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Sunday, March 10, 2019

Heart of Man

THE internality OF domain OR THE SPIRITUAL HEART MIRROR (An in exclusivelyegorical Represendation in Ten Pictures) This booklet originated in France in 1732, was revised and re-written for the mission fields of Africa by Rev. J. R. Gschw residual in 1929, and has afterwards been translated and printed under copy dependable in oer 250 indigenous languages by All Nations Gospel Publishers who atomic number 18 distri provideding it today in 127 mission countries.People of except languages, classes and religions ar cosmos led by this booklet to experience the deep apparitional loyalty and signifi smokece of divinitys message to worldkind assortment as expressed by the prophet Ezekiel 586 years in the beginning saviour, I impart fork over you an sensitive centre of attention and a juvenile judgment then you go a carriage be my flock, and I t push by and through ensembleow be your graven image Ezekiel 3626-28. THE HEART OF MAN THE TEMPLE OF GOD OR THE WORKSHOP OF SATAN 1 joke 34-10 As you read this book, please bear in top dog that it is deal a mirror in which you forget be qualified to plan yourself.Whether you ar a heathen or a deli truly boyian, angioten snake pit converting enzyme who does non be dwellve in de cognisery piece of music or a screeningslider, you testament try out yourself as god look ons you. Man fashions at the proscribedward appearance, exclusively I tincture at the nervus (1 Sam. 167). graven image sees us as we re all told in all(prenominal)y be. Satan is the father of all lies. He is the prince of wrongity and god of this instauration, who disguises himself as an angel of shadowy to exsert men and women the incorrect steering. In these old age, as in snips past, thither ar nearly false apostles who disguise themselves, pretending to be apostles of deliin truth boy. And no wonder, for Satan himself is change (disguised) into an angel of exculpated (2 Cor. 113, 14). Satan, the god of this world, keeps hatful in the aristocratical so that they stern non see that graven image sexual cuts them or that yieldy boy cleard to yet them (2 Cor. 44). All pitners and those who do non believe atomic number 18 toneually breathless and blind c at angioten transgress-converting enzyme timerning divinity. They argon traffic patternd by the shabbiness of this world (Eph. 21-2). Unless their look argon returned in whatso perpetually way to their pre occupied condition, they be heading for aeonian destruction. The psyche who regularises, I boast never sinned is deceiving himself. For The tidings of idol appe atomic number 18d for this actually reason, to deflower what the d give tongue to had dvirtuoso (1 joke 38). So then, submit to theology.Resist the d annoyance, and he leave run out post(a) from you. strike near to deity, and He leave al star pay off near to you (James 47, 8). As you read this book and study its fanaticstr ates, you leave behind be adequate to(p) to see your ingest optic. Allow gods searchlight to show you the condition of your amount of money. Ackat onceledge your sins and do not deny their existence, for idols explicate organise outs us that If we say that we fox no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. just if we yield our sins to God, He go out keep His promise and do what is 3 honest of first publication by ALL NATIONS GOSPEL PUBLISHERS P. O. Box 2191, PRETORIA, 0001, SOUTH AFRICA REG.No. 61/01798/08 ISBN 0-908412-16-9 aright He leave alone for pass near us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing (1 caper 11-10). The furrow of JESUS, His parole, purifies us from all sin. . You atomic number 18 ruled either by Satan or by God you atomic number 18 a slave to sin or a servant of God. If sin controls your keep, do not deny it, yet if cry out to God. He leave behind set you light through deliverer deliverer who came to this worl d to save fiendishdoers, to break the power of Satan and sin over us, He is our Saviour. You atomic number 18 in the presence of a sanctum God who knows all the unavoweds, the occult thoughts and actions of your quality.It is impossible to veil yourself and actions from God, for God do our ears cant He hear? He catch up with our eyes cant He see? (Ps. 949). The passkey keeps cockeyed esteem over the solid world, to give authority to those whose livelinesss are loyal to Him (2 Chron. 169). He watches every tonicity men take. there is no wickedness dark enough to hide a sinner from God (Job 3421, 22). But delivery boy did not trust Himself to them, because He k invigorated them all (John 224). Therefore expert are those whose sins are for presumption, whose wrongs are pardoned. ingenious is the man whom the skipper does not imply of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit (Matt. 128-30). Explanation of the Pictures THE outset PICTURE This picture shows the centre of attention of a worldly, revolting man or woman, expound in the intelligence as a sinner, that is, one who is cont catalogueed by the roughshod of this world and by the natural desires and cravings of the homophile world reputation. This is a straight(p) picture of the heart as God sees it. The bleary, red eyes emit of drunkenness as described in Proverbs 2329-33 Show me someone who whoop it ups likewise oft, who has to afflict out some sensitive-sprung(prenominal) drink, and I bequeath show you someone miserable and sorry for himself, invariably causing affect and always complaining.His eyes are bloodshot, and he has bruises that could nurture been avoided. Dont let drink tempt you, level off though it is rich red, though it sparkles in the cup, and it goes plenty smoothly. The next morning you ordain feel as if you relieve oneself been bitten by a poisonous snake. Weird sights forget appear before your eyes, and you leave behind not be ab le to presuppose or speak clearly. infra the head in this picture, the heart of man can be seen occupied by unhomogeneous animals which speak of the m all different sins in the human heart, as the heart is the centre and pedagogy posture of our sins.God ordains us by the mouth of His prophet Jeremiah, that No ashes can understand the human heart. There is nil else so deceitful it is in like manner sick to be vulcanised (Jeremiah 179). Jesus Himself confirms this by saying, For from the in expression, from a souls heart, start the vicious ideas which cover him to do immoral things to rob, kill, excite adultery, be close, and do all sorts of corruptive things deceit, indecency, jealousy, slander, self-c onceit, and folly all these evil things discern from inside a person and make him un disrobe (Mark 721-23). 1.THE PEACOCK While the beauty of the peacock is admired by everybody, here in the heart of man, it speaks of the sin of overcharge. Lucifer, once Gods spe cial angel of light, lost his position through pride and so became Gods enemy the giant (Isaiah 149-17 Ezekiel 2812-17). 4 5 experience have it offs from the very centre of nut place, and reveals itself in many ways. Some people pride themselves on their wealth, their standard of education fashionable clothing by which they ambush their bodies in a shameless way the wearing of jingling ornaments, bracelets, rings, and so on , as is so clearly described in Isaiah 316-24.Some pride themselves on their forefathers, nationality, culture, sport, etc. , forgetting that God compels the towering, only shows favour to the humble (1 incision 55). God hates pride and self-importance (Proverbs 813). Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall (Proverbs 1618). 2. THE GOAT represents bodily desires, immorality, adultery. The sins mentioned here build change magnitude in these modern, save culture days, to such an extent, that we have to admit the truth of the delivery o f Jesus when He predicted, nearly 2000 years ago, that the last days pass on be like the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.Not only has this sinful way of life-time gripped men and women and come into the homes of religious people and institutions, the schools and hostels, tho this curse shamelessly and in a subtle way enters the hearts of people by means of cinemas, theatres, obscene literature, and in so many another(prenominal) ways, that what God calls sin is being looked upon as modern morality. Millions of young people form their idea of an ideal life from the cinemas and novels, only to produce themselves in trouble, shame and regret.Immoral an loose-living actors and actresses drop short the heroes and heroines of the younger generation. The dance-halls, too, are very oft the breeding flecks of immorality. Gods heroes of purity, like Joseph (Genesis 39) and others, are no longer taken as examples. stock-s cashbox the old Zulu heathen, who would put an adulterer or adulte ress to cobblers last, could teach our supposed civilised generation a lesson and stand up once against us in condemnation at the day of sound outment. God tells us not to number with immorality but to avoid it. Any other sin a man commits does not affect his body but the man who is at fault of sexual immorality sins against his own body Dont you know that your body is the synagogue of the blessed smack, who racys in you and who was give to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God (1 Cor. 618, 19) So if anyone destroys Gods temple, God allow for destroy him. For Gods temple is holy, and you yourselves are His temple (1 Cor. 317). 7 1. The sinners heart 6 3. THE PIG speaks of the sins of drunkenness and gluttony.It is a dirty animal thirstily sw supplying up everything in its way, clean or dirty, and in the identical way a sinful heart devours every immoral suggestion, expression, picture, literature, etc. The body, mean to be the temple of the living God , is made unclean by prejudicial food and filthy habits such as the smo nance or quid of tobacco, the use of opium and harmful drugs and tablets, etc. The habit of smo force tobacco and however opium has gripped men and women as never before. Only the power of God can free such shortsighted tobacco victims and slaves of the urticate.While most religiously be precondition people would not dare to smoke in a perform-building, considering it approximately an ill-usage to God, they nevertheless have no hesitation about dirtying through this stinking weed, that which is actually the temple of God, i. e. , their bodies. Surely you know says the Apostle Paul, that you are Gods temple and that Gods Spirit lives in you So if anyone destroys Gods temple, God allow destroy him (1 Cor. 316, 17 618, 19). A greedy person is mingy or worth nothing in the sight of God. We eat in edict to live we do not live in order to eat.Hunger can be satisfied by eating wholesome food, but greed le ave behind always cry Give, give , Greed willing never be satisfied, will never be involveed. According to the grey-haired Testament law a glutton and a drunkard had to be stoned to wipeout (Deut. 2118-21). Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags. (Prov. 287). Remember that a certain rich man, a glutton and a slave to his desires, died and found himself in hell in big pain. The evil of drink need hardly be mentioned.It is only too crocked known to be taken lightly. God tells us clearly in His battle cry that no drunkard will make the solid ground of God. Beer is not a food, it is a drink that confuses and affects the mind, so that those who drink it act foolishly. They suit immoral and unconstipated kill and murder one another which they would not otherwise have done. Drinking too much makes you loud and foolish. Its monstrous to get drunk (Prov. 201). Those who make and sell strong drink are jus t as censurable before God, for God says, You are doomed Heroes of the elevatee bottleBrave and aweless when it comes to mixing drinks (Isaiah 522). You will be condemned if you give drink to your neighbours, 8 giving it to them till they are drunk (Hab. 215). Surely you know that the wicked will not possess Gods Kingdom. Do not fool yourselves people who are immoral or who worship idols or are adulterers or gay perverts or who steal or are greedy or are drunkards or who slander others or are thieves none of these will possess Gods Kingdom (1 Cor. 69, 10). The sins of our human nature are unmistakable.These are some of them immorality, filthy and indecent actions, worshipping of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight they become jealous, incensed and ambitious. They key into parties and groups they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. Those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God (Gal. 519-21). Do not get dru nk with make ite, which will only misuse you instead, be filled with the consecrate Spirit (Eph. 518). Jesus gives the pursual invitation to everyone who is thirsty concerning spiritual matters. Whoever is thirsty should come to me and drink (John 737, 38). Come everyone who is thirsty here is piddle Come, you that have no gold misdirect corn whiskey and eat Come buy (spiritual) wine and milk it will cost you nothing (Isa. 551). Whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring which will provide him with live-giving water and give him eternal live (John 414). 4. THE TORTOISE speaks of laziness, calmness to obey and witchcraft. Rebellion is as bad as witchcraft (1 Sam. 1523). A lazy man who refuses to work is only killing himself, all he does is think about what he would like to have (Prov. 2125, 26). Joshua had to say to the Israelites, Dont stay here doing nothing hurry Go on in and tak e it over (Judg. 189). Human nature is very lazy and slow to obtain the things of God. Jesus said, Do your best to go in through the narrow door (Luke 1324). Anyone who seeks will find (Matt. 78). The Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks, and violent men try to seize it (Matt. 1112). Carelessness concerning the salvation and spiritual wel out-of-the-way(prenominal)e of our souls leads to eternal decease.It keeps us from praying, from searching for the deep things of God, from accepting Gods rich promises it leads to destruction. When God speaks to you, urge on 9 you to give your heart to Him today, the chafe tells you to do it tomorrow, or some other surface-to-do day, which unfortunately, exsanguinousthorn never come and you will die without salvation and without deliverer. God says, If you hear Gods office today, do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were when they rebelled against God (Heb. 37, 8). How many people have died spiritually by putting off salvation fo r some to a greater extent convenient day which never came? The day tomorrow is not yours.The shell of the tortoise is much used by witch-doctors for the practising of witchcraft, and points here to the sin of trusting in and practising witchcraft, fortune-telling or magic or voodoo, instead of trusting the living God. Especially in times of testing and sickness, suffering and bereavement, we are told to call upon the living God, who is ca-ca to attend, instead of trusting in groovy or bad mickle for The sea captain guides a man in the way he should go (Psalm 3723). Is there anyone who is ill? He should send for the church elders who will pray for him and rub olive-oil on him in the name of the gentle.This prayer made in religion will heal the sick person the entitle will restore him to health, and the sins he has committed will be forgiven. So then confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be vulcanized (James 514-16). God commanded the I sraelites saying, Dont sacrifice your babyren in the fires on your altars and dont let your people answer divination or look for omens or use spells or charms (or meditate fortune tellers), and dont let them consult the strong drink of the dead (such as spiritism). The Lord your God hates people who do these disgusting things (Deut. 810-12). Outside the (heavenly) city are the perverts and those who practise magic, the immoral and the murderers those who worship idols and those who are liars both in words and deeds (Rev. 2215). Do not go for advice to people who consult the spirits of the dead. If you do, you will be ritually unclean. I am the Lord your God (Lev. 1931). But people will tell you to ask for messages from fortune-tellers and mediums, who chirp and mutter. They will say, later on all, people should ask for messages from the spirits and consult the dead on behalf of the living. You are to answer them, Listen to what the Lord is teaching you Dont listen to mediums w hat they tell you will do you no good (Isa. 819, 20). While you are indication this little book, God is speaking to you, calling you to turn from your sins and to give your life to Him, but the spirit of the tortoise, which is in your heart, makes all kinds of suggestions to you to put off qualification this decision, and tries to fill 10 your heart with fear. What will my family, my friends, and other people say, if I become a real Christian? What will happen if I cannot take part in the dances, parties and worldly amusements any longer? sooner of seeing the great wealthiness in Christ Jesus, His wonderful pink of my John, His joyfulness which words cannot express, His glory, eternal life so full phase of the moon of triumph, you begin to see all the things which you may lose or give up when you have Christ to come into your heart, temporary hookup fear of man as well as fear of finis keeps you a slave to the devil. But Christ came to set free those who were slaves all th eir lives because of their fear of death. (Hebr. 214, 15). The spirit of lassitude to obey is making you so stubborn that your heart will be as hard as the shell of the tortoise. 5. THE LEOPARD is a very smash and cruel beast.Hatred, anger and a bad temper very much rule the heart of man and many times lead to murder. You may try, and even manage, to control that bad temper of yours, until it breaks out in all its fierceness. It is wagerer to admit that it is in your heart, and ask Jesus to set you free. Dont give in to anger it only leads to trouble (Psalm 378). crossness is cruel and unwholesome (Prov. 274). Keep your temper under control it is foolish to take direct a grudge (Eccl. 79), Get rid of anger (Col. 38). Many cowards drink to encourage themselves to carry out some evil deed or revenge, but it is like wine made from the malevolency of snakes (Deut. 233). Revenge is sweet to the sinful heart, but God is the one who punishes all wrongdoing. Jesus said, jockey you r neighbour as you drive in yourself (Mark 1231) and Love your enemies (Matt. 544). God promised to forgive the wrongs we have done, if we forgive others for the wrongs that they have done to us (Matt. 612). A sulky, grumbling spirit is dislike by God. The awful desire for bloodshed and war is in the heart of man, and therefore real peace essential be established in the heart if it is to last. 6. THE SNAKE tricked Eve in the garden of Eden and broke up the sweet fellowship and friendship with God.Satan, was very jealous of go and Eve, when he saw them as rulers over the world, living in blameless unity with God, taking his place. Out of jealousy Satan 11 plan their destruction, and succeeded in breaking up their wonderful friendship and life with God. The said(prenominal) devilish jealousy and envy in the human heart destroys happiness in the hearts of some when they see others are happy and living comfortably. Jealousy brings evil thoughts into the heart to destroy the happ iness of others and can even lead to murder. This is curiously the case in some married lives. A husband is never angrier than when he is jealous his revenge knows no limits (Prov. 634). In business as well as in all other locomotes of life it causes untold suffering and hatred. Even Christian workers, preachers and ministers are not free from jealousy should God use another of His servants to a greater extent than themselves. They should be constantly on guard, and filled with the pure acknowledge of God which He has poured out into our hearts by means of the sacred Spirit (Rom. 55), otherwise their usefulness to God and their ministry will be blow by a jealous nature. 7.THE FROG speaks here to the sins of greediness and the passionateness of property which is the source of all evil (1 Tim. 610). Certain frogs in the Congo have been seen eating ants by the hundreds until they burst and died. A greedy person is not willing to open his great deal to stand by the poor and nee dy, but tries by all means, honest and dishonest, to get more of the riches of this world. Jesus Himself said, Do not store up riches for yourselves here on dry land, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. sort of, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal.For your heart will always be where your riches are (Matt. 619-21). Achan and his family were stoned because he love gold and silver and clothes (Joshua 7). Judas Iscariot, the disciple of Jesus, hanged himself because the love of money had made him betray his Lord and Master. It is not the money that is evil, neither the gold, but the love of money which lies hidden in the human heart. Thousands of men and women of all classes and races are ruining their lives and the lives of their family by the awful desire to obtain great and sudden riches by means of gambling and betting for large sums of money at horse and dog races, etc.Th e desire to become rich without much trouble leads to stealing and murder as well as suicide. Love of money and greediness have many companions, such as love of fame, of power, it may be political power to rule over 12 others, financial power to oppress the poor religious power, being more touch for the name of a church organisation than for God, disapproving of any child of God who has the courage to delineate Christ without belonging to his limited church (Mark 938).Jesus said, Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed because a persons accredited life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be (Luke 12 15). The story of the rich man is told like this There was once a rich man who had land which bore good crops. He began to think to himself, I havent anywhere to keep all my crops. What can I do? This is what I will do, he told himself I will overcharge down my barns and build bigger ones, where I will store my corn and all my other goods. and then I will say to myself, well-off man You have all the good things you need for many years.Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself But God said to him, You fool This very iniquity you will have to give up your life then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself? This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in Gods sight (Luke 1216-21). Does a person gain anything if he wins the whole world but loses his life? Of course not (Mark 836). And so I tell you not to worry about the food you need to stay active or about the clothes you need for your body Instead, be concerned with His Kingdom, and He will provide you with these things For your heart will always be where your riches are (Luke 1222-34). 8. SATAN, the father of all lies and of them that tell lies, is the one who persuades us to sin, and is the ruler of the heart. Jesus said, You are the children of your father, the devil, and you want to issue forth your fa thers desires. From the very arising he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies (John 844). A small lie is as bad as a big one.There are lies which are spoken, written, acted. A hypocrite is a liar for in realness he pretends to be what he is not. God cannot lie neither can a Christian (Titus 12). If, then, we say that we have fellowship with Him, yet at the same time live in the dark, we are lying both in our words and in our actions (1 John 16). But extraneous the (heavenly) city are the perverts and those who practise magic, the immoral and the murderers, those 13 who worship idols and those who are liars both in words and deeds (Rev. 2215). God hates a witness who tells one lie after another (Prov. 19). 9. THE adept speaks of the conscience in the heart of every man. Here it is, dirty and evil, probably dead through continual and view sinning blinded and sinful, so that it can no longer judge its own actions. This evil conscience may sometimes be quiet, sometimes troubled. It accuses when it should excuse, and it excuses when it should accuse. It may be dead, as if burnt with a hot iron, and have lost all sense and feeling through abandoning the faith, obeying lying spirits and following the teachings of demons, and earreach to teachings spread by deceitful liars (1 Tim. 1, 2 Hebr. 1022). 10. THE EYE of God sees everything that goes on in the heart. Nothing can be hidden from His flaming eye, and therefore He knows and sees all the secret thoughts and intentions of the heart. Whether you do your evil deeds in the darkest night, in the thickest forest, in the deepest ditch or wherever it may be, God sees it. (The eyes in these pictures overly conform to with the expression on the mans face. ) 11. THE LITTLE TONGUES OF FIRE round about the heart show the love of God surrounding the sinful he art.While God hates sin He loves man and does not want the death of a sinner, but that he should turn away(p) from his sins and live (2 Pet. 39). Jesus came to save sinners. There is great joy in heaven over one sinner that repents (Luke 157). The little tongues also speak of the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 129). 12. THE ANGEL represents the Word of God. God wants to speak to those who have been deceived and are carrying heavy loads of sin, so that they 14 may turn from their sinful ways and let the light and love of God come into their hearts. 13.THE DOVE is a sign of the saintly Spirit, the Spirit who reveals the truth about God, about sin and what is right, and about Gods sentiment (John 1526). The Holy Spirit is shown here outside the human heart. He cannot live where sin rules. Should the picture of this heart be the same as the condition of your heart, cry to the Lord, open your heart to Him, let the light of His Word s hine in. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be relieve (Acts 1631). God is willing, yes, He has promised to change your heart, to give you a new heart and a new mind (Ezek. 1119). This is beg offed in the endorse picture.THE SECOND PICTURE This picture shows a repenting heart that is beginning to look for God. The angel is holding the vane, the Word of God, which is alive and active, sharper than any ambiguous sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It resolve the desires and thoughts of mans heart (Hebr. 412). The Word of God reminds him that sin pays its wage death (Rom. 623) and that everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God (Hebr. 927). The place for the sinner and unbeliever will be in the lake burning with fire and sulphur (Rev. 18). THE HEART CONVINCED OF sliminess In this other hand the angel is holding a skull. This is to remind the sinner that we will all die. Our body which we love so much, clothe, leave and beautify, give such care and attention to in order to reward its desires and longings, is going to die and decay, and the worms will destroy it while our soul and spirit live for ever, and will one day appear before Christ, to be judged by Him (2 Cor. 510). 15 Here we see the sinner beginning to take invoice of the message of God and to open his heart to the love of God. The Holy Spirit begins to shine into the dark and sinful heart.The light of God comes into his heart to drive all darkness away. When Gods light comes in, darkness has to go. Sin, described here by all the various animals, has to go. Therefore, dear reader, allow Jesus, the deject of the world, to come into your heart, and darkness and the evil actions of darkness must leave the heart, as shown in this picture. Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness (John 812). You will never succeed in driving sin ou t of your heart by your own efforts, your own wisdom, or by the wisdom of people.The easiest, surest, quickest and most effective and only way, is to let Jesus, the Light, come in, and darkness, which is sin, must leave. The moon and the stars may give us some economic aid on a dark night, but when the sun has lift, then darkness as well as the smaller lights disappear. Jesus is the Sun of righteousness. When He went into the temple at Jerusalem, He drove out all those who were purchase and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the stools of those who sold pigeons, saying, It is written in the Scriptures that God said, My temple will be called a bear of prayer. But you are making it a hideout for thieves (Matt 2113). Your heart is intended to be Gods house, Gods temple. He wants to live in it, make it beautiful, fill it with light, love and joy. Jesus not only came to forgive us our sins, but He came to deliver us and set us free from the power and d omination of sin. If the countersign (Jesus) sets you free, then you will be really free (John 836). THE one-third PICTURE This picture shows us the heart-condition of a really repentant sinner. He now sees the greatness and awfulness of his many sins for which Jesus died on the cross.As he sees the cross which the angel, the Word of God, shows to him, it breaks his now sorry heart, and he is moved with deep, darling regret and sorrow over his many sins. As he sees the great love of God expressed in Christ Jesus, this love melts his heart, especially as he begins to realise that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to take away his many sins, as He was willing to die in his place on the cross. The fact that Jesus was whipped, crowned with thorns, had nails driven through His detainment and feet and died on a cross for our sins, 17 2. The heart convinced of sin 16 s brought home clearly and deeply to the repenting sinner, completely changing his heart and life. As he reads Gods Wo rd in which he can see himself as in a mirror, he realises more and more how far he has turned away from God and disobeyed His commands. He is outmatch with feelings of great pensiveness and sorrow, and as he pours out his heart before God with tears and bitter crying, Jesus draws near to him. The love and peace of God enter his heart as he begins to realise that the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from every sin (1 John 17). Create a pure heart in me, o God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me (Psalm 5110).Again Gods Word says, I am pleased with those who are humble and repentant, who fear me and obey me (Isa. 662). The Holy Spirit makes the words of Jesus clear to him, Courage, my son (daughter) Your sins are forgiven (Matt. 92). While he still looks to the cross and to the blood of Jesus which was poured out on the cross, believing that it was all done for him, he begins to realise that the load of sin has been taken away, for Jesus has endured the suffering that should h ave been ours that because of our sins He was wounded, trounce because of the evil we did, that the Lord made the penalisation fall on Him (Isaiah 53).The Holy Spirit and the love of God take control of the purified heart. As he believes in Jesus, he realises that his sins have been forgiven, and so he finds the assurance in his heart that the blood of Jesus, the Son of God, has purified him from all sin (1 John 17). He is now sure that everyone who believes in Jesus will not die (spiritually), but will have eternal life (John 316). For by the sacrificial death of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven (Eph. 17). The sinful desires of the human nature have now given place to a deep desire to live for God and to table service Him who first loved us (1 John 419).Instead of loving the world and the things of the world, he loves God and the things of God. In this picture therefore, we find that the animals which represent sin, are now outside his heart, although Satan does not want to leave his condition home, feel screening and hoping to find an entrance once more. That is why the Lord Jesus warns us to keep watch and pray to resist the devil so that he will run away from us (James 47). THE FOURTH PICTURE 3. The repenting heart 18 This picture speaks of a Christian who has found perfect peace and eternal salvation through the death of our Lord and Saviour, 19 4. Dying with Christ 20Jesus Christ, and so boasts in nothing else except only about the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ for by means of His cross the world is dead to us, and we are dead to the world (Gal. 614). Jesus died on the cross so that we too, exponent die to sin and live for righteousness (1 turncock 224) a Christian dead to the world. We are commanded to let the Spirit direct our lives, and we will not satisfy the desires of the human nature (Gal. 516, 25). The pillar to which the Lord Jesus was bound after they had taken off His clothes, is shown in this picture of the hear t, as well as the whips with which they cruelly whipped Him.He was punished for our sins because we are healed by the punishment He suffered (Isa. 535). Herod and his soldiers treated Him, and after having whipped Him, they pressed a crown of thorny branches on His head instead of crowning Him with a crown of gold, and put a stick in His right hand instead of the sceptre of a king, and they bowed before Him and mocked Him, saying. Long live the King of the Jews They spat on Him and took the stick from Him, and hit Him on the head. After they had so shamefully and cruelly mocked Him, they led Him away to be crucified (Matt. 2727-31).There are many so-called Christians who pray, piece of land in the sacrament of holy communion, sing the songs of God and yet, by their sinful actions, are constantly crucifying the Son of God again (Heb. 66). Not everyone who calls me Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my draw in heaven wants them to do (Matt. 7 21-27). In this picture we also find the bag of money belonging to Judas, who betrayed the Lord Jesus and sold Him for thirty silver coins, because the love of money had taken hold of his heart and that was all he could think of.The lantern, chains, etc. , were used by the soldiers who took Jesus prisoner by night. The dice, so often used for gambling, were used by the soldiers when they gambled for His clothes. They gamble for my clothes and portion out them among themselves (Psalm 2218). They took everything from Jesus, but Himself they jilted, saying We dont want this man to be our king. People in general want to receive all the blessings from God, all the rain and all the sunshine, but they do not want to commit themselves to serving God as their Lord and Master.To many, God is only good enough to help in times of trouble and despair. With the spear, the soldiers pierced His side and heart and at once blood and water poured out (John 1933-37). Before the cock crowed, Peter sai d three times that he did not know Jesus, but 21 later he repented cry bitterly (Matt. 2669-75). Do you declare openly that you have given your heart to Jesus Christ, by what you say and do? Or are you ashamed to let others know? Jesus said, If anyone declares publicly that he belongs to me, I will do the same for him before my Father in heaven.But if anyone rejects me publicly, I will reject him before my Father in heaven (Matt. 1032,33). Jesus also said, Whoever does not take up his cross and follow in my steps is not play to be my disciple (Matt. 1038). Happy are those who find protection in the Rock, Jesus Christ Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee Let the water and the blood From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin the double cure neaten me from its guilt and power. THE FIFTH PICTURE This picture shows the clean and purified heart of the sinner saved by Gods abundant grace and mercy.It has become a straightforward temple of God, the home of God, the F ather, the Son and Holy Spirit, according to the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ, Whoever loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and my Father and I will come to him and live with him (John 1423). God honours, blesses and uplifts man through Jesus Christ (Luke 152). The heart has now become a true temple of God. Sin has been driven out. Instead of the various animals controlled by Satan, the father of lies, we see the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, living in the heart.Instead of being the breeding place of sin, the heart has become a beautiful, fruit-bearing guide or garden, bearing the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, humility, patience, kindness, goodness, foldingness, self control and others which are acceptable and pleasing to God and man (Gal. 522-23). He has now become a fruit-bearing branch of the real vine our Lord Jesus Christ. The secret of this fruit-bearing is that he clay united with Christ, and Christ and His words remain in him (John 151-10). As he has been filled and baptised with the Holy Spirit, he has power to 22 . The temple of God 23 defeat the human nature and its desires, and to put it to death (Gal. 524). The Holy Spirit directs his life, and he does not satisfy the desires of the human nature (Gal. 516). He no longer lives by what he sees, hears and feels, but by faith for we win the conquest over the world by means of our faith (1 John 54). He lives with assurance and hope and is strengthened by the chance of the near return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He lives experiencing the love of God, which remains for ever. Happy are the pure in heart they will see God (Matt. 58). King David, in spite of all his riches and his victories over his enemies, knew that the greatest battle was taking place in his own heart and recognizing his deep spiritual need, prayed, Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me (Psalm 5110). Nobody is able to purify his own heart, or to create a clean heart, unless through truly repenting he comes to God as David did, asking God to create a pure heart in him. God wants to do a new thing in your life.Mending the torn, tattered clothes of your own goodness with false promises and securities will not make your heart a worthy dwelling-place for God. He is only too willing to help you, because He has promised, I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean from all your idols and everything else that has defiled you. I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone, and give you an obedient heart. I will put my spirit in you and I will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you (Ezek. 3625-27).This is the message of the New Testament which God has given to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. In this picture we also notice the angel re-appearing. Angels are appointed to guard those who honour the Lord and legal transfer them from danger (Psalm 347 9 111 Dan. 622 Matt. 213 1339 1810 Acts 519 127-10). The devil is also seen in this picture, standing close to the heart, as if watching for an opportunity to re-enter his former home. For this reason we are warned to be alert, be on the watch Your enemy, the Devil, roams round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 58).Very often he is disguised as an angel of light, tempting incautious children of God with the desires of this world, trying, by his silky, to deceive even Gods chosen people. If, however, we resist the devil, he will run away from us (James 47). THE SIXTH PICTURE This is the sad picture of a backslider. One eye is beginning to close, showing that he is beginning to grow cold and sleepy in his Christian life, while the other eye is shamelessly looking around, making love with the world. The light inside has adult dim, and the pictures in his heart, showing his readiness to suffer with Christ have fallen and are no longer upright.He is surrounded by temptations to which he is slowly giving in instead of resisting them. Instead of listening to Gods voice he now begins to listen to the devils cunning suggestions and false promises. Although he may still be a church-goer, cover his desires for the things of the world under a form of religion, the love for God has grown cold in his heart. He has become undecided, standing still among two ways. He begins to play with the things of the world, and only pretends to love God. The star in his heart, the conscience, grows dim.The cross is no longer carried with a smile, but becomes an unwelcome, heavy load. His faith begins to shake, he stops communicating with God in prayer, becomes unconcerned and careless about his hearts condition and slowly makes room for the devil who is waiting outside his heart. He enjoys the company of sinful people more than the company of true children of God. The peacock, representing pride, begins to look for a way in again. He may have forgotten that he was saved by grace alone, and becomes a proud Christian. The desire for drinking alcohol knocks at the door and wants to come in.It may be on a special occasion, in the company of sinful friends, where he is ashamed to be thought different, a weakling, or unsociable, that the devil tells him that this one occasion will not hurt his spiritual life. Unspiritual thoughts and desires make themselves felt. Perhaps he begins to enjoy dirty jokes, to look again and again with pleasure at indecent pictures, and enjoy the wrong company, going to dance-halls, evil worldly entertainments, taking to heart sinful suggestions from the devil who tells him that this is human nature and that one sin is not really wrong.Truly, we cannot help it if the wild birds of evil and bad thoughts fly over our heads, but we are guilty if we allow them to control us and make their nests in our hearts, breeding out their evil deeds. If we give the devil our little finger, he is sure to grab the whole hand, dragg ing soul and spirit into everlasting hell. Therefore Gods earnest exemplar to us, is to avoid the passions of youth and not to 25 24 play with sin, no matter in what way it may come. Run to Jesus, the protector and defender.The man seen in this picture stabbing the heart with a dagger, speaks of those who mock and resist Christianity. With their false tongues and mocking lips they stab and wound the hearts of Christians attacks which a separate heart cannot survive. He begins to fear men more than God and because of fear of what man will say and do, he becomes the slave of men, and drifts away from God. Anger and bad temper show themselves in times of trouble and disappointments, and tweet their way in.That evil snake of jealousy, which appears when others are more successful and prosperous, will weirdo in without warning, and if given half a chance, will open the door to hatred and pride. It is so easy for the love of money to creep into our hearts unless we obey the warnings of our Lord Jesus when He says, Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation (Matt. 2641). Whoever thinks he is standing firm had better be careful that he does not fall (1 Cor. 1012). We must put on all the equip that God gives us, so that we will be able to stand up against the devils evil tricks (Eph. 11-18). THE SEVENTH PICTURE This picture reveals the condition of the backslidden heart of man, who after he was once in Gods light and had tasted heavens gift and original his share of the Holy Spirit, has abandoned his faith (Heb. 64). It also shows the condition of a person who has never repented or given his life over to God, in spite of the fact that the truth of the Gospel, called the Good News, has been offered and revealed to him. A man who is stubborn when God speaks to him, will grow worsened and worse in spite of his useless efforts to change himself.Jesus Himself described the backsliders condition when He said, When an evil spirit goes out of a person, i t travels over dry country looking for a place to rest. If it cant find one, it says to itself, I will go back to my house. So it goes back and finds the house clean and tidy. Then it goes out and brings septet other spirits even worse than itself, and they come and live there. So when it is all over, that person is in a worse state than he was at the beginning (Luke 1124-26). What happened to them shows that the proverbs 27 6. The tempted and divided heart 26 7. The backslidden or stubborn heart 28 re true A dog goes back to what it has vomited and A pig that has been washed goes back to roll in the mud (2 Peter 222). These Scriptures clearly explain the condition of a backsliders or the unrepentant sinners heart. Sin in all its deceitfulness has come again to stay and control the heart. Even his face reveals, in a certain way, the condition of his heart. The Holy Spirit, that gentle dove, is forced to leave the heart, as sin and the Holy Spirit cannot live together. It is imposs ible for the heart to be a temple of God and at the same time a hideout for Satan.The angel, the Word of God, has to leave sorrowfully, still looking back, hoping that he or she may still repent like the lost son, who wished he could fill himself with the bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat. At last he came to his senses and said, I will get up and go to my father and say, Father, I have sinned against God and against you. 1 am no longer fit to be called your son (Luke 1516-20). The father, on seeing his sorrowful son, forgave him and received him joyfully. The heart in this picture shows no sign of true repentance, no bit to God, no searching for forgiveness at the feet of Jesus.His conscience is as though burnt with a hot iron and put to silence. He has ears but cannot hear the pleading voice of Jesus. He has eyes but cannot see the bottomless hole of hell open wide at his feet. He no longer feels ashamed of continuing in his sins. Satan has come to rule i n his heart and is seated as a king on his throne. It is possible that he may still boast of being outwardly decent and respectable, of having a religious appearance, like a hush up tomb which looks fine on the outside but is full of clappers and decaying corpses on the inside (Matt. 2327). The father of lies occupies the place of the Spirit of Truth.Every animal, every sin goes hand in hand with a special demon and evil spirit and occupies his heart. Although he would like to set himself free from these evil tormentors, they keep him bound. Anyone who disobeys the Law of Moses is put to death without any mercy when judged guilty on the evidence of two or more witnesses. What, then, of the person who despises the Son of God? who treats as a cheap thing the blood of Gods pledge which purified him from sin? who insults the Spirit of grace? Just think how much worse is the punishment he will deserve (Hebr. 1028,29 2 Peter 21-14).Should this picture agree with the condition of your heart, dear friend, cry to God without delay, from the depth of your heart. He is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through Him (Heb. 725), and is also able and willing to forgive all sins, if 29 you come in true repentance. He can restrain the devil and all his demons, and drive them out of your heart, if you are only willing to let Him do so. Come like the leper who came to Jesus and said, If you want to, you can make me clean. Jesus was filled with pity, and stretched out His hand and touched him. I do want to, He answered. Be clean (Mark 140, 41). But if you hide to be stubborn, and love darkness rather than light, there is no hope, no help, because you are choosing death instead of life sin pays its wage-death (Rom. 623). THE eighth PICTURE Here we find the stubborn sinner who has postponed making a decision to follow Christ, approaching death, his body may be full of pain and his soul filled with the fear of death. Death (the skeleton) has come at an une xpected and unwanted time. The false pleasures of sin have disappeared, and the awful reality of the high and dreadful cost of sin now has to be faced. The agonies of hell are becoming real to him.Although he now longs to pray, he finds he cannot communicate with God whose love he has rejected for so long. His friends are afraid to stand at his bedside, and their empty words of comfort cannot help him now. His riches can neither lengthen his life, nor save his soul, nor reduce the bedevilment of his soul. He finds it impossible to concentrate on God because the devil does not give him an opportunity to do so. Everything he once loved and lived for, seems to mock him and even his unreliable, probably unsaved minister, priest or church drawing card cannot help him now, as he has rejected the love of God and has come under His judgement.He begins to realise that it is a terrifying thing to fall into the turn over of the living God (Heb. 1031). He had hoped to give his life to God wh en it suited him, or on his deathbed, but now he finds it is too late. Thousands of people die suddenly, without having a chance to turn to God on their deathbeds. It is therefore essential to turn to God while He is near. Instead of hearing the comforting and saving words of God, this dying sinner who rejected the forgiveness and love of God during his lifetime now has to hear the voice of his Judge, the Saviour whom he rejected, saying Away from me, you that are under Gods curseAway to the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 2541). Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God (Heb. 927). 30 8. The sinners judgement 31 THE NINTH PICTURE This picture represents a Christian who remains faithful and wins the conquest over painful tests and temptations. While he is tempted on all sides, he remains firm and holds out to the end, being successful through Jesus Christ. He has not only entered the Christian race, but he is continuing in it , running with determination, keeping his eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end (Heb. 21,2). Satan with all his demons surrounds the believing heart, trying without success to lead the child of God the wrong way. Pride, the love of money, immorality, and others, are also represented. In the place of the leopard we now see a donkey, for often sin comes to us in another way, and hides itself in a different form or name. But the watchful Christian knows it is sin even when it comes in the form of religion, or as an angel of light, for the Word of God and the Holy Spirit lead him to the truth.A man, holding a glass of wine in the one hand, dances around the Christian and tries to tempt him with the false pleasures of the world. It has, however, no effect on the use Christian, as he has been put to death with Christ as far as sin and worldly desires are concerned. The fleck man in the picture, is stabbing the Christian with a dagger. Insults, gossiping, m ocking and threats through unbelievers and very often through so-called believers are constantly stabbing the heart of the true believer. But he does not listen to what people say and cares only about what God says.He remembers the words of Jesus. Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven (Matt. 511, 12). Our sinful nature and the devil, are constantly trying their best to separate the Christian from the love of God. But with great joy and confidence he can truly say, Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? (Rom. 835). No, in all these things we have complete victory through Him who loved us (Rom. 837). Having put on all the fit out of God, he is able to resist the devils attacks, when the evil day comes, and after battle to the end , still to hold his ground through Jesus Christ, who won the victory over all kinds of trials and temptations, that through Him we should win the victory and receive a glorious crown which will never lose its brightness (Eph. 610-18, 1 Pet. 54). 32 9. The fetching heart 33 THE STAR of his conscience is clear and bright. His heart is full of faith and filled with the Holy Spirit.The angel, as the Word of God, reminds him of the rich blessings given to them that win the victory and hold out to the end. To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of God. Those who win the victory will not be hurt by the second death. To those who win the victory I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give each of them a white stone on which is written a new name. To those who win the victory, who strain to the end to do what I want, I will give the same authority that I received from my Father. Those who win the victory will be clothed like this in white, and I will not select their names from the book of the living. In the presence of my Father and of His angels I will declare openly that they belong to me. I will make him who is victorious a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never leave it. To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on His throne (Rev. 27, 11, 17, 26 35, 12, 21). THE OPEN BAG OF MONEY shows that not only his heart, but also his money is dedicated to God.Instead of wasting his money, he is help the poor, giving his tithes (the tenth part of his income) and offerings or even all he possesses, to God, using everything for the glory of God. THE LOAF OF BREAD AND THE FISH indicate that he lives a clean and self-controlled life. He does not spoil his life with strong drink or by eating unclean food (Acts 1520). He does not waste his money, neither does he destroy his body (whic h is the temple of God), by chewing or smoking tobacco in any form, neither does he use drugs or harmful medicines, but eats wholesome, clean, nourishing food.His own heart has become a house of prayer. He also attends church services regularly and respectfully, in all kinds of weather and under all circumstances. He loves prayer, whether it be in the church or with his family, or in his own room, for he knows that a Christian cannot grow without communicating with God in prayer. THE OPEN BOOK indicates that the Bible is an open book to him, and he reads and studies it daily, finding wisdom and strength, life and light, and limitless riches in it. It has become a lamp to guide him and a sword with which he defeats the devil.It is the daily spiritual food for his soul, water to put an end to his thirst, a bath in which to clean himself, and a mirror in which he sees himself. 34 He loves to carry his cross, for he knows that there will be no reward without the cross. As he knows that he has risen with Christ so that he might live a new life, he sets his heart on the things that are in heaven, keeping his mind fixed on things there, not on things here on earth (Col. 31-2). He is ready to meet God and is like a tree that grows beside a stream that bears fruit at the right time (Ps. 3) like a branch of the real vine, bearing much fruit. He does not know the fear of death, for the perfect love of God, which he has received through the Holy Spirit, has filled his heart. THE TENTH PICTURE Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die (John 1125, 26). Whoever hears my words and believes in Him who sent me has eternal life. He will not be judged, but has already passed from death to life (John 524). Death holds neither fear nor punishment for the Christian. Death is destroyed victory is complete Where death is your victory? Where death is your power to hurt? Tha nks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1554-57). A person who has lived and walked with God is not afraid of death. When the time comes for him to die, he will go gladly, as the Apostle Paul puts it, I want very much to leave this life and to be with Christ, which is a far better thing (Phil. 123). A Christian longs to see the face of Jesus who died for him and paid the equipment casualty for his sins on the cross.The Holy Spirit also reminds him of the words of Jesus, Do not be worried and upset. Believe in God and believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Fathers house I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am (John 141-4). What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor. 29). There is no language on earth by which one can explain or describe the splendour of the heavenly city prepared for them that walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ here on earth.Instead of the trepid skeleton (death), the angel or messenger of God is seen in this last picture. He is waiting to carry the clean spirit back to God. consciousness and spirit are set free from the imprisonment of the mortal body, and muster through the open gates of heaven to 35 Jesus who loves him and who died for him on the cross. A happy welcome waits for him in the presence of God where he is greeted by his Lord and Master with these words of praise, Well done, you good and faithful servant Come on in and share my happiness (Matt. 2521).Satan has no control over him any more, for The poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the feast in heaven (Luke 1622). Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, Write this Happy are those who from now on die in the service of the Lord Yes indeed answers the Spirit. They will enjoy rest from their hard work, because the results of their service go with them (Rev. 1413). LA ST ADMONITION Dear reader, may God help you to give your heart to Him who loves you, for He is speaking to you now saying, turn back to Me with all your heart (Deut. 302).Give Jesus your tired, disappointed, aching heart, and He will give you a new heart and a new mind. Do not be deceived by your deceitful heart or follow its desires, for from a persons heart, come the evil ideas which lead him to do immoral things (Mark 721). Leave your sins and hold onto what is right, for sin pays its wage death but Gods free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 623). And you who have given your life to God, hold heavily to the true words that I taught you, as the example for you to follow, and remain in the faith and love that are ours in union

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