Remnant

Yesterday, I learned something I didn't know; the word "atheist" was originally used by pagans to describe Christians who denied the existence of the deities the pagans so revered.

Which makes sense since Christians, real Christians, would never be concerned with enforcing worship, though many Churches built up on the foundation of Christ did become so, hiding the true intent of their church and the idols they served in secret.

Truth: Satan works harder for Christ than any other being in the earth.

Fact: The Way is EASY!

Lots of people replace love with work. Love is harder, takes more patience, hurts more when failed...yet endures all things.

Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

If you can dupe the Christ or the Christ in a member or elect servant, you can twist and wrest the Gospel to serve whatever end you please...as far as others are willing to give over their Divine Right to your agenda.

How are we to know???

Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

 

 

The Roman Catholic and Mormon Church for example, both honor the Beast with worship and communion on Sunday when they call it Sabbath, mostly in error, they simple don't know any better. But those who do know better Worship the Evil One, and as debtors to Christ no matter how you slice it, hold at least a grudge and at worst a passionate hatred for and hold in derision all things Holy.

Because a fallen brotherhood is all important to survival in the earth, and no matter how much you would like to honor Christ, you cannot when you have to be a part of that brotherhood.

It's a compromised allegiance to God and Christ, which is unacceptable and unworthy of Glory.

This understanding or lack thereof births Societies/Kingdoms/Mobrules like that of America, which, as openly wicked as She may become is yet under Christ's Authority and the most base of men understand this fact and rely on it more than they would care to acknowledge openly. The best of them, try to acknowledge It erringly and are therefore heartily and boldly forgiven.

To really follow Christ one would have to leave the church and take up his cross daily, not just once a week.

Which is exactly how the real Remnant shall be formed. Members of all different sects and denominations, race and nation are going to find that in order to come to Christ, they must leave their Church, not abandon but seek Christ and God in Creation and HIs Word rather than Church doctrine and dogma.

The Sabbath was created for man and not man for the Sabbath-So...what did Jesus reveal about the Church? The Church/Temple worked harder on Sabbath than on any other day performing empty rituals and labors in a perfunctory show of propriety. And worse, was in league with the State/Government, and served for the Whore/Money, committing adultery on so many levels it was impossible to use the Temple for any Work of God...That is why Jesus did no Work there. He did all His Works in secret, though news of them came abroad.

Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath-So...Jesus is explaining that it is not about the Church or men's will to work, but about the Spirit and mystery of Holiness.

Men created men for the "Sabbath." A day when men would work harder than any other day of the week to win people to the Church. Abominable...A day for men to show off how holy they find themselves to be, a day for people to join them in this detestable practice...when what did God say?

Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Joseph Smith, a servant of Jesus Christ, while faithful to a point, seems totally blind to the Work he labored to translate. Everytime he had opportunity to do so, he betrays the Spirit of the Christ in his personal life with Pride and love of worldly things such as the praise of men. That is why I know Paul's testimony is superior, even though Paul's personal example and lifestyle was inferior.

Joseph does not take the Spirit to himself and fulfills Scripture he labored to "translate." In a miraculously ironic way... I believe he felt Jesus Christ as a person to be beneath him because he knew Jesus could sin and be tricked as many others have tried to do as well. He didn't see Christ as God in theFlesh but merely a man who brought the "Gospel," and whose authority could be usurped. And such can be done, for the entire world is willing and able to deny Christ. Nonetheless, Jesus loved Joseph.

Alma 30: 42 Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you, and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may destroy the children of God.

Moses 1:19 Satan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the Only Begotten, worship me.

Joseph Smith and Co. I believe at least some of them, were righteous because they hated God. He wanted the Throne, not the Love. He knew he could do what Jesus did. He knew he could be righteous. But could he be hated, miserable, lowly and destestable for God? I don't think so. What hath the glory of men to do with God? God knew and knows Joseph.

Proper attitude:

2Cr 12:5-6 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but [now] I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me.

Improper:

 

"I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. Neither Paul, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day-Saints never ran away from me yet."

 

Nonetheless, number One Reason people despised Joseph Smith and Mormons???

They fulfilled Scripture and made everyone else around them look weak and sinful.
Joseph and his followers seemed undefiled, holy, strong and able which their works testified to, it was Pride that knocked 'em down, even though they continue to build up places to honor themselves...not God. They were handed over to their enemies, even though their hands were clean, their hearts were defiled before God. The hearts of their enemies were more worthy and righteous, though the hands of their enemies were bloodied with sin.

Let's face it, loving God is not easy. He honors whomever He so chooses, and for His own reasons and to bring about His own Work. He often leaves us without hands and eyes in the world, not knowing which end is up, indebted to our enemies...because...lo and behold, that is when God can step in and save us from ourselves.

And I don't mean to tear down the Faith of the Mormon Church.

They do a lot of things very well, simply because they keep it simple. And the Book of Mormon is Scripture even if the Church itself doesn't understand It.

It's fascinatingly true that where Jews fail, Gentiles suceed and vice versa. And when the day comes that they realize this and bring both oddities together to Unify The Faith...Grace and Love shall abound as never before.

If they believe in Christ, they will be justified. If they believe in Joseph, they wont.

Jhn 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

The Faithful witness therefore...

1Cr 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.

It is believers who make the Church successful. It is the Body acting in Holiness, desiring the Greater Gifts, loving one another...Seeking to be Holy even because He is Holy. Which is why the LDS Church is so successful to a point. Joseph's personal walk and example exceeded any other witness. He did what Jesus asked because he understood the Secret. Then he betrays all his labor and with a single statement, is rejected. Why? Because it was his attitude all along. He never really took the Gospel to heart he just underestood It and why and how It worked. For him it was strictly business and the Church exemplifies this attitude.

And their young missionaries and laborers are some of the best in the business because they have Christ.

But too often what the Church does to the believer is use up his strength and holiness to no purpose in God. To build up the actual earthly edifice and exalt that which men created with their hands, rather then that Body which is Created without hands. Which is to bring Christ down to a level that Christ never should be brought to.

Mar 14:58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down [from above]:)

Joseph and LDS Doctrine got everyone asking, "Who shall ascend to Heaven?" Not just a couple of apostles but the whole Church...

So, the wisdom in choosing Joseph was different than the choice of Paul and teaches something different about God. Joseph was no doubt unaware that he would someday end up looking foolish by being "perfect." How and why? It was an act and God knew it.

Question is: Will Joseph submit to the Authority of Christ or become the Prince of this world?

(For an update on this thread, go here: http://spaces.msn.com/members/scripturalstirrings/Blog/cns!1p_w5pgLxoiUjISnR0dH4d6A!140.entry )

Hosea prophesies of his allegiance to idols in the latter-days,

Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!

And Judah stumbles with him.

Hosea also witnesses that God does love him and looks after him. Just as God remains with Judah, He remains steadfast in His Love for Ephraim and for all the World.

Hsa 11:1-12 When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

[As] they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I [am] God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.