pauline book of Acts, when Christ supposedly spoke to Paul, even here- Christ NEVER refers to Saul as Paul (read Acts 9:4, 9:11, 22:7, 22:13 and 26:14)! Christ did not change Saul’s name to Paul (see Matthew 16:18)! Saul changed his own name!
Therefore, just as Christ had prophesied in John 5:43, Paul came in his OWN NAME and the world has accepted his message! His new name was used for the first time in Acts 13:9: ‘Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,)...’
Those who study the Bible know that names matter! Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised that Saul of Tarsus wanted to change his name! Look up all the people in the Old Testament who were called Saul and decide for yourself if they were truly persons of God and deserving of our admiration! We must not forget the lessons of the 'Sauls' who were rejected by God. Likewise, we should reject the writings from the New Testament's Saul of Tarsus and his associates.
WHEN THE WOLF IS AT THE DOOR!
Being a person of God does not mean that we will never face calamity or catastrophe. Jesus faced it and so will we! But if we are properly prepared, if our expectations of life are realistic, then we will survive and we will thrive. We will build our faith and we will endure.
But it's time to make a choice. We must decide whose report to believe. We must start relying on the words of God’s true messenger and we must reject the words of false messengers. The world has tough times ahead. Our ability to endure depends on having the correct information and a solid foundation.
Do you remember what Jesus said to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane when the guards had come to arrest Him? John 18:11 (KJV, emphasis mine) says:
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath:
Do you remember what Jesus said to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane when the guards had come to arrest Him? John 18:11 (KJV, emphasis mine) says:
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath:
THE CUP WHICH MY FATHER HATH GIVEN ME, SHALL I NOT DRINK IT?
Joseph's life was tough. Ruth's life was tough. David's life was tough. Life will be tough sometimes:
Joseph's life was tough. Ruth's life was tough. David's life was tough. Life will be tough sometimes:
- But when our crisis comes.
- When the winds are howling.
- When there is a wolf waiting for us at the door.
This choice is the final piece of the puzzle. Are you a member of God’s remnant?
*****
‘HARVEST TIME Prophecies’ is the blog post site of TNG Academy. Our blog post site gets its name from Matthew 13:30- i.e. the separation of wheat and tares that will occur at harvest time (i.e. the endtimes). Remember, the ‘wheat’ symbolises Godly things and the ‘tares’ symbolise things of the devil.
The purpose of these blog posts is twofold. Firstly, they are written to encourage more focus on Christ’s core message- i.e. the ‘gospel of the kingdom’. And second, they are written as an aid for our discipleship journey- i.e. improving our understanding of God’s expectations of us. I hope, these posts assist you on your journey of ‘becoming’!
Visit our website- WWW.TNGACADEMY.ORG, to get copies of our Bible study books. Which books would I recommend for you to read first? Start with these three-
- WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
- MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN!
- THE APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURES.
#theapostolicscriptures
#gospelofthekingdom
#Remnant
#endtimes
#deconstruction
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