Friday, December 20, 2019

CHURCH NEWS — Advent IV and Nativity

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT — Sunday, December 22nd.

This coming Sunday is the Fourth and last Sunday in Advent. The Feast of the Nativity of Jesus, Christmas, is just days away. Advent is a time to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us make good spiritual use of this season.

For the first three Sundays in Advent I have been preaching and teaching about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago, and I had intended to continue preaching on that topic this Sunday, but I feel strongly led to preach on his Second  Coming instead.

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST — Sermon Topic for December 22nd

On Sunday I will be preaching on the Second Coming of Christ. In previous sermons I have shown that the Time of the Nations (Gentiles) has been fulfilled since 1967 when Jerusalem passed wholly into Jewish control; and that God’s Fig Tree, the Jewish Nation, put forth new leaves when the State of Israel was born in a day on May 14, 1948. Jesus has promised that the generation that sees this happen will not pass away until all things be fulfilled. 

But, do we really believe him??? 

This Sunday I will be preaching on what End Time Bible prophecy tells us about nations other than Israel, — specifically I will be preaching on England and the United States in End Time Bible prophecy. 

You don’t believe that the Bible speaks about England and the United States? You will after my Sunday morning message!

The Holy Bible is not just a dusty old history book about something that happened long, long ago in a Galilee far, far away. The Bible is as fresh today as it was on the day that its various Books were written. Prophecy is just history (His story) written in advance. 

“Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” — Amos 3:7-8.

England and the United States are described so clearly and unmistakably in End Time Bible prophecy written more than 2,300 years before the United States became a nation and more than 2,000 years before Columbus discovered the New World that you will be amazed and wonder how you could have missed it. 

The problem is that Christians as a whole are really rather unfamiliar with the Bible, and especially with the Tanakh or Old Covenant Scriptures. And even when we do read the Scriptures we often do not have eyes to see because we have been preprogrammed to see the Scriptures through a pre-conceived paradigm. What I am going to show you is so crystal clear that it doesn’t need to be “interpreted.” It only needs to be read with open eyes and a willingness to learn.

I preached on this topic back in 2008, but a lot has happened in the last almost twelve years, giving us an even better understanding today. Be at church this Sunday and bring your Bible. I would also encourage you to consider bringing a pen and notepad for note taking. 

Invite family and friends. I promise you that you will see England and the United States, along with other modern countries, clearly and unmistakably described in the pages of Holy Writ. You will find no speculation or sensationalism in my message. None. This sermon will so strengthen your faith and hope that it may change your life and the lives of those you bring with you:

“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand” — Isaiah 46:9-10.

THE NATIVITY OF JESUS — December 25th at Midnight

Midnight Eucharist and Christmas Party

“For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course, Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne” — Wisdom of Solomon 18:15.

As has been our long tradition at Holy Cross parish we will celebrate a Midnight Holy Eucharist on the morn of December 25th at Midnight. A Christmas party in our parish hall will follow the Eucharist. Members of our church family are asked to bring festive food and drink for the party. Visitors are our guests and do not have to bring a thing. Be sure to invite family and friends. 


O Holy Night! Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Friday, December 13, 2019

LATEST PARISH NEWS

DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS — Sunday at 8:30 AM

We will be putting up the parish Christmas Tree and decorating the church for Advent and Christmas this Sunday, December 15th at 8:30 AM.

Everyone is invited to participate and join in the fun. There will be no Christian Education on Sunday because of the decorating. Morning Prayer (Matins) will be at 9:15 AM as usual.

Our church family is also invited to bring poinsettias to beautify the church for the season. Let us never forget that Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the Reason for the Season!

IS GENESIS HISTORY? (Video) — This Sunday during fellowship time

What if the Bible really is true? 

What if the Book of Genesis really does accurately record how God created the heavens and the earth? What if Adam and Eve really existed and there really was a Fall? What if there really was a great flood and an Ark? What if the Bible really is the Word of God written? How would that affect your life, your priorities, your decisions???

Beginning this Sunday, December 15th, we will be showing the new documentary film, Is Genesis History? in the parish hall during fellowship time after Services. The film will be shown in two approximately fifty (50) minute parts on Sundays December 15 and 22.

Dr. E. Calvin Beisner, PhD says that the film, “Will strengthen confidence in Scripture, clarify understanding of the relationships of revelation, science, history, and faith, and enhance understanding of difficult questions all while being both beautiful and entertaining.” 

Is Genesis History? features over a dozen scientists and scholars explaining how the world intersects with the history recorded in Genesis.  From rock layers to fossils, from lions to stars, from the Bible to artifacts, this fascinating film will change the way you see the world.

The film’s goal is to provide a scientific case for Creation, a real Adam and Eve, an actual fall, a great flood, and a tower of Babel. Dr. Del Tackett, creator of The Truth Project, serves as your guide—hiking through canyons, climbing up mountains, and diving below the sea—in an exploration of two competing views … one compelling truth.

Most people don’t realize just how many scientists and scholars see Genesis as the key to understanding the world around us. Each of the experts you will meet in this film has spent decades working in his respective field to better understand how it relates to the history recorded in the Bible.

Kevin Anderson, PhD – Microbiologist
Steve Austin, PhD – Geologist
Steven Boyd, PhD – Hebraist
Robert Carter, PhD – Marine Biologist
Arthur Chadwick, PhD – Taphonomist
Danny Faulkner, PhD – Astronomer
George Grant, PhD – Pastor
Paul Nelson, PhD – Philosopher of Science
Douglas Petrovich, PhD – Archeologist
Marcus Ross, PhD – Paleontologist
Andrew Snelling, PhD – Geologist
Kurt Wise, PhD – Paleontologist
Todd Wood, PhD – Biologist
Stuart Burgess, PhD – Mechanical Engineer 
Douglas Kelly, PhD – Theologian 
Larry Vardiman, PhD – Atmospheric Physicist 

This is a film that you will not want to miss! 

Be sure to invite family and friends. Make an effort to reach out to those who do not believe that the Bible can be true, that believe life began by chance and that evolution is true, or that life is meaningless and we are all alone in the universe.

I am attaching for you the two and a half minute official trailer for Is Genesis History? You will really enjoy it! Please share it with others and bring them to church with you on Sunday. Here is the link:


BIBLE PROPHECY IN THE NEWS

Yesterday, December 12th, The Jerusalem Post ran this headline:

JEWISH PRAYER HAS RETURNED TO THE TEMPLE MOUNT — EXCLUSIVE

“Senior Wakf official: Any change would spark strong response from Arabs and Muslims. Jewish activists: Final goal is to rebuild the Temple.”

There you have it. It’s coming folks. Israel is God’s Prophetic Time Clock — and the clock began ticking again on May 14, 1948 when Israel, God’s Fig Tree, put forth new leaves. The clock reached its final hour in 1967, when all of Jerusalem passed into Jewish control signaling the end of the time of the Gentiles (nations). 

Are you like the wise virgins in the parable who were watching for the Bridegroom to come and had oil in their lamps, or are you more like the foolish virgins who were asleep and unprepared when the Bridegroom came?

What are the oil lamps alluded to in this parable?  “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Yet most professed Christians spend little or no time in the Bible, and in most churches anything but the Bible is taught from the pulpit.

Are you spending time in God’s Word the Bible? Or are you “too busy” to “read, mark, learn and inwardly digest” the Scriptures? Are you studying Bible prophecy so you can recognize the Signs of the Times, or do you poo poo Bible prophecy despite the fact that a third of the Bible is made up of prophecy, and Amos the prophet has told us, “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

The Lord will come as a thief in the night to a careless world (including careless Christians), but he will not come as a thief in the night to the faithful, for the faithful are not children of the darkness, but of the light.

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (I Thess. 5:1-11).

You will want to read the article in The Jerusalem Post. Here is the link:


ENGLAND SHALL BE FREE — A Time to Celebrate!

Yesterday, Boris Johnson and the Tories won a landslide victory in the British elections. On January 31, 2020 the United Kingdom will be out of the EU and the English people will have restored their independence and sovereignty. The Tory campaign slogan was, “Get Brexit done!”

Some years ago when the English government announced that they would allow a referendum on EU membership they had thought that they could shape public opinion and easily win the referendum, thus sealing Englands fate — but God had other plans.

There is solid historic tradition that as a youth Jesus visited the British Isles with Joseph of Arimathea who was his great uncle. Even today you can visit old churches in parts of England where tradition has it that Jesus visited and see stained glass windows of Joseph of Arimathea and the young Jesus arriving by ship. There were important tin mines in England with an active tin trade with the Middle East, and Joseph of Arimathea had interests in the tin mines there. That is why later, when persecution broke out in Jerusalem in the wake of the stoning of Stephen, that Joseph of Arimathea fled to England in AD 37 where he had friends, and brought the Gospel with him.

These historical traditions have been told and sung about in England for centuries. I am attaching for you a video of the great Anthem, JERUSALEM by William Blake (1757-1827). This video includes the lyrics on the screen, so be sure to read them. They tell the story of the visit of our Lord as a youth to the British Isles. This great anthem will touch your heart and bless your soul. Here is the link:


THE HISTORICAL PRONUNCIATION OF VAV

Is it Vav or Waw? This really is a very important question. Many Christians “know” that Vav is the modern Hebrew pronunciation and Waw is the ancient pronunciation, but is that really correct? Or was Vav the ancient pronunciation that has been restored in modern times, and Waw a pronunciation that crept into Hebrew under the influence of Arabic? 

This question is vital for the proper pronunciation of the Divine Name (YHVH or YHWH ?).

Karaite Jewish Bible scholar and Dead Sea Scroll translator Nehemia Gordon tackles this very important question in his enlightening explanation of The Historical Pronunciation of Vav. You can see the eight minute video or listen to the audio, but if you are truly serious about the things of God you will not want to miss it. 

Like virtually all clergymen I was also taught that the vowels points of Adonai were added to the consonants YHVH, and that was to signal the Jewish reader to substitute Adonai (Lord) when he saw the Tetragrammaton in the text —  but what we were taught was wrong

Were were told that Yehovah/Jehovah was an unscholarly construct created by ignorantly combing the consonants of the Tetragrammaton with the vowels of Adonai. We were also taught that Yahweh was the Divine Name despite the fact that it appears in no Hebrew text of Scripture anywhere, ever, and has no historical foundation at all, while Yehovah/Jehovah is found more than a thousand times in Hebrew texts of Scripture. 

Unfortunately, Christians have a long history of refusing to consult Jewish sources even in areas where the Jews would know best! I can only guess that this is due to an arrogant sense of superiority coupled with a latent antisemitism. Here are several scholarly Jewish references that clear up the matter:

“It seems to me, that the vowels with which it is vocalized in most places [ְי ֹה ָוה ] are the original vowels...this was also the intention of the Masters of the Vowels in that they vocalized the Yod with Sheva [ְי ֹה ָוה ]. Had they intended to give the vowels of Adonai [ֲא ֹד ָני ], why did they not vocalize the Yod with Chataf-Patach [יֲ ֹה ָוה]...Therefore, I say that it’s true they intended for the Name to be read Adonai [ֲא ֹד ָני ], but preserved with this its original vowels [ְי ֹה ָוה ], which were known to them by received tradition.”—Rabbi Samuel David Luzzatto, Commentary on Genesis 2:4, 1834.

“This is not a Qere-Ketiv at all, and Sheva, Cholam, Kamatz are not at all the vowels of Adonai. Rather, they specifically belong to the Unique Name alone, and there is not a single vowel here that comes from, or remains from, as a memorial to the title Adonai, or even hints at it. With these vowels, the priests in the Temple used to call on the Unique Name according to the way it is written...”—Rabbi Jacob Bachrach, Ishtadlut Im Shadal (Warsaw,1896).

“There are currently over 700 Hebrew Bible manuscripts in which God's holy name has its own vowels: Yehovah יְהוָֹה. If the scribes of these 700 manuscripts wanted to insert the vowels of Adonai, nothing was preventing them from doing so… Don't believe the nonsensical claim that the vowels of Yehovah יְהוָֹה are the same as the vowels of Adonai אֲדֹנָי!” — Nehemia Gordon, 2017.

The Divine Name is indeed Yehovah/Jehovah as found in both the King James Version and the American Standard Version of the Bible, among others.

Here is the link to the video.  Enjoy!


ADVENT SERMON SERIES

This coming Sunday is the Third Sunday in Advent. During this Advent season I have been preaching a four week sermon series focusing on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this sermon series we have been digging beneath the surface to uncover how the text was understood by first century believers.

The topics for the Third and Fourth Sundays in Advent are:

Third Sunday in Advent, December 15th — 
Who really were the Shepherds that were caring for their sheep on the night in which Jesus was born? Were they poor shepherds and were the sheep ordinary sheep? The truth will both surprise you and thrill you!

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 22nd — 
Was Jesus really born in a stable, in a cave? Were the people of Bethlehem so cold hearted that no one would provide a place in a house for a young mother to deliver her baby?  Why didn’t the local priests or rabbis intervene? The surprising truth will warm your heart and give you a new perspective on humanity. You will not want to miss this sermon!

SATURDAY’S RADIO BROADCAST

THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM CST on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can listen live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:


THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS

In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is being archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access past radio programs here: 


SUNDAY SERVICES

We will be putting up the parish Christmas Tree and decorating the church for Advent and Christmas on Sunday morning at 8:30 AM, followed by Morning Prayer at 9:15 AM, and the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 AM, with fellowship, refreshments and the film Is Genesis History? after Services.

Everyone is invited and visitors are always welcome. We are a faithful and friendly congregation, and we have a place for you.


We hope to see you on Sunday!

Thursday, December 5, 2019

HOLY CROSS PARISH NEWS — December 5, 2019

God says in the Scriptures, ”My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). "Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge" (Proverbs 12:1). One thing that sets Holy Cross parish apart is that we are a teaching church.

The Holy Scriptures are the very Word of God written, and contain all things necessary for salvation. We are constantly teaching God’s Word. We are teaching the Word in our adult Christian Education class — and the class is taught at the college level, we are preaching the Word at our Services, we are teaching the Word in the videos we show, in the books we recommend, and in our weekly radio broadcasts of The Faith Once Delivered.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

If you want to really learn the Bible, and learn the Holy scriptures in their proper textual, cultural and historical context, then Holy Cross is the congregation for you!

IS GENESIS HISTORY?

What if the Bible really is true? What if the Book of Genesis really does accurately record how God created the heavens and the earth? What if there really was a flood and an Ark? What if the Bible really is the Word of God written? How would that affect your life, your priorities?

Beginning on Sunday, December 15th we will be showing the documentary film, Is Genesis History? in the parish hall during fellowship time. The film will be shown in two approximately fifty minute parts on Sundays December 15 and 22.

Dr. E. Calvin Beisner, PhD says that the film, “Will strengthen confidence in Scripture, clarify understanding of the relationships of revelation, science, history, and faith, and enhance understanding of difficult questions all while being both beautiful and entertaining.” 

Is Genesis History? features over a dozen scientists and scholars explaining how the world intersects with the history recorded in Genesis.  From rock layers to fossils, from lions to stars, from the Bible to artifacts, this fascinating film will change the way you see the world.

The film’s goal is to provide a scientific case for Creation, a real Adam and Eve, an actual fall, a global flood, and a tower of Babel. Dr. Del Tackett, creator of The Truth Project, serves as your guide—hiking through canyons, climbing up mountains, and diving below the sea—in an exploration of two competing views … one compelling truth.

Many people don’t realize just how many scientists and scholars see Genesis as the key to understanding the world around us. Each of these experts has spent decades working in his respective field to better understand how it relates to the history recorded in the Bible.

Kevin Anderson, PhD – Microbiologist
Steve Austin, PhD – Geologist
Steven Boyd, PhD – Hebraist
Robert Carter, PhD – Marine Biologist
Arthur Chadwick, PhD – Taphonomist
Danny Faulkner, PhD – Astronomer
George Grant, PhD – Pastor
Paul Nelson, PhD – Philosopher of Science
Douglas Petrovich, PhD – Archeologist
Marcus Ross, PhD – Paleontologist
Andrew Snelling, PhD – Geologist
Kurt Wise, PhD – Paleontologist
Todd Wood, PhD – Biologist
Stuart Burgess, PhD – Mechanical Engineer 
Douglas Kelly, PhD – Theologian 
Larry Vardiman, PhD – Atmospheric Physicist 

This is a film that you will not want to miss! Be sure to invite family and friends. Make an effort to reach out to those who do not believe that the Bible can be true, that believe life began by chance and that evolution is true, or that life is meaningless and we are all alone in the universe.

I am attaching for you the two and a half minute official trailer for Is Genesis History? You will really enjoy it! Please share it with others. Here is the link:


CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CLASS

Last Sunday I handed out a new Study Guide during our adult Christian Education Class.  It is titled, What is the Kingdom of God? I have put a lot of effort in preparing this Study Guide and I think you will find it very helpful in going deeper into God’s Word and reading the Bible with greater understanding. If you missed last week’s class, you can get a copy this Sunday. We have only begun to work through the handout.

THESE CLASSES ARE VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND THEM.  Visitors are always welcome. Thank you! 

We are studying both “the faith which was once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) and Bible Prophecy.  The faith was delivered in the 1st century, not the 1950s, the 16th century, the 11th century or even the 4th century. It is important that we are all on the same page spiritually, so we can move forward together in our mission as a congregation. To do that these classes are vital.  

Christian Education class is at 8:30 AM on Sunday.  The public is invited. I hope to see you there!

WHY IT’S YEhovah, BUT HalleluYAh  — SIX MINUTE VIDEO

In this brief, six minute episode of Hebrew Voices, “Why it's YEhovah, but HalleluYAh,” one of my favorite scholars, Nehemia Gordon, explains why the vowel in "Yehovah" changes in "Yah" and why people who don't understand this Hebrew rule are pronouncing Yeshua's name wrong. He also shows why God’s name is Yehovah (Jehovah) and not Yahovah or Yahweh.

Please invest six minutes of your time in this video. You will learn a lot and be glad you did! Here is the link:


SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT — This Sunday, December 8th

This coming Sunday is the Second Sunday in Advent! The Advent Wreath has been set up, the liturgical colour is purple, and the Decalogue has returned to the Eucharistic Liturgy.  

We will be decorating the church for the Advent and Christmas seasons one week from Sunday, on December 15th. Everyone is invited to participate. Jesus is the Reason for the Season! 

ADVENT SERMON SERIES

In Advent I will be preaching a four week sermon series focusing on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this sermon series you will learn things that you have never known before. This will be an eye opening, faith building and exciting sermon series as we dig beneath the surface and uncover how the text was understood by first century believers.

The topics of the Advent Sermon Series are as follows:

Second Sunday in Advent, December 8th —  
The Genealogies in Matthew and Luke’s Gospels are very different and apparently contradictory. Are they contradictory? Are they important? What do they tell us? 

Third Sunday in Advent, December 15th — 
Who really were the Shepherds that were caring for their sheep on the night in which Jesus was born? Were they poor shepherds and were the sheep ordinary sheep? The truth will both surprise you and thrill you!

Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 22nd — 
Was Jesus really born in a stable, in a cave? Were the people of Bethlehem so cold hearted that no one would provide a place in a house for a young mother to deliver her baby?  Why didn’t the local priests or rabbis intervene? The surprising truth will warm your heart and give you a new perspective on humanity. You will not want to miss this sermon!

NO MIDWEEK SERVICE NEXT WEEK 

There will be no celebration of the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist on Wednesday, December 11th. Subdeacon Michael and I will be recording two radio broadcasts at the KCRO studio on that day.

SATURDAY’S RADIO BROADCAST

THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is heard every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM CST on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha, and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, and can be heard throughout eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Not in eastern Nebraska or western Iowa? No problem! You can listen live over the Internet. Just go to the KCRO Radio website and click Listen Live:


THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED — PODCASTS

In addition to the radio broadcast every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM Central Time on KCRO Radio 660 AM in Omaha and 106.7 FM in Lincoln, each episode of THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED is being archived and can be listened to anytime as a Podcast. You can access past radio programs here: 


SUNDAY SERVICES

Sunday Christian Education is at 8:30 AM, followed by Morning Prayer at 9:15 AM, and the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist at 10:00 AM, with fellowship and refreshments after Services.

Holy Cross is an Orthodox Bible-believing congregation where the Holy Scriptures are taught in their proper textual, historical and cultural context. At Holy Cross parish God is worshipped in a spirit of holiness and the Bible is taught as the very Word of God written. Everyone is invited to attend and visitors are always welcome. We are a faithful and friendly parish, and we have a place for you. We hope to see you on Sunday!

Blessings,

Father+

Fr. Victor Novak
Pastor
HOLY CROSS ORTHODOX CHURCH
7545 Main Street
Ralston, Nebraska 68127

(402) 573-6558