An Epilogue (The Year of "Our" Lord 2008*)
*(2014 note: i'm not sure if this was posted in 2008 or 2009)
. . . . . Okay, for the Internet, i did not pray at all re: the Hurricane Katrina situation in 2005. i still have hardly prayed( a lttle knee-jerk reaction ya know) about Gustav, but i'm planning now to pray some tonight. (Right now it's August 31st, in, as the Catholics say, ordinary time, approaching 4 pm CST.) This is an experiment. i want to get some kind of take on ordinary mind to day. i have gotten the sense as i've been writing this epilogue that there is some serious anger let me say. Oh well, let's try serious outrage. About me. i have nothing to say about those people now. Those who would pray with me, pray for me. Remember: attention is energy, hence many prayers can be( and are) counterproductive. Read on, and maybe see if i'm talking about you being outraged about me. Or maybe it's you. Or you. You know, God searches the hearts and minds.
. . . . . And yes, it's been a while, but i guess i need to say a little more. First, some of Jeremiah 20: "I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. (That was for a long time.) Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. (Remember, anyone, how i kept trying to quit writing el( wud-be) web site?) For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them( i don't think i'm like this now): for unto thee have I opened my cause. Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers."
. . . . . Somewhere on this site i said it is enough to be willing to change, willing to take less so that others might have more. Plenty of really poor people in the world. i'm afraid we're past that now. thehungersite.greatergood.com is still showing 24,000 deaths a day from hunger or hunger-related diseases. ameriKan politics continue to resist change. Again i will say I love my country but i've got to say that when Jeremiah writes about God saying three times "Shall I not visit for these things: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?" i have to say that we as a nation are so entrenched on the broad way that leads to destruction that, if we want to avoid a day of vengeance such as is hard to contemplate, we must act. And maybe real soon. i don't know (no one, the Bible tells, knows the hour but God, but signs abound. At any rate, institutional memory hardly allows the concept of change into the vernacular. The status quo quite simply is to improve my lifestyle at the expense of anything and everything.. . . . . "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." That's from John 9. Jesus was just giving a(nother among a whole bunch) warning: Obey my commandments. Do good works. While you can.
. . . . . Maybe, i could be wrong, but maybe there aren't as many people laughing at me now. Remember how the many (as opposed to the chosen few) "laughed him to scorn"?
. . . . . I have a few confessions to make. First, i suppose not many people in the kountry doubt my ability to to astrally project my (gotta call it) ghost to music recording sessions say, and for a long time i used this ability to tell people how to bet on sporting events. Like when Joe Namath said he guaranteed a victory in Super Bowl III, that was because he was told that the Jets would win. And if there are those who don't believe this, don't understand this, haven't heard a single word about me, nationally famous for a long time, all i can do is say please keep an open mind and don't be judgmental until you have heard (or read) more. And then, please don't be judgmental. Even Jesus said "I judge no man", though admittedly He followed this with "and yet if I judge, my judgment is true." I also need to say 'thanks' to those who believe I am (let's say) God-directed. To those who call me lucifer (and they are legion around here i do believe) let me say that for years i really needed you to keep me grounded, but i'm afraid it's time to let go of the truly negative attention and let me be who God wants me to be.
. . . . . For a little example of my what some might consider credibility, consider a letter i wrote to Hamilton Jordan (God rest his soul) in maybe '78. He knew at least about me (more on this later); he carried the letter to President Carter, and my idea, albeit in a watered-down form, was made official policy. A very sad outcome i'm sorry to report. Anyway, after what must be called my failure, I got a letter from the White House, over the signature of "Dan Chew", written in Jimmy Carter's quite distinctive scrawl but in quite a shaky fashion i must say. i read that, since i was dipping snuff at the time, as "Don't Chew".
. . . . . Let me add something, again for mere credibility: For quite some time i have not gotten traffic tickets, even though i certainly have deserved them. i mean, i even got off one ticket for doing 56 mph in a 35 mph zone. That's reckless driving where i'm from. Quite a few tickets i've avoided, just, i guess, because there is some let's say higher power watching out for me. Think about this. i'm not making this up, not lying. i started this web-site back in i think '96, which i claimed was scripture-centered. i think it must be called powerful. it contradicts a lot of what we might call man's doctrine. (Remember Job saying, "I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent. If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?" i'm not doing this because i want to, more like i have no choice, because i truly believe i don't have ego issues.) Okay, then, do you remember Jesus saying in Matthew 15, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." i'm afraid i might be the one who reveals to the world the commandments of God, let's just call it the truth. And it is oh so simple, if you just read and believe.
. . . . . A(nother) lesson from the past: Matthew 13 says: "And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." i taught with authority in newspapers, and on the internet, and, yes, on a few occasions even in churches' sunday schools, and yes, some people were astonished. And some of them said "look at this man, what a sinner, what an ungodly man" and they were offended in me. 'Specially here in my home state in the deep south. And i did not many mighty works here, because of their unbelief. (Please check the web-site for a few of what might even be called minor miracles, performed [well, not performed, but i was the instrument, i was instrumental in their happening] by me.)
. . . . . Oh yeah. Confessions: I still deal with my ordinary mind. I (still) live a fat lifestyle. I (still) lust after women other than my fiancée. I drink sometimes, and sometimes i drink. I smoke. I'm 59 years old, and maybe that's good for me; time might tell. Please understand, i don't know, maybe i've waited too long to like reveal myself. (Later: Haven't re-read this, don't do too much editing anymore, but want to add to it. Actually let me first say i don't think i'm the anti-Christ. Too holy ya know. And i gave up cigarettes new year's eve. Also, i guess i could go down the list, my ordinary mind is not much of a problem. [2022 note: rotfl])
. . . . . A digression from confession: i might not be self-actualized but self-actualization is the stage of life with which i deal. That's for those who are familiar with Hegel's Heirarchy of Needs, in which self-actualization is the epitome. When Jeremiah writes "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" it reminds me of my long and not-yet-ended struggle with the subconscious and ordinary mind, and it also leads me now to say that i know the heart. Kind of like knowing the Lord actually. See my scripturally-based study of the poor to maybe buy into this.
. . . . . Okay, back to confession. i guess it's pretty much common knowledge in this kountry that when I smoke marijuana and read stuff, kind of like the music thing, the writer can like tune in to me. I've caught myself, for example, reading poetry out loud and been horrified to realize that the poet could hear me. Well, contrary to what i've said on this web-site, when i was like studying the Bible all those years ago, when i was actually reading all the way through the Bible for sure more than once, and just reading different passages a lot, i was also smoking marijuana. And just one small example of what i realized while i was reading was that i was the spirit walking upon the water in Matthew 14 and Mark 6.
. . . . . Matthew 14 says: And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Why should they be troubled? Why should they say "It is a spirit"? Why should they cry out for fear? Because the "spirit" did not look like Jesus. This would have to be, i think, at least a mystery. i mean, they left everything to follow Him. Don't you think they felt like they at least kind of knew Him? Please keep in mind, though, that, like John 16 says, "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come." "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." That's kind of the situation with me. You might not believe how long i've waited to say these things to you. Because there were so many hard hearts and stiff necks it would have been counter-productive. Too much really negative attention. i can only do so much, and that is kind of up to you. Please keep reading. With an open mind.
. . . . . From Mark 6: About the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
. . . . . i'm not sure why He "would have passed by them"; this is probably just an effort by ordinary-minded people to confound me. Notice that here the disciples "wondered", could be translated "marveled", that's it, they wondered. Later in Matthew 14 the disciples say "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." And this, remember, though to me it seems like it should not be as though it were some kind of revelation, was something He did not want them to say.. . . . . The proverbial Mount of Transfiguration in Luke 9 is another example of what i'm sure some would or do consider nothing short of sacriledge: i was not just Moses, but Elias (sic) as well, talking with Jesus on that mountain. (2022 note: this is still really just a fear of mine, as well as fearing the light that is in me might be darkness)
. . . . . Luke 9 says: And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment two men, which was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
. . . . . They kept it close, huh? Actually i think they weren't sure what they had seen.. . . . . Earlier in Luke 9 we read: "And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing."
. . . . . Alone in a crowd, huh? Oh yeah, i might not be holy, i might not have been holy, but i certainly felt holy when i went through let's say, these experiences. i think if anyone investigates thoroughly enough they will come to the conclusion that at least a prophet has dwelled among them. And yes, i'm talking about me. i have seen, as i related on the site, this Guy/Man who just completely blew me away. i had thought before that the Bible was being metaphorical when It talked about the disciples leaving everything at a word from Jesus (like "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."). After this bizarre encounter in what many call 'the hood', i rethought that long-lasting idea.
. . . . . There are so many details: here's one more: Bob Dylan, in Time Out of Mind, sang something like "If I meet you, I don't know if I'd kill you or kiss you. I don't think it matters much to you." That was him singing about me and (i'll just call Him) J. That night in the 'hood it might have been kiss or be killed. No doubt, to me. And it didn't matter much to me which it was. Yeah, those few minutes left me with a real sense of wonder for a month, it still lingers today, and this from someone who lost all sense of wonder except about God a long time ago. It's still kind of hard to believe. You know, somebody this much like me. (2022 note: the angry part anyway) Because actually i had kind of been vetted for that meeting when i was arrested for displaying a weapon, and ran into this woman who certainly to me had her self grounded in scripture. But let's keep going:. . . . . In Mark 8 we hear: "Whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him."
. . . . . Matthew 16 says: "He asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. . . Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ."
Notice here that He refers to HimSelf as "the Son of man"; i've addressed this before i know, how the Son of God would have to claim responsibility for everything. In the climate of the day, He simply could not do this. i still believe John 14, which includes: "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 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. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." i find myself putting longer and longer passages of scriptures in these things. Like i said, we need to read things in the context of the Bible, maybe rather the spirit of God. Some people, i read here, know me.. . . . . Isaiah 52 says: "They that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed. Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I."
. . . . . This is true today like it was in Jesus' time, when the religious leaders incited the populance into far worse than indignation. Remember when Jesus said "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 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"? Years ago it definitely would have been in my best interests to move away from this state and change my name, start over. At every stage in my life i stole, cheated, lied, betrayed; i have failed miserably insofar as worldly wisdom and worldly success go. In a world where honesty and integrity we might as well say are worshipped, i am the least among men. I am not ignorant of this. Jesus, recall, did not go by His name on a regular basis, didn't want it revealed. (Search the scriptures if you don't believe me.)
I certainly hope that i will be received, like i just said, as the one whom God wants me to be. All i can say is 'behold, it is i'. Oh yeah, one of the more far-out ideas i've considered is that i am the Spirit of Truth of which Jesus spoke. Actually, if memory serves me well, also referred to as the Comforter. i've gotta tell you now, if that's close to the truth, i know it's damn small comfort. Because mostly what i see is like Psalm 97: "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne." Let the earth rejoice, while most of the people mourn huh? (2022 note: well, the rich will mourn because the Lord loves righteousness and judgment)Here's an image i just captured, apropos of nothing( i suppose many would say)::
. . . . . Confession: i have little doubt that when Jesus spoke of the "abomination of desolation" standing in "the holy place" He was talking about me. From Matthew 24: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes." Whoso readeth, let him understand. And don't forget, that's what i do, i understand the Bible. Some of it anyway. But just keep reading:
. . . . . This is also in Mark 13: "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house . . ." Let him who readeth understand huh? About 1996 i moved (back) to where i was born and raised. i didn't have anything to wear on my feet, just didn't think about it when i was moving. Anyway, i got really stoned and went to an Episcopal church here and my apparel (jeans and a t-shirt, no shoes, no jewelry or anything, kind of scruffy in a hirsute sort of way) kind of made me stand out in the congregation. And the ritual: great flowing robes and crowns and flags and this rather magnificent procession . . . which stopped at me, something new to the ritual. i said to myself "uh oh, another mistake". And that's the way that went. Actually, the rest of the story . . . the church leaders knew the secret of me: what they needed to do . . . and prior to that procession i went through a real weird ceremony with the associate priest and my step-mother. Like i was inducted into the church hierarchy or something. And that's the way that went.. . . . . Daniel 12: "Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end."
. . . . . Daniel 11 and 12 include: "I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth . . ." There is an anti-Christ Conspiracy, which certainly at least was legion, with me set up as the fall guy. Like i've said before, if i am the devil/anti-Christ/lucifer/whatever then the prophecy about me being revealed, it seems to me, should be called fulfilled with my revelations on the Internet. I mean, i just learned that the Chinese probably can't access my (wud-be) site, but i just put it out there for anybody and everybody, and word-of-mouth was all Jesus had as far as i know, i mean, there were no newpapers or magazines huh?
. . . . . Revelation 5 says in part: "And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." i know it staggers the imagination, but i'm afraid "the book" here is simply the Bible and yeah, little old me, i guess because i like laid my body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over. Check out Isaiah 51 (again): "Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine: Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over."
. . . . . Isaiah 13: "Howl ye; for the day of the LORD at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." This is the vision of the( not-too-distant?) future i see today.
. . . . . Isaiah 28: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation:" i know i said my middle name is Stone on el (wud-be) web-site, but i'm not sure if i said why it might be, say, important.
. . . . . Romans 9: "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." This certainly is a nice thought to me. You know, those who believe i'm God-directed say, will not be ashamed for believing in me. Consider me really amazed that people won't give me the benefit of the doubt.
. . . . . 1 Peter 2: "Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient:" And let there be no doubt that "the builders" in my life rejected me.
. . . . . Luke 17 includes: "The same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife." i guess i could be a "Son of man". Sacrilege? Go figure. Watch and pray is what Jesus said.
. . . . . Check out part of Mark 13: "False Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." The anti-Christ conspirators certainly say i'm a false Christ, a false prophet, who has shown signs and wonders to seduce even the elect. The tribulation i've touched upon. (i think we are in it now.) When Jesus says "the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken" i think that is addressing the fact that Camus wrote so long ago in The Stranger where he speaks of "the benign indifference of the universe". God, you see, is a spirit (John 4: "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."). God didn't make all of this. We did. The Son of man came from heaven, volunteered by us, to change it all. He could not do it.
. . . . . In Matthew 13 we read: "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Those of the conspiracy certainly say i'm offensive. They also say, and it isn't a complete fabrication, that i do iniquity. Well, let's just say i look forward to Judgment Day; i'm certainly sick of this world.
. . . . . Jeremiah 6: "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it. Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in:" That's what i say. And i said: "Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken." Had a woman from Chicago confront me years and years ago, actually wanting me to give her a verse about trumpets. i said, "If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare to do battle?" 1 Corinthians 14 includes: "If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me." i've been kind of a trumpet to some, please understand, and i can't say i'm happy with the situation. i'm so tired of being a barbarian to some, but perhaps moreso to those who understand and believe. There was a night, long ago and oh so far away, when i would have shot this guy if i'd had a gun, even went so far as to ask another guy there if he had one, really thinking that would start Armageddon. (2014 note: that was the night i encountered Him)
. . . . . Joel 2: "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains:" Well, nobody can say i haven't sounded an alarm.
. . . . . Here's another trumpet passage that (still) resonates for me: From Ezekiel 33: "Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." Don't hear the sound of the trumpet and take not warning. Please. Ears to hear. i did a Bible study on this, but here are some verses( again)"
. . . . . Deuteromomy 29: "And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land; The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day." When Moses says "unto this day", it is not, remember, only to the people of his day, but to the people of Jesus' day, and to this day as well. Ezekiel 12: "The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying, Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house."
. . . . . Matthew 11: "It is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
. . . . . Matthew 13: "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Jesus, see, was an angry Man. So is J. And actually, i suppose, so is little old me.. . . . . Again in Matthew 13: "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Don't know how many times i've repeated this verse. What did the Beatles say? Nothing you can say that hasn't been said?
From Mark 4: "He said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."
Also from Mark 4: "There is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath." A small part of this rather immense to me passage might better read "He that hath belief in the Truth, to him shall be given of the bounty of the earth, and he that hath not faith enough to follow My teachings, from him shall be taken even his material things.". . . . . Part of Luke 8: "And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand." He cried. Thinkaboutit. He too had trouble believing that the people were not getting the message. To those who hear is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, huh? And don't forget that those who truly hear also act upon the info. Lastly, from Luke 14: "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."
. . . . . From Luke 16: "Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." You can't serve God and money, for the love of money is the root of all evil. (Those are from the Sermon on the Mount and Timothy.) We are all covetous in a way, but i think i can lay claim to the title One Who Doesn't (Even) Like Money, if only because i am so stupid about it. Admittedly that is from other people's let's say bad attention. Although I really like in 1 Corinthians 3 the part that goes: "If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness."
And let's not forget 1 Corinthians 1, where we find: "The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence." Many are called but few are chosen, huh? And if you don't know, just trust me on this: i am base and i have been despised.. . . . . Matthew 15:7-9: "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." and Mark 7:6-7: "He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Just to keep things in context, seeking the big picture of The Truth, don't forget that Esaias/Isaiah was writing for the people of his time. In Jesus' time He was recognized as a prophet, but people still didn't do anything but pay Him lip service. Because "their heart"( "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked") was far from Him (and God). Now, in our time, we see that the law and the prophets were written for us just like them. Here's another verse on the web-site, one i stumbled on about ten years ago in a dentist's office when i opened the Bible and read this verse out loud to some hypocrites: "The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes." That is Psalm 36:1. The hypocrites didn't get it. The wicked say in their hearts (see Jeremiah 17:9) that they have no fear of God. They think they are chosen, elect, saints even. They profess an earthly fear, but think their souls are safe from the fires of hell. That's not what the scripture says. Jesus put it plainly, huh? "In vain they do worship God, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men."
. . . . . Part of Matthew 16: "The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." James flatly wrote: "Faith without works is dead." Yeah, sure, lots of people say, check it out, Paul wrote "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." but, just to put it into context, most of his writing was an exhortation to works. Yeah, the theologians and preachers of today have had long enough now to study the truth (according to me) so they can continue to teach people lies. They are intellectually dishonest, many of them, and those who are not are, i'm afraid, just not smart enough to recognize the truth when they read it. For lots of years, when I would quote a Bible verse i would be told i'm taking it out of context. Now i think some of them are realizing that i'm looking at the whole Book, while they are reading commentaries and putting things into man's context. (Check out the note just above on Matthew 15: 7 and Mark 7:6.)
. . . . . Zechariah 9: "And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our God..." Oh yeah, i'm a bastard. More on that later. Maybe.
. . . . . In John 14, Jesus said, "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. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Notice that the Holy Ghost is also "The Comforter". This last passage is from what the Old Testament called "The Prince of Peace". I think it critical that we also remember what He said in Matthew 10, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." It isn't much of a mystery to me. Read on, please.
. . . . . Luke 1 says: "Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." How anyone can say that we are filled with the Holy Ghost (especially those who are, say, born again) is quite simply over my pay grade. The Holy Trinity appears rather obviously to me to be God, Jesus, and the Comforter( also known as the Holy Ghost). Look in Luke 3: "The Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him." Actually i've thought for a long time that a material dove flew to His shoulder, and it was likened for a (heavenly) sign, that the rest of the people didn't hear the voice (since it's the only place in the Bible such an event didn't bring with it fear and trembling to the witnesses).
. . . . . John 1 says: "And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." Here it appears to be merely one of those instances where we should marvel that the Holy Trinity is One. Maybe more on this later.
. . . . . In John 7 we read: "This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given." Though i've been changing italics to normal for simplicity's sake, i left this "given" in italics. That means that the King James' Committee which translated the Bible into the king's english added this word to the original. Check it out when you leave that "given" out: "the Holy Ghost was not yet". Yeah, sure, there's a Holy Spirit all over the place, but call the Holy Spirit God.. . . . . Here's a little about how i view the future right now. First, i have come to realize that my experience with The Voice of God was one which truly revealed The Spirit of God. God is a spirit, remember, and we must worship Him in spirit and in truth. The truth is, i think, that the way of heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who do not have enough. Check out my scriptural study of the poor. Looking back here and there over the site i must say it strikes me as coming across as an Old Testament prophet. To say nothing of how it reminds me of the teachings of Jesus. "The Prince of Peace" told people to buy swords, and said He was not come to bring peace. Although it certainly can be argued that war/revolution is the only path to peace in some situations.
. . . . . Okay, here's the deal: Remember the guy who said he had kept the commandments, etc? Well, when Jesus told him to sell what he had and give to the poor and come follow Him, he went away sad because he was rich. We also need to consider the widow who put in two mites out of her living. Jesus said she gave more than the rich, who gave a lot. Today we need for people who have savings and portfolios and like automatic money market deductions from their check and IRAs and 401ks and seven houses, and gold too, you know, rich people, to get real. They need to get off that wealth. Proverbs tells us that money is a defense. Okay, let's everybody develop a little humility, a little faith. Maybe some folks live off of stock dividends. i doubt it, but that would be, i suppose, an exception. People like me who live paycheck to paycheck need (well, not as of 2014 was it?) to give as well. It will be accounted to us as righteousness. Send checks to CARE, okay? We can change it all. If the neighborhood/vineyard/world cleans up its act i really believe that the end of time, which i think most everyone agrees is gonna come sooner than later, if we practice "good will toward men( from Luke 2: "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.") then we won't have anybody going to bed hungry, certainly nobody starving to death and perhaps the end of time will be a beautiful transition.
. . . . . Maybe we need to tax businesses say five percent of their gross. i mean, what do the statistics tell us? That the top six percent of ameriKans control sixty percent of the kountrys' wealth? And listen, i'm not deaf to the reality of say China, where we already see as many members of the middle class as here in the usofa, and that number is expected to double by 2010. Middle class people are rich. And if everybody didn't love to spend money as much as most of us do there probably wouldn't be the gap between rich and poor we see today. Actually i think the middle class in ameriKa is disappearing. But labels don't matter; actions matter. For years i have tried to buy into Lao Tsu's "great pretense". You know, kind of a redistribution of wealth where we don't have so many deaths from hunger, where we don't have so many people going to bed hungry most nights i guess. Nope, i want to see it on NBC Nightly News and CNN. i'm watching and praying. And now it looks like i gotta be sayin' that "He who is not with me is against me." Check out Matthew 12: "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." and Luke 11: "If I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth." "No doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you" huh? i mean, who's gonna say it wasn't "the finger of God"? Yeah, just consider that Jesus actually said "if...". "The kingdom of heaven is at hand," He kept saying. That's for individuals too. The kingdom of heaven is always right there for us to like claim. my crowd used to say "Take a shit" when we were leaving anywhere. Let's get small. Interesting huh? "It's just a shout away" the Stones sing. And Joplin said: "Be a good man, one time, to one woman, and that'll be the end of the road for you." It can be as simple as dying a good death. Ever wonder why real cowboys always wanted to die with their boots on? Yeah, check out a little Zen action: There's the sudden school, and there's the gradual school. And the sudden school is nothing at all like saying "Hey, I'm a sinner. Thank you Jesus for saving my soul from hell." Well, that's pretty small actually. And the gradual school might just work for people who aren't trying to serve God and money. Few indeed. Godly wise? Look around. And don't ever forget that prayer: "Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." The way of heaven, see? Think kids die of slow starvation in heaven?
Ezekiel 20: "As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:" Remember "For all this my arm is stretched out still"? Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
. . . . . i also remain quite aware that Lao Tsu said, "Claim wealth and titles and disaster will follow." Right now i remain quite adamant that i don't want anybody to say anything like, "You must be a prophet at least." Fame definitely is not what i'm about. That may be open to argument, i don't know, but i've gotta say that anybody would argue that the desire for wealth is a not a problem with me. On the other hand, it just may be that the Lord wants me to not spend so much time worrying about making ends meet, maybe He wants me to follow through with this book idea (my journal) and actually get it published and let my soul mate not feel such a lack of esteem because she can't buy things, go shopping, you know, have money to spend because that is part of her diagnosis at the mental health center here. Just plain old bad with money. And yeah, for that matter maybe i've lived on so little (material stuff) for so long that i'm due a little( material) reward. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, huh? And normally it may be spiritual stuff the verse refers to, but hey, i'm the one interpreting this stuff since it's my wud-be web site and my wud-be book. And regardless, we would surely eat better.
"Money is a defense" i just said. "Now we call the proud happy," is another Old Testament scripture which certainly was true in Jesus' time too, and it is a plain truth to day as well. Right? Big picture again is that those who in their hearts are proud and are rich in money need to leave the defense behind to be in God's perfect will. Not having that defense will maybe wreak a little true humility, while those who have been "the least" will have a system in place (you know, with the money from the rich people) which will assure them of a least some little place of their own, you know, a roof and even a pantry (with [heaven help us all] food in it).
. . . . . Oh dear, that brings to mind The Seven Deadly Sins. i'm afraid i've got issues. And i fear that it remains quite complicated when one examines my place in the world. Remember the grandfather in the movie Little Big Man? He told about going to D.C. and meeting with "the white fathers" and he was quite enamored of what they told the Indian leaders: "Endeavor to persevere." Let's make that the watch-word for now. Okay?. . . . . Here is a part of my (wud-be) book:
. . . . . Want a lock of my hair? $250 for guaranteed 25 hairs averaging 1 and 1/2 inches long. Get these while you can . . . i'll be bald in no time.
. . . . . Fingernails available: Get a complete set of clippings for just $1000. You won't be disappointed; i'll only be offering these about every two weeks.
. . . . . Send me a $1 bill (plus a $100 bill and a SASE) and i'll autograph it and date it. This will be counted as a good work for you, but don't forget, it's gonna be the quicker the better, because "the night cometh, when no man can work".
. . . . . Wanna wash my feet? $1000. No recordings allowed; they might distort my feet, and we can't forget the prophesies( of Isaiah 52 and quoted in Romans 10): "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" Good tidings of good and salvation to the poor and afflicted anyway. Notice that's their God that reigneth.
. . . . . Wanna kiss my ring? $250. No photos.
. . . . . Wanna kiss my ring with me wearing it? $1000. (Photos available for members of The Inner Circle[ membership just $25,000 this month only( no questions asked; no vetting by FBI)]. Further donation applies.)
. . . . . Wanna be greeted by the holy kiss Paul wrote of in four places( here's one: "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss." Perfect huh? Remember Jesus saying "be ye therefore perfect" in His Sermon on the Mount? Good comfort to all who obey His commandments i suppose. "One mind" is like the "single eye" Jesus taught about; all for one ya know.) Oh yeah, the holy kiss: Send recent photo; i'm willing to travel on this one.
. . . . . e-mail requests; i aim to satisfy.. . . . . Here's a verse that always gives me pause, and just jumped out at me( again) to day: (Matthew 7:6) "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." (The swine have been trying to rend me again.) Anybody that thinks Jesus wasn't talking about today when He said that in Matthew 23 (and elsewhere) about "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" just don't get it. Their hearts are hardened. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." The blood of the prophets indeed. Luke 16:15: "And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." (Please don't forget that Jesus was/is The Prophet.) This is where i got that "integrity" rant. But now I need a transition. From reality to vision. Here we go . . .
. . . . . "Be still, and know that I am God" the psalmist wrote. What i call my vision (i sat up in the middle of the night and saw it), recall from the web-site, was this tree, let's call it the Tree of Life( As We Know It), when i got really zoomed in i saw nothing but children with very serious faces, wrestling. (2022 note: i didn't mention here that the children were all naked, but they didn't appear naked in the vision) The wind in the tree which i saw from a distance at first, the wind was us. Perhaps more aptly the wind is ordinary mind. We need to settle down, relax, quit fighting this fight which can't be won for more, we need to be still, believe in God, and do what He wants us to do. Take care of the vineyard/world (see My Last Take for the three parables). Feed everybody. Provide at least rudimentary shelter for everybody. 'Cause listen, it appears to me now that if i'm the devil, i'm god too. Because it wasn't God, it was ordinary mind, and if i'm the devil it means i made all of this. But i think i already say on this epilogue that the old attention is energy adage should be de facto evidence that it is all of our ordinary minds (maybe[ must admit i feel no guilt in this regard]) that caused what anyone who is willing to reason( from Isaiah 1: "Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken ") must call our fall from grace. Yep, i'm a dreamer: "Come now, and let us reason together". There's another pearl of wisdom, huh?
. . . . . This is out of Isaiah 58: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. (I've tried.) Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. (But they worship in vain, teaching for doctrine the commandments of man.) Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? (Here's some more of Isaiah 1: "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. [And big checks from rich people who don't follow Jesus' commandments.] When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? [I did not invite you.] Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." Etc.) Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? (Again i'm afraid it's me.) Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? (What did Jesus say? In Luke 14? "When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.") when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" "Hide not thyself from thine own flesh." Read this and see if you don't think it means like 'get your head out of the sand', look at the world as world and flesh as flesh and expose yourself to the hungry and afflicted.
. . . . . Some of 2 Thessalonians 1: "To you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day."
. . . . . 2 Thessalonians 2 starts: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." "The day of Christ" is at hand, huh? And no one knows the hour but God is what the Bible tells us. i'm getting a bit worried let's say. Hopefully more will receive "the love of the truth", that they might be saved. Lao Tsu said, "Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful." Small comfort indeed, huh? But if enough people act on the advice of what some might actually call "Wonderful Counselor" from Isaiah 9: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." And if truth be told, the government has to no small degree bought into my program. And not just the government( probably the force behind my traffic ticket situation), but remember that i'm the original "long-hair". Well, in the past, sure, lots of people had long hair for a long time. But do you remember the Beatles saying they had grown their hair four years, and this during their "mop-head" phase. No way, no how, had they let their hair grow for four years. That was the music, and marijuana, and me. My hair had grown for four years when they first "saw" me. And when I read in Genesis that God created man in His image, well, i must at least consider that i am God. But enough of that. i think i have overcome the world. (John 16 includes: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Obviously written to believers. Be of good cheer He said. Rejoice always, Paul wrote. i suppose that's why i keep making claims of a sort, to comfort the people who have sought God let's say (but keep in mind that Paul, when he said, "There is none righteous, no not one" continued that [in Romans 3] with: "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God."). And again i gotta say that what i have written has been like in Isaiah 28: "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear." This plus some has been on SAFE's web site for some time in the form of an image of a Quickverse let's call it "study" somewhere.
. . . . . Mark 3 includes: "Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit."(emphasis added) The end of the passage is why He said the red letter stuff.. . . . . 1 Corinthians 14: "In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord." The Lord knows i have tried to speak to this people, and maybe many read it with what might be called interest, but only a few i fear believed. Yeah, 'for all that (i have done) will they not hear me'.
. . . . . "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." People say He was "perfect" huh? (Read the web-site.) And what do the hypocrites say about His admonition to "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."? Maybe: "We practice relative perfection."( Actually heard that in a sermon.)
3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1 Corinthians 12.) Give me a break huh? Maybe the first part is true anyway, and it refers to me being blasphemed say. i mean, you gotta give me the mystery of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost being one, huh?
. . . . . And listen: The Holy Spirit should be translated Holy Ghost in most of the relevant scriptures. The Holy Spirit in some instances should be translated God. We don't have the Holy Spirit in us, all sentient beings have a spark of the Divine in them (and also, don't forget) a devil in the form of ordinary mind. In Matthew 1 we find: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." This looks like clear evidence to me that the Holy Ghost is made in the image of God( and Jesus). Still i quite clearly recall a dream where i was like shall we say knowing Susan S., i actually woke up and was like you know engorged and in her. The dream occurred to her before i met her and me afterwards. Guess i wouldn't have met her if not for the "dream". i haven't been with Mary yet( i think i always wake up from these call 'em soul-transporting dreams), but i'm afraid that's one of the things i might need to do while i'm here in the world. John the Baptist said: "He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Here "Holy Ghost" should be translated "God( aka Holy Spirit)". Actually you know, it really could be the truth that people who read my words and believe them that they are like baptized in the truth say. And maybe they become on fire for God.
In Matthew 12, Jesus said, "All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." It kind of staggers me to think that, let me paraprase and with little regard for rules of the english: "Blessed are me who is persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for mine is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are me, when men shall revile me, and persecute me, and shall say all manner of evil against me falsely, for God's sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is my reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before me.". . . . . We find, in Matthew 28: "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Some doubted. You know, it makes me wonder. Be sure to notice He said to teach everyone to "observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Be sure to think about how difficult His doctrine was. Even the disciples were saying like "who then can be saved?"( Matthew 19:24-26: "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."; Mark 10:24-27: "Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible", and Luke 18:24-27: "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." These three verses seem to address the end of time: First He says that basically rich people can't go to heaven, then He says that we can't find the kingdom of heaven even if there are no hungry people in the world, that it will take God maybe Jesus( who knoweth?) to get us to heaven. And maybe we should keep in mind that there are things still too difficult for us to bear, i mean even Paul wrote: "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" This reminds me of my web-site, where i could not simply tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. i mean, is there not among us envying, and strife, and divisions? Are we not carnal, and walk as men? Oh well, at least we shall know the truth, and maybe be obedient to the good will we are taught. And maybe we will (all) be set free from the bonds of ordinary mind.
* This i know is also on the web-site, from Matthew 7: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man . . ."
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