MZTV

God always forms and sets up the fake first, and the enemies first, and the darkness first, in order to make known His true people and the true light. Goliath was set up for the sake of David. Pharaoh was set up for the sake of Moses. Adam was set up for the sake of Christ. The disruption of the world was set up for the spirit of God to move upon the waters. Modern-day Israel, on the banks of the Jordan river, is set up for the sake of the true Israel, who will displace them during the Tribulation in a world-startling event that no one will see coming—except for you, of course. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1385_What_is_REALLY_Happening_in_Israel_Today.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

As we consider the wonders of creation and the miracle of its coherence via spirit, we are tempted to see Scripture as dry, outdated, and comparatively uninteresting. This is a huge mistake. In this video you will discover that not only is Scripture as vibrant and alive as a spinning atom and reproducing cell, it is the sole reason we understand anything concerning who we are, why we're here, where we're going and, most importantly, Who is responsible for all this and what's His plan for the future? MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1385_The_Living_Spectacularity_of_Scripture.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

I've read Paul's description of his trip to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:1-4) hundreds of time, but one assumption I've always made concerning it has turned out to be wrong. This, however, gives me a greater insight into the glory of God than I've ever had. MZ/IB Archive - WCCD Grace Café Series: Arminians, Calvinists, and Believers (June 4 - Hour 1): https://youtu.be/KrA3JLHH5Xc?si=7EkUlQf5cyx-k-sS MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1384_Shocking_New_Revelation_Concerning_the_Third_Heaven.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

The Mars Hill Syndrome is named after the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered by Paul in Acts chapter 17 who were obsessed with hearing new things. Today we would call it “gossip.” There are some today, even in the body of Christ, who are kind of bored with the truth and thus require the stimulation of “a new revelation” or “a new twist” on an old truth. There are always new insights to be had into truth, yes, but that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about challenges to well-established teaching—teaching confirmed by a good translation of Scripture. I don’t want to come across as blaming people for this. The desire for new things is only human. And on one level I’m flattered that anyone would seek my opinion on one of these “new twists.” I’m afraid that, in this video, I might be coming across too strongly against someone simply wanting to look at another point of view and asking my opinion. So would the viewer who asked me to look at an article by Aaron Welch please accept my apology for any eruptions of earth herein, ranging higher on the Richter scale than that required for the job. It’s my damn passion for the principle of holding fast to truth. Because that’s what this is about: holding fast to truth. And to the woman who no longer believes that the book of Revelation belongs in Scripture, and who is entertaining the theory that God could have spoken to the high priests through radio frequencies generated via the gems on the priestly breastplate, please take my poking fun at this as my desire to keep you clear of any and all deceptions. It really is because of my love for you that I do this. Otherwise, I wouldn’t care. But when I DO care, then I’m afraid the satirical Zender sometimes takes control of the plane and things get a tad turbulent (“please note that the captain has turned on the seatbelt sign”) and, naturally, a tad offensive. So I hope you see through all that into my heart. I promise that we will land safely and on schedule. For everyone else, may this show stand for the eons as a defense of truth and a true, God-imparted hatred for the modern-day gossip that would—though subtly and with erudite speech— seek to destroy it. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1383_How_to_Avoid_the_Mars_Hill_Syndrome.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

Not one religionist understands the new creation, that the old humanity was crucified with Christ. And not only the old humanity, corporately, but we, as individuals, were crucified with Christ. Martin Zender was crucified with Christ. But wait. I am still living, aren't I? Indeed. But it is no longer I who am living, but living in me is Christ (Galatians 2:20). Now you can see why not one religionist understands the new creation. It's tricky thinking. It's a simple truth, but tricky thinking. It flies in the face of experience. In fact, not all body of Christ members realize this truth. Proof? They imagine themselves to be losers. They think they're nothing. And yet, ironically, they simultaneously believe that they have the power to wreck God's will for their life. Dang, that's a lot of power for a "nothing." A realization of the new humanity is the key to deliverance from an overly careful life, from self-occupation, and from the weight of thinking of oneself as "totally unworthy." But wait. Aren't there Scripture verses that say we're totally unworthy? Yes. But it's the unworthy us that was crucified with Christ. So that's gone. That way of thinking is gone. To speak of being unworthy NOW is to slap the face of Christ on the cross, Who took the old humanity to the cross with Him, then to the tomb, but then left the tomb without the damn thing. He left the old humanity in the tomb, and it's still dead. It hasn't resurrected and it won't. (And yet many, in their minds, imagine it to be resurrected; they imaging it as still having power over them.) I know the problem. The problem is that "you" are still living. I get it. Paul also gets it, and explains it in the briefest manner possible in Galatians 2:20– "With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ. Now that which I am now living in flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me." The new creation is how God now sees humanity subsequent to the cross. So even though it's still the old humanity eating frosted flakes and blowing its nose, we are not to think of ourselves in accord with the "I" that died on the cross. We are supposed to think, "Living in me is Christ." Is this a matter for faith? That's the understatement of the year, which is why Paul finishes Galatians 2:20 with, "That which I am now living in flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me." Considering yourself as this new I that Paul says you are (he's inspired by the holy spirit, let me remind you) is the secret to being able to throw around the most popular personal pronoun in the world ("I" ) like parade candy without being conceited. YOU know you're not conceited but—oh!—the rest of the world can't handle it. They're still wrestling with the corpse, you see. They can't imagine the free life that you now live. Their misery wants company. Even some in the body of Christ don't get it. But especially Israel wannabe "kingdom saints" don't get it. How can they? This is not their truth. None of their writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James, Peter) teach it. Those with a terrestrial destiny still battle the old I, and must. Their old I is reformed ("born again"), not crucified. The truth of the new humanity is not for them. How can it be? The new humanity erases national distinctions whereas Israel, even in the kingdom, recognizes national distinctions. This is rarefied truth. It's a bold way to live. Do you want to make Christ happy? Then acknowledge the pain and agony He suffered on the cross and tell Him "job well done" by considering yourself no longer according to flesh (2 Corinthians 5:16), but according to the new humanity. Because this is what He died for. And it's now what you live for. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1382_You_are_Not_Nothing_Rejoicing_in_the_New_Humanity.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

Without giving away the surprise of this video, I will say that there is a difference between James and Paul that at first seems minuscule but then, when reflected upon in light of the death of the old humanity, is a big damn deal. Secondly, can the Gringo hang with the Peruvians on New Year's Eve? None of life's great questions go unexplored here on MZTV. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1381_James_Still_Struggles_With_the_Old_Humanity_We_Don't.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

Comments from the Phoenix, AZ conference about the certainty of the snatching away. God is never slack concerning His promises. He promised to bring Israel into the Promised Land: ACCOMPLISHED. He promised to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt: ACCOMPLISHED. He promised that the Messiah would come: ACCOMPLISHED. He promised that the woman's seed would bruise the head of the serpent: ACCOMPLISHED. No one is saying that God is quick in doing these things (He is by HIS standards), but we are not considering quickness here, but certainty. Having said that, the 6,000 years from Adam has nearly elapsed. So buckle in; we're going for a CERTAIN ride. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1380_The_Snatching_Away_is_Going_to_Happen.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

There came the time for the door of the Ark to close. Noah and his family had to turn their backs on the world. There will come a time when we will have to let the world go. That time is coming soon, and is already here. All focus is now on our life in the Ark of Christ. But we will be back for them. MZ/IB Archive - WCCD Grace Café Series: Create is Not Allow, Evil is Not Sin (June 3, Hour 2): https://youtu.be/xDeXou6mlpg?si=SEn5_WEvANRG85cW MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1379_Before_We_Can_Save_Them_We_Must_Leave_Them.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

You may feel as though God is pushing you to your limits. I know. I have felt this too. More than once. But I know from experience—and from Scripture—that although God might push you up against the wall of endurance, there is one thing God will never do to you and never take from you. Here is a passionate teaching on the topic of faith. I delivered this talk in Des Moines, Iowa, on September 16, 2023. I just watched this for the first time. It does me good to see it. In this teaching, you get an intimate look at the faith of Christ, the faith of Abraham, and the faith God has given US to believe the most seemingly improbable things said of us in Scripture. But think of it this way: The deepest wells of faith are not reached when God makes moderate, borderline-believable statements, but when God makes outrageous, seemingly impossible promises to us relating to the height, the breadth, and the depth of His shared glory. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1378_The_One_Thing_God_Will_NEVER_Take_From_You.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of soup. Moses gave up the title "Son of Pharaoh's Daughter" to suffer evil with his people. Here are the two Scriptural extremes of a man interested only in immediate gratification of the flesh versus a man who threw away every fleshly advantage for the higher calling of suffering evil for the sake of the truth. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1377_Esau_Vs_Moses_Instant_Gratification_Vs_Deferred_Spiritual_Pleasure.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

Here is the first Q&A session from the Phoenix, Arizona conference in May of this year. In this session, I field questions concerning the nature of Christ, the composition of God, and how I feel about my son Gabe receiving the love of the truth. Then Dave Ward stands up and tells us about the time he cursed God in the midst of one of the worst trials of his life, and the surprising way God responded to him. This prompts me to elaborate upon Romans 5:8 and how Christ saved us while we were still sinners. Next, Rodney Paris asks about the upcoming projects. I tell the saints about the soon-to-be-announced book, "Christianity's Final Solution," and the young man written about in the book, who is my son Paul, and how Christianity had captured him to the point that he now believes that his grandparents are burning in hell. This video is loaded. You will never receive more truth on such a variety of topics in thirty minutes than you do here. Grace, peace, and love to you all. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1376_The_Nature_of_God_Saved_While_Sinning_My_Three_Sons.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

The revelation starts in earnest here at 7:30, but, knowing that ahead of time, I hope you will enjoy the first seven and a half minutes of me 1) expanding upon an old theme (the preexistence of Christ), 2) sharing a worthy quote from my son Gabe, and 3) bringing out new evidence that reading the Scriptures as a child is the only path keeping the true seeker from guile-induced interpretations. But at the 7:30 mark? Buckle in, because you’re going to hear things you’ve never heard before. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1375_Even_in_Our_Gospel_God_is_Limiting_Himself.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

MZ/IB Archive - WCCD Grace Cafe Series: Purpose of Evil Revealed to Babes (June 3, Hour 1): https://youtu.be/QIcLdTgoA8o?si=7AxSg0YwiioORVqQ MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1374_Just_Keep_Christ_Out_of_Christmas.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

Anyone reading the Scriptures naturally, that is, without professorial or professional theological input, cannot help but reach the conclusion that the Son of God had a glory with the Father before He entered our world at Bethlehem. I cannot see any way possible that a natural reading of Scripture—that is, a reading of it as a child, that is, simply believing the words on the page—could cause anyone to look up from the page and say, “Jesus Christ did not exist before Bethlehem.” The theory of the non-preexistence of Christ, therefore, is a construct. It is a forced, ARTIFICIAL reading imposed upon those inclined to not be satisfied with the simple words on the page, who don’t really want to believe as children, but who rather wish to possess (even if only subconsciously) some sort of “special knowledge,” a secret, complicated insight granted to few. The possessors of such special knowledge might then consider themselves (even if only subconsciously) superior to the “simple people” who find themselves at the additional disadvantage of believing something that happens to align with Christian tradition. There is a new player at the Non-Preexistence table: Mary Catherine. This woman makes the startling announcement in the comment section of one of my most recent videos that “our very hope of salvation is hinged on Jesus being one of us.” Mary Catherine also insists, later in the comment, that Jesus was “fully one of us." "FULLY one of us?" Do I even need to detail for you the disastrous implications of such a consequential error? Okay. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1373_We_Could_Never_Have%20Been_Saved_By_One_Who_Was_Fully_One_of_Us.mp3

I begin this episode of MZTV with a private moment outside on my patio in Ft. Lauderdale, telling you why any sort of "live and kindly discussion" invitations on the topic of the preexistence of Christ (with Scripture-believers Vs. Tories) will be vehemently refused by your's truly. I would and will never give air time or share air time with anyone seeking to subvert Christ's glories with philosophy, theory, and explanation rather than with Scripture. Ain't gonna happen. One of my favorite A.E. Knoch quotes is, "God gives teachers, not roundtable discussions." The truth is not up for discussion—especially not the obvious truth of Christ's preexistence. Should we "discuss" eternal torment with, say, a Baptist? This would only be fruitful in a one-on-one encounter, where the motive is to convert the Baptist. In a public setting, the "discussion forum" only serves to legitimize the lie in the eyes of some. "Oh, they're giving the Tories air time. There must be something to this." Paul said concerning the Circumcisionists of his day, in Titus 1:11, "[They] must be gagged, who are subverting whole households, teaching what they must not." I feel the same way about the Tories. It isn't that the Tory position wouldn't be buried in a debate or discussion forum. Please. This position has not a Scriptural leg to stand on. Even the remotest entertainment of the theory requires (from the Tories) tortured explanations, a sub-study of Jewish philosophy, a bent for philosophy in general, and a conscious blind eye toward the many obvious Scripture passages against it. Someone suggested such a discussion in the comment section of yesterday's video. A man named Mikael enthusiastically replied, "Totally agree!" This tells me instantly that Mikael is a Tory. Why? Because only Tories want the discussion forum. Why? Tories NEED the discussion forum/format because their position relies, not upon rapid-fire, single-verse Scripture quotes, but upon lengthy explanations about why plain Scripture verses don't mean what they mean. Their position depends on philosophical explanations. They are dead in a contest of proof texts. Why? They don't have any proof texts. Conversely, the truth of the preexistence of Christ enjoys multiple proof texts—as any truth generally does. What bothers me most about the Tories is that they are not stopped short by the fact that their position has not a single verse backing it. The fact that their position must be explained and, in fact, excused, doesn't make them step back and say, "Hm. Maybe something is wrong here." This indicates to me that some other motive is afoot—some motive besides, "Let's get to the truth." I detect an emotional attachment of the Tories to their position that keeps them from objectivity, causing actual proof texts from the other side to bounce harmlessly off their hardened, psychological defenses. It's freaking weird. Also, why won't Mark Haukaas (The Pirate) tell us the name of the professor who taught him that nothing came into existence through Christ, and that Christ never descended from heaven, and that Christ Jesus never came to be in fashion as a human? Someone had to TEACH him this, as it's not a position that comes naturally via organic Scripture study. I'd like to know the name of the guy so that he can be researched. Maybe this would give us a clue as to the motive/mental disposition required to defend this position. The rest of this episode is my first talk from the Des Moines, Iowa conference on September 16th of this year (2023). Thankfully, it's upon a different topic than the one at hand. (You're welcome.) Grace and peace to one and all. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1372_Why_God_Loves_to_Be_Believed.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

Here is a really instructive discourse between a believer named Dennis and myself, on the topic of philosophy. Or should I say, I confront a believer named Dennis who looks at the case of the preexistence or non-preexistence of Christ through the lens of philosophy. Dennis claims to not know much about philosophy (I have no reason to doubt him) but he philosophizes nonetheless. It's unconscious. Why has he resorted to this? Because he never wants to be dogmatic about anything. What's wrong with being dogmatic? He was dogmatic in his past, when he was in organized religion and believed all the lies. But now that he believes the truth, he has thrown out the baby right along with the poor kid's bathwater. So now he feels as though it's arrogant to actually be certain (dogmatic) about anything, and thus considers your's truly to be one of the great champions of arrogance. But he softens this blow (much appreciated) by saying of me: "Humility is not your strong suit." One of the greatest enemies of truth is philosophy. Philosophy is where humans talk and talk and talk but never say anything. Philosophy is an endless stream of human suppositions concerning the big questions of life such as 1) why are we here, 2) where are we going, and 3) what is life? Another name for it is "bullshit." May I say this again? Philosophy is the enemy of truth. There is nothing good about it. Nothing. Our apostle warns against it in Colossians 2:8, calling it "empty seduction." Philosophy is seductive because it sounds smart and the people who are philosophical think they are smart, but they really aren't. Those engaging in it usually smoke pipes (including the women), wear tweed jackets, and never fail to wear leather loafers with multi-colored socks. Most philosophers have beards, even the women. What does philosophy have to do with the matter of the preexistence of Christ? That's what I want to know! MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1371_The_Preexistence_of_Christ_is_Settled_by_Scripture_Not_Philosophy.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

At least two dozen Scripture verses testify that Jesus Christ preexisted His appearance in Bethlehem as a Jewish baby. These verses are so simply stated and so easy to understand that a five-year old can grasp them and know the truth. Conversely, there is not a singe Scripture verse—not one—declaring the Jesus Christ did NOT exist before His earthly sojourn. This being so, how in the world could a teaching possibly arise from the midst of self-confessed Scripture lovers, insisting on the non-preexistence of Christ? Why would such individuals expend such effort REFUSING the natural readings of the proof texts while simultaneously torturing other verses into saying what God never intended them to say? THEORY 1: To remove a necessary plank from the platform of the Trinitarians. THEORY 2: To demolish a traditional Christian teaching simply because it's a traditional Christian teaching. THEORY 3: By flouting consensus, one can distinguish oneself as a maverick. No matter which of these theories are true—perhaps its a bit of all of them—there is a higher cause above these more immediate ones. This higher cause—personified as a higher power—works tirelessly to demote the glories of Christ in every way possible, using even the words and beliefs of the sincerest and most best-intentioned men. We must protect one another from this, for it could happen to any one of us. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1370_The_REAL_Cause_of_the_Non-Preexistence_of_Christ_Sect.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

I challenged my good friend Mark Haukaas, the Pirate, to give me one verse proving the non-preexistence of Christ. Because, honestly, I couldn't understand how anyone could possibly hold this teaching. And I REALLY couldn't understand how a smart guy like Haukaas would not be bothered by the fact that the teaching enjoys not a single Scripture of support. I knew there was no such verse, but I wanted to hear from The Pirate what he regarded as proof. Here it is. Is it proof? Of course not. As I said, there is no proof. (How can a lie have proof?) But maybe we can get more insight into the "Christ-never-descended-from-heaven" mindset by analyzing what those of this mindset consider to be proof than by their shocking denials of Jesus' own words. This is a public dispute. Mark is my brother. I love him dearly and the feeling is mutual. If I thought this video would somehow compromise our friendship, I would not jump into this with such relish. But Mark is one of the most sincere, most conscientious, most passionate believers I know—if not THE most. This is tough love for a man I have served next to for years, with whom I have strained together in the fields of evangelism and the pursuit of the recognition and realization of God. The teaching of the non-preexistence of Christ is a trap that will result in considerable loss at the dais of Christ. I don't know how my friend got caught up in it (I take a stab at it in this video), but if something I say can help him out of it, how can I not throw myself at the effort? If I do nothing, I am not a friend. If this weren't so important, I would do nothing. Mark doesn't teach this lie, he simply holds it. Those who teach it? Pilkington? Welch? Meye? I currently have no expectation that they will unhand it in this life. I did at first, but no more. They are too closely tied to it now. They're too far down in the rabbit hole and the rabbits don't seem interested in evicting them. The Pirate? Not a bunny guy. None of us are immune to satanic seduction. We can all go down—not in the salvation department, but in the department of "how-about-let's-lose-as-little-as-possible-at-the-dais." None of us are immune to the lure (it SEEMS righteous) of destroying Christian orthodoxy. (I believe this to be the lure for The Pirate.) But what if Christian orthodoxy is, in some cases, correct? (Do they not cite Bethlehem as the place of Christ's birth and Jerusalem as the place of His death?) Shouldn't we choose our battles based on Scriptural revelation rather than firing blindly at everything labeled "Christian"? If the weapons of our warfare are not carefully trained, may we not incur unintended yet grievous collateral damage? I'm into preventing this if I can. MZ/IB Archive - WCCD Grace Cafe Series: God Creates Everything. God Creates Evil (June 2, Hour 2): https://youtu.be/eJoUA8FP3bs?si=3wfsE2LlGlXsGSbD MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1369_At_Last_A_Verse_is_Finally_Offered_Proving_Non-Preexistence_of_Christ.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

In John chapter nine, a man has been born blind and living in darkness for years in preparation for the day when the work of God could shine upon him. What would he say from his new perch of sight? How would he now consider the decades of darkness? I can't imagine him saying anything but: "It was worth it." Even as our feet leave the great stage of our suffering, these words will also leave our lips: "It was worth it." WHY DID GOD CREATE EVIL???.(SATAN DEMYSTIFIED! (PART FOUR)-BY ALEXANDER OCHEGA: https://youtu.be/KO6whNmz1ho?si=cYCakyL15D-JKWL2 MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1368_The_Man_Born_Blind_is_Us.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

Two travelers on the road to Emmaus on the day of our Lord's resurrection grouse and mourn the crucifixion of the man they'd hoped would be the Messiah. Who joins them on the road? None other than the Messiah Himself. However, they do not recognize Him. It is instructive to note how our Lord primes these men to appreciate the moment when He will unveil Himself. Is He not doing the same with us? MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1367_Christ_Meets_Us_on_the_Road_to_Emmaus.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

When our Lord met the Samaritan woman at the well, history was about to be made. This was the first human being to whom the Lord would reveal His Messiahship so directly. She ran into town to tell everyone. It was a rare moment of pleasure for the Christ—to be believed. The disciples showed up with food and He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you are not aware" (John 4:32). In typical fashion the disciples asked, "Who brought You food?" We experience similar pleasure when words of ours—words of eonian life—are met with receptive ears. There is more nourishment for body and soul in such an experience than in ten trees of broccoli and an organic apple. Jesus and the Outcast Woman at the Well: https://youtu.be/ordhsDeAt60?si=CwVK7VgcxZXMEBb6 MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1366_Woman_At_the_Well_the_Satisfaction_of_Revealing_Truth.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

God plays favorites and today we are His favorite human beings. This is what is meant by 1Timothy 4:10, "God is the Savior of all humanity, ESPECIALLY of believers." How can you save everyone but ESPECIALLY save a particular group of people? I think you give these folks more information. I think you take them into Your confidence more than others. You reveal more things to them. In the end, you GIVE them more. You LAVISH them with gifts, bonuses, praise, honor—outrageous stuff that no one else gets. On top of this, You let them know that, of all the people on the earth, You take special care to supply their needs. This word "supply" in the Greek means, "choreograph." Yep. It means exactly what you think it means. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1365_The_Body_of_Christ_is_Choreographed.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

In 1 Timothy 2:14, Paul assures us that Adam was not seduced by Satan. Rather it was the women who came into the transgression. This means that Adam VOLUNTARILY joined his wife in sin and death. This is one of the most sublime and selfless sacrifices in all of Scripture. It would be THE most selfless sacrifice had not Jesus Christ, from the right hand of God, voluntarily joined us in this realm of sin and death. And yet some among us claim that Jesus Christ did NOT voluntarily join us. Instead, He found Himself part of a degraded realm not of His choosing, adapting to a situation into which He was unwillingly thrust. Is it possible for Adam’s sacrifice for his wife to be more noble than Christ’s sacrifice for the human race? No. In every particular, Christ is greater than Adam. Yet in this particular, some would make Him lesser. Fret not. The Word of God tells us otherwise. Definitively. MZTV 1270: Disturbing Revelation Ahead. Viewer Discretion is Advised: https://youtu.be/16ZzIixKQ2I?si=GYy5IbPL26hoEO8_ MZ/IB Archive: WCCD Grace Cafe Series: The Question of Evil is Solved in Scripture (June 2, hr, 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPXsiWjPF48&t=0s MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1364_In_Order_to_Rescue_Us_Jesus_Christ_Voluntarily_Joined_Us.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

A true sign of greatness is to lift up the lowly. It is therefore incumbent upon God, the greatest, to save even the least. Any "deity" that rules by threat and fear is a poser. Let us, in this way, become imitators of God. MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1363_Become_as_a_Child_Yourself_and_Lift_Up_the_Lowly.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com

Scriptural precedent dictates that the closer one gets to God, the lonelier is the walk. As supporting evidence I offer: 1) the progressive nature of the Israelite temple courts, 2) the public ministry of our Lord, and 3) our own exodus out of organized religion. Speaking of Exodus, the temptation for anyone drawn outside the mainstream by God is the desire to return to one's comfort zone, wherein lay the people and, most of all, the popularity. Israel in the wilderness wished to return to Egypt. The religious refugee wants to go back to church. Yet what is the exhortation of Christ Himself? "No one, putting forth his hand on a plow and looking behind, is fit in the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). MP3: https://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1362_The_Closer_to_God_The_Lonelier_It_Gets.mp3 Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com