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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 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

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 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, 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