Page Title

GOD'S WORD -- FROM GOD
THE -- BIBLE

The Bible is the Words of God !!!

The Bible is from God !!!

The Bible was planned by God -- designed by God as He laid out / put in order His
message and then He gave it to certain persons whom He chose to physically write
and deliver to mankind. God has preserved it through the ages and guided it
through many language translations. Although there are discrepancies between
various translations, yet the true message is preserved for those who with spiritual
ears, eyes and minds seek through the Holy Spirit of God the message from our
Creator God. The point / purpose of this writing is to show / to prove that the Bible is
the personal Word of God to His creation / mankind.

It is of utmost importance to understand / to recognize that God prepared a people
and then a man -- Moses -- to begin the process of giving His message to mankind.
After hundreds of years of mankind's history God chose Abram, because Abram
believed in God and obeyed God, to start a nation of people to receive and deliver His
message to mankind and through that nation God's messiah would be born into the
physical world.

Then after many generations / hundreds of years God specifically / meticulously
prepared Moses to receive His word. By preserving him as a child, raising him with
the best available skills -- position, education, etc, God uniquely prepared Moses with
belief / understanding and obedience to do the job.
(Please see 'Origin of the Bible' at spmint.com).

Having thus being prepared Moses moved his tent outside the camp where he over a
period of nearly 40 years met with and spoke 'face to face' with God 'as a man
speaks to his friend'. It is foolish folly to think that Moses could have written the
details of creation and the intricacies both physically and spiritually, that are given to
us in Genesis, from the knowledge of mankind.
THE BIBLE DOES NOT TELL US THAT GOD DICTATED GENESIS TO MOSES -- BUT
IT EXPLAINS EXACTLY HOW HE DID IT.

God explained to us, through Moses, how He created everything we see. We see
only that which is physical. First He created the 'heavens' -- the atmosphere, the sky,
and outer space -- and the stuff / raw material that is the matter that we see. Although
not specifically stated He 'laid the foundation of the earth. (gravity -- there is no other
way) (Zachariah 12: 1). Then, in the midst of the heaven's raw material God formed a
spinning ball with layers of all the material mankind would need to exist and develop
earth and society as we know it and beyond. Then God, as He 'was hovering over
the face of the waters', made a plan that He called 'light'. Then on day 2 and 3 He
began to develop / build / to form an earth suitable for life. On day 4 He made the sun
moon and stars in the same manner as He had made earth from the raw materials he
had made on day one.   As God made the fish and birds, etc the 5th day, then
mammals and mankind on the 6th day, it is easy to see that each day or part of
creation is made in order so that each day is built upon the day before and prepares
for the next day.

This tells us that God does His work in an orderly / systematic way -- a similar manner
as a builder builds a house.   The builder checks out available materials, makes a
plan, lays the foundation, builds the framework, puts on the roof and then finishes
the details inside.

God's creation was done with immaculate detail.

For example ;;;

Earth travels around our sun with a diameter of approximately 187 million miles and
all the while the north star is exact north and the constellations are the same every
night. Anyone, who knows how, can in the northern hemisphere by measurements
determine their exact place on earth, on land or sea, the day of the year and the exact
time of day or night. You do not need a telescope, microscope, test tube or petrel
dish -- just look at it with your own eyes. Mankind has known this for 100s of years
and yet many including some scientist still believe that this all happened because of
a great explosion -- the big bang. But God explains to us in general terms just how
He did it. God used GREAT detail in His creation, yet He explains it in such a way that
mankind may easily choose to believe a foolish theory. God did this so that
mankind's belief and faith in their Creator would be by 'faith and not by 'sight'. Thus
God maintains His plan that mankind would have complete freedom to choose to
believe or not to believe in Him who created them. Thus God is gathering for Himself
a people who with knowledge, understanding and FREE Choice -- choose to be part
of the family of God.

THE CONTINUING PROGRESSION OF GOD'S MESSAGE ---

God gave to Moses a history of creation, but it is not just history -- it is a history from
a spiritual standpoint. God is spiritual and thus His interest / purpose in His creation
is spiritual.

In Genesis 1: 3, 'God said, Let there be light'. As we follow the word 'light' through
the Bible / through Revelation it becomes clear that it is not speaking of a physical
light, as sun or stars, but it is spiritual 'light'.   Thus God from the very beginning is
speaking about spiritual things -- speaking from a spiritual viewpoint.

In Genesis 2: 8 - 9 'The Lord planted a garden' and 'in the midst of the garden, -- the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil'.   Then the Lord instructed Adam, 'but of the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of
it you shall surely die'.

Th tree of 'good and evil' was planted in the 'midst' of the garden (thus you couldn't
miss it) and the warning was very sever. (Sentence of death for disobedience). Thus
God has declared a death penalty for sin (disobedience) before any sin had been
committed. The Lord God instructed / gave a sever warning as He instructed
mankind about the future -- how it would be -- SIN WOULD BRING JUDGMENT from
the spiritual realm upon the sinner both physical and spiritual. The need / indeed
necessity of God's instruction is seen in God's plan to establish the Family of God
through His Son Jesus Christ.

God our Creator as He created us as mankind gave instructions / set forth the rules
under which we would live -- declared the penalty for breaking the rules -- told us of
judgment to come -- proved us all to be sinners deserving of judgment --- THEN PAID
THE PENALTY THROUGH THE PHYSICAL DEATH OF HIS ONLY SON /JESUS
CHRIST -- PROVIDING SALVATION FOR ALL WHO OF A SINCERE HEART BELIEVE
AND CALL UPON HIS NAME.

FREELY -- mankind was given life -- both physical and spiritual --
FREELY -- mankind may chose right or wrong as they determine --
FREELY -- mankind can / may be forgiven for sins small or great --
FREELY -- all who 'call upon the name of the Lord' will be saved --

Within the foundation of God's plan for mankind is personal freedom -- spiritually. No
person or entity can prevent nor block any person from becoming a part of the family
of God -- 'whosoever believes' (John 3: 16), and all who ask / calls out to God.
(Romans 10: 8 - 13).
This is also seen in 2 Corinthians 3: 17, 'Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the
Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty'. (Also refer to Galatians 5: 1 - 13).

Salvation and an eternal home in heaven with our Creator God and Savior Jesus
Christ is available to anyone and all who believe, recognize personal sin and then
confess that sin to Jesus Christ -- it is free to all who choose -- God's way.

That choice is exemplified / made clear as God planted in the midst of His garden the
'tree of the knowledge of good and evil'.   'Good' or 'evil' -- obey or disobey -- to NOT
eat of the tree is to obey -- to EAT of the tree is to disobey. Thus, the tree of the
'knowledge of good and evil' plants before mankind the opportunity to choose, but
also demands that each person must make a choice.

A person may say -- I will not choose -- but that decision is itself choosing to reject
God's plan for mankind -- thus, 'For all have sinned and come short of the glory of
God' -- choosing to reject God's plan is choosing to reject God -- thus choosing to be
separated from God -- thus from the 'Great White Throne Judgment, being cast into
the 'lake of fire' -- thus receiving the choice of rejecting our Creator and God / Jesus
Christ our Savior. Hell (lake of fire) is for those who CHOOSE to reject God their
Creator.

CHOSE LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST -- IT IS FREE FOR THE ASKING IF THE
ASKING IS FROM A SINCERE HEART.

Example prayer below -- to each person the prayer must be your prayer from your
own decision and conviction.

Dear Heaven Father -- I believe that You are my Creator, I believe that you as Jesus
Christ / Son of God came to earth physically, died on a cross to pay for my sins.
Lord , I am a sinner. Please forgive my sins and save me that I may have life with You
forever. Thank You -- Amen

IN GOD'S MESSAGE / THE BIBLE HE GIVES A HISTORY OF MANKIND'S CHOICES
AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THOSE CHOICES.

In Genesis 2: 20 - 25 God created woman as mans partner and helper. In chapter 3 --
the rebellious / judged guilty / cast from heaven fallen angel satan -- with a play of
words deceived the woman / Eve and she and Adam ate fruit of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil. Thus in the perfect garden, mankind broke the one
simple rule given from God. Having broken the one rule / command, Adam and Eve
were cast / removed from God's garden. The physical consequences of sin were
carried out. They were removed from the intimate relation with God, yet God
sacrificed an innocent lamb for their sins. Thus giving us the understanding of, the
necessity of, acknowledgment of and forgiveness of sin to be paid for only by the
shedding of the blood (death) of an innocent sacrifice -- (Jesus Christ).

PLEASE NOTE; Adam and Eve sinned and mankind no longer had the close
relationship that they had with God in the garden. But mankind cannot blame Adam
and Eve -- 'For all have sinned'. If every person who lived before me were perfectly
innocent -- I SINNED AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY SINS.

Then in Genesis 4, Eve gives birth to two sons. The eldest son, Cain, as result of his
own personal sins kills has brother Abel. Immediately Cain is brought to justice by
God and physical penalty / sentence is carried out.

Please note; The sin of Cain was obviously more sever then that of Adam and Eve
(murder as compared to eating a piece of fruit) and the consequences more sever.
Although there are sins and consequences that vary in severity, yet to God a sin is a
sin and all sins are disobedience to God's rule of law. Thus -- physical
consequences and then spiritual judgment to come after physical death.   Thus
God's discipline and judgment are defined and is taught individually to each of
mankind.

Then in Genesis 4: 18 - 24 from the descendants of Cain God gives to Moses the
physical and spiritual circumstances of Lamech. Lamech 'took for himself' 2 wives
and killed 2 men. He killed the first one for 'wounding' him and the second for
'hurting' him. (The second being killed for a lessor offence -- thus, by nature, after
the first sin the next one comes easier -- God's teaching is true to all of us as we live
our lives). Lamech understood his sins and the deserving of consequences for his
sins -- 4: 24, 'If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, then Lamech seventy-sevenfold'.

After explaining the progression of sin, guilt and consequences over several
generations of Cain's linage, then the Lord goes back to Adam and Eve in verses 25
and 26. God explains that Adam and Eve have another son, then a grandson and at
that time ' men began to call upon the name of the Lord'.   This is important because
in Romans 10: 13 it says, 'For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved'.
SOOO -- the Lord tells Moses / us that early in history mankind knew / understood sin
-- the consequences of sin and the remedy for sin. Although mankind had that
understanding, yet in life they chose and continued deeper and deeper into sin /
rebellion against their Creator.

In chapter 5 of Genesis God gives the many generations of mankind that
demonstrates His patience / long suffering as mankind progresses / multiplies. Then
in chapter 6 is explained the reality and the results of sin among mankind.

It is necessary to address Genesis 6: 1 - 4 because of many Christians, preachers,
theologians, etc interpret it as a mystical situation where disobedient / fallen angels
impregnated physical woman.

'Sons of God' --- As humans beings we each have an eternal spirit -- our life -- that is
created and given to us in the womb of our mother. It is not strange for God to say
'sons of God' -- because we are just that. ONLY GOD CAN CREATE A SPIRIT.

'Took wives of all they chose' They were very immoral -- morally sinful as
exemplified in the story of Lamech. Mankind had been given instruction from God in
regard to male and female relations from the beginning as given in Genesis 2: 24 - 25
-- one man and one woman was established BY GOD as the basis of family so that
children may be raised 'in the nurture and admonition of the Lord'.

Jesus made it clear in Matthew 22: 30, that Angels do not marry -- do not reproduce --
they are spiritual beings -- thus it is foolish to think that fallen angelic beings fathered
children with physical women.

Verse 3 -- they are physical men ('flesh') -- physical life 120 years.

'There were giants on the earth' -- Yes -- God made giants and pygmies -- also --
shetland ponies and Clydesdales -- and Chihuahuas and mastiffs. It is not strange
that God made giants.

'Mighty men of old, men of renown'   --- Even the great men of renown -- people like
an American would think of as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, etc had
become very immoral.

GOD DESTROYED MANKIND IN THE FLOOD BECAUSE OF THE SINS OF MANKIND
-- NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING ANGELS DID.

In Genesis 6: 5 - 7 God explains the utter complete sinfulness of mankind and that
He, as result, decided to totally destroy all that He had created. Then in verses 8 - 10
God saw in one man, Noah, and his family a glimmer of hope for His creation and
because of God's grace saved them from the flood. (This gives to mankind an
anchor of hope that regardless of the evil all around us -- God will save / preserve his
faithful ones).

Soo -- as the result of mankind's utter sinfulness, God brought complete destruction
upon earth, but saved only 8 people and the pairs of animals that obeyed God and
got on the ark that Noah built.

In our modern times there has been much said and imagined about what happened
to the dinosaurs. When on that subject, I have often joked saying that the dinosaurs
were disobedient and did not get on the boat. Although many things can be said
about the ark, the flood, etc -- the point of this study is the circumstances of mankind
and what God did in response.

In the explanation of the flood God tells Moses how all mankind except Noah and
family had become totally immoral and violent. Two accusations -- immoral and
violent as was described about Lamech.   So, as of this time in history, although we
as humans can know that every law ever written had been broken, three sins are
named -- disobedience -- immorality -- violence. From Adam and Eve mankind knew
disobedience and the consequences. But mankind continued in disobedience into
immorality and from immorality into violence until every thought of their 'heart was
only evil continually'. (Genesis 6: 5).

AND GOD DESTROYED THEM PHYSICALLY -- AND WE KNOW THAT ETERNAL
SPIRITUAL JUDGMENT IS YET TO COME.

God's relationship / communication / dealings with His creation through mankind can
be seen or understood as being in different time eras. Each time era has a beginning
and a conclusion. In each era God expands / adjusts / refines His agreement or
method / or way that He relates to His creation and most especially to mankind.

First is the era of beginning. It is from Adam and Eve to the flood.
Second is the era of new beginnings. This is from the flood to the tower of Babel.
Third era is the 1st covenant and nation building -- It is from Babel to Abram.
The forth era is the law and the prophets -- from Moses to the New Testament.
The fifth era is the new covenant with salvation through Jesus Christ.
The sixth era is the end of physical creation and establishment of eternity.

The 1st era began with only one rule / instruction -- do not eat from the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil. Having broken the one law, judgment was immediate.
Then, after being found guilty, Adam and Eve were given instructions with eternal
implications that were teachings for all mankind throughout all history.   With the total
collapse of human integrity (except Noah and family) the first era came to a
conclusion with the flood.

This 1st era when compared with the other time period eras can be compared or
seen as parents raising their children -- not many rules as a small child, but the child
soon finds its self in trouble, thus requiring -- it becomes necessary to teach the
difficult lessons and clarify the rules. Although the teaching, the rules and then the
law became stronger with increasing knowledge and the realization of eternal
judgment after physical death, God maintained and guaranteed mankind's freedom
of choice. If any person believes in God, obeys God or totally rejects God --- God
always gives that individual their choice. God does not force anyone to obey or to
do anything, but has given instruction and consequences for not following those
instructions.

PLEASE NOTE -- GOD CREATED IT ALL -- IT IS HIS AND HE MADE THE RULES --
ALL WHO FOLLOW THE RULES WILL RECEIVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE IN HEAVEN
WITH OUR CREATOR..   ALL WHO REJECT GOD WILL RECEIVE THEIR CHOICE --
SEPARATION FROM GOD.

After the flood, the 2nd era of time, there are more instructions from God to His
creation. First God promises that He will never again destroy His creation by flood as
He says in Genesis 8: 21 even if 'the imagination of man's heart is evil from his
youth'. God will no longer police nor be the judge / the jury and executioner in the
same manner / or to the same degree as He had been in the 1st era, but places that
responsibility into the hands of mankind.   This is seen in Genesis 9: 6, 'Whoever
sheds man's blood , by man his blood shall be shed'. This is an important change
that places the judgment and penalty for physical problems / sins into the hands
mankind. From this has developed the trial and jury system that we have today even
with the corruption / and errors of the justice system.

We should not think that the statement about -- he who sheds man's blood -- by man
his blood shall be shed is referring only to murder. But the Lord uses here an
illustration of the most sever crime to make reference to all crimes. Thus mankind is
instructed to collectively judge physical crimes -- determining guilt or innocence and
prescribing sentence for the guilty.

The paragraph above can be referenced to Revelation 6: 3 - 4. It is not the 'sword'
that takes 'peace' from the earth, but SIN TAKES PEACE from the earth. Thus the
'sword' is used as the most sever threat to 'peace', but sin is the root cause --
numerous sins have occurred before one draws his sword to murder.   Thus the
death penalty in Genesis sets a precedent for the interpretation of the 2nd seal.
(Please refer to 'The Seven Seals' in www.spmint .com)

Therefore God places into the hands of mankind the judgment of physical matters.
Beware -- that does not mean there is not consequences from God for sin -- both
physical and spiritual. God's judgment is reserved for the Great White Throne as it
says in Revelation 20: 12, 'And the dead were judged, according to their works by
the things which were written in the books'.

The above discussion about murder / judgment, etc has probably had the greatest
effect on mankind, but there are other instructions. They are told to be fruitful and
multiply and fill the earth -- the world will never again be flooded -- all creatures are to
be food for mankind and the rainbow is given as a sign of God's covenant with
mankind.

The instructions to 'multiply and fill the earth' and 'never again be a flood' has
particular bearing on the problems at the tower of 'babel.' Mankind's disobedience
can be seen in the statements of Genesis 11: 4. Mankind's decision to 'build a city,
and a tower whose top is in the heavens and 'make a name' for themselves'.   The
problem is that God's instructions were to 'fill the earth' -- thus, not to stay in one
place.   Also they were told that there would not be another flood -- thus no need for a
tower to the heavens. The peoples statement, 'to make a name for ourselves,' is
indeed the greater danger.

As satan came to tempt mankind, he did so by twisting the meaning of words -- or a
play of words. He first confronted Eve saying 'Has God indeed said, you shall not eat
of every tree in the garden?' God had said to Adam 'of the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil you shall not eat ' (2: 17) and satan used the same words 'you shall
not' -- then added 'of every tree'. Eve knew the correct answer and told satan, but
then satan came back with 'you will not surely die' -- ('surely' / not really). Satan
would have known that Eve was both physical and spiritual -- thus physical, not
eternal -- they would die physically, but not spiritually. In God's use of the word 'die'
it would be spiritual death -- meaning separated from God -- as dead to God. Sin
entered in and mankind died as being condemned / guilty as was satan -- dead to
God. Sin separates man from God / dead to God , but still alive in hell / the lake of fire
== separated from God.

Adam and Eve died spiritually at the point of disobedience / sin. But when
confronted with God they admitted / thus confessed their sin. God then killed a lamb
for sacrifice of their sin and made them clothing from the skin. Thus God provided
from the beginning, the law / the remedy / the payment for sin through the shedding
of blood of the innocent. Thus mankind knew from the beginning the necessity of
confession and sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin.

*** GOD CREATED ALL PHYSICAL --
*** GOD GAVE THE LAW FOR HIS CREATION --
*** GOD DETERMINED THE PENALTY FOR THE GUILTY --
*** GOD PAID THE PENALTY FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE AND OBEY --

Back to the Tower of Babel --

The people at Babel desired to 'make a name' for themselves.
At first thought that doesn't seem bad. We are all given from God a spirit of conquest
that gives to us strength, persistence, perseverance, -- the drive to be our best -- to
reach the highest our ability can go --- that is good. But we know -- we can see in
observation of history and mankind that our driving spirit can easily go beyond what
is good. The desire to 'make a name' for myself can easily become pride -- pride can
become ambition, ambition can become arrogance and all of that can drive a person
to do whatever it takes to accomplish their conquest.

At the time of Babel God had certainly seen from the many previous generations how
mankind can go from good to bad, from bad to worse and worse until they had
become totally consumed with evil. God certainly could see that the people of Babel
were headed in the wrong direction -- the evidence is that God intervened and
confused their language so as to divide them and send them in all directions. As
they dispersed in all directions, it had the effect of fulfilling God's directions to them
to 'fill the earth'.

The next intervention -- or time era came at the time of Abram in Ur of the Caldeans.

This time era is different because it is not about God intervening to correct or
discipline, but He intervenes to direct His plan for His creation. God had made His
plan on day one of creation when He said 'let there be light' in Genesis 1: 3. The
word 'light' as used here is not physical, because the sun, moon and stars were
created on the 4th day of creation.   'Light' then means knowledge, understanding,
the plan which is ultimately Jesus Christ -- God's plan for the redemption, salvation
of the family of God. (John 1).

So, here in Genesis 12, God begins to explain to Moses how after many generations
of mankind, He initiated His plan to develop a people who would be the spiritual
family of God forever.   God tells Abram that He will make from him a 'great nation'
and as result 'all the families of the earth shall be blessed'.   Then after numerous
generations God gave to Moses the 1st five books of the Bible that we have today.
In todays world we can see that the whole earth has been blessed by the Word of
God as the scriptures have gone and is going to the ends of the earth. Although the
majority has rejected God, yet people from most every nation have received Jesus
Christ as Lord and Savior. Thousands of years and many generations ago God
intervened in the history of mankind and initiated a plan that brought the Bible to
mankind. It gave to mankind knowledge, understanding and the opportunity to
become part of the family of God through Jesus Christ -- the 'Light' from our Creator.
Also and of most importance -- through the descendants of Abram Jesus Christ
would be born into the physical world. We know from history that many of the
descendants of Abraham were disobedient to their calling, but throughout history
there was some, a 'remnant', who were faithful and carried out God's purpose as He
said / promised to Abraham.

In the 4th time era (as we see the intervention of God into His creation) God gives the
written law to mankind.

It is obvious as we read from the Bible Exudus chapters 1 - 3 that God intervened to
save a baby boy, to get that boy the best education possible, to drive him as a man
to meet God on the mountain, to persuade him to obey God and return to Egypt to
lead the descendants of Abraham to their God promised land. As God lead the
people through Moses they came to the mountain where Moses receives from God
the law -- the 10 commandments.

Prior to the 10 commandments God had primarily taught mankind through direct
instructions. He had taught them that they could choose to obey or disobey, but if
they disobeyed there would be consequences. He had taught them that there
should be one man and one woman and the two should become one, leaving their
parents and forming their own family. God had taught them not to kill, but leaving it
to mankind to determine / understand and to judge the things (sins) that lead to
murder. The 3 above statements are obvious teachings from God, but most likely
there were other things that were taught as God walked with Adam and Eve in the
garden, etc.

The 10 commandments are the written law, but not a new thing. All mankind, who are
of a sound mind, know right from wrong. All have sinned -- and all know the
definition of sin -- it is written in our hearts. The 'law' / the 10 commandments were
given because of the nature of mankind. The nature of mankind is -- I didn't know or I
didn't understand, or put the blame on another as did Adam and Eve, but mankind is
without excuse -- they were told / instructed by God -- it is written in their hearts and
it was written on stone. Also -- God through prophesy has given to us the basis of
the judgment at the Great White Throne in Revelation 17 - 18. When the 'Books' are
opened at the final judgment there will be no excuses -- no argument because the
law was made clear and the record is complete and will be made known from the life
of each person.

In the 5th time era Jesus Christ (Son of God) -- God in the flesh -- came to physical
earth and gave to us a thorough, in person teaching. Mankind is instructed how too
understand and to receive salvation from sin through Jesus Christ -- God's free gift
to mankind. Jesus' first recorded words were 'repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at
hand'. These were His first recorded words, but this was also the theme and the
continuous message from God our Creator. Thus, true repentance is the key to life
and gives freedom to the person who has been bound by sin and the corruption of
the nature and reality of all mankind. This requires some understanding.

As pastor of a small church in Texas, I became aware of a young man who had
attended church a couple of times. He was a senior in high school and worked at his
families auto shop. I stopped at their shop one day -- he was working on a car -- and I
invited him to come by the church office after work. He agreed and did so -- coming
into the office in quite a nervous condition. After a few remarks, I asked about his
relationship to Jesus Christ, of which he had no clue. I began to explain about belief
in God, sin, repentance etc. After some time it was obvious that he didn't understand
anything I was talking about. So, I said to him, before you leave would it be alright if I
pray for you. He agreed and I began to pray. In the prayer I ask the Lord to open his
mind that he might understand what I was trying to explain. When I finished the
prayer and opened my eyes, I saw a completely different young man sitting on the
other side of my desk. He looked up at me and said -- that's what I need to do --
repent and be saved and be baptized. I then prayed with him a prayer of repentance.
He followed through with his decision. It was very evident that as I prayed the Holy
Spirit had opened his mind to understand.

The above testimony is an example of how our God reaches out and speaks into the
mind of anyone / ordinary regular folks to teach them. Having seen / experienced
similar events many times, I find it very easy to believe and know that God can speak
and we can know it is truth / right.

THE PROPHETS OF OLD SAW VISIONS, RECEIVED MESSAGES /
UNDERSTANDING. THEY RECEIVED IT FROM GOD. THEY KNEW WHO IT WAS
FROM AND THEY SAID IN MANY PLACES -- 'THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO
------------ ----------, ETC. THEY RECEIVED VISIONS, DREAMS, SPOKEN WORDS,
MESSAGES IN THEIR HEARTS AND MINDS AND JUST SIMPLE UNDERSTANDING.
SOME OF THE PROPHESIES SEEM TO BE THE PROPHET'S OWN WORDS -- BUT
THEY ARE ILLUSTRATIONS AND / OR EXAMPLES AS GOD PUT THOSE THOUGHTS
IN THEIR MINDS TO HELP US TO KNOW THAT OUR GOD IS ALIVE / REAL / IN
TOUCH AND KNOWS WHAT IS GOING ON -- ALWAYS DIRECTING, BUT ALWAYS
GIVING MANKIND THEIR SPIRITUAL FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

MY GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR ME EVEN WHEN I DISAGREE. HE GIVES US
UNDERSTANDING -- WHEN WE ARE ABLE / WILLING TO RECEIVE IT AND HE CAN
GIVE IT ANYWAY HE CHOOSES. HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR HIS CREATION.
GOD IS THE CREATOR AND HE MADE THE RULES. GOD DOES NOT NEED ME --
BUT I DESPERATELY NEED HIM -- JUST TO LIVE.

In this 5th era -- or we can say -- a time when God intervened into His creation, there
is a new covenant in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only one who was in heaven
(spiritual realm) came / was born into this physical world -- lived and died and
returned to the spiritual realm. Certainly, as God in the flesh there was not / could not
be another teacher like Him. He taught His disciples and followers for approximately
3 years by word of mouth, by miracles, by parables and living life.

Under the new covenant mankind is set free from the sacrificial system and law of
the old testament, yet right is still right and wrong is still wrong and sin is still sin.
But mankind is given a new or fuller understanding that God loves His creation and
has given Himself to pay the penalty for our sins. Also after Jesus ascended /
returned to heaven the Holy Spirit (Spirit of God) came in a new and unique way and
teaches His believing and faithful servants. Also opening a line of communication so
that anyone can / may come before God in prayer -- we are encouraged to bring all
concerns and petitions to Him. Thus with these and MANY other ways the Holy Spirit
draws us to Himself, teaches and directs the lives of all who will faithfully seek Him.

We personally receive the Holy Spirit of God through choice and obedience. If a
person chooses to believe in God and follows that belief with obedience as was
instructed in Acts 2: 38, they are promised the Holy Spirit.
'Then Peter said to them, Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the Holy Spirit.'

All who believe, confess their sins and call upon the name of the Lord shall receive
eternal life in heaven with their Creator forever. Jesus Christ is the completion of
God's plan that God Himself worked throughout the history of physical creation.

The final era, as per this study, is when God intervenes and brings to an end His
physical creation. In prophesy God tells us that He will not destroy His creation until
all of the family of God is saved / safe. In Revelation 7: 3 He tells us that there will be
no harm to the earth, 'till we have sealed the servants of our God'. Then in chapter 8
verses 1 - 6 Revelation says that when the time comes that no one has repented for
1/2 hour -- meaning that the prayers of all the saints has gone up 'before God' -- then
the tribulation / destruction of God's physical creation will begin as seen in the very
next verse -- Rev. 8: 7.

After 7 years of destruction plus the millennial reign of Christ and the final battle God
will gather all mankind who have ever lived before His throne for judgment. The
believing and faithful will receive their reward -- a home in heaven forever. The
unbelieving / rebellious will be judged according to the books of record and the
guilty will be cast out into the lake of fire / separated from their creator forever. By
their own choice they rejected God and His instructions -- so they receive their
choice.

God guarantees freedom of choice to all -- spiritually. Believe in God -- or not, obey
or disobey -- my choice and yours. All must choose and in the end all will have
chosen and will receive their choice.

THE POINT OF THIS WRITING IS TO DECLARE AND GIVE A SIMPLE EXPLANATION
THAT THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD -- FROM GOD.

THERE ARE MANY THEOLOGIANS, BIBLE SCHOLARS, ETC WHO SAY AND TEACH
THAT THE BIBLE IS WRITTEN BY MEN AND THEY TEACH IT AS THOUGH IT IS THE
NARRATIVE OF THE HUMAN WRITER. IF THAT WERE SO, THEN GOD IS A LIER,
BUT GOD IS 'TRUTH'.   (JOHN 18:37 - 38). REMEMBER -- THAT GOD ALWAYS
COMMUNICATES IN A MANNER SO THAT MANKIND MUST CHOOSE TO BELIEVE
OR NOT BELIEVE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF TOTAL FREEDOM.

God could send His legions of angels to surround the earth and declare God and his
teachings to all mankind. But, He chose to give total freedom to mankind. God gave
us a 'crown' as explained in Revelation 6: 1- 2. That is part of mankind being created
in the 'image of God' -- we have freedom of choice.

A testimony -- When my wife and I were married, we promised to be faithful and true
to each other for so long as we live. Soon there came the occasion where I was
tempted by a young lady. She was very pretty, very tempting and made herself very
available. By the grace of God I rejected the temptation. Bottom line was -- I rejected
the temptation -- not because of the promise I had made before the pastor -- (the law),
but because my desire was to be faithful to my wife -- because I loved my wife.

I believe God desires a family who believes, repents, is faithful / obedient because
they LOVE THEIR GOD -- not because of the law.

I EMPHATICALLY BELIEVE THAT I WAS BORN HAVING AN ETERNAL SPIRIT
CREATED BY GOD -- PLACED WITHIN ME IN MY MOTHERS WOMB AS THE SPERM
FROM MY DAD ENTERED THE EGG FROM MY MOTHER. BUT BEING CREATED BY
GOD DID NOT MAKE ME PART OF THE FAMILY OF GOD. IT WAS NECESSARY THAT
I, AFTER BECOMING OLD ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND, TO MAKE MY OWN CHOICE
TO BELIEVE, TO REPENT AND BECOME OBEDIENT TO MY LORD AND SAVIOR
JESUS CHRIST THROUGH BAPTISM, ETC. UPON RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE
TAUGHT ME -- CARRIED ME THROUGH MANY TIMES OF REBELLION AND SIN AND
GUIDED ME BACK TO HIMSELF. HE TAUGHT ME MANY THINGS THROUGH HIS
WORD THE BIBLE, THROUGH DREAMS, THOUGHTS IN MY MIND AND HEART AND
SPEAKING AUDIBLE TO ME.

ONE OF HIS GREATEST TEACHING IS -- THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD - FROM GOD.