The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John specifically for those who claim to be God’s people here at the end of the age. It is absolutely essential that the end-time church knows, believes and obeys what was written specifically for us so may years ago. With that in mind, let us focus on Revelation 1:16 where the Apostle John, a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos for preaching God’s Word, finds himself standing face-to-face with Jesus Christ, Whom he describes as having a “sharp, two-edged sword” coming out of His mouth. In 2:16 Jesus warns John that He will fight against sinners with “… the sword of My mouth.” In 19:21 He says that He will kill sinners with that sword. The question then becomes: WHAT IS HIS SWORD? In Ephesians 6:17 the Apostle Paul refers to “the SWORD of the (Holy) Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD.” In Hebrews 4:12 we find the Lord, through Paul, characterizing His WORDS as being “sharper than any two-edged sword.” In Biblical times the sword was the primary instrument of death. In general conversation, the words “sword” and “death” were synonymous. They still are, only in the spiritual sense.  The Words: “… as He said” should alert the reader to the life and death significance of every Word written in the Holy Scriptures. We are told in 1 Corinthians 10:11 that the Bible was recorded for “OUR instruction, upon whom the ENDS OF THE WORLD (AION–AGE) have come. THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR THE END-TIME CHURCH which came into existence on the Day of Pentecost 31 A.D. Just as a physical sword was used to kill physically in the past, God’s spiritual sword is used to kill spiritually during the final days of this world. This is brought out in Hebrews 4:12,13 where we are told that: “the Word (sword) of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any (man-made) two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder (exposing) of soul and spirit, of joint and marrow, and is a discerner (revealer) of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Paul goes on to say that every word, thought and deed are “naked and opened to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.” GOD’S WORD EXPOSES EVERYTHING. By comparing our words, thoughts and acts to what is commanded by the Lord we recognize reality relative our standing with the Lord. Let us not forget what Jesus said to the man who asked Him what he must do to be saved. Jesus’ Words to him were: “You lack ONE THING.” One sin kept the man from inheriting eternal life. Recall also Christ’s Words to the prostitute and the man at the pool at Bethesda: “… SIN NO MORE.” His Word tells us what sin is (1 Jn. 3:4). His command is that we OBEY HIS WORD–HIS SWORD/LAW WHICH EXPOSES OUR SINS SO THAT WE CAN ERADICATE THEM AND THEREBY QUALIFY TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.

By combining this information with the Lord’s statements to John we must conclude that the Words of the Holy Bible carry life and death significance. Whether we choose life or death depends totally on our reaction to those Words. Moses said to the Israelites, “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore CHOOSE LIFE ….” The choice is clear. We choose life if we obey God’s Law and death if we don’t. There is no gray area, no middle ground, no compromise. We either obey God’s Words or Satan’s words. THE CHOICE IS OURS.  With this Truth in mind, let us turn to the Words spoken by an angel, Words that perfectly summarize God’s attitude toward His Holy Scriptures.

Returning to that time we find a group of women who have come to Christ’s burial site to prepare His body for official internment. Upon arriving at the tomb the grieving women find it open and empty. As they discussed the situation an angel appeared and told them that Jesus was not there, that “… He has risen, AS HE SAID.” He SAID 13 times that He would rise from the dead after three days and three nights in the tomb. Note: Friday night to Sunday morning = one day and two nights, not three days and three nights. Someone is lying. The church points the accusative finger at their supposed Savior. A lying Savior–how does that work? With Satan’s assistance it works perfectly for Catholicism/Protestantism.

“… as He said” makes clear the role the Scriptures play in the life of the true believer who is commanded to know, believe and obey EVERYTHING He said through His prophets and apostles who then recorded His Words for our instruction. He said that His saints “… live by faith” (Rom. 1:17), which comes from hearing/reading “every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Rom. 10:19/Mat. 4:4). The Lord also tells us that faith cannot save the soul, that faith (in His Word) without obedience to His Word (the source of faith) is dead faith (Jam. 2:17-20). And in that one lives by his faith, if one’s faith is dead, one is as dead as his faith. THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH (CATHOLICISM/PROTESTANTISM) IS DEAD. It is nothing more than a counterfeit version of the true church. Like bogus money, the counterfeit church is accepted as the real thing because of ignorance of God’s Word, which if believed would expose her as the deadly Satan-owned-and-operated monster she is. The Holy Scriptures repeat this message time and time again. Those with eyes to see and ears to hear know this Truth. To spread God’s Truth about counterfeit Christianity is the purpose of this ministry. I have no other reason for existing. I am called by the Almighty to be one “crying out in the wilderness”–a world saturated by false religions, many of which claim to be serving the Biblical God. I repeatedly warn the three billion plus lost and deceived souls who call themselves God’s people. I would that they study His Word with a heart open to His voice. Sadly, Jesus said that only a few would do so (Mat. 7:13,14). L.J.