We need more men like Jesus!

John knew about Jesus and preached God’s truths before he even met Him.

We need more men like John in this world.

We need more men like John who will boldly call out sinners to repent.

We need more men like John who will preach with God’s fire from their heart and God’s fire in their message…

John preached this before he even met Jesus:

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:7-12

To say that Jesus would do it differently would be in error.

Jesus actually took it to another level.

It would be more accurate to say that we need more men like Jesus!

Jesus said:

“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But 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, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:30-37
“…The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Matthew 23:3-39

The Holy Garments, how do they apply to me today?

Many studies have been done to the most granular of degrees around every specific detail included in the making of the garments. We have these details given to us in Exodus chapter 28.

My intention here is to focus on the clear purposes of the garments as given in plain non-symbolic language in Exodus chapter 28.

How are these purposes applicable to me? 

In order to make sense of this we must first find out how this actually pertains to us in the first place.

We could just make assumptions that it just does but there is an actual connection made between the priests talked about in the Old Testament with the believers living today.

In verse  41 it states “And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.”

So we see these garments intended for the priests were specifically meant to include anointing, consecrating and sanctifying the priest so he could minister to God in the priest’s office.

1 Peter 2:5 states “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

We are the priests of today so in that way these principles have everything to do with us.

The purposes are simple to see in the chapter. They are:

1. The garments are holy. Verses 2 and 4

2. The garments are for glory and beauty. Verses 2 and 40

3. The garments are for consecration, anointing, and sanctification of the priest. Verses 3 and 41.

4. The garments are for ministering unto God. Verses 3, 4, 35, 41, and 43

5. The garments are to place upon one’s heart a reminder of the judgment due to yourself and others. Verses 15 and 30.

6. The garments are so that we make sure that all of our sacrifices (everything we do...) are worthy for God. Verse 38.

All of these purposes directly relate to our everyday lives, in everything we do.

We are told to put on the Lord Jesus Christ today.

Jesus is our Holy Garment.

We should strive to wear Him for our consecration, sanctification, and anointing as we minister to our Father in heaven in all we do, in every second of every minute of every day.

We should never take off our “Garment” to make provisions for the flesh.

Think of it this way, in order for me to make way for sin I must take off Jesus Christ in order to do so.

Without Jesus, I am naked and dead.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:14

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 1 Corinthians 15:53-54

Here is Exodus Chapter 28 for ease of reference. I have underlined the specific items that were pointed out in the summary above:

Exodus 28:1  And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

2   And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.

3  And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

4   And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

5   And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.

6   And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.

7    It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.

8    And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

9   And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:

10   Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.

11   With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.

12    And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.

13   And thou shalt make ouches of gold;

14   And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.

15    And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.

16   Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.

17   And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

18   And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.

19    And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

20   And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

21   And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

22  And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.

23  And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.

24   And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate.

25   And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it.

26   And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.

27   And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.

28   And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.

29   And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.

30   And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.

31   And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.

32   And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.

33   And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:

34   A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

35   And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

36   And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

37   And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.

38   And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

39   And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.

40   And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.

41   And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

42   And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:

43   And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him

Set your mind on not sinning...

...And be confident that you can do it through Jesus Christ!

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:25

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, [18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: [19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. [20] But ye have not so learned Christ; [21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:17-24

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: [15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:13-16

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

The real highway to heaven...

And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:8-10

IF...Then...

Choose God or the World...Are you a Forward Slider or a Backslider?

I am revising this from a post that I did back in 2015 and adding more details around backsliding.

The question needs to be asked, are you sliding forward or are you sliding backwards?

Logic via the law of noncontradiction dictates that both of these cannot be heading in the same direction.

One is heading towards God and the other away from God.

But the false modern doctrine, OSAS or once saved always saved,  that redefines backsliding extrabilbilically states that both have the same outcome which is 'saved', regardless of what the Bible says to the contrary...and the Bible indeed has much to say in opposition to this modern day play on words.

Read on...

If you are a backslider today take heed as to what the Bible says in regards to this. You are not in a good place. You have separated yourself from God and are no longer abiding in His kingdom but instead you are living in the world.

Everything really is black or white, unless you persist in gray areas of “freedom” then you must know that Satan actually owns all gray areas.

Any so-called called moral compass that is defined contrary to this is purely subjective and relative. It is what the Bible refers to as sinking sand.

When we build upon the Rock, Jesus Christ, then we are not subject to falling prey to these gray areas of sinking sand which result in the backsliding away from the grace of God.

Some will take issue with me stating that backsliding takes us out of God’s grace but one only needs to do a topical study of backsliding throughout the Bible to see that anywhere backsliding is mentioned it describes a separation from God being a very dangerous and damning place to be.

This is up to the reader to search out. Remember, "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him". Proverbs 18:13.

Do not go by what you have heard from the pulpits but instead search the scriptures for yourself. Once you have done this you will see the gray areas looking to be what they truly are and that is pure evil. The gray areas are in reality black.

See further below for more scriptures on backsliding and see for yourself. As already stated, backsliding does not keep a person in the grace of God but instead removes them from it.

Narrow is indeed the way.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:24-27

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Hebrews 10:26

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Luke 10:27

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. Colossians 3:5-7

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin. James 4:17

And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 1 Kings 18:21

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me…If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:6, 15

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11

Note on backsliding. Start here and Ezekiel 33 and then ask yourself about the book of life mentioned in the old and new testaments. The context as well as the math is easy here. One cannot be blotted or taken out if they were not already written in. Many will use theological gymnastics to wiggle around this but the safe thing to adhere to is stay on the old paths, in God’s will, and you do not have to struggle with this concept. Repent or you will perish.

Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul. Ezekiel 3:20-21

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Exodus 32:33

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:19

Think on this. If you are backsliding and ridding the fence and Satan owns it what would be your eternal outcome if died on that fence?

More on backsliding:

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. Proverbs 14:14 

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 2:19

They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the Lord . [2] Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness. [3] Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. [4] Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth? [5] Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest. [6] The Lord said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. [7] And I said after she had done all these things , Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it . [8] And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. [9] And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks. [10] And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the Lord . [11] And the Lord said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah. [12] Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord ; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord , and I will not keep anger for ever. [13] Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord . [14] Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord ; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: [15] And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. [16] And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord , they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord : neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it ; neither shall that be done any more. [17] At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord ; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord , to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. [18] In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers. [19] But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me. [20] Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord . [21] A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the Lord their God. [22] Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God. [23] Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel. [24] For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. [25] We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God. Jeremiah 3:1-25 

Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased. [7] How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. Jeremiah 5:6-7

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. [6] I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. [7] Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord . [8] How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it ; the pen of the scribes is in vain. [9] The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord ; and what wisdom is in them? [10] Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them : for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. [11] For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. [12] Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord . [13] I will surely consume them, saith the Lord : there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them. Jeremiah 8:5-13

O Lord , though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee. [8] O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? [9] Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O Lord , art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. [10] Thus saith the Lord unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the Lord doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. [11] Then said the Lord unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. [12] When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence. Jeremiah 14:7-12

How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man. [23] Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The Lord bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness. [24] And there shall dwell in Judah itself, and in all the cities thereof together, husbandmen, and they that go forth with flocks. [25] For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. [26] Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me. [27] Behold, the days come, saith the Lord , that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. [28] And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the Lord . [29] In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. [30] But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge. Jeremiah 31:22-30 

Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, saying , Who shall come unto me? [5] Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord God of hosts, from all those that be about thee; and ye shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wandereth. Jeremiah 49:4-5

Purity, what every man, woman, boy and girl needs to know…

The Bible gives us clear direction as to what purity is regarding the flesh. We have clear instructions on how we ought to walk honestly in this life on the path of purity in love…

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God…Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Matthew 5:8, 27-30

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Psalms 119:9 - 10

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Webster’s 1828: CONCUPISCENCE, noun [Latin , to covet or lust after, to desire or covet.] Lust; unlawful or irregular desire of sexual pleasure. In a more general sense, the coveting of carnal things, or an irregular appetite for worldly good; inclination for unlawful enjoyments.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:17-24

Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge… Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. Hebrews 13:4, 18

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:1-5

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God… Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof]. Romans 12:1-2, 13:13-14

Webster’s 1828: CHAMBERING, noun Wanton, lewd, immodest behavior.

Webster’s 1828: WANTONNESS, noun. 1. Sportiveness; gaiety; frolicsomeness; waggery. 2. Licentiousness; negligence of restraint. 3. Lasciviousness; lewdness.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:19-21

Webster’s 1828: LASCIV'IOUSNESS, noun. 1. Looseness; irregular indulgence of animal desires; wantonness; lustfulness. 2. Tendency to excite lust, and promote irregular indulgences.

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:5-11

Our goal in purity should be as such:

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.Titus 2:11-15

Priests of today...

We need to be sober, keeping our minds alert, sharp and ready for our Lord.

And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, [9] Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: [10] And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; Leviticus 10:8-10

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. [9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:5,9

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. [6] Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. [7] For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. [8] But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; [14] As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: [15] But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:13-16

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1 Peter 4:7

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8

The four venomous snake types in North America. Their venom types and some myths dispelled.

Before starting, here is my disclaimer: I certainly am not recommending that anyone should attempt to capture snakes whether venomous or not. Most folks really cannot tell the difference between these. I recommend that you keep a wide and safe distance from them all and if a snake needs to be removed from an area you should contact someone who has experience in doing so.

I had a conversation last night very similar to many others I have had in the past. We were discussing North American snakes with a focus on the venomous ones. During the conversation the typical myths were brought up as well as the typical misunderstanding across the board in regards to this topic.

I decided to compile some of the information that I have gathered from my own personal experience and research through years of catching venomous and non-venomous snakes. I have so far skinned three of the four venomous snakes that are native to North America and I only need the Cottonmouth for its skin and a coral to complete my ‘bucket list’ of catches if you will. Over the years I have caught literally hundreds of snakes including worm snakes, racers, hognoses, ribbons, garters, rough greens, rats, gophers, Indigos, diamond backed water snakes, copperheads, as well as diamond back rattlers, just to name just a few... I was given a live coral snake that I skinned some years ago so that one does not count as caught…

I do have special tools that I have developed to catch these including a long PVC pole with a looped nylon rope running through it and a snake hook that I use in order to catch the highly venomous ones from a greater distance.

Here goes the list and some details around their venom types:

Rattlesnakes: Venom is hemotoxic and is destructive to tissue as well as inhibiting blood clotting. The Tiger and Mojave rattlesnakes also have a neurotoxic venom that causes paralysis. Very Potent and potentially deadly.

Copperheads: The venom is hemotoxic which results in temporary tissue damage. Considered to be the weakest of all North American venomous snakes and rarely do bites result in severe symptoms or death. Mildly potent.

Cottonmouths (Water Moccasins): The venom type is hemotoxic and causes hemorrhaging in the circulatory system. Very potent and potentially deadly.

Coral Snakes: Second strongest venom type in the world. Most potent venom in North America. Venom is difficult for the snake to deliver due to mouth structure and size. Venom is neurotoxic and can definitely kill a person although it is reported that no deaths have occurred since the 1960’s. The venom causes extreme pain and can lead to heart attack. Fangs are short and in order to deliver the venom it needs to literally chew on the victim.

Dispelling some Myths:

- Copperheads are considered deadly by a lot of people. The fact is Copperheads are not deadly. It is highly recommended that you give them as much respect as you would any other venomous snake due to the potential of you having an adverse reaction to the venom despite its lowered toxicity.

- Diamond shaped heads do not prove that a snake is venomous. Hognose snakes have a distinct diamond shaped head and are not venomous. Coral Snakes do not have a diamond shaped head and are very venomous. As mentioned for the copperhead, just give them all plenty of respect and distance.

- Rattle snakes are believed to rattle before a strike. This is not true in all cases. Just be on high alert when you are tromping through their habitats. You may stumble upon one that did not hear (feel) you coming. They sense vibrations through the ground…

- Many believe that baby snakes are more dangerous than adult snakes. This is false due to the fact that the venom of adult snakes is more potent (toxic) than the baby’s. Also, the adults produce and carry much more venom than the babies do. By far more dangerous bites have resulted from adult snakes than baby snakes. Either way, it’s highly recommended to give the same respect in regards to avoiding the babies as you would an adult.

- Rattlesnake is thought by many to taste like chicken. IMHO it does not but to each his own…

- Many believe that the only good snake is a dead snake. Snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, kill a lot of rodents such as rats and mice. These pests that the snakes kill and eat poise a much greater danger to your well-being than any snake ever will as they carry diseases and are in general destructive to personal property. The odds of you being adversely affected by unhealthy and destructive pests is far greater than the odds of you ever being biting by any snake let alone a venomous one.

The four venomous snake types in North America. Their venom types and some myths dispelled.

Before starting, here is my disclaimer: I certainly am not recommending that anyone should attempt to capture snakes whether venomous or not. Most folks really cannot tell the difference between these. I recommend that you keep a wide and safe distance from them all and if a snake needs to be removed from an area you should contact someone who has experience in doing so.

I had a conversation last night very similar to many others I have had in the past. We were discussing North American snakes with a focus on the venomous ones. During the conversation the typical myths were brought up as well as the typical misunderstanding across the board in regards to this topic.

I decided to compile some of the information that I have gathered from my own personal experience and research through years of catching venomous and non-venomous snakes. I have so far skinned three of the four venomous snakes that are native to North America and I only need the Cottonmouth for its skin and a coral to complete my ‘bucket list’ of catches if you will. Over the years I have caught literally hundreds of snakes including worm snakes, racers, hognoses, ribbons, garters, rough greens, rats, gophers, Indigos, diamond backed water snakes, copperheads, as well as diamond back rattlers, just to name just a few... I was given a live coral snake that I skinned some years ago so that one does not count as caught…

I do have special tools that I have developed to catch these including a long PVC pole with a looped nylon rope running through it and a snake hook that I use in order to catch the highly venomous ones from a greater distance.


Here goes the list and some details around their venom types:




Rattlesnakes: Venom is hemotoxic and is destructive to tissue as well as inhibiting blood clotting. The Tiger and Mojave rattlesnakes also have a neurotoxic venom that causes paralysis. Very Potent and potentially deadly.




Copperheads: The venom is hemotoxic which results in temporary tissue damage. Considered to be the weakest of all North American venomous snakes and rarely do bites result in severe symptoms or death. Mildly potent.






Cottonmouths (Water Moccasins): The venom type is hemotoxic and causes hemorrhaging in the circulatory system. Very potent and potentially deadly.

Coral Snakes: they have the second strongest venom type in the world; and most potent venom in North America. Venom is difficult for the snake to deliver due to mouth structure and size. Venom is neurotoxic and can definitely kill a person although it is reported that no deaths have occurred since the 1960’s.

The venom causes extreme pain and can lead to heart attack.
 Fangs are short and in order to deliver the venom it needs to literally chew on its victim.

Dispelling some Myths:

Copperheads are considered deadly by a lot of people. The fact is Copperheads are not deadly. It is highly recommended that you give them as much respect as you would any other venomous snake due to the potential of you having an adverse reaction to the venom despite its lowered toxicity.

- Diamond shaped heads do not prove that a snake is venomous.
Hognose snakes have a distinct diamond shaped head and are not venomous. Coral Snakes do not have a diamond shaped head and are very venomous. As mentioned for the copperhead, just give them all plenty of respect and distance.




- Rattlesnakes are believed to rattle before a strike. This is not true in all cases. Just be on high alert when you are tromping through their habitats. You may stumble upon one that did not hear (feel) you coming. They sense vibrations through the ground…

- Many believe that baby snakes are more dangerous than adult snakes. This is false due to the fact that the venom of adult snakes is more potent (toxic) than the baby’s. Also, the adults produce and carry much more venom than the babies do. By far more dangerous bites have resulted from adult snakes than baby snakes. Either way, it’s highly recommended to give the same respect in regards to avoiding the babies as you would an adult.

- Rattlesnake is thought by many to taste like chicken. IMHO it does not but to each his own

- Many believe that the only good snake is a dead snake. Snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, kill a lot of rodents such as rats and mice. These pests that the snakes kill and eat poise a much greater danger to your well-being than any snake ever will as they carry diseases and are in general destructive to personal property. The odds of you being adversely affected by unhealthy and destructive pests is far greater than the odds of you ever being bitten by any snake let alone a venomous one.