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 Authority And Satan’s End-Time Deception) 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 enigste Seun gegee het, sodat elkeen wat in Hom glo, nie verlore sal gaan nie, maar die ewige lewe sal hê. Want God het nie sy Seun na die wêreld toe gestuur om die wêreld te veroordeel nie, maar om die wêreld deur Hom te red” (Joh. 3:16,17).

“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).

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

“Is ons nie reg om te sê dat U ‘n Samaritaan en duiwelbesete is nie?” (Johannes 8:48 NAV84).

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 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 13

I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, 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 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 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

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 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 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 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

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 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.