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01:15:24
Michael Elertson
Where's The Beef?
In Hebrews 5:14, Paul uses the term “strong meat.” What did he mean? Is it to be equated with ranting, shouting, hellfire, and brimstone? Does 'strong meat' refer to powerful correction and rebuke? Are strong meat and loud noise synonymous? Or is it something else entirely?
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01:14:46
Michael Elertson
Armageddon at the Door
In a radio broadcast to the nation following the surrender ceremony on the USS Missouri, delivered on September 2, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur stated, "We have had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door." Many people believed that World War I would lead to Armageddon, and later, some held the same belief regarding World War II. Today, some think that Armageddon will represent the final battle between democracy and communism. However, few truly understand the real meaning of this often-quoted but frequently misused biblical term. What do we mean by Armageddon? What does the Bible say about it, and how does it relate to the Feast of Trumpets?
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01:35:21
Michael Elertson
Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right
What determines whether you are righteous or unrighteous? Why is your righteousness important to God? The Bible is very clear in the presentation of the subject of righteousness. It's not a subject of great debate. It’s not technical, hard to understand, or shrouded in controversy. But it is a subject for us to be reminded of from time to time in our Christian lives.
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01:35:24
Michael Elertson
The Blame Game
Are you measuring up to God's standard of conduct? Is your life really a good example to others? Could someone follow you and be assured of entering God's Kingdom? Our lives are the showcases into which people are looking. Have you ever stopped to fully consider the awesome implications of this responsibility? Just anyone isn't going to be in God's ruling family—only those who have qualified. What are the qualifications?
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01:29:19
Michael Elertson
The "Non Tithing" Tithing Heretic
Should we tithe only if we feel like it, or do I believe that God’s true people are to be a tithing people? If I do, then to whom should the money be paid? What is the money for? Does God have a work? If yes, what is it? If He does, then how should it be financed? Did Jesus Christ Himself ordain a system providing for His work, leaving His true called ministers free to serve God alone? Or has God left us to our own devices? Did God leave it up to each of us to give what we feel like or specify? And once it’s given, who is responsible for how it’s used? Okay, that’s a lot of questions. Now let’s provide some answers.
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01:32:29
Michael Elertson
Occupy Till I Come
On March 9, 1974, nearly 29 years after his country had surrendered, Hiroo Onoda emerged from the jungle. Despite his tattered uniform, he looked every inch a soldier. His weapons were in top-notch condition. He was still a fighting force. And as the last warrior of the Second World War surrendered, he at least had the satisfaction of knowing that he had fulfilled his calling — he occupied till they came. There is an important lesson in it for us today.
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01:24:39
Michael Elertson
Will You Take a Ride on the Popemobile?
The death of this pope may very well have a dramatic significance to God’s Church, God’s work, the whole “Christian” world, and a Catholic-ruled Europe, which seems imminently past due. There may be one pope left. Even by Catholic ideology, there cannot be many. Time will tell, but it will not take long to know.
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01:19:27
Michael Elertson
READY OR NOT, HERE IT COMES!
Another year has passed! And soon we will live through the panorama of God's annual Holy Days — His plan of salvation for all mankind! It all starts with Passover! Being chosen as one of the elect to know God's truth carries tremendous responsibility. We must not approach this event lightly. God is vitally concerned with us as we approach His Passover, because of our essential part in His plan. Now is the time, before the Passover, to examine ourselves and see whether we are truly right with God. What does it mean to discern the Lord's body? Will we be ready to take the Passover?
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01:27:22
Michael Elertson
The Christian Conception
If those in the Church are to be just then born of God, how can they marry Christ before they grow up? Why were we born in the first place? What is the real purpose of human life? God is reproducing Himself! As truly as we humans have been given power to reproduce ourselves— to bring forth life in our own image, born with our very nature—even so the Great God is bringing forth sons in His image, born with His very divine nature! For every human, salvation means being literally born again into God’s Family! Jesus compared the ultimate spiritual birth into God’s Family and Kingdom to the physical birth of an infant. This ties into the Holy Days, which picture God’s plan of salvation for all mankind.
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01:16:19
Michael Elertson
The Letter of a Lifetime
There is one letter that sticks out above the other six. It is different from the others. It’s entirely positive, containing no words of criticism. It’s a personalized message, announcing an incredible opportunity, making four inspiring promises, and including a demanding admonition. This short letter, to the Philadelphia era of God's Church, is found in Revelation 3:7-13. It is only seven verses long, but it is packed with deep meaning. Is this your letter?
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01:48:55
Michael Elertson
What is Meant by "these ten times"?
Should we consider how we might put God to the test in His Church today, which now dwells in the wilderness of abject confusion, division, and mutiny against God? I would like us to consider the potential duality of Israel’s 40 years of wandering. We are coming up on the 40th anniversary of Mr. Armstrong’s death. In that time, we faced apostasy, the falling away, and terrible un-godly division. As I consider this journey through the wilderness of spiritual confusion, I speculate did we have our "ten times" of testing God? Have we been wondering for 40 years? What's next?
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01:17:47
Michael Elertson
See the Fake Fleece and Run
God reserves His strongest condemnation for those who claim to teach on His behalf but ultimately lead His people astray. Do you know what a false minister is? Do you know how to recognize one? Are they easily identified — or cloaked in obscurity? Are false ministers in the minority or majority? Does it pay to be a false minister—is there any future in it? Jesus Christ repeatedly warned about false ministers. He called them: "Wolves in sheep's clothing!"
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01:30:00
Michael Elertson
The Euphrates River in History and Prophecy
Is the Euphrates River Drying Up? When Will the Euphrates River Dry Up? The Euphrates River, at the 'Cradle of Civilization,' Is Drying Up The Euphrates River, once a mighty and life-sustaining waterway, is now drying up at an alarming rate. The Euphrates River, a significant waterway with deep historical and religious importance, has been mentioned in various holy texts and prophecies.
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01:17:03
Michael Elertson
Sodom and Gomorrah All Over Again
The world we live in—all of mankind’s history—has always been filled with evil. Our world has always known war, violence, pestilence, and disease. Our world has always been filled with crime. Our world has always known perversion and deviant behavior. All cities, towns, villages, and churches have problems and scandals. Despite these rampant issues that have always existed, why do we read of God’s fiery judgment on the ancient people of Sodom and Gomorrah? Why were Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed? Immorality was common in other parts of the world at the time. Yet, unlike Sodom and Gomorrah, they were not destroyed. Why? Is there a warning in this, for the civilizations of today?
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01:42:13
Michael Elertson
Subtlety—The Silent Killer
The change occurs slowly enough that the frog will neither try to jump out nor release a murmur of complaint. This is how compromise works! It’s a slow burn, but it’s a silent killer! Compromise is never sudden. The principle, a real law in one word, is subtlety, the silent toll of ugly creeping decay.
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01:22:30
Michael Elertson
Freedom Fighters
We are blessed—as a matter of God’s plan—for we have received the only thing that sets us apart from the slavery of this entire world—a world held captive. Freedom fighters—that is what we are. The Underground Railroad set forth to free the slaves in the South. As true Christians, disciples, called out of this world we are called to be free and to later free this world—it’s done through one premise!
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01:25:03
Michael Elertson
Have You Eaten Your Wonder Bread Lately?
This is not the “Feast of no bread at all!” It is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. There is a replacement provided for the leavened bread. The Days of Unleavened Bread reminds us to get rid of the leavening in our lives, that is, to get rid of the sin in our lives. However, we are also reminded to feast on unleavened bread. What is the significance of this physical practice? What does this unleavened bread spiritually symbolize?
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01:20:40
Michael Elertson
LDUB 2024- Remember Jericho
Often events or places in history can come to stand as great symbols for great endeavors and achievements. And we can learn lessons to be strengthened. The Bible is no different (1 Cor. 10:11)! Today, we will look at a particular place and time in Biblical history, that symbolizes monumental and spiritual victory for God’s called-out people. A place where we can learn at least 4 lessons and be truly strengthened!
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01:24:08
Michael Elertson
Beware of Antichrist (part 2)
Why do so many corporate cog’s today warn of “the Antichrist,” yet misunderstand who or what this is? The spirit of antichrist will blanket the earth, holding so many in its grip in this generation! The Bible specifically mentions two individuals who will come to be virtually deified by mankind. One is called the "Beast"; the other the "False Prophet." The term Antichrist is often misapplied to one of them. Let’s examine these two personalities and discover what the Bible really says about them. And how they actually relate to antichrist.
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01:12:12
Michael Elertson
Total Integrity of the Heart
Before we can examine ourselves, we must know what we are looking for. What are we to examine in our lives? What are we to look for? This is extremely important, because if we look for the wrong things, then we will reach the wrong conclusions.
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16:38
Michael Elertson
Four Points to Ponder
Why do we read in Acts 15 that Gentile converts do not have to observe the "law of Moses," except for these four points? Why these four points?
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01:15:05
Michael Elertson
Happy Birthday Jesus—Fact or Fiction?
We hear the jingles on the radio, on television, and in the stores. They seem to invade our sanity earlier every year. For most of us, this is a season we struggle through, wishing it would rush by and be over. You respond, "Christ was not born on December 25." Can you prove it? If He was not born on that date, then when was He born? Do we know the facts, and do we know where to find them?
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01:28:27
Michael Elertson
Beware of Antichrist (part 1)
Many of the major splinter groups share in the Protestant teaching of “the Antichrist. They all have one thing in common—they are wrong! This topic is greatly misunderstood, and it is eye-opening when you learn the truth. Why do so many ministers today warn of “the Antichrist,” yet misunderstand who or what it is? What does the Bible really say about antichrist? You may be surprised!
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01:29:27
Michael Elertson
The Time We Are In, Now
Just where are we now, in the prophesied panorama of events leading to the end of this age? Both world events and occurrences in the Church indicate we are in the time mentioned in Daniel 12.
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