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Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ). Matthew 12:22-32 read as follows:
"22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, 'Can this be the Son of David?' 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, 'It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.' 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.'"
Jesus ( see verse fifteen ) teaches that Satan is a king, and that he has his own kingdom ( see verse twenty-six, above ). Please read all of Matthew, chapter twelve, to get the immediate context.
Moreover, anyone who is not a member of the New Testament church ( the church of Christ - see Matthew 16:18, Acts 5:14; 6:1, 2; 11:19-26 ( especially verse 26, for example ), Romans 12:1-5 ( especially verses 4 and 5, for example ); 16:16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 ( especially verses 12-14, for example ), and Ephesians 1:15-23 ( especially verses 22 and 23, for example ), for example ), which is the earthly realm of the kingdom of God ( see Daniel, chapter 2 ( especially verse 44, for example ), Joel, chapter 2 ( especially verses 28-32, for example ), Luke 1:26-33 ( especially verse 33, for example ), and Acts, chapter 2 ( especially verses 14-21, 38, 41, and 47 ( KJV, for example ), for example )), is a member of the kingdom of Satan. Perhaps, from this perspective, we are better able to see why the heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) will not bless denominational worship, or any other form of false worship such as Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam, for example ( see Leviticus 10:1-11 ( especially verses 1 and 2, for example ), Psalm 115:12, 13, Matthew 4:10, John 4:24, Romans 10:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ); 15:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ), and Colossians 2:6-15 ( especially verses 13 and 14, for example ), for example ). Yes, the heavenly Father loves His enemies ( see Matthew 5:43-48, for example ), but He draws the line ( so to speak ) at false worship, for example: He will not tolerate it ( see John 1:1, 14; 10:30; 14:6, Romans 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references, for example ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), Colossians 2:8, 9 ( KJV, for example ), Titus 1:1, 2, Hebrews 1:1-9 ( especially verses 8 and 9, for example ), and 1 John 3:4; 5:6-8 ( KJV, for example ), for example ). Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>.
NOTE: Please see the Friday, April 17, 2015 posting to this weblog concerning the initial statement that the heavenly Father will not bless denominational worship, for example.
