Joan Boney … apostle/prophet
I Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
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When Pam Padgett read the list of scriptures printed on blog concerning submitting yourselves, she was reminded of something she just told the man who plans to replace her deck.
When he initially came to look at the job he said that the deck was so small that we could probably get by without getting a building permit and having inspections.
Pam replied, "That's fine with me. I don't care about inspections on something like this."
But after reading this scripture about obeying the ordinances of man, Pam was reminded of what she had told the man about the deck. So she contacted him and told him that if getting a permit should be done to comply with building code rules in this area, to go ahead and get a permit and have inspections done even though it would cost more money and take longer to do the project.
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A few months into the reign of Hitler in Nazi Germany, all government employees were required to do the "Nazi salute", where they extended their arm and hand and said "Heil Hitler".
It wasn't long before all people living in Germany were required to give this type of salute.
This was the time those opposed to Hitler should have gotten out of Germany to avoid the consequences.
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Today in USA, as far as I know, we can live here in peace and follow Bible.
If the time should come when USA requires us to sign a statement approving homosexuals, that would be a good time to move to Canada or elsewhere. For it will only get worse from there.
(Of course you would pray first before moving, asking God … but you'd better be awake enough to know a serious moment had arrived in living in a society with governments of men when they were going to force you to do something against the Bible.)
Some of you have probably already encountered this type of thing at your secular jobs.
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As long as the ordinances of man do not conflict with what God says in Bible we should obey and be thankful.
If the law changes and violates Bible, and we are forced by government to make a personal declaration against Bible, we have another matter.
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In the days of the early church, we have the following example:
Acts 4:1-3 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
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Acts 4:16-21 (rulers of the synagogue) What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
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It is going to get worse:
Acts 5:16-21 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.
But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.
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Acts 5:22-29 But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
v. 33 When they (the high priest and the religious people with them) heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
v. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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Fortunately, most of us today do not have to make this decision. But we know from Bible, things on this earth and things in the churches will get worse and worse.
The Internet and the blog are still open to us to speak the message God wants spoken.
I certainly would not be surprised to see this situation change.
But as long as we can, we speak as God gives us a message to speak.
We have a great opportunity, at this point in time, to edify the church in ways of God.
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In the 1990's, my neighbor, a major in the USA Air Force, retired.
She told me she couldn't stand it any longer because the discipline had broken down.
Not a surprise for the TV today shows us the deterioration in the discipline and morals all over the world.
This is exactly what we are told will happen as we grow closer to the end times.
Paul says:
II Timothy 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
(I believe Paul is speaking of what we would see in the churches. They would deny the power of the Holy Scriptures to rule over themselves.)
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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Paul says before the end, there will be "a falling away" … I know this is a falling away from scripture in the churches.
II Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
With a removal of scripture, antichrist moves into the churches, with a gospel of his own, which approves all manner of sin in the church … and with the removal of scriptures, the churches get bigger and bigger!
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And what do we see in the world as the churches change?
How much did the churches affect the doctrines of the governments of men in the USA and in England in the 1940's?
Don't we remember Edward VIII abdicating the throne because English parliament would not accept a divorced woman as queen?
Would it matter today?
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We can live in peace even as we see these changes in the churches and in the world, because in the Bible we are warned that this will happen before the second coming of Jesus.
Paul even says Jesus cannot come until the apostasy happens in the churches!
II Thessalonians 2 … NASB … Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.
Antichrist was coming through the church not through the world as the churches have taught.
And in Bible, we see there were already "many" antichrist in the days of John.
I John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
There are many devils … and there are many antichrists.
We see antichrist, the man of lawlessness, every place where the scriptures have been removed, even in part.
Even in this, we are to remain in peace, without spot, and blameless … for we know this is what to expect … the apostasy, the antichrists in the churches.
That does not mean we sit among them in their apostate church groups.
God forbid!
And we will never be able to change them.
Light and darkness cannot coexist.
II Corinthians 6:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be MY people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you.
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be MY people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you.
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
The "unclean" are those in churches who will not receive the scriptures.
All this "falling away" has been happening since Paul lived on this earth … it has just gotten worse and worse … and will get worse until Jesus returns for the believers.
Unbelievers are those who say "Jesus is Lord" while casting aside portions of scripture.
Thus Paul said to the church:
Acts 20:29-30 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
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