The Apple Of God's Eye

August 4, 2009

Does God Condemn Christians For Blood Transfusions?

Nowhere in the Bible does it give any condemnation for having a blood transfusion. Some religious groups have misinterpreted God’s command against eating blood (Lev. 3:17) and have mistakenly extended it to receiving blood by transfusions. Ingesting blood and receiving it into the circulatory system are not the same thing.

Christians do at times go to the medical profession for various surgeries, vaccines, medical drugs, chemical or radiation therapies, etc. But God made a means whereby those having faith, and who wish to be obedient to God, do not have to rely on any procedure of man, but rely instead on God’s promise and benefit of healing (Psalm 103:1-3).

The Bible teaches that God is our Healer (Exodus 15:26). We can rely on the stripes of Jesus Christ for healing (I Peter 2:24) because disease is the result of broken laws and only God can forgive the transgression of law and therefore heal.

Nevertheless, we need to live within the laws of health to avoid illness. The seven laws of health are: 1)fasting and correct food, 2) cleanliness and appropriate dress, 3) sunshine and fresh air, 4) proper exercise, 5) the right amount of sleep and rest, 6) avoiding bodily injury, and 7) maintaining a tranquil mind.

When we do not live by these laws of health and thereby get sick, we must call upon the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (remembered annually at the Passover) to heal us in faith (James 5:14-15).

Relying on God and His promise for healing is an important means that God gives His people for spiritual growth by requiring the exercise and growth of obedience and faith. This is the development of holy righteous character needed to enter into the Kingdom of God.

We hope this letter will encourage you to grow in faith and obedience to God. Whenever we may assist you further in the study of God’s Word or in points of Christian living, we hope you will let us know.

Does The Bible Mention 6000 Years Of Rule For Man Only?

7000Does the Bible mention God’s 7000 year master plan for mankind? Does it also mention 6000 years of rule for man only? Yes it does, though most people, including mainstream religions, have never heard about it. And there is a crucial reason why!

God’s plan for mankind is pictured by the seven-day week. God refashioned the earth and created all life forms in six days and then rested on the Sabbath (the seventh day). Out of these seven days, six were set aside by God for man to work, followed by a day of rest (Ex. 20:9-11). On the seventh day, man is to put aside his normal routine of daily activities (work, play, socialize, etc), and worship the true God (Isa. 58:13-14).

The seven-day week is a pattern that applies to time on a far wider scale. The Biblical justification of a 7,000-year plan of God is based on the principal that to God a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day:

“With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (II Pet. 3:8).

God’s perspective on time is additionally outlined in the Psalms:

“For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night (Ps. 90:4).

Paul explained that the seventh day of the week pictures the peaceful time of rest that will follow this present age of human activity (Heb. 4:3-11). And the apostle John tells us that this period will occur after Christ’s intervention in world affairs and that it will last a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-4).

Since the seventh day of the week symbolizes 1000 years of peace under the rule of Jesus Christ, the first six days of the week represent 6000 years in which man has been allowed to govern himself and work out his own ideas and plans. In other words, each day of the week represents 1000 years of human existence.

Where are we now in this great plan? Charts which list biblical events in time order (as found in some Bibles) are accurate enough to show that HUMAN LIFE was created about 4000 years before the birth of Christ. History makes it clear that almost another 2000 years have elapsed since then — making a total of nearly 6000 years of human civilization to date. In short, there will be 6000 years of labor and toil for man, under the sentence of sin and death, followed by a 1000 year “day” of rest for mankind. Man’s “week” is nearly over, and God’s great millennial rest will soon be here.

Who Are The Modern Descendants Of The Tribes Of Israel?

001367_id1367w170mfill_kkpwxhThere are specific modern nations of this world identified as the tribes of Israel.

Manasseh and Ephraim: The tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim are clearly and exhaustively identified by the late  Herbert W. Armstrong’s book, United States & Britain in Prophecy.

Manasseh is dominant in the United States, and Ephraim basically constitutes the Anglo-Saxon, English-speaking member countries of the British Commonwealth, such as England, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as a part of South Africa.

By examining biblical and secular history, the other tribes may be located as follows:

Reuben: France

Dan: Ireland and Denmark

Benjamin: Norway and Iceland

Zebulun: Holland (the Netherlands)

Issachar: Finland

Gad: Switzerland

Asher: Belgium and Luxembourg

Naphtali: Sweden

Levi and Simeon: Scattered among the other Israelite nations

Judah, Benjamin, and Levi: The Jews were of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi.  Some of the descendants of Israel (Jacob) also comprised the nation of Judah, distinct from the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel today, however, is made up mostly from the descendants of Judah.

Gentiles have also settled among these nations, especially in larger cities.  The identities of all Gentiles are not given, though we know the Bible identifies Assyria as modern-day Germany. Many of the Chinese and Russian peoples can be traced in chapters 38 and 39 of Ezekiel.

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