Dear Brothers and Sisters:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
This week, we are studying the book of Revelation. The book that most Pastors, ministers, missionaries, and lay persons are afraid of. Yes, it is filled with signs, symbols, and wonders, and is centered on the return of Jesus Christ to set up His dominion.
Just as Genesis is the book of beginnings, Revelation is the book of consummation. In it, the divine program of redemption is brought to fruition, and the holy name of God is vindicated before all creation. Although there are numerous prophecies in the Gospels and Epistles, Revelation is the only New Testament book that focuses primarily on prophetic events. It's title means "unveiling" or "disclosure". Thus, the book is and unveiling of the character and program of God. Penned by John during his exile on the island of Patmos, Revelation centers around visions and symbols of the resurrected Christ, who alone has authority to judge the earth, to remake it, and to rule it in righteousness.
The title of this book in the Greek text is Apokalypsis Ioannou, "Revelation of John." It is also known as the Apocalypse, a transliteration of the word apokalypsis, meaning "unveiling," "disclosure," or "revelation." Thus the book is an unveiling of that which otherwise could not be known. A better title comes the first verse: Apokalypsis Iesou Christou, "Revelation of Jesus Christ,"which came from Christ, or a revelation which is about Christ-both are appropriate. Because of the unified contents of this book, it should not be called Revelations.
In chapter 1:2 says " Who bear record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. John writes to the seven churches, which are in Asia, and he hails them by saying "Grace be unto you and peace from Him, which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; by saying this, Jesus is saying "I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, which is and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
As you know, the Apostle John, who because of his beliefs, was exiled from society, that he may receive the revelation of God' s son. It is a strange event to be persecuted for the love of God and the knowledge of His word, and to be hated by man because of God's divine message to your soul.
In chapter 2, Jesus addresses the angels of the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Philadelphia, and in the 3rd chapter, he addresses the angels of the churches in Sardis, and Laodicea.
Jesus begins his revelation back on earth through his churches by saying "I know thy works, and in all the churches, he makes this statement whether the church is dead, evil, saying that they are Jews and are not, that Satan is in them, filled with charity, has little strength, and luke warm.
Yes, Christ knows us, and the work that we present to Him must be pure in spirit and in truth. We may fool our neighbors, friends, co-workers, politicians, and others, but God knows our heart, which is the church.
More next time on the book of Revelation.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Presiding Prelate
Discovered Being Ministry, Incorporated
P.O Box 2284
New York, New York 10163-2284
718-607-3277
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we are going to conclude the short study of Isaiah the Prophet. We know that he brought to the people of God a message of salvation and repentance, as well as an invitation to commune with God.
This is the outline of Isaiah's prophetic messages:
1. The Syrian and Assyrian background 1:1-39:8
A. Introduction 1:1-31
B. A condemnation of the people's pride and a promise of the Lord's exaltation 2:1-5:30
C. Isaiah's call to be the Lord's prophet 6:1-13
D. A condemnation of fear of the nations rather than fear of God 7:1-12:6
E. The day of the Lord: oracles of doom against the nations 13:1-23:18
F. The "little apocalypse": judgment and restoration 24:1-27:13
G. Six woes and promises of salvation 28:1 -35:10
H. The history of Hezekiah and Isaiah 36:1-39:8
2. The Babylonian background 40:1-55:13
A. Introduction 40:1-31
B. The nations on trial 40:1-46:13
C. Oracles of salvation and oracles concerning the Suffering Servant 47:1-55:13
3. The postlexilic background 56:1-66:24
A. Identifying the true people of God 56:18
B. A condemnation of Israel 56:9-57:13
C. The Lord's dwelling with the contrite 57:14-21
D. Condemnation of hypocritical fasting 58:1-14
E. The restoration of repentant Israel 59:1-8
F. Israel's Lament 59:9-15
G. The Lord's vindication of His people 59:16-21
H. Jerusalem's glorious future 60:1-62:12
I. Israel's lament 63:1-64:12
J. The contrast between true and nominal Israel 65:1-66:24
Brothers and sisters, the Bible says in II Timothy 2:15 "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth."
I do hope that this short study of the prophet Isaiah's ministry will help you learn and appreciate the commitment, even His death did not change the course of the Bible.
I will be leaving shortly to go on a missionary journey to Africa. However, you will still receive my daily notes.
If you would like to contribute to this missionary journey, please send your donations to the address listed below.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Presiding Prelate
Discovered Being Ministry, Incorporated
P.O Box 2284
New York, New York 10163-2284
718-607-3277
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
We begin by saying actually, the resemblances between 1-39 and 40-66 are greater than the differences. These include similarities in thoughts, images, rhetorical ornaments, characteristic expressions, and local coloring. It is true that the first section is more terse and rational, while the second section is more flowing and emotional, but much of this is caused by the different subject matter, condemnation versus consolation. Critics often forget that content, time, and circumstances typically affect and author's style. In addition, there is no theological contradiction between the emphasis on the Messiah as King in 1-39 and as suffering servant in 40-66. While the thrust is different, the Messiah is seen in both sections as Servant and King. Another critical arguement is that Isaiah could not have predicted the Babylonian captivity and the return under Cyrus (mentioned by name in 44 and 45) 150 years in advance. This view is based on the mere assumption that divine prophecy is impossible, rejecting the predictive claims of the book.
The unity of Isaiah is supported by the book of Ecclesiasticus, the Septugint, and the Talmud. The New Testament also claims that Isaiah wrote both sections. John 12:37-41 quotes form Isaiah 6:9, 10 and 53:1 and attributes it all to Isaiah. In Romans 9:27 and 10:16-21, Paul quotes form Isaiah 10, 53, and 65 and gives the credit to Isaiah. The same is true for Matthew 3:3 and 12:17-21, Luke 3:4-6, and Acts 8:28.
If 40-66 was written by another prophet after the events took place, it is a misleading and deceptive work. Furthermore, it would lead to the strange conclusion that Israel's greatest prophet is the only writing prophet of the Old Testament to go unnamed.
Isaiah's long ministry ranged from about 740 to 680 B.C (1:1). He began his ministry near the end of Uzziah's reign (790-739 B.C) and continued through the reigns of Jotham (739-731 B.C), Ahaz (731-715 B.C), and Hezekiah (715-686 B.C). Assyria was growing in power under Tiglath-pileser who turned toward the west after his conquests in the east. He plucked up the small nations that dotted the Mediterranean coast including Israel and much of Judah. Isaiah live during this time of military threat to Judah, and warned it's kings against trusting in alliances with other countries rather than the power of Yahweh. As contemporary of Hosea and Micah, he prphesied in the last years of the northern kingdom but ministered to the southern kingdom of Judah who was following the sins of her sister Israel. After Israel's demise in 722 B.C, he warned Judah of judgement not by Assyria but by Babylonia, even though Babylonia had not yet risen to power.
More next time.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Presiding Prelate
Discovered Being Ministry Incorporated
P.O Box 2284
New York, New York 10163-2284
718-607-3277
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
For the duration of this month, we will be studying the Book of Isaiah the Prophet.
Isaiah is like a miniature Bible. The first of thirty-nine chapters (like the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament) are filled with judgement upon immoral and idolatrous men.Judah has sinned: the surrounding nations have sinned; the whole earth had sinned. Judgement must come, for God cannot allow such blatent sin to go unpunished forever. But the final twenty-seven chapters (like the twenty-seven books of the New Testament) declare a message of hope. The Messiah is coming as a Saviour and a Sovereign to bear a cross and to wear a crown.
Isaiah's prophetic ministry, spanning from the reigns of four kings of Judah, covers at least forty years.
Yesha'yahu and it's shortened form of yeshaiah mean "Yahweh Is Salvation." This name is an excellent summary of the contents of the book. The Greek form in the Septugint is Hesaias, and the Latin form is Esaias or Isaias.
Isaiah the "St. Paul of the Old Testament," was evidently from a distinguished Jewish family. His education is evident in his impressive vocabulary and style. His work is comprehensive in scope and beautifully communicated. Isaiah maintained close contact with the royal court, but his exhortations against alliances with foreign powers were not always well recieved. This great poet and prophet was uncompromising, sincere, and compassionate. His wife was a prophetess and he fathered at least two sons (7:3;8:3). He spent most of his time in Jerusalem and talmudic tradition says his persecutors sawed him in two during the reign of Manasseh (Hebrews 11:37).
The unity of this book has been challenged by critics who hold that a "Deutero-Isaiah" wrote chapters 40-66 after the Babylonian captivity. They argue that 1-39 has and Assyrian background, while 40-66 is set against a Babylonian background. But Babylon is mention more than twice as often in 1-39 as in 40-66. The only shift is one of perspective form present time to future time. Critics also argue that there are radical differences in the language, style, and theology of the two sections.
More on the Prophet Isaiah next time.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Presiding Prelate
Discovered Being Ministry Incorporated
P.O Box 2284
New York, New York 10163-2284
(718)-607-3277
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today I bring you a subject that has affected this nation and all other nations under the sun. That subject is Discrimination. Whether it be Race, Color, Religion, Disability, Handicap, Familial Status and Gender. There are agencies whose sole purpose is to combat discrimination. for example, Housing Urban Development whose purpose is to eliminate discrimination in housing based on Race, Color, Religion, Disability, Handicap, Familial Status and Gender. Also that agency is responsible for testing for racial steering, red lining by real estate brokers, agencies etc. Sine the inception of Housing Urban Development there has been no change as it relates to African Americans seeking housing support. As a matter of fact Housing Urban Development is now under investigation for using federal funds to support programs that are racial in policy. Not only are they supporting these programs, but the do it through agencies such as New York City Department of Homeless Services. Billions of dollars are poured into this agency which discriminates against religion.
There is a case before the United States District Court, Southern District having the case # of 07-CV-8069 which alleges viewpoint discrimination by the agency that Housing Urban Development supports. 42 USC 2000d prohibits any discrimination in any program that receives federal funds. As citizens we realize that Housing Urban Development has been stifled by cutbacks set by the congressional budget committee and policy makers to the point that the investigative process has been trained over to a lower agency. One of the agencies is the New York State Division of Human Rights. Having your case investigated by this agency is like having a chicken hawk investigate the hen house. In other words, it is of non-effect. Revamp it or dismantle it and save the tax payers billions of dollars in regard of a top heavy inundated and inadequate agency. Secondly another agency the that I like to bring to your attention is the United States Justice Department (Civil Rights Division) whose purpose is to seek out and eliminate discrimination based on Race, Color, Religion, Disability, Handicap, Familial Status and Gender.
This agency is in trouble. Newspaper articles are written daily concerning the mismanagement and corruption within the ranks of the agency set for the by the government that says for the people and by the people. Citizens, I cannot tell you how to control an agency that is out of control when the whole nation has allowed civil rights to the be placed on the back burner and only in severe cases, will you get probable cause that a act of discrimination has occurred.
I have been in civil rights for 35 years. I have dedicated most of my life to assuring citizens that our government is set up with checks and balances and that there are those who care what your economic situation is and where you stay and how to protect your right to freedom of expression (religion).
In 1965 I was on the lines with Martin Luther King, Ralph Abernathy, Jesse Jackson, Roy Innis, Julian Bond and others. Yet the public has forgotten how dogs, water hoses, police batons, church burnings and plain old murder set precedence during this period.
Editors now are afraid to even mention discrimination but is still alive and well. I appeal to the people of the this country to take a look at themselves whether they are White, African American, Hispanic, Chinese, Japanese, Asian, Indian, Native American, Jew or Gentile all of our lives are being affected by the lack of concern by these agencies who use our taxes to pay their salaries and live where they want to and we cannot.
As being a civil rights activist I will bring a court case before the United States District Court against Housing Urban Development alleging violation of the 1968, 1983 Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act, Revamp or Dismantle.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Presiding Prelate
Discovered Being Ministry, Incorporated
718-607-3277
Dear Readers:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this blog.
This blog is to inform you that Discoverd Being Ministry, Incoporated is a not-for-profit organization as defined in section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Tax Code. The ministry is Incorporated under section 401 of the New York State Not-for-Profit Religious Corporation Law. The ministry has a community outreach program entitled C.L.O.W.N.S Tutorial Program.
This program uses Open-Court (phonic-based), Abeka reading curriculum, and offers vocational training in brick masonry, carpentry, dry-walling, and shoe repair. The ministry also offers character development training.
All subjects are taught by New York State Certified teachers and instructors.
If you would like more information regaarding the ministry's outreach program, write to Discovered Being Ministry, Incorporated P.O. Box 2284,New York, New York 10163-2284 or call (718)-607-3277 or (347)-617-5377.
Donations can be taken off of your taxes at filing time.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today's topics is "Excuses, Excuses". In the book of Genesis, God spoke to Moses, concerning the deliverance of the Hebrew nation from slavery and pronounced judgment upon the Egyptians. Moses complained "I am slow of speech and I would not make a good spokesman." God stated "Your brother Aaron is on his way to meet you, he will speak for you." Excuses, Excuses.
In the book of Jeremiah, God called Jeremiah at a young age, and Jeremiah stated "I cannot speak, for I am a child." God said "Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee, and before thou came forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." Excuses, Excuses.
David had a son named Absalom, whom he loved very much. He had another son named Amnon, who raped his sister Tamar, and Absalom killed Amnon. The prophet Nathan was brought to judge Absalom. The prophet stated "Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth, Stripe for a Stripe, Life for a Life." Nathan said "Absalom must die." David argued with the prophet of God and banished Absalom to the estate at Hebron, where Absalom lead a rebellion against David. Excuses, Excuses.
Sisters and brothers, during my 49 years of ministry, I have come across people who use education as an excuse not to fulfill God's purpose in their lives. I have counseled people that judge God because of some backslidden, unholy, pastor, who has defiled God's Pulpit and set a bad example of how God's people should act, and the persons that I counseled use that as an excuse.
"When God calls a person into his work, he qualifies them and sanctifies them. He puts his arms of protection around them" Isaiah 54:17 It is impossible to do the work of God out of the flesh, and a carnal mind. The carnal mind is enmity against God.
"You may make these excuses here on Earth, but when you stand before the throne of God, there will be no excuse." Romans chapter 1
More next time.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Presiding Prelate
Discovered Being Ministry Incorporated
P.O Box 2284
New York, New York 10163-2284
(718)-607-3277
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today's Topic is "Be Very Very Quiet, I am hunting unarmed African Americans".
After reading the newspaper this morning concerning the killing of a young Black American, I thought about a cartoon character that used to state, " Be Very Very Quiet, I'm hunting?"
In the years past, we the African American population has had to deal with the good old boys in the south, the John Burke Society. In the North, the knights of the Klu Klux Klan throughout America.
It is my opinion that the good old boys, the John Burke Society, and and the Klan has now infiltrated the ranks of our law enforcement departments. Enough is enough, Civil Rights leaders, Civil Rights organizations, and those Black Americans that are in key political positions stand up and be counted. It has been said that it takes a community to raise a child, let it be said that it takes a race of people to wipe out racism and the cold-blooded killing of our people in the name of the law.
After reading Commissioner Kelly's statement regarding the shooting in Brooklyn, I have placed him, in my mind, in the likeness of Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi party. Well Commissioner Kelly, there is a God, who sits high and looks low. The blood you shed today will be required of this nation tomorrow.
NAACP, where are you? Rainbow Coalition, where are you? Reverend Al Sharpton, where are you? Mr. Roy Innis, where are you? Mr. Julian Bond, where are you? Reverend Dr. Benjamin Chavis, where are you? United States Department of Civil Rights, where are you?
It seems that everybody has a mouth, but are afraid to put their behind on the line, I am not, and my name Bishop William B. Caractor, Civil Rights Activist in Housing for over 35 years, meet me on this road, hold my hand as I carry this load, we are tired of dying in wars and have no freedom here in this United States. Remember, the Blacks, Chinese, Japanese, Hispanics, and Native Americans built this country, and we can't even have a piece of the pie.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Yours in Jesus Chirst,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Presiding Prelate
Discovered Being Ministry Incorporated
P.O Box 2284
New York, New York 10163-2284
(718)-607-3277
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today's topic is "Jesus is a bridge across troubled waters." We began with the disciples in a boat on the sea of Galilee where the storm arose and became quite blisterous. And the disciples looking at their circumstances lost their faith. Looking upon the waters they saw this figure of a man approaching them. As the figure got closer they realized it was the master, Jesus. And Peter asked, could he come to meet him? And Jesus said, come. And as Peter began to walk on the water, somewhere in the midst of the storm he lost faith and began to sink. Jesus lifted him up by the hand and said, where did you loose faith. He is a bridge over trouble waters.
In our lives we sometimes encounter large oceans of obstacles filled with sharks (sin) barracudas and all other types of spirits intended to destroy your soul. Sometimes the sharks are drugs. Sometimes the barracuda is sickness, sometimes the sin is adultery. But we know that our soul is secure in Christ Jesus. For your life be hid in Christ Jesus. We know that by his stripes we are healed. We know that there is no other name given among men whereby we might be saved other than Jesus Christ. There have been great men according to the scriptures. Moses the greatest prophet on earth. Joshua a man of faith that commanded God to have the sun to stand still. And the Bible says, God obeyed. Elijah was able to call fire from heaven on the false prophets of Baal. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego was able to endure the fiery furnace. Jehoshaphat was able to defeat and enormous army.
All these men have a legacy within the Holy Scriptures, but known of them was able to bridge man with God. Only Jesus and that atoning blood. That blood which represents his love. That blood that cries out thus far Satan and no father. That blood that was able to make a one time sacrifice into the Holies of Holies and rent the vale between man and God from top to bottom.
Yes, Jesus is a bridge over troubled waters. He is bread in a starving land. He is water in the midst of a desert. He is clothing in the time of nakedness (Robe of righteousness). When your friends forsake he is a friend that stick closer than a brother. When sickness enter into your body, he says, I am a God that healeth thee. When your way gets dark, he is the lamp unto your feet and a light unto your pathway.
Sisters and brothers if you don't know Jesus for the pardon of your sin, please seek him while he yet can be found. Call upon him while he yet hears, for your soul must spend eternity somewhere.
More next time...
God Bless
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Presiding Prelate
Discovered Being Ministry, Incorporated
P.O. Box 2284
New York, New York 10163-2284
718-607-3277
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today's topic is Have We Lost Our Minds (Mind of Christ)? We begin with our educational system. Not many years ago, the United States was number one in education. We allowed Satan to remove prayer from the school system using separation of Church and State and now our rating in education is lower than many developing countries. If you remember, English as we knew it has become whole English. What has happened to the verb, adverb, noun, pronoun, adjective, preposition, etc. to ask a student today to dissect a sentence, you might as well tell them to pull out their hair because they do not know how. After allowing our language to be slaughtered, here comes Ebonics. Have We Lost Our Minds?
Our youth now have turned to those that are incarcerated as a form of mentor ship. Our youth are wearing pants down below their behinds emulating those that are in prison that are not allowed to wear belts. The vocabulary of our youth has been saturated with filth, profanity so that adults are really fearful to approach youth today, regarding their language. Have we lost our minds?
Politicians are bought and paid for before they begin to serve the citizens of the communities in which they represent. They are bought out by special interests, groups, lobbyists and any organization that will provide them with funds for their campaign. Have we lost our minds?
Colleges that use to be filled regardless whether they were using affirmative action has now lost their accreditation. And most of our colleges and universities are bought and paid for by foreign entities. Have we lost our minds?
Now we are in engaged in a war (God's business). God stated to Abraham I will give you a child and that child was Isaac. However, his wife try ed to help God and brought forth Ishmael. God stated he would bless both brothers. One Judaic the other Islamic and stated that Ishmael would be a man of war and live in his brothers face. Who are we to try to correct God's judgment? Have we lost our minds?
Last but not least, churches have lost their first love. The love of God. Most churches are about the almighty dollar. They do not care if it comes from a drug dealer, prostitute, thief or any other source as long as they can pay the preacher. Have we lost our minds?
Housing is a subject that is in every newspaper throughout this country. However, because of the economy, jobs lost to foreign powers, very few houses are affordable. Have we lost our minds?
Sisters and brothers, you may ignore this email you may hide behind your degree, political or social status. But soon you will be envelope too.
Draw neigh to God and he will draw neigh to you.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
Presiding Prelate
Discovered Being Ministry, Incorporated
P.O. Box 2284
New York, New York 10163
718-607-3277
