Spiritual Growth

    There are three Babylons in the Bible. The first Babylon is related to the tower made by people to honor themselves, and it is the way of the flesh. The second Babylon is a kingdom that built itself by domination and assimilation, and this is also the way of the flesh. The third Babylon is an entity that is wealthy and enjoying greatness and good life, extended over kingdoms that stretch over millenniums and over many people, nations, and civilizations. This harlot is responsible for the blood of all saints of God and witnesses of the Lord, from the foundation of the world. Since Abel, the son of Adam, she is responsible for all blood. The devil and his ruling image (empires) will carry her in a place of honor for millenniums, but will destroy her at last. God is not destroying this harlot, but will use the kingdom of the devil, the antichrist, to destroy her, and she will become a resting place of all birds of the sky.   Who is this harlot? USA, as some claim i...

    In the preceding two posts (blog and podcasts), the questions in relation to 1 Corinthians 13:8–10 and the difference between biblical prophecy and non-biblical prophecy are addressed. Thus, two of the issues raised by those who believe in the cessation of some spiritual gifts could be addressed. Today, another issue raised by those advocating cessationism is addressed, and that is related to the character and history of those who experience and claim to experience spiritual gifts. The million-dollar question is this: could gifts of the Spirit be doubted because of the character defects and failures of those who claim to have spiritual gifts?   First, failure and character defect by themselves are not indicators of apostasy. We all are humans and imperfect as a result, and we will make mistakes here and there. Can we find anyone without sin and error, except Jesus Christ? We all fail here and there, and if anyone thinks failure and mistake are indicators of apos...

   I have seen many assemblies in turmoil over building projects, turning them into constant headaches. But is building not always a long-term plan? You plan, you save for years — even decades — and only then do you move forward. Today must be guided by a long-term vision. Yet many simply decide they want a building and cry loudly, without planning. Instead of saying, “We will have a building someday,” and preparing from the beginning, they demand it immediately.   When we were in high school, we knew the national exam was coming. We knew that entering university required passing it, so we prepared long in advance while still attending daily classes. We dressed for tomorrow. Preparation for the future is not optional.   If you want to be a businessperson, you surround yourself with businesspeople and learn their ways. You learn to walk before you run. There is a time to learn and a time to work. Everything must be done in its proper season.   In P...

   I guess there are people who avoid both the right and the left side of politics and define themselves as a third way. I do not know them well enough to judge them, but I am sure they only carry the shadow of the truth. I am here to give the full truth: we are too political, and as a result, we are too weak. Strength is when our muscle is God, not when we adulterate God with human muscle.   There are questions raised about those people, and let us leave that to those who know them better. Let us focus on the real issue. Is faith a third way? What is our reference point? Politics? No. Our reference point is heaven, and there are only two ways: the way of life and the way of death. The kingdom of darkness versus the kingdom of light. God versus the devil and the flesh. There is one right way, and there are many wrong ways. The so-called third way is merely cultural simplicity, born from Western cultures that have given politics unnecessary and excessive value within...

    The Lord Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15), and He insisted that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter heaven, but only those who listen to and obey the commandments of the Heavenly Father (Matthew 7:21). John also insisted that if we claim to belong to the Lord, we must live as He lived, in holiness (1 John 2:3–6). Even in the Great Commission, Jesus insisted that those who become His disciples must be taught to obey His commandments (Matthew 28:18–20).   But who can be like Jesus, and who can walk as Jesus walked? No one — because the narrow path that leads to salvation is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Yet that path is walked when we live as He lived on this earth, in our flesh, while facing human weakness. We may not reach perfection instantly, but we can grow toward it. We move from glory to glory until the image of the Son is formed in our lives. That is why walking in the footsteps of Jesus is a process of growth. ...

    When Jesus addressed the Seven Churches, the pattern was clear: identify the strength, identify the weakness, and show the way forward. In those assemblies there was good and holy, and there was bad and evil. Yet the purpose of the Lord’s message was to build them, not to destroy them.   So let us begin with what is good in globally known discernment ministries. What is good is this: when they see sin, they stand up to confront it. Honoring men of God would surely be more rewarding than rebuking them, yet when they see the people of God coupling with idol-worshiping women, they respond with zeal, anger, and rage. Their dedication to the cause is commendable — at least among the faithful ones I observe.   Many so-called people of God claim they are too important to be addressed or corrected. This only proves they are small people. What God honors is humility before Him. If someone points out your sin by Scripture, respond by Scripture. Who will correct y...