Why Race Is A Lie!*

Unity is essential to being the Church, as Scripture defines and describes the Church. Paul wrote: "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Eph. 4:1-3). Paul goes on to reveal that every aspect of our belief is based upon a concept of unity: one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, "...One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." (v. 6-7). Jesus descended into the earth and ascended "far above all heavens", leading the captives of death out with Him, in order to "fill all things". In the same way, Christ gave gifts to the Church, some apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, who are all still called and functioning in the Church today, in order to teach, edify and equip the saints in the unity required to achieve the fullness of Christ. These gifts to the Church will remain until the goal is achieved:"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (v. 8-13). This fullness is necessary to prevent us from being tossed, carried and deceived by "every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (v. 14). We, however, speak the truth of unity: "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (v. 14-16). Divisions created by men, including divisions based upon false doctrines and deceptions, work against the goal of Christ for His Body, the Church. These false divisions play a role in end time events as prophesied by Jesus to His disciples: "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Mt. 24:7-8). We are seeing these events taking place now, and with great intensity. However, let us look at the complete meaning of the word "nation" used here in this verse. The Greek word is ethnos, which means "a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together; a company, troop, swarm; a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus; the human family; a tribe, nation, people group; in the OT, foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, Gentiles; Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians". Jesus added: "And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations (ethnos - the human family); and then shall the end come." (v. 14). The human family on the earth today, of which Jesus spoke, has one origin: "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth...And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan. These are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread." (Gen. 9:1, 18-19). God gave Noah and his sons permission to eat any food on earth, but they could not eat the blood, which contained the life of the flesh. Restrictions on food did not come until the Law of Moses. Though varying cultures may eat things that seem unacceptable to us, thus causing senseless divisions, they are acceptable under God's instructions to Noah. All of the human family that inhabits earth today came from the three sons of Noah, as they left the ark, and spread out across the earth. To them and to all flesh, God's everlasting covenant promise to never again flood the earth was accompanied by a sign: the rainbow in the sky (v. 8-17). No matter how else this sign ordained by God is used by men, the true meaning of the rainbow is as a reminder to God of His covenant promise to all flesh, without categories, labels, or divisions. Although the human family lived in unity for a while, division came soon after. All men spoke one language at the time. In this unity of language, men planned to build a city out of brick and mortar, and a tower to reach up to heaven: "And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." (Gen. 11:1-4). The LORD came down to see what the people were building. He saw that having one language, nothing would be restrained from what they set their minds to do. So He confused their language, and they could no longer communicate with each other (v. 5-7). They sought to empower themselves because they had feared being scattered, but because of their actions, what they feared came to pass, and the LORD scattered them upon all the earth (v. 9). They were confused and divided from each other only by language, not by race nor ethnicity. In the New Testment, as the apostle Paul brought the Gospel to the people of Athens, he brought the knowledge of God to them using one of their own monuments "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD" (Acts 17:22-27). Paul said to them, "...I declare unto you...God that made the world and all things therein...dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us." Using the Greek word for nations again, which is ethnos, meaning the human family, Paul made clear that we have all been made from one blood by the God of all who dwells, not in a physical building, but within each of us, his living temples. In the Song of Solomon, there are two who are loved by one another. We believe that the love relationship depicted here is prophetic regarding Christ and His Church. The man, called by the woman, "My Beloved", and the woman describe each other lovingly as beautiful. One lover says, "I am black, but comely...Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me..." Songs 1:6). She is also called "thou fairest among women". She says of the one she loves: "My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven...His eyes are as the eyes of doves...His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble..." (Song 5:1-16). These two people in the Song of Songs will be known eternally, not for any divisions as defined by race, but for their devotion to each other, and for their beauty in each other's eyes. The human family has divided itself, and abused and rejected each other based upon the lie of race. We see evidence of the unity of the human family in many findings associated with the Native Americans in this country. Many Native American petroglyphs have been found that contain writing in the ancient Hebrew language. The Los Lunas Decalogue Stone is a stone in New Mexico upon which The Ten Commandments, engraved in ancient Hebrew, was found. The West African Slave Coast, from which many people were shipped and sold across the ocean, was called on ancient maps, "The Kingdom of Judah". From this we may conclude that many former American slaves may have descended from the Twelve Tribes of Israel. It is written that upon the arrival of Columbus in the New World, Indigenous People greeted him reciting the Shema, the prayer of Israel. The human family was never divided by God by racial identity. The amount of melanin in the skin does not divide us one from another, but is an indication of where many generations dwelt geographically on the earth, and in relationship to the sun. Race is a lie to separate and destroy people. Let's be set free by the truth, and be healed. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 1/30/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

The Shema and the Ekklesia*

The term, "Church" is widely misused. Church is not a building, or a set of doctrines. What is referred to as the Church in scripture is the Greek word ekklesia. The meaning of ekklesia is the called out assembly of God's people: called out of darkness into His marvelous light, called out of this world into His kingdom. There is an additional characteristic associated with being the Ekklesia, and that is unity. This characteristic seems to be in very short supply. The church is divided along many lines, including politics, but the Word of God makes clear that the same unity that is expressed in the Godhead, is the same unity expected in the Ekklesia. The unity of God is expressed in a declaration called the Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one (echad) LORD." (Deut. 6:4). The Hebrew word "echad" used in this verse means a unity in plurality, like one bunch of grapes. Not only is the Ekklesia to be in spiritual unity, but in physical unity as well: "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth...hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation." (Acts 17:24-26). All men are descendants of the eight souls who were saved on the ark, who were themselves descendants from one man, Noah. Racial and ethnic divisions are unacceptable before God, especially in the Ekklesia. Jesus pointed out that unity is necessary for any kingdom or any house to stand saying, "...every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." (Mt. 12:25). How can the church stand if it is divided within itself? In this example from Jesus, the religious people had created division about the miracles that Jesus had performed. This same division exists in the church today, with many rejecting the idea that miracles happen, and should happen in the church. We have seen many miracles in this ministry which we will be publishing in a book as a memorial to our murdered son, Sean. Division is a sign of the times in which we live. Jesus said that His coming would cause divisions in the world: "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division. For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided...The father shall be divided aginst the son, and the son against the father; the mother aginst the daughter; and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law." (Lk. 12:51-53). Jesus spoke of the division created between those who accept Him, and those who do not, which we see in the world today also, but within the church, this division should not exist. The unity of God is also expressed to us in these verses: "For these are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spiirit, the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." (1 Jn. 5:7-8). In the Spirit, the water of our baptism unites us in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. The blood of the Passover Lamb is painted on the doorposts and lintels of our hearts, uniting us with Him, and with each other in faith. Paul wrote of the essential quality of unity and oneness in the Ekklesia. "...walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye were called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Eph. 4:1-6). One reason that the church finds it so difficult to achieve the oneness and unity required of us, is because of the absence of lowliness, meekness, longsuffering and forbearance towards one another. Instead, we exclude each other in pride and impatience from the unity of the faith by denomination, and docrtine. The giftings from God to the Ekklesia, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are for the purpose of unity: "for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." (Eph. 4:11-13). The stature of Christ to which we have been called must include the unity of the fatih. Those things that bring divisions in the body of Christ are for the purpose of bringing deception (v. 14). The body of Christ cannot be what it is purposed to be without the unity that joins all of the differing parts together, so that they may function and supply the body effectively (v. 15-16). As Paul heard that the church of Corinth had become divided based upon personal loyalties and preferences to certain ministers of the church, Paul rebuked them saying, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and tht there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment...Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?...For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor. 1:1-18). Especially for this time of violent contention that sometimes even engulfs the church, the Aposlte Peter said: "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not redering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise, blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing...For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." (1 Pet. 3:8-12). The Apostle Paul also wrote: "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not...be of the same mind one towards another...Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." (Rom. 12:14-18). In beseeching the character of Christ for the Ekklesia, Paul wrote: "If there be therefore, any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Phil. 2:1-3). While the world may become more and more violently divided in every way, we are called to be the Ekklesia: called out in character of the oneness, or echad, of God, called out into the unity of the faith of the Son of God, called out into the fulness of Christ. *Based on Dr. Stevenson's 1/17/21 message to the Ekklesia. To contact: PO Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705, or by email: Everlstingcovenant@ymail.com Find Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson Jr on Facebook and Twitter, and at Endtimesschool.com

Legend or Historical Fact?*

Frontal and Dorsal Image on the Shroud of Turin

 

A legend is something that has been believed historically, but it is difficult to prove. The debate regarding whether certain events in scripture are fact or legend has caused division in the Church, and in the secular world. However, to falsely label these events as legend, ignores the fact that there is physical proof regarding the truth of the events as described in scripture. Jesus spoke about the danger caused by division, as the Pharisees slandered both Him, and the Holy Spirit. They accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan, rather than by the anointing of the Holy Spirit:
"Jesus knew their thoughts and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand....But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you...He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad...all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men...I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified (Rom. 10:9-10), and by thy words, thou shalt be condemned."  
                                                                                      Mt. 12:22-37 (excerpt)
The religious leaders came to Jesus and demanded a sign from Him that would confirm His identity as the Messiah. Jesus rebuked them as an evil generation, those who seek after a sign, and told them that the only sign they would receive from Him would be "the sign of the prophet Jonas." He described His own coming death and resurrection from the heart of the earth as fulfilling the sign supplied by Jonah, who was in the whale's belly for three days and three nights (Mt. 12:38-40). Many in the Church and world today, and no doubt in Jesus' time as well, consider the scriptural account of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish (Jonah 1:17) to be legend. Jonah prayed to God from the place of death, "the belly of hell", and was spit out by the great fish by command of God, alive again (Jonah 2:1-10). Jesus confirmed this account not only as truth, but as prophetic regarding the Messiah, Himself. This sign of Jonah was also a sign of salvation to those  who witnessed it in Jonah's time, the people of Nineveh, who believed and repented at this unusual sign of Jonah, and were saved from destruction. Those who believe the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are saved in this same manner. Those same believing people of Nineveh will rise up at the time of judgment to testify against those who disregarded this sign through unbelief (v. 41).
There are many accounts of men being swallowed by these giant creatures. A sperm whale, in particular, is capable of swallowing whole prey even much larger than a man.
Many, even in the Church, treat the story of Jonah as a legend only. Sadly, they find it equally difficult to believe in the resurrection of Christ. Scripture is not here to feed us legends, but truth.
Regarding the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, scripture prophesied that there would come a Servant of God who would suffer and die, not for His own sin, but for the atonement of others (Isa. 52-53):
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."  Isa. 53:5
The following is also prophesied about this servant of God:
"So shall he sprinkle (NAZAH-spurt, spatter, sprinkle, startle, including pertaining to the blood of expiation (of sin) many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider."  Isa. 52:15
The verse above promises that there would be incontrovertible physical evidence of this atonement to be seen, even by those who had not been told of it. Many, including some in the Church, treat the Shroud of Turin as a legend. However, unbiased scientific studies could not find evidence of forgery, but of authenticity. The image visible on the Shroud  with its unique characteristics could not be re-created by any method. These are just a few of the characteristics of the image on the Shroud:
-The image is not paint or dye.
-The image is only on the very surface of the linen fiber, and does not penetrate the fiber.
-The image is a three-dimensional, photographic negative, the origin of which predates photography by hundreds of years.
-The linen fabric upon which the image rests, does not shown any evidence on its fibers that the fabric has been rubbed in any certain direction, so the image was not rubbed onto the fabric. 
-Neither chemicals, heat, nor water have any effect on the image.
-A scientist named Raymond N. Rogers proved that the previous carbon dating, which had  dated the Shroud to the Middle Ages, was done on a section of the Shroud that had been woven in to repair damaged sections of the linen. This weaving technique used to repair fabric is called "invisible weaving", making it difficult to detect to the naked eye.The fabric which had been carbon dated was made of cotton, rather than linen, and therefore could not have been part of the original Shroud.
All of these facts and much more, are found in the latest book by Dr. Kenneth Stevenson entitled, "NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling". (See below for the ordering information).
In these times of division in the Church, division within the nation that threatens to destroy it, with nations lining up against Israel according to prophecy, with the spread of sin, with signs of the end times all around us, we cannot afford to ignore the signs provided to us by God, or to dismiss them carelessly as legend. They are fact and truth. They are there to bring us to repentance, and salvation, and to rescue us from destruction.

 *The above is based upon the 2/24/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

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To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

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https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

  

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