The Mark Of God Overcomes the Mark of The Beast

Let’s Readjust Our Thinking By Examining The Word Of God

Look closely at the Scripture. The Mark of God is the prevailing Mark throughout history, past, present and future! Image shows Revelation 22:4 — His Mark is His Name- Jesus- written in our minds and hearts. The forehead is a symbol of the mind. It’s used consistently throughout Scripture in a spiritual way. Photo by author, Curtis Alexander © 2024.

2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

In the evangelical world there is a lot of unnecessary sensationalism. Beware of the mark of the beast they say.

These people try to instill fear in Christians, as if Satan had any power over God. I’m not saying Satan is powerless. But compared to Christ, Satan is utterly defeated. These Christians are saying the mark of the beast is a micro chip or some other technology. But that’s the flesh, in the natural realm. And they utterly forget the Mark of God which is a “spirit” of “power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

God’s mark is spiritual. And so is the beast/satanic mark. Both are real. Both are present. But only one is supreme.

Jesus Christ is the reigning King of kings. And His Mark is real. It’s in the minds (foreheads) and hearts of all believers. The Bible says:

Revelation 22:4 (NKJV) They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.

Jesus’ Name is the Mark of God. The three subcategories of His mark within this Name are: The Blood, The Seal, and the Mind.

We need to understand things from a Biblical perspective and not from a man-made tradition like futurism. Most evangelicals do not realize that their futurist doctrine is actually from the Counter-reformation, and was developed and promoted by a Jesuit priest named Francisco Ribera in the late 1500s AD.

One of the by-products of the counter-reformation was the futurist doctrine. Ribera taught that the pope is NOT the antichrist, as all the reformers were teaching (due to the popes slaughtering many Protestant Christians in history). Instead of being in the present, like the Bible teaches, Ribera taught that the antichrist and beast system is some time in the distant future. Thus so is his mark. That’s why popular Christian media gets nervous around new technology. Technology is often associated with the “future”.

Now, I am not necessarily advocating for every new technology that comes out. That’s neither here nor there.

I am simply pointing out that technology has no power over God or over the Mark of God. We do not need to fear technology. The Name of Jesus is Greater!

Nowadays, Christians blindly and fearfully accept futurist doctrine without examining history or the Bible to see if it is true.

So today we are going to start the process of dismantling the “mark of the beast” error by looking at the better mark, the Mark of God.

Not many people seem to discuss the Mark of God. I am not sure why. Maybe the mark of the beast is more “sensational” and sells more books.

Actually, this futurist teaching promotes fear and lies.

In my young days, I thought that if I got a micro chip or a tattoo or some other implanted technology, I would lose my salvation. I was told by futurists that one of these technologies might be “the mark of the beast.” This is a common belief among Christians. But it’s not Biblical. Beginning almost 25 years ago, I joined a church, Church On The GO, and began studying with the lead pastor there. I also read or listened to many Christian historicist teachers like Karl Tester, E.B. Elliot, Charles Jennings, Robert Caringola, Steve Wohlberg, and Kelley Varner. Historicism is what the reformers held to.

I realized I had been duped.

It’s all lies.

I used to work in Retail. In that industry, they teach you to spot and reject counterfeit money by studying the real bank notes. Once you know what a genuine Canadian bank note looks like, you’ll be able to spot the fakes and counterfeits at the check-outs.

So that is what we are going to begin doing here.

Let’s look at the Genuine Mark of God in an overview: (more detailed analysis will come later)

1. The Mark of God exists. It is past, present, and future. It is eternal. Why more Christians do not acknowledge this is beyond me. The Bible gives us plenty of examples of God’s Mark in Scripture. The mark of God is known by other names too, like the “forehead” and the “seal” of God. These are all metaphors or symbols of God’s spiritual Mark. The Bible says in Revelation 9:4 (NKJV) “They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” See some more Biblical examples here: Genesis 4:15; Psalm 37:37; Proverbs 8:29; Ezekiel 9:4; Ezekiel 9:6; Ezekiel 3:8; Revelation 14:1 (NKJV) says: “Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.”
   
   
2. Both marks are spiritual in nature not natural.
   
   
3. God’s mark is far more potent and is supreme. It is far above the mark of the beast in power, authority, and ability. Now, without Christ, the mark of the beast is for sure a very real and present day threat. Satan can absolutely mark the unprotected soul, the one who has not trusted in Christ. But in Christ, we are safe, and Christ’s mark cannot be erased by Satan.
   
   
4. God’s mark is the genuine “bank note” so to speak. It’s the original from the start of creation. God thought of it. Satan’s mark of the beast is the inferior counterfeit bill. Satan does not create anything. He only steals God’s ideas, and corrupts them into lesser versions.
   
   
5. The mark of the beast is a historical and current thing. It’s not only in the future, as many popular futurists have taught in Christian media. Ribera was wrong to relegate the antichrist and his mark to some future time only. God’s mark is also a historical and current reality.
   
   
6. Unlike the current mark of satan, the mark of God lives forever! The mark of the beast will only exist until the Lord Jesus returns and destroys it at His coming. (And Jesus’ return is 1-stage only, not 2 separate stages as the futurist purports. Read more on that here.)
   
   
7. Both marks are representative of their respective kingdoms. They each represent a kind of internal spiritual “Photo ID” for their citizens. Those with the mark of God are citizens of God’s Kingdom. This mark is like their “ID Card”.
   
   
8. Upon salvation, God can erase the mark of the beast from someone’s mind and heart, and replace it with the Mark of God. God is supreme over satan. There’s no contest. God is able to save anyone who calls on Jesus.
   
   
9. So the emphasis of the Bible (including the book of Revelation) is that Jesus is King of the present Kingdom (which will go on into eternity), and He marks His citizens with His Mark to identify them! They are identified by His Name, His Blood, His Spirit, and His Mind!
   
   
10. Both marks have a “faith” or “religious” element to them. The Mark of God is faith based. The mark of the beast is religion based. More on that at a future time.

We are going to study the genuine Mark of God in Scripture. By knowing the whole nature and power and authority of God’s Kingdom Mark in our hearts, we will be prepared to spot the counterfeits in the world. It will help us identify the mark of Satan or the beast, and reject it. There’s no fear to be had when you are abiding in Christ. You are an overcomer!

And you cannot have both marks in your heart. If you have the Mark of God (which is more powerful) in your heart and mind, then you cannot have the mark of the beast in your heart also.

I plan to write several articles on the Mark of God.

The best way to eradicate needless fear, is to educate people with the Bible.

I’ve been teaching this for years at our church. But now it is time for me to write about it too.

I won’t be able to cover everything in one article. So I will break it down into three main Biblical elements, all contained within the name of JESUS. Each element will get its own article.

The Name of Jesus is the ultimate way to describe the Mark of God. But we can analyze things further, to understand what Jesus’ Name represents. Here are three key elements of the Mark Of God, as contained within the Name of Jesus:

1. The Blood of the Lamb, marked on the lintel and doorposts of your spiritual heart. (See Exodus 12:7) You are completely clean in the Blood of Jesus. You are protected from all spiritual harm, just as the Israelites were in Egypt. Satan cannot alter, reach, remove, or touch this mark of God in your heart. In fact, the blood of Jesus actually defeated Satan 2000 years ago! God’s mark is far more powerful here than the mark of the beast. Hebrews 10:19 (NKJV) says: “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,”. In the Old Testament, the Levitical High Priest would mark his right ear, his right thumb, and his right toe with blood before proceeding to the Most Holy Place (See Exodus 29:20). So it is with us, we are marked and saved in the Blood of Jesus, the High Priest after the eternal order, the Order of Melchisedec. By His Blood mark, we are allowed to enter into the Presence of God Almighty.
   
   
2. The Seal of the Holy Spirit in your heart. The Holy Spirit is the Most Powerful Person on Earth. If something is sealed, it is leak-proof, and cannot be penetrated. Satan cannot penetrate the mark of God’s Seal on your heart. This seal identifies you as belonging to God the Father. The Bible says: Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
   
   
3. The Mind of Christ in your mind (metaphorically your forehead). We have Jesus’s name and mind in our hearts and minds. If we allow Christ in our spirit to spill over to our soul (mind will and emotions), and to influence our thinking and behaviour, Satan cannot win. The mark of God is a mindset. The mark of the beast is also a mindset. God’s mindset is Christ in US, and is far superior to the mark of the beast. The Bible says: Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. It also states: 1 Corinthians 2:16 “For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

If you have these three elements of the Mark of God, you are protected in Christ from the mark of the beast. Otherwise Paul would be lying when he wrote:

Romans 8:38–39
New King James Version
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

No spiritual being can separate us from Christ and His Love and His Mark. No created thing can do it. We are in Christ, Marked by God for salvation and citizenship in His Kingdom!

This is all introductory. In future articles, I will begin to delve deeper into each of the 3 key elements of God’s perfect Mark on the believer: the Blood, the Seal and the Mind. Stay tuned for more!

Image by author.

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This article was originally featured on The Dove.

Jesus Is A Better Source Than Edward Irving On End Times

 

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Let Jesus challenge our end-times traditions.

Photograph and text elements created by author- © Curtis Alexander 2024. Bible verses taken from Geneva Bible.

Jesus taught that His Return would be like the flood of Noah. And Paul added that we would meet the Lord in the air at His return. This has been the prevailing view of Christians for the last 2,000 years.

But in recent history, particularly in the 1820s and 1830s, a new development and misunderstanding occurred. This is very recent compared to the last 2,000 years. It’s a relatively new doctrine.

There is a lot of speculation and assumption going on in the Charismatic and Evangelical Christian world today. For a relatively short period of history, the last 200 years or so, a new doctrine appeared on the scene in Britain and Scotland. It’s the idea of a 2-stage rapture/return of Christ. It’s not more than 200 years old. This concept was built upon older teachings from the 1500’s called Futurism. But very few took note of it back then.

Preachers of the early 1800’s like John Darby and Edward Irving started introducing this idea of a 2-stage return of Christ. And they revived the doctrines of futurism. So these were all new ideas to Protestant circles, less than 200 years ago.

Irving in particular was influenced by the earlier views of a Counter-Reformation Roman Catholic Jesuit named Manuel Lacunza. Lacunza, and another Spanish Jesuit named Francisco Ribera is generally credited with formulating the basis of what we now call “Futurism” in modern-day circles. It was the foundation of today’s dispensational futurist teachings that say the antichrist is not revealed until some point in our future, and that the return of Christ must be a “rapture” composed of two separate comings. The first coming is supposed to be silent and secret, removing the saints from earth. The second is supposed to be the loud and literal return of Jesus.

Most evangelicals today are not aware that their beloved Futurist theology is based on counter-reformation teaching meant to protect the popes of the 1500s and 1600s. This counter-reformation movement was started in an effort to stop the ideas of Luther and the Reformation from spreading.

Rather than use Edward Irving and John Darby to understand the Return of Christ, let’s return to the Source, Jesus Christ Himself.

I think all Christians agree that Jesus is a better source for our views of end times than Edward Irving. Indeed Jesus is the Truth, and so no authority is greater than His. And Jesus’ teachings are much, much older than Irvings or Darby’s. Even Lacunza’s and Ribera’s teachings are much younger than Jesus’ Words.

So to understand the Return Of Christ, we must read Jesus, and His Words and understand them. Let’s see what He DOES say, and take off our futurism glasses for a moment.

May the Holy Spirit grant us each more insight and revelation of the Scriptures in Jesus’ Name. Sola Scriptura!

I will be focusing on two passages (plus some cross-references) for today, to keep this article from becoming too voluminous. By doing this, we can strip away assumptions that turn out to be wrong. And remember many of these assumptions are “young” compared to the teachings of Christ.

Jesus tells us all about His Second Coming.

Let’s look at the Words of Jesus in Matthew 24:37–42 in one of my favourite translations, the Geneva Bible. This is the popular Protestant version of the Bible that the pilgrims brought with them to America, on the Mayflower. Its original translation was in 1560, making it 51 years older than the King James Bible.

Matthew 24:37–42 (1599 Geneva Bible)
37 But as the days of Noah were, so likewise shall the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days before the flood, they did eat and drink, marry, and give in marriage, unto the day that Noah entered into the Ark,

39 And knew nothing, till the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40 Then two shall be in the fields, the one shall be received, and the other shall be refused.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill: the one shall be received, and the other shall be refused.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your master will come.

So here we have one of our main texts from the mouth of Jesus Himself. If you’re a Protestant like me, then you’ll agree that Scripture has the higher authority, not the traditions of man, like Irving’s or Ribera’s traditions. Even my traditions, if wrong, must bow to the Word of God.

We must be willing to let God’s Word change our thinking, even if we have been pastors or ministers for 20+ years! The best pastors and Christian leaders can let the Holy Spirit teach them and change their thinking, to conform it to Christ.

So let’s break this teaching down. Jesus compared His Second Coming directly to the flood of Noah’s day. This gives us some major clues that there is a problem with the new doctrine of a “2-stage return”.

So let’s look at the passage Jesus is referring to in Genesis. Here is the cross-reference:

Genesis 7:13–24 (1599 Geneva Bible)
13 In the selfsame day entered Noah with Shem, and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them into the Ark.

14 They and every beast after his kind, and all cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth and moveth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, even every bird of every feather.

15 For they came to Noah into the Ark, two and two, of all flesh wherein is the breath of life.

16 And they entering in, came male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.

17 Then the flood was forty days upon the earth, and the waters were increased, and bare up the Ark, which was lifted up above the earth.

18 The waters also waxed strong, and were increased exceedingly upon the earth, and the Ark went upon the waters.

19 The waters prevailed so exceedingly upon the earth, that all the high mountains, that are under the whole heaven, were covered.

20 Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail, when the mountains were covered.

21 Then all flesh perished that moved upon the earth, both fowl and cattle and beast, and everything that creepeth and moveth upon the earth, and every man.

22 Everything in whose nostrils the spirit of life did breathe, whatsoever they were in the dry land, they died.

23 So he destroyed everything that was upon the earth, from man to beast, to the creeping thing, and to the fowl of the heaven: they were even destroyed from the earth. And Noah only remained, and they that were with him in the Ark.

24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

So now we see that in both Genesis and Matthew, the word “day” (Gen. 7:13, Mat. 24:38) is used to describe the two cataclysmic events. It is clear that the earth will never be the same after these two events.

Jesus makes this comparison because His listeners would have been familiar with the flood account of Genesis. So let’s put some of Irving’s and other futurists’ assumptions to the test, shall we? Let’s also compare Noah with Jesus and Paul and see what similarities we can find.

1. Is the Flood of Noah a 2-stage event, with the first part being secret, removing Noah, his family, and the animals from the earth?

No. According to Genesis, there was only one literal “day” when Noah and His family entered the Ark. That was the day the Lord “shut” them inside that Ark. Noah may have been hidden in the Ark, but he was never removed from the earth.

Jesus uses this Biblical understanding of “day” to illustrate exactly the nature of His Day. According to Jesus, and contrary to man’s tradition, Jesus returns in a single day, that everyone notices, that all can see. That day will remove the wicked and exalt the righteous (those justified in Christ by Grace through Faith). And according to Jesus, “no one” knows that day or that hour except the Father in Heaven. (See Mat. 24:36)

Noah and his family and the animals with him were the only ones left on earth after that day. Only those who believe God remain to inherit the earth. Contrary to these newer traditions of futurist teaching, the righteous are not removed from the earth. Jesus says the meek and righteous inherit the earth. (See Mat. 5:5). The wicked are the only ones God ever promised to remove from the earth completely, as Noah’s story shows us. See also Proverbs 2:21–22. God owns the earth, so this makes sense Biblically.

So the return of Jesus is a one-stage event, a single catastrophic Day, according to Scripture. It will be a permanent catastrophe for all who rejected Jesus and His Gospel. There will be no unbelievers “left behind” to repent.

2. Is The Flood Of Noah a Secret or Invisible Event?

No. There was nothing secret or hidden about it. All those who were watching Noah build his ark for God knew what he was preaching. On the Day of the flood, every non-believer was surprised and washed away. But all of them had been previously warned by Noah, the preacher of righteousness.

2 Peter 2:5 (1599 Geneva Bible)
5 Neither hath spared the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person a preacher of righteousness, and brought in the Flood upon the world of the ungodly,

What do you think will happen on the Day of The Lord? God promised not to flood the earth with water a second time. So I believe it will be a flood of His glory! And that glory will wipe out all ungodly people on earth on that Day. The same glory will exalt the believer like the flood lifted Noah and his family in the ark.

I’m led to believe this “flood of glory” is coming with the literal return of Jesus. That’s because Habakkuk told us the following revelation in the Old Testament:

Habakkuk 2:14 (1599 Geneva Bible)
14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

3. Did Noah get lifted into the air?

Yes, according to Genesis 7:17, the Ark was “lifted above all the earth”. This is comparable to the “meeting in the air” we will experience as believers at Jesus’ return.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (1599 Geneva Bible)
17 Then shall we which live and remain, be caught up with them also in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Note that meeting in the air does not mean “disappearing”. I know we were all trained to think that way. (I know I was). But I had to “unlearn” that concept because the Scripture does not tell us this.

Paul does not contradict Jesus. Jesus said the Day of Christ would be visible, and affect the entire earth all at once, in one day, like the global flood of Noah’s time.

Paul agrees with this and adds to it by saying we will be caught up to meet Him in the clouds of the air. This agrees with the concept of an Ark riding on the waves of the flood above the mountain tops, as Genesis described. The focus of this passage is the appearing and returning of the Lord, not the disappearance of the saints. Note also that the Lord was with Noah and his family in the Ark. Just like the Ark of the Covenant had the presence of the Lord with it, so did this Ark. So shall we ever be with the Lord!

If you want to do a word study on the phrase “caught up”, you can find that here. The word means to “catch away”, “pluck” or “seize”. There is nothing about “disappearing” in this word. That concept of vanishing was added in the 1800s and is a relatively recent idea when compared to the teachings of Jesus and Paul. Noah never disappeared, but he was indeed “caught up” in the air, riding the waves of the flood above the mountain tops, inside the safety of the Ark.

4. When the flood waters receded from the earth, and Noah was brought back down to earth, did he inherit the earth?

Yes! Noah and his family inherited the earth from the Lord. There were no wicked non-believers left. They all perished according to Genesis 7. The only people left were the 8 souls who came off the Ark.

This is what the Lord promises us His children. We are royal inheritors in the Kingdom.

1 Peter 2:9 (1599 Geneva Bible)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy nation, a people set at liberty, that ye should show forth the virtues of him that hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,

We shall inherit the earth at Christ’s return, just like faithful Noah did.

Romans 8:17 (1599 Geneva Bible)
17 If we be children, we are also heirs, even the heirs of God, and heirs annexed with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.

Not only are we joint heirs with Jesus, but we are made kings and priests to God, after the order of Melchisedec. Jesus is the High King and High Priest!

Revelation 5:10 (1599 Geneva Bible)
10 And hast made us unto our God Kings, and Priests, and we shall reign on the earth.

This goes along with what the Old Testament has been teaching all along. God has not forgotten His word. The book of Revelation agrees with the Old Testament and should be compared with it for context and understanding.

Proverbs 2:21–22 (1599 Geneva Bible)
21 For the just shall dwell in the land, and the upright men shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressor shall be rooted out of it.

I hope this study has been informative and thought-provoking! Let’s challenge our assumptions and traditions, especially the newer ones that are less than 200 years old. I’m on a journey of learning, as we all should be. I don’t have all the answers. But I am excited to have the Lord show me these Biblical truths and to be able to share them with you.

Let us go back to the Source, Jesus Christ, and study His inspired Word. Let His Holy Spirit bring revelation to our minds.

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Suggested books to read: (these are not affiliate links)

“End Time Delusions” by Steve Wohlberg

“Whose Right It Is” by Kelley Varner

“Final Day” by Richard D Wiles

God Is Able To Meet Your Needs

The question is not "can God meet the need?" He can. At any time, and in any way.

The question is "when will God meet the need?" After all, we as believers all have experienced a lack at some point or other. There almost always seems to be an amount of time between when the need occurs, and when God supplies the answer. 

Image by Curtis Alexander (c) 2024

I believe God is faithful, and He looks after His children. John 1:12 says that anyone who receives Jesus gets the right to become a child of God. So if you believe Jesus, you're one of God's own! 

He cares for you at all times. I don't think He ignores us. He thinks about us, cares for us, and loves us constantly! He is our Heavenly Father after all.

But are we paying attention to Him? 

Or

Are we just fretting over the need?

Who or what is our focus placed on?

I believe God meets our need, specifically when we prioritize Him above the need. I'm led to this conclusion based on what Jesus teaches us.

Let's read the following Bible passage, which was spoken by Jesus:

Matthew 6:30-33 New King James Version

30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 

32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

So if we are willing to stop staring at our empty shelf, or empty account, or unpaid bill, and instead place our trust and hope and attention on Jesus and His currently active Kingdom, God will take care of the rest in His own time, right on time!

This means we practice the faith of Jesus regularly. We read, and meditate on, His Word. We attend church and participate in His Body faithfully. We pray in Jesus' Name and spend time with Him. We allow His sovereign influence to flow through us. We let His Kingdom reality and His Gospel shine through us to the lost. We obey Jesus' Spirit and follow His leading. 

In other words, we make Jesus and His Kingdom and His righteousness FIRST in our lives.

As we do so, that seemingly unmet need will be met. Jesus promised us this!

Let's seek Jesus and His Kingdom first and foremost, everyday!

God bless,

Pastor Curtis

[Tue Nov 26, 2024 3:00am Eastern.]

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About Viewfinder

Welcome to Viewfinder, the personal blog of Curtis Alexander!

On this blog I discuss Christian topics, including The Holy Bible, Jesus Christ, salvation, leadership, and discipleship. I also discuss life in general and lessons learned.

Feel free to follow!

If you want to learn more about my new book, 12 Good Traits Of A Leader,

Buy my paperback on Amazon here if you live in Canada.

Buy my paperback on Amazon here if you live in the USA.

OR, you can buy and download the eBook version on Gumroad here from anywhere in the world.

Also please feel free to make a one-time donation here if you value my blog content. Thank you!

-Curtis

"12 Good Traits Of A Leader" BOOK Is AVAILABLE Now!

 My new book can be ordered in paper back form on Amazon or in eBook form on Gumroad. Links are down below.

Author & Writer Curtis J Alexander self-portrait. 2024

I know I know... my Viewfinder blog has been quiet for the last year. Well there's a reason for that.

If you're wondering where I've been for the past several months, I've been building my online portfolio on the writing platform Medium. I have a pay-to-read blog on their website for members. I made a complete career change this fall (retired from retail), and am now a full time writer from home. 

Plus I came out with my first book in the process!

And, I am still happily serving as an assistant pastor at Church On The GO.

If you want to follow me on Medium, my address there is: @curtisaonthego

Non members can read a couple of stories for free per month. Paid members can read unlimited stories.

In case you are not a Medium member, I thought I would add the book links here on my blog. See below if you would like to learn more about leadership and its 12 good traits.

This book is based on the Bible, research, and on my experience. I spent 29 years in the retail industry, and have a lot of experience leading teams of paid employees in different companies. I also lead teams of volunteers currently. I've been a leader at Church On The GO since 2001. I joined the church well over 24 years ago in 2000.

If you lead any kind of team (paid or volunteer), you can learn about great traits such as communication, respect, and discretion. I cover 12 different good traits, plus their negative counterparts (the "nemesis traits"). I have a heart for leading others to succeed. If you can relate, then this book is for you!

Buy the paperback in Canada:

12 Good Traits Of A Leader paperback on Amazon.ca

Buy the paperback in the USA:

12 Good Traits Of A Leader paperback on Amazon.com

Buy and download the eBook anywhere in the world:

12 Good Traits Of A Leader - eBook on Gumroad

Thank you for your interest and support!

Enjoy!

~Curtis

Also, if you value my blog and content, please consider giving a one-time donation! Thank you!

(Sat. Nov. 23, 2024, 1:14PM Eastern Time)

Things I Learned in 2023

Well, it's the end of the year. 2023 is mere hours away from being over.
As it comes to a close, I decided to list some of the things I learned this year.

1. I don't have to say "yes" to every stranger who makes demands of my time. Saying "no" is perfectly valid if there is no established relationship. Some people do not respect you or your time. They are simply takers or problem-dumpers... and that gets exhausting very quickly.

2. Communication is important (in marriage, in business, in church, etc). How we say things is as important as what we say. 

3. Marriage is a blessing when married to the right woman. Mutual respect, mutual love for each other and a mutual love for Jesus go a long way. 

4. I am perfectly fine to slow down and rest in between work-days or after hours. Additional tasks and non-urgent messages will still be waiting for me in the morning... they can wait until then. :-)  

5. I learned to simplify life by deleting unnecessary commercial/mass communication inbox messages without opening them. 

6. I learned that I enjoy painting for fun on occasion. My wife also discovered painting this year and she enjoys it even more than me. 

7. I discovered a new digital piano I really enjoy playing... the Yamaha P125. I have already uploaded several piano videos to my youtube channel using this piano. See my channel here.

8. I learned to turn off the notifications from certain social media platforms. I no longer allow those messages to be sent to my email or to my phone. I shut that option off. It helps me focus and declutter my mind during the day. I may have actually started this practice in the previous year, but it really came to help me in 2023. 

9. I learned that the New Testament Book of Revelation has more references to the Old Testament than any other New Testament book. (I counted at least 330 OT references!) 

10. I have discovered the joys of being a middle-aged man who has more wisdom than his younger self did. Some of the things concerning relationships and life that were unclear to me in my youth are much clearer now that I am older and more experienced. 

11. I reaped the benefit of waiting 13 years to get remarried to the right woman - it was (and is) important to not settle for the wrong person (as I did the first time). Jenny and I got married June 7th 2022 and now we are over 1 1/2 years into the marriage and very happy. 

12. I really enjoy being an uncle to my 2 neices (10 and 7 yrs old) and 1 nephew (1 yr old), even if we are far apart most of the year! 

13. Spiritual fatherhood: I learned that the years of ministry, Bible instruction, and prayer I poured into my spiritual children at church are really starting to show fruit. One of them has now grown up to be a fine young man who participates on his own free will in various church activities including leadership events. I am very blessed to invest in the young generation. 

14. After nearly a decade of ministry to the Christian adult singles (my singles ministry began in July 2014), I learned that this group I lead is still very much needed and appreciated by the singles in our church.

15. After more than 23 years at Church On The GO, I have discovered, with guidance from the Holy Spirit and our lead pastor Stephen Coates, some key topics to teach, such as Historicism, Young Earth Creation, the Melchizedek priesthood, and Kingdom of God Theology.
16. Speaking of Kingdom of God Theology, this is the year it really sunk in for me how central the Kingdom of God is and was to the message of Jesus. I did have an understanding of the Kingdom of God already, but our studies at church this year really helped cement and advance my understanding of this core doctrine of Christ.

17. Having common interests with my wife has really made us best friends as well as lovers. We both love walking, reading, discussing Scripture, playing musical instruments, and playing board games like Scrabble. 

18. I learned that a manual I wrote and printed 21 years ago still has relevance today. It was called "Science and the Bible". I originally wrote it to teach a 2 part seminar in the church in 2002. It then got left in a box in my house and forgotten. A church goer recently asked me this year to see if I can find any copies I might have of it. Well I did find one copy of it left. It was dusty and the binding was falling apart. So I scanned the pages, readjusted the alignment, updated the info and resources, and then made it into an online PDF file that anyone can read or download for free on my website. This person at our church then printed it, bound it, and shared it with someone in public recently. They were happy to read it. So my work from 21 years ago is still making a difference today! It was all through the combined work of the Holy Spirit and the members of the Body of Christ.

I am always grateful to the Lord Jesus for His faithfulness to me this year and every year!
Happy New Year!
Pastor Curtis

Assistant Pastor at:
churchonthego.ca in Newmarket ON.
If you would like to read my 39 page manual, please visit my website: curtisjalexander.wordpress.com
and click the download button.

Sun Dec 31 2023 10:32PM Eastern Time.

The Promoted One Christ is in YOU - New Year 2024

DID YOU KNOW?

There is double fulfilment of promotion and exaltation in Josh.3:7 and Josh.4:14. And it affects us believers today!

Joshua 3:7 NKJV
The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.

 

Joshua 4:14 NKJV
On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.

Not only did God fulfill this historically through Joshua when he led Israel into the promised land, but God fulfilled it again when He exalted and promoted JESUS! God promoted Joshua in the natural. Now, God eternally promotes Jesus in the Spirit! This means you have the promoted One in your spirit when you believe Jesus. (You are a spirit, you have a soul, and you live in a body, 3 in 1. See 1 Thes. 5:23 and Heb. 4:12. There is a difference between soul and spirit. We must feed our soul (mind, will emotions) with what God deposits in our spirit (our God-conscious core being.)

The name "Joshua" from the Old Testament Hebrew is the same name as "Jesus" from the New Testament Greek. They both mean "Jehovah is Salvation".

Matthew 1:21
New King James Version
21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Jesus Christ is our ultimate Joshua - our leader and the Captain of our Salvation!

Hebrews 2:10 NKJV
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

We stand in awe of JESUS! God exalted Jesus!

Now... Jesus is forever alive from the dead, and forever exalted as King over the Kingdom of Heaven in earth. The Kingdom of God is what Jesus preached. It was His main message in the Gospels. Today, we can continue to share the Gospel of the Kingdom knowing our Leader, Lord and King - JESUS CHRIST - is highly EXALTED!

Acts 5:30-32
New King James Version
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.
31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

And He is exalted in the hearts and lives of His kingdom citizens. He has exalted His citizens (believers in Jesus) to be kings and priests, just like HIM!

1 John 4:17 NKJV
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

As He is, so are we. So what is Jesus? He is King and Priest! 

Rev 19:16 NKJV 

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND

LORD OF LORDS.

Hebrews 5:8-10

8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 

9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 

10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 

Jesus is High Priest, NOT after the Levitical order, which was fulfilled and finished in the death and resurrection of Christ. Instead He is after the much older, more ancient and eternal order, the Priestly Order of Melchizedek. (Gen 14:18-20 shows us our first glimpse at the pre-Levi order of Melchizedec.) 

Thus He makes us and promotes us like God promoted Jesus:

Revelation 1:5-6

New King James Version

5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 

6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Rev 5:9-10 NKJV
9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”

Verse 10 says God has made us "kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." We are destined to gain back paradise on earth through rulership under the King of Kings Jesus. He gave us the kingdom on earth and Jesus rules it all from Heaven. His Holy Spirit is in our hearts guiding us. This is a heavenly government operation, not a religion. You can begin to practice serving as kings and priests, the same way Jesus did when He walked the earth.

Let us press into the new year, 2024, and beyond, with the knowledge from Scripture that God has exalted Jesus and thus He is exalted IN YOU the believer. He is THE King thus you are A king. He is THE PRIEST (after Mechizedec's order) thus you are A priest after the same order!

His promotion is in you!! His rising is in you. His resurrection power is in you. His advancement is in your spirit. 

This is all because of "CHRIST IN YOU the hope of glory".

Colossians 1:27

New King James Version

27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Let it filter into your soul (your mind) today! Take inventory of the Word in your heart and know that Christ is with -and in- those who call on Him and believe Him.

God has deposited the PROMOTED and EXALTED ONE JESUS in your spirit! 

Happy New Year! 2024 in Jesus!

Pastor Curtis.
Sun Dec 31 2023.
1:58pm Eastern Time

Assistant Pastor

churchonthego.ca 

Newmarket, ON. 

Read my Science and the Bible manual for FREE at:

curtisjalexander.wordpress.com