I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. - John 15:5
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. - Mark 4:35
...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. - Psalms 30:5b
...strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. - Matthew 7:14
...And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. - Genesis 1:2b
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. - Psalms 23:1-2
Welcome to Adam2.org!
Thank you for visiting ADAM2.ORG and your interest in our studies and resources. We are currently going through a growth
phase and editing and expanding to include other features and writings. We hope you check back often for updates, especially in our Studies' Section.
About Us ▼
Adam2.org was established by our founder, Ken Livingston, in July 1999.
Having grown into an international organization consisting of thousands of members and visitors from over 50
countries, we are not affiliated with any group,
denomination, church or other controlling entity or otherwise, with the exception of... Read more...►
Studies ▼
Thank you for your visit. We hope you benefit from our resources and ask you to
recommend us to a friend.
If you aren't sure what your state of life will be when this one is over, we encourage you to seriously
consider this while you have opportunity. Nothing in this life you will do will be as important!
Likely, you have made every preparation for your present life.
You owe it to your self to prepare for what comes next. It won't cost you a thing! Continue reading...►
Excerpts From Studies' Area ▼
Excerpt from: In His Presence.
"A self surrendered in the silence of His presence is a soul at peace in Him who reclaimed it! The earth and its burdens no
longer bind you and you are free to walk the stars, revel in His glory, bathed in His love. Time affects only the earthly,
but your spirit is free to soar the heavenlies -- and the hours pass quickly, while In His Presence!
To journey where no mortal may go: This Is Prayer!"
Excerpt from: Proofs of Growing In Grace. 1. Less temptation to focus on troubles or talk about them to others... 2. Less temptation to resent and retaliate when insulted or abused... 3. Joy under crosses, disappointment, and severe pain...
Each month a featured writing from different authors will be posted below as a main feature in our center section.
The nature of these writings will vary from devotional, to inspirational, topical and informative for the current
state of our Christian culture. You may access this full feature with the link below. ▼
Opportunities for Service ▼
Each day a host of members and visitors from around the world visit our site and use our online resources, all at no cost. We plan to continue doing so. As we have grown, so too have our needs. We would like to extend an invitation for you to become an integral part of our efforts in helping others. Read more... ►
For those who would like to contribute to our Online ministry, we welcome your donation. Some of you have been looking for a way to give towards an international effort in helping others. Your contribution will not only go a long way in meeting our current and future challenges in maintaining and improving our capacity to aid others, but will place you within His channel of blessing to you for having done so. Your bread upon the waters will not go unnoticed by Him (Hebrews 6:10). Read more... ►
Shocking Finding: Two-thirds (67%) of pre-teen parents claim to be Christian, but only 2% of all pre-teen parents actually possess a biblical worldview...
American Values Personal Survey
Poll: American Majority Wants Congress to Pass Pro-Life Protections
Downward Trend Who Say Same-Sex Relations Morally Acceptable
Satan, The Father Of Lies
Battle For America's Soul
Ligonier Ministries' Biennial Study of The State Of American Theology
Among the Shocking findings are -
1. "31% of adults say it is very important for their religious faith to influence every dimension of their life."
2. "49% accept reincarnation as a possibility after they die."
Just one question: If, if this is true then why do our politicians and those who do their bidding in the media possess the spirit of antichrist—an anti-Christian spirit that treats others with such hostility, disrespect and mean-spirited? Why is the state of our country so godless and in an advanced state of decay and decline?
Something is grossly immoral and amiss!
Consider this from 3 of our founding fathers:
Benjamin Franklin - Man will ultimately be governed by God or by tyrants.
Jedidiah Morse - Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government - and all blessings which flow from them - must fall with them.
John Adams - Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
This may help to answer some of your questions as to our current national state of affairs. The honest student of history knows this to be true. Also read:
In light of current world events, I was asked recently to comment on what seems to be an ever-growing darkness in so many areas of our lives today. This is a brief excerpt of those thoughts.
If one has lived long enough, we remember days of our past when the events of the world did not encroach and embed itself into our lives with the alarming number, regularity and intensity it seems today. We enjoyed days, if not weeks or months, without waking to a new or ongoing crisis that captured our attention. Our activities were not overshadowed with the pall of today that seems never-ending, provoking such anxiety we see and hear throughout our society. We awoke in our mornings to the peaceful hopes and expectations of continuing to pursue our happiness in the course we were making for our lives, satisfaction that came from all levels and stages of our progress in life. Occasionally, if we had heard from someone during the day of a newsworthy event, we might find the time from our busy lives to tune in at the end of the day to the news to see firsthand additional details that aroused our attention. We might even discuss it with others for a short time before moving on to other more personal priorities—job success, family events, community involvement, church and recreational activities, etc. Those things that divide us today along so many lines were not exacerbated by politicians seeking votes, certainly not to the extent we were less civil to each other as today. For most of us, life had yet to become a "game" with clearly defined sides in vehement opposition to one another. Labels were something on a product we purchased. Many of us did recognize moral and legitimate social injustices and worked cooperatively toward ending those divisions that prevented the fulfillment of the dreams of our forefathers, dreams we share in becoming one within a nation that values the rights of individuals without abolishing those of others. Our desire was that all would be given the opportunity to achieve their God-given potential. We understood there was much work to be done, not only in our own personal lives, but within our society. We elected representatives to see to the matters of government that we could not ourselves. We trusted them for the greater priorities of our nation and not to intrude upon our liberties promised within our constitution, especially infringement upon our religious freedoms and conscience. Our constitution was a contract we all understood to mean the church was not the government nor the government the church, taking to itself matters of social, moral and religious duties that have long been the calling and mission of the church, proselytizing from it through programs to obtain votes to grow it in competition and final defeat of it, using taxes gained at the point of the gun in contrast to tithes and offerings freely given to the local church. How is the church expected to compete with that system? To this point, we have abrogated our place in our society today. Somewhere along the way we went astray. National security and greater injustices of our time gave way to more petty personal grievances and social programs, so much so that the rights of many are being taken away in lieu of the offended feelings of one—a lesser group over the majority. The good causes of many seem to have been coopted by the selfish desires of a few. It seems those whose rights are favored are those whose voices can be magnified the greatest while the majority are suppressed in fearful silence. Logic appears turned upon its head—reason and common sense discarded upon the heap of the unpopularity of truth. And its shadow grows.
The world seems to be in chaos with no visible sign of abatement. Dangers from within threaten to rip apart the fabric of our country while our enemies plot and execute their plans to destroy us. We rightfully ask: Where are our elected? There is no answer. They have abandoned us. The state grows while our churches continue to decline. Who will stop the darkness? Who will stop the assault of the state on the rights of the people and the ordained role of the churches? Can it be stopped? Two thousand years ago Jesus clearly taught His kingdom was not of this earth and issued a call to any who would hear: "Come unto me you who are heavy burdened..." Today, our government has coopted that call and the hands reach out by the millions each year, year after year, creating a dependency without dignity, degrading and diminishing the human spirit to an almost sub-human level. And we wonder why the baser instincts of the masses are rising like a tsunami that will soon sweep us upon the rubble of history as it has other nations before us. I understand the sentiment of the sensible heart as it looks upon today's world scene. It is understandable why such anxiety exists, especially if one allows the bombardment of the gloom of world events to permeate ones thinking via a twenty-four cycle of breaking news. It consumes our national conversation. We wring our hands as we helplessly watch beyond belief events spiral ever more chaotic.
The following is taken from the Book, Adam2: A Guide For The Walk Home, written by our founder.
It is A Commentary On The Gospel Of John, complete with a background look at the contemporary Jewish groups active in Jesus' day.
It includes a summary of each chapter, a redacted study of each disciple, a brief study of Gnosticism of the time, pertinent timelines,
and much more. Each chapter of study includes extensive Biblical references to the notes on the chapter.
A chronological excerpt of each section will be posted here at the beginning of each month. You can access free of charge at any time
a complete online digital version
for your further study. In addition, a link will be provided to purchase the book on CD to install on
your own computer for convenience of study and print. All we ask is that you observe the stated copyrights as with any book you buy over
the counter, limiting your print to only one hard copy for your own personal use. If further hard copies are necessary,
please contact us for an additional nominal fee. Thank you for your interest in this study. Our hope and prayer is that
through the work of the Holy Spirit as you study you will be blessed by it, and if so, recommend it to a friend.
Now for the Conclusion to the background study of the 5 major Jewish groups in Jesus' time
for preparation of the textual study of the Gospel of John in the book: Adam2.
Having looked now at some possible origins, developments, beliefs, and comparisons of five major Jewish groups in Jesus' day,
the obvious question that remains to be asked is: what of their end? Since these groups all had their roots in Judaism
(which flourished within a free Jewish state, whether under independent rule or favorable foreign occupation),
it stands to reason that if those conditions were altered, then changes were inevitable. Hopefully,
it has become clear to the reader that the Jewish state did not end because Rome was hostile to their religion.
On the contrary, Rome's stated policy on the religion of other conquered nations was:
religio-lictus, which is
Latin for a lawful religion recognized as legitimate within that nation. However, due to the
seditious nature of a certain element that led to the fall of Jerusalem and the Jewish state in A.D.70,
life for the Jews would never be the same.
For the scribes whose role in Judaism was more function than political, as long as there remained a need for the
preservation and reproduction of God's revelation and the chronicles of Israel's history, they would always have
their place in Jewish society, no matter the state of it (even to modern times). From Genesis
to Malachi, God had inspired holy men made wise through the knowledge of His revelation to
record His continuing record. However, failing to recognize and embrace Jesus as their expected messiah, the first
century self-righteous scribes had abdicated their position as the truly wise of Israel, as once seen in their predecessors.
God would no longer use these "whited sepulchers" as vessels for His continuing revelation. He would choose a tax collector,
Galilean fishermen, a Gentile physician, a turncoat Pharisee, etc., men unlearned in the hierarchy of Jewish tradition and
wisdom (with the exception of one), to confound the wise of the day and complete the record of His revelation.
Since the Pharisees were mainly identified with the synagogue that had taken root in Jewish society, theirs would be the
remaining party to survive the demise of the Jewish state. Following the end of all other rivals, their name would no
longer be necessary and eventually all became known simply as, the Jews.
For the Sadducees, whose whole purpose and function revolved around Temple life, with the destruction of the Temple
and the dispersion of the Jews, their reason for being no longer existed. Hence, as a party, they ceased to exist.
As might be expected, one may be led to believe that with the severity in which Rome overcame the sedition of the Zealots,
they in turn were finished. And indeed they were for a time, but another resurgence would occur under the proclaimed messiah,
Bar Cochba, in A.D. 132, only to be thoroughly put down within three years by eight of Rome's best legions.The area's name
was then changed from Judea to Palestinia (after the Philistines). The region would remain in the hands of foreigners until
A.D. 1948 when David Ben Gurion would become Israel's first new national leader.
Most of us have either heard or heard of John Lennon's song: Imagine
(there's no heaven... lyrics).
On the surface it sounds wonderful: a utopia where everyone is one--no divisions, conflict, struggle or want—here, now.
There's just one problem with that: Sin. Read the
lyrics
again. What do you see missing? Two things: the Redemption of man and most importantly, the Absence of God.
One does not have to look far nor into the too distant past to see evidence of
that in its most frightening horrific form. Lennon's own life ended tragically. Sin is inescapable no matter how much we may
imagine. Evil exists in the world and lies within the heart of the best of us whether we act on its impulse or not.
And what of that I wonder was Lennon's suggestion for us? How do you suppose He proposed to expiate sin and evil from the heart of man,
something that can not be seen nor touched by the most learned scientist, skilled surgeon or world philosopher?
Following Mr. Lennon's suggestion of imagining "no heaven, no hell, no religion", let me propose this:
Imagine There Is No Christ!
Sit for a moment and reflect. Close your eyes and look with the mind's eye. Imagine there is a world without Christ, without His church,
His Christians, without God, without the evidences in creation of His nature of order and purpose. In our arrogance and self-nurturing ego
many assume, as did Lennon, we possess of our own making all the desirable attributes of righteousness and good intentions toward others,
that it has no source outside ourselves, originating out of our own sense of goodness, special being and self-healing. There isn't anything
inherently wrong with any of us other than flawed thinking and a lack of acceptance, understanding and imagination. If we would all just come
together and agree to see the world and each other in the same single way there would be world harmony. Miraculously, we would all live
and sing in tune as "one." The problem with that is obvious on its surface. Who determines the "same single way" all are to agree
and live harmoniously? How do so many independent thinkers and individual lives, corrupted by sin and evil, come to that point—generation
after generation? And what if, let's say for argument purposes, just one doesn't comply?...
For centuries we have chosen this time of year to observe and celebrate the birth of Jesus to our world. He was called:
Immanuel—God with us. Based upon the teaching of Scripture, I am of the opinion that Jesus did not observe one single
birthday of his earthly existence. There is no where in the New Testament indicating so, unlike many of the other Jewish
festivals and feasts He did observe. But we are eternally grateful that He was born in our nature and gave us the record
of His purpose in coming. And what a life that was and a record it is! Believe He is God or not, none of His critics
through the centuries have denied His existence or exemplary life. But just suppose He did not come. Suppose there has
been no Christ. Suppose there is no Christian in the world. Suppose we live without that innate sense of a sovereign
and saving God, as Lennon suggests...
The following is taken from the Book of New Testament Summaries.
Chapter
(A.D.60-63?)
God, who once spoke through the prophets, has now spoken through His Son, the first-begotten of Him.
Jesus, being made in the image of God, higher than the angels, to be worshipped by them, made and sustains
all things. He is everlasting, sending forth His ministering angels to minister to all the heirs of His salvation.
His message, witnessed by man, therefore, is paramount, to be heard and obeyed by all, neglected by none, if we are
to escape this world alive. Man, being crowned with glory and honor, was given dominion over all things,
having all things placed under his feet (control). But yet he, because of his sin, lost and no longer holds
dominion over his own death, it seizing and enslaving him. Christ, then, being made as man, lower than the
angels by His choice for a season, and being made perfect through His suffering, became the Captain of our salvation.
He defeated Satan who was given the power over man's death by man himself (
Gen.2:17;
3:17-19),
returning death back under man's feet. Man is finally able through Christ to be free from the bondage and fear of death.
Because of His suffering and temptations while overcoming death for us, He is able to minister to us in our present
suffering under death's curse.
Partaking of this Heavenly calling, we now have a High Priest and Apostle who will be faithful
to the finish of this calling, with greater glory than Moses who was faithful to Israel. Therefore,
let us hold fast this confidence and hope, with a believing and obedient heart, to the end that
we may enter into His rest, unlike the unbelieving fathers in the first Earthly Exodus who died
out in the wilderness.
Let us put away all unbelief and labor (believe) with faith to enter into the rest that remains for
us even to this day. Be cautioned that His Word is able to lay open our hearts, even to the
minutest detail of our deepest thoughts and intentions. Because we have so great a High Priest
who once experienced all that we ever will, yet without sin, let us approach His throne with
bold confidence for grace and mercy in our needs. [See Jn.6. Jesus' teaching on labor (work).]
Therefore, Christ, called of God to be a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, became
the author of our salvation after having been made perfect in His learning obedience through
much suffering, even unto His death. This is a hard teaching, unable to be understood by
immature believers whose spiritual senses are dull and unexercised, unable to discern the
deeper things of God. Meat, not milk, grows one to maturity in Christ, enabling them to teach others.
May God permit us, then, to go on beyond the basic principles (teachings) of Christ concerning
our salvation: baptism, laying on of hands, the resurrection, and eternal judgment. It is
impossible to begin again and again, for that requires His sacrifice anew and anew, thus putting
Him to open shame, in that His first was not sufficient. Know that God will not forget our work
and labor of love, and He Himself will remain faithful to His promise to us; this He swears by
Himself, and He is not a liar. This is our hope, the anchor of our soul beyond the veil, that is
the Lord Jesus our High Priest.
Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God who received tithes of Abraham from
his victory in Lot's rescue, is the Old Testament type of our high priest in Christ. (Without
father, mother, descent, beginning or end, abiding a priest continually forever.) He descended
not of the Levites, in fact, Levi, being in his father's loins, paid tithes unto him. Furthermore,
we are not even made perfect through Aaron's priesthood, or else there would have been no need for another.
Aaron's priesthood, being made after the carnal commandant without oath, is temporal, for they were sinners themselves,
who also needed a sacrifice, and who all died. Therefore, the priesthood was changed, and with it, the carnal Law disannuled,
and Christ, from the lineage of Judah, not Levi, who needed no sacrifice for Himself, with an oath, has become a new Priest.
Because He continues forever, needing not daily ministration for Himself, as Aaron's priesthood once did, offered Himself
once and for all as our full and final sacrifice, consecrated forevermore.
[A summary follows.] We now have a High Priest, a Minister of the true Tabernacle, who is
seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majestic in Heaven. His is the true priesthood of
the true Tabernacle, the old priesthood being only a foreshadow given to Moses pointing to
and preparing for the coming of the new in Christ. If we have a new Priest and Tabernacle,
then a new Covenant is needed. This He gives, and instead of writing it on stone as before, He
now writes into our hearts and minds His laws, with no need of a teacher but Him. As a result
of His new Covenant, the first, then, is made old and vanishes.
Listen to this young German Christian artist create, in the moment, the composition he later entitiled, "Prayer". (We love his T-shirt. Take a close look. Expand and freeze frame.)
WEF Official Calls for AI to Re-Write the Bible 'Correctly'
"In a few years, there might be religions that are actually correct … just think about a religion whose holy book is written by an AI. That could be a reality in a few years," states WEF advisor Yuval Noah Harari, "a homosexual, Israeli author and historian who holds mostly to atheistic beliefs in spirituality," - Charismamag.com.
Transgender Lutheran pastor on the Bible's clear line of male & female: "It's hard to relate it to modern-day times b/c it wasn't written for 2024. It was written for then. When we read in the scripture that God created man and woman, yes, and god created everyone else, as well." pic.twitter.com/rFIKhlv7OW
To the cast down and disheartened, stop and remember the joy of the beginning of your new birth. Remember, there is no battle you face that He has not already fought and overcome. The victory is yours. Embrace it.
Featured Sermon
The Judgment of the Flood - 5/5/1957
Genesis 6:1-14: And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh:
AGreat Perplexity: A Full Heart Which Yearns To Pour Forth Its Praise, But Yet Fears When Emptied Must Again Leave His Presence. Read More
It is not so much your praise that is the more important as it is His presence. But if it is your praise which brings His presence,
then continually praise Him, so per chance He will abide. How oft have we seen a child hold a parent's presence with their praise at
bedtime, only to exhaust their little minds and be reduced to a plea: "No, Daddy," or, "No, Mommy, please don't go."
The look in their face—desperate sincerity. The tug of their tiny hand—Bold Petitioning Love! A father or mother's heart melts for an
additional moment, at their pleading side. Is our Heavenly Father any less caring when we to Him are sincerely praying?
THIS IS PRAYER!
The Joy To Know He Is Always There, At Your Side, Watching You!
AND SO PRAY:
"Abide Heavenly Father, that I may bask in your presence. Please, Father, do not from my side go. Stay forever.
And should I sleep, run to play, or serve, do not from my side forsake, that I may do so with full assurance you
will be there all the while—In My Presence."
Is there a Church in this house? Are parents, children, friends, servants, all members of it? or are some still unconverted? Let us pause here and let the question go round—Am I a member of the Church in this house? How would father's heart leap for joy, and mother's eyes fill with holy tears if from the eldest to the youngest all were saved!... Read More
Let us pray for this great mercy until the Lord shall grant it to us. Probably it had been the dearest object of Philemon's desires to have all his household saved; but it was not at first granted him in its fulness. He had a wicked servant, Onesimus, who, having wronged him, ran away from his service. His master's prayers followed him, and at last, as God would have it, Onesimus was led to hear Paul preach; his heart was touched, and he returned to Philemon, not only to be a faithful servant, but a brother beloved, adding another member to the Church in Philemon's house. Is there an unconverted servant or child absent this morning? Make special supplication that such may, on their return to their home, gladden all hearts with good news of what grace has done! Is there one present? Let him partake in the same earnest entreaty.
If there be such a Church in our house, let us order it well, and let all act as in the sight of God. Let us move in the common affairs of life with studied holiness, diligence, kindness, and integrity. More is expected of a Church than of an ordinary household; family worship must, in such a case, be more devout and hearty; internal love must be more warm and unbroken, and external conduct must be more sanctified and Christlike. We need not fear that the smallness of our number will put us out of the list of Churches, for the Holy Spirit has here enrolled a family-church in the inspired book of remembrance. As a Church let us now draw nigh to the great head of the one Church universal, and let us beseech Him to give us grace to shine before men to the glory of His name.
There are many today who would doubt or deny that this is true. There has even been an attempt to cover up and, in some cases,
to destroy the legacy of Christian thinking that has gone into the formation of our republic... Read More
July 4, 1821 - John Quincy Adams: The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected, in one indissoluble bond,
the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. From the day of the Declaration ... they (the American people) were bound
by the laws of God, which they all, and by the laws of the Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledged as the rules of their conduct...
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove
what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Because of God's assurances given to us in His Word, as Christians, we should take Him at His Word and promise ourselves we will
never again do those things He has given us the power to overcome. These are just the beginning in a long list waiting to be
discovered as you read. Read them. Claim them. Practice daily walking in His Power in them. Write them out. Carry them with you.
Look at and repeat them to yourself often. Soon you will discover you will give no second thought of them as His Spirit transforms
you into His likeness... Read More
For just one example. When someone asks you, "How's your day going?" and difficulties seem more than normal
for you, don't reply, "Terrible, just terrible. I'm really having a bad day." Be genuine. Rise above your difficulties and
live in the Joy of His promises and assurances. "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalms 118:24;
"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" - II Co.5:7. So, I will never again say: I'm having a bad day!...
The consequences of the magnitude of such a broad scale world-wide implementation of a "new church model" cannot be ignored. It must be examined by the serious Bible student and Christian! It must be looked at in light of Bible prophecy. We must heed the warnings of both Jesus' own words when He walked the earth and those inspired by the Holy Spirit written later for our advantage in alertness of end-time events and trends. Not to do so would be perilous. So, I have prayerfully written 5 articles on this demonic phenonemonen with hopes they will help you to understand how serious this modern attack is on the true church of Christ - Articles on the Modern Church.
3 Unexpected Trends In Religion
The 21st century began with three major unexpected trends in relation to the world's religions. First, despite the prognostications of leading academics in the mid-20th century, the world is becoming increasingly religious. In 2020, 88.7% of people worldwide profess a religion — up from 80.8% in 1970...Read entire article
Dear Sirs,
I teach Old Testament to a group of young people who have committed their lives to Christ and are involved in a national
group called Master's Commission. I would like permission to share your tests with them during a 10 week Bible Course. thank you... dale rains