Category: Ezra

A Third Religious Reformation is Badly Needed

View my latest video at the VisionRoot channel: The Emperor Has No Clothes; Stop the Madness and Lock Downs : https://youtu.be/i9HCbM-bwtE.

John 20

20 On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran to Simon Peter and to Jesus’ favorite disciple and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb! We don’t know where they have put him.”

Richard: The early disciples were uncertain after Jesus’ Crucifixion, not sure what was going to happen. We are also in a time of uncertainty now. Yet, as you are reading, Rev. Sun Myung Moon has left a clear path for us to follow.

Ezra 1

5 Many people felt that the Lord God wanted them to help rebuild his temple, and they made plans to go to Jerusalem. Among them were priests, Levites, and leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. 6 The others helped by giving silver articles, gold, personal possessions, cattle, and other valuable gifts, as well as offerings for the temple.

7 King Cyrus gave back the things that Nebuchadnezzar[c] had taken from the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem and had put in the temple of his own gods. 8 Cyrus placed Mithredath, his chief treasurer, in charge of these things. Mithredath counted them and gave a list to Sheshbazzar, the governor of Judah. 9-10 Included among them were: 30 large gold dishes; 1,000 large silver dishes; 29 other dishes;[d] 30 gold bowls; 410 silver bowls; and 1,000 other articles.

Richard: Some people feel that President Trump is in the position of Cyrus (https://youtu.be/XWZ5wnuZthE, start at 13:26) or https://youtu.be/2Z4u2494vHI. He had an unusual win in the 2016 Election, and has managed to anger corrupt politicians on both sides of the aisle. Prayerfully, he will lead us in the right direction during the current crisis. See my video The Emperor Has No Clothes; Stop the Madness and Lock Downs : https://youtu.be/i9HCbM-bwtE.

Exposition of the Divine Principle
3 Color Edition-The Red part

3.2 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SEPARATION OF POWERS

The concept of the separation of powers into three branches of government was advocated by Montesquieu (1689-1755), a leading thinker of the Enlightenment. It sought to prevent the concentration of political power in the hands of a single individual or institution, as was the case with political absolutism. The idea was proclaimed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man during the French Revolution. From the beginning, the separation of powers was to be characteristic of the political structure of the ideal society which God has been working to realize. Yet here again, as we observe throughout the course of the providence, Satan was defectively mimicking an aspect of the Principle ahead of its realization by God.

In the human body, the lungs, heart and stomach maintain harmonious interaction in accord with the directions of the brain, transmitted through the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system. By analogy, the three branches of government in the ideal world—the legislative, judicial and executive branches—will interact in harmonious and principled relationships when they follow God’s guidance as conveyed through Christ and people of God. In the ideal world, because people’s horizontal relationships with each other are rooted in their vertical relationship with God, they will form one integrated and interdependent society in which they share all their joys and sorrows.

3.3 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

God’s ideal of creation cannot be fulfilled merely by forming a world without sin. God blessed human beings to have dominion over the universe.11 We are to seek for the hidden laws of nature and advance science and technology to create a pleasant living environment. Thus, we can understand that the Industrial Revolution which began in England arose out of God’s providence to restore the living environment to one suitable for the ideal world. In so doing, the Industrial Revolution opened up a vast territory for the propagation of the Gospel. Accordingly, it contributed to both the internal and external aspects of the providence of restoration.

3.4 THE RISE OF THE GREAT POWERS

Science, industrialization created economies characterized by overproduction. The great powers of Europe, which felt an urgent need to pioneer new lands as markets for their products and as sources of raw materials for their factories, grew strong as they competed with each other in the scramble for colonies. Thus, two factors—the two trends in ideology and the course of economic development following the progress of science—caused the later political division of the world into two blocs: the democratic world and the communist world.

3.5 RELIGIOUS REFORMS AND POLITICAL AND INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTIONS SINCE THE RENAISSANCE

The Cain-type movement which began with the revival of Hellenism overthrew the medieval world and gave birth to the humanism of the Renaissance. As this movement developed further, moving in Satan’s direction, it gave birth to the Enlightenment, which may be regarded as the second renaissance in the current of ideology. Enlightenment thought further matured in the satanic direction, giving birth to historical materialism, which is the core of communist ideology. This may be regarded as the third renaissance.

Since the satanic side mimics in advance the providence of God, we may expect that God’s providence calls for three stages of revolution to take place in each of the three spheres of religion, politics and economy. In the sphere of religion, the first reformation took place under Martin Luther’s leadership after the first renaissance. A second reformation was launched after the second renaissance by the spiritual movements led by people such as the Wesley brothers, Fox and Swedenborg. From our examination of the progress of history, it is evident that a third reformation will occur following the third renaissance.

In the political sphere, we can surmise that reform also is taking place in three stages. First, medieval feudal society collapsed under the weight of the first renaissance and the first reformation. Next, absolute monarchy was destroyed by the forces unleashed by the second renaissance and the second reformation. Finally, the communist world was formed by the political revolutions brought on by the third renaissance. Through the coming third religious reformation, the democratic world on God’s side will triumph in the ideological war and bring the communist world on Satan’s side to its knees. Then the two worlds will unite into one Kingdom of Heaven on earth under God.

The economic changes which follow the religious and political reforms have been progressing in three industrial revolutions. The first Industrial Revolution originated in England and was based on the steam engine. A century later, the second Industrial Revolution took place in many advanced nations based on electricity and the gasoline engine. The third Industrial Revolution will flower by safely tapping the power of the atom; it will construct a pleasant living environment for the ideal world. In the centuries of preparation prior to the Second Advent of the Messiah, the three stages of revolutions in the three spheres of religion, politics and industry, which followed the three renaissances, have been a necessary course for the construction of the ideal world, as required by the principle of development through three stages.

Richard: Here is what Wikipedia says about the “Fourth Great Awakening”.

The Fourth Great Awakening is a debated concept that has not received the acceptance of the first three. Advocates such as economist Robert Fogel say it happened in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[21] The Jesus Movement is one evidence of this awakening, and it created a shift in church music styles.
Mainline Protestant denominations weakened sharply in both membership and influence while the most conservative religious denominations (such as the Southern Baptists and Missouri Synod Lutherans) grew rapidly in numbers, spread across the United States, had grave internal theological battles and schisms, and became politically powerful.[22]

I would add to the Jesus Movement the Unification Movement founded by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, whose teachings you are reading in this blog. The concept of the second or third Renaissance is not one generally accepted, but I believe it is related to the Great Awakenings. Also, Rev. Moon worked extensively to show the fallacies of godless Communism, and was instrumental in the fall of Communism and the former Soviet Union

View slides 38 to 55 below for an illustrated presentation of the above content:

2007p2-CHAPT-5-PrepPeriod-forSecond-Advent_revised-4-28-2014

How Will Heaven Train Us and Guide Us in Our Race

Tomorrow, September 1, 2019, is the 80th Anniversary of the beginning of World War II with the invasion of Poland simultaneously by Germany from the west and Russia from the east. My father, Tadeusz Urban who is now 94 years old, and was then 14, was in the path of the invading Russians in Lviv, Poland (now Ukraine). Watch a video chronicling his extraordinary journey: https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aj5ekHDYOaCigjosnwVYE4WpwXdA?e=oOqIzd.

Revelation 22

6 Then I was told:

These words are true and can be trusted. The Lord God controls the spirits of his prophets, and he is the one who sent his angel to show his servants what must happen right away. 7 Remember, I am coming soon! God will bless everyone who pays attention to the message of this book.

7 “Look! I’m coming soon. Favored is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy contained in this scroll.”

Ezra 1

7 King Cyrus gave back the things that Nebuchadnezzar[c] had taken from the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem and had put in the temple of his own gods. 8 Cyrus placed Mithredath, his chief treasurer, in charge of these things. Mithredath counted them and gave a list to Sheshbazzar, the governor of Judah. 9-10 Included among them were: 30 large gold dishes; 1,000 large silver dishes; 29 other dishes;[d] 30 gold bowls; 410 silver bowls; and 1,000 other articles.

11 Altogether, there were 5,400 gold and silver dishes, bowls, and other articles. Sheshbazzar took them with him when he and the others returned to Jerusalem from Babylonia.

Christian teacher Lance Wallnau has likened President Trump to Cyrus:
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2017/march/lance-wallnau-weighs-in-on-gods-chaos-candidate-now-americas-president .

Inside God’s Stadium

Rev. Sun Myung Moon
August 9, 1959

1 Corinthians 9: 14-27

It is written in I Corinthians 9:24: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” Centering on these words, I would like to speak to you briefly upon the topic “Inside God’s Stadium.”

As it was for the many saints in history, the people in the present era are dashing toward some unknown purpose in their lives. Although that purpose may not be clearly defined, their way of life has unfolded in various ways based upon it. The experience and form of the people and history have unfolded in various forms. All of these outcomes are not unrelated. We have to understand that there is some relationship which underpins their experience in this world, and that they are moving toward a certain purpose. If their actions and experiences are not rooted in such a relationship and purpose, then there is no way to establish the existence of God or any such being.

If God exists, He would surely try to forge a relationship with fallen humanity. For this reason, it cannot be denied that we who are moving toward a certain purpose are living inside the sphere of this relationship.

We know that we could not forge a relationship of goodness with God due to the Fall. Rather, we entered into a relationship of evil with Satan. Still, God does not want to abandon us, but is trying to restore us. We know that God and humanity have been walking an incredibly difficult course in order to restore humanity.

History is headed toward the one time when this purpose can be fulfilled. For this reason, you should understand that you are racers who are sprinting toward the purpose based on the standard of your conscience and your daily lives. All those who ever lived have stood on the race tracks of God’s providence of restoration.

God has been leading His providence concerning fallen people in various ways. God has been influencing them in various ways according to the differences between the people, differences between their prevailing ideologies and cultures. In the process, God has been fighting on humanity’s side to destroy evil until the moment His purpose is accomplished, the moment the race comes to an end.

If we accept that every person stands in the position of a racer, we are faced with the question of what we must do. If we understand how much God has suffered to raise up each one of us, and that we are obliged to stand inside the stadium and run with all our strength, how will Heaven train us and guide us in our race? How will each of us persevere through the tribulations of the race until we reach the destination? This is an important question that every one of us must resolve.

Among the saints and sages of the past, there must have been people who were in charge of one aspect of the whole and who set a certain standard before they died. In other words, these saints and sages did not complete the entire providence of Heaven or the entire race up to the end. Rather, they must have been in charge of various parts of the race and brought them to a conclusion. We should understand that this is how the race is being carried on even now. God made this stadium of restoration. We should understand that we have the inescapable responsibility to risk our lives in the race throughout our entire lifetimes.

Today there are many thoughts and teachings. In the religious world, there are many denominations and sects. Thoughts, philosophies and religions have taken various forms depending upon the uniqueness of the people they were established for. Such thoughts and religions should have developed into an ideology and religion which contains the entire content of God’s providence. Yet they failed to achieve that. All merely remained as thoughts and religions which were narrowly applicable to one nation or one era. We have to understand clearly that they were no more than parts of God’s race; the religions and ideologies were responsible for only partial missions.

I Can Educate and Discipline You to Save the World

Romans 16

23-24 Gaius welcomes me and the whole church into his home, and he sends his greetings.

Richard:  I want to travel and spread the completed testament gospel through Happy Mind Community Ministries.  This will be about spreading the completed testament gospel to specific geographic areas through Urban Grocery and Urban Life Training.  Stay tuned.

Ezra 10

29 Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth from the family of Bani;

30 Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh from the family of Pahath Moab;

31-32 Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah from the family of Harim;

33 Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei from the family of Hashum;

34-37 Maadai, Amram, Uel, Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu from the family of Bani;

38-42 Shimei, Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph from the family of Binnui;[f]

43 Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah from the family of Nebo.

44 These men divorced their foreign wives, then sent them and their children away.[

Richard:  The Jews were supposed to marry only with other Jews, not to foreign wives.  God was angry about this.  That is why they had to divorce their foreign wives.  Those who have received God’s lineage in the Completed Testament Age should also not dishonor God by marrying outside God’s lineage.

Rev Sun Myung Moon Speaks Jan. 8, 1976 Jacob House
To the Mobile Fundraising Team Workshop

I have gone through prison life and persecution and am still grateful to God. Win victory for the world. You as my spiritual children should be ready to tread same way. In later days people will find more opposition because Father is a yellow man. This can motivate us to tear down racial discrimination at an earlier date. People will find persecution wrong. Men will be tearfully united into oneness to oppose evil. I welcome opposition wherever it comes from. By difficulties you can experience just a bit of what Father has gone through. Do you want to feel more challenged? I am Korean. You are American. I am confident to save the world. You must do so much more. Can you say you are frustrated? No!  History will be our judge.  Our way of thinking is different. You must be stingy to use money for yourself. Save money for the sake of the world. Misusing money earned is like drinking poison. Money we earn is for the public not you. If you raise money for an individual purpose it just ends there. If you save one penny for mankind you can save mankind. If you have misconceptions about money it is better if you leave now. You are not needed anywhere. Continue reading “I Can Educate and Discipline You to Save the World”

God’s Love Partnership

Numbers 21

…The Israelites left the desert and camped near the town of Mattanah, 19 then at Nahaliel, and then at Bamoth. 20 Finally, they reached Moabite territory, where they camped near Mount Pisgah[d] in a valley overlooking the desert north of the Dead Sea.

Richard:  We are leaving the desert behind and entering an era of prosperity.  That is based on our own responsibility to attend God and Christ.  There will also still be many battles to fight.

Ezra 1

7 King Cyrus gave back the things that Nebuchadnezzar[c] had taken from the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem and had put in the temple of his own gods. 8 Cyrus placed Mithredath, his chief treasurer, in charge of these things. Mithredath counted them and gave a list to Sheshbazzar, the governor of Judah. 9-10 Included among them were: 30 large gold dishes; 1,000 large silver dishes; 29 other dishes;[d] 30 gold bowls; 410 silver bowls; and 1,000 other articles.

Richard:  This Rheama mirrors the first one;  people on God’s side will be taking control of those things that Satan has stolen.  This phenomena is also reflected in society in the Presidency of Donald Trump.

REVEREND SUN MYUNG MOON
SPEAKS ON

ROYAL FAMILY
OF TRUE LOVE

July 28, 1991
Belvedere, Tarrytown, New York

I clearly understood that I needed to settle in my hometown in Korea. Satan also understood, and worked through six successive Korean regimes to try to kick me away. But the seventh time Satan will no longer have power.

Now I am proclaiming messiahship. All people on both the left and right sides who don’t follow me in the future will have no hope. No satanic power can eliminate or erase what I have done. I am proclaiming the elder son-ship, parent-ship, and kingship, right? You have to know those contents clearly. Who is the elder son? It is Adam. Who are the first parents? Adam and Eve were the first, worst parents-and we are connected to them. How can the True Parents’ way appear? Only through true love. The first parents ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of evil, bequeathing their evil blood lineage to all generations. Contrary to that, you must follow the true love way. But your body is connected to Satan’s love, Satan’s life, Satan’s lineage! Is it easy to separate from Satan? It is so difficult.

The providential way of salvation is the restoration way. Restoration is recreation. When God created the world, there was only one concept. We have to go back to the zero point before creating God’s side. So the Bible teaches, he who wants to live will lose his life, he who can lose his life will gain it. What is the meaning? To want to lose one’s life means losing Satan’s life-cut from Satan. Otherwise there is no way for God to connect to you. Historically, evil prospered and goodness suffered. These directions are being exchanged. Now, good people will go up, bad people will decline. This is the crossing junction time, the zero point time. The free world has lost its way. Communism took the worst direction and now stands at the zero point. Continue reading “God’s Love Partnership”

Replace the Sorrow, Anguish and Anger of the Father with Your Own

Genesis 47

7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob and introduced him to the king. Jacob gave the king his blessing, 8 and the king asked him, “How old are you?”

9 Jacob answered, “I have lived only a hundred thirty years, and I have had to move from place to place. My parents and my grandparents also had to move from place to place. But they lived much longer, and their life was not as hard as mine.” 10 Then Jacob gave the king his blessing once again and left. 11 Joseph obeyed the king’s orders and gave his father and brothers some of the best land in Egypt near the city of Rameses. 12 Joseph also provided food for their families.

Ezra 8

35 Those who had returned from exile offered sacrifices on the altar to the God of Israel. Twelve bulls were offered for all Israel. Ninety-six rams and seventy-seven[o] lambs were offered on the altar. And twelve goats were sacrificed for the sins of the people. 36 Some of those who had returned took the king’s orders to the governors and officials in Western Province. Then the officials did what they could for the people and for the temple of God.

Richard:  Let us offer gratitude to God by working to save His lost children.

Let Us Become Beloved Children and Receive the Seals

Rev. Sun Myung Moon
September 14, 1958

John 10:31-36

We have the tradition and connection left behind by the believers in history. If anyone forgets this, it would be an ungrateful betrayal of the universe, which incorporates the heavenly way and the human way. Now is the time to realize this.

In the internal life of faith, what is the first thing you should feel and find before the heavenly way? It is not joy, happiness nor glory. Since humanity has brought sorrow to Heaven, the first thing to find is heavenly sorrow, which has been ruling the earth. You should know that despite time and place, the seekers of the truth are the ones who are carrying the cross and establishing the altar of heavenly appeal under unjust oppression to remove the heavenly tears. Continue reading “Replace the Sorrow, Anguish and Anger of the Father with Your Own”