Tag Archives: Christianity

Sabbath keeping

The Spiritual Significance Of Sabbath Keeping

Is keeping the Sabbath a once a week thing? Or is there more to it? Let us begin with Hebrews 4 and the words of Paul. The Spiritual Significance leads us to understand that it is something continual. When we enter into His rest, every day is a Sabbath. This is something that the Spirit confirmed within me, close to the time that I was “Born again.” Jesus said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.” Take a moment and consider the words of the Messiah as we continue. He also said, “The Kingdom of GOD is within you.” What if, just what if, many things within the Word of Life are things that happen at a certain place within us, or have happened to us already from a spiritual perspective?

“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” – Ephesians 2:14-19. Paul understood this principle and I go into detail about it in the free eBook Crucified At Golgotha. If you haven’t laid hold of it, I do earnestly contend that you read it before continuing.

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:7-11.

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place (within you) of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again (within you), If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David (For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us), To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. – Hebrews 4:1-7.

“For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” – 2 Corinthians 6:2. Question: What day was the LORD risen from the grave? Why does the Bible say this in Exodus 19: “And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.” “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

The Empty Tomb

For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. – Hebrews 4:8-12.

In the previous post, we covered Biblical Fasting. Because fasting in the Bible and Sabbath keeping go hand in hand. “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” – Isaiah 58:11-13.

Why don’t we let Jesus break this down for us to make better sense? “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words. Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD.

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. – Ecclesiastes 12.

Jonathan Heller – Lift Up A Banner

biblical fasting

Biblical Fasting – The Acceptable Fast

Within the pages of the Bible, we learn about Biblical fasting and what the acceptable fast is to the LORD. Jesus also teaches us about the two great commandments. We are to love the LORD God with all of our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves. According to the Word, these two principles go hand in hand.

In Matthew 12, there is a question from the Messiah: “Who is my mother? And who are my brethren?” The answer is like what the Bible teaches us about fasting. “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Many of us, while reading the Bible, take at face value what others are teaching us without seeking the answers for ourselves. So, what does the Word of GOD actually say about fasting? The answer is in Isaiah 58, and there is no room for debate once you have read it. The LORD is telling us exactly what the acceptable fast is.

It begins as such, “Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors. 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?” – Isaiah 58:3-5. We are being asked by the LORD, the same things that we are being taught by those around us. Is this what fasting means in the Bible? Is this a Biblical fast?

Praying while fasting

Starting in verse 6 of Isaiah 58, the LORD clarifies what we are supposed to be doing. “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? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” That doesn’t sound like anything I have been taught. How about you? And, if those who are teaching us are wrong about something that we assume is very simple to understand, what else could they all be wrong about? The answer is pretty much everything. Because the LORD finishes with His promise to us, once we begin following these commandments.

“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” – Isaiah 58:8-11. Knowing the Bible is the only truth, reading what we just did, if you aren’t doing these things, is the LORD even hearing us? Is He answering us when we go to Him in prayer? Are we being guided by Him? Then there is a very good possibility that the glory of the LORD will not be our rereward.

What is a rereward? Is it something that we once had and lost? How can it be a re-reward? What about the Parable of the Prodigal Son? Are there similarities that we can extract from this? Why does the LORD God say that He is the Beginning and the End? Are you starting to make the connections? How can we find that which was lost, if we didn’t have it to “begin” with? The bottom line is that Biblical fasting is exactly the same as the two great commandments. If we aren’t loving our neighbor as ourselves, we have absolutely no “claim” to anything.

“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:19-20.

Jonathan Heller – Lift Up A Banner

rise up and take hold of salvation

Rise, Stand Upon Thy Feet

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. – Acts 26:16-18.

In the world today, filled with violence, despair, regret, and remorse, there is only one place for us to turn, the LORD. Many are glued to the news, waiting to see what will become of the unsettling events regarding Ukraine. It now appears that things can only get worse. Many innocent people on both sides are suffering. For what reason? What is the purpose behind these things? Who is the one behind it all? And, do most even know what they are doing?

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) – Ephesians 2:1-4.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians that there is a “god of this world.” Were you aware that someone else has domain here, someone else has control? “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-7.

What? Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? For two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. – 1 Corinthians 6:16-20. The Bible doesn’t say adultery, my dear friends.

While Jesus was suffering through his last moments before His death, He gave a very profound statement, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” As I look at those around me, the Putin’s, Biden’s, Trump’s, and all of their followers, I can only think of one thing, the same statement as given by Jesus Christ. Until you have the Spirit of GOD within you, you are walking to the tune of this world. Regardless of what you would like to believe. Now would be a good time to seek those things above, while forgetting those things which are behind. Don’t look back. Rise, Stand Upon Thy Feet…

Jonathan Heller – Lift Up A Banner

I am no longer a slave

I Am No Longer A Slave

Did you know that the Bible calls up captives and slaves? A part of the Messiah’s mission included freeing the captives, according to Isaiah 61:1. Jesus read from this Book in Luke chapter 4:18-19. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” During His ministry, did He free them from the Romans? How can we all be captives? What makes us all blind? Why do we need to be set at liberty in the first place? These definitions imply we aren’t supposed to be here. These definitions are pointing out that this world is a prison. Are we captives? I am no longer a slave.

Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. – Haggai 2:3-9.

What was this first house? Why does the LORD God say that He is the Beginning and the End? Why does it ask, “how do we see it now?” What is the Biblical meaning of a house or a temple? What are our bodies? When the Heavens and the earth shake, what will become of all of us? These are all questions that we need to find the answers to. The good thing is that the Bible provides the answers to life’s most difficult questions. We just need to know how and where to begin. It all begins in the Beginning. Are we slaves? Are we captives? I am no longer a slave.

Jonathan Heller – Lift Up A Banner

your father the devil

Your Father The Devil – What Was Jesus Telling Us?

Imagine the world as if nothing was as it seems. Imagine what would take place if Jesus Christ’s teachings were literally true. Our Lord explained to us that His primary mission was to free the captives, restore sight to the blind, show us the way, and also to raise the dead. What would happen if all these things were true? If we were all blind, what would happen? If we were all in prison, what would be the result? If we were all conceived dead, what would become of us? Consider what could happen if these things were true. Could Jesus have been right? Could they be false? Has the Lord ever lied? Did He reveal to us we are descended from Satan? “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do… And because I tell you the TRUTH, ye believe me not.” Could these things be true? Can we ignore them? How are we unable to get it as a culture?


Picture a scenario where somebody was telling us precisely what our identity was. Whenever we read through the Bible, we need to ask ourselves many questions and attempt to find the answers. The Messiah showed to us we had to be like kids. That’s what I’m asking you all to do. Jesus instructs us in John 10:34, “Is it not written in your law, I said ye are gods?” He was referring to Psalm eighty-two. Let’s look at it. “They know not, neither will they understand, they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said ye are gods, all of you are children of the Most High. But, you are going to die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” Friends, that is what the Bible says. The LORD God doesn’t lie. The Bible is true.

Where did they all fall from? Why will they now die like men? Who are they? Why does the Bible tell us, “arise o’ sleeper wake up from the dead?” Didn’t we just read that it was Jesus’ mission to restore sight to the blind? Is the Bible true? Then, all these things are true. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do… And because I tell you the TRUTH, ye believe me not.” Do you believe the Word of GOD? Do you believe in the teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ? Or do you put your faith and trust in the teachings of man? In the previous post, we covered a couple of verses from Jeremiah 10. It all ties together. “But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.”

In the free eBook, Jesus, Abstinence, & the Bible, we can see what the Messiah was teaching us. As well as the importance of complete biblical abstinence. I pray you take the time to read it. We, as the Body of Christ, have been called to be Holy. We have been called to be even better.

If your hope is to know why this is true and why we are supposed to be abstaining from sex and other earthly lusts, consider the following from Peter, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” Please read all of our free Christian eBooks for download. I have placed them in proper order for better understanding, as one builds upon the other. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of GOD. Jesus said that our father here was the devil. He said that He was telling us the truth. Jesus Christ is the only Truth. Why do you think that we all need to be born again?

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” – Romans 7:4-6.

Jonathan Heller – Lift Up A Banner

blue and purple

Blue And Purple Is Their Clothing – The Work Of Cunning Men

Let us consider this verse from Jeremiah 10: “But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.” Who is it that is covered in blue and purple? How are they all a doctrine of vanities? What makes them brutish and foolish? Who are the founders? What are they all covered with? Consider the heading of this post and read it again. Now, when I read these verses, the only thing that comes to my mind is our bodies. Do you know of anything else that could be covered in? Why are we told this in 2 Peter 2, “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.”

What is it they won’t understand? Who are they? Why are they called beasts? Why did Paul say, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” When you read the Word of GOD, do you ask yourself questions in prayer? Do you read more than a verse here and there? “Blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.” The Bible tells us the stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. That statement alone holds more weight in understanding than obtaining many riches in life. What do you think that verse means? What if we were to compare it to Jeremiah 10? The Bible just told us that another or others found the world than the LORD God. Maybe that is why it tells us, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” – 2 Corinthians 4:4.

“And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!” – John 19:2-5. Behold… Humanity. Blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men. Jesus tells us in Luke 5, “No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.”

What is the reasoning for being born again if we are created in the image of the LORD God? He knows everything. He is perfect in all His ways. Why would He place His perfect creation in a world fallen in decay and ruin? Why would we all need to be redeemed? What are we being redeemed from? What did we all do in the first place? Blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.” – Daniel 10:12-15.

But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

Jonathan Heller – Lift Up A Banner

My Sister In Christ – Spiritual Inspiration

A Guest post of Spiritual Inspiration from my sister in Christ, while walking, even as Jesus walked. Inspiration given in September 2021.

Announce in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem and say Sound the Trumpet throughout the Land. Raise the SIGNAL to FLEE to ZION without delay! For Jesus Christ is bringing great disaster from the North, even terrible destruction. A Lion has come out of his lair, a Destroyer of Nations has set out. He has left his place to lay waste your land. Your towns will be in rum without inhabitants. So put on sackcloth and ashes for the Fierce Anger Of The Lord. Tell this to the nations, Proclaim concerning Jerusalem. A besieging army is coming from a distant land, raising a War Cry against the cities of Judah! Oh, my anguish, my anguish! I writhe in PAIN! Oh, the agony of my heart! My heart pounds within me. I cannot keep SILENT! For, I have heard the Sound Of The Trumpet. Isaiah 18!

Everyone will SEE it. Everyone will HEAR IT! The Bride Rises From the Wilderness, Song Of Solomon, Chapter 8. I have heard the BATTLE CRY. Disaster follows disaster! Jesus the Christ says, My people are fools. They do not know me. They are all senseless children. They are skilled at doing evil. They know not how to do good. Now, Jesus the Christ will pronounce His Judgements against them! A Cry! a Cry, as from a Woman in Labor, A Groan as From ONE bearing Her First Child. Groan and Lament for the News that is coming. Every heart will melt with Fear! Repent everyone! Jesus Christ, the Son Of God is Coming! He’s going to Burn the Earth with Fire. Isaiah 24. We are running out of time. Stand upon Mount Zion in the Spirit! The Ransomed Of The Lord Will Return! The Cup is Full! The Vessels are prepared! The Redeemed will Drink the Cup Of Salvation while the Wicked will Drink His WRATH! JEREMIAH 4!

Spiritual Inspiration Received September 2021 – My Sister In Christ

“Life is an arduous journey with many difficulties. Yet, the LORD God in His infinite wisdom gave us all a Way to return to Him. I pray we all find that which we seek the most: eternal life. This website, Lift Up A Banner is here for the exact purpose as witnessed in this guest post. As she had received this Spiritual Inspiration in September 2021, her decision was to make it a public proclamation to the world.” – Jonathan Heller. “Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles. I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness. The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.” – Isaiah 13:2-5.

who is jesus to you

Who Is Jesus To You? Who Is Jesus To Me?

The one and only Begotten of the Father, who is Jesus to you? Who is He to me? Was Jesus a socialist? Some in the Christian secular world may believe Him to be so. Although, too many people today are trying to interpret the Bible and they don’t even have the Spirit of GOD. It’s not possible for us to understand who GOD is unless He reveals himself to us. We need to read the Bible to see if we can gain a more perfect understanding. “I and my Father are one.” Jesus said to His disciples, “But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

In this modern world, they have taught us a certain perspective on who Jesus Christ is. Although, during His time here on earth, he was loathed, even hated to the point of death. He had many followers for multiple reasons. In the end, there were only a few. If He were to come into the world today, would it be any different? They defined him as a radical. His followers were called a sect. He was teaching things that upset nearly everyone. “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” – John 8:44-45. So, who is Jesus to you? Is He someone that we show lip service to on a Saturday or Sunday? Is He someone that will accept us as we are with no change or commitment on our behalf? Why did He teach repentance? Why did the Apostles?

We learn by reading the New Testament that Jesus is the only born Son of the Father and that He is the image of the invisible GOD. Let us now use some simple logic. If Jesus Christ is exactly who it says He is, how can we be created in His image? Why does it say this in 2 Corinthians 4, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Some things are not adding up here. The Bible is true, 100% of it. We can count on it. We can believe it. So what is it they have all been teaching us? Who is the god of this world? Why did Jesus say, “Ye are of your father the devil?” Whose image are we created in? How about this one, “They that are in the flesh cannot please GOD.” Or, “Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.” – Jeremiah 10:9.

Let us now tie it together with the Book of Revelation, “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” – Revelation 17:4. What are we clothed with exactly? What color is our blood? Who are we? What was Jesus telling everyone that turned the entire world upside down? I know. Who is Jesus to me? The Bible tells us that our body is the temple. “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” – Matthew 21:12-13.

In the Gospels, Jesus harshly rebuked Peter when he, in his own mind, was attempting to assist the Messiah. “Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Matthew 16:22-26. Wait just a minute, didn’t Jesus say this again, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” It seems as if we are seeing a theme here. Who is Jesus to you? Am I sounding somewhat like a dissident myself?

Jesus told us in John 10:34, “Is it not written in your Law, I said ye are gods.” What could He have meant by this? Have you seen that verse before? Have you looked it up in the Old Testament? “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” – Psalms 82:5-8. What, in fact, are we? Where are we from? Why did the LORD God have to come here in the likeness of sinful flesh and pay the price that no one else could? Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Are you aware of these truths? What we are touching on is a portion or it. Do you know the way? What if you were to fall short? What about the life? Are you reading your Bibles, or are you trusting in someone else?

As I consider what they have led us to believe and understand, this simple fact remains true: “all men are liars.” Looking at all the different images that portray the Messiah, none of them are correct. They have led us to understand that He was this good looking and handsome man. The Bible tells a much different story. If someone who society deemed a heretic, potentially looked like the picture to the left below, and came up to you preaching the Kingdom of God, what would your first reaction be?

“Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:1-5. So, who is Jesus to you?

The Bible says that He is despised and rejected of men. “And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” What if this were still true today? What if things were exactly the same as they were 2000 years ago? Do you know the LORD? Do you have a relationship with Him? Do you know Him? “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.” -1 John 2:3-7.

Narrow Is The Way Which Leadeth Unto Life

Who is Jesus to me? He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is my Savior. He is my LORD. He is my GOD. Everything in this world is contradictory to how it should be. Jesus came explaining exactly who we are, where we come from, what we all did. As well as the requirements necessary to go back Home. He gave us the parable of the Prodigal Son. We named it a parable. Jesus was telling us the Truth. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews Hebrews 4:12-15.

Jonathan Heller – Lift Up A Banner

sailing to heaven

Does The Peace Of God Reign In Your Heart?

Let the peace of GOD rule in your heart and always be thankful. How are we to let the peace of GOD reign within us? How are we to let go of the former self? How are we to put off the old man? Christians are called to eliminate their old sinful ways of thinking and to replace them with a completely new way of thinking. A life that’s possible due to the Holy Spirit living within us, the old man is symbolically replaced by Baptism. The new Man gets life by the receiving of Holy Spirit. What is the Baptism though? How are we to obtain the Holy Spirit?

The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” In a previous post, The Baptism of the Holy Ghost, we covered this principle in detail. Peter tells us in the Book of Acts, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” In order to let the peace of GOD reign within us, we need to repent. How does one repent? What is it that we are repenting from? Those are very good questions. That is precisely why it says that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost comes from the washing of water by the Word. We need to fill ourselves with the Word of Life. We need to know the Bible. To know the Word means to know Jesus. The Messiah said to Satan while He was tempted in the wilderness, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of GOD.”

To let the peace of GOD rule in your heart means that you have grown to know and understand the way, the truth, and the life. And, it all begins with repentance. After we have learned the principles of the Gospel, we then strive for mastery, or perfection as Paul puts it. As we are letting go of those things that were once holding us back, reaching forth unto those things that are before, there is less of that old man there. We begin to be filled with new wine, once we put off the old garment. Then my friends, we are fit for the Master’s use and the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

GOD is Love. We are to walk in that love and share the good news of the Gospel with others. It is something that is required of us. We are to love others as Christ loves us. To let the peace of GOD rule in your heart is the same as the two great commandments. We are to love GOD with our entire being, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Paul tells us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

Once we begin doing so, only then are we able to let the peace of GOD reign within us. Giving the LORD the command of our earthly vessel is not something easily accomplished. And, I am certain, that we all fall short. We all make mistakes. None of us are perfect. Yet, we have a Mediator between GOD and man, the Man Christ Jesus. I pray that you take the time to consider the free eBooks, the many lessons, and videos that are contained within the pages of this website. Remember my brothers and sisters, always be thankful.

Jonathan Heller – Lift Up A Banner

god is love

Does God Love Me? Why Does God Love Me?

Why does GOD love me? These are two fundamental questions that we can seek out the answers to within the pages of the Bible. In Romans 5 we are told, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Now, wait just a minute. Why does it say that we were enemies? This is going to be one of those posts that I could go one of two ways with. Although, as I consider that GOD is Love and the time of the year that it is, I will stick to the theme. Does GOD love me? Why does GOD love me?

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. – Jeremiah 29:11-14. I would like you to take a moment and consider what it is that we are looking at. Do you remember at the beginning, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life?” Why does the book of Jeremiah say that we have all been driven away? Why does it say that we were carried away captive? Why does the Bible refer to us as lost sheep? “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Why does GOD Love me?

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God. – Jeremiah 31:3-6. As I consider my life and the mistakes that I have made, I have asked myself at times, does GOD love me?

Looking back, I can’t help but be reminded of these two chapters from Jeremiah, the life of Jesus Christ, his infinite love and ultimate sacrifice, His life of service fulfilling the needs of others. Why does the Bible refer to us as enemies? Why does it say that we were carried away captive? Why does it say that we are lost sheep? Why did Jesus say, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do, and because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not?” Why does Jeremiah 31 say that we will be adorned again with our tabrets? Wouldn’t that mean that we had them before and that we had lost them? How is it that we could be planted again? Where did we all come from? What is it that we all did that would require a loving LORD God to come here on our behalf, living the perfect sinless life, and pay with his own life with His death on a cross? Why is the parable of the prodigal son in the Bible? Where did he come from? Where did he go? Why is it exactly the same as what we are looking at and speaking on?

If Jesus is the LORD God’s only Son, who is our father? Why are we told this in the Bible? “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” – 2 Corinthians 4:4. Why does the Bible say that Jesus is the image of the invisible GOD? What does that make all of us? Who is our father? Who is it that Jesus said our father was? Why does it say, “They that are in the flesh can not please GOD?”

In 1 John 2 we are told, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” If up to this point, you have only been reading without looking deeper into any of the internal links, now would be a good time to read, The Bible: Fact or Fiction. It is time that we take off the cover and bring to light who we are and what we did that would require a perfect sacrifice for the penalty to be paid on our behalf. Why does GOD love me?

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.” – Isaiah 41:10-16.

“Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee. Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.” – Isaiah 49:13-18.

Does GOD love me? “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.” 1 John 4:7-13.

I will leave you this day with one final question to ponder, Am I my brother’s keeper? I pray that the LORD God bless you and keep you, rooted and grounded in His Love.

Jonathan Heller – Lit Up A Banner