About the verse "If anyone tells you, 'There he is' or 'Here he is'", do not believe it"

Jesus warned that false Christs and false prophets would appear and mislead many people:

At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. (Matthew 24:23-26)

However, some unfairly use this verse to oppose the Second Coming Christ. If, we literally must not believe it when we are told “Here is the Christ”, where do we have to go? Do we need to go to the place where it says “Here isn’t the Christ and there he isn’t”? Are there any churches which do not say “Here is the Christ”?

Therefore, Jesus did not give us this word with the intent that we must deny Christ when He comes in any cases. As written, it’s clearly about warning people of false Christs. 

Then, where can we find the true Christ and not false Christs?

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer [Savior: GNT] will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. (Romans 11:26)

It’s prophesied that the Savior would come from Zion. Where is Zion in which the Savior dwells?

Look upon Zion, the city of our festivals … There the LORD will be our Mighty One… For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us. (Isaiah 33:20-22)

Zion where the Savior dwells is the place where we celebrate the feasts of God. God’s feasts include a weekly feast of the Sabbath and seven annual feasts of the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Day of Firstfruits, the Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. The place where people celebrate such feasts as written in the Bible is “Zion.”

However, the place where people do not observe the feasts of God while saying “Here is the Christ” is the one where they believe in ‘false Christs’ or ‘another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4).’ The Bible prophesies as follows about the appearance of Christ who gives us the water of life:

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)

You can meet the Sprit and the bride who give us the water life only in Zion.

Why did Adam and Eve die?

There lived a happy couple, Adam and Eve, under the love and protection of God in the Garden of Eden. One day, the cunning serpent approached them. The serpent deceived Eve to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil forbidden by God. She also gave some to her husband and he ate it. As a result, they were expelled from the happy Garden of Eden due to the sin of disobedience and lived painful lives. And they died in the end according to the words of God.

Even non-Christians will know the story of the Garden of Eden. The Bible says that death came to all people on this earth due to disobedience of Adam and Eve (Romans 5:12.)

Are there any ways to recover life? Numerous Christian churches emphasize faith, shouting “We can be saved as long as we have faith in God! Do you believe?” Of course, we can have the promise of salvation through faith. 

Then, didn’t Adam and Eve believe in God when they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Yes, they did. Adam and Eve and even their descendents had faith in God. If such insistence that “we can be saved as long as we have faith” is correct, Adam and Eve should have not died and live happily in the Garden of Eden until now. This shows that faith alone does not necessarily lead to salvation.

Adam and Eve believed in God. What didn’t they believe?

They did not fully believe in the words of God: “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” They suspected the words of God with their own thoughts such as “Well, that’s not gonna happen. How can I die if I eat from it? It’s good for food and pleasing to my eyes.”

God wants us to have such faith that we can believe in the words of God absolutely, even the part which may not be possible to believe with the human thoughts.  God judges our faith through the “Passover of the new covenant.”

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:53-54)

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover… While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:19-28)

God promised that “those who keep the Passover have eternal life.” What will you do? Are you going to reject observing the Passover with the thought “How can we have eternal life with such Passover bread and wine?”

Adam and Eve were kicked out of Eden although they believed in God to the end. Empty shouting such as “I believe in Jesus only” is not faith! It’s no more than autohypnosis. True faith is to believe in and follow the words of God—even something that is hard to believe with the thoughts of men.

Why did God give us the Bible?

Someone asked me, “Why do the members of the World Mission Society Church of God read the Bible so hard?” It’s a question of a “so-called” believer. “How many times have you read the Bible?” I asked back. He said proudly that he read the Bible seven times. 

Expecting that he might remember “Elohim God” which appears both on the first page and the last page of the Bible and which is referred to as “Us”, I asked him: “Are there any verses which remain in your heart?” He replied, “Coming to my mind is only the phrase ‘God said.’” I felt bitter.

In the times when there weren’t Scriptures, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob obeyed the words of God with absolute faith. They followed the words of God Jehovah, who was the Savior of that age, more than their lives.
Like this, the fathers of faith believed in God faithfully even if there were no Scriptures. Why did God make the Bible written? It’s because to testify about Himself who was to appear as a man on earth.

You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me (John 5:39)

The Bible testifies about God who is to come in the flesh. It was Jesus who came to the earth according to the prophecies of the Bible. Jehovah testified about Himself through the Old Testament. Likewise, Jesus foretold that He would appear again through the New Testament. 

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28)

In this age, we can get salvation through God who is to appear a second time and who is witnessed by both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)

Will you follow the path of the Jews who could not believe in and persecute Jesus who came in the flesh? Or do you want to receive abundant blessings by absolutely obeying the words of God who has come as the Savior of this age like our ancestors of faith such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? If you regard the words of the Bible as absolute, you will be able to receive Elohim God who has already come as the Savior of this age.

Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath

There are those who are not willing to be invited to a wedding ceremony or other events on Sunday. They have to go to church. They consider "observing the Lord's Day" as their first value and worship on Sundays. It is quite praiseworthy thing that they value worship. 

However, there is something wrong. Biblically, the worship day is not Sunday but Saturday. Those who mention “the Lord’s Day” frequently cite the following verses:
On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit… (Revelation 1:10)
They insist that the Lord’ Day is Sunday, knowing the fact that there isn’t a single verse about worship on Sunday. Then, when is the Lord’s Day?
For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:8; Mark 2:28; Luke 6:5)

Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. 

Therefore, the “Sabbath” is the Lord’s Day. You know, the Sabbath is Saturday in our current calendar system. We just need to worship on Saturday because God commanded us to give services on Saturday. Why do they dare do against the will of God by inventing Sunday? 

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8)

God commanded God’s people to keep the Sabbath holy as the Fourth Commandment. He has never said that Sunday is “My day.” Please remember: the Sabbath is the Lord’s Day.

Father's Gift

Father’s Gift

I happen to pass by a pre-school on my way home from work.

I saw a couple who worked together for living, picking up their son.  

The father was holding the son in his arms, and the mother was holding a grocery bag full of goods.

Seeing them going home, the family looked so happy.

“Sweetie, your dad got you a nice toy gun. You will be surprised!” said the father.

I don’t know if the son understood what he was saying, because he didn’t say nothing at all.

Well, in fact, the son was too young to understand.

Nevertheless, the father kept on talking to his son, and he was more excited than his son who got a toy gun.

Seeing them I thought,

‘Heavenly Father must be preparing with startling gifts to surprise us.’

Though we are small and cannot see, hear, or even imagine what he has prepared, Father must be eagerly waiting for that day when we would be in joy seeing those gifts.

I give earnest thanks for His very noble and pure love that I can never fully repay.

God the Mother is the best medicine

God the Mother is the best medicine 

A few days ago, son lied to me but was sharply scolded when the truth got out.  He started to lie at the age 12 because he got scared of his mom and dad since then.  At his confess, my heart ached so much and I tried to hug and love him a lot, hoping to fix his bad habits.
 
One day, he wanted to sleep with me and dad because he felt scary being alone in his room.  Then, my husband bellowed at me, blaming that I am raising him just like a baby.
 
“It’s going to be emotionally tough and scared at his age.  We’d better cover his mistakes and keep him warm to ride out this situation.”
 
Finally, he agreed with me and since then, our couple has tried to have a conversation with him as much as possible before the bed time.  As the day got colder, the room became warmer than the living room so we decided to sleep in the living room.
 
All of us could have a nice talk together every day, lying side by side on the floor.  Listening to the new song, I embraced his face and asked him lying next to me.
 
From now on, let us stop bad behaviors like lie and continue to please Heavenly Father and God the Mother by loving all the more with mom and dad.”

This boy grown up so quickly enough to wear the same size of his dad answered, “Ok” and then threw himself into my arms.  Being with him, God the Mother suddenly came into my mind.
 
Now I think I know why She came down to this earth and is grabbing each hand of every child to give Her unconditional love, without rejecting all pains and sorrows.
 
The best medicine to cure all disease of our sins should be very “You- God the Mother.”

Corinthians Chapter 13

Corinthians Chapter 13

Growing up as the only child, I received love from all of my family; grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles. Since I didn't know how to give love and was just familiar receiving it, it was still the same for me in Zion.

Even though I realized Heavenly Father and Mother’s love, I was a sinner who thought that Their love was reasonable.

Mother always emphasizes to ‘give love’.

It wasn't easy to put in my heart, the heaven’s love that I forgot, the love that Heavenly Mother continuously gives us.

I recently heard general pastor’s sermon about Mother’s love.

Reading Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4 to 7, I questioned myself when I could give this kind of love. When general pastor said that this love is ‘the love that comes from Mother,’ my mind became vacant.

Corinthians chapter 13 abridged into one word:

‘Mother.’

Even when I didn't follow complaining that, ‘I can’t do it,’ ‘it is too difficult,’ ‘how can I give this kind of love,’ Mother was giving me that love that was difficult for me.

Mother was always giving this extremely boundless love, the love that considers more of Her children instead of Herself.

Mother, I now realize that You are the true nature of love. 

Please forgive this arrogant and foolish sinner. Please let me be the child resembling Mother’s love, and be the one who fully spreads Mother’s love in this whole world.

I will throw away my selfish self, and deliver Mother’s love that this world does not contain. 

Mom's Day

Mom's Day

5:00AM - Rise, take shower, makeup

6:00AM - Prepare breakfast and lunch

7:00AM - Wake my husband and children, pack lunches

7:30AM - Give dietary supplements to husband and children

8:00AM - Wash dishes, tidy up kitchen

9:00AM - Do laundry, clean up the house

10:00AM - Go to work

5:00PM - Buy groceries after work

6:00PM - Cook dinner

6:30PM - Prepare supper for my husband

7:00PM - Prepare supper for my daughter coming home from school

7:30PM - Prepare desserts

8:00PM - Wash dishes, clean all the mess, prepare ahead for lunch tomorrow

9:00PM - Fold and iron clothes

10:00PM - Prepare late snack for my eldest daughter coming home from work

11:00PM - Wash dishes, Have conversation with my children

12:00PM - Cleanup the filthy bathroom and organize laundry

1:00PM - Finish arrears of work, keep household accounts

1:30PM - Bedtime

This is Mom's 24 hours.

Though I try to imitate what she's doing, I can never get close.

365 days, every day, for 24 hours, she works for the family.

Every day, for 24 hours, every year for 365 days, for 6,000 years,

Heavenly Mother works for us.

When Father and Mother feel the most pleased

When Father and Mother feel the most pleased

It’s been a long time since all my relatives got together.  One cousin confessed that he could understand parent’s hearts after getting married and my parents said a few words to him.

“Do you know when is the happiest moment for parents?  When the food that they made with love and care goes into children’s mouth, it pleases them the most.”

This remark gave me a lot to think about.  Our spiritual parents also would feel the most pleased when Their children eat and drink the bread and wine of the Passover that They allowed to us.

We should not forget our Parents’ mind.

“And he said to them, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15)

Is your God in the Bible?

Is your God in the Bible? 

He is the one I know very well and love the most like my life. I went to the place of our appointment and greeted him very nicely. However, his response was cold. He even said, “I don’t know you.” How would you feel if you find yourself in such a situation? You will surely feel embarrassed and might be terribly disappointed by his response.

What if the one who didn’t recognize you is “God”?  You surely will not want to imagine that. Unfortunately however, it’s not just an imagination. It must happen to someone in reality.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers [you workers of lawlessness: ESV]!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

It’s the word of Jesus in front of the door of the kingdom of heaven. To whom will He say, “I never knew you. Away from me”? To those who did not know God? No. Jesus will say to those who had special faith and loved Jesus, so as to say “Lord, Lord” and to act as the prophets who prophesied in the name of Jesus and performed many miracles.

Why will Jesus ignore and expel people with such faith from the kingdom of heaven?

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)

Faith starts from knowing God. Believing in God without knowing Him is no more than blind faith. Those who do not obey His commands neither have faith nor know God. The God who is in the Bible acknowledges that we are His children if we observe God’s commandments such as the Sabbath and the Passover.  However, many people follow man-made commandments such as Sunday, Christmas and cross-idolatry. Which God do they believe in? The God believed by such people is another God not found in the Bible.

We are walking the path of faith with an expectation of a joyful meeting with God. If you wish to be welcomed by God someday, you must seek “God in the Bible.”