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Sunday, September 30, 2007

Could you forgive?


Could you forgive?

Luke Rodolph stood on the rim of Upper Silas Canyon, enjoying the magnificent view that stretches all the way to Lander.About 300 feet below him, Peter Absolon was climbing a new route up the cliff face of Leg Lake Cirque.The two would never meet, but in a matter of moments, they would be forever linked. One would be dead, the other torn by regret.

HOW LONG O LORD



HOW LONG O LORD

To those who have tried to birth a ministry for years and years to no avails. Imagine this. - God gives someone an acre of land to plow plant and then reap the blessings of the harvest. We see other ministries spring up over night bearing much fruit with very little effort; they are in harvest while we are left in the dust. Could it be that their harvest came in so soon because they had only one acre to plow. What if God has given you a thousand acres but you just don’t know it yet or understand why it’s been such a long time plowing?

You keep on comparing yourself to those who only have one acre to plow. They were able to plow plant and reap very quickly because the parcel allotted to them was actually much smaller than yours.

Plowing a thousand acres could take most of a life time with no visible evidence of any fruit in sight. But after all that labor and waiting, the rains come and the sun shines down upon your ministry and the end results are beyond compare.

Let me remind you, that the Scripture says "Despise not small beginnings" and "Think not that your labor for the lord is in vain". Be faithful in the small things and the Lord will make you ruler over many.

Open our eyes Lord and cause us to see your faithfulness.

Recently, I visited the ruins of a Catholic mission. It was symbolic to me of a life gone by of dry dusty ministry attempts. When I came to the steps of a desolate dry ground that once lead to a well watered garden, all I could do was bow my head in defeat and say, Lord this is my life. With that I distinctly heard within my spirit the Lord say, "They that wait upon me will not be ashamed"

Tilson

I think that this is a prophetic word for Oden Fong and some others out there that I know who have been faithfully plowing away tirelessly for years and years.

You were once at the starting gate with everyone else. The gates lifted and everyone took off at a gallop. Only one problem, your gate did not lift. There you were, full of ambition and zealousness of youth. And the gate held you back seemly.

Today the Lord is allowing you to see that He had a master plan all along. Did He not say that the latter rain would be greater then the former rain? Did He not say that the first shall be last and the last shall be first?

The second string that has been benched all throughout this current game is about to get their chance! No more practice pitching, no more sitting back and watching the first string play while you try to not show your dissapointment as you warm the bench. The coach is calling for you! For such a time as this. You know He is! You are beginning to see the strength and power of the Holy Spirit manifest in your midst. The power and strength of the Lord that is being granted to you will out distance those who went on before you. You are about to witness the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit that you have ever known.

The call to salvation that will be transmitted through your yielded lives is going to be heard! People are going to be flocking to you to hear what the Lord God Almighty has to say. They are going to come into the Kingdom of God in droves!

You have been faithful. You have never 'thrown in the towel.' You have persevered against all odds. You have said in your heart, until I die I will serve Him faithfully. You have been tried and tested in the furnace of afflictions and come through burnt and smoking, but you still stand no matter what.

The days ahead are truly evil! There will be widespread panic! The people will no longer shun the Master Creator, they will seek after Him with all their hearts. And YOU will be there to comfort them. You will be there to lead and guide them into the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Well done My good and faithfull servants, I am well pleased with you and will do as I have long ago promised you. I will do as I have long ago told you that I would. Be ready...

David

David's Art


David's Art



I like to paint and do art projects. One painting that I tackled was the "Creation of Adam." Here are a few progress shots of that painting and a few of another project.

David

1
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Picture002.jpg

2
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Picture003.jpg

3
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Picture160.jpg

4
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Picture163.jpg

5
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Picture175.jpg

6
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Picture176.jpg

7
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Picture177.jpg

8
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Picture179.jpg

9
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Picture210.jpg

10
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Fri-july-13-2007115.jpg

11
http://david.surfer51.googlepages.com/Fri-july-13-2007118.jpg






Yes, just like Charles Spurgeon that famous anointed Baptist, I enjoy a good cigar every now and then while painting in my studio.


Check this out, here you see just how anointed this great man of God was...


"In 1857, a day or two before preaching at the Crystal Palace, I went to decide where the platform should be fixed; and, in order to test the acoustic properties of the building, cried in a loud voice, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." In one of the galleries, a workman, who knew nothing of what was being done, heard the words, and they came like a message from heaven to his soul. He was smitten with conviction on account of sin, put down his tools, went home, and there, after a season of spiritual struggling, found peace and life by beholding the Lamb of God. Years after, he told this story to one who visited him on his death-bed.

Shekinah Fellowship: Clouds

Shekinah Fellowship: Clouds

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Lori Wittman


Lori Wittman said...

For a few years now I have been trying to find my friends that were in Shekinah ministry. I have found only a few. I am happy to say that since I found Davids web site I have been doing a lot of remembering of those days with Brant.
I have been silent to long. There are a lot of happy memories and sad ones also. But the work David is doing I feel is Gods work. Those years with the ministry are always with me. I came out of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. I was not a new christain when I met Brant. It was in the early days when Brant was just starting out. He was only 23 yrs old and already on fire for God. There was only a handful of us.

When I first came to a service I knew that is were I belonged. It was in a small store and we all sat on the ground and listened to him preach. We soon moved into a foursquare Church . Many people started to attend the Sat night services and it soon grew to fill the large church.

The choir was wonderful. I remember Joe Dallas at the piano and the various singers. I remember that before each service Brant would be waiting on the side of the stage praying , eyes closed or raised , hands folded or uplifted to the Lord. As we all sang whorship to God the room would fill with a cloud of Gods presence. It could literally be felt and seen.

There were many healings that I saw and can testify to one that I saw before my eyes. I was on stage with Brant and Randy West, while people came up to testify of their healngs. A lady came up and she was healed of an illness but her hands were still twisted from arthritis and as Brant started to pray for her, I saw her hands staighten out fully, Brant said "did you see that" Yes, I did.

There were times when it was hard to stand next to him as you could feel the presence of Jesus ever so softly. We all Loved the Lord and looked only to do his will. I was involved for about 3-4 years, from the begining to almost the end of the ministry. I remember when Brants mother started coming to the services more often. I felt she may have wanted too much control of the ministry and this bothered Brant. She was a lovely and gracious lady but could be domineering.

I loved Brants father , he was so sweet and humble. Brant became engaged to one of my best friends, Lesa Green. This did not last very long. She was so very beautiful and kind. She took this very hard after he broke it off with her. There are more memories that I want to share but feel I should think about it for a few more days before I share with you all. I must say that if anyone remembers me or were involved in the minisry, please come forward by writing here or to David or emailing me if you would.

En Agape Hannelore

Friday, September 28, 2007

Another link to us


Another link to us

Lady Nada does it again over at "Elijah The Prophet" blog...


All of us here thank you Lady Nada, you have been an incredible blessing to us!

David

Raw Deal? You Decide.


Raw Deal? You decide.

Mistake costs dishwasher $59,000.

Pedro Zapeta came here illegally seeking a better life for his family.
He ends up being essentially a slave to the United States for eleven years of hard work...He should have stayed home, it seems that he would have been better off.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

e-Sword


e-Sword

In a day and age when a lot of Christians sell out for the dollar, it is refreshing to see someone who has not. This man, Rick Meyers, provides all of us with these Bible study tools and software asking nothing in return...

I greatly respect a man of God like Rick! There can be no question as to his sincerity in his service of the Lord in my mind.

I have purchased a lot of software for studying the Bible over the years and I have to say this program is up there with the best. And you can have it to use on your computer right now. No paypal or credit card needed. Praise the Lord for men such as this!

e-Sword is a fast and effective way to study the Bible. e-Sword is feature rich and user friendly with more capabilities than you would expect in a free software package.

Rick says:

"Freely you received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

Jesus told us that since we've been blessed we should bless others. I am happy to provide a blessing to others in the form of free Bible study software!

As a Bible student and teacher I have experienced the necessary work involved in searching the Scriptures for the competent preparation of a Bible study, Sunday school lesson, or a sermon. There are volumes of books available as study tools (and the Christian community is indebted to the various authors' perseverance and scholarship), but there is not enough time, money, or shelf space to properly take advantage of these resources. Computer software has changed the way we can study the Word of GOD. With a simple search or click of the mouse button, we now have access to these same volumes of scholarship within seconds!"

In His service,
Rick Meyers

Matt Pitt Evangelist

Matt Pitt Evangelist


The Basement isn't a club. It's a youth-oriented church service – part concert, part pep rally – led by 23-year-old Matt Pitt, a self-taught evangelist who's been preaching his message of clean living, racial conciliation, and sold-out-for-God Christianity since 2004. What began as informal street preaching has become a full-blown enterprise requiring police, security guards, lawyers, and accountants. Mr. Pitt's life has changed seemingly overnight, and many of the teenagers who flock to Birmingham's Cathedral of the Cross to hear him speak say he's changing them, too.


http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0917/p20s01-ussc.html

Joan speaks up


Hi David,

Try as I might, I am unable to post at your site. Every time I hit "Comments" my screen freezers! Once again, I am sending it via you.

Response to: Words From The Man Of God

I can stands so much but I can't stands no more!!! Yes, I realize I am dating myself with that statement but if Popeye was a real man, I would be able to tell him that I totally understood the frustration he felt when he said them! Reading this post and the responses that came with it just broke my heart. What is going on here??? That the administrator even brought it forth boggles my mind. David, I love you like a brother and I esteem your walk with the Lord highly and respect you for it. I have seen your pain and unbelief of man's attitude towards a wonderful man of God who walked in His power and might but who was rejected and almost erased from the very church he founded. You have even shared here about this, trying to bring those who were partakers of his ministry to speak forth. There is no doubt that slander and unforgiveness was waged against this man because of weakness in his life. You know the shame and wrong that was in their actions in doing so for it is not their right to judge. The Word already judges them - and it judges us. No one escapes. Nothing is hidden from God.

Please remember when Jesus turned the tables over in the temple it was because the moneychangers were selling doves and animals for sacrifice. Jesus knew these men's hearts were not right, selling that which was needed for the ritual of the law but being themselves. Jesus was showing that a new order was coming to God's people. It was prophetic of the cleaning of the temple and forgiveness of sin could not be bought or acquired through man but only through Him. Where do we put a limit on what is 'freely given" and thus should not be sold. Does not every good gift proceed down from the Father of Lights? Thus should no singers sell records for their singing is a gift from God? Or an artist, should they not present the work of their craft for sale becasue it is a God given gift? What if the gift that is given from God is also their profession and calling. Should they not earn a living from it? 1 Timothy 5:18 says, “


You specifically spoke of the Elijah List. Now, I have my own problems with all the advertisements that takes place through this list but rather than speak against my brother, the Holy Spirit has placed it upon my heart to pray for him, that he would not turn his heart from the Lord in all of his doings and get caught up in worldly gain (then again, I do not know where all this money goes- maybe to reach more people for Christ, prayerfully so). I have partaken of the fruit that has come forth from the Elijah list and from the postings that are mailed out, free of charge to my email account. The Lord has used many of these postings to bring confirmation to that which He has spoken to my spirit or to bring encouragement in a time of great need. That is such a blessing and delights me to no end. It shows me how much Daddy God is bringing forth things not just to me but to others as well. Hallelujah! I have to ask you, how many of you that are blasting the Elijah List have had any contact with it, read any of their materials? Do any of you know Steve Schultz personally to say whether he is a man of God or not? Remember, he is a man with weaknesses and faults just like us. Do you know the price he's paid to do what he is doing? And the conferences he endorses? Praise be to God for them! The last one my husband and I attended was not only great confirmation to me of the things the Lord has been telling me, but it also brought use into a place of receiving more clearly from the Holy Spirit.

You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Whether we buy that which they have labored over is up to us. I can just as well spend my money on something that is worldly as I could something that will build me up spiritually. No one is forcing anyone to buy any of the things on this list. It is offered, a bit more so than my liking but I must remember this is my brother in Christ.l God bought us at a very high price. To Him we were worth it. To some the cost of a book or teaching is worth the price we pay for it, knowing that the writer or teacher had to labor to bring it forth. Often the higher cost of producing something like this does not come from the revelatory words given to them alone, but also by the stand they have to make to bring them forth to others. I'm curious, did Lonnie Frisbee never take any money for that which he shared?

Please know that if Lonnie Frisbee were alive today, I would be praying for him just like I am praying for Steve Schultz. We each have weaknesses in our lives, sin that overtakes us sometimes that which we know and that which we do not know. But sin is sin. I look to the fruit and from whence it comes. If it comes from our Lord Jesus Christ then these people are my brother and sister in Christ. Only by the love we show one to another will the world know that we are His. I want the world to know I am His. Not for my self gain but because I want the world to know Him who saved me and who continues to walk beside me even when I fall because He loves me. And He loves the. Wasn't it God's love that sent His Son to die for our sins? Should we not, too, bear one anothers sin and not expose them shamefully?
Century after century the enemy has caused the body of Christ to be fractured and divided. When will we come together as one body, formed together in Christ Jesus. When one falls or makes mistakes why do we want to focus on their mistakes rather then life them in love and prayer? We can rebuke in love, with the Holy Spirit's leading. But it must be done in love and not with a gossiping tongue. We best make sure we know the whole story or have gotten the leading from the Holy Spirit to bring forth that rebuke or chastisement. "Judge not, that you be not judged. for with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in yur own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;'; and look, a plank is in your own eye! Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye (Matthew 7:1-5)." Personally, I need to be reminded of these words often. There are times when the Holy Spirit will bring to our attendion the weaknesses of others but it is not for public announcement. Rather it is for either lifting in prayer or to approach that person in love to guide them back on the path of righteousness. But I need to be sure what the Holy Spirit is staying to do and not what Joanie is thinking she should do, ya know.

Anyway, that was my cents worth (uh, maybe dollars, lol). Consider what happened to Lonnie Frisbee and others because of the struggles in their lives. What do you think the outcome would have been had people, brothers and sisters in Christ, been praying for him/them, loving him/them through these difficult issues in his/their lives. How much longer could he/they have done for the kingdom of God if so many words of cursing and condemnation not come at him/them? It's something we need to consider.Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. Now I'm gonna look for some spinach! LOL God bless you all.In His love, JoanAnyway, that was my cents worth (uh, maybe dollars, lol). Consider what happened to Lonnie Frisbee and others because of the struggles in their lives. What do you think the outcome would have been had people, brothers and sisters in Christ, been praying for him/them, loving him/them through these difficult issues in his/their lives. How much longer could he/they have done for the kingdom of God if so many words of cursing and condemnation not come at him/them? It's something we need to consider.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. Now I'm gonna look for some spinach! LOL God bless you all.

In His love,
Joan

No Death Trial Concluded On Same Day


Day Fourteen
The Illegal Trial Of Jesus Christ
No Death Trial Concluded On Same Day

Location:

People's Court

Shekinah Fellowship

Room 101

Ms Suzy, Jurist in this court room:

"A criminal case, where a death sentence is to be pronounced, cannot be concluded before the following day."

It was, therefore, unlawful for the Sanhedrin to have concluded the trial of Jesus, resulting in the imposition of the penalty of death, in a single day. Long before the ministry of the Christ, the Hebrew jurists concluded that an aquittal of the accused may be accomplished within one day, but not in the event of a conviction. It was regarded as a serious matter to be called upon, in a judicial proceeding, to take human life. It was thought best to give more time for sober reflection and prayer before imposing such a verdict in a capital trial.

The Jewish law-writers, with full sanction and approval of the Jewish society, clung to the notion that at least two days should be consumed in the trial of such cases; that the judges should have a good night's rest, and have more time for a full review of the evidence, on the following day.

From the best available sources- Matthew, Mark and Luke- it has been definitely established that the so-called "trials" of Jesus- both the Hebrew and Roman- were concluded on the same day; and embracing a period of about seven hours! The first was held between one and two o'clock A.M, Friday, April 7th, and the second just about daybreak on the same fateful Friday morning! This is just another illustration of their deliberately ignoring their own laws. Sound familar?

In every other case, the judges would retire to their homes, after the first day of trial, and engage in prayer for Heavenly guidance, that they might not commit error while dealing with the life of a human being. Then, after serious consideration, and long searchings for the possibility of mistake in judgement, they would reassemble in the halls of the Sanhedrin, and review all that had transpired on the previous day. It was a grievous and unforgivable offense against one's conscience as well as the good of the Jewish society for an error to be made. And they were ever cautioned, by their oath of office, to be diligent in safeguarding the paramount rights of the accused. They felt honor-bound to do no less!

But, with Jesus, it was to be diffrent. The air of solemnity and sacredness was missing. The high honor due the judicial robes was overlooked. Instead of permitting their legal minds to ponder human rights, and human justice, and impartiality, in the discharge of their sacred duty, they could see only a "Culprit" who had dared overturn the tables of the money-changers in the Temple; and Who had repudiated their religion which taught that there was no such thing as the resurrection, by calling Lazarus back to life!

Little did they care, then, that, through the ages, millions would, after the passage of thousands of years, still discern the echo of their treachery!

But, let us note this significant fallacy:

Even if, during the "trials" of Jesus, the high priest and his cohorts had repaired to the quite of their homes, after the first day, they would have been prohibited by the same Jewish law from returning on the next- for that would have been the Sabbath! They were willing, apparently, to break every existing Jewish statute, thus far, in the trials; but it would not do to vote the verdict of death on the Sabbath!

In attempting to pacify their insatiable demand for the life of Christ, they rushed the proceedings to a quick and tragic conclusion-typical of after-midnight, mob-violence!

When vile men have thoughts only of murder, born of hate and spite, they no longer entertain conceptions of justice, nor morals, nor law! Such were the hearts and minds of those disreputable Sanhedrinists who placed a blight and stain upon the name of "justice," and who supplanted corruption in the stead of impartiality! Their base deeds of treachery will ever be scorned and despised by honorable men and women, through the unfolding centuries, by the uncounted generations, yet unborn!

Indeed, so long as God, in His infinite wisdom, continues to give to mankind the ability to read the printed Word, as found in Holy Writ, they shall find there the sordid narration of inhuman brutality imposed upon the Christ-and each time they read those accounts, their hearts will boil in bitter resentment over what transpired before the Sanhedrin, Herod, and the "court" of Pontius Pilate!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Could You Forgive?


Could You Forgive?


'Miracle' saved teenager's eye after chair assault...
THESE X-ray images show the leg of a chair embedded into the eye socket of a Melbourne teenager who miraculously survived a random attack outside a city nightclub earlier this year.

Holy Bible Rap


Holy Bible Rap


NIV with a ribbon book mark. I like em real and red lettered. It's worn and it's torn. Read it until the pages fall out...

Holy Spirit can help new Christian banish bad thoughts


Holy Spirit can help new Christian banish bad thoughts


DEAR DR. GRAHAM:

 I have been a Christian about two years now, and I really want to follow Jesus.

 But I still have a lot of garbage left over from my old life that keeps cropping up -- things such as anger and bad thoughts about people and vile language.

 I know these aren't right, but how can I get rid of them?

 God must be very upset at me. --

T.McH.

Answer:

Sunday, September 23, 2007

IN GOD WE TRUST


IN GOD WE TRUST

The anointing that was placed upon the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" that appears on our money will never disappear.

They may remove the words, but the anointing on those words is something that will remain burned into the minds of everyone who has encountered them.

If the words on our money "IN GOD WE TRUST" were only words no one would be upset about it.

When the word "God" was originally placed upon our money, it stood for the deity of Jesus Christ (Almighty God in human form).

Proof of this is in the very nature of the attack against it.

Satan hates the anointing, because it is the anointing that breaks the yoke.

These days the word "God" in America has come to mean many things (lords many and gods many).

 Without the anointing, the word "God" is an extremely universal word; a word that could be interpreted in such a way as to offend no one.

 The truth of the matter is that the anointing reveals the gospel, and it is a gospel of offense; the offense of the cross of Jesus Christ.

T. L. Osborn, the evangelist, as he was preaching witnessed the healing power of God come upon a group of Muslims who were totally deaf and every one of them were healed.

They did not hear a single word of his sermon, yet by the anointing their ears were opened.

It is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord.

 Even when we pray we are not heard for our much speaking.

Paul the apostle said, "I do not come to you with the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power."

The demonstration of God’s Spirit, and the power of His anointing that is upon the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" is phenomenal.

 With or without words, the anointing speaks loud and clear.

Always.

Pastor Tilson

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Words From The Man Of God

Fear God and Obey Him.

Virtual Bible


Virtual Bible

Read the Bible on the internet or listen to each chapter (MP3 PODcast)! We have the most advanced Bible search engine on the internet (great for Bible study). You can even compare a verse with other Bible translations or translate to another language! Look up all you favorite passages and even quote on them.

On The Brink


On The Brink
Matthew 24:22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

More than 20 years ago, Stanislav Petrov saved the world from a thermonuclear war. Russia still prefers to overlook his heroic feat

It was his duty to push the button. After all, he - Stanislav Petrov - was the one who had written the instructions prescribing that particular course of action.

MOSCOW – It promised to be a quiet evening at the Soviet nuclear early warning center when Lt. Col. Stanislav Petrov settled into the commander's seat on Sept. 26, 1983.

But within minutes, Colonel Petrov was locked in perhaps the most dangerous drama of the cold war. An alarm sounded, warning screens blinked. A computer map on the wall showed the hostile launch of a US nuclear warhead.

"Every second counted.... My legs were unsteady, my hands were trembling, my cozy armchair became a hot frying pan," says the former officer. It only got worse. Within five minutes the computer registered five more launches; the alarm flashed: "Missile Attack."

The decision that Petrov made in those pressure-cooked minutes - that the computer was in error, and the elaborate early warning system that he helped build was wrong - may have prevented a nuclear holocaust. He did not push the button even though he had reason to do it.

Twenty years later, there is growing concern that a similar nuclear miscue could happen again. The lone superpower and its former rival still aim thousands of missiles on hair-trigger alert at each other's major cities. As the US rushes to deploy a missile shield this summer designed to intercept North Korean warheads, Clinton-era plans that would improve both US and deteriorating Russian detection systems are stalled.

At presidential summits in both 1998 and 2000, the US and Russia announced plans for a joint, real-time warning system in Moscow. The blueprint, drawing on American's sophisticated satellite network and Russia's wide radar net, promised to keep better tabs on the superpower arsenals as well as on terrorist threats.

"I wish I could say there is no chance of it [today]," Petrov says, in a matchbox kitchen with a yellowing star chart. "But when we deal with space - when we [play] God - who knows what will be the next surprise?"

Dreams of joint efforts ground to a halt long ago. Meanwhile, neglect has left Russia's system in disrepair.

"The fact is, the Russians are flying blind," says Jon Wolfsthal, a nonproliferation expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. "There are huge portions of their periphery that are unmonitored because their satellites are down, and they've lost a number of [Soviet-era] radar sites."

The result is a growing concern about false readings that could show a hostile nuclear launch, and provoke real retaliation. Such fears have been augmented by a string of Russian military accidents, from failed test missile launches to a sunken nuclear submarine.

More about the 1983 event:
http://www.brightstarsound.com/

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

War of worldviews:


War of worldviews.
  The Judaeo-Christian tradition vs. environmentalists

A wing of the evangelical movement, headed by Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals, is hopping on the trendy environmentalism bandwagon, and linking arms with environmentally activist groups.

An evangelical church in Boise is hosting a national conference on the environment this week, and the Sierra Club is actually providing scholarships for college students to attend.

In the Judaeo-Christian tradition, man worships the Creator rather than the creation:

 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

 In environmentalism, there is no Creator to worship, and therefore man worships the Earth itself, as the goddess Gaia.

 Since nature itself is sacred in environmental thinking, every time man leaves his imprint on the earth, he is intruding on the divine, and every act of human development is an act of sacrilege or blasphemy.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Requirement For Two Witnesses Day Thirteen


Day Thirteen
The Illegal Trial Of Jesus Christ

Requirement For Two Witnesses

Location:

People's Court

Shekinah Fellowship

Room 101

Ms Suzy, Jurist in this court room:

The Hebrew laws, both Mosaic and Talmudic, insisted that there must be no less than two witnesses to testify against the accused in all criminal cases. Moreover, their testimony had to agree, in all essential facts, material to the charge preferred.

"At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness, he shall not be put to death."

By the language of the just quoted law, we see that, even if they had only one witness to testify against Jesus- which, incidentally, they did not have- He could not be lawfully condemned to die!

Only eye witnesses were permitted to testify against the prisoner.

There was no such thing, in those days, as circumstantial evidence in a criminal prosecution. Additionally, the testimony of all witnesses had to embrace all of the case- not a part by one, and another by some other witness.

 Unless the witnesses could relate the details of the whole crime, their testimony was considered unworthy of belief.

 This was a rather harsh rule, long since departed from in modern jurisprudence, but it is evidence of a sincere determination on their part to be absolutely fair and impartial in dealing with the accused.

Before taking the stand, every witness was solemnly warned and admonished about testifying falsely against his neighbor- in keeping with the law of Moses, embraced in the Ten Commandments, received by him on Mount Sinai.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."

It is of further interest to note that, under Jewish Laws, a witness was not called upon to swear that he would speak only the truth.

No oath was required of him, as is now universally the rule in all courts; because the early Jews concluded that any testimony offered in their courts was submitted under the admonition of God, set forth in the quoted ninth Commandment.

Not only did the Hebrew laws require the testimony of at least two witnesses, before a conviction could be upheld, but the competency of such witnesses was very limited. Take, for illustration, these limitations:

Women, even though eye witnesses to a crime, were never permitted to testify in any case. And notice the peculiar reasons assigned for excluding them:

"Let not the testimony of women be admitted in evidence, on account of their levity and boldness of their sex."

Such a prohibition against womanhood is unheard of in modern jurisprudence!

In many states of the Union, they are now also competent to serve as Judges and jurors! Some of the ablest jurists in America, incidentally, come from the female species.

And into what common classification were women placed by the early Jewish laws? Besides women, these were likewise incompetent to testify in any case:

"Slaves, minors, idiots, the blind, the deaf mutes, usurers, gamblers, illiterates, and anyone directly interested in the outcome of a case."

This Jewish "two-witness" rule was long ago abandoned; and now, in every jurisdiction of modern times, such is no longer the case; except in a very limited scope of crimes, such as: perjury, and the serious offense of treason.

Another rather strange provision of the ancient Jewish laws- very foreign to modern requirements- was that of never requiring the accused to testify in his own behalf, under oath.

He, like all other witnesses in the case, was exempt from such a requirement.

 It will be noted, in passing, however, that, under the rules of procedure in military tribunals in this country, the members of the armed forces, when tried by court martial, cannot be forced to testify under oath!

Having definitely shown the Jewish requirement for two witnesses, who agreed in their testimony, we recall that, from the first step to the last stage of the "trials" of Jesus, including His condemnation and sentence of death, there had not been produced a single witness to support the charge of the high priest of "blasphemy."

 The case of the prosecution, therefore, had utterly failed!

The Christ, under law the law, stood acquitted, and was entitled to an immediate judgment of "not guilty" of any offense whatsoever!

And it must be admitted that Jesus was well versed in the Hebrew laws.

 For, more than once, He properly challenged their right, under the laws, to treat Him as they did.

Had He not been well within His legal rights,they could have forced Him to speak when He elected to remain silent!

And, while they marveled at His majestic silence, they could not condemn Him for it- because He was exercising His legal rights in such circumstances!

Summing up, in respect to the error covered by this court, that the two-witness rule was ignored by the Sanhedrin and Pilate, the statement is repeated, by way of emphasis, that the Christ was entitled to be released, rather than crucified.

The judgement of death was a nullity from its inception.

 Thus, the enemies of Jesus who nailed Him to that cross were no less than murderers, because they had no legal mandate so to do, from a lawful court.

And Annas and Caiaphas, and the other members of the Sanhedrin, were as guilty of that murder of the Innocent Blood as were the profane, base and cowardly Roman soldiers who had the gall to gamble for the garments of the dying Christ!

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Phil Keaggy inducted\Gospel Music Hall of Fame


Phil Keaggy inducted\Gospel Music Hall of Fame

I recall when musicians around Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa were talking about this new guy on the Christian music scene. Some said that he sounded a lot like Paul McCartney of the Beatles. Others said that Jimi Hendrix when asked if he thought that he was the world's best guitarist answered that a guy in Ohio named Phil Keaggy was. Snopes.com eludes that this is just another urban legend, although they have no proof that it is just a legend.

It is very likely that Jimi Hendrix had heard Phil play because the celebrated producer Lewis Merenstein produced the three studio albums recorded by Keaggy's band Glass Harp in the late '60's at Jimi Hendrix's own Electric Ladyland Studio in New York's Greenwich Village. To think that Jimi didn't hear Phil play is very hard to believe. Couple that with the fact that Glass Harp was the opening band for such well known 60's bands Iron Butterfly, Traffic, Yes and Chicago. In such a high profile position Jimi had to have seen them at one time or another.

The last time that I saw Phil play live was on the platform of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa years ago. It was a night when the then youth pastor Greg Denham (A Greg Laurie clone) was presiding.

Phil had just played a few songs and was talking about his next song which was an anti~abortion song. While in the middle of the song, Mr. Denham walks over to the plug of Phils amp and pulls it, there was dead silence. Greg walks up to a mike and tells everyone to turn to a certain page of their bibles for a study. Needless to say Phil looked at Greg in total shock as were all of us in the attendee section. Seemed to me like no one who was there agreed with Greg's rude behavior toward a guest of Calvary Chapel.
This was one of the most classless things I have ever seen at Calvary Chapel. Of course Phil never played there again because of the personal insult.
The song that offended Denham:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNCiLhoS6eQ

During the original "Tent" days of Calvary Chapel Andraé Crouch had been invited to play during one of Chuck Smith's services, I believe it was on a Monday night. After Chuck finished his bible study Andraé and his band played again. This time Andraé displayed his Pentacostal leanings. The Holy Spirit showed up as Andraé had everyone singing "There is power in the Blood." He kept repeating that over and over again until everyone got worked up emotionally.

Chuck, who is more 'middle~of~the~road," did not go over and unplug Andraé or interrupt the song even though he frowns upon such emotionalism at Calvary Chapel. Although Andraé was never again a guest at Calvary Chapel.

At least Chuck had class and didn't pull the plug...Shame on you Greg Denham!

The GMA Foundation (GMAF) will induct artists Phil Keaggy.

"Phil Keaggy has been a beloved artist and musician in Christian music for over two decades. Born and raised in Ohio in a Catholic family of 10, Keaggy always loved music and spent hours listening to singers like Elvis Presley and Johnny Ray. His first guitar was a late-'50s Gretsch Anniversary model; at age ten his father bought him a Sears Silvertone, and by the end of fifth grade, he was playing in front of his entire school. He and his longtime friend, drummer John Sferra, founded Glass Harp in the late '60s when Keaggy was still in high school. They became known as one of the most innovative power trios around, even though they only made four albums for Decca Records, Glass Harp earned a devoted fan base, thanks in great part to Keaggy's lightning-fast guitar riffs and experimental sounds. At their pinnacle, Glass Harp was opening for such major acts as Iron Butterfly, Yes, Traffic and Chicago. He left Glass Harp in 1972 and the following year recorded his first solo album, What a Day. His first instrumental project, The Master and the Musician was released in 1978. Keaggy has released well over 45 albums earning critical acclaim for both his virtuosity on guitar and his songwriting, which ranges from Beatles’ pop to more subtle instrumentals. Over the years, Keaggy has shared in the music ministries of artists such as Love Song, Paul Clark, Randy Stonehill, Barry McGuire, Honeytree and others who were pioneers in the Christian music movement.

Keaggy began professionally playing music in the late 1960s with drummer John Sferra. The two longtime friends, with the addition of bassist Dan Pecchio, formed a band called Glass Harp in 1968.[1] A major turning point for the trio was their winning of an Ohio area's "Battle of the Bands." One of event's judges happened to be an associate of the celebrated producer Lewis Merenstein, whom he alerted to the hot young threesome. At the time, Merenstein was fresh from producing albums for many successful artists including The Spencer Davis Group, Turley Richards and Van Morrison's Moondance (Merenstein produced Astral Weeks as well) and had just been voted Producer of the Year by Rolling Stone. Merenstein was persuaded to fly down from New York to see what the fuss was all about. Upon hearing the band perform, Merenstein was so inspired that Decca Records signed Glass Harp to a multi-record deal. A short time later, the band found itself in New York's Greenwich Village recording its first album at Jimi Hendrix' Electric Ladyland Studio with Lewis Merenstein as producer. As a Decca Records artist, the band began to open for such artists as Iron Butterfly, Yes, Traffic, and Chicago.[1] At one point, future James Gang and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh was being considered to join New Hudson Exit (the band Phil Keaggy was in prior to the formation of Glass Harp) but the other members of the band felt Walsh's style was too dynamic. Years later, Amboy Dukes guitar player Ted Nugent was quoted as saying "I don't know what happened to that Phil Keaggy, he could have saved the world with his guitar" in Guitar Player Magazine."

Phil is one of a kind. A true gift to the Body of Christ.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources


Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources


It is always attention arresting to come across writings outside of the Biblical record that mention Jesus written by those who were around way back then...

"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind."

Pliny The Younger
https://www.probe.org/ancient-evidence-for-jesus-from-non-christian-sources-2/

 https://www.probe.org/evidence-of-jesus-existence/

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

No Lawful Conviction On Confession Alone


Day Twelve
The Illegal Trial Of Jesus Christ
No Lawful Conviction On Confession Alone

Location:

People's Court

Shekina Fellowship

Room 101

Ms Suzy, Jurist in this court room:

It has now been definitely established that the final charge against Jesus, before the Sanhedrin, and upon which He was sentenced to be crucified by the Jews, was that of "blasphemy."

We recall that, as soon as Jesus had made the truthful admission, in response to the direct inquiry of the high priest, that He was the Son of God, the proceedings in the Sanhedrin were abruptly halted by Caiaphas who, with his cohorts, adjudged the Christ guilty of the charge of blasphemy, because of His admission, and that He was then condemned to death.

Therefore, it must now be admitted that Jesus was convicted and condemned, before the Jewish court, solely upon His own confession to being the Son of God.

Witnesses were not used upon either side.

The Jews felt that they needed none, and they denied Jesus His right to obtain them for Him.

The records of court proceedings, in all the world, from the days of Adam to the resent time, reveal that there can be found no parallel and no precedent for condemning one upon his own confession, without supporting witnesses.

Civilization just would not tolerate such a practice.

And, where it has happened before, it was outside of courts, and, in limited and isolated instances, only where mob~rule prevailed!

So, then, the only exception can be found in the "trial" of Jesus before the Jewish highest court in Judea, in the year A.D.30!

And the pages of that record are so dark, and so disreputable, that, for the next almost two thousand years, none have dared to exemplify such tactics, or use them as justification for taking human life!

What then, in defense of the Jews as a group? Did the Jewish society, in those days, when Jesus was "tried" approve of such tactics?

They most assuredly did not!

Let us turn to the solemn pronouncement of the Hebrew laws on that subject:

" We have it as a fundamental principle of our jurisprudence that no one can bring an accusation against himself.

Moreover, a voluntary confession on his part is not admitted in evidence, and therefore not competent to convict, unless a legal number of witnesses minutely corroborate his self~accusation."

Note how simple and unambiguous is this statement of jewish law.

In plain language-easily understood-admitting of no confusion, even to the simple minded-that no one can bring an accusation against himself; that one who volunteers a confession, the same cannot be considered in court as evidence, unless a legal number of witnesses minutely corroborate his self~accusation!

Did they not convict and condemn Jesus upon His voluntary confession that He was the Son of God?

And, did they require that the legal number of witnesses, in detail, support that confession?

The answers to the inquiries are self evident.

Let it be said, to the full credit of the early Jewish lawmakers of Israel, that they did prepare and gain the approval of many ancient and sound legal principles, and rules of orderly court procedures, which, if properly and fairly administered and enforced, would have been sufficient, substantial safeguards for the protection of those charged with crime.

Indeed, the protective laws were ample; but the trouble came by the haphazard and, too frequently, spiteful manner in which they were trampled upon and deliberately ignored-by the very crowd of judges who had sworn to uphold and enforce them!

Had the Christ been given the full benefit of existing Hebrew laws, as well as impartiality and fairness in the application and enforcement of them.

He would never have been subjected to the series of cruelties, humiliations, and acts of brutality which were so wrongfully imposed by corrupt and unprincipled administrators.

And, to be sure, it was not a matter of being ignorant of that, as well as all other laws, of the Jewish society, because we know that each member of the Sanhedrin was required to be well versed in the laws of Israel, before being permitted to accept appointments therein.

Spite, ill-will and hatred moved their hearts and minds against the Christ. Nothing else mattered with them.

Too frequently men have been known to make what appeared to be an open, free and voluntary confession of a crime which they had not committed, in order to "cover~up" for some friend or relative.

Then, again, there are instances where it later developed, from thorough investigation, that the crime, for which the accused "confessed" had never been committed at all, by anyone!

And this is always a tragic spectacle.

It is noteworthy that, the principle of the Hebrew law which prohibited the confession of the accused without corroborative testimony of others, is still the law of every civilized Nation in the world.

 This, to say the least, bespeaks the wisdom of those early framers of the Jewish statutes, several hundred years prior to the birth of Jesus.

Having condemned Jesus to die, solely upon what may be called His "confession," or rather, to use a better word, His "admission," that He was the Christ, without the required production of the legal number of witnesses, placed the high priest, and the entire membership of the Sanhedrin, into the category of law-violators themselves; because they, undoubtedly, breached the solemn laws on that subject.

Soon we will have a discussion respecting the legal number of witnesses which had to be produced by the prosecution before a conviction could be valid.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Shekinah Fellowship Matrix





Shekinah Fellowship Matrix

I wanted to let you in on why I chose to make the intro to some of the Shekinah Fellowship videos in the 'Matrix' motif.

 As anyone who has seen the trilogy of Matrix films knows, the world of Matrix is under an illusion of being real when in fact it is nothing more then an illusion created in the minds of incapacitated humans.

Humans who have been deprived of true life as it was intended to be lived.

Speaking of Satan's 'matrix' Jesus Christ said:

John 10:10
 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

There is a conflict between the program that controls the illusion and those who have escaped the illusion in the Matrix movies.

Neo, one of the main characters of the movie is portrayed as a savior who has been prophesied to come. Neo defeats the program, thus releasing the humans from its control and captivity.

As in real life, there are those who choose to remain under the illusion.


Jesus says:

John 5:40
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Another reason for my usage of the Matrix theme is that Pastor Brant Baker desired to reach as many people as possible with the gospel message.

 He used television and radio and cassette tapes along with the old LP records.

 If he were alive in this point in time he would certainly use the internet as well.

Therefore I have used the Matrix theme as the intro to Shekinah Fellowship to the net.

It is a humbling thing for me to realize that God has seen fit for me to be the first person to introduce Pastor Brant Baker and Shekinah Fellowship to the World Wide Net.

At the time only Susan Dixon had any mention of Shekinah Fellowship on her website, she mentioned the choir. 

Sure there are some who have made mention of Pastor Brant Baker and Shekinah Fellowship on the net before me.

I have had the honor and privilege of introducing Shekinah Fellowship, as it was recorded on video tape, to the matrix of the internet.

That is why you see the words 'Shekinah Fellowship' interacting with the symbolism of the internet (Controlling Matrix).

I wanted to visually impact into the mind of the viewer that something was happening.

 Shekinah Fellowship was entering a new level of sorts.

A new venue that it had never before entered up to that point.

Over the years, I hunted and searched out anything that I could find on the net about Pastor Brant Baker and Shekinah Fellowship.

Intially I found very little.

It surprised me deeply that so many people could have experienced the power and presence of the Lord at the meetings of Shekinah Fellowship and not even share that experience on the net.

Why?

 I was totally baffled.

I finally got off my chair and rolled up my sleeves and went to work. I entered the world of Neo so to speak.

Today the fruit of my efforts is beginning to show.

 I am seeing those who were once behind the scenes of Shekinah Fellowship show up and connect with others of the same experience.

I had introducing the fact that Pastor Brant Baker and Shekinah Fellowship ever existed to a new generation.

Yes, there are those who would choose to remain in the grip of the Matrix and wish that we would just quit and go away.

 And there are those who had awakened and were delighted to see our work here.

At the end of some of the videos I have shown 'Liquid Fire.'

This is symbolic of the Holy Spirit in my opinion.

 Shekinah Fellowship was all about the Holy Spirit at work in people.

The burning fire of the Holy Spirit washing over the people like water...

Nothing can change the course of a life more then a one split second touch of the Holy Spirit.

 Not ten years of seminary school, not fifty years of life in churches and religious organizations.

One touch of the Holy Spirit can wake up a person from the Matrix of this world instantly!

Matthew 3:11

 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. But he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

Today if you look up Shekinah Fellowship you find about 191,000 results in Google.

When I started this website ten years ago there was only one result, Susan Dixon's website.

Lord bless her!

David Sloane
 https://shekinahfellowship.blogspot.com/

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Denied Opportunity To Obtain Witnesses Day 11


Day Eleven
The Illegal Trial Of Jesus Christ
Denied Opportunity To Obtain Witnesses

Location:

People's Court

Shekinah Fellowship

Room 101

Ms Suzy, Jurist in this court room:

After having hurled those false accusations against Jesus, they completely ignored His unquestioned right to a reasonable time within which to secure His witnesses, and thus refute what had been said, both in the Jewish court and while before Pilate.

The Christ could not have had any witnesses present before the trial began, because He had not been informed of the nature of the charges which might be made. And He was not given any advance notice whatever, from anyone, as to what accusations they intended making!

The very least they could have done, in such circumstances, would have been to say to Him: "If you need time to obtain Your witnesses to show the untruth of these charges against You, we will grant the request for a reasonable time to be allowed for that purpose." But, with Jesus, they had no concern for nor interest in the matters of lawful procedure, fairness and justice; for He was not given even a moment to hail before the court a host of friends, then in Jerusalem, who could and would have witnessed for Him.

We will dismiss, for the moment, the initial charge of threatening to destroy the Temple of God, because it was so ridiculous, as already pointed out, that the prejudiced judges would not, themselves, act upon such flimsy, false and absurd testimony. Jesus had been teaching and preaching for three years, out in the open spaces as well as within the synagogues and the Temple, before uncounted thousands of men, women and little children. His doctrine was well known, for He never taught nor preached in secret! And so, there were too many people, nearby, who knew that Jesus had never threatened to do injury to God's Temple, but had plainly made refrence to His Body and His resurrection!

As to the second charge- that He was the Son of God- and for which He was condemned to die, for "Blasphemy"- He could have had thousands to come forth who had been healed, through the miraculous agency of the power of God. And, with very few exceptions, they were grateful people, eager to reaffirm the fact of His Divine Personality. They well knew that no mere prophet, nor the son of a prophet, nor any other human being, could have said the things which Jesus had said; and that no human ever led the perfectly sinless life that Jesus had led. Yes, they, by the thousands, sincerely believed Him to be what He was, and Is- the Son of the Living God!

What about the great horde of people who were the direct beneficiaries of His compassion? Immediately there comes to mind a list, consisting of these, as well as many more:

Bartimaeus, whose sight was restored; the group of paralytics; the host of lepers; the centurion of Rome, whose servant was healed merely by saying the word; the widow, whose son was brought back to life; Jairus, whose dead daughter was made to live again; the hundreds of deaf and dumb, and the halt and the lame; the poor, convulsed child; the man who was blind from birth, and was made to see; the badly crippled woman; and, finally, His good and devoted friend, Lazarus, who had been brought back to life from a four-day-old grave!

And as a climax to such an array of reputable, trustworthy witnesses, there would have come Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus, who lived only about two miles from Jerusalem, in the little village of Bethany. And would it not be quite convincing proof of His Divinity when one heard Lazarus describe the sensation of reposing, for four full days and nights, in a cold and silent grave- with a heart stilled by death- and to be suddenly awakened and released from the throes of death, at the majestic command of the Son of God!

Consider the hundreds who were present, immediately after Jesus was baptized by John, and who heard the glorious voice of God, penetrating from the skies of Heaven, and announcing:

"This is My Beloved Son. in Whom I am well pleased!"

Then call Peter, and James and John, the disciples, who were present at the great Transfiguration, and who heard, again, the soft voice of God, repeating the affirmation of Jesus being His Son!

Indeed, the Christ would not need any greater proof or better witnesses than those. Could they not have readily dispelled any possible doubt of His identity, with evidence of such supremely high quality and character?

Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin- through absent during the alleged "trial," would have certainly testified that Jesus was the Son of God. He believed it so strongly that he went to the Christ, at night, seeking the assurance of his own salvation, through Jesus!

A good and noble man- and another absent member of the Sanhedrin- believed sincerely that Jesus was the Son of God. So definite was his belief that, in spite of threats of the Jews, Joseph insisted that Jesus be buried in the personal tomb of this man of Aramathea! It took a man of courage to do that- one who firmly believed that the Christ was the Son of God!

Indeed, except for the rush to murder Him, Jesus could have had ample witnesses to establish that He spoke only the truth when responding to the inquiry of the high priest. But when evil men have murder in their hearts, they give no thought to orderly, legal procedures, nor justice!

Changing The False Accusations


Day Ten
The Illegal Trial Of Jesus Christ

Changing The False Accusations

Location:

People's Court

Shekinah Fellowship

Room 101

Ms Suzy, Jurist in this court room:

When Jesus was forcibly hailed before the Sanhedrin for "trial," we note that there had not been any charges preferred against Him.

Therefore, until some kind of a criminal offense had been first made against Him, He was unlawfully required to be there.

It would be just as absurd a proceeding as if a group of soldiers and citizens had captured an individual and then brought him before a criminal court to be tried when no compliant of any kind had been registered with the court!

The high priest and the scribes engaged in a brief conference, checking to determine if their "false witnesses" had been notified to be before the court, to testify against Jesus.

Having determined that they were present, Caiaphas called upon them to make their accusations. Here is what then happened:

"At last come two false witnesses, and said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the Temple of God, and build it in three days."

Such a statement as that never fell from the lips of the Christ! Here are His exact words, on that subject, as related by John:

"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

These two characters, in testifying against the Master, had purposely, corruptly and deliberately perverted the true language of Jesus in order to make it appear that He had actually threatened to do physical violence to the Temple of God.

Such might be expected to come from those whom the high priest himself had denominated as false "witnesses!"

Jesus was, of course, referring to His Own Body as the "temple" which they had boasted of soon destroying.

He was merely saying that, in such an event, He would raise His Body in three days. John gives the same explanation:

"He spake of the temple as His Body."

Regardless of the efforts to distort the words of the Christ, we find that the two witnesses were not in agreement as to their attempts to quote what each claimed to have heard Jesus say.

And so, the testimony broke down, and the false charges had to be abandoned.

Up until this time Jesus had not spoken a single word. He gave evidence of His great contempt by His majestic silence!

 Indeed, even the hot~headed raging of the high priest failed to extract a single expression from the mouth of their prisoner.

They were filled with consternation. How, they reasoned, would they be able to make Him talk.

 Then, like a flash, a clever thought was born in the warped brain of Caiaphas.

 He rushed from his seat, toward the body of Jesus, and in a loud and angry tone, exclaimed:

"I adjure Thee, by the Living God, tell us, art Thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"

That was the one question which Jesus would answer, readily, even though it would of necessity, be the affirmation of His Divinity- and His condemnation- and death.

 So, without a moment’s hesitation, and in a clear and distinct tone, the Master replied:

"I Am, And ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven."

Not only did He tell them that He was indeed the Son of the Blessed, but that, after they had taken His life- as He well knew they would- they would see Him, after the resurrection, being lifted upon clouds into Heaven where He would be seated at the right hand of His Father, God Almighty!

The admission of this great truth greatly intensified the anger of the high priest, and he began tearing his robe, while stating to the other members of the Sanhedrin:

 "What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy! What think ye?"

Being of one accord, they replied:

"He is guilty to death!"

 What a trial!

What a spectacle to behold!

What a scene in the Jewish court, dedicated to the scared cause of liberty and equality and justice!

 What an indictment could be made against such rude, preposterous outbursts of hatred and cowardly conduct!

There we see the presiding officer of the high court of the Jews personally making the accusation of "blasphemy," and then concluding himself that the court had no need for witnesses!

What was it the members of the court heard?

 Only the expression of truth- an admission by the Christ that He was the Son of God!

And for having spoken the truth, they pronounced, unlawfully, the penalty of death!

 They knew that they had no such authority, for their Roman conquerors had stripped them of that power, years before.

They all condemned Jesus to be worthy of death!

Because, as they said, He was guilty of blasphemy!

Was the Christ guilty of blasphemy?

 An absurd inquiry!

 Nowhere could there be found any authority, anywhere, to make what Jesus had said the basis for such an accusation.

"Blasphemy" consists of cursing God. We have the benefit of a Biblical definition of that word, as found in the Revelations of John:

"And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacles, and them that dwell in Heaven."

The accusation of the high priest was the utterance of a frenzied and prejudiced mind, amounting to nothing more than an illiterate conclusion!

Now we observe them taking the tired and sleepy Christ, before the break of day, to the palace of Pilate, the Roman Governor.

Their purpose in doing this was to get Pilate to quickly and summarily approve of the supreme penalty that they had unlawfully imposed upon Jesus.

 They were hoping for an informal hearing, that they might begin their execution.

 But the Roman Governor was not only impatient but without affection for the Jews and their numerous religious controversies.

He entertained no love for them whatever, and did not wish to be bothered with their many bickerings and disputes which, he felt, they themselves should settle.

As soon as Pilate learned of their presence at the palace, he met them at the entrance gate, and said:

"What accusations bring ye against this Man?"

It was then that they replied with an air of snobbery and presumption:

"If He were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered Him up to thee."

Pilate told them to "take Him and judge Him according to your law."

Quickly realizing that they could not, lawfully, condemn one to die by the judgment of the Jewish courts, and doubting that Pilate would approve of their finding Him guilty of blasphemy, they made up an entirely new charge-without a moment’s notice to the prisoner or anyone:

"And they began to accuse Him, saying, we found this fellow perverting the Nation, and forbidding the giving of tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ a King."

Jesus remained silent before the Governor of Rome.

 Well did he know that the charge of having "perverted the Nation and forbidding the giving of tribute to Caesar" was false to the very core.

 Therefore, Pilate marveled greatly that the Christ said not a word!

 Then Pilate took Jesus into the judgment hall, and said unto Him: "Art Thou the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered him:

"Sayest thou this thing thyself, or did others tell it thee of Me?"

Pilate then wanted to know what Jesus had done.

And He answered:

"My kingdom is not of this world: If My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My kingdom not from hence."

Pilate soon became thoroughly convinced that Jesus had done no wrong; that the accusations made against Him were without foundation in fact, and he brought the Christ back to the high priest and his followers, and made this solemn announcement:

"I find in Him no fault at all!"

That was a verdict of acquittal-a judgment of the Roman Governor that should have effected the release of the Prisoner.

And it was the one verdict that fell hard upon the ears of the bewildered enemies of the Master.

Having heard it, they seemed stunned and in a quandary.

Then they came fourth with an entirely different accusation-this was the third-when they told Pilate this:

"He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place!"

That last charge, while entirely false, was their clever way of telling Pilate that Jesus was from Galilee.

Being a Galilean He would have to be tried before Herod, king of Judea.

 So, Pilate sent Him to Herod, who was in Jerusalem at this time.

It was noteworthy that there was a decided departure from the original charge lodged against Jesus before the Sanhedrin.

For the Sanhedrin found Him guilty of "blasphemy." 

But when He was hailed before Pilate, they changed the charge to that of treason, and then to sedition.

The Christ was guilty of neither.


Let us note what took place before King Herod, the reprobate:

"And when Herod saw Jesus he was exceedingly glad: for he was desirous to see Him for a long Season, because he had heard many things of Him: and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him."

Herod the murderer of John the Baptist, was still conscious of his wrongdoing in that respect, and was certainly unwilling to have his official acts, regarding the Christ, reported to his political boss, the Emperor of Rome.

Instead, then, of conducting what might be considered a serious and dignified examination of the complaints made by the Jews, Herod concluded, in his semi-drunken condition, to make sport of the Prisoner, in the hope of amusement for himself and the members of his court.

"Then he questioned Him in many words; but He answered him nothing."

Jesus was well acquainted with the character and reputation of this unfit king, Herod, who had, shortly before, sent a messenger to the Christ threatening to have Him killed, unless He left the country.

 But Jesus stood still there like a brave soldier, and answered him nothing!

And that same group of His enemies stood by, vehemently accusing Jesus before the King.

 Through it all, the Master maintained a majestic silence, as if ignoring the proceedings completely.

 It is highly probable that Jesus, being well versed in the laws of that day and time, felt that Herod had no right to question Him at all.

"And Herod, with his men of war, set Jesus at nought, and mocked Him, and arrayed Him in a purple robe and sent Him back to Pilate."

Once more we see the Christ standing before Pilate.

 By now Jesus was enveloped in fatigue, from loss of sleep and lack of food and rest.

Pilate appears irritated.

He frankly tells the high priest and the others there that they have done a vain thing.

Here are the words, on that occasion:

"Ye have brought this Man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this Man touching those things whereof ye accuse Him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him. I will, therefore, chastise Him, and release Him."

What had Pilate just said?

Once more, for the second time, he found Jesus guilty of no wrong-and reminded the mob that Herod had done nothing to Jesus.

 But, said Pilate, before I release Him, I will chastise Him!

 Since Pilate had said that Jesus was innocent of those charges made against Him, then for what earthy reason should the Christ be "chastised"?

It was nothing less then a cowardly subterfuge.

 He thought that if Jesus were scourged, that would pacify the demands of those evil-hearted demons.

But they were greatly dissatisfied with Pilate’s decision, and showed their anger in no uncertain manner.

Still seeking some way to get from under the burden of the situation, and, at the same time, trusting that he might appease the high priest and his followers, Pilate then proposed that, since it was the custom, during the Passover Feast, to release any prisoner they desired, he said to them:

"Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him."

Here was Pilate placing the self-confessed seditionist and murder beside the sinless Christ, and asking that wild mob which of the two they preferred to be released!

Pilate had hopes, though faint, that they might have a change of heart.

 But not that crowd, for murder filled their hearts, as they remained determined to take the life of Christ!

What a compromise to offer-what a proposal to be made by the Roman Governor to a mob of angry Jews!

"But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus."

Here,again, we see the scheming Annas and his common son-in-law, Caiaphas, urging the mob to call for the release of Barabbas.

Release Barabbas-so that they might destroy Jesus!

What a wild scene!

 What a disgraceful picture!

"The Governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you!"

They said "Barabbas!"

Pilate, somewhat exasperated and impatient, said unto them:

"What shall I do with Jesus which is called Christ?"

Why, oh, why, ask such a question!

 What had Jesus done?

Pilate had repeatedly said he was not guilty of any wrongdoing.

 What he should have done with Jesus was to release Him.

 But he was afraid to do so, afraid of that band of Jews whose continued anger he sought to avoid.

"They all said unto Him, Let Him be crucified!"

Pilate ignored the plea of his wife to "have nothing to do with that just Man."

He called Jesus back into the inner court of the temple, to question Him further, but Jesus remained silent, as before.

 Then Pilate, for the third time, said he found no wrong in Jesus.

Then the Jews cried out:
"Away with Him, Away with Him, crucify Him!"

Yes, it must be admitted that while Pilate sought several times to release Jesus, he just didn’t have the courage of his convictions.

He was, truly, a coward!

Then Pilate said to them:

"Shall I crucify your king?"

The mob, quick to respond, said "We have no king but Caesar."

Sensing that Pilate feared them, because of his dread that they might report him to the Emperor, placing his job in jeopardy, they hurled the defiant threat toward Pilate:

"If thou let this Man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend; whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar."

That did it!

Those last remarks placed the pallid flag of fear into the face of Pilate, and he gave in to the demands of evil men.

He deliberately ignored all sense of justice and sacrificed his self-respect to quite the howls of a raging mob!


"Then released he Barabbas unto them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. 

Then the soldiers of the Governor took Jesus unto the common hall, and gathered unto Him the whole band of soldiers.

 And they stripped Him, and put on a scarlet robe.

 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. 

And they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying: Hail, King of the Jews! 

And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head.

 And after that they had mocked Him, they took the robe of from Him, and put His own raiment on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him."

Therefore, with no friend near who was willing to speak a single good word in His behalf; no friend there to protect Him in His legal rights, Jesus was led away by the fiendish and cruel mob, in preparation for the great ordeal-death, alone, on Calvary’s cross!

 

This final word:


The record reflects that, through it all, the Son of God never once made a single murmur or compliant over the many insults heaped upon Him.

No, not even when they crushed the crown of thorns so deeply into His precious brow that His eyes became filled with blood!

Yes, He was brave enough to bear it, alone, in the true spirit of voluntary submission.

He knew that He was then carrying out the will of His Heavenly Father, and fulfilling the prophecies without neither counting the cost nor complaining of the great pain!

 And the true measure of that pain and that anguish, which He silently bore, for the sins of mankind, is far, very far, beyond the pale of human imagination!