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As jy 2000 jaar gelede ‘n getroue Jood was

As jy 2000 jaar gelede ‘n getroue Jood was

As jy in 27 n.C. ‘n getroue Jood was, wat sou jy geglo het? Op wie sou jy vertrou het? Waar sou jy jou lojaliteit geplaas het?

Jou hele lewe lank sou jy deur jou ouers, leraars en priesters geleer gewees het dat jy lid was van God se spesiale uitverkore volk, ‘n volk wat die geïnspireerde geskrifte van die profete gehad het en wat gewag het op die koms van die Messias.

Jou hele lewe lank sou jy geleer het dat al die ander godsdienste van die wêreld vals is.

Jou hele lewe lank sou jy deelgeneem het aan weeklikse Sabbatsonderhouding, gereelde offerande by die tempel en jaarlikse feeste, soos Pasga en die Versoendag (Yom Kippur).

Jou hele lewe lank sou jy die godsdienstige leiers – die priesters, die Sanhedrin – vertrou het om die heilige skrifte te interpreteer, jou te vertel van jou plig teenoor God, om godsdienstige regte en ongeregtighede te definieer en kettery en godslastering te identifiseer.

En u hele lewe sou ‘n las gewees het – ‘n lewe wat geleef is in vrees vir sonde, die gewig van wetlike godsdienstige pligte, die vrees vir mislukking, die onophoudelike twyfel, die gevoel van ontoereikendheid, die voortdurende bekommernis dat miskien, ondanks al jou tiende betalings, al die diereoffers, al die harde werk om aan die reëls te probeer voldoen, dat jy steeds nie deur God aanvaar is nie.

As jy daardie Jood was, wat sou jy doen? Was daar dalk ‘n ander georganiseerde godsdienstige instelling as Israel deur wie God gewerk het? Was daar ‘n beter Bybel (geskrifte) met meer akkurate openbarings van God as die Torah?

Sou dit beteken dat die leierskap van die Joodse organisasie die waarheid geleer het?

As jy 2 000 jaar gelede ‘n Jood was, sou dit wys gewees het om die priesters, Leviete en Sanhedrin te vertrou om vas te stel wat waar is? Wat God se wil is? Wat sonde is? Hoe ‘n mens van sonde verlos word?

Wat het die Joodse godsdiensleiers verkeerd gehad? Hulle het hulle vertolkings van die Skrif in die verkeerde begrip van die wet oorgedra. Hulle het God se wet beskou as funksionerend soos ‘n menslike wet – opgelegde reëls wat opgelegde strawwe vereis. Hulle het dus die seremonies en simbole verkeerd geïnterpreteer as letterlike vereistes vir redding, eerder as teater, metafoor, praktiese voorbeelde om die werklikheid te leer.

En toe kom Jesus en leer met gesag (sien ons blog Gesag en Satan se Eindtyd verleiding) die gesag van hoe die werklikheid werk. Al Sy gelykenisse het God se wette as ontwerpwette geleer – hoe dinge werklik funksioneer. Jesus het mensgemaakte godsdienstige reëls verbreek om die koninkryk van die hemel te bevorder. Jesus het op die Sabbat genees en met prostitute, tollenaars en Samaritane gekuier. Hoekom? Want Jesus handel oor die werklikheid – en die werklikheid is dat God een menslike spesie in Eden geskep het. Adam het homself met sonde besmet en daarom word elke enkele mens met daardie terminale sondetoestand gebore (Ps 51:5); Elke mens het presies dieselfde oplossing, behandeling, geneesmiddel vir daardie sondetoestand nodig; en Jesus het gekom om die sonde van die wêreld weg te neem (Joh. 1:29) om die oplossing vir ons sondetoestand te voorsien, en almal te red en te genees wat deel het aan wat Hy voorsien het (Gal. 2:20; 2 Pet. 1:4). Sonde kan nie opgelos word deur reëls en reël onderhouding nie – slegs deur herskepping, genesing, reiniging van harte en gedagtes deur die herskeppende krag van God!

Jesus het gesê:

“Want so lief het God die wêreld gehad, dat Hy sy eniggebore Seun gegee het, sodat elkeen wat in Hom glo, nie verlore mag gaan nie, maar die ewige lewe kan hê. Want God het sy Seun in die wêreld gestuur nie om die wêreld te veroordeel nie, maar dat die wêreld deur Hom gered kan word” (Joh. 3:16,17 AFR 33/53).

“Kom na My toe, almal wat vermoeid en belas is, en Ek sal julle rus gee. Neem my juk op julle en leer van My, want Ek is sagmoedig en nederig van hart, en julle sal rus vind vir julle siele. Want my juk is sag en my las is lig” (Matthéüs 11:28-30 AFR 33/53).

En die godsdienstige leiers, die leiers van God se uitverkore volk, toe hulle Jesus sien genees, seën en vergewe, het van Hom gesê:

“Sê ons nie met reg dat U ‘n Samaritaan is en van die duiwel besete is nie?” (Johannes 8:48 AFR 33/53).

As jy 2,000 jaar gelede ‘n getroue Jood was wat vir die “kerk” gewerk het, hoe sou jy gereageer het as jy deur jou leierskap gekonfronteer word soos hierdie getroue volgelinge was:

“Gevolglik het die wagte na die priesterhoofde en die Fariseërs toe teruggegaan en dié het vir hulle gesê: “Waarom het julle Hom nie saamgebring nie?”

Die wagte het geantwoord: “Nog nooit het ’n mens só gepraat soos hierdie man nie.”

Die Fariseërs antwoord hulle: “Julle is tog nie ook mislei nie? Het iemand uit die geledere van die leiers of uit die Fariseërs miskien tot geloof in Hom gekom? Nee, dit is net hierdie skare mense wat nie vertroud is met die wet nie; vervloek is hulle!”” (Joh. 7:45-49 NLV)

Dus, as jy 2,000 jaar gelede ‘n getroue Jood was, sou jy getrou bly deur lojaal te wees aan jou denominasie, die ortodoksie soos geleer deur die leraars, priesters, Leviete en Sanhedrin? Of, as jy daardie leiers van God se uitverkore en geseënde stelsel gevolg het, sou jy van getrouheid na opstandigheid beweeg het en saam met hulle Jesus gekruisig het?

Wat van vandag?

As u ‘n getroue Christen is wat deel uitmaak van ‘n denominasie wat deur God geroep is om die evangelie van Jesus na die wêreld te neem en ‘regte’ leerstellings te bevorder, sal u getrou kan bly as u u denke aan u herders, priesters, teologieprofessore en kerkbeamptes oorgee – of moet u self dink en die waarheid weet?

Soos Paulus in Romeine 14:5 aanbeveel het, moet jy nie in jou eie gedagtes ten volle oortuig wees van wat waar is nie? Kan dit wees dat om getrou aan Jesus te bly, jy soos Petrus, Paulus en die ander apostels moet wees en die leerstellings van jou kerkleierskap moet verwerp?

Dit is nie hipoteties nie; dit is histories – ‘n feit van die geskiedenis wat herhaal het en weer sal herhaal. Soos een van die stigters van die Adventiste Kerk opmerk in haar kommentaar van die lewe van Christus, Die Koning van Eeue,

Die Sanhedrin het Christus se boodskap verwerp en het Sy dood gesoek; daarom het Christus Jerusalem, die priesters, die tempel, die godsdienstige leiers, die mense wat in die wet onderrig is, verlaat en hom na ‘n ander klas gewend om Sy boodskap te verkondig en om diegene uit te soek wat die evangelie aan alle nasies sou verkondig.

Soos die lig en die lewe van die mens deur die kerklike owerhede in die tyd van Christus verwerp is, so is dit nog in elke daaropvolgende geslag verwerp. Keer op keer is die geskiedenis van Christus se onttrekking uit Judea herhaal. Toe die Hervormers die Woord van God verkondig het, het hulle nie geen gedagte gehad om van die gevestigde kerk af te skei nie; maar die godsdienstige leiers wou die lig nie duld nie, en dié wat die lig gedra het, is gedwing om hulle na ‘n ander klas te wend wat na die waarheid verlang het. Vandag word min van die erkende volgelinge van die Hervormers deur hulle gees besiel. Min luister na die stem van God en is bereid om die waarheid aan te neem in watter vorm dit ook aangebied word. Dikwels word diegene wat in die voetstappe van die Hervormers volg, gedwing om die kerke wat hulle liefhet, te verlaat sodat hulle die duidelike leer van die woord van God kan verkondig. En dikwels word mense wat lig soek deur dieselfde leer verplig om die kerk van hul vadere te verlaat, sodat hulle God kan gehoorsaam (Die Koning van die Eeue, bl 232, beklemtoning myne).

Ek daag jou uit: Moenie in die strik trap om jou denke aan ander oor te gee nie, maar dink altyd vir jouself en bly lojaal aan Jesus bo alles!

 

 

 

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Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.