Christian Song | "Christ Is the Incarnate God Himself" | Eastern Lightning

I

The incarnation of God means God appears and works in the flesh. He must first be flesh, flesh with normal humanity. The implication of incarnation is that God lives and works in the flesh. It means the essence of God Himself has become a man and flesh. Christ is the incarnate God Himself, the flesh donned by the Spirit of God, different from any man of flesh. He embodies the Spirit of God.

God's Utterance "God Himself, the Unique (V) God's Holiness (II)" (Part Two)

God's Utterance "God Himself, the Unique (V) God's Holiness (II)" (Part Two)

Almighty God says, "You will not see God hold similar views on things that people have, and moreover you will not see Him use men’s viewpoints, their knowledge, their science or their philosophy or man’s imagination to handle things. Instead, everything God does and everything He reveals is connected to truth. That is, every word He has said and every action He has taken concerns the truth. This truth is not some baseless fantasy; this truth and these words are expressed by God due to God’s substance and His life. Because these words and the substance of everything God has done are truth, we can say that God’s substance is holy. In other words, everything God says and does brings vitality and light to people; it allows people to see positive things and the reality of those positive things and it points humanity toward the road of light so that they may walk the right path. These things are determined because of God’s substance and they are determined due to the substance of His holiness."

Christian Testimony: God’s Guidance Allowed Me to Overcome Temptation in the Workplace (Audio Essay, Part 2)

I thought that I could return to the ordinary life I lived in the past. I didn’t expect that Mr. Zhang would try to tempt me with benefits after his attempts to tempt me with lust failed….

One day before Spring Festival, Mr. Zhang suddenly sent a text message asking me to his office. I knew Mr. Zhang was the only person who worked on the second floor, and I hesitated, thought to myself, “If I don’t go, this is going against an order from my boss, but I don’t know what will happen if I go….” I was a little timid and afraid, and quickly prayed to God to ask for wisdom and cleverness so that I could overcome Satan’s temptations. Then I went to Mr. Zhang’s office. I deliberately kept distance between us, but Mr. Zhang smiled and said, “Look at how scared you are! I didn’t call you up for anything serious.” He took a shopping card from his pocket and handed it to me, saying, “This is a bonus for you to thank you for your contributions to the company over the past year.” I was surprised when I heard this. What did I contribute to the company by pouring tea? Why was there a reward for that? Was this another one of Mr. Zhang’s tricks? So, I turned down Mr. Zhang’s “good intentions” and said to him, “I was only doing my job, and I get my salary every month, so I can’t take this card.” Mr. Zhang insisted on trying to stuff the card into my pocket, and as he tried to force me to accept, I realized he was doing this intentionally to get close to me, so I quickly said, “Thank you, sir, but if there’s nothing else, I should get back to work.” I didn’t wait for him to reply and quickly ran out. After I left, I let out a long sigh of relief and thanked God for keeping me safe. After that, I sent the shopping card back to Mr. Zhang. He saw that I refused his “good intentions,” and didn’t bother me for more than a month. I thank God from the bottom of my heart for giving me wisdom and once again helping me overcome the temptation of Satan.

Do You Possess the “Immunity” Needed to Defeat Temptation?

One day, I came across a story. This story mainly told about a mouse that came out of its hole and found that people had intentionally placed a piece of meat in a mousetrap in order to lure it in. The mouse knew that if it touched that piece of meat, then it would be killed by the trap, so it initially thought to refuse the lure, and that it would absolutely not touch that piece of meat. But when the smell of the meat reached its nose, it just couldn’t overcome the temptation, and against its own will it crept closer and closer to the trap. In the end, it couldn’t resist the enticement, and so when it went to eat the piece of meat, it was killed by the trap.

How do we feel after reading this short story? Don’t we laugh at the stupidity of the mouse, while at the same time feel sorry for it being so greedy? And maybe we will also think that if the mouse’s willpower had been just that little bit stronger, then it wouldn’t have been lured in and killed! But who ever thought that mice lose their lives because they can’t overcome the traps laid by people? That is, because the mouse doesn’t possess the strength to conquer temptation, how could it then escape its fatal doom?

Reflections About Life: What’s the True Meaning of Life? A King’s Last Words Provide Food for Thought

I happened to stumble on a story from history while on my phone one day—it was really inspiring for me, so I wanted to share it with others. The story goes like this: Alexander the Great was one of the most successful military commanders in history. He became very ill on his return journey from his victorious military campaign, and just as he was about to die, he shared his three last wishes with his generals. First, he wanted his physicians to carry his coffin back, and he wanted the road to the cemetery where his coffin was to be taken to be strewn with gold, silver, and precious stones. Lastly, he wanted both of his hands to be placed so they were outside of the coffin. Alexander explained that by doing so, he wished to impart three lessons upon the living. First, no matter how great a physician’s skill, they cannot save people’s lives; they cannot determine a person’s life and death. Second, it isn’t worth it to spend an entire life in the pursuit of wealth; it’s a waste of precious time. And finally, each one of us comes into this world empty-handed, and we will leave empty-handed. We can’t take a single thing with us.

Alexander the Great passed with great regrets, and while on his deathbed he used his own personal experiences to warn others: Devoting a lifetime to accumulating wealth is useless, as no matter how rich you are, it can’t buy a life back, and it certainly can’t extend your life by a single second. Sadly, he didn’t have this revelation until he was on the brink of death. Something that the Lord Jesus said popped into my head: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). It really is true. As for we humans, life is greater than all else, and if we lose our lives, no matter how much money we have, it may as well be a heap of rubbish. It is of absolutely no use. Even though Alexander the Great used his own personal experiences to share this lesson with those after him so that they wouldn’t make the same mistakes he did, unfortunately, this has not brought about an awakening for people. Most are still going down the wrong path that Alexander did in their pursuits—they’re busy from dawn till dark every day, rushing to and fro, working hard, and some even employ all sorts of other tactics just for the sake of earning more money and enjoying a high-class lifestyle. I then couldn’t help but think of my own father …

The Last Days Are Here: Are You Prepared to Meet God?

One day I saw a lively discussion online; people were saying that four blood moons appearing at night in the Western hemisphere is a warning of the end times, and that major earthquakes are becoming more frequent across the entire globe. I thought to myself, “The four blood moons have already happened, celestial phenomena have appeared, disasters are occurring frequently all over the world, terrorist incidents are increasing, wars are constantly breaking out…. All the signs show that the prophecies of the Lord’s return have basically been fulfilled, so why haven’t I seen Him coming down on a cloud to meet us? Is it that the Lord hasn’t returned yet or that He has returned, but I haven’t seen Him? How can I welcome His return?” This confusion wound itself around my heart leaving me baffled. Trying to get some clarity on this issue, I started praying and praying to the Lord, asking for Him to enlighten and guide me so that I’ll be able to welcome His return and not be cast out by Him.

Christian Daily Devotional: What Is a Wise Virgin?

Sister Mu Zhen,

Peace to you in the Lord! I’m so happy you’ve written. You’ve mentioned in your letter that the day of the Lord’s coming is near, and that you are intentionally reading Scripture and praying more, and doing more work for the Lord so that you can be one of the wise virgins who is vigilantly awaiting the Lord’s coming. However, these things have not sharpened your spiritual acuity or increased your faith or love for the Lord. You’re confused about whether you can be counted as a wise virgin by seeking this way and would like to know what sort of practice you should have to be able to welcome the Lord. Sister Mu Zhen, this question you’ve raised is critical for whether or not we can welcome the Lord. All of us want to be wise virgins who can welcome His return and attend the banquet of the kingdom of heaven with Him—no one wants to be a foolish virgin and be cast aside by the Lord, but what kind of practice is actually being a wise virgin? I’d like to share my personal understanding of this issue—I hope it’ll be helpful for you.

Know the Real Meaning of Jesus’ Resurrection From Easter

What Is Easter? The Origins of Easter

Easter, or Resurrection Sunday as it is also called, is a holiday which celebrates the Lord Jesus’ resurrection that occurred three days after He was crucified upon the cross. Its exact time falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox every year. In order to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus and to remember the salvation and hope Jesus brought to mankind, each year from March to April, Christians all over the world hold celebrations on the day of Easter. So while us Christians are commemorating the resurrection of Jesus, do we know why He returned from the dead and appeared to man despite having already finished His work of redemption? And what is the meaning behind His resurrection and His appearance to man?

The Meaning of the Lord Jesus’ Resurrection and of His Appearance to Man

The Story of Job: Why Did Job Curse the Day of His Birth?

It is dusk, and a grey-haired old man was sitting by the ashes of his fire, his exposed skin densely covered in painful boils, the surface of the boils broken and suppurating in a horrifying scene.

The old man’s expression showed that he was extremely sorrowful, yet he remained silent and, picking up a potsherd, he began to scrape at the boils.

After a long while, he said, “Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived” (Job 3:3).

“Cut! Cut! Yi Qian, you haven’t got the expression quite right. Job shouldn’t look that way….” The director frowned as he spoke fretfully to Yi Qian.

Do You Know How Important God’s Law and His 10 Commandments Are to Mankind?

I trust that every one of us who believes in the Lord will be familiar with the Ten Commandments and the Law. But are we aware of how important the Ten Commandments and the Law are to mankind, and what profound significance they have for us? Today, let’s investigate and fellowship this topic together.

God’s words say: “When God began the official work of His management plan, He set down many regulations that were to be followed by man. These regulations were in order to allow man to lead the normal life of man on earth, a normal life of man that is inseparable from God and His guidance. God first told man how to make altars, how to set up the altars. After that, He told man how to make offerings, and established how man was to live—what he was to pay attention to in life, what he was to abide by, what he should and should not do. What God set out for man was all-embracing, and with these customs, regulations, and principles He standardized people’s behavior, guided their lives, guided their initiation to the laws of God, guided them to come before the altar of God, guided them in having a life among all the things God had made for man that was possessed of order, regularity, and moderation. God first used these simple regulations and principles to set limits for man, so that on earth man would have a normal life of worshiping God, would have the normal life of man; such is the specific content of the beginning of His six-thousand-year management plan. The regulations and rules cover a very broad content, they are the specifics of God’s guidance of mankind during the Age of Law, they had to be accepted and honored by the people who came before the Age of Law, they are a record of the work done by God during the Age of Law, and they are real proof of God’s leadership and guidance of all mankind” (“God’s Work, God’s Disposition, and God Himself II”).

Reflection for Today: Does a Church Appearing Fervent Mean That It Has the Work of the Holy Spirit?

Hello brothers and sisters of Spiritual Q&A,

Several months ago, I witnessed the pastors in our church vying with each other for the sake of fame and gain and jockeying for position, so much so that they even verbally attacked and disparaged each other during sermons. Their sermons were not enjoyable to listen to, and our spirits went unnourished. Furthermore, there was widespread cooling of the faith of brothers and sisters; they pursued wealth, they coveted physical pleasures and they followed worldly trends, giving all their attention to eating, drinking and having fun. Most of the time, some brothers and sisters simply did not attend gatherings, but instead only came when a disaster occurred in their lives or when there was some important holiday … Faced with this situation in our church, I left to look for a church that had the work of the Holy Spirit. I searched in many places, however, and discovered that most churches were just the same, and I began to lose hope. I recently found a church, however, which often put on shows and held events, and it even had pastors come from overseas to give sermons. The atmosphere in this church was very warm and enthusiastic, and many people attended each gathering. Looking at this church that was so ardent and at the brothers and sisters who attended gatherings so enthusiastically, I thought this must be a church that had the work of the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t long, however, before I discovered that, although the church appeared ardent, the sermons preached by the pastors were unable to provide benefits for the lives of brothers and sisters and were unable to satisfy our spirits. The singing and dancing that went on only had the effect of changing the atmosphere in the church—while it was going on, we all felt very energetic, but as soon as we sat down to listen to a pastor give a sermon, we would begin to doze off. Moreover, brothers and sisters were always trying to outdo each other with donations and prayers. Whoever donated a lot was considered to be someone who loved the Lord, and whoever prayed for a long time and said nice words in their prayers was considered to be a spiritual person…. In this kind of church, the brothers and sisters not only had no honesty or humility but, on the contrary, their vanity just got stronger and stronger and they became more and more hypocritical. They focused on expressing themselves and showing off in front of others and were exceedingly self-righteous and arrogant. Whenever they encountered an issue, they just dealt with it however they wanted, and they didn’t listen to anyone else—they were just not keeping to the Lord’s teachings at all. Faced with this kind of situation in the church, I couldn’t help but wonder: Could such a church that appears to be so fervent from the outside have the work of the Holy Spirit? This question has always perplexed me, so I’d like to ask if you could answer it for me.

Wenxi

The Significance of God’s Name: If God’s Name Is Jehovah, Why Then Is He Called Jesus?

Jehovah God tells us clearly in the Old Testament: “I, even I, am Jehovah; and beside me there is no savior” (Isaiah 43:11). “Jehovah … is my name for ever, and this is my memorial to all generations” (Exodus 3:15). And yet it says in the New Testament: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). It says in the Old Testament that only Jehovah is God’s name and thus it shall be forever. In the New Testament, however, it says that one can only be saved by the name Jesus. Since God’s name Jehovah in the Age of Law was to be His name forever, why then was God called Jesus in the Age of Grace? How are we to understand the word “for ever” as mentioned here in the Bible? What truths and mysteries are hidden behind God’s names? Let’s fellowship about this now.

Do You Know About the Mysteries in the Lord’s Prayer?

Many brothers and sisters are very familiar with the Lord’s Prayer, and we recite it every time we pray: “Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9–10). But even though we often recite the Lord’s Prayer, we rarely contemplate the true meaning of the Lord’s Prayer. Which aspects of the truth does the Lord Jesus tell us about through the Lord’s Prayer, what is the Lord’s will, and what mysteries are contained within the Lord’s Prayer? Let’s discuss these things today.

A Major Discovery: The Place Prepared for Us by the Lord Is Not in Heaven

Since believing in God, we have always thought the place the Lord prepared for us was in heaven. We have been waiting to be lifted up when the Lord returns, to eat and drink the fruit and water of life granted by God, and eternally enjoy the Lord’s blessings in His presence. But is what we think in accordance with the Lord’s will? Is the place the Lord has prepared for us truly in heaven? Let’s look at what it says in the Lord’s Prayer. Matthew 6:10 says, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” The Lord Jesus tells us clearly that the kingdom of God is on earth, not in heaven, and that God’s will shall be done on earth, just as it is done in heaven. Revelation also prophesies in several places that the kingdom of God is on earth, not in heaven. For example, Revelation 11:15 says, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 21:2–3 also says, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” These prophecies say, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ,” “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,” and that “The tabernacle of God is with men.” All of these things indicate that the kingdom of God will be realized on the earth, and that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of Christ. That is to say, when the Lord Jesus returns, He will establish His kingdom on earth. At that time, God will still lead people in living on the earth and worshiping God, all people will live by God’s word, God’s words will become the instructions by which things are done and the foundation of existence, all on earth will worship the one true God in heaven and respect Him as above all and greater than all, and thereby the kingdom of God will be made upon the earth. If we believe the kingdom of God is in heaven according to our notions, and that we will be lifted up to heaven by God, then aren’t these prophecies just empty words?

God’s Will Shall Be Done on Earth, and Mankind’s Destination Is on Earth

Who Lets Him Walk Easily Out of the Wilderness Into Canaan

One evening, I was very happy I saw Brother Liu log onto Skype. I remembered that Brother Liu had believed in the Lord for many years and that in the past he was always doing service work in the church. But in the past few years the church had grown increasingly desolate and the faith of the brothers and sisters had chilled. He was passive and feeble, just busying himself with his engineering projects, and concerned only with his physical self. He had not come to church for a long time. It was something rare to come across him that day, so we quickly started chatting …

Without realizing it we got to talking about our own recent spiritual condition. I was going to tell him just like I used to about how my spirit was withered and dark, but something Brother Liu shared with me took me by surprise. He had a unique explanation for why the church had grown desolate, and what he said had lots of light. I hadn’t heard anything like it before. I was so impressed to see how much he had gleaned in such a short amount of time!

Why Does Eastern Lightning Surge Forward With Unstoppable Progress?

The Lord Jesus said, “For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even to the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:27). Since Eastern Lightning—Almighty God, Christ of the last days—appeared in China to perform His work, His kingdom gospel has spread across the whole of mainland China in just more than ten years. Now, it has spread to many western countries and regions, and it has shaken the various denominations to their core and sent ripples throughout the entire world. However, the most perplexing question for the leaders of the religious world is: Why is it that, although the pastors and elders in the religious world have done their utmost to resist, defame and condemn Eastern Lightning, stifle their churches and even gone so far as to collude with the CCP government to arrest and persecute the Christians in The Church of Almighty God, those believers from various denominations who have good humanity and who truly believe in the Lord accept and follow Almighty God one after another? Why is it that, though faced with the frantic resistance and persecution by the two arms of Satan’s forces—the CCP government and the religious world—not only has Eastern Lightning not been broken or worn down, but on the contrary it has continued to flourish and go from strength to strength, like shoots growing after rain, and has surged inexorably and irresistibly onward?

Christian Sermons: Don’t Let Your Smartphone Rule Your Life

One day, I read a popular saying online that went something like this, “The farthest place in the world isn’t on the opposite side of the globe, it’s when I’m right in front of you while you play with your phone.” Indeed. No matter if you’re on the subway, on the bus, in a restaurant, on a major street or a little alley, we will always see such people, the “smartphone zombies.” They have a phone, tablet, or some other gadget in their hand as they watch videos, play games, or look at social media, and they are primarily young people.

As technology has advanced, the internet has made some things in our lives much more convenient. You can find all sorts of things on online marketplaces so that we don’t even have to leave the house to buy whatever we want. There’s all sorts of news and information, plus an incredible variety of films and videos—too much for anyone to watch. Not only can it satisfy our curiosity, but it can fill up every spare moment in our day. There are also all sorts of chatting apps and social media platforms so we can connect with people all over the world from the comfort of our own homes. But behind all this convenience, what does the internet bring to us? Let’s take a look at some relevant reports.

3 Must-Knows for How to Deal With Depression

Editor’s Note: In recent years, depression has snuck into our lives, affecting more and more people. Many are tormented by this disease—some lose their hope in life and live in pain, and some even lose their courage to go on living, choosing to commit suicide to end their own lives. Why is it that people experience depression? How should we deal with it, and how can we get out of the trap of depression?

Depression—A Terrifying Disease

In a report released on March 22, 2018, the World Health Organization said that depression is a very common worldwide disease with over three hundred million people suffering from it. Long-term moderate or severe depression can become a serious condition, and at its worst, can lead to suicide. Nearly 800,000 people die every year from suicide, and it has become the second leading cause of death among populations between the ages of 15 and 29.

Relevant information indicates that the clinical presentation of depression is mainly a depressed mood, which can shift from feeling glum to hopeless and in despair, or even becoming completely fed up with life. This can lead to suicide attempts or suicidal behavior. In some cases, there is clear anxiety or psychomotor agitation, and in serious cases there may be hallucinations, delusions, or other symptoms of psychological disturbances. Many who suffer from depression also share their own internal pain and struggle with their suicidal ideation on a daily basis, as there is a constant internal voice telling them: “Just die, and everything will be better”; “Take that medicine, it’ll be so sweet!” That kind of pain can be inescapable.

What Is Repentance? Gaining Inspiration From the Story of King David

Whenever King David is mentioned, my mind conjures up the image of when he was in his teens and, by relying on the strength of Jehovah, he used a slingshot to kill the giant Goliath with a stone. Afterward, he went to war, won many battles and did many heroic deeds. It is also recorded in the Bible, however, that when David became the king of Israel, he had Uriah killed and then took his wife Bathsheba. God’s righteous disposition therefore came upon David and, through the prophet Nathan, God spoke to him, saying, “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house; because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife” (2 Samuel 12:10). King David had sinned, and God had punished him. So why did God thereafter take delight in David and say that David was a man after His own heart? I felt very puzzled by this. In order to figure this out, I sought and prayed to God many times, and I found many verses in the Bible. Through seeking and fellowshiping with my brothers and sisters, I finally found the answer.

How to Understand God’s Will Behind the Resurrection of Lazarus

The Lord Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus is recorded in the Bible: “Martha, the sister of him that was dead, said to Him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her, Said I not to you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I knew that You hear Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that You have sent Me. And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them, Loose him, and let him go” (John 11:39–44). Every time we read this story, we feel God’s almightiness and wondrousness, and we see how authoritative and powerful His words are: With one word, He brought the dead back to life. God did not do this merely to show us His great power, however, so what intention did He want to convey to us through the miracle of the Lord Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus? And what inspiration do we gain from it?

The Story of Genesis: What Was God’s Will Behind Adam Naming the Animals?

The Bible says: “And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them: and whatever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field” (Genesis 2:19–20). Whenever I read these verses, I always thought: Adam named all the livestock animals, all the birds and all the beasts of the field. He must have known all these living things; otherwise how would he have come up with so many names? Or else Jehovah must have told Adam all the animals’ names beforehand, and only then did he know by which name each should be called. I pondered this issue for a long time, but I still couldn’t figure it out.