At the cross, Christ gave us two options. One is salvation and the other is healing. One road, salvation is much traveled while the other road is less traveled, which is healing. God wants everyone to be saved, but does God want everyone healed?

The road less traveled is a complicated one and is not taught or preached very often.

I remember when Jesus went to the pool of Silone. Many cripples were gathered, but He healed only one. I Remember that Paul lived a long time with some ailment he called a thorn in his side to keep him humble (2Cor 12:7).

Before we dive into the deep end…let me read what Google AI offered to this question…What are the arguments about healing in the Bible?

Arguments about healing in the Bible focus on whether physical healing is guaranteed in the atonement, the role of faith, and why some are not healed.

Key Arguments and Perspectives

• Healing in the Atonement: Some argue that, based on Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24 ("by his wounds you have been healed"), physical healing was purchased by Jesus on the cross, making it a current right for believers.
• Sovereign Will of God: Others argue that healing is not guaranteed in every instance in this life, suggesting that God sometimes uses illness for spiritual growth, testing, or to demonstrate his power through weakness, as in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.
• Role of Faith: Many believe that healing requires or is triggered by strong faith, while others argue that Jesus often healed based on compassion, even when faith was lacking or in response to the unbelief of others.
• Significance of Miracles: Some argue that, while God still heals, miraculous healings were especially intended to confirm the authority of Jesus and his apostles in the early church.
• Provisional vs. Ultimate Healing: While some believe in complete physical health now, others focus on the promise that "all diseases will be healed" ultimately in the new earth (Revelation 21:4), making full healing a future hope rather than a current guarantee.

What kind of healing is important? Remember, these bodies will perish, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. But our spirits will endure and be resurrected in a glorified body we can't imagine. Pain, frustration, broken bodies - these are worldly things that are passing away.

I agree with your assessment of what the cross offers….Salvation and Healing. The question that remains in my humble opinion, is what does healing mean? Salvation means life after for those that have accepted the gift. But what does Healing mean? One would think it is for the “LIFE NOW” vs the “LIFE AFTER” which is what Salvation is for.

We know that we all die of one thing or another, car accident, etc., but most die of some physical ailment of some sort which is tied to aging or some genetic gene or not taking care of yourself or something they got from their work environment.

We also know that in heaven…there is no sickness, pain, ailments of any kind as we will all have new heavenly bodies that will prevail thru eternity. This knowledge gives us peace knowing that eventually…we will all be healed! But again, THAT HEALING is a LIFE AFTER DEATH event and not a “LIFE NOW” event.

Hence my redefinition of what IS healing and WHAT actually gets healed?

Most would define healing as a physical manifestation…but I believe the true definition of healing is directed to the HEART because our Heart needs to be healed from the burden of sin…and the heart must be healed to actually acknowledge, accept and surrender to the gift of salvation.

Musical guest: Yours Truly

Album: Warrior for the King

Title: Love Blood

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Today Mark will share a few prophetic scriptures that may be prophetically accurate and applicable today. The first is Jeremiah 49:35+ and the latter scripture is Ezekiel 39:1+.

But first, Mark will remind us of a news story that occurred on May 19, 2024, where one of Iran's Helicopter got lost in the fog and crashed into the mountains.

Prophecy of Elam: Jeremiah 49:35

“That which came as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, I am going to break the bow of Elam, The finest of their might.

I will bring upon Elam the four winds From the four ends of heaven, And will scatter them to all these winds; And there will be no nation to which the outcasts of Elam will not go. So I will shatter Elam before their enemies and before those who seek their lives; and I will bring calamity upon them, even my fierce anger,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will send out the sword after them until I have consumed them.

Then I will set My throne in Elam and destroy out of it king and princes,’ declares the Lord. ‘but it will come about in the last days that I will restore the fortunes of Elam,’ ” declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 49:34-39 NASB1995

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Thanks for joining us today as we discuss the FOURTH attempt to derail the government by assassination of leadership or intimidation of leadership.

Trump is the first President in history to have three, no four attempts on his life.

When asked "why you again"…Trump replied “Impactful people” are always the targets.

Talk about courage. Most people that have already been shot once, or after three other attempts, would have resigned their role and check out completely by now…vowing never to leave their house again…but not Trump.

He was willing to proceed with the dinner! I would argue there’s never been a more courageous, unwavering servant of this nation in our nations history.

My closest and dearest friend has suggested in the past that we use AI somehow in our podcast. Well today’s the day, brother. Here’s the question I asked of Google AI.

What are the top 3 reasons for TDS and the cultural decline in America ?

AI’s answer:

Commonly cited reasons for cultural decline and political phenomena like "TDS" (Trump Derangement Syndrome) in the United States often center on deep-seated societal shifts and intense polarization. Many observers point to the breakdown of shared identity and the rise of emotional, rather than ideological, conflict as primary drivers.

1. Intense Affective Polarization

Unlike traditional political disagreement over policy, "affective polarization" is driven by emotion and a visceral dislike of the opposing "out-group". This often results in "Manichean thinking," where the other side is viewed as an existential threat rather than a legitimate political opponent. For critics of the term TDS, this emotional intensity is a reaction to perceived threats to democratic norms; for proponents of the term, it represents an irrational obsession that prevents constructive discourse.

2. Fragmentation of the Media Ecosystem

The shift from a centralized media era to one dominated by algorithm-driven feeds has created "filter bubbles" and "echo chambers".

• Algorithmic Amplification: Platforms often prioritize "outrage" and polarizing content because it generates higher engagement, leading to a skewed perception of reality.
• Decline of Shared Facts: With the proliferation of partisan blogs and podcasts, Americans often lack a common set of facts, making it difficult to find middle ground on cultural or political issues.

I find it interesting that AI opted to leave out the misguided main stream fake news platforms and social media sycophants in that definition.

So maybe the battle shouldn’t be “hate orange man Trump” but hold social media greed, desire for sensational fake friends and likes to account. Stop listening to the lying fake news…and consider the truth.

It’s NOT Trump they hate. It’s their lack of power, influence and control they hate. Trump is simply the scapegoat.

It’s not the man….its his influence, his common sense policies and his courage to stand resolute against the lefts sick rhetoric.

At the core it’s jealousy, envy, greed and their fear of being exposed and left out that drives them to hate what MAGA stands for.

Today's left politicians and the left media propagandizers are the Pharisees of Jesus days. They fear loosing their significance, their influence and their control over others…so they stir the people to hate.

If we’re being honest the sickness, derangement and the vitriol of hate is from Satan. It should SDS.

Satan's Derangement Strategy!

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With all the news circling around the Iran war there's a lot of debate or questions as to who’s in charge around here? Trump or the fifth string Mullahs… and with that…people always want to jump to the end of days discussion.

A few days back, the verse of the day on the My Bible App featured Mark 13:30 where Jesus said “truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away” before Jesus comes back at end times.

Did Jesus get it wrong? What generation is he referring to?

I found a great article online by Dr John Oakes who wrote a piece in Bible Interpretation which was posted on July 12, 2022.

Dr Oakes opens up his article with this intro. Mark 13:30 has bugged me for some time now. For context, in chapter 13 Jesus predicts the Temple’s destruction, then lists events that signal the end times, saying, “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” (NIV)

This version, according to Oakes, assumes Jesus was speaking directly to the people alive during the end times. To which I say, “whose end times? Theirs or ours.” We have nations at war with one another just like they did in Jesus’ day.

Did Jesus make a mistake? Am I wrong to have doubts? Is this faith-shattering?

Thankfully Oakes has an answer for us to consider that has context and logic, so let’s take a look at it.

Here’s his answer.

If we look at Mark 13, but perhaps even more importantly, at Matthew 24, Jesus is prophesying concerning two different events. The prophecies cover the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, (AD meaning After Death of Christ), and also the second coming of Christ. For example, Matthew 24:15-21 is clearly and, I would say, unambiguously a prophecy concerning the coming destruction of Jerusalem under Titus in AD 70. In fact, Eusebius tells us that the Christian church did indeed flee to Pella at the time of the siege of Jerusalem, escaping the coming judgment on the Jews who had rejected their Messiah.

They did so because they understood Jesus to be talking about the events of AD 68-70. The abomination of desolation is a reference back to Daniel and Daniel 8 and the desecration of the temple in 167 BC, but it is also a prophecy of the abomination and the desecration of the temple by Titus when he offered pagan sacrifice to the god of Rome right on the temple site.

So, when Jesus says that the current generation would not all pass away before the events are fulfilled, he is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem, which happened almost exactly forty years after Jesus spoke those words.

Take a look at Matthew 24: 1-14. If we are being honest and know our bible…these signs that Christ mentions were happening during his day and they are no doubt happening in our generation. In fact, all generations since Christ coming the first time, have witnessed wars and rumors of wars. Nations have been fighting nations since the beginning of time. There have been many “various places” of famines and earthquakes…”but these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”

There will be tribulation, all that follow Christ will be hated by many because of his name. Many will fall away from the faith, betray one another and hate one another. Because lawlessness is increasing, most people’s love will grow cold.

Verse 13. BUT! The one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations….THEN the end will come.

Nonetheless I was able to walk away with a logical understanding with context that defined the generation he was addressing, Jesus’ generation.

Or did I? Isn’t it possible that our generation, this generation, your generation is witnessing biblical events today, all of

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LIFE IS A PARTY and Your INVITED.

The password to attend is GRACE.

In Luke 14: 15-24 there's a parable about a man who planned a large banquet and sent out invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to contact each of the invited guests, telling them that all was ready and the meal was about to start (verses 16-17). One after another, the guests made excuses for not coming.

When the master of the house heard these excuses, he was angry. He told his servant to forget the guest list and go into the back streets and alleyways of the town and invite “the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” (verse 21).

Jesus ends the parable by relating the master’s determination that “not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet” (verse 24).

The statement that prompted the parable is key. The man who, in verse 15, looks forward to dining in the Messianic kingdom probably subscribed to the popular notion that only Jews would be part of that kingdom. The parable Jesus tells is aimed at debunking that notion, as the following explanation makes clear:

The master of the house is God, and the great banquet is the kingdom, a metaphor that was suggested by the speaker at the table. The invited guests picture the Jewish nation. The kingdom was prepared for them, but when Jesus came preaching that “the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17), He was rejected. “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11).

The excuses for skipping the banquet are laughably bad. The interpretation is that the Jews of Jesus’ day had no valid excuse for spurning Jesus’ message; in fact, they had every reason to accept Him as their Messiah.

The detail that the invitation is opened up to society’s maimed and downtrodden is important. These were the types of people that the Pharisees considered “unclean” and under God’s curse (cf. John 9:1-2, 34). Jesus, however, taught that the kingdom was available even to those considered “unclean” (cf. Acts 10).

Those who ignored the invitation to the banquet chose their own punishment—they missed out. The master respects their choice by making it permanent: they would not “taste of my banquet.” So it will be with God’s judgment on those who choose to reject Christ: they will have their choice confirmed, and they will never taste the joys of heaven.

The basic message of the Parable of the Great Banquet could be stated this way: The blessings of the kingdom are available to all who will come to Christ by faith.

The inclusion of the Gentiles is a fulfillment of Hosea 2:23, “I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

John 10:10 …. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; but I can that they (you) may have LIFE, AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY!

LIFE IS THE PARTY.

He didn’t come to indict us but to invite us…to life at its fullest.

How do you spell religion? Jesus spells it this way. D. O. N. E. DONE!

Musical Guest: Dave's album Warrior for the King. Song selection: Love Blood

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Today, we are going to examine what was happening AFTER the crucifixion and resurrection. What did the next 40 days look like?

What were the emotions, thoughts and questions whirling around in the heads of Christ followers, as well as the onlookers, the Pharisees and politicians?

No doubt, the weeks following Jesus’ triumphant entry, his arrest, the trials, verdict, and his mysterious resurrection three days post, was filled with many opposing emotions.

For Mary, Martha, Lazarus and all the apostles and witnesses present at the rising of Lazarus from the dead, just hours from Passover commencing, the emotions would have moved from deep sadness to jubilant amazement.

Jesus had now been arrested and was standing trial. Surely there was much hope that he would prevail…after all He was the great orator, story teller, wise and able to reach the souls of men in debate…He would convince the powers to yield and surrender!

Meeting with Pontius Pilate, the Sadducees and Pharisees HE would prove his case! The teachings, the healings and miracles would prove He IS who He says He is.

But the initial meeting turned to trials…ridicule, mockery, lashings, denial and silence from his followers (Peter being the first to deny knowing or testifying on Jesus’ behalf.)

Even Pilate found no crime in Jesus and gave the people an option. Jesus or Barabbas? “Give us Barabbas” they cried! “Crucify him” they demanded! ( John 18:35, 37-40 ). Hope was vanquished, taken over by despair, fear of what may come next for those that associated with him…and then the crucifixion! It was official. It was finished! Their messiah was not what they had expected.

Rejection, abandonment, confusion, regret maybe for the time they had spent following him.

What was Saturday like for his followers? Lots of questions maybe along with many tears. All seemed lost! Whatever each imagined would happen last week was now dashed…a painful memory of what “could have been.”

But on Sunday Mary delivers the message…the tomb is empty!! He is risen! He’s meeting us here tonight!! Surely the disciples thought she was delusional, had snapped and deeply overcome with denial! Emotions, questions, and previously held belief in his promises and messages were suspect. Confusion, debate, anger, what next (can I get my boat back, my nets back?), 3 years of lost income…and for what?

What happened that evening? Jesus appeared to those in the upper room. This was their first manifestation of Jesus post his crucifixion. But Thomas wasn’t there, so Jesus came by again…eight days later! This was their second manifestation of Christ.

In Acts 2:40-41 we read: “And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”

So to those listening that have also shared similar emotions…doubts, fears, disbeliefs, confusion, anxiety, anger or had questions like those we’ve presented we are encouraging you to do this:

• Accept that Emotions are natural
• Ponder them deeply, identify why you are having them
• They may be leading you to deeper revelation
• Consider the testimonies of those that believe and are following Christ teachings
• Listen to your heart as you examine them for truth
• Truth that stirs your heart is the voice of the Holy Spirit, the voice of God
• It may come with discomfort but if it speaks true to your heart, listen
• And when you finally accept what is revealed to you, accept Gods grace…forgive yourself and begin a new with Christ at your side

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Thanks for joining us this week as we examine the events of Holy Week, from the triumphant entry into the city on a donkey, to the turmoil and turning of tables in the Temple, to the last supper, getting arrested, the trial, the spilling of the blood to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

A three year ministry comes down to a seven day week and ends and starts over a three day event. Amazing.

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Join Mark and I today as we celebrate our 300th episode for One Day Closer. It might not be Epic Fury, but its an epic milestone for us and so we have decided to invite our former Pastor to join us for our annual check up!

Let me introduce you to a widely respected pastor, loved by thousands, a great man to be sure and a very dear friend, Carl Sutter, former pastor of 30 plus years now retired.

Today we will ask Carl about the status of the Western Church, what have we gotten right, what's wrong with the Church, is it the pastors or is it the congregation?

What do we need to address to right the ship and what should we be telling the next generation to ensure their success going forward?

We'll examine the example of Charlie Kirk, his message and his faith in engaging with the youth. What can we learn from him? We'll discuss todays cultural lies and failures and explore new paths forward. Pathways paved with HOPE and God's Promises.

We'll ponder how best to share the message of Hope with our soon to be freed Persian youth, showcase how Jesus restores dignity and promise with women of his time, and much much more.

Todays closing music clip is Shane & Shane sharing I'm Fighting a Battle.

Find us on the web at www.onedaycloser.biz for articles and book reviews and much more.

Drop us a note at odc22@proton.me. We would love to hear from you.

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