God's only latter day command [since Jesus Christ started his ministry some 2000 years ago] is we must listen to his Son! That seems a simple enough command, right? But, in view of the many warnings about false prophets given by Jesus himself, how can we be sure we are actually listening to The Christ [The Anointed One]? Your first and foremost protection is: Safeguard yourself from being gullible!

Hebrews 12:1-29 MWT   . . .Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that gets in our way, especially the sin that easily entangles. We must run the race that lies ahead, and never give up.

(2) We must see the words of Jesus Christ as the focus of our lives [we must continue taking in God's Spirit by increasing familiarity with Jesus's words (John 6:63)]. You need to really understand: Making the choice to pattern your mind (1 Cor 2:16) over Christ's words must be both the source and goal of our life and our faith. Imitate him! For the joy Jesus saw ahead in the promises by God to him, he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then, he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God. (3) Think about Jesus, and how he endured such contrary talk and abuse from sinners (against their own interests), so that you don't become tired and give up.

(4) You struggle against sin, but your struggles haven't killed you. (5) You have forgotten the encouraging words that God speaks to you as his children: "My child, pay attention when the Lord disciplines you. Don't give up when he corrects you. (6) The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child." (Pro 3:11-12) (7) Endure your discipline. God corrects you as a father corrects his children. All children are disciplined by their fathers. (8) If you aren't disciplined like the other children, you aren't part of the family. (9) On earth we have fathers who disciplined us, and we respect them for their efforts to help. Shouldn't we place ourselves under the authority of God, the father of spirits, so that we will live? (10) For a short time our fathers disciplined us as they thought best. Yet, God disciplines us perfectly for our own good, so that we can become holy like him. (11) We don't enjoy being disciplined. It always seems to cause more pain than joy. But later on, those who learn from that discipline have peace that comes from doing what is right.

(12) So, then, heed God's command. Strengthen your tired arms and weak knees. (13) Keep walking along straight paths so that your injured leg won't get worse. Instead, let it heal.

*** Learn To Do No Harm! ***

(14) Try to avoid doing harm, by doing your best to live peacefully with everyone; and try to live holy lives, because if you don't, you will not see the Lord. (15) Do your best to make sure everyone understands the kindness extended by God, (Mal 3:16-4:3) so as to avoid bitterness taking root and growing up in some to cause them trouble that can corrupt others. (16) [Continue to educate others to] Make sure that no one commits sexual sin or is overly concerned about earthly things as Esau was. He sold his rights as the firstborn son for a single meal. (17) You know that afterwards, when he wanted to receive the blessing that the firstborn son was to receive, he was rejected. Even though he begged and cried for the blessing, he couldn't do anything to change what had happened.

(18) You, though, you have not [like the ancient Jewish arrangement] come to something that you can feel, to a blazing fire, to darkness, to gloom, to a storm, (19) to a trumpet's blast, and to a voice. When your ancestors (Gal 3:26-29) heard that voice, they begged not to hear it say another word. (20) They couldn't obey the commands that were given, terrified at being told "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death." (21) The sight was so terrifying that even Moses said he was trembling and afraid.

(22) Instead, today, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem. (Rev 21:1-4) You have come to tens of thousands of angels joyfully gathered together (23) and to the assembly of God's firstborn children (whose names are written in heaven ~ Luke 10:17-24). You have come to a judge (to the God of all people) and to the spirits of people who have God's approval and have gained eternal life. (24) You have come to Jesus, who brings the new promise from God, (2 Pet 3:10-13) and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better message than Abel's.

(25) Be careful that you do not refuse to listen when God speaks. (Mat 17:5) Your ancestors didn't escape when they refused to listen to God, who warned them on earth. We certainly won't escape if we turn away from God, who warns us from heaven. (John 6:37-38; Mat 11:25-30) (26) When God spoke to your ancestors, his voice shook the earth. But now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the sky [heavens]." (27) The words "once more" show clearly that God will change what he has made. These are the things that can be shaken. Then, only the things that cannot be shaken will remain. (28) Therefore, we must be thankful that we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. (Rev 21:1-4) Because we are thankful, we must serve God with fear and awe in a way that pleases him. (29) After all, our God is a consuming fire.