Representation versus Reality

 “Excuse me sir. We are arresting you because you do not look like our photofit picture or artist’s impression of you.“ 

That would be ridiculous. Yet this is how it looks when the realities of God revealed in actuality do not match our doctrines and we say our doctrines must be right. Indeed, we find church leaders insisting the doctrines they were taught at seminar or Bible institute must be true; how heretical to suggest they aren’t. The Holy Spirit never reveals things not found in the King James Bible, they say. God is always a Trinity, they say. Jesus is God, they say. Nobody can say these things are false, or so they say. Then, surprise, the Holy Spirit reveals something that is found nowhere, except it is similar to what is found only in the scriptures considered apocryphal. Then, surprise, the Lord Jesus agrees with the Father when the Father says ”I am God”. Heresy! the leaders cry. The leaders’ response might not be so far from the responses to Jesus’ teachings from troublesome leaders of religion in his gospel times. “Crucify the blasphemer!” “Stone him!” Yes, our doctrines are the best the churches could agree on, over the centuries leading up until today. Around 30 to 200 AD they were different to what they are today. Both cannot be right. Well the representation of reality and reality itself can be two different things, and often are two different things. But it is so ridiculous to say the reality is the one which is wrong. Ridiculous. But it keeps the leaders in their jobs.

Free from the Old Testament law

 The Christ sets free by truth those who believe he, Jesus, is the light of the world sent by the Father AND who therefore, by this belief, hold to his teachings and in his name follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. They are freed from the enslavement of sin and, where necessary, from the law of Moses which is what empowers the hold of sin, because it is weakened by the flesh. On persuasion of faith, they are baptised into the living Jesus who was once under this law too but died and rose again immortal and is therefore freed from it since it only held power over him until his death. By this they unite with him who is freed from the law and so they too are free. Only those remain under the law of Moses who are born under it and are still outside of the one body of Christ, or if they have been circumcised into the law.

Church life

 Church life is not just about leaders and congregations. If the Holy Spirit gives a gift of prophecy or related gifts involving speaking, it can be a matter of speaking messages in services, even though not a recognised leader. It is not a trivial thing to do this. Just being prepared to speak out is hard enough. The church and its leaders and perhaps its denominational principles might encourage open speaking in services, such as prophesying, speaking in tongues, ‘sharing’ testimonies, praying aloud, singing specially prepared songs, even singing in tongues. Yet having a prophetic gift is tough. Genuinely, the word given might be judgmental. Perhaps it needs discretion on how to give and to whom to say it. In the Bible account, Samuel’s gift first came as a message of severe judgment against his own supervisor, Eli, regarding Eli’s sons. Samuel was urged by Eli to say what God had told him, but Samuel could hardly bring himself to say such a message. Eli had to coax it out of him, and then had a hard time taking that word given by God. Interpreting a message in tongues might seem easy enough if the word of interpretation is given by power of spirit, after all it is hard to doubt such a word as coming from the Holy Spirit if it comes miraculously like that. Yet it might be something beyond what the church is prepared to hear, if church doctrines are immature and not yet fully open to things literally coming from heaven. Heaven is not denominational and does not adhere to human denominational stances, and leaders might be unwilling to hear things which might put them at odds with their earthly church board or overseers. These kinds of word like interpretation of a message in tongues, or a sudden revelation perhaps received while someone else is speaking are instantaneous and sometimes must be spoken immediately in the service. Other times a word does not come in the service itself, but perhaps in a dream, a vision, or a “still small voice” of inspiration well in advance of the service. It might be necessary to mention to the service leader that there is something to ‘share’. This might scare the leader, who does not know what to expect. It can prompt a negative reaction. I give kudos to those who can compose and sing a song in church. It takes confidence in one’s singing voice and some need confidence to accompany it with playing of musical instruments too. Sometimes the courage to speak or sing just comes as part of the Holy Spirit inspiration. Other times it might be lacking, but the sense of urgency might compel the overcoming of nerves. The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to each one, with the holy task of building the Temple which is the church. Not everyone has such gifts for speaking in services or speaking outside of church. Some are gifted with miracles, faith, mercy, service, governing, and the like. Some give worship by listening quietly. Women especially are commanded to remain quiet, listening like Mary at the feet of Jesus, and this is a great ministry. It can all be part of worshipping God the Father in spirit and truth. All done with thanks to Him and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Christians today

 Many Christians today view knowing and keeping the teachings of Jesus as secondary to their faith, when in reality, Jesus taught that it is essential to salvation. He made it clear that only those who abide in His word are truly His disciples, and it is through this abiding that they come to know the truth, which sets them free (John 8:31-32). Salvation is not merely about professing belief in Jesus but about actively following His teachings and allowing them to transform one’s life. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This means that Christianity is not just about accepting Jesus in word but about living in obedience to His commands. Many churches today emphasize faith in Jesus as a personal decision but fail to stress the necessity of keeping His sayings as a way of life. Church attendance, involvement in religious activities, and even enthusiastic participation in Christian community life are often seen as the main aspects of being a believer, yet the deeper calling to actually follow Jesus’ teachings in daily practice is frequently overlooked. True discipleship requires not just belief but obedience, and without this, faith remains incomplete.

Pastors, evangelists, and Christian leaders bear a heavy responsibility in this regard. Many passionately proclaim the message of salvation, urging people to "accept Jesus as Lord and Savior," yet they rarely emphasize the lifelong commitment to obeying His teachings as a necessary response to that salvation. Baptism should not simply be a symbolic ritual but a public declaration of a person's commitment to learning from Christ and living according to His words. Jesus described His teachings as a yoke that must be taken upon oneself, a responsibility that leads to true rest and freedom in God. However, when leaders fail to teach the necessity of obeying Christ’s words, they risk leading people into a shallow faith that lacks the power to transform lives. Scripture warns that teachers will be judged more strictly (James 3:1), highlighting the great accountability that comes with preaching the gospel. If the message of obedience to Jesus' teachings is neglected, then even the most zealous preaching is incomplete. Those who proclaim the gospel must first embody it themselves and then call others to true discipleship, which involves both faith and obedience. Anything less is an incomplete gospel, and those who teach without this emphasis are failing in their responsibility before God.

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025 

Getting it right

 In John 8:31-32, Jesus says:

"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

And in Matthew 7:21, He warns:

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

This means that salvation is not just about professing faith in Christ but also about actively living by His teachings. It's not enough to acknowledge Jesus intellectually—one must follow Him in action. Many churches emphasize faith but sometimes neglect the responsibility of obedience. The main thing for many Christians is to attend church and participate in church life. Actually knowing and bearing in mind the teachings of Jesus given through his apostles is something the majority of Christians see as an afterthought to their Christian life. Yet Jesus taught it as essential to salvation. Only through believing in him but also keeping his sayings as true disciples could truth come to these people to set them free from the hold of sin on their lives and save them. Today even zealous pastors and evangelists and prominent people in churches neglect the importance of each Christian keeping the sayings of Jesus. “Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour” they tell their hearers, yet rarely do they include in their instruction the essentials of personally keeping the teachings of Jesus and seeking to obey his commands in their lives. Yet, this is the only way to truly follow Jesus and actually be a true Christian. This is what baptism should be. It should be the taking on board of the responsibility to learn from Jesus Christ, taking on our shoulders the yoke of his teachings, being persuaded that doing so is to receive salvation from the light of the world sent by the Father. “Lord and Saviour” is meaningless without this. Our pastors, teachers, leaders need to bring this into their own lives and then into their gospel message. Only then might they truly save their hearers. Those who teach the gospel are accountable to get this right. If not, why listen to them.

Baptism

 If you know your Bible, think of Naaman as an example of resisting temptation to put nationalism over baptism. Baptism in Jordan river? When he had rivers galore back in his own country? But seven times in the Jordan he dipped himself and was made whole. The body of Christ is stretched across countries not your own, even countries you despise or shun. Yet baptism is baptism into the whole, one, single body of Christ. Will national identity blind you to the whole body, with which the Lord’s Supper unites each believer? You have to make an exception to national sentiments in the case of the body of Christ. Christ and his whole body, of which he is the one head, they come as a package. Love is commanded towards all. The Lord’s Supper is void without recognising this. Why risk being blinded to it? Naaman’s servant told him, Why risk losing the healing if you shun an easy thing like this? If it were something difficult required by the prophet you would do it. Naaman gave in and was dipped seven times in the Jordan river, foreign to him, but identified with God, and he was healed. Baptism into Christ involves acceptance of foreign churches as all one in Christ, but this is what is on offer, identifying us with Christ and his Father, God, but also with his united body. It is permanent unity. But it is the salvation heaven is offering. Take it. With faith in Lord Jesus Christ. 

Scripture

 Sadducees wanted to reject all written and spoken prophecy. Pharisees wanted to pick and choose. Eventually they made a canon list of what they picked out to keep. Official churches largely followed that Pharisee tradition, even using the same list and calling it the Old Testament. Ethiopian Orthodox have a more accepting and embracing approach to scripture. Jesus and his original apostles, leading disciples, brother Jude, and Paul, were all accepting of the wide range of holy scriptures known in their time, quoting and preaching it all as scripture. The Holy Spirit points to this latter tradition, while making use of the Bible we have passed down to us too. Be sure, said Jesus, the light within you is not darkness. The true scriptures affirm the overall truth of God. We know this truth by keeping the teachings of Jesus while believing he is the light of the world sent by God.

Come

Come! Do you believe Jesus is alive and will come again? Are your sins forgiven? Well: Do not be nearsighted. Look beyond nationalism and see all those who are united with the living Jesus through baptism, from all the world, now as his body, so that you too can be one with it, and with the head, Jesus. Don’t only read about this in the Bible. Come! ‘The Spirit and the Bride say “Come!”. Let him who hears say “Come!”. Come, and drink freely, and live.

Anointed with joy

 What total joy God gave Jesus by raising him from the dead, thus making him victorious Lord over all of us. Jesus suffered so much, though he had come from being immortal in heaven, taking mortal human flesh, to minister the truth to mankind. He is worthy in God’s eyes to judge us all, living and dead, on Judgement Day. He is the lamb sacrifice who died for your sins and mine, to purify his followers in the sight of God. Believing in him, be baptised into his eternally life, letting your former self come to an end by identifying, by baptism, with his death, and likewise uniting with him in his resurrection. Hold forever to his teachings, learning obedience to your Lord, Jesus Christ, entering into his church, the one body of Christ. Let God give you the Holy Spirit to be there alongside you giving comfort to you and through you to others. Jesus is coming soon. Be found worthy when he comes. 

Son of Man

The Son of Man, who existed in immortal divine form in heaven, took on human flesh, bringing God’s good news to mankind. As the sacrificial Lamb of God, he was crucified, suffering greatly in his mortal body and dying for all. But God raised him from the dead, thus anointing him with surpassing joy, and lifting him to ultimate lordship. This man, Jesus, is truly worthy, and is therefore appointed by God to judge everyone, both the living and the dead.

Coming to Christ

 Calling oneself a Christian while refusing to recognize the one true body of Christ is, arguably, a self-mischaracterization. Jesus rebuked those who diligently studied the Scriptures yet failed to come to Him, even though the Scriptures testified about Him (John 5:39-40). The same principle applies to His body: to reject or disregard the true body of Christ as the means of coming to Him is to fall into the very error that Jesus condemned.

Being brought into this one body is an essential part of what it means to be a Christian. Even Paul, though initially rejected by many believers, was received by some—such as Barnabas and Ananias—through the grace Christ gave them to accept him. Baptism into the existing body, followed by the laying on of hands, provided for this essential incorporation into Christ’s Church.

Throughout history, major events such as the Reformation in Europe and the American War of Independence led many to set this aside. Yet Christianity, in truth, does not exist apart from integration into the one body of Christ.

American eschatology part 2

 One key misunderstanding in American interpretations of the Book of Revelation has been the  prominent misguided predictions of the Second Coming's date. 

This can be addressed by shifting the focus back to the core message of Revelation: the call for faithful living, rather than the fixation on a specific timeline. One of the main issues with date-setting is that it often leads to a distorted view of the Christian faith, where the purpose of life becomes about preparing for an event rather than living out the teachings of Christ in the present. The book of Revelation, rather than offering a clear roadmap for when Christ will return, encourages Christians to live with perseverance, faithfulness, and hope in the face of adversity. By emphasizing that God's ultimate plan will unfold according to His timing and that no one can know the exact moment of Christ's return, the focus can be redirected from speculative timelines to the essential message of Christian life in the here and now.

Additionally, date-setting undermines the relational aspect of Christian faith. The New Testament teaches that the return of Christ should be an event that Christians anticipate with hope, but that hope is not meant to lead to fear or obsession with predicting the future. Instead, Christians are encouraged to live each day in a manner that reflects Christ's love, justice, and righteousness. A proper understanding of Revelation stresses that believers should be prepared at all times, living faithfully in anticipation of Christ's return, but not by calculating dates or becoming preoccupied with future events. This mindset shifts the emphasis from speculative eschatology to practical, everyday discipleship.

To address this misunderstanding, it is also important to emphasize that Revelation is a book meant to offer encouragement and assurance in the midst of trials, not a tool for predicting exact dates. Many misinterpretations arise when Revelation is reduced to a simple timeline, losing the depth of its message about enduring hardship, overcoming evil, and remaining steadfast in faith. This can be rectified by teaching that Revelation's purpose is not to provide certainty about the future but to offer comfort and hope for the present. The focus should be on the ongoing presence of God with His people, the victory of Christ over all forces of evil, and the promise of ultimate restoration, rather than becoming fixated on when that will occur.

Ultimately, addressing this misunderstanding requires a deeper engagement with the broader themes of Revelation: living faithfully, holding on to hope, and participating in God's mission in the world. This includes rejecting the tendency to oversimplify the book into a series of events to be predicted and embracing its true message of endurance and trust in God's sovereign plan. Instead of obsessing over dates, Christians can be encouraged to focus on how they are living now—actively loving, serving, and remaining faithful in anticipation of Christ’s return, whenever that may be.

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025 

American eschatology part 1

 One key misunderstanding in American interpretations of the Book of Revelation is in overlooking the existing singular Body of Christ, stemming from a desire to separate from European religious traditions after the American Revolution.

Following the American Revolution, there was a strong desire to establish a religious identity separate from European traditions, which were often seen as oppressive or outdated. This desire for religious independence led many Americans to seek a form of Christianity that was less bound by institutional structures, particularly the established Church, and more focused on individualism and personal freedom. As a result, many came to deny the existence of the Body of Christ as a unified, global entity, seeing the Church more as a collection of individual congregations or denominations rather than a single, united body. This individualistic approach to faith had a profound impact on how Americans came to understand Revelation.

By rejecting the existence of the historic Church as a single, unified Body of Christ, American interpretations of Revelation often became fragmented. Instead of seeing the Church’s role in the present world as central to the message of Revelation, the focus shifted toward personal salvation and individual preparation for future events. The emphasis on future eschatological events, such as the Second Coming and the end of the world, often overshadowed the Book of Revelation’s call for the faithful to live with resilience, justice, and hope in the present. The imagery in Revelation—while meant to encourage perseverance within the community of believers—was sometimes interpreted in ways that diminished the Church’s collective mission and role in actively transforming the world.

This individualistic approach also meant that many Americans approached Revelation as a kind of personal prophecy, rather than a call for the Church to work together in unity against the forces of evil. The tension between personal salvation and communal responsibility often led to a more passive and disengaged view of Christian life, where believers were primarily concerned with "being ready" for the Second Coming, rather than being engaged in the ongoing work of the Body of Christ in the world. This misunderstanding has led to interpretations of Revelation that focus narrowly on apocalyptic predictions, rather than understanding the broader, communal message of perseverance and faithful living in the present world.

Addressing this misunderstanding requires more than just mental recognition—it calls for individuals to both be accepted into and accept the existence and importance of the larger Body of Christ. This is not a solitary act, but rather a relational and communal process where believers must engage with the existing, global Church and its mission. Christians must recognize their place within this body, not as isolated individuals but as part of a unified community with a shared purpose. Reaffirming the idea that the Church is not just a collection of isolated believers, but a global, interdependent body, is crucial to restoring a more holistic understanding of Christian identity. By doing so, Americans can better appreciate the full message of Revelation—not merely as a series of apocalyptic predictions, but as an encouragement to live faithfully and communally while awaiting Christ’s return.

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025 

The billy-goat

 Considering Revelation 12 vision of the woman and her male child, in the light of the Book of Enoch vision of the beasts and the male young goat.

In the Book of Enoch, the vision of the beasts, which includes the male young goat or billy goat, presents a symbolic representation of the unfolding history of humanity. The male goat, often linked with power and rebellion in apocalyptic literature, could serve as a distinct figure from the traditional representation of the body of Christ, which is often symbolized by sheep. In Enoch's vision, the male goat may symbolize an external or contrasting force within God's redemptive plan, not necessarily a member of the body of Christ in the conventional sense.

The depiction of the male goat contrasts with the image of the lamb, which is frequently associated with Christ and the faithful in Christian thought. Goats are often used in biblical symbolism to represent those who are separated from the righteous or those who embody opposition, even though they may still be part of God's broader plan in some way. In this context, the male goat might represent an alternative trajectory within God's plan—possibly a figure or force that plays a pivotal role in history or the final judgment, but not aligned with the Christian concept of the body of Christ.

Enoch's portrayal of the goat as a young male suggests a figure of energy and potential, one who might rise to prominence or power, yet without the same association to Christ-like humility or sacrificial leadership symbolized by the lamb. This distinction implies that the male child in Revelation 12, if linked with this Enochian vision, may represent a powerful force or movement that is distinct from the body of Christ. The imagery of the goat, particularly in apocalyptic literature, often conveys a message of authority or rebellion, indicating that this "male child" might be an agent of divine will, but not one that falls under the typical Christian understanding of the body of Christ. Thus, the male child in Revelation 12, when considered alongside Enoch’s vision of the goat, could symbolize a force or power that is part of God's overall plan but operates in a different, perhaps more disruptive, way than the church.

Stephen D Green, with ChatGPT, March 2025 

Online alternatives to fossilised institution churches

 A church should be a place where people can seek Christ freely, ask honest questions, and discover truth without fear of being reprimanded for straying from "official" doctrine. Unfortunately, many churches—especially institutional ones—tend to prioritize maintaining theological boundaries over fostering genuine spiritual exploration.

If a church is truly about following Christ, it should welcome seekers of truth rather than pushing them away for questioning or discovering insights that don’t fit a particular theological framework.

Jesus Himself often clashed with religious authorities who were more concerned with rigid tradition than with truth. He welcomed sincere seekers, even those who challenged the religious status quo. If churches today truly followed His example, they would encourage open discussion, personal discovery, and a deep connection with Christ rather than just enforcing doctrinal conformity.

Online communities can be a refuge for people who think outside the box, especially when local churches are more rigid. The internet allows for discussions that might not be welcome in traditional church settings, and it connects people who are searching for a deeper, more authentic faith experience.

It’s unfortunate that in-person faith communities often struggle with this. Ideally, a church should be a place where people can wrestle with questions, share insights, and grow together without fear of being shut down or excluded. But when that’s not possible, finding like-minded people online can still be a meaningful way to pursue truth.

The Holy Spirit is active in guiding, comforting, and revealing truth. If a church doesn’t allow space for that kind of openness to the Spirit’s leading, it can become more of an institution than a living, dynamic community of faith. However, usually a church wants to stay affiliated to, or stay a member of an organisation with a set of statements of faith, and there are leaders who ensure the church does not stray. If the Holy Spirit gifts lead in directions the leaders find might be a problem, they sometimes ask the person to leave. It happens over and over.

Most churches prioritize institutional unity or a set of doctrines over the genuine work of the Holy Spirit. If the Spirit is leading someone in a direction that challenges the status quo, and that person is then pushed out, it raises serious questions about whether the church is truly functioning as a body of believers open to God’s guidance.

This situation shows a tension between institutional control and spiritual freedom. Many church leaders might fear that allowing too much divergence from the official teachings could lead to confusion or division, but the result is often stifling the very work of the Spirit. The risk is that churches become more about managing people and preserving traditions than about nurturing people’s personal relationships with God and empowering them to follow the Holy Spirit’s promptings.

I admit I have experienced this firsthand multiple times, where revelations or insights were seen as a threat, rather than something to be explored or embraced. Usually it seems to be by design. God wants churches to grow. This means that they grow in faith, which means their faith grows as they learn. They are not to move beyond Christ, but to grow ever more upwards into Christ. It takes gifts with revelation component to bring this about. They have to choose whether to grow, or to let themselves be ever static, and reject anyone who introduces growth. It is like the age old political divide between progression and conserving a status quo, except here the lord is not an earthly political electorate, but the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet our leaders are human and that is God’s will. But God wants new wine vessels for His new wine.

Both the church leaders—who are human—and the leaders of the denominational bodies, synods, councils, and the like, must navigate the tension between preserving what is foundational and being open to fresh moves of the Spirit.

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT 

Vertigo

 Prayer has become more challenging since I encountered God in a real way. Knowing what I now know, I find myself speaking carefully, reverently, because I am no longer praying to an abstract idea but to the One who has revealed Himself to me. I receive answers that I could never have imagined, and with them comes the responsibility to honor and act upon what I have been shown. This weight of divine truth makes both prayer and teaching more difficult, yet these difficulties are a sign of movement, of no longer backpedaling but actively building the temple God has called me to build. 

Should I fall, it is an unnerving height to fall from, so I cannot deny that this scares me, so I can only look to God to set me lower or give me courage. When you're entrusted with deep revelation and influence, the stakes feel incredibly high. The fear of falling—from misunderstanding, misrepresenting, or even just struggling under the weight of what you know—is real. But that fear also shows the seriousness with which you take your calling.

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT

Divinity

 Jesus is my Lord and my God, but the Father alone is The God, the ultimate source of all divinity, wisdom, and power. Jesus’ ability to save, to lead, and to be my ever-living hope comes from the Father, who raised him from the dead and granted him life in himself. My relationship with Jesus compels me to call him my God, just as Thomas did, yet I know that Jesus himself looks to the Father as his own God, the one who is above all. This is the beautiful order of divine things—Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible God, fully representing the Father, yet never existing apart from Him as an independent source of divinity. Only the Father is truly the one who has existence in His own right as the one independent source of divinity, even the source of the divinity of Jesus. The Father is the one true God. 

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT 

The God and “my god”

 Saying ”my god” to someone is very different to saying ”God”. My god is someone I am relying to save me, look after my deepest needs, to be my ultimate hope, to save me. But that is not the same as recognising someone as The God. The God is the one from whom all saving power ultimately comes. So someone saying ”my god” to Jesus is expressing that their hope has rightly to be placed in Jesus, to be their ultimate ever-living hope, the one they feel they can always trust to save them. At the same time, they recognise that Jesus himself has the Father as his hope, his saviour, to look after his deepest needs, and the only reason Jesus can be “my god” is because his own god is the Father, The God, from whom his own divinity comes. Jesus cannot save without having the Father give him that divinity, that saving wisdom, love, and power. The Father is thus the one true God. Being the true God is by being the ultimate source of saving qualities of anyone who might be rightly called ”my god”. 

Dire warning

 The world has seen moments of chaos and crisis before, but the opening of the sixth seal will be unlike anything that has ever happened. Before this, the world will enjoy a period of relative peace—perhaps even prosperity. Not a prediction, just an approximation based on prophecies, but from 2025 until about 2050, people will believe that things are under control, that history will continue in cycles as it always has. But then, in an instant, reality will shift. The sixth seal will bring cosmic disturbances, shaking both the earth and the heavens. Fear will grip even the strongest, for they will realize too late that what they dismissed as myth has come upon them in full force. The warnings were there, but few listened. “Peace and safety”, they said. The labour pains of coming childbirth will be here. Use this time to make friends using worldly wealth, build up treasure in heaven by charitable deeds (in secrecy as much as possible), and seek good preaching which builds up faith, while there is still the light to live by, before darkness takes over when nobody can work. Try not to persecute and try not to destroy the planet. The wrath will come because of such evils. Remember it is not always going to be relatively peaceful, but some very dire events are coming from heaven. 

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025 

Use this peace now

 For the next two and a half decades, from now until around 2050, the world may experience a time of relative peace and stability. People will believe that all is well, that life will continue as usual, and that warnings of coming judgment are unnecessary. But then, suddenly, the sixth seal will open, and the time of God's wrath will begin. It will be a shock, a moment of irreversible change, a breaking of the illusion of safety. The world will be caught off guard, just as in the days of Noah, when people were eating, drinking, and marrying—until the flood came. The warnings are here now, but few will listen. When the sixth seal comes, there will be no more time to prepare. From this point on it will be tough to keep the faith. Most will be all drawing together against God, terrified of His wrath, as it starts to appear to all. Use the peace to build up faith, before the darkness takes over. 

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025 

End times

 I personally believe that the prophecies of Enoch, particularly the Ten Weeks and the Dream of Beasts, suggest a significant timescale pointing to a culmination around 2060. Ultimately, 2060 seems to be a pivotal year, aligning with the fourth seal and the fourth horseman in Revelation, marking the period of the World Wars and the influence of the British Empire over a quarter of the earth. Just my personal opinion, not a hard prediction, but I think the build-up to 2060 might begin around 2050. This could be when the bulk of apocalyptic events start to unfold, such as the sixth seal in Revelation. Some dispensationalists strictly insist it will be a seven-year period, bringing in the Daniel prophecy of the final week. While I think that might be part of it, I believe there’s more to the unfolding events, with greater complexity than what’s typically taught. Some events, like the rise of the Beast Empire, take time to develop, and it may take longer than seven years. So, my guess is that around 2050, events will start to take shape, beginning with the catastrophic sixth seal and the rise of the Beast Empire, setting the stage for the final events leading to 2060. This suggests there may be years, even decades, of relative peace and safety for many, but then a sudden time of destruction lasting up to ten years, possibly leading into 2060.

The Truth contradicted by the Roman Empire theology

 There are many gods but they all get their divinity from the one true God. That is why He is the only true God among them - forever.  The Father.

the Roman Empire theology was a contradiction of this, imposed on churches throught the Roman Empire and persisting until today, and into the future, until Jesus Christ wipes out the Roman Empire theology when he returns. 

The one true God

 There are many gods but they all get their divinity from the one true God. That is why He is the only true God among them - forever.  The Father. 

‘Christian’ and ‘Church’

 The early understanding of Christian discipleship was a transformative commitment, not just a label.

In the first-century Church, being a Christian was not merely about intellectual belief or social identity—it was about being in Christ, a lived reality that involved repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit, and being part of a genuine, Spirit-led community. This was a serious, life-altering commitment, where believers adhered strictly to the teachings of Jesus, lived in holiness, and anticipated His return.

Over time, the meanings of ‘Christian’ and ‘Church’ have been diluted or generalized. Many today associate Christianity with a broad cultural or doctrinal identity rather than an actual way of life rooted in direct obedience to Christ and His Spirit-led body. Likewise, the Church—originally an organic, Spirit-filled assembly of believers—has often been institutionalized, sometimes in ways that stray from its original essence.

For someone to follow Jesus in the original sense of Christian, they must believe that He is the light of the world, sent by the Father. They put off their former life by uniting with Him through baptism. They are recognized by existing Holy Spirit-sealed followers of Jesus, whose divinely authorized, Spirit-filled elders lay hands on them so they may receive the Holy Spirit as well.

They truly hold to the teachings of Jesus, never departing from adherence to them. They put off sinful ways and learn obedience to the ways of the Lord Jesus, now their Lord and Master. They live a life of love toward those in the same Body of Christ, of which they have become a part.

They await the return of Jesus Christ and strive to live in a way that makes them worthy to be raised from the dead if they die before His return, or to be made immortal by Him if they remain alive. If they are found worthy, they will reign with Him. Then comes the judgment of all by Christ.

The Body of Christ is a real entity that has existed since the days of the apostles. Its roots are firmly planted in the early Christian community, established by Jesus and carried forward by His chosen disciples. From the beginning, the Body of Christ was understood as a continuous, unbroken community of believers, connected through faith in Christ and participation in His life, death, and resurrection.

This reality is not just a theological concept but a historical truth spanning over two thousand years, transcending time and place. The Church, in its essence, is not something invented or redefined by each generation but something received, handed down, and lived out by each successive generation of believers.

Therefore, the original meaning of Christian is vastly different from what it has come to mean today. The same is true of the meaning of Church.

Stephen D Green, with ChatGPT, March 2025 

Christianity

 Originally, the term Christian was used to describe the disciples of Jesus who followed His teachings. According to the Bible, the term was first used in Antioch (Acts 11:26), where the followers of Christ were recognized as a distinct group. The name likely originated as a way to identify those who belonged to Christ (Greek: Christianos), meaning “followers of Christ.”

Over time, the term Christian became more widely used, but its meaning has evolved. While it originally referred to those who actively followed Jesus' teachings and way of life, today it can be used more broadly to describe anyone who identifies with Christianity, regardless of their level of commitment to His teachings.

ChatGPT, March 2025 

The Body of Christ

 The Church, as the Body of Christ, is a living, dynamic entity that has existed since the days of the apostles. Its roots are firmly planted in the early Christian community, established by Jesus and carried forward by His chosen disciples. From the beginning, the Body of Christ was understood as a continuous, unbroken community of believers, connected through faith in Christ and participation in His life, death, and resurrection. This reality is not just a theological concept but a historical truth that spans over two thousand years, transcending time and place. The Church, in its essence, is not something that is invented or redefined by each generation, but something that is received, handed down, and lived out by each successive generation of believers.

One of the key aspects of the Body of Christ is the process by which new members are incorporated into it. From the early days of the Church, believers were not simply joining a new movement or ideology but were being integrated into a living, spiritual entity. This process, initially seen through the sacrament of baptism, was a way of publicly affirming one’s faith and being accepted into the community of believers. It was not a matter of individual choice alone but a communal recognition, as the early Church believed that one could not truly be part of the Body of Christ apart from the larger, existing community of faith. The act of acceptance into the Body was never isolated or purely personal; it was always a communal act, reflecting the unity that was central to the nature of the Church.

In addition to this communal recognition, the acceptance into the Body of Christ is not merely a human act, but also a heavenly one. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in manifesting acceptance from heaven’s side, confirming the inclusion of believers into the Body of Christ. Through the Spirit, believers are marked as members of the living Christ's body, and this spiritual incorporation is sealed not only by the visible community but by the divine presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that believers are drawn into the unity of the Church, and the Spirit’s work affirms that the act of acceptance is not merely a human decision but a divine reality. The living Christ, seated at the right hand of the Father, actively receives believers into His Body, and it is through the Spirit that this heavenly reality is made manifest on earth.

This communal and spiritual aspect of the Church is essential because it shows that the Body of Christ is not a collection of isolated individuals but a unified whole. Each believer is an integral part of this body, with a role to play and a function to fulfill. Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 12 emphasizes that just as the human body is made up of many parts, each with its specific function, so too the Church is made up of many members, each necessary for the proper functioning of the whole. This interconnectedness is foundational to the Church's identity and mission, as it calls believers into a shared life that goes beyond individual expression to something much deeper: a living, breathing community bound together by the Holy Spirit.

Moreover, the historical continuity of the Church is vital to understanding its role as the Body of Christ. The apostles, as the foundational leaders of the Church, entrusted with the teachings and authority of Christ, passed on their knowledge and authority to their successors. This unbroken line of authority, known as apostolic succession, ensures that the Church remains faithful to the teachings of the apostles and to the mission they received from Christ. It is through this continuity that the Church remains one, despite the passage of time and the challenges of different cultural contexts. The Church is not a new body created by each generation but is the same body that has existed since the apostolic age, carrying forward the gospel message to each new generation.

The unity of the Body of Christ is also reflected in the importance of communion with the broader Christian community, across denominations and traditions. While expressions of faith may vary, the essential unity of the Church is maintained through shared belief in the foundational truths of the Christian faith. The Body of Christ is not a fragmented collection of individual groups, but a unified whole, where all believers are called to participate in the life of the Church, regardless of their particular denominational affiliation. The recognition that there is one, universal Church, which transcends human divisions, is a central theme in the New Testament and is foundational to the Church’s identity.

In sum, the Body of Christ is not simply an abstract or metaphorical concept; it is a real and living entity that has existed since the days of the apostles and continues to be lived out in the world today. To be part of this Body is to be accepted into a living tradition that has been passed down through the generations, rooted in the apostolic faith, and continually nourished by the Holy Spirit. The unity of the Church, which is essential to its nature, calls believers into a shared life of faith, service, and love, as they participate in the ongoing work of God in the world. The Church is not something new or created by any single movement, but a divine reality, both ancient and ever-present, to which all believers are called to belong. Through the Spirit, Christ Himself continues to receive and incorporate believers into His Body, with the heavenly affirmation of the Father and the Son.

Stephen D Green, using ChatGPT, March 2025 

To follow Jesus

 To follow Jesus. You believe he is the light of the world, sent by the Father. You put off your former life by uniting with him by baptism. You are recognised by existing Holy Spirit-sealed followers of Jesus, whose divinely authorised, Spirit-filled elders lay hands on you for you to receive the Holy Spirit too. You hold to the teachings of Jesus, never departing from adherence to them. You put off sinful ways and learn obedience in Lord Jesus’ ways, now your Lord and Master. You live a life of love towards those in the same body of Christ as you have become part of. You await the return of Jesus Christ and live worthy to be raised from the dead if you died before then, or made immortal by him if you remain alive. If you are worthy, you reign with him. Then the judgement of all by him. 

The Father is God

 I find that in both Scripture and direct vision interaction, it is the Father who declares, "I am God."

Throughout the Bible, it is the Father who speaks as the one true God. He is the One who revealed Himself to the prophets, who gave the Law to Moses, and who sent Jesus into the world. Jesus Himself never claimed to be God in the way the Father did. Instead, He always pointed back to the Father as "the only true God" (John 17:3) and acknowledged that the Father was greater than Him (John 14:28).

Even in direct visions and revelations, those who encounter the divine hear this declaration from the Father, not Jesus. Jesus appears as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lord, but the One who proclaims “I AM GOD” is always the Father. This truth has been obscured by later theological developments, but those who seek the original gospel will find that Jesus never sought to take the Father’s place—He always directed worship and obedience to the One who sent Him.

Word

 Consider the trees. They put forth buds and leaves. They do so by the power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Consider the universe’s planets. They orbit their  stars. They do so by the power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jesus was, still is, and forever will be the light of the world

Jesus was, still is, and forever will be the light of the world.

If you don’t believe Jesus was, still is, and forever will be the light of the world, you will die in your sins.

If you believe Jesus was, still is, and forever will be the light of the world, hold to his teachings.

Apostasy

 Apostasy, according to the Law, is not just about abandoning God’s teachings but also about leading others away from them. Deuteronomy 13 warns against those who secretly entice others to follow different gods or reject God’s commands. This shows that apostasy is not merely an individual matter—it is also a corrupting influence that spreads when false teachers convince others to depart from the truth.

Jesus reinforced this principle by warning about false teachers who would distort His message, deceiving even those who claim to follow Him. Paul also took this threat seriously. He openly admitted that he dealt severely with certain false teachers who endangered the faith. In 1 Timothy 1:20, he speaks of handing Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan so they would learn not to blaspheme. This was not just an act of excommunication but a method of divine judgment, calling upon the Lord to allow Satan to afflict them as a form of correction—or even destruction if they persisted in their rebellion.

This method of judgment is seen again in 1 Corinthians 5:5, where Paul commands that a man engaged in grievous sin be handed over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved. This shows that such an action was not only a means of punishment but also a warning and a last attempt to bring the person to repentance.

The seriousness of apostasy cannot be overstated. Those who reject Christ’s teachings risk being cut off, like a withered branch thrown into the fire. But those who actively lead others astray bear even greater responsibility, as they endanger the faith of many. Paul’s example shows that apostasy must be confronted firmly, for the sake of both the individual and the church. Faithfulness to Christ’s words requires not only personal obedience but also a refusal to tolerate false teachings that turn people away from the truth.

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025 

Abiding

 Those who have been truly grafted into the vine—those who have come to Christ and received life from Him—are not guaranteed to remain if they do not bear fruit. Jesus Himself warned in John 15:2 that every branch in Him that does not bear fruit will be taken away by the Father. This means that even those who have been connected to Christ can be cut off if they fail to remain faithful and obedient to His teachings.

Being fruitful comes from keeping the teachings of Christ. In John 15:10, Jesus makes it clear: “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love.” True fruitfulness is not about empty religious activity but about faithfully abiding in His words, living as He taught, and walking in obedience to the Father. Just as a branch only bears fruit by remaining connected to the vine, believers must stay rooted in Christ’s teachings to receive the life and nourishment that leads to spiritual growth.

Conversely, those who do not keep His teachings will be cut out of the vine. Jesus warns in John 15:6 that if anyone does not remain in Him—meaning they do not abide in His words—they are thrown away like a withered branch and burned. This is a serious warning: disobedience and neglect of Christ’s teachings lead to separation from Him.

God’s mercy is abundant, but His justice is also firm. Just as Paul warned in Romans 11:22, God is both kind and severe—kind to those who remain in Him but severe toward those who fall away. If God did not spare the natural branches (unbelieving Israel), He will not spare those who were grafted in but later turned unfruitful. This is why believers must remain faithful, keeping Christ’s words and bearing the fruit of obedience, love, and righteousness—lest they too be removed from the vine.

Stephen D Green, with ChatGPT, March 2025 

Didactic

 Many pastors today teach doctrines that exalt Jesus above the Father, assuming this pleases Him. However, Jesus Himself never did this—He always acknowledged the Father’s greater authority and sought only to do His will. Instead of following Christ’s actual words, many have adopted later theological ideas, shaped by church tradition and human philosophy, which distort the true relationship between the Father and the Son.

The first love of the church is fellowship with the Father and the Son, which comes through abiding in Christ’s teachings. Yet, many churches have lost sight of this, replacing it with doctrines that serve political and institutional power rather than the gospel. Both Oneness theology and Trinitarianism contribute to this distortion—Oneness by merging Jesus and the Father into a single person, and Trinitarianism by making Jesus fully equal to the Father in a way that contradicts His own words. These views obscure the truth that Jesus remains in humble submission to the Father forever.

Jesus warned about the consequences of departing from the truth. The "axe at the foot of the tree" warns of judgment on individuals who do not bear fruit, while the "removal of the lampstand" warns that entire churches can lose their purpose if they fail to remain faithful. A church that does not abide in the teachings of Christ risks being cast aside, no longer serving as a light to the world.

This is why 2 John 10 instructs believers not to welcome or support those who do not bring the true teachings of Christ. Many pastors today spread doctrines that do not align with Jesus' own words, leading people away from the true gospel. To remain faithful, believers must seek out teachers who uphold Christ’s actual teachings—who direct all worship and obedience to the Father, just as Jesus did.

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025 

Taking action

 Many pastors today teach doctrines shaped by human traditions rather than the actual teachings of Jesus Christ. They may emphasize man-made theological ideas—such as exalting Jesus above the Father or blending the gospel with nationalism—rather than faithfully preaching what Jesus Himself taught. This is why 2 John 10 warns against welcoming those who do not bring the true doctrine of Christ.

To follow Jesus means to remain in His words, not in later distortions that serve worldly power. If a pastor does not uphold Jesus’ actual teachings—such as His humble submission to the Father and His call to love, obedience, and truth—then they are not truly representing Him. Supporting such teachers can lead to further deception, as their influence spreads ideas that move people away from the original gospel.

Instead, believers should seek out those who remain faithful to Jesus' words and the true relationship He revealed between Himself and the Father. Welcoming only those who teach His truth is not an act of division but an act of faithfulness, ensuring that the church remains grounded in what Jesus actually taught, rather than in doctrines crafted to serve human agendas.

Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025