ON TITHING FOR NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVERS

 

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On Tithing for New Testament Believers

~ L.D. Oxford

For most of my adult Christian life, I have always believed in giving to God, and to help others. Not out of obligation, but because God placed the desire within me to be a generous person whenever I am able to do so. When, I lacked, I probably did less than at other times. When, I abounded more financially then, I would desire to do over and above what I did before.

I do believe in extravagant giving when it comes to serving the Lord, and it is not so that I can get something back, or to receive some special recognition from others, but simply because it is the best choice for me, and know that it is the right thing to do. Giving of our time, labors, and finances  is certainly a part of our worship and honor towards God. When we love and honor God in giving of ourselves and resources then,  we will also love and honor people as we should, as well.

Friends, the truth is, there is not one supportive scripture that commands, or even suggests in the New Testament that believers should tithe 10% …or to tithe any percentage, period!. Jesus spoke about selling all, giving money to the poor, and the blessing of giving. But He never taught His disciples tithing of money, as an obligation anywhere in the gospels. Remember, this was also before the birth of the early church.

Then, a little later on after Christ’s death, burial,  resurrection, and the birth of the early church, there was still no evidence of tithing being taught by the Apostles to the early believers either. Therefore, it is only New Testament giving out of a loving and cheerful heart, but not out of a regulation of tithing. Instead of giving our little 10%, why not just give to God 100% or our lives? Then, we will truly want to become extravagant givers, not because we have to, but because we desire to, out of the Love of our hearts for the Lord, and for the people. This is the real love and obedience to God in operation, and genuine love has a spontaneous flow, and wants to give cheerfully, not because it has to, but, because it wants to.

In the book of Acts, there were those who sold their possessions and laid the proceeds at the Apostles feet so, that it could be distributed where needed. But, this was not some huge salary for the Apostles themselves. They shared as community, so that those who had needs would be taken care of. Now, that’s real Church! 🙂

 

Fellowship of the Early Believers = Real Church – On Giving and Distribution

Acts 2:44-47,  All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32-35, All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Note: Also, they never gave “to get something back” from God, or to become rich,  as we see is so prevalent in westernized Christianity today.

New Testament giving is best summed up in the following passages:  2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. NIV

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Here is a second short explanation that I recently saw from John MacArthur Jr., which explains a little more perspective on tithing, and I quote:

MacArthur says: “Two kinds of giving are taught consistently throughout Scripture: giving to the government (always compulsory), and giving to God (always voluntary).The issue has been greatly confused, however, by some who misunderstand the nature of the Old Testament tithes. Tithes were not primarily gifts to God, but taxes for funding the national budget in Israel.”

“Because Israel was a theocracy, the Levitical priests acted as the civil government. So the Levite‘s tithe (Leviticus 27:30-33) was a precursor to today’s income tax, as was a second annual tithe required by God to fund a national festival (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). Smaller taxes were also imposed on the people by the law (Leviticus 19:9-10; Exodus 23:10-11). So the total giving required of the Israelites was not 10 percent, but well over 20 percent. All that money was used to operate the nation.”

“All giving apart from that required to run the government was purely voluntary (Exodus 25:2; 1 Chronicles 29:9). Each person gave whatever was in his heart to give; no percentage or amount was specified.”

“New Testament believers are never commanded to tithe. Matthew 22:15-22 and Romans 13:1-7 tell us about the only required giving in the church age, which is the paying of taxes to the government. Interestingly enough, we in America presently pay between 20 and 30 percent of our income to the government–a figure very similar to the requirement under the theocracy of Israel.”

“The guideline for our giving to God and His work is found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: ‘Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.'”

Prophecy Update — Signs in the Heavens

 

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Prophecy Update: Signs in the Heavens

(Amazing and Informative Video  in three parts on the heavenly signs of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah)

 

Dear Joshua Family Subscribers:

Today, I wanted to share with you some important prophetic information, with a Prophecy Update video (Parts 1-3) on the Signs in the Heavens. This is the most amazing video series on what will happen in the heavens during 2014-15.  The Solar and Lunar eclipses will fall on the Jewish Feasts as signs of the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, on the Hebrew Calendar.

The following video series will blow your mind, when you watch them carefully, as Pastor Steve Hadley of Harvest Family Fellowship in Reno, discusses the past events, and then, on to the upcoming Solar and Lunar eclipses on the Hebrew Calendar, which are signs of major fulfillment of Biblical Prophetic events. This shows just how very close we actually are to the end of the age, the catching away, the war of Ezekiel 38-39,  and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

This Pastor is not trying to be a date-setter of an actual date, but believes that the prophetic heavenly signs of this prophecy update should prompt the Body of Christ to repent, to make ourselves ready, and to watch for the soon coming of Christ. The Bible does tell us to make ourselves ready, and to be watching for His coming. I have included some scripture references below the conclusion of the third video. Feel free to leave your feedback in the comments area. ~ L.D. Oxford

 

 

 

 

(Scriptures References from NIV)

Joel 2:30-31– I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth,  blood and fire and billows of smoke. ³¹ The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. Repeated in NT –  See Act 2:19-20

Matthew 24:27- For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew 24:30- “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

Mark 13:26-27- At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27,  And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

Mark 13:35-37- Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 37,  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’

Matthew 24:42- “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Luke 21:25-28- “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26, Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27, At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28, When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Acts 3:19-21- Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,  20, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus. 21,`He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18- According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16, For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of god, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17, After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18,  Therefore encourage each other with these words.

1 John 3:2-3- Dear friends, now we are  children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  3, Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

Revelation 1:7-8- Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.  ^8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 22:12- “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

 

THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE EAST IN BIBLE PROPHECY

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Joshua Apostolic Prophetic Network

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THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE EAST IN BIBLE PROPHECY

Dear Joshua Family Subscribers:

Today, I wanted to share with you a very important teaching on The Future of the Middle East in Bible Prophecy, which is on the three upcoming wars that are soon to take place involving Israel and the nations. Because, there is so much controversy these days on End time Bible Prophecy, I thought that this teaching would bring some clarity, and make for a good discussion here on our weblog.

From what I see in the scriptures concerning the end times and Israel, this seems to be some of the best condensed teaching that I have seen for quite sometime. But note, that this is only a summary of the things to come according to the Prophets of the Bible, and may not include everything, although it contains alot of what you need to know. This makes it easier to understand for the everyday person who would like to learn more about end time events and Bible Prophecy.  So enjoy, and don’t forget to leave your feedback in the comments area. ~ L.D. Oxford

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The Future of the Middle East in Bible Prophecy

(On The Three Wars that are soon to take place)

~ Maurice Sklar

For More Insights: http://www.mauricesklar.com/html/teachings.html

 

The Holy Bible is the only “holy book” in existence that predicts the future with 100% accuracy. The prophetic writings in the Bible are extraordinary in both their breadth and detail. The most detailed prophecies concern the nations of the Middle East during the period known as “The Day of the Lord”. God takes time in lengthy passages of scripture to tell the judgments He will inflict on the nations that reject the nation of Israel in the very last period of time before the coming of Messiah to establish His 1000 year Kingdom on the earth.

Because there is so much confusion and contradiction in much of the teaching of Bible prophecy, I want to write a concise and brief summary of what the prophets of scripture say about the Middle East nations. These events are rapidly approaching and could be right on our doorsteps at any moment, should the Lord decide to lift His withholding grace and allow these judgments to come immediately.

There are three wars that will soon take place in the Middle East. Each one is progressive and becomes larger in scope, until the entire world and every nation participates in the last battle:

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1. THE FIRST WAR involves the Arab nations immediately surrounding the nation of Israel. The Bible seems to indicate that these nations will be destroyed with weapons of mass destruction. This will involve the judgment of God against militant Islam directly surrounding Israel, which is referred to as the house of Esau in several places. According to the Bible, the nations directly surrounding Israel will be destroyed in such a way that they are uninhabitable. This war will result in an impassable ring of destroyed countries to the south and east of Israel.

The nations destroyed are: Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and part of Saudi Arabia. These areas of land will become totally impassable because of the use of nuclear weapons and/or biological and chemical weapons. The soil of these regions becomes so poisoned that nothing can live or grow there. The area of ancient Idumea (Edom) will be on fire like Kuwait was in the Gulf War of 1991.

 

2. THE SECOND WAR is described in detail in Ezekiel chapters 38-39 primarily, although there are other passages that refer to it also. In Ezekiel chapters 36-37, he foretells the rebirth of the nation of Israel. Then, before the Kingdom Age, when the Messiah Yeshua will reign in His magnificent temple in Jerusalem, this horrific battle is predicted in much detail. This was written 2,600 years ago. Ezekiel lists a confederacy of nations, which include Turkey, Iran, Libya, Ethiopia, parts of Eastern Europe, and other unnamed nations.

Something strange appears immediately when you look this list. The prophet fails to mention the nations directly bordering Israel! These countries are Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, “Palestine” (not really a nation), and Syria. The reason these nations are not mentioned is that they were all destroyed in the first war. The remaining nations invade Israel from the only possible way in this war: from the north. The destruction from this war is much greater in scope than the first. The destruction of the countries of the first war may be one reason for this second battle. Most likely, it is retaliation for it against Israel.

Ezekiel identifies Russia as the chief antagonist against Israel in this war. Russia has a long history of hating and persecuting the Jewish people. With the pogroms starting in 1881, untold numbers of Jews died at the hands of the Russians. Russian Jews were the first to return to Israel in the 1880’s, leaving because of this horrible persecution. This second war is often called the war of Gog and Magog. Gog is a title of the leader of Russia at this time, meaning “chief prince” or “president”. The geographic region is called “the land of the north”; the land of Magog, Meshech, and Tubal.

This precisely identifies modern Russia through its’ ancient tribal ancestors as well as geographically. But, the nation of Russia is not alone in this invasion of the mountains of Israel from the north. Ezekiel identifies the confederation of nations that will join to attack Israel, as mentioned above. Persia is the actual Biblical name for modern-day Iran. That is the name the Bible gives as joining this attack. The bible refers to Ethiopia as the land south of Egypt. Today this would include the nations of the Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. The Sudan and Somalia are both Islamic nations.

Sudan is identified as a terrorist state and hates Israel. Ethiopia has a large Muslim population of about 30%. Sudan and Somalia are a natural fit in current events with Russia in a confederated Muslim attack. In the Bible, ancient Libya encompasses all the land west of Egypt. This would include the nations of Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. ALL of these nations are Islamic. Russia supplies Libya with weapons. Ezekiel identified Togarmah as a country north of Israel. This is modern-day Turkey, which is nearly 100% Muslim. For this to happen, Turkey must line up with Russia.

Finally, the name Gomer is mentioned as taking part also. This is not as clearly defined. It could be Germany and/or some other nations in Eastern Europe. Currently, the United States is preventing such a war from happening. For this battle to happen, the United States has to be weakened or eliminated from the Middle East. NATO has to be weakened by Turkey forming an alliance with Russia. Very recently, with the event of the Flotilla, Turkey became extremely cold in its’ diplomatic relations to Israel, and unanimously condemned Israel in its’ government. Could this be a precursor of their coming turn towards “the land of the north”? Russia becomes the dominant force in a vacuum created by the absence of America.

For this war to happen, something disastrous needs to happen in the future to the United States. Even though the Soviet Union has collapsed, the Russian army is still large and well equipped. This confederation led by Russia is enormous, for the army will cover the land like a cloud. Perhaps all the remaining Islamic nations not mentioned by the prophet Ezekiel join in this attack. According to scripture, God destroys this entire invasion miraculously. God reacts in His wrath with a combination of natural disasters with perfect timing to destroy this army.

The Russian army invades and swarms over the mountains of Israel to the north. God waits until they actually come into the covenant land and totally wipes them out supernaturally on those very mountains. The whole world then witnesses the Holy God of Israel and is forced to recognize that He was the one who destroyed this army and not human effort. A great revival takes place in Israel, as they now begin to recognize Yeshua as the true Messiah and turn to Him in great numbers. All of this is predicted in the scriptures.

 

3. THE THIRD WAR involves every remaining nation on earth. It is called Armageddon. This is the final battle between God and evil before the coming of Yeshua the Messiah to rule and reign on the earth. In this battle, God supernaturally intervenes and destroys the largest fielded army in history. This battle ends man’s corrupt and sinful rule over the nations. Armageddon is the third and final attempt to destroy Israel and take Jerusalem. Armageddon means Mount Megiddo, which is about seventy miles north of Jerusalem. Mount Megiddo is at the southern edge of the Esdraelon Valley, also called the plain of Megiddo.

This is a huge valley that runs from southeast to the northwest, right at Mount Megiddo in Israel. The valley is the center of the final battle. The mountains of Israel start at the southern edge of this valley. The taking of Jerusalem is the objective of the final war. After the defeat of Russia and its confederation, the remaining nations converge on Israel. God uses Jerusalem as a lure, and the people in rebellion against Him literally come by several hundred million. All of man’s rebellion against God culminates in this battle over Jerusalem.

During the previous battles, there is no indication from the scriptures that the armies overrun Jerusalem. In this final battle, a vast army invades the Middle East from Asia. All of Asia is at this battle, along with the other nations of the world. The apostle John states in the book of Revelation that this army from Asia numbers two hundred million. This army will cross the dried up Euphrates river, but before it does, it spreads into other nations and kills a third of mankind that is still alive at this time. Like the previous battle of Magog, this army meets its doom on the mountains of Israel.

The ring of fire is still around Israel, and the only way to attack is from the north. This massive army fills the Valley of Megiddo and then reaches all the way to Jerusalem. This army nearly destroys Israel and Jerusalem, but God stops it when it reaches Jerusalem. The Lord Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ’s) direct intervention stops this army. This is the moment of His awesome second coming. He personally destroys the armies gathered for Armageddon and defends His covenant land and people.

According to the prophet Zechariah, the Lord Yeshua stands in Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives. There is an enormous earthquake that splits this mountain. He is in His full glory. It is the presence of the Messiah Yeshua in His glory that destroys this invading army. God’s glory affects human flesh like a neutron bomb. The nation of Israel receives and welcomes the only true Messiah Yeshua and turns to Him. Then it goes into deep mourning with true repentance. Israel is finally reunited with their one and only Messiah: Yeshua – Jesus. At this time, He begins His Messianic reign for 1,000 years of peace, joy, and perfection – heaven on earth!

This is a brief synopsis of coming wars on the earth that are centered in the Middle East as recorded in Bible prophecy. I pray that you, dear reader, will be ready – for He is coming soon to take His bride – the overcoming church – home to be with Him in heaven. You do not have to remain upon the earth during this terrible time of judgment – give your heart to the Lord Yeshua, repent and live for Him and not self and sin.

Yeshua will first come to meet us in the air and take us to heaven in an event that “catches away” the believers all over the earth in one, sudden, micro-second of time. We will be gone! Then these terrible judgments will overtake the whole earth, as recorded in the prophets and the book of Revelation. Beloved, there is still time, but it is running out quickly! Make things right between you and the Lord! This message written here is a warning from heaven. Do not neglect your relationship with the Lord any longer! I do not want to see you, dear reader, left behind.

 

YESHUA SAID: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)“He that testifieth these things sayeth, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Yeshua.The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you all. Amen.”Love in our Messiah, Maurice Sklar

NOTE: I want to acknowledge and commend John Mcternan for his prophetic study of the Middle East. I included much information that he provided in this teaching letter (from his book “As America Has Done to Israel”). I highly recommend reading it, as I believe he is accurate about end time prophecy, and especially the destiny of America as it relates to Israel.