Sunday, November 19, 2017

Eastern Lightning | Who Is My Lord | Christian Short Film "The Three Self Church Is My Umbrella"

Who Is My Lord | Christian Short Film "The Three Self Church Is My Umbrella"

Introduction
One time, the Chinese Communist government captured many Christians of the Church of Almighty God from a particular location late at night. This matter caused a huge commotion locally. It triggered discussions amongst the members of the Three-Self Church. Some people believed that the Eastern Lightning has suffered the Chinese Communist government's cruel suppression and persecution. It is too dangerous to believe in the Eastern Lightning, and it is safest to believe in the Three-Self Church. They will not suffer hardships and they will be able to enter the heavenly kingdom. Other people believed that the Eastern Lightning is indeed the true way, but the persecution and arrest it faces is too severe. If they were to believe, they thought that it is better to believe in secret. Once the Chinese Communist government topples, they can believe openly in Almighty God. Some people had investigated the Eastern Lightning and yet, they believed that the Eastern Lightning spreads the gospel and bears witness to the Lord with no regard to life or death and that they are praised by God. They thought that the people who hide inside the Three-Self Church are cowardly people who drift through life without purpose and that they are not worthy to enter into the heavenly kingdom. … After this heated discussion, was everyone able to know what kind of people are praised by the Lord and whether the fearful can enter into the heavenly kingdom?

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Eastern Lightning | Beholding The Appearance Of God In His Judgment And Chastisement

Beholding The Appearance Of God In His Judgment And Chastisement

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

Like hundreds of millions of other followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we abide by the laws and commandments of the Bible, enjoy the abundant grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and gather together, pray, praise, and serve in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ—and all this we do under the care and protection of the Lord. We are often weak, and often strong. We believe that all of our actions are in accordance with the teachings of the Lord. It goes without saying, then, that we also believe ourselves to walk the path of obedience to the will of the Father in heaven. We long for the return of the Lord Jesus, for the glorious arrival of the Lord Jesus, for the end of our life on earth, for the appearance of the kingdom, and for everything as it was foretold in the Book of Revelation: The Lord arrives, and brings disaster, and rewards the good and punishes the wicked, and takes all those who follow Him and welcome His return into the air to meet Him.

The Church of Almighty God | The Hymn of God's Word "The Sighing of the Almighty"

The Church of Almighty God | The Hymn of God's Word
The Sighing of the Almighty

Ah … ah …

The Almighty looks around

at the mankind deeply afflicted.

He hears the wailing

of those who suffer,

sees the shamelessness

of those afflicted,

and feels the dread and helplessness

of the mankind who's lost salvation.

The Church of Almighty God | A Hymn of God's Words "Trials Call for Faith"

The Church of Almighty God | A Hymn of God's Words Trials Call for Faith

I

When trials come people can be weak,

negative feelings can rise within.

They may lack clarity

on the will of God

or the path that's

best for them to practice.

Eastern Lightning | The Appearance of God Has Brought a New Age

The Appearance of God Has Brought a New Age

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

God’s six-thousand-year management plan is coming to an end, and the gate of the kingdom has been opened to all those who seek the appearance of God. Dear brothers and sisters, what are you waiting for? What is it that you seek? Do you await the appearance of God? Are you searching for the footprints of God? How the appearance of God is yearned for! And how difficult it is to find God’s footprints! In an age such as this, in a world such as this, what must we do to witness the day of God’s appearance? What must we do to follow the footprints of God? Such questions are faced by all those who await the appearance of God.

40. The Principles of Living out Normal Humanity

1. To live out normal humanity, you must possess conscience, reason, integrity and dignity. Living by God’s words is the foundation of being human;

2. You must be an honest person, speak honestly and do real things, be pure, open and wise, fear God and shun evil, and live by God’s words;

3. Get along with others with a loving heart, be tolerant and patient, forgiving and caring, understanding and respectful, and be able to treat others fairly and impartially;

4. You must pursue the truth and practice the truth, faithfully fulfill the duties of a created being, and live out a true human likeness to glorify God.

The Criteria of a Truly Good Person

Moran Linyi City, Shandong Province

Since I was a child, I always attached a great deal of importance to how other people saw me and their assessment of me. So that I could get praise from others for everything I did, I never argued with anyone whenever anything cropped up, so as to avoid destroying the good image other people had of me. After I’d accepted God’s work in the last days, I continued in this way, upholding in every way possible the good image that my brothers and sisters had of me. Previously, when I was in charge of the work, my leader would often say that my performance was like a “yes-person,” and not the performance of someone who put the truth into practice. I never took it to heart, but on the contrary if other people thought of me as a good person, then I felt satisfied.

The Words of the Holy Spirit | Almighty God's Words "God's Work and Man's Work" (Part Two)

Introduction
Almighty God says, "What man expresses is what he sees, experiences and can imagine. Even if it is doctrines or notions, these are all reachable by man’s thinking. Regardless of the size of man’s work, it cannot exceed the scope of man’s experience, what man sees, or what man can imagine or conceive. What God expresses is what God Himself is, and this is beyond the reach of man, that is, beyond the reach of man’s thinking. He expresses His work of leading all of mankind, and this is not relevant to the details of human experience, but is instead concerned with His own management. Man expresses his experience while God expresses His being—this being is His inherent disposition and is beyond the reach of man."

Recommendation: Eastern Lightning | The Utterances of Almighty God | The brief introduction of the Church of Almighty God

Monday, November 13, 2017

Eastern Lightning | Only He Who Experiences the Work of God Truly Believes in God

Only He Who Experiences the Work of God Truly Believes in God

eat and drink Almighty God’s word, the eternal life,

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

Though many people believe in God, few understand what faith in God means, and what they must do to be after God’s heart. This is because, though people are familiar with the word “God” and phrases such as “the work of God,” they do not know God, much less do they know His work. No wonder, then, that all those who do not know God are possessed of a muddled belief. People do not take belief in God seriously because believing in God is too unfamiliar, too strange for them. In this way, they fall short of the demands of God.

The Importance of Coordination in Service

Mei Jie Jinan City, Shandong Province

After changing the church administration back to its original form, partnership was established for every level of leader in the household of God. At the time I thought this was a good arrangement. I was of a low caliber and I had a great deal of work; I really did need a partner to help me complete all types of work in my region.

The Church of Almighty God,Reading Almighty God's word,Eastern Lightning

Coordination in Service | The Church of Almighty God

God’s Name Will Be Magnified Among the Gentile Nations | The Church of Almighty God

God’s Name Will Be Magnified Among the Gentile Nations

1. The purpose of God’s judgment is to encourage man’s obedience; the purpose of God’s chastisement is to allow for man’s transformation. Though God’s work is for His management’s sake, none of what He does isn’t good to man. God wants the lands beyond Israel to obey as the Israelites did, to make them into real men, so that in the lands beyond Israel God’s foothold shall be gained. This is the management of God. It’s His work in the lands of the Gentiles.

The Effect God’s Judgment Can Achieve

1. God’s work in passing judgment is not, in two or three words, to make clear man’s whole nature, but slowly to reveal, deal with, prune him over time. Such forms of treatment can’t be changed for common words, only for truth, which lies beyond man’s compass. Only such work is deemed judgment; only such judgment can make man obey God in heart and mouth, within, without, and truly come to know Him.

God Is Good | God Gives Me a Happy Family | Christian Family Movie Trailer "Where Is My Home"

Introduction

Wenya's parents separated when she was two, and after that she lived with her father and stepmother. Her stepmother couldn't stand her and was always arguing with her father. He had little choice—he had to send Wenya to her mother's house, but her mother was fully focused on running her business and didn't have any time to take care of Wenya, so she was often shuttled off to her relatives' and friends' homes to be fostered. After so many years of a life of foster care, young Wenya felt lonely and helpless, and longed for the warmth of a home. Only when her father and stepmother divorced did she return to her father's side, and from then on had a home, for better or for worse.

The Church of Almighty God | The Holy Kingdom Has Appeared

The Church of Almighty God｜ Kingdom Praise

The Holy Kingdom Has Appeared

The just Sun shines over all the lands,

restores all living things.

God's people gather with joy,

to praise His great achievements.

All lands they dance, sing, cheer.

Regarding a Normal Spiritual Life

A believer must have a normal spiritual life—this is the foundation for experiencing God’s words and entering into reality. Currently, can all of the prayers, the getting close to God, the singing, praising, meditation, and the trying to figure out God’s words that you practice meet the standards of a normal spiritual life? None of you are very clear on this. A normal spiritual life is not limited to prayer, song, church life, eating and drinking the words of God, and other such practices, but it means to live a spiritual life that is fresh and lively. It’s not about the method, but the result.

I Saw My True Stature Clearly | Eastern Lightning

I Saw My True Stature Clearly

Ding Xiang Tengzhou City, Shandong Province

Meeting | The Church of Almighty God

At a meeting of church leaders I once attended, a newly elected church leader said: “I don’t have enough stature. I feel I’m not suited to fulfilling this duty. I feel pressured by so many things, to the extent that I haven’t been able to fall asleep for several days and nights in a row….” At the time, I was carrying burdens in my pursuit of God, so I communicated with her: “All work is performed by God; man simply cooperates a little. If we feel burdened, coming before God more often and relying on God will surely make us see God’s omnipotence and wisdom.

Eastern lightning | End Time Salvation | Cantata "Chinese Gospel Choir 5th Performance"

End Time Salvation | Cantata "Chinese Gospel Choir 5th Performance"

Introduction

In the last days, God will use the word to accomplish everything! In the words expressed by God, man’s true countenance is exposed. Evil shall return to evil; good shall return to good. Those who have accepted the work of God behold His true identity and status from His word, and then offer to cooperate with God. They’re spreading God’s name throughout the world so that people from all tribes and nations will exalt His holy name and acknowledge Him to be the God of all creatures. As for those resistant ones, they are also revealed in the judgment of God’s word, and thus receive God’s eternal chastisement. Finally, all things will be restored to what they were at the creation—the impure old world will come to nothing, and a holy new world will be built henceforth!

An Understanding of Being Saved | Eastern Lightning

An Understanding of Being Saved

Lin Qing Qingzhou City, Shandong Province

Over these several years of following God, I have given up the enjoyments of my family and the flesh, and I have been busy all day fulfilling my duty in the church. So I believed: As long as I don’t abandon the work in the church entrusted to me, don’t betray God, don’t leave the church, and follow God to the end, I’ll be spared and saved by God. I also believed that I was walking the path of salvation by God, and all I had to do was follow Him to the very end.

I. One Must Bear Witness to the Aspect of Truth Concerning God’s Incarnation

10. Why is it only through experiencing and obeying the work of God incarnate that one can know God?

eat and drink Almighty God’s word, pray to God,

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

Bible Verses for Reference:

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (Jhn 1:14).

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from now on you know him, and have seen him” (Jhn 14:6-7).

“I am in the Father, and the Father in me …” (Jhn 14:10).

“I and my Father are one” (Jhn 10:30).

Relevant Words of God:

When God had not become flesh, people did not understand much of what He said because it came out of complete divinity. The perspective and context of what He said was invisible and unreachable to mankind; it was expressed from a spiritual realm that people could not see. For people who lived in the flesh, they could not pass through the spiritual realm.

Eastern Lightning | God's Love | Contemporary Music "Chinese Gospel Choir 6th Performance"

God's Love | Contemporary Music "Chinese Gospel Choir 6th Performance"

Introduction

Since His creation of man, God has been protecting and watching over man. Although man didn’t obey His word and was corrupted by Satan, God has never given them up but has been guiding and supplying them. In the last days, God returns to flesh and does a work of judgment and chastisement by the word. Under the guidance of His word, man beholds God’s almightiness and wisdom, appreciates God’s great love and salvation for him, and knows God’s holiness and righteousness. At the same time, man discerns the ugly face of Satan, sees through various tricks with which Satan corrupts man, and thus rejects Satan and returns before God. These are the results achieved by the work of the word.

God’s Words Have Awakened Me

Miao Xiao Jinan City, Shandong Province

In the past, I used to always think that when God said “a puppet and traitor who flees from the great white throne” He was referring to those who accept this stage of work but end up retreating because they are unwilling to bear the suffering of His chastisement and judgment. Therefore, whenever I saw brothers and sisters back out from this path for whatever reason, my heart would be filled with contempt toward them: There goes another puppet and traitor fleeing from the great white throne who shall receive God’s punishment. At the same time, I felt I was behaving properly in accepting God’s judgment and was not far from receiving God’s salvation.

The Hymn of God's Word Our God Reigns as King

The Hymn of God's Word
Our God Reigns as King

I
How beautiful! His feet are on the Mount of Olives. Listen, we watchmen are singing loud together, for God has returned to Zion. We've seen the desolation of Jerusalem! Now we sing of joy for God's comforts, and His salvation of Jerusalem. Before all nations, God shows His holy arm, He appears as He truly is. People on the earth, all see God's salvation. Your great love has held us fast, Your sacred word pierces us through and through. Almighty God! Thanks be to You, praise unto You! Father everlasting, Prince of Peace, our God reigns as King over all!

Eastern Lightning | Choir Song | Music Concert "Chinese Gospel Choir 7th Performance"

Choir Song | Music Concert "Chinese Gospel Choir 7th Performance"

Introduction

God created everything and governs everything; at the same time, He rules over and supplies all things. This is God’s true identity: the unique God Himself. God is in heaven and also on earth. He can both ascend to the highest place and humble Himself by assuming flesh. Since man was corrupted by Satan, God has never left man, but has been taking good care of, showing concern for, and watching over man. To save man from the influence of Satan thoroughly, God carries out the six-thousand-year management plan, does three stages of work, and changes ages by different names. In the last days, God is no longer called Jehovah or Jesus, but is called the powerful Almighty God Himself. He will use this name to conclude the entire age and restore His original status in the hearts of all creatures. He will make the whole of mankind see His true face and acknowledge that He is the God of all creatures.

The Hymn of God's Word
The Holy Spiritual Body of Almighty God Has Appeared

Almighty God has revealed to us His glorious body in public. His holy body appears to us; He's God Himself: utter true God.

Who Knows the Motherly Heart of God? | The Church of Almighty God

Who Knows the Motherly Heart of God?

Qingxin Zhengzhou City, Henan Province

Regarding the “God is righteous” aspect of the truth, I used to always have a somewhat absurd understanding. I thought that as long as someone reveals corruption in their work or commits transgressions that damage the church’s work, that person shall face retribution, or lose their duty or be subjected to punishment. That is God’s righteousness.

God's Love | Praise and Worship "Chinese Gospel Choir 8th Performance"

Introduction

Listen! God’s people are telling the story of God and man by their attractive singing. A touching and warm picture is thus presented: For six thousand years, God has been treating man as His dearest one. He not only made coats of skins for man, but has always been protecting and caring for man at their side silently. Also, He unfailingly supplies man and devotes everything to man. From this, man can truly feel God’s faithfulness, honor, humbleness, and loveliness. Almighty God, Christ of the last days who is brimming with authority and power, has now come to the world and done the work of judgment with His word. God’s people will surely listen to His voice; all those who truly love God have already returned to His throne one after another. Gradually, all people will have reverence toward God and restart a harmonious, happy life with Him.

Shaking Off the Shackles of the Spirit | Eastern Lightning

Shaking Off the Shackles of the Spirit

Wu Wen Zhengzhou City, Henan Province

I was a weak person with a sensitive character. When I didn’t believe in God, I would frequently feel down and distressed from things that came up in life. There were many of these times, and I always felt that my life was difficult; there was no joy, no happiness in my heart to speak of. After I started believing in God, there was a period of time where I felt particularly joyous and at peace, but after that, I once again felt the same as ever. I couldn’t make sense of why I was always that way.

I. One Must Bear Witness to the Aspect of Truth Concerning God’s Incarnation

9. How does God incarnating to do the work of judgment bring to an end mankind’s belief in the vague God and the dark age of Satan’s dominion?

Bible Verse(s) for Reference:

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. And many people shall go and say, Come you, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come you, and let us walk in the light of the LORD” (Isaiah 2:2-5).

Eastern Lightning | How to understand that Christ is the truth, the way, and the life?

I. One Must Bear Witness to the Aspect of Truth Concerning God’s Incarnation

8. How to understand that Christ is the truth, the way, and the life?

Picture of the Church of Almighty God

Bible Verse(s) for Reference:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God” (Jhn 1:1-2).

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (Jhn 1:14).

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me” (Jhn 14:6).

“… the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life” (Jhn 6:63).

Relevant Words of God:

The truth comes from the world of man, yet the truth among man is passed on by Christ. It originates from Christ, that is, from God Himself, and is unattainable by man.

from “Success or Failure Depends on the Path That Man Walks” in The Word Appears in the Flesh

I. One Must Bear Witness to the Aspect of Truth Concerning God’s Incarnation

7. Why is it said that God’s two incarnations complete the significance of the incarnation?

Picture of the Church of Almighty God | Almighty God | Jesus

Bible Verse(s) for Reference:

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and to them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin to salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

Relevant Words of God:

The first incarnation was to redeem man from sin through the flesh of Jesus, that is, He saved man from the cross, but the corrupt satanic disposition still remained within man. The second incarnation is no longer to serve as a sin offering but to fully save those who were redeemed from sin. This is done so that those forgiven can be delivered from their sins and be fully made clean, and attain a change in disposition, thereby breaking free of Satan’s influence of darkness and returning before the throne of God.

Breaking Off the Shackles

Zhenxi Zhengzhou City, Henan Province

Ten years ago, driven by my arrogant nature, I was never able to completely obey the church’s arrangements. I would obey if it suited me, but if it didn’t I would choose whether or not to obey. This resulted in seriously violating work arrangements during the fulfilling of my duty. I did my own thing and offended God’s disposition, and was subsequently sent home. After several years of self-reflection, I had more or less some knowledge of my own nature, but regarding the aspect of the truth that is God’s essence I still did not have much knowledge. Later, the church gave me another chance, but when I was in charge of gospel work, I began to have suspicions about God: I’m so corrupted and had also offended God’s disposition. Why would God use me? Is He taking advantage of me? Will I be eliminated after being taken advantage of? Ah! Since the church gave me a chance I am going to cherish it, even if I have to become a service-doer. From then on, I fulfilled my duty carrying such a mentality, but without seeking a higher goal—being made perfect by God.

Once, when I was practicing spiritual devotion, I saw these words of God: “Today, you cannot only be content with how you are conquered, but must also consider the path that you will walk in the future. You must have aspirations and the courage to be made perfect, and should not always think yourself incapable. Does the truth have favorites? Can the truth deliberately oppose people? If you pursue the truth, can it overwhelm you? If you stand firm for justice, will it knock you down? If it is truly your aspiration to pursue life, can life elude you? If you are without the truth, that is not because the truth does not acknowledge you, but because you stay away from the truth; if you cannot stand fast for justice, that is not because there is something wrong with justice, but because you believe it is out of line with the facts; if you have not gained life after pursuing it for many years, that is not because life has no conscience toward you, but because you have no conscience toward life, and have driven away life…. If you do not pursue, then it can only be said that you are worthless trash, and have no courage in your life, and do not have the spirit to resist the forces of darkness. You are too weak! You are unable to escape the forces of Satan that lay siege to you, and are only willing to lead this kind of safe and secure life and die in ignorance. What you should achieve is your pursuit of being conquered; this is your bounden duty. If you are content to be conquered, then you drive out the existence of the light” (“The Experiences of Peter: His Knowledge of Chastisement and Judgment” in The Word Appears in the Flesh). After eating and drinking this passage of God’s word, I was very moved inside. I saw that God’s intention is to allow all people to seek being perfected and fit for use by God. I then made up my mind: I am going to put away my own apprehensions and no longer be negative and passive. I will believe in God’s words and strive to be perfected by God. But gradually, because I still did not know the essence of God’s faithfulness, I began to not believe in God’s words again, always thinking that these words were aimed at someone else, and could merely provide a bit of comfort and encouragement for someone like me. I kept remembering how I once offended God’s disposition, that my nature is so corrupted, that I sometimes even revealed my corrupt disposition while fulfilling my duty, that I could never be perfected no matter how much I pursued, and thinking I should be content with just being a service-doer. Just like that, I unwittingly started living in passiveness again. The above later communicated many times on the aspect of the truth about knowing God’s essence, but I was still not very illuminated. Until one day, when I was eating and drinking God’s word, I saw the following words of God: “The essence of God is faithful—He does what He says and whatever He does is achieved. He is faithful …” (“The Second Aspect of Significance of the Incarnation” in Records of Christ’s Talks). At this moment, it seemed something suddenly clicked inside me, as though a mist that had spread over my heart instantly dissipated. Years of misunderstandings and apprehensions suddenly vanished. I then again remembered that passage of God’s word I used to eat and drink: “If it is truly your aspiration to pursue life, can life elude you? If you are without the truth, that is not because the truth does not acknowledge you, but because you stay away from the truth; if you cannot stand fast for justice, that is not because there is something wrong with justice, but because you believe it is out of line with the facts; if you have not gained life after pursuing it for many years, that is not because life has no conscience toward you, but because you have no conscience toward life, and have driven away life …” (“The Experiences of Peter: His Knowledge of Chastisement and Judgment” in The Word Appears in the Flesh). In this moment, I felt the transmission of awe-inspiring righteousness and boundless love from between the lines of God’s words, making Him appear so noble and great, while at the same time making me see my own lowliness, narrowness, and decadence. God is faithful. This is undoubtable and unquestionable. God has a faithful essence, He is trustworthy, and He is trying to save man to the greatest extent possible. As long as man pursues the truth and dispositional change in accordance with God’s requirements, God shall make man complete, because what God says He shall do, and what He does shall be done! Rather, I suspected that God was like man and would discard me once I ceased to be useful. I did not treat God’s word as the truth at all, and moreover did not genuinely and positively believe in God. Instead, I lived in the imagination and suspicions in my mind, lacking courage before the truth and cowardly yielding to dark influences, unable to stand up for justice. It was then that I truly appreciated that pursuing knowledge of God’s essence is too important. If I had already paid attention to pursuing knowledge of God’s disposition and essence before, I wouldn’t have spent so many years living in apprehension, delaying the progression of my own life.

Thank You, Almighty God! It is You who cared for me and enlightened and guided me to get rid of the shackles that had controlled me for so many years, allowing me to walk out of the haze. In the past, I did not know You and often lived in misunderstanding, unable to trust Your word and treated it as merely for comforting and encouraging people. I did not treat Your word as the truth and life, and moreover did not treat You as God. But You did not treat me in accordance with my transgressions. You tolerated me, were patient toward me, and gave me the opportunity to repent. You enlightened and shined Your light on me, so that I would have a bit of knowledge of Your faithful and righteous essence. This is precisely an exemplification of Your love for man. Oh God! From now on I will put in an enormous effort into the truth regarding knowing You, live up to what You expect of me, pursue knowledge of Your essence, and seek dispositional change soon so I can be perfected by You!

After knowing these things, a kind of stunning power surged within my heart. I am no longer passive in the face of difficulties, and my many years of misunderstandings, suspicions, and apprehensions have all disappeared. I am now living entirely in an active situation, seeking to be perfected by God.

Recommendation: About the Church of Almighty God

Eastern Lightning

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Utterances of Christ of the Last Days（Selections）

Sunday, November 19, 2017