HAPPY NEW YEAR...Celebrities Homeless...Is This The Judgement Of God???

Happy New Year from Supt. Harvey Burnett, the Dunamis Word and all of the ministries that feed into the Dunamis Word, to ALL readers and supporters. 

May the Lord bless you with all blessings this year and may you see an immediate turnaround for the good in your circumstance. 

GOD is yet good and we/you have a lot of work to do. 

Special blessings to all my fellow CANCER SURVIVORS! 

We are RAPHA strong!!!!

Keep your eyes open, in the Lord's name, things will be accomplished that have never been done before. WE believe God!

California Wildfires

Already, in 2025, the Southern California wildfires have taken everyone's attention. In addition to the loss of life (currently at 24 individuals at the time of this writing, with 16 persons missing) and amount and type of land that has been burned, has taken everyone by surprise.

The latest stats are as follows:

Eaton Canyon 

Having begun on Jan. 7th, the fire has burned over 14,117 acres the fire is only at 15% containment. 7,000 structures damaged or destroyed and 2,832 people assigned to the fight. 

Palisades

The Palisades Fire began in the Pacific Palisades area of the city on Jan. 7th. It is at 23,707 acres in size with 11% containment. At least 5,613 structures have been destroyed which includes 426 homes, with at least five people confirmed killed.

Hurst 

The Hurst Fire in Sylmar, northwest of San Fernando, began on Jan. 7th and has burned 799 acres. It is at 89% containment.

It is expected that over 500,000 students within Los Angeles County will continue to be out of school and the expansion of fire due to weather risk extends beyond mid-week. 

Is This The Judgement Of God? 

The largest question that has arisen within the Christian community has been, "Is this fire the judgment of God?"

To address this issue, I believe that we must first observe the fact that wildfires in the West have long been devastating claiming many homes, acres and lives over the years.

Examination: 

Interestingly enough, in 2023 although there were comparatively more wildfires (55,571), this year presented the least amount of acres burned since 2000. (approximately 2,633,636 acres) In 2024 there were 61,685 wildfires and 8,851,142 acres burned. which is the 2nd lowest total since 2012. 

Aug. 8th 2023, on the island paradise of Maui, Hawaii in the city of Lahaina, over 114 people were killed, 2,700 structures destroyed and over 1,000 acres of land burned in a fire of epic proportions which began with high winds and a downed power line. SOURCE 

In fact in 2023, I remember that the air quality due to American wildfires and sudden Canadian wildfires, became so bad in the Midwest that we were under air quality alert for quite some time. SOURCE Many people, including myself, suffered from the poor air quality during that time and some continue to suffer from issues encountered during that time even today.  

The REAL Question....

"Since these fires have devastated what has otherwise been known as strongholds of liberal thought and lifestyle of the rich, and many of who disdain God and Biblical morality, could these fires possibly be the judgement of God?"

In all of this, over 130,000 people and over 30 Hollywood and entertainment celebrities and their families, have been forced to evacuate their homes, devastated by what is now known as the Southern California wildfires. 

Actors and actresses, the ultra wealthy, and lauded celebrities, ranging from Paris Hilton to the Kardashians, to Mel Gibson and John Legend have been made homeless due to these devastating fires and the battle has only just begun with their insurance companies. 

Because many of these individuals hold and promote liberal views, many Christians have sought out to say that these fires prove that God is sick of the ultra wealthy and the ultra liberal views that many of them have embraced. 

Now, all of those things are considerations that one can undertake, but are those sentiments Biblical and do they pertain to this case and the results of these fires? 

I mean, look, this blog certainly doesn't uphold liberal or open morality and or anti-biblical views. Our readers are strengthened because we uphold the Bible, Biblical inerrancy, and Biblical morality.  However, we also speak out against fanaticism, religious or otherwise. We abhor the desire to see anyone suffer, or the desire to see anyone murdered or killed (including political figures) and it be called "the judgement of God"...

The Dunamis Word, certainly doesn't hold the judgement of the ungodly or any experience in which there is loss of life and or material, a badge of honor for us or anyone to flaunt. We don't place God on the platform of a social vigilante. God is God. He is a savior and a true judge and he raises up one and sets down another at his bidding (Ps.75.:7) and in his due time for his own purpose. All them that have embraced evil, will be handled. The whole world is ultimately subject to his will. 

With that said, it amazes me to see how many, alleged Christians, can view destruction, loss and suffering of others who have views of morality that they oppose, as an opportunity to point towards and uphold their own self-righteousness, and further use the suffering of other individuals as an opportunity to contend that "God is speaking" and, I suppose, because the wealthy suffer, "God now means business" and we suddenly need to listen more intently.

Reexamination Of Truth

Without a doubt God is not pleased with what we have allowed America to become in the name of "freedom". However, the wealthy and ultra elite are not the only ones to blame for this. It is the common folk, the poor folk and some alleged religious folk, who will pay for those sins and the proliferation of sin in the world as we will discuss. 

Yes, we will pay a price as a nation for over 63 million murders of babies through and by abortion. Yes, we will pay a price for the promotion of homosexuality and now the normalization of transsexuality which encourages the mutilation of children. Yes, I could name many sins, that America has embraced, actions, ways and moral positions that are against God and godliness, and totally unworthy of his blessings...However, with all of that said, God's WORD affirms:

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? ~ Ezek. 33:11

While Ezekiel stops short of saying or speaking about the possessions of the wicked being destroyed, we can safely say that this verse illuminates the nature and character of God as it pertains to the loss of anyone, due to wickedness or evil. The greatest gift is that those who are evil or wicked will turn to God and repent from their evil. However, many are so attached to their evil and the material by which their evil is upheld, that they do not turn to God and refuse to submit themselves to God and that is the real tragedy. 

The problem is that too many of us (alleged Christians) assume that these celebrities are not saved, or do not have favor with God, simply because they are celebrities. Believe me...I believe that every tree will bear or show it's own fruit, but there can be a real problem viewing people through a human lens of righteousness, rather than through a Biblical lens of righteousness, which we are required to do. 

Revealing Facts

To be truthful, in our holiness church, yes, the Grand Ole Church herself, I have shared the pulpit with some who believe many more liberal things, even if unspoken, than many of these, now homeless and allegedly "judged celebrities" ("judged" according to some)...Believe me, I don't exclude the fact that God is speaking to many of the celebrities who never though that they would or could ever experience such devastation. I don't doubt that God is using their loss as a tool to cause an examination of life and ultimately repentance, but let's tell the truth. We have men in pulpits within many Christian churches who are pedophiles (now Minor Attracted Persons...a SINNER by any other name...) and others who are serial adulterers, fornicators, undercover homosexuals and more...

I know of individuals, some popular Bishops, who have reached out for help and freedom from homosexuality allegedly on behalf of their "friends" or alleged "associates"... In addition, as I have interviewed and shown over the years, there are some individuals who have never repented of their sins and continue in pulpits and even in leadership using statute of limitations laws as a cover for their sins.   

Are their homes being burnt down? Are they homeless as a result of their sin and evil? Does God not wish to judge them, while focusing on entertainers some of whom have more moral views than these pulpit and ministry hypocrites???

I really don't mean to sound harsh, but when God begins to judge, his first judgements will be at the House of God...is that not what the WORD says?

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? ~ 1 Pet. 4:17

 Our obedience to the Gospel will be tested. Our faithfulness and fidelity to God is the primary focus of our Lord and savior before he sets the world straight for her sins. 

God's Judgement Offers Clarity Of Voice

One thing is for sure...when GOD SPEAKS he let's the whole world, and the individuals he is speaking to, know that he is speaking and that he has spoken. 

* Noah, spoke for over 100 years warning the people while he built the Ark of God that there was going to be judgement upon the land and the people for their evil and wickedness. 

* Although this was not an act of judgement, God spoke to Abram in Mesopotamia, an area filled with idolatry and much demonic influence, but his voice was altogether so clear until Abram changed his life and the life of his family at the voice of God. (Genesis 12) Later, in an act of judgment  God spoke clearly again to Abraham regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, even sending angels to pronounce his intents prior to the destruction. 

* When God judged Egypt through Moses, this was not done in secret. God commissioned Moses to speak on his behalf and promised that when Moses spoke and raised the rod, he, God, would respond and be faithful to uphold his word and actions. (Ex.3)

* God spoke so clearly that Israel heard his voice in the wilderness and saw his acts and understood his displeasure when they sinned. 

* When God Judged the enemies of Israel, he spoke clearly allowing the people to know that it was he, GOD, doing the judgement. Do you remember Nebuchadnezzar and his ultimate confession that Daniel placed within his narrative in the 1st person? (Dan. 4:36)

* How about David when he was judged by God? Was Nathan silent and did David not know that God was not pleased with his actions and acts before judgement was carried out? (2 Sam. 12)

Now, one could say that warnings have been sent to Hollywood, and that the elite and their works have been revealed and their sins are calling for the reprisal of God. I would certainly agree and do not disagree. The true church has been proactive in speaking to the elite and telling them that their sins and what they promote is certainly before God. They have been preached to and many of them, as well as many ordinary "work a day" Americans, have heard and rejected the truth. However, is their experience, and what we are seeing, a "judgement"? Or is this an opportunity to pause, consider one's ways, dump immorality, repent and be saved???

A Precursor To REAL Judgement And Utter Destruction

What I contend in this article is that what we are witnessing is the precursor to the actual and real judgement that God will bring upon this nation for her sins and evil. God will bring judgement at an appointed time, just like he brought judgement upon Israel for her sins and evil at HIS appointed time. 

We need to understand that there is no amount of wealth or material existence that will save anyone from HIS judgement and ultimate accounting and reconciliation of all things. Lavish living, is not the key or the problem...the love of the world is the issue. (1 Jn. 2:15)

The belief that money exempts one from suffering or that the wealth and accolade of the world somehow places one above others, is called pride and the very look or appearance of pride God hates and ultimately judges. (Prov. 6:16) Why? Because this type of pride (which has little to do with being happy for material success)  suggests and even states explicitly that God is not essential to personal success and being subject to HIM is something either unnecessary or something that a human can dole out according to their will, not HIS. Therefore man exalts himself above God and creates moral relevance that suits himself and is not subject to God in any manner. 

Further Scriptural Insight

Apostle Peter says some very interesting things about the judgement of God along with Paul to Timothy and Paul to the church at Thessalonica. 

In 2 Peter 3:10-13 Peter says:

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Drawing from Zephaniah 1:14-15, Peter associated God's ultimate judgement with "The Day Of The Lord" which comes suddenly, quickly and without warning, "as a thief in the night". Peter does not exclude any pre-judgements that God may make to correct evil and reconcile any wrongs, but here Peter deals with final judgement or the "end of the word".

As Zephaniah suggests, this "Great Day" will not be something seen or witnessed on CNN, FOX, MSNBC or any other television network, radio service or internet or other social media site. When his judgement arrives, it will arrive with a sound and inexplicable and unstoppable actions, along with heat and fire that will change the very nature of existence itself beyond repair.

Jesus builds upon this in Matthew 24:26-44 by stating that the everyone would know and see or experience HIS coming, (v.27) and that the church should simply "be ready" (v.44) for the day of the Lord and that when we don't expect that he will come, for whatever reason, he will be there.(v.44)

In Revelation 16:13-14 John presents a vision of demonic and lieing spirits that proceed from the mouths of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet, in effort to convince humanity to fight against God as he comes visibly, to the world on that "Great day" or the day of judgement.  

After the judgement of God, there will be no human will to rebuild or hope that one can escape. When God makes his judgement, not only will every wrong be accounted for, but death and hell will ultimately be cast into the Lake of Fire forever and there will be noone to oppose the will of God.    

When The REAL and FINAL Judgment of God comes, it will be inescapable. 

The fires we now witness are a reminder of what judgement will do, what it will be like and what hell is...These fires are a reminder and an encouragement for humanity to get it right, in light of what hell is and what it will ultimately mean to all them who forsake God...As property is being lost, most of which is beyond repair, hell is also the place of total loss and abandonment, the place where their is no hope and the place where material possessions or worldly comforts cannot save, protect, heal and or set one free. 

I believe this is the message of the fires for now...GET RIGHT...GET READY...BECAUSE THIS AIN'T YOUR HOME, AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE OR WHERE YOU LIVE, NONE OF THIS BELONGS TO YOU. THE WORLD BELONGS TO GOD, EVEN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR HOUSES AND LAND.  

Even so come Lord Jesus!

Blessed

Sources:
National Centers For Environmental Information, Annual 2024 Wildfires Report    

Read more!

We Pray For Bishop T D Jakes

SEE UPDATE BELOW!!!

I would like those readers of the Dunamis Word Blog to know that we join in prayer for Bishop T D Jakes and his family. 

It seems on Sunday November 24th that Bishop Jakes suffered a health incident at the end of his message. 

Just as we were not amused when President Elect Trump was nearly assassinated, we are not amused by any of these happenings. 

Happily breaking from many, I have posted the following on Facebook:

"We are praying for Bishop Jakes and his family 

Just like we found it abhorrent that anyone would cheer for an assassination attempt on a former, now President Elect Trump, I find it abhorrent that anyone would cheerlead for tragedy of any kind on Bishop TD Jakes. 

This is a sad display of our hearts weakness and inconsistency as we are to be known above all things, by our love! 

Whatever God allows, he allows for his own purpose, not our amusement.

This man is a father, grandfather, servant of the community and world and deserves due respect, no matter doctrinal disagreements or personal flaws or disputes anyone may have with or against him. 

As a cancer survivor, I wish no evil upon anyone and certainly won't gloat over the physical circumstance anyone may experience. 

Blessings, speedy recovery and even greater commitment to end time harvest be upon Bishop. In Jesus name!

Supt. Harvey Burnett"

Whatever one may think, noone at the Dunamis Word is happy for or giddy over tragedy or illness. We always reserve the right to argue doctrine, lifestyle and other issues as they pertain to Biblical morality, as we should do, but we do so without animosity and are humble in light of what God allows considering that this could be any one of us at any given moment. 

May the Lord help and bless the Jakes family and The Potter's House congregation. 

Blessed! 

UPDATE: 

Read more!

Is All Sin And Reconciliation Of Sin The Same? Pt. 1

Please allow me to shed light on a particular subject. This is for those who are bible believers. I would say that this is not for the general public in the sense of examining what is right or wrong outside of a biblical context. This article has no regard for governmental legislation on court process in determining truth, right and wrong. So if I may...

The Case

Some have taken to task to say that "all sins are the same" and that there is no sin greater or worse than another. Therefore, we should treat all sin and all sinners the same.

Sentiments such as these are invoked in particularly as it pertains to homosexuality within the church. Some say,

"Since we have adulterers and fornicators in the church and some of them are in position, if there is a homosexual, they are no worse off than some others caught in sexual sin and therefore should be allowed to participate in the church and in church leadership like any other person."

Bishop O C Allen &
1st Gentleman
Rashad Burgess

Because of this, some conclude that to exclude homosexuals from opportunities within the church, such as the opportunity to lead congregations and various aspects of ministry, that such restrictions are no more than an arbitrary standard of men where closeted and even open sexual impurities are rewarded while openly gay men and women are discouraged and held down. In fact, some say that at least the open gay is living their truth and to say that they are worse than anyone else, including those perverts hiding behind the pulpit, is simply hateful and from a secular point of view, discriminatory.

Now, at first glance, this argument and the relevant issues, seem to have some merit. We would have to admit that although the sin of homosexuality has been around for quite some time, we have known adulterers, fornicators and other sexually immoral persons among our ranks and some of them fill positions, and some even do their deeds openly. There are pastors and bishops and other church leaders, who have not just simply failed or committed sins, but who actively live and lead lifestyles contrary to biblical teachings. 

Look at the men caught on video and film, having sex with both women and men in recent times. Then, there are baby and even adult child scandal dramas regularly. The Greenleaf series on OWN, the source of much recent controversy, is said to deal with and expose the ultra lavish lifestyle and sins of former COGIC Presiding Bishop J O Patterson, who fathered children outside of marriage and lived opulently while the majority of the church was filled with common and ordinary people dedicated to living godly and holy. As stated some of them are "leaders", caught in open heterosexual sins, aspire and achieve to the highest heights of the church.

Because noone sins alone, there are women, within the church, who feel that they are confirmed and affirmed to live in and out of the bed of individuals to whom they are not married. Some even feel that it is their mission and duty, to seek out men for illicit relationships and then "expose" them for what they themselves have contributed to, and spent a great deal of time creating. Recently a woman, seeking to expose a married Bishop, made a videotape of him in a hotel room naked. Although she created the video, if it wasn't for her voice you would never know she was in the room. Certainly he was wrong, but she was a willing agent in destruction, making herself available for sex with a married man. What I am saying is that neither of them had anything to brag about or be proud of.   

To be frank, the church must admit that we have some nasty, slimy, filthy dogs (both male and female) that make it a sport to go through the church, manipulate both men, women and even children, and keep on moving under the pretense of "serving the Lord" in some fashion. 

What We Know:

I would say that although the act of sin has changed, expanded and gone to new levels of perversion, none of the sentiments regarding perversion within the church is new to the scriptures or the church:

2 Tim. 3: 5-6 ~ 5-Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6-For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 

Phil. 3:18-19 ~ 18-(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19-Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 

In fact, the church has known for years that it has adulterous, fornicating and gay singers, and even other leaders within the church that live immorally. Knowing that sexual immorality and impurity exists within the church does not allow or extend a license in any way for such immorality to continue to exist, thrive or proliferate. God's plan is still one of purity, sanctification and holiness within the life of the believer and ultimately within the context of the church. 

1 Thess. 4:3-8 ~ 3-For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4-That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5-Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6-That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7-For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8-He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

"No need to single out gays and lesbians". Sincere critics, who make this assertion, assume that to single out the gay and lesbian is an act of injustice and man made judgement and therefore not "Christlike" because, "all sins are the same" and heterosexual sin is no better or worse than homosexual sin. 

This is and can be rather complex, and there are some believers who sincerely believe in a holy lifestyle that struggle with this observation and these sentiments. So let's examine this for a minute.

Questions:

Is it unjust to address homosexuality within the church, while being silent about heterosexual sins? Does God view that all sexual sins are the same? Is it not "Christlike" to call homosexuality a sin and exclude homosexuals from service within the church? Should the church be an open field of opportunities in leadership to homosexuals embracing the homosexual lifestyle? These are some major questions and issues within many of our churches today and many leaders are struggling with the issues. 

I will attempt to wade into these waters of church introspection. In a couple of parts, I will address and attempt to answer the following issues:

Bishop Allyson D, Nelson Abrams

I ~ Are there varying degrees of both righteousness, sin and reward, punishment or judgement?

II ~ Is homosexuality from a biblical perspective a sin?

III ~ Is there a difference in the nature of homosexual sin, vs. the nature of sin in general in church and within society?

IV ~ Should the church embrace active homosexuals as leaders within the church?

Section I 

A ~ Are there varying degrees of both righteousness, sin and reward, punishment or judgement? 

B ~ Are all sins the same? 

Rev. 20:12 -14 ~ And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13- And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.14- And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Admittedly, there is a lot about judgement that we don't know. Just the unimaginable scene of judgement itself is beyond our capacity to fully understand. However, there is a lot that we do know and are told from scripture. 

For sure all people and sins will be judged. There will be a day when all men will give an account for their sins. The Saint will give an account through and by the grace and mercy of God from a blood-washed condition. His/her sins will be thrown into the sea of forgetfulness, because of their faith in Jesus. Those sins will not be used against us in judgment and will be remembered no more.

According to 1 Cor. 6, the believer will also have part in judgement of angels and will be called to witness against the sins of the world as well. Believers will receive a reward as Jesus referenced in John 14:1.Unbelievers will receive their reward also and will know exactly what and why they are being judged...for rejecting the saving work and power of the Son of God. 

For both sin and for righteousness, there will be a reward. What is often not considered is that scripture indicates that there will be rewards commensurate to sins and there will be rewards commensurate to righteousness as well. 

We often associate our faith or our level of blessing in heaven with a "reward" or commensurate with what we have overcome on earth. Jesus says as much in Mt. 5 in his sermon on the Mount as he was encouraging those who would suffer persecution for the Lord's sake:

Mt. 5:11-12 ~ 11-Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12-Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

"Great is your reward in heaven" specifically points out that not only will a person be rewarded with heaven itself, but shall be rewarded in a comparatively great manner with additional rewards aside from heaven only. 

In heaven, there are four and twenty elders who sit around the throne. (Rev. 4:10, 5:8, 14, 7:13, 11:16, 14:3). In Mt. 20:20-23 when responding to the request of  the mother of Zebedee's sons, aka the "sons of thunder" Jesus indicated that only God had the power to place anyone on the right and left, indicating the place of great reward, recognition and honor. As Jesus explained this "position" or honor was commensurate with the work of suffering that would be done by the individual and by the will and command of God. 

Jesus responds to Peter's "we have left all" after speaking to the rich young ruler saying: 

Mt. 19:28-29 ~ 28-And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29-And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life

Jesus reveals who at least half of those 24 elders were and would be that sat upon thrones in heaven and on his right and left hand saying that not only would they receive "everlasting life" but also the reward of "an hundredfold" which was Jewish idiom of the day to indicate a great or wonderful blessing.  

Then there is Paul in 1 Cor. 3: 11-15. Paul here speaks of the works that we do and how some of them would be "burnt up" and others remaining. He indicates that both individuals who present works will be saved, but only the one whose works are not burned up will receive "a reward" (1 Cor. 3:14b). Yes, the ultimate reward is heaven, but there are degrees of gifts that shall be received by each believer. 

On The Flip Side

We often, however, overlook that sins and failure will be met with the same degree of temperament and reward as well. Here is what Luke records:

Luke 12:47-48 ~ 47-And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.48-But he that knew not, and
did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him
they will ask the more.

In Luke, Jesus illustrates that the one who "knew" the will of the lord, but failed in that was beaten with "many" stripes, while the other was beaten with "few" stripes simply because those who had been given much to work with shall have a greater responsibility for their failure in refusing to do what God has said to do (in this case an earthly lord would even be cognizant of this difference). This is a principle that Jesus outlines that cannot simply be overlooked. 

I believe that this is a direct allusion to the varying penalty for sin and wrongdoing. For one, there is "less" of a judgment or penalty to pay, even though there is or has been a violation. For another there is a greater punishment or penalty, because the person, though equipped, refused to prepare and hear. Men appear to be judged according to what they have received or been given.   

David cries that the Lord will reward the wicked according to their own works and evil deeds: Ps. 28:4) Yet other scriptures agree that men shall be paid according to their works (Mt. 16:27, Rev. 20:12,13, 2 Cor. 11:15, Rom. 2:6 (the repetition of Ps.28:4) 

B) Are all sins the same? 

Obviously, what is sin is sin. There is no question about what is wrong being wrong. However, if there are different or varying degrees of reward, punishment and judgement about both righteousness and sins, then not only is every reward the same but neither is every sin is equal. Because of justice neither is every sin rewarded the same.

"Thou shalt not steal" (Ex. 20:15, Deut. 5:19) We all know the command. However, there is a difference between a parent who steals 3lbs. of ground beef from a grocery store to feed his family, and a person who steals from individuals to enrich themselves. 

Yes, both have violated both natural law and the law of God. However, like Jesus' views on the Sabbath, Jesus often views the application of the law through the lens of humanity and human experience. Not that he is soft on sin, but he tempers his judgement with righteousness.

David & The Shewbread (1 Sam. 21:6 & Mt. 12:4)

We all remember David in escaping from Saul along with his men. They became hungry and went into the temple at Nob asking to eat bread that was dedicated to the use and consecration of priestly service. (1 Sam. 21) In this scenario, David was reminded of the Law which restricted the use of the bread. However, the priest after giving a very minimal test regarding holiness, gave to David and he ate the bread along with his companions and was not chastised by the Lord for doing so.

Jesus, in Mt. 12:4, when confronted about doing good on the Sabbath Day, argued that although it was unlawful to eat the bread, the bread served a greater purpose and that was to fulfill the will of God toward HIS people. As a type, the bread actually represented Jesus himself, who by the breaking of his body (bread) would actually sustain the word and allow a new Kingdom to enter the world giving us life by his reign.

In this case, what was obviously a "sin" according to the literal interpretation and rendering of scripture, was not judged as so. The reconciliation of the event was in accord with the purpose and command of God.

By Contrast

Adolph Hitler and many with him were responsible for the extermination and genocide of over 7 million Jews and people who sympathized with the Jewish people in Nazi Germany. Families were destroyed, broken up, children, boys and girls, raped, property stolen and people left to suffer. Even over 70 years removed from the events, the atrocities are yet being revealed.  

Is there anyone willing to argue that Hitler's reward in his judgement will be the same as one who has never murdered or broken up families nor embraced racism? Or the same as a person who has not offended humanity on the scale of Hitler's offense? Certainly Hitler will be made to pay for and be judged according to his sins.  The same with Caesar Nero, Stahlin, Pol Pot and a host of others that have used and abused humanity. They will not escape neither judgment nor the reward of their sins! However, their sins will not be rewarded on the same scale as one who stole a biscuit or a pack of ground beef or steaks because they were hungry.

At this point, I can say with confidence that I don't know how God will judge and adjudicate all situations. However, I can say with confidence that God is a JUST judge and he will judge justly.

Final thought in this section: During the Mt. Olivet discourse, Jesus spoke of adultery. Prior to his missive, people thought that there was a difference between their actions and their thoughts. (Mt. 5:27-28) Theirs was a strict, literal interpretation of scripture's teaching against such sins. However, they missed that an evil heart is ultimately equally as bad as wicked actions. Jesus said that if a man, "looks upon a woman" with intent  "to lust after her" has committed adultery. Those who thought that they can lust inwardly without judgement, were caught in their sins with the realization that God saw them and was a judge of the "intents" of the heart as well as the actions of the flesh. So they would not escape judgement by embracing sin on any level.

However, sin by a man's actions creeps into other parts of a person's life. Sin in the heart is worthy of judgement, but sin acted upon could be even worse. A man thinking about an affair, takes it to a new stage of unrighteous reward by acting out upon his thoughts. A man thinking of murder, may be guilty in his heart, but by acting out takes his unrighteous reward to a new level. Same with any sin. Carrying these things out create and produce a greater level of unrighteous reward. 

Yes, in an ultimate sense, sin is sin. All sin is unworthy of a holy God. However, there is a difference and additional penalty for those acting out on their sins or lust. A man looks at a woman and has an inordinate desire. The same man pursues the object of his lust, establishes an illicit relationship. Judgment comes. BOTH will be judged in their sins, but God will distribute the reward as well, as he has promised to personally judge "whore mongers and adulterers I will judge" (Heb. 13:4) It is there that God will look at and see the heart, intents and actions and judge righteously. The actions of unrighteousness will not receive a pass, but God will correct and set the record straight.

All sins are not the same. Some are worse than others. Only God will distinguish the difference in judgment and with regard for unrighteous deeds. However, on earth we can obviously see that all evil does not have the same outcome even though all evil is offensive to a holy God. The other problem with sin and evil is when people seek to normalize it and make it seem right or just. This in and of itself is a great evil and a sin. To rationalize sin as righteousness, is an offense! 

Summary

In this part, I believe that I have established from a scriptural perspective that although heaven in and of itself is a reward, there are additional rewards in heaven that will be given based on faithful service and the work of the believer. I have also established that there is a variation of punishment and judgement that will be delivered as well. So on its face, if there is a variation of the punishment of sin as we can see from scripture, all sins are not the same.

The ultimate reconciliation of unrepentant sin is the same. Hell. However, the rewards and degrees of punishment is unequal and based on the depth of sin that a person embraced, even in their unbelief.

In Pt. 2 I will deal with homosexuality and reconcile the actions of a practicing homosexual with the actions of the heterosexual and with those who engage in various types of relationships and answer the questions, "Is homosexuality a sin? Should homosexuals be promoted or encouraged in ministry positions within the church?" and more.

Blessed! 

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Russian Christians Under Attack...Told To Not Share Their Faith In Public

For the first time in our history, the people of Russia are the most abundant readers in any month of the Dunamis Word Blog. This, of course, is quite a surprise to the founder of the blog in that the Dunamis Word centers and focuses on the American church and social issues within the American community more than any other topic.

FIRST, we WELCOME the fine Russian people and their readership! I personally appreciate the fact that this message and insights are traveling across the globe, whether one agrees with the opinions and concerns expressed or not, it just may be that there is something being said and or examined here that is hopefully assisting individuals with this thing called LIFE!!!!

That leads to another point however...The complete American political fiasco...It could be that the Russian people are looking for the outside story on the political happenings in America and I don't blame them for searching...The media is certainly bias, no matter how much they claim to be independently owned and operated...Anytime corporate America owns anything and money is involved, one can rest assured that the allegiance will be to those "greasing the pan" as opposed to those of us who make the grease!

America is still not communist, at least officially, however large segments of our population have accepted socialism as acceptable within society. Look at the Democratic Party's finalist...a self avowed socialist named Bernie Sanders, who has never even claimed to be a Democrat. In fact the love for Sander's Socialism and the views he expressed that were rooted in socialist values and even borderline Communism, threatened and still yet threatens to tear away at the core of American politics and social values both now and for years to come.

Religious Freedoms Under Attack

Then, maybe, it is the spiritual awakening that is taking place in Russia due to the spiritual attack that has been levied on the Russian religious population by its government. Recently, President Putin enacted legislation banning evangelization by any and all religious groups outside of their places of worship. In other words, it is now law that one cannot share their faith outside of a religious building, or a building designated for religious use. According to the law, one cannot even share one's faith even in their own home!

Read HERE:
"Russia's Newest Law No Evangelizing Outside Of Church"

Yes, this is disturbing and it is problematic for Western Christians to see the stage set for persecution and further abuse of Christians around the world.  

The good news is that for years we have heard from organizations that have missionaries within Russia, that there is a revival taking place and that the Russian people are renewing faith in Christ like never before. I believe that is GOOD!!!! The bad news is that because of the threat of terrorism, the Christian faith, as well as all faiths, have been thrown into the potpourri of confusion and the seething cauldron of restrictions designed to stop the practice and acceptance of faith and ultimately the gospel of Jesus itself. 

Well, America is not too far away from that in some form. Those calling themselves "freethinkers"  and believing that "freedom from religion" are American values, have long said that religion does not belong in "public life" (even though many of them don't want religion in private life either). The fact is that this attack on religion, though inspired by Muslim extremists such as ISIS, is focused on Christianity now more than ever before and real Christians, who are not called to live in a corner or abject obscurity, will suffer the brunt of the effort. 

Who Is To Blame?

With all of that said, the blame for this attack upon Christianity and Christian values, cannot be laid at the feet of Russian communism, Islam, terrorism or any other "ism". It can be laid at the feet of a BACKSLIDDEN CHURCH who has failed to keep itself pure in this world and who have become just like any and all other men!

Believe me...I personally don't fear communism and although I firmly believe in the values of freedom and a capitalistic society and what we have come to call American values, I embrace all my communist friends and even those seeking freedom from communism and communist baggage. I embrace all those Christians who live in a communist country, but who want better for their children and families, just like I do. My fear is not communism but that of a DRUNK, backslidden church, enamored with its own self appellation and pursuing its own self aggrandizement rather than seeking its God. My fear is that of a church who will accept any ungodly and unbiblical behavior, even shaming those who speak out against it, as if being quiet against sin is the highest calling of God to this world. 

These are the things to be fearful of if anything at all...not communism or even socialism...However, I pray for the peace and safety of my fellow Christian brothers and sisters in Russia who have the same burning desire as I do to share their faith and to be what God has called them to be. I appreciate your circumstance and stand with you during this time of the great falling away from the faith. I would that Christians around the world would join along with you and your families and communities of faith in prayer to the great God that we serve that shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing. 

Be STRONG my Russian friends and fellow Christians and may the Lord continue to be with you! That is my prayer, in JESUS name!!!!

Ephes 6:10-12 ~ 10-Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11-Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12-For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in highplaces. 

Blessed!  

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"Krisis" Judgement & The New Sexual Morality Of The Church Pt. 1

The church is under much duress. The attack of the enemy from outside of the church is small and even insignificant when it is considered what is being experienced from within the church. We have false and fanatical teachings and doctrines being proliferated and accepted as if all teachings lead to God. We have apostate leaders, who's only mission is politics and catering to political whims. The modern church is struggling with the acceptance of homosexuality and homosexual unions and even homosexuals in the ministry. There are now bishops and pastors, both male and female who have either ordained themselves or manipulated someone into ordaining them who live gay lifestyles and embrace homosexual immorality claiming that the "bible" covers and or endorses their sins.

As if the rise and seeming acceptance of homosexual sin were not bad enough, we also have a new generation of individuals embracing heterosexual sin and pushing it to sad new heights. The advent of the socially oriented church and so called "reality TV" heavily discussed on social media, has afforded us the ability to turn on the plasma to observe fornicators, adulterers, yet professing to be Christians, pursuing sexual impurity as a "choice" within Christian Christian circles. It is as if living immoral, is not really immoral, and that the believer has a "choice" and that the results and penalties of the wrong choice are merely a minimal inconvenience. 

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Except Those Days Should Be Shortened

Matthew 24: 21-22 ~ "21-For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22-And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."

The devastation and loss of human life and life in general has never been so pronounced in this generation as we have seen over the last 10 years or so. From, mass wildlife die-offs to earthquakes, tsunami's, volcano eruptions and more, it seems that the Earth and those of us on it are under attack. According to the US Geological Survey over 1 million people, an average of 100,000 per year, have died as a direct result of the most dangerous earthquakes in the last 10 years around the world. According to data compiled from the by the same organization, there is an upward trend of about 150 earthquakes per year above category 6 over the last 30 years. This averages out to be about 3 per week somewhere in the world. Although that number spikes at times, it is generally holding to that trend.    

Japanese Coast Line
Before (above) and after (below)

Because there are advanced detection and sensor systems in use, scientists have been able to observe some rather interesting effects that the natural disasters have caused. Scientists can now measure how these events effect the whole Earth. Most specifically when we look at some of the recent earthquakes we find that they actually effected the Earth's rotation and axis resulting in a reduction in time by causing the Earth's rotation to speed up. According to a a Yahoo News article by Liz Goodwin:

• The quake off of the Japanese coast shifted the earth's axis by 6.5 inches, and also shortened the day by 1.6 microseconds. It also  and sank Japan downward by about two feet and moved it closer to the United States by 8 feet.  

• The 2010  massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile also shortened the day by 1.26 microseconds

• The 2004 Sumatra quake shortened the length of day by 6.8 microseconds and shifted Earth's axis by 2.76inches

Dr. Richard Gross of NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, stated the following:

"An earthquake can make Earth rotate faster by nudging some of its mass closer to the planet's axis, just as ice skaters can speed up their spins by pulling in their arms. Conversely, a quake can slow the rotation and lengthen the day if it redistributes mass away from that axis" 

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Does God Create Tragedy?

In our post, "Haiti-Did God Do This?" I gladly set forth the notion that God was not the author of the Haitian devastation through earthquake and that God did not rise to kill or destroy the thousands that lost their lives during this tragic event.

As stated in that post, atheists like Christopher Hitchens, suggest that God, if he exists, is responsible for such destruction in either one or two ways:

1- Either he causes the destruction to make people pray to him. Which is somewhat of a traditional Christian  sentiment also.

Or

2- That He (God) causes the destruction according to his will.

Throughout this God is  unresponsive to the people's cry for help therefore, allowing the people to suffer in pain needlessly.  An example of needless pain according to the critic would be a person who dies after laying under the rubble for 5 to 7 days. Why couldn't God have simply put them out of their misery earlier or better yet, protected them from the tragedy to begin with?

There are many worthy and notable questions that arise from these sentiments and  declarations that are certainly worth our attention. Although not popular with some, I believe the church community can be better benefited talking about these subjects and trying to understand just what happened to Haiti and even other countries that experience tragic natural disaster. I would encourage churches and pastors to begin teaching about the character and nature of God to their youth so that they won't be caught off guard like so many are within Christian circles when they are pressed on issues like this. With that said, let us ask and answer the tough questions...y'u-know the ones that critics think we can't answer:

Is All Of This God's Judgement?

While Pat Robertson certainly thinks so, I'm surprised that a great deal of Christians do also. I know "we'll all understand it better by and by" but I hold that God has clearly revealed certain aspects of his nature towards man and while that nature does include judgement, it also includes, justice, parity, and righteousness. In other words God is not unjust in any of his ways, acts or dealings towards mankind.

While tragic events are certainly a sign of the coming judgement in the sense that it reminds us of our mortality, it is a stretch to say that things like this are the judgement of God himself. It is distinguishing that difference that will be discussed in this post.

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Have You Read This Book?

I don't have an opinion of Jon Stewart as to his comedy. From what I have seen I don't believe that he is a Christian. If so maybe a secular one. However, I am in full agreement with him on his assessment of media elites such as Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh and their assessment of the earthquake that has devastated Haiti. The following video says what I want to say:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Haiti Earthquake Reactions
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Yes, I think that both Robertson and Limbaugh were off base, not biblically centered and totally wrong in their assessments and approach. I don't expect Limbaugh to get it right. He doesn't claim to know the word of the Lord. However, I certainly expect more of someone who says they know or understand God and his nature and dealings toward man.

We may not know the why, but we should know the who and As I maintain that who was not and is not the God that we serve.

Have we read this book? This is the question of the day.
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