Your Word for Today

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Your Word for Today

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common Salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the Faith which was once delivered unto the Saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the Grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude, Vss. 3-4).

Jude, the half-brother of our Lord (Mat. 13:55; Mk. 6:3), was thinking of writing a letter explaining the way of Salvation, a letter similar to Paul’s Epistle to the Romans; however, news reached him of such a nature to cause him to put that project aside and hasten to write this letter, urging Believers to contend earnestly for the Faith once for all entrusted to them. It was a fully revealed Faith, needing no additions, repelling all corruptions, and infallibly declared in the Apostolic writings.

The short phrase, “It was needful,” carries the idea of being constrained. The compulsion to exhort the Saints to contend for the Faith found its source in the Holy Spirit. To be sure, it was no welcomed task: necessity was laid upon him.

The exhortation was to Preachers, and actually to all Believers, that they earnestly contend for the Faith. This Faith here is not faith as exercised by the individual, but Christianity itself in its historic doctrines and life-giving Salvation.

The short phrase, “Earnestly contend,” in the Greek is “epagonizomai,” which means “a vigorous, intense, determined struggle to defeat the opposition.” Our word “agony” is the English spelling of the noun form of this word. The Greek athletes, for this is the form in which the word is given, exerted themselves to the point of agony in an effort to win the contest. Jude says that the Saints should defend the doctrines of Christianity with the same degree of intense effort, seeing that God gave the Christian doctrines to the Saints as a deposit of truth to be faithfully guarded.

In the Fourth Verse, Jude gives the reason why the Saints should contend for the Faith: False teachers were in the Church!

Wuest addresses this by saying:

“There is a Greek word in II Corinthians 11:13-15 which admirably describes the methods of those who take after their father, the Devil. The Greek word is ‘metaschematizo,’ which means ‘to be transformed.’ It refers to the act of an individual changing his outward expression by assuming an expression put on from the outside, an expression that does not come from, nor is it representative of, what he is in his inner character. “Lucifer did that after he struck at God’s Throne, and became the fallen angel, Satan. As a fallen angel, he gave expression to his sin-darkened heart. But he knew that he could not attract the human race that way. He must impersonate God, if he expected to be worshipped as God. He therefore assumed an outward expression of light, put on from the outside, and not representative of his inner sinful being. He disguised himself as an angel of light.

“His ministers have done the same. They use the same terms that Godly Preachers use, but put their own private meanings upon them, which negate the Biblical view.

“Reader, do not trust these false teachers any farther than you would a rattlesnake. A rattlesnake will give you warning before he strikes, but not these false teachers. The eternal welfare of your soul depends upon what you believe regarding the Person and Work of our Lord on the Cross.”

When Jude mentioned “The Faith,” he was speaking primarily of Christ, which refers to Who He was, and is, the Son of God, and what He did on the Cross, which was to effect Salvation by the giving of Himself in Sacrifice, which He did by the pouring out of His Life’s Blood.

It is not pleasant to point out false teachers and false doctrine, but it must be done. The Holy Spirit through Jude said so!“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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Your Word for Today

“Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter (Rev. 1:19).

In this one Verse, we have an overlook of the entirety of the Book of Revelation. It is basically divided into three sections. They are:

1. “The things which you have seen”: This concerns the First Chapter of Revelation, and pertains to the Vision of Jesus. Even though the Apostle John had been personally chosen by Jesus as one of His closest Disciples, and had walked with Christ for some three and a half years, still, he would now see Jesus in a completely different light.

John now saw Him in all of His Glory — so much Glory that John says:

“I fell at His Feet as dead. And He laid His right Hand upon me, saying unto me, ‘Fear not. I am the First and the Last:

“‘I am He Who lives, and was dead: and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of Hell and of death’” (Rev. 1:17-18).

John saw Jesus standing in the “midst of seven golden candlesticks.” The “candlesticks” represent and symbolize the “Church.” As the “Head” of the Church, Jesus stands in its midst. There were “seven” candlesticks; the number “seven” is God’s number of perfection, totality, universality, and completion.

Despite the apostasy, Jesus will have a perfect Church, made up of those who truly trust Him and what He did at the Cross.

2. “And the things which are”: This constitutes Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, which pertain to the Church Age. Even though only two Chapters in the Book of Revelation are devoted to it, the Church Age constitutes the longest period of time of the three sections, now nearly 2,000 years.

The seven Churches named portray the entirety of the Church Age; each Church denotes a particular period of time:

The Church at “Ephesus” is the first Church to which Jesus spoke. It represents the Apostolic Age, which lasted for approximately the first one hundred years.

The Church at “Smyrna” is second, and was the Church of persecution. Its time frame was from approximately A.D. 100 to A.D. 300.

“Pergamos” is the third Church, and constitutes the State Church, so-called. In a sense, it continues unto this hour.

The Church at “Thyatira” is the fourth, and constitutes the Papal Church. It began approximately in A.D. 600, and continues unto this hour.

The Church at “Sardis” is the fifth, and it constitutes the Reformation Church. It began about A.D. 1500, and continues unto this hour.

The Church at “Philadelphia” is the sixth, and it constitutes the Missionary Church. It began approximately in the 1800’s, and continues unto this hour.

The “Laodicean” Church is the last, and it constitutes the apostatized Church. It began approximately at the turn of the Twenty-first Century. It is the age in which we now live.

3. “The things which shall be hereafter”: This part constitutes the greater bulk of the Book of Revelation, beginning with the Sixth Chapter and continuing through the end. It denotes the Great Tribulation, which is soon to come, which will be followed by the Millennial Reign, and then by the Perfect Age, which will have no end. The Perfect Age is described in the last two Chapters of the Book of Revelation.

The Book of Revelation is not easy to understand; but yet, all who read it and study it are promised a blessing (Rev. 1:3). As we shall see, the Book of Revelation also portrays the Cross of Christ in detail, actually mentioning Christ as “the Lamb” some 28 times.“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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Your Word for Today

“And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the Creation of God; I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (Rev. 3:14-17).

Jesus sent a Message to each of the seven Churches of Asia; of these, Laodicea was the last. This particular Church constitutes the conclusion of the Church Age, and represents the time in which we now live. In other words, the modern Church is the Laodicean Church, and the Laodicean Church is the modern Church. Unfortunately, the Message given by Christ is not very positive.

The Laodicean Church is actually an apostatized Church, which means that it has departed from the Truth. It is neither “cold” nor “hot,” but rather “lukewarm.” As a result, Jesus said, “I will vomit you out of My mouth.” And thus is the modern Church!

The Seventeenth Verse, sadly and regrettably, describes the modern Church to the proverbial “T”. In not only the United States, but also over the balance of the entire world, the modern Church has never been richer, at least regarding material things. It is “increased with goods,” which again speaks of material things, but definitely not spiritual things. In the modern Church, “faith” has been reduced to “things,” instead of what the correct object ought to be, which is the Cross of Christ. The modern Church basically claims that “it has need of nothing.” It is lukewarm, rich, increased with goods, and sees no need for anything else.

But what did Jesus say with respect to the answer of the Laodicean Church?

He described this Church, first of all, as “wretched.” The word in the Greek refers to a test that has been given, and the one taking the test has failed.

Second, Christ called this Church “miserable.” It means “to be pitied.”

Third, He referred to it as “poor,” meaning that it literally was, at least in His eyes, a spiritual beggar.

Fourth, He called it “blind.” The word, as used here, actually means “to be lifted up in pride.”

Fifth, and last of all, He described it as “naked.” It refers to being spiritually naked.

So, as is obvious, Jesus’ summation of the Laodicean Church was not very positive. Considering that this Church characterizes the modern Church, i.e., refers to what the Church is presently, the situation is dire indeed!

At the beginning of John’s Vision, Christ is pictured as standing in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, which represent, as stated, the Church. Now, He is no longer in the midst of the Churches, but rather is standing outside, knocking at the door, and saying, “If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (3:20).

The essence of that particular invitation shows that the Lord is no longer dealing with the institutionalized Church as a whole, but rather is dealing with individuals. While He has always dealt with individuals, now He is dealing only with individuals. This shows that the Church has completely apostatized, except for the Remnant who truly love the Lord (Rom. 9:27).“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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Your Word for Today

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men (Lk. 2:11-14).

Several things happened at the birth of Christ which were literally astounding. Some of them are as follows:

1. Beginning at about the time that Jesus was born and continuing for approximately 33 years, the great war gates of Janus in Rome were closed, signifying that there was no war anywhere in the Roman Empire during this particular time. This is the only time that such a thing happened, at least for such a period of time.

While the Romans may have given the credit for this peaceful situation to many and varied things, the real reason was that the Prince of Peace had come to this Earth in the form of a baby. While He was here, war would come to a standstill. In fact, the Angel had cried, “On Earth peace, good will toward men.” And that’s exactly what happened.

When Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse, He told His Disciples that due to Israel’s rejection of Him, Who Alone is the Prince of Peace, war would then become the mainstay of the Earth, with nation rising against nation, etc. (Mat. 24:6-8).

2. The birth of Jesus took place at a public inn, crowded with people — so possible of public verification — and not in secret. Never was there such a wondrous birth, for it was God manifest in the flesh (Isa. 9:1-7).

3. When Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken, which was really a taxation, he understood not at all that he was fulfilling Bible Prophecy. Probably no one at that time, including Joseph and Mary, understood that this census was ordered of God so as to fulfill not only the prediction of the Forty-ninth Chapter of Genesis, but also that of Micah 5:2, and so secure the birth of the Holy Child at Bethlehem. Thus, God manifested His Wisdom.

Bethlehem was not the home of Mary and Joseph. So they had to go there, which this taxation demanded, because they were of the Tribe of Judah. This would fulfill the Prophecy of Micah that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.

4. Sinless Angels and not sinful men first praised Him on coming to Earth, and yet the Angels needed no forgiveness.

5. When God manifest in the flesh came to Earth, there was no room for Him there. So much the more wonderful and perfect is the Love that brought Him thither. He began His Life in a manger, ended it on a Cross, and along His ministerial way had not where to lay His Head!

6. His birth was not trumpeted forth in lordly guise to Priests and Princes and the great ones of the Earth, but first of all to obscure shepherds — the lowest caste in society at that time.

7. Jesus was not to become a King and a Saviour. He was born both. He was The Saviour; He was Christ; He was Jehovah.

8. God’s glory in Creation was high; in Revelation, higher; but in Redemption, highest. His Power was seen in Creation; His Righteousness, in Law; but His highest attribute, His Love, in Atonement (Lk. 2:14).

9. His Name was called “Jesus.” The word means “Saviour.” He might have chosen a loftier title, for the highest titles are His, but He passed them all by and selected a Name which speaks of deliverance for a lost world.

10. Jesus was made of a woman under the Law (Gal. 4:4). The fact is emphasized by His circumcision. The Law is mentioned five times in the Second Chapter of Luke, more often than in the rest of the Book, and so confirms the statement in Galatians. To save man, justly doomed to death by the Law, it was necessary that Christ should be born under the Law.

11. The Virgin Mary was not sinless. This is evidenced by Luke 2:21-23 in conjunction with Leviticus 12:1-6.

12. The poverty of Joseph and Mary appears in their lowly offering of two pigeons in sacrifice at the presentation of baby Jesus. The Law stated that they should offer a “lamb,” but, if they didn’t have the financial resources to do such, they could offer two pigeons (Lev. 12:8).

13. When Jesus was born, wise men from the east came and worshipped Him, even though He was only a baby at the time. They also presented Him with gifts. These wise men were more than likely from what we now refer to as “Iraq.”

14. Last of all, it is almost certain that Jesus wasn’t born on December 25. Flocks were out in the pastures in Israel from April through October. Some Bible Scholars believe that Jesus may have been born in October. It doesn’t really matter what day He was born. What matters is that He was, in fact, born. If the Lord had wanted us to know, we would have been told the exact day.

Again, I quote the Angels:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men” (Lk. 2:14).“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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Your Word for Today

“To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with My Father in His Throne (Rev. 3:21).

In each one of the seven Messages of Christ to the seven Churches of Asia, the demand to be an overcomer is given and the reward is specified (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). Considering that this admonition is given seven times, it should be obvious that the Lord demands that the Believer be an overcomer.

So, the great question is, “How does a person come to the place that the Lord would say that he or she is an overcomer?”

Another question looms, “What does it mean to be an overcomer?”

First of all, the Believer must understand that, within himself, he cannot hope to arrive at this place and position which the Lord demands. Such is absolutely beyond the reach of any person, no matter who he might be, and we speak of the effort being made by the individual himself or herself. Regrettably, there are quite a few people who actually think they can do such, and who would conclude themselves to be overcomers, even though their effort is totally unbiblical. While they might refer to themselves as overcomers, the Lord, Whose decision Alone matters, doesn’t say so. The Lord will declare a person to be an overcomer only on one premise.

For a Believer to attempt to be an overcomer by his own means, he must resort to Law, because that’s the only place to go. He may not look at it as Law, and he may not think of it as Law, but, if it’s not Grace, it’s Law.

Concerning this, Paul said: “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law (who seek to be justified by the Law); you are fallen from Grace” (Gal. 5:4).

So, as should be obvious, there is no hope for the Believer down that path.

The only way that one can be an overcomer is God’s Way, which is according to the following:

The Believer must place his Faith solely and completely in Christ and the Cross; he must get his eyes off himself and completely on Christ and what Jesus did for us in the Atonement, which will then give the Holy Spirit latitude to work in such a life. That person is then an overcomer, and so judged by the Lord (Rom. 6:1-14; 8:1-2, 11; I Cor. 1:17-18, 23; 2:2; Gal. 6:14).

Most all Believers look to themselves in trying to ascertain whether they are an overcomer or not. To be sure, when one looks at oneself, one will find flaws aplenty. So one must discontinue looking at oneself, and look exclusively to Christ and the Cross.

This definitely does not mean that we ignore the flaws and faults in our person. Not at all! But it does mean that we’ll never get victory over these flaws and faults by our own machinations, even as religious as those machinations might be. The victory comes by faith, but it comes only by Faith anchored squarely in Christ and the Cross. If anything else is made the object of faith, that’s when the victory stops, and stops instantly! The Holy Spirit will work in our hearts and lives, Who Alone can bring about these things, strictly on the basis of the Finished Work of Christ (Rom. 8:2). In other words, the Cross of Christ is what gives the Holy Spirit the legal right to do what He does.

Therefore, to be an overcomer, one has to place his faith solely in Christ and the Cross. When one does this, one is instantly judged by the Lord as an “overcomer.” This is not something that one works toward, or gradually comes into, but is a place and position we have solely in Christ. He Alone is the Source, and the Cross is the means.“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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Your Word for Today

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches (Rev. 2:7).

The Lord addressed the “overcomer” seven times; likewise, seven times He demands that we “hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches.” One time would be significant; but considering that this Command is given seven times, I should think we would realize just how important it actually is.

That which the Spirit, i.e., “the Holy Spirit,” is saying to the Churches is found in the Word of God. If it’s not found in the Word of God, then whatever is being said, and whoever is saying it, it is not the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God will never go beyond the Word of God; in fact, He will always adhere strictly to the Word of God.

So why did Jesus give this admonition seven times?

He gave it seven times simply because of its vast significance. The problem with the modern Church, which has been the problem with the Church from the very beginning, is that it hears what men have to say, but not what the Spirit has to say. The utter absurdities that are taking place in the modern Church presently, i.e., worship, so-called; prayer, so-called; Church growth, so-called; all type of prophecies, so-called, all type of proposed manner of deliverances, which are, in fact, no deliverances at all; all, and without exception, at least of this nature, fall into the category of being unscriptural. If they are unscriptural, then the Spirit of God is not the One Who has directed this.

For instance, even though basically the entirety of the Church world has opted for “The Purpose Driven Life” philosophy, it is strictly of man and by man, which means it is not by the Lord. Although “The Purpose Driven Life” is a catchy title for a book, it’s not what the Spirit of God is saying to the Churches. Neither is the “Government of Twelve (G-12)” debacle from the Lord. It also is man-birthed and man-instituted, which means it’s not what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. You can say the same for the “Word of Faith” doctrine, which actually repudiates the Cross of Christ.

What, in fact, is the Spirit of God saying to the Churches?

The Message the Spirit of the Lord is promoting at present, that, in fact, which He has ever promoted, is “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” (I Cor. 1:23). The Church has left the Cross; whenever the Church leaves the Cross, it goes into spiritual declension and all type of fanaticism.

When man fell in the very beginning, the Lord took man to the Cross (Gen., Chpt. 4). When the Lord began to carry out the provision of Redemption by calling a man to do so, namely Abraham, He took him to the Cross (Gen. 12:7). When the Law of Moses was given, the central theme of that Law was the Sacrificial System, which was, in effect, the Cross of Christ in symbol (Lev., Chpts. 1-7). When Jesus finally came to this world, His goal, His destination, was the Cross (Isa., Chpt. 53). When the Church was established by the Apostle Paul under the guidance of Jesus Christ, it was established on the Foundation of the Cross (I Cor. 2:2).

The Cross of Christ is the Word of God, as the Word of God is the Cross of Christ. That’s what the Spirit is saying to the Churches!“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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Your Word for Today

“And there came one of the seven Angels which had the seven Vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; and I will show unto you the judgment of the great whore who sits upon many waters: With whom the kings of the Earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the Earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication (Rev. 17:1-2).

Who is this “great whore who sits upon many waters”? In the first place, the term “many waters” speaks of vast numbers of people (17:15). The “great whore,” which is the name given by the Holy Spirit, pertains to every false religion which has ever existed, irrespective as to what it is. It is that which has been devised by men as a substitute for “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.” God’s Way is Christ and Him Crucified, and that alone!

The “many waters” are symbolic of many people and pertain to the bondage in which religion places people. In fact, all religion, in one way or the other, is filled with superstition. As a result, it always places hardship on people and provides absolutely nothing for them spiritually. So when the Holy Spirit tagged religion as the “great whore,” there could be no more perfect description. Religion, it might be said, sells itself to the highest bidder.

Down through the many centuries, even millennia, of the past ages, kings and leaders of nations have either developed a State Church or they have given over their nation in its entirety to various gods, so-called — something which was prevalent in Bible times. In fact, during Old Testament times, Israel was the only monotheistic nation in the world (worshipers of one God, Who is Jehovah), while all the other nations of the world were polytheistic (worshipers of many gods). Submission to these various heathenistic gods involved everything from human sacrifice to temple prostitution, etc.

In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church, which literally was the State Church in many countries, forced individuals, upon pain of death, to work for little or nothing in the building of their giant cathedrals. Many people were used as virtual slaves.

So, when the Holy Spirit labeled these various religious systems as the “great whore,” it was, and is, an apt description.

Another example is the religion of Islam. Nations which are ruled by Islam are some of the most poverty stricken in the world. There are approximately 300 million Arabs in the Middle East in the nations of Islam which make up that region, but the gross national product of all of these nations combined is only $60 billion, which is less than the one nation of Spain. While a few of the Arabs are obscenely rich, the rest are in dire poverty, and also have very few freedoms. And all because of the religion of Islam! Most of the people in that religion live in a form of virtual slavery.

A further example is India. The people from India are exceptionally bright, having the ability to do just about anything they so desire as far as technology, etc.; however, the nation is kept down because of the religion of Hinduism. The people worship rats, snakes, etc. If the truth be known, the majority of the problems in the world are caused by superstitious religion, which is of Satan. Once again, the appellative of “great whore” is apt.

Personally, I also think it would be proper to refer to much of what passes for “Christianity” as part of the “great whore.” To be blunt, if it’s not the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is “Christ and Him Crucified,” then, in some way or another, it is a spurious gospel and should be labeled exactly as all the other religions. Christianity without “Christ and Him Crucified” is reduced to a mere philosophy. As such, it falls under the same category as all others, i.e., “The Great Whore.”“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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Your Word for Today

“And after these things I saw another Angel come down from Heaven, having great power; and the Earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the Earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the Earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto Heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities (Rev. 18:1-5).

There are two major cities in the Bible: Jerusalem and Babylon. The True Messiah and His City, Jerusalem, contrast with the false messiah and his city, Babylon. These two cities represent, respectively, the True Plan of God and false religion. All the idolatries, both ancient and modern, originated in Babylon.

As an example, under the ancient mysteries and in the east presently, this Satanic worship was addressed to the phallus (the man’s male member). This is one of the reasons why the Scriptures so frequently speak of it as an abomination. Although it was philosophically held to honor the Creator and to promote the population of the Earth, yet its effect was to depopulate whole countries and produce desolation. This was probably the hateful form of idolatry commanded by Nebuchadnezzar described in Daniel, Chapter 3.

The first organized rebellion against God was carried forth in Babylon, in the building of the Tower of Babel, described in Genesis, Chapter 11. This Eighteenth Chapter of Revelation describes the destruction of a rebuilt Babylon. The construction to rebuild Babylon will begin soon, and the destruction will soon follow.

The United States is presently fighting a war, the war against terrorism, that I’m afraid it little understands. It has relegated the danger, that which caused the destruction of 9/11/01, to a few fanatics; however, the real cause is the religion of Islam, which our governmental leaders are loathe to admit. For instance, we are attempting to install democracy in Iraq. This may be a noble gesture, but the religion of Islam and democracy have no meeting ground whatsoever. Philosophically speaking, they are not even on the same planet.

But yet, the presence of the United States in Iraq may very well have prophetical overtones in setting the stage for the rebuilding of this system, or city, or both! Considering the times in which we live, that is probably correct. It’s later than we think.

Iraq is mentioned in the Bible a great deal. It went under the names of “Shinar,” “Babylon,” and “Mesopotamia.” It is believed that the Garden of Eden was situated in the exact spot where ancient Babylon came to be built. If that is the case, and it probably is, this means that man was created by God in Iraq, and the first temptation, which resulted in the Fall, came in Iraq; also, the first Sacrifice was offered, by Abel, in Iraq (Gen. Chpt. 4).

It is believed that Noah lived in Iraq and that he built the Ark in Iraq. When Israel, the Northern Kingdom, was destroyed, it was by the Assyrian Empire, which was in Iraq. When Judah was destroyed some 133 years later, it also was destroyed by the Babylonian Empire.

Daniel wrote the Book in the Bible that bears his name in Iraq. Esther falls into the same category. The Tower of Babel was constructed in Iraq. The fiery furnace episode involving the three Hebrew children took place in Iraq. So did the episode of Daniel in the lions’ den. It is believed that the three wise men who came to visit baby Jesus were from Iraq.

The first organized rebellion against God, the Tower of Babel, took place in Iraq. The last organized rebellion against God will take place in Babylon, as outlined in Revelation, Chapter 18. The first rebellion was confounded by God with the changing of languages; the last rebellion will be completely destroyed by God.

As we stated earlier in this devotion, the presence of the United States in present day Iraq could well be the beginning of the end. Jesus is coming soon!“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

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Donnie Swaggart

 

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Your Word for Today

“And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He Who sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in Righteousness He does judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His Head were many crowns; and He had a Name written that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in Blood: and His Name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in Heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Rev. 19:11-14).

The Scriptures just given describe the Second Coming.

As someone has well said:

“When Jesus came the first time, He was ridiculed, lambasted, criticized, and greatly opposed. They plucked the beard from His Face, put a crown of thorns upon His Head, and beat Him unmercifully. They nailed Him to a Cross and mocked Him while He died — died for them!

“But when Jesus comes the second time, it will not be to be beaten, spit upon, and nailed to a tree. He rather will come in such Power and Glory as the world has never known before. He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords.”

That day, to be sure, will come.

His “vesture dipped in blood” portrays the price that He paid at Calvary’s Cross in order that mankind might be saved. According to the Prophet Zechariah, Jesus will wear the marks of His Crucifixion forever and forever, the marks in His Hands and Feet (Zech. 13:6). It is the Cross which has made, and will make, the Second Coming possible.

Satan was defeated at the Cross, plus all of his minions of darkness (Col. 2:14-15). For reasons known only to the Lord, he has been allowed to continue for this last 2,000 years. But when Jesus comes the second time, Satan and all his hordes of darkness are going to be placed in the bottomless pit, unable to wreak their torture and horror any more (Rev. 20:1-3).

At the Second Coming, the world will begin a thousand years of peace and prosperity such as it has never known before (Rev. 20:4-6). Christ will rule the world at that time, and do so with a justice, fairness, and right government such as the world has never seen before (Isa. 9:1-7; 11:1-10). Because of this Perfect Government under Christ, which means there will be no more graft, bribery, stealing, etc., the world will know prosperity as it has never known before. Poverty will be no more. Sickness will be no more, because the great Healer of the ages will be present among men.

Israel will now be restored, because she will accept Christ as her Saviour, Lord, and Messiah. Then the great Promises made to the Patriarchs and Prophets of old will be brought to total fulfillment. The great question asked by His Disciples, “Lord, will You at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel?”, will then be answered and the Kingdom will be restored (Acts 1:6).

With Christ, every Saint of God who has ever lived, all the way from Abel until the conclusion of the Great Tribulation (which will conclude the First Resurrection of Life), will rule and reign with Christ for that thousand years, and then finally forever (Rev. 20:4).

Israel is God’s prophetic time clock. Looking at this tiny nation, we know that the “fig tree is putting forth leaves and that summer is nigh.” Then Jesus said, “So likewise, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors” (Mat. 24:32-33).“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[iLOVE]

Your Word for Today

“And he showed me a pure river of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev. 22:1).

The last two Chapters of Revelation portray a world that is totally free of sin of any type or description, totally free of Satan, all demon spirits, and all fallen angels, and totally free of those who will not serve the Lord. All those in that capacity are in the Lake of Fire; there they will remain forever and forever (Rev. 20:10-15). God the Father will then actually change His Headquarters from planet Heaven to planet Earth.

The Scripture says, “Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His People, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Rev. 21:3).

And yet, some seven times the title “Lamb,” which refers to Christ, is given in the last two Chapters of Revelation.

Why would that be necessary, considering that there is no more sin and destruction?

The very name “Lamb” implies the Crucifixion, the Redemption, the great price that was paid for Salvation. The Holy Spirit used the title “Lamb,” referring to Christ, some seven times in these last two Chapters, in order that all may know that all of this which is listed — all this glory, beauty, grandeur, and eternal life — were all made possible by the price paid at Calvary’s Cross by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This must never be forgotten!

The seven occasions of the mention of the “Lamb” in the last two Chapters are as follows:

1. “And there came unto me one of the seven Angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show you the Bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Rev. 21:9): This speaks of the New Jerusalem, which will be inhabited by every Believer, made possible by what Jesus did at the Cross.

2. “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb” (Rev. 21:14): The Twelve Apostles chosen by Christ were able to be what they were, and have what they now possess, all because of what Christ did at the Cross.

3. “And I saw no Temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it” (Rev. 21:22): There will actually be a Temple in the New Jerusalem, but not one used for worship. The Presence of the Lord will be everywhere, and worship will continue uninterrupted eternally. This is all made possible by what Christ did at the Cross.

4. “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the Glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Rev. 21:23): Jesus is the Light of the world, and now that Light can shine to such a degree that it will make the planetary bodies seem insignificant by comparison. This too is made possible by the Cross.

5. “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev. 21:27): Every Believer has his name written in this wonderful “Lamb’s Book of Life,” all made possible by the Cross.

6. “And He showed me a pure river of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:1): This is made possible by the Cross!

7. “And there shall be no more curse: but the Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him” (Rev. 22:3): Jesus answered the curse at the Cross of Calvary (Gal. 3:13).

Our Lord being referred to as “The Lamb” seven times in the last two Chapters of Revelation tells us that what He did at Calvary made possible a perfect Salvation for all who will believe. It will never have to be amended in any form, hence the Apostle Paul referring to it as “The Everlasting Covenant” (Heb. 13:20).

“Behold the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29).

And so He did!“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[iLOVE]

Your Word for Today

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the Earth (Gen. 1:1).

Beginnings are one thing, while endings are another! On this first day of a brand-new year, which is a new beginning of sorts, the Lord offers to every person a brand new beginning in their life, irrespective as to what the past has been. Millions this year will make New Year’s resolutions, resolutions which invariably will not be kept. But there is a way that a brand-new beginning can be made, and irrespective as to what the past has been.

Too good to be true?

But yet, in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is true.

If you, Believer or unbeliever, will resolve at this moment to make Jesus the Lord of your life, realizing that every debt has been settled through the Cross, you truly can have a new beginning (Gal. 6:14).

For that beginning, a new beginning, first of all, one must realize that Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Alone, is the Source; and we speak of the Source of all that you need, whatever it might be. However, the “means” by which Christ can do these great things in your heart and life is the Cross, as it is ever the Cross. Put your Faith in Him and what He has done for you at the Cross, and maintain your Faith in that Finished Work, and you, in effect, will have a new beginning, a miraculous, new beginning, and irrespective as to what the past has been (Jn. 3:16).“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[iLOVE]

Your Word for Today

“And the Earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Gen. 1:2).

The darkness that was here prevalent was taken away only by the “Spirit of God,” as He “moved upon the face of the waters.” As someone has well said, “The Moving of the Holy Spirit is the first sign of life.”

There is a darkness in the heart and life of every unbeliever. Regrettably, there is also a “darkness” in the hearts and lives of many Believers, because of wrong direction, erroneous doctrine, or failing to take advantage of God’s Prescribed Order of Victory.

That “darkness” cannot be removed by humanistic psychology, by therapy, by a change of environment or scenery, or, in fact, by anything that man has to offer. But it can be removed!

Actually, the “darkness” that invades the soul of a man, bringing about guilt and condemnation, can only be moved by the same manner in which God addressed the problem at the beginning of time. The Spirit of God moved, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Gen. 1:3).

That “Light” resides in Christ, for He said, “I am the Light of the world” (Jn. 8:12).

When you, as a Believer, put your Faith exclusively in Christ and what He has done for you at the Cross, the Holy Spirit will then move upon you, even as He did upon the “face of the waters” so long, long ago, and the darkness will go. It will be replaced by Light.

While it is the Holy Spirit Who will carry out the work, it is all through what Christ did for you at the Cross, which requires your Faith in that Finished Work.

At the very beginning, God gave the order. It is:

1. Darkness covers the unredeemed soul of man.
2. The Spirit of God moves upon the darkness of the unredeemed soul.
3. And God, said, “Let there be Light,” which redeems the soul.“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[iLOVE]

Your Word for Today

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel (Gen. 3:15).

This is the first mention of the Cross, although in shadow, after the Fall. The Lord told Satan through the serpent that victory would come by the “Seed of the woman.” Ironically, woman has no seed, with the exception of One, Who was the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ bruised the head of Satan, and did so at Calvary’s Cross. That’s where Satan was totally and completely defeated (Col. 2:14-15).

The “heel of Christ being bruised” concerned the suffering, humiliation, and shame of the Cross (Heb. 12:2).

So, as to exactly how the Lord would do this, we now know after the fact; however, at the time that the Lord related this word to Satan, the Evil One knew that a Redeemer would be brought into the world through a woman, but no more information was given regarding how the Redemption would be effected.

God, however, keeps His Promises. For every person who will believe, and irrespective as to who that person is or what they have done, this which the Lord told Satan so long, long ago is now an accomplished fact. Satan’s head was bruised at the Cross, and at great price, we might quickly add.

But here is the clincher:

All of it was done for you and me. Considering that, it is incumbent upon us to have the Blessing which the Cross affords. It is done simply by Faith, which pertains to placing our Faith exclusively in Christ and what He did for us at the Cross, and not allowing our Faith to be moved elsewhere. That is the secret of all blessings (Eph. 2:13-18).“

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[iLOVE]

Your Word for Today

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them (Gen. 3:21).

Immediately after the Fall, Adam and Eve lost the light which had enswathed them before the Fall; they are now naked, and more than all naked to the Judgment of God (Gen. 3:7). As a result, they “sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons.”

Regrettably, man has been trying to cover his spiritual nakedness with fig leaves from then until now.

When they finally had to answer to the Lord, the Bible tells us that the LORD God “made coats of skins, and clothed them.” For this to be done, the Lord had to kill one or more animals, which necessitated blood being shed. The skins were then taken from these animals and used to supply clothing or a covering for Adam and Eve.

The death of the animal or animals was the first symbol of Christ, Who would give His Life in order to cover the sins of man.

And let the Reader understand:

Anything man attempts to use to cover his sins, other than the Precious Shed Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, is looked at by God as “fig leaves,” rating it totally unacceptable. The Blood of Jesus Christ alone can cleanse from all sin, which then makes possible the Righteousness of God as a covering — all made possible by the Cross (I Jn. 1:7).”

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[iLOVE]

Your Word for Today

“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell (Gen. 4:3-5).

There is no difference between the two brothers, Cain and Abel, but an eternal difference between their sacrifices. They are both corrupt branches of a decayed tree, both born outside Eden, both guilty, both sinners, no moral difference, and both sentenced to death.

The words, “by faith” (Heb. 11:4), teach that God had revealed a way of approach to Himself (Rom. 10:17). Abel accepts this way; Cain rejects it.

Abel’s Altar speaks of Repentance, of Faith, and of the Precious Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God without blemish. Cain’s altar tells of pride, unbelief, and self-righteousness. Abel’s Altar is beautiful to God’s eye and repulsive to man’s; Cain’s altar, beautiful to man’s eye and repulsive to God’s.

These “altars” exist today. Around the one, that is, Christ and His Atoning Work, few are gathered; around the other, many. God accepts the slain lamb and rejects the offered fruit; the offering being rejected, so, of necessity, is the offeror.

We must ever understand that God looks at the sinner not at all, because there is no point. He knows instantly what the sinner is. He looks at the Offering, and the only Offering that He will accept is the Sacrifice of Christ. Any other offering is immediately rejected!

The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6).
The only way to Jesus Christ is through the Cross (Lk. 9:23).
The only way to the Cross is by an abnegation of self (Lk. 9:23).”

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[iLOVE]

Your Word for Today

“And Noah built an Altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered Burnt Offerings on the Altar. And the LORD smelled the sweet savor . . . (Gen. 8:20-21).

Noah built an Altar and worshipped; not the Altar, but God. The Altar was the instrument of his Salvation, as the Cross was Paul’s, and of every other Believer who has ever lived. But the Apostle did not worship the Cross, as multitudes do today, but worshipped Him Who died upon it.

The “Altar” built by Noah and the sacrifices offered upon it were symbols of Christ and what He would do to redeem the lost sons of Adam’s fallen race. When Noah offered up his sacrifices, even as commanded by the Lord, the Scripture says that “the LORD smelled a sweet savor.”

What could have been “sweet” about the carcass of an animal being burned to a crisp on an Altar?

The “sweet savor” had to do with what it represented, which was the Coming Redeemer, Whose Coming and Sacrifice of Himself would redeem fallen humanity.

Let the Reader understand:

The Lord “smells a sweet savor” only as it regards our Faith in Christ and what He did for us at the Cross. This means that everything else is repugnant to Him, coming up rather as a “stink” in His nostrils.

That rules out every fad, every scheme, anything and everything for that matter, which is not anchored solely in “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified” (I Cor. 1:23).

Every single Believer should, therefore, check very carefully as to what his Pastor is preaching, or his favorite TV Evangelist, etc. If he or she is not preaching the Cross, there is no “sweet savor” going up to the Lord, but something else entirely!”

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[iLOVE]

Your Word for Today

“And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto your seed will I give this land: and there built he an Altar unto the LORD, Who appeared unto him (Gen. 12:7).

Abraham is referred to as the “Altar builder.” Why did he build so many Altars?

Whenever the Lord spoke to Abraham, and Abraham heard and yielded, which was the moment of his conversion, the Lord also made it very clear to Abraham as to the manner in which man was to approach God. It only could be through the sacrifice of a clean animal, which necessitated the shedding of blood, all which symbolized Christ. That was the only way that God could converse with man — any man. God accepts nothing from humanity except it comes by the way of the Cross.

That’s the reason that Abraham had to build a new Altar everywhere he went. There was no other way to converse with the Lord.

It has not changed even unto this moment. Man can come to God only by the way of the Cross (I Cor. 2:2).

This means if the Church is not preaching the Cross, then whatever that particular Church is doing is totally unacceptable to God. This means every person who attends such a Church, for whatever reason they are attending, is not attending for the Lord, but for something else entirely. Such a course spells disaster!

Find a Church which “builds the Altar,” i.e., “trusts in Christ and what He did at the Cross”; there life and victory will be found (I Cor. 1:17-18, 21, 23; 2:2).”

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[iLOVE]

Your Word for Today

“And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he built an Altar unto the LORD, and called upon the Name of the LORD (Gen. 12:8).

“Beth-el” means “House of God.” “Hai” means “garbage dump.”

The Altar alone, typifying the Cross, can keep the Believer away from the garbage dump.

It is virtually impossible for the Believer to know the difference between the “House of God” and the “garbage dump” other than by the Cross. That’s the reason we have so much false doctrine presently and so many Christians following false doctrine. For the last several decades, the Church has drifted so far from the Cross that it hardly knows any more where it has been, where it is, or where it is going. Because it no longer plants its doctrines on the foundation of the Cross, it has lost completely its moorings.

Without an understanding of the Cross, there is absolutely no discernment regarding false doctrine.

That’s the reason that Paul said: “Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times (the times in which we now live) some shall depart from the Faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (I Tim. 4:1).

A “departure from the Faith,” i.e., “Christ and Him Crucified,” is the reason!

Never forget:

Satan dresses up his “garbage dumps” to look like something else altogether. In other words, they look like anything but garbage dumps; and, without an understanding of the Cross, invariably that’s the way the Believer will go (Gal. 6:14).”

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart

 

[iLOVE]

Your Word for Today

“And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for Righteousness (Gen. 15:6).

If one properly understands this one Verse of Scripture, then one basically understands the entirety of the Bible.

What is it that Abraham believed?

First of all, “he believed in the LORD.” And what does that mean?

Regarding the dealings of the Lord with Abraham, this means that Abraham believed that God ultimately would send a Redeemer into this world and would do so through his offspring. The Apostle Paul, in addressing this very thing, said, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the Promises made. He said not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of One, and to your Seed, which is Christ” (Gal. 3:16).

So, the entire nation of Israel, which would come from the loins of Abraham and the womb of Sarah, was but for one reason, and that was to bring forth “One Seed, which is Christ.” That “Seed” was brought forth for one reason, and one reason only, and that was to go to the Cross, which was necessary, that is, if the terrible sin debt was to be paid, and man thereby redeemed.

In essence, “Christ and Him Crucified” presents the entirety of the story of the Bible. Consequently, that’s where my Faith and your Faith had better be anchored (Rom. 4:3).”

— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”)
Donnie Swaggart