Salt or Sugar?

Salt or Sugar?

If you have been through the Bible multiple times, you may think it is not necessary to still read it on a regular basis. I have either read the Bible or had it read to me for almost to 54 years, and when my heart is open, I still see verses from a new light The other day, my husband and I were listening to the gospel of Luke, when chapter 14, verses 34-35, spoken by Jesus, stood out to me as never before.

(Luke 14:34-35) "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

I said to my husband something like, "For some reason, I never really stopped to consider those verses before, but that is really standing out to me. I see it as a warning not to lose our fire for God or our fire for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ."

My husband and I began talking about this and agreed it would make a good blog topic, so here I sit today to share my thoughts for whoever " hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Often when I am writing on a topic I know has been written about by many others, I intentionally do not go back and read anyone else's writings. I pray to only be influenced by the Holy Spirit. I know there are several different angles from which I could write this blog, but I am choosing to focus on the issues most infusing my heart today.

I am a person who loves words and their meanings, so I looked up the definition of the word "savor." I will use the definition in another version of Luke also mentioned in Matthew.

(Matthew 5:13) "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savour [a characteristic taste, flavor, or smell, especially a pleasant one]... it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."

First, I want to touch on not losing our fire for the Lord. Revelation 3:16 says, "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue [spit] thee out of my mouth." If you feel you are growing cold toward the Lord, spend more time in praise, prayer, and Bible study. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anything that may be hindering a closer walk with Him and be obedient to let go of the things He brings to your heart (see Psalm 139:23-24).

Next, lets' talk about not losing our salty fire for sharing the message of salvation. In a world where people plug their ears to holiness messages, and make fun of/reject the True believers, it can be very discouraging to want to give up and quit speaking out for righteousness. Let me encourage you that even if it seems no one is paying attention, God is, and His opinions matter more than anyone else's. Stay faithful to the call, fellow Christian. You are not alone; you have the Holy Trinity in your corner, and my husband and I as well!

(Galatians 6:9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Now I want to explain what I mean when I say there is a difference between a salty message and a sugary one. To most people, a pleasant gospel would be one that tells them it is perfectly fine to sin as much as they like because God gives us grace for everything. We just have to say a prayer one time to ask Jesus into our hearts and then never again worry about right or wrong because we are now eternally secure. That, my friends, is a sugar-coated gospel!

We are not being called to politely lead people to hell, we are called to escort them boldly to heaven's throne!

Salt was considered very valuable in the days when Jesus walked, but if something valuable gets broken, tarnished, or damaged in any way, the value dramatically declines. And as Jesus puts it, if that something valuable loses its potency, you could even say, if it gets watered down, it deserves to be thrown out and even trampled under people's feet.

The same is absolutely true with the most valuable asset on the planet, the message of salvation that can show one the way to eternity in Heaven. If it is damaged, it is useless to your soul.

(Jude 1:4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness [turns it into something inaccurate and unholy], and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now I finally get to it, here is my salty message speaking out against a sugar-coated gospel:

To be clear, I believe Jesus' death on the cross, our salvation, and grace are free gifts we do not have to earn. We cannot save ourselves by our own works (Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.) Yet, we still have a responsibility to maintain and retain these gifts. Just as when you are hired on at a job, it is because you have found favor from the person who hired you, but you still have to work to earn your paycheck. When a man asked Jesus in Luke 13:23, "Are there few that be saved?" Jesus responded in Luke 13:24 with, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." This does not mean vain strivings of the flesh, we still need to let the Holy Spirit take control but striving through obedient actions. Hebrews 12:4 says we are to strive against sin. The word strive simply means to make an effort to maintain something. It does not take the glory away from God that only through His blood can we be saved. Please read all of 1 John 1 as it gives a very clear picture of all I am trying to convey - I have posted it in a separate post right before this one: scroll down or use this link: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/07/1-john-11-10.html

Furthermore, a salty message will encourage you to treat these precious gifts of salvation with the utmost care and not neglect them, because they and your soul can be lost.

(Ezekiel 18:24 & 26) But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

Pretty clear cut, don't you think? Ezekiel was a mighty profit who heard directly from God. He tells us when the righteous, or the Christian, turns his back on God and intentionally chooses to sin, he will lose his salvation - die in his sins! This is not speaking of minor offenses, of course, but as Ezekiel says, "abominations," or rebelliously refusing to do what you know is right in the eyes of God. Just as when we sincerely repent from our sins, they are blotted out by the blood of Jesus (Ezekiel 18:27-28 - Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.), the exact opposite is true. Righteousness is canceled out by sin until we sincerely repent again. (These same words are repeated in Ezekiel 33 as well.)

Now let's look at the words of Jesus:

(John 15:1-6) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

The definition of the word abide is "to remain; continue; stay." Therefore, Jesus is telling us that if we leave our fellowship with Him (cease abiding with Him) we will be "cast forth... into the fire and burned." Obviously, He is speaking of the fire in Hell. In other words, if you give your life to Christ and become a Christian, but then refuse to follow the ways of Jesus by leaving your morals behind, you are no longer bearing good fruit, and you will be cast away. Jesus does not say that you can stay grafted into the vine no matter what, and that you will be eternally secure. No, if you make the choice to leave, you will be cast off!

The more you abide in Jesus: read the Bible, pray more than just when you are asking for a favor, and worship Him with a contrite heart, the more it will be clear what He expects of you. The more you will understand His character and His will and you will want to do what is right (Romans 2:4 ...the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.). The Holy Spirit will convict you of your sins and testify to your spirit what must be done to see the face of God for all eternity (Romans 12:1 - 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.).

Let's go again to the words spoken by Jesus:

(Matthew 7:21-23) "Not every one that saith unto me, 'Lord, Lord', shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?' And then will I profess unto them, 'I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.'"

This is obviously about someone who is calling himself a Christian, otherwise why would he be calling out to the Lord and prophesying, casting out demons, etc. But Jesus says that even if you call on Him and work for Him, you can still be in danger of losing your salvation if you are doing all these things while living in sin. No, eternal life with Christ is not automatic just because you use the name of Jesus or work for Him; you must keep the sin out of your life or He will tell you to "depart from" Him. In other words, He will send you to hell.

(2 Timothy 4:4; 7-8) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

There are many more verses I can list where it says in the Bible that all people will be judged according to their works. That Truth alone shows we are not automatically eternally secure. If so, there would be no reason for God to judge our works. Finishing the course and keeping the faith means the same as abiding in the vine. In order to obtain the crown from Jesus, you must not let go of your righteous ways or give in to sin.

Here are a few more verses on obtaining crowns from God, our judge. No where does it say the crown of righteousness will be given to every single person that says some version of the sinner's prayer. There are conditions that must be met! In the below verse, Paul makes it very clear that even he, an extremely faithful servant of Christ, could be cast away from heaven if he falls into sin.

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

(Philippians 4:1) Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

(2 Timothy 2:5) And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

(James 1:12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.

The messages of these verses are: stand fast in the Lord, strive lawfully, endure temptation, and you will receive a crown of righteousness. Stray away from the Lord and holiness, and you will be cast away.

The last verses below are the easiest way to point you away from sugar and to the salt of the gospel: Note the list of sinful actions does NOT say, "If you call yourself a Christian you can do all these things and still go to heaven," No! It says, if you commit the sins listed, you will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. There are no exceptions to that rule. You must daily repent of your sins, and strive to be holy as the Lord is holy, or you will not have eternity with the Father - not my words, this is scriptural as you will see below.

(1 Peter 1:14-17) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

(Hebrews 12:14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

(Galatians 5:19-21) 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.

(Revelation 21:7-8) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

1 John 1:1-10

 

In the post directly above this one (scroll up or use this link: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/07/salt-or-sugar.html), I suggest reading all of 1 John chapter 1.  Here it is:

(1 John 1:5-10) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Are you properly balanced?

 

Are you properly balanced?

(Written in 2023) You may wonder why I chose a picture of a parking lot for a blog with a title on being properly balanced. A few nights ago, I had a dream that my husband and I had arrived in a new location and were attempting to park our vehicle at a grocery store.  The parking spaces were as you see in the photo, slanted at an angle and a little longer than the ones you may use at Wal-Mart.  My husband was driving, and we pulled into a space with no car on our right, but a large truck to our left, and no vehicles behind us.  

Mel turned off the engine, but before we could exit the vehicle, a woman leaving the grocery store (heading toward us) looked at us with a disapproving expression. Her face did not show cruelty, but more like disappointment.  The best way I can think of to describe this woman is that she had an old-fashioned hairdo similar to what some legalistic religions still wear, pulled up in a high twisted bun-thing sort of style (sorry, I don't know what it's called).  However, she was not dressed as the women in their churches do - only wearing dresses. Instead, she was wearing a feminine and modest top and pants.  

We were not sure why she was giving us a disapproving look, but we looked in the direction of where her gaze had fallen, to the back of the vehicle.  We realized we were parked too far backwards, and it would be difficult for another vehicle pulling in to park without hitting us.  We then re-parked.

This time, we had yet to turn off the engine when a man dressed like a cowboy walked toward us as the woman had, only this time on our left.  It was his turn to give us the same expression as the woman had, not in disgust or anger, but rather disappointed that we had now parked too far forward. 

We immediately realized that the front end of our vehicle was over the line and if anyone drove the stretch of parking lot in front of us, they would risk striking us. Mel immediately reversed the vehicle, this time centering it perfectly in the middle.

At first, I just thought this was a normal dream that was not worth mentioning, but one of the first things Mel asked me that morning was if I had had any dreams from the Lord.  Initially, I said I had not, but this dream was in the back of my mind, so I asked him why he had asked me this.  Mel said he had had a vision that I was going to be given a dream by the Holy Spirit. After I shared this dream with my husband, I then told him the same thing I always say, that I am not completely sure this dream was from the Lord, but that I can easily see a spiritual message in it.

Before I get into the interpretation of this dream that Mel and I both agreed upon, I want to explain why I used the title I did, rather than using a parking term in the title.  That same evening, I was playing a word game on my Kindle, and the first round of the night was titled, "Properly Balanced."  Coincidence? Maybe, but it still fits the theme of the dream.

Here is how my husband and I interpreted the dream.

The grocery store: In spiritual dreams, stores, restaurants, or any time you are eating with someone, symbolizes spiritual food for us to learn from and/or to share with others. 

New location: This has dual meanings. We were in a new town in this dream because we believe God will be moving us to a new location in his perfect timing. Because we believe this place will be where we launch the next phase of our ministry, a new location also means getting settled spiritually where God wants us to be. 

Being in a vehicle: In spiritual dreams, vehicles represent spiritual beliefs. The person driving is the one who is the leader. In this case, my husband is the spiritual head of our home. If it is another person and the vehicle is driving recklessly, this means that person is leading you down dangerous theological paths. 

The woman / parking too far backward: She was disappointed in us because she did not want us going backwards into legalism. Let me clarify, I am not trying to insult anyone's religion, but I am merely sharing what the Lord shared with me. She represented being too legalistic and rigid in holiness beliefs, to the point it goes beyond what the Bible teaches.  While I completely agree with modesty in women, I have also attended churches similar to the ones she symbolized, and they make a woman feel unwelcome if they do not have hair to her waist, her dress does not reach her ankles, or she wears pants. This and other types of religions and others trapped in Old Testament laws have so many unbiblical rules one must follow, that they make people not want God at all.  I will not go into why they have legalistic and not Biblical beliefs, because the point of the woman in this dream was that God does not want us to be so over-the-top seeped in holiness alone, that we turn people away from Him. Whether you believe it or not, holiness does not equal legalism!  There needs to be a proper balance of grace and love added to our message. This is why she had the hairdo of the religion, but the clothes were less rigid.  In other words, TRUE HOLINESS BELIEFS ARE VERY PLEASING TO THE LORD! 

(Titus 2:11-14) 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. 

(Galatians 5:4-5, AMP) You have been severed from Christ, if you seek to be ]justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] through the Law; you have fallen from grace [for you have lost your grasp on God’s unmerited favor and blessing]. For we [not relying on the Law but] through the [strength and power of the Holy] Spirit, by faith, are waiting [confidently] for the hope of righteousness [the completion of our salvation]. 

The cowboy / parking too far forward: Just as the woman represented the proper balance of holiness beliefs, the man symbolized not being unequally yoked with worldly beliefs. I'm not saying dressing like a cowboy is worldly, of course, but he represented the every-day man, sort of like a universal religion without any real convictions of the Holy Spirt. One who drinks, curses, goes to bars, is okay with violence, etc.  He was disappointed in us because he did not want us to be too involved with the world. By parking too far forward, we would have gotten too close to the world. This not only meant getting too intertwined with the unsaved or backslidden people in our lives, but also not getting involved in the liberal grace message of eternal security. Quickly PULLING AWAY FROM the line where OTHER VEHICLES (people, WORLDY BELIEFS/ACTIONS, or false religions) could have caused us harm, WAS ALSO PLEASING TO THE LORD! 

 (2 Corinthians 6:14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  

(Romans 12:2) 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.

The parking lot: Where we had settled in our belief systems. This is why the dream ended with us parked properly balanced where God has been training us to be. This dream was encouraging us to stay properly balanced and not park either too far forward or backward.  It can be very tricky to find the right balance of holiness and grace and not lean too far either way. Reading the Bible, prayer, and asking the Holy Spirit to correct you are the best ways to learn to be properly balanced. 

(Isaiah 30:21) This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. 

Still Journeying Through the Bible

 Still Journeying Through the Bible

Now that I have finished posting most of my artwork from my entire Bible journal along with either the commentary written in the journal or additional writings (I had started with Matthew-Revelation before adding Genesis-Malachi), I will now simply post whatever God lays on my heart, and not specifically in the order of the books of the Bible.  I am also praying about where to branch out from here and I am considering possibly starting a new blog or two and I will include links to those pages if I do so.  I am pretty sure I know what project I want to start next, but still praying for a little more confirmation. I may also be working more on my books, so I may or may not be posting less on this site.

However, you can simply scroll through these pages or use the search bar at the top of this blog if you want to see a read all that has been written about a certain book of the Bible - if you are not sure how to find it, this link shows where the search bar is on this blog https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/06/how-to-search-this-blog-site.html .  It is also a good tool if you are looking for a specific topic.   I'm sure you know how a search bar works, but just in case, the link shows where to locate it and how it works on this blog site: You could type in the word, "Matthew" and hit search to see all articles mentioning the book of Matthew.  Or you could type in a word or phrase such as "Good Shepherd" to read all articles with that phrase. 

Also, as far as the Facebook page goes, I will still be posting more than just writings by my me and/or my husband, but continue share memes, sermons from others, and songs as they inspire me. (Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/juliesbiblejourney

Thank you for journeying through the Bible with me!  May we continue to grow through God's Word together!

Zechariah 4:1-14: Dream of the Golden Bowl filled with Anointing Oil, Written by my Husband

 

Zechariah 4:1-14: Dream of the Golden Bowl filled with Anointing Oil, Written by my Husband (Mel)

I once dreamed that an angel of the Lord asked me, “Do you believe in the eternal security doctrine?” I replied, “No, Christ said that those who endure unto the end shall be saved.” I continued, “If you fall away from Christ even five minutes before your death you will be lost.” The angel said, “That is correct.”

(1 John 3:3-10) And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.  Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

 

The angel was standing next to a golden bowl filled with anointing oil. Two pipes led from the bowl. One pipe was the Word of God (scripture), the other pipe, had the word holiness written in large letters on it. The two pipes dripped oil into the hands of those who were filled with God’s Holy Spirit. I was told that God would anoint those who walked in holiness. I also understood that a lukewarm church would be vomited out (see Revelation 3:14-18).  

This dream was in reference to Zechariah chapter 4. Zechariah was shown a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Zechariah was told that this is the Word of the Lord to Zerubbabel (Zechariah chapter 4).  He was shown God’s temple and anointing oil, which is symbolic of God’s Spirit and righteousness. Zechariah was also shown a plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel, he was told in 4:10, “They are the eyes of the Lord, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth”.  A plumb line is a measuring tape. Nothing escapes the eyes of the Lord, for we are all measured or weighed by the Lord.

You may think God doesn’t see you, or care, if you tell a dirty joke at work (Colossians 3:8), but the Lord knows all things. The Lord knows every thought that goes through your mind. If you look upon a woman to lust after her, you have committed adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:27-28), or if you hate your brother, you have committed murder in your heart (1 John 3:15). We are under God’s microscope at all times, and we should remember that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

 

Without holiness, no man shall see the Father (Hebews 12:14). If you are living in sin, you are not saved by grace. Grace follows repentance. If you repent, and turn away from your sins, God will wash you clean and transform you into a new creation. This is the meaning of being born again. The atonement that Christ provided upon the cross supplies our lack. Our righteousness alone is not enough to provide for salvation. The shed blood of Christ brings redemption only if we make Christ our Lord through obedience. We must allow the love of Christ into our hearts and learn to love our neighbor, as well as live a sanctified (purified and set apart) life. Regardless of your level of faith, if you continue to live in sin as the world does, you are not born again but lost.

 

Many churches teach that we are all filthy sinners, living in a fallen world, with a fallen nature, and we cannot live right. Consider this, Satan and one third of the angels were living in the perfect environment of Heaven, yet they chose to sin against God.  Adam and Eve were living in a perfect world without sin, but they also chose to sin against God. My point is, whether we live in a perfect world, or a fallen world, we have the ability to choose good or evil. By the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit, we have the power to live a sanctified, disciplined life. We must unlearn the junk that the Laodicean churches teach. 

(Zechariah 1:1-14) And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep. And said unto me, "What seest thou?"

 

And I said, "I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof." So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, "What are these, my lord?"

...Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, "This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,' saith the Lord of hosts. 'Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. ...thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice... they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.'"

Then answered I, and said unto him, "What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? ...What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?"

And he answered me and said... "These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. "

Zechariah 3:4-7: New Garments

 

Zechariah 3:4-7: New Garments

Just as with the story of Joshua below, God wants us to get rid of our filthy garments of sin.  Now that we live in a new covenant, we know the only way for us to be clean is through Jesus Christ, only then can we obtain clean clothes of righteousness washed in His blood.

(Zechariah 3:4-7) Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him."  And unto him he said, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment."

And I said, "Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. "

And the angel of the Lord stood by. And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by."

Once we have allowed God to clean us up, we need to work at staying clean by making a daily decision to keep sin at bay.  We cannot conquer sin on our own, but the Holy Spirit will help give us the will power to stay away from the things God hates.

(1 Corinthians 10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Jesus is coming back for a bride without spot or wrinkle.  Therefore, we must continually work at keeping clean before a holy God!  

(Ephesians 5:26-27) That He might sanctify and cleanse with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

When we choose to accept Jesus' free gift of salvation, and become a new person in Jesus, we are to try to say new and not go back to the old ways of sin.

(2 Corinthians 5:15-17) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Read your Bible and only trust what is says, and not what other people may be trying to convince you what it says.  Then you will know what Jesus expects from you, and you will know how to keep yourself clean.

(Isaiah 64:5-6) Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

And remember the good news!  Jesus is always gracious and faithful to forgive is when we make mistakes!  We can start over with repentance, and Jesus will clean us up all over again.

(1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

However, do not ever want to take God's grace for granted and abuse it!  We try to stay clean because we love Him and because He so dearly loves us. We do not sin and say, "Oh well, God will forgive me."  No, we try very hard not to sin in the first place and honor God's amazing love with a clean lifestyle. We crucify the flesh and live not for ourselves by for Jesus!   

(Romans 6:1-2, 5-6, & 13-15) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 

Zephaniah 3: Heed the Warnings and Embrace God's Promises

 

Zephaniah 3: Heed the Warnings and Embrace God's Promises

My commentary on Zephaniah 3 is about how we can apply this message to our lives today, not about what was historically happening at the time it was written.  We can all heed the warnings and embrace God's promises.  Let's start with the first two verses:

(Zephaniah 3:1-2) Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.

This starts off with God saying judgements are coming for those who rebelliously live in sin.  He will also hold all accountable who oppress the poor, fatherless, widows, and those who are of a different race than them.  We need to treat everyone with love and respect and care for those in need. (You cand read more about that here: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-oppression-of-poor-written-by-my.html )

(Hebrews 3:7-8 & 10-15) Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, "Today if ye will hear His voice, Harden not your hearts..." Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God... while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, "Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation [this means we should not be provoked to disobedience]."

When we refuse to obey the voice of God and push Him away with hard hearts, we will be held accountable. Yet look at it from the positive side.  When we do soften our hearts and let our ego go and humbly ask God to forgive our sins, then we can enter not His holy rest! Read that from Hebrews again and read it with a hopeful heart and not from an angle of doom and gloom.  When we endure to the end, it will all be worth not giving into peer pressures and the lusts of the flesh. 

(Zephaniah 3:3-4) Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

Oh how I could write an entire series on the corruption of the leaders in all positions in this and other countries.  They are truly wolves that are devouring everything and everyone around them through acts of war, oppression (as mentioned above), as well as through their sinful lifestyles.  Most truly are brute beasts out to feed their lust for power.

The spiritual leaders are no better as many have perverted the Word of God for their gain.  The sanctuaries have indeed been polluted with ungodly music, provocative clothing, and especially with a lukewarm, greasy grace messages.  As Zephanaiah says, this perversion of grace brings violence to the True New Covenant laws of God.  

Here is a whole list of verses to read on that subject: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/07/advice-from-apostle-paul-do-not.html

(Zephaniah 3:5 & 7) The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

I [God]said, "Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off," howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

God is just and merciful.  You and I deserve so much less mercy than we receive.  Those who love righteousness accept God's chastisements but those who walk in the dark hate correction.

(Proverbs 1:7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

God wants to extend His love to all of us, but too many refuse His free gift of salvation and continue to live in corruption rather than give up their sinful lifestyles. 

((Romans 13: 11-14) And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly (other versions say "decently" or "honestly"), as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.) 

Let's jump ahead to verse 12.

(Zephaniah 3:12-13) I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

There will always been a faithful remnant serving God. When you see all others around you are watching filthy movies, going to bars, embracing false religions, celebrating the occult, and loving all that God hates, and you are not participating in their sins, you (not just people from a certain country or race) are part of God's remnant.  You may be the only one you know who still believes the Bible needs to be obeyed and God should be trusted and reverenced.  God will honor you, faithful pilgrim. Read on.

(Zephaniah 3:14-15) Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

Once again, we can all apply this message to our lives today.  God is no respecter of persons.  All true sons and daughters of God can rejoice in how much God loves us and that He will acknowledge our faithfulness to the Holy Trinity. 

(Acts 10:34-35) I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 

(Galatians 3:27-29) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The Lord takes away our judgements only after we repent of our sins (1 John 1:9 - IF WE CONFESS our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.), then when we get to heaven, and all enemies have been defeated, we will never again see evil but live in God's kingdom of eternal peace.  Read all of Revelation 21, but here is just one verse:

(Revelation 21:4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

(Zephaniah 3:17) The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, He will joy over thee with singing.

I truly cannot fathom the Creator of the universe singing over me!  This is such a beautiful and powerful verse it is humbling and increases my love for the Kings of Kings! "What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see! When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace! When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the Promised land! What a day, glorious day that will be!" (Lyrics in quotes by Jim Hill- Song posted at the end with Jim Hill as the soloist.)

(Zephaniah 3:18-19) I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.

As I said before, my commentary is not based on what was happening historically at the time Zephaniah wrote this prophecy, so I therefore see verses 14-20 as a parallel to our future in paradise. 

If we heed the warnings from the beginning of this chapter, we will indeed have the supreme privilege of singing with Jesus in His Kingdom forever!

When we Will Study War No More

When we Will Study War No More

(Song: Down by the Riverside / Study War no More)

We are living in violence as we have never seen before and it will only get worse.  Won't it be wonderful when all wars will all be over? No one will study war anymore!  Death and destruction of innocent people will be over, and we will live in perfect peace with the True King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

(Isaiah 2:4-5) And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more... let us walk in the light of the Lord.

(Micah 4:3) And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

(Isaiah 11:6) The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

(Psalm 46:6 & 9-10) The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

(Revelation 21:1-8 & 27) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Zephaniah 2:3: The Great Day of the Lord, Written by my Husband

 

 Zephaniah 2:3The Great Day of the Lord, Written by my Husband, Mel

Great Tribulation such as never been seen before or ever will be again is coming upon this world soon. Are you prepared to be hidden by the Lord in his refuge during this coming storm? 

(Zephaniah 2:3) Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.

(Isaiah 26:20-21) Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Revelation 12 teaches us that God will hide and protect many of his children in remote wilderness locations during the Tribulation. Zephaniah 2:3 and Isaiah 26:20-21 also states that God will hide many during the appointed day of his wrath. 

Many are being falsely taught that God will rapture them out prior to the tribulation and are not taking steps to prepare for the coming storm. This false doctrine is responsible for putting many to sleep and will ultimately result in their deaths, and many others will fall away. The pre-tribulation rapture doctrine requires misleading people by making scriptures jump through many hoops in order to form a man pleasing doctrine. In Matthew 24, Christ taught that immediately AFTER the tribulation he will return and gather his ELECT from the four winds of heaven. The second coming of Christ occurs after the tribulation, that is when the dead are raised and the remnant that remain will be raptured. If Christ returned prior to the tribulation, then all of those martyred in the tribulation would have no resurrection. God's Word teaches that those killed will have part in the FIRST RESURRECTION. Christ will return at the LAST TRUMPET, also known as the SOUNDING of the SEVENTH ANGEL in the book of Revelation. At the sounding of the seventh trumpet, it is announced, " it is finished!"

(Matthew 24:29-31) “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

(1 Corinthians 15:51-53) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

 (Revelation 10:7)  But in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. 

(Revelation 11:15)  Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 

As you can see, God’s Word clearly teaches that the dead are raised, as well as the living are transformed, on the last day, at the last trumpet.

(Revelation 12:13-17)  Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.  So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.  But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.  And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

(Zephaniah 1:2-3) I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked: and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord.

(Zephaniah 1:14-18) The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

The prophet Joel wrote that there will be pillars of smoke before the great Day of the Lord, this will be nuclear warfare. Here are some scriptures about the Coming Nuclear Tribulation.

(Joel 2:30-31) And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.

(Isaiah 26:20-21) Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

(Revelation 8:5-11) And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.  And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

(Revelation) 9:15-21 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

For more writings on this topic: 

Discerning the Signs of the Times https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/09/discerning-signs-of-times.html

Please do not let Fear Influence What you Believe: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/please-do-not-let-fear-influence-what.html

"When shall these things be?" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/01/mark-133-8-13-14-21-27-32-37-when-shall.html

Where the Eagles Gather https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/01/luke-17-22-where-eagles-gather.html

Questions and Answers About the Rapture https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/07/questions-and-answers-about-rapture.html

The Truth About the Second Coming of Christ, Written by my Husband https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-truth-about-second-coming-of-christ.html

Dream of the Return of Christ and Preparation for his Coming, Written by my Husband https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2017/04/dream-of-return-of-christ-by-mel.html

The Seven Churches: Part Two, Written by my Husband https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/04/revelation-31-22-seven-churches-part.html

There’s Hope For All Who Follow The Instructions  https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/theres-hope-for-all-who-follow.html