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Vision of Zion

by Craig Perry

Christianity Religion

Season 2

Upon My House Shall It Begin

Welcome to an Extra episode, Episode 2. The first Extra was a four-minute introduction on why I felt these extras were needed. In this podcast we discuss how the cleansing, prior to the second coming, will begin. And it begins with cleansing the inner vessel.... Learn about the only two things that angels envy us for...

Season 1

Witnesses

The Lord has always provided witnesses of His work. Although the most recognized compilation of His witnesses is contained in the Bible, there are many others, even living witnesses. In this episode, we will discuss the importance of witnesses, in and outside of the Bible, that are entirely consistent with what is contained in the Bible concerning the last days. By using two or more verifiable witnesses of the same events, we can weave a clear picture of future events. There is no greater source of understanding about last days than the gift of the Holy Ghost. Through the Holy Ghost, we can know how to use the knowledge of the last days to make important decisions for ourselves and our families. Knowing the prophecies of the last days is not supposed to be merely a mental exercise--this knowledge, combined with the Holy Ghose, will help prepare us, help guide our lives, such as where to live, how to prepare, how to spend our time, how to warn others, etc.

Signs

Heavenly signs of future events were first mentioned in Genesis 1:14. The word appears frequently in both the Old and New Testament several times in both the Hebrew and the Greek, respectively. Not ony are there heavenly signs about the end of the world (or destruction of the wicked) but also signs of the second coming of Jesus Christ, or the "coming of the Son of Man" on earth. Jesus describes a number of them privately to his disciples in Matthew 24. In this podcast we discuss broadly the importance of signs--are they for the believing, the unbelieving, or both? I also provide a general summary of the types of events foretold by the prophets, namely various phases of latter-day events, and the signs that that end times are near: apostasy and restoration, a period of tribulations, the judgments of God, and the second coming, followed by the Millennium. Each topic will be dealt with in more detail in later podcasts.

Keys to Unlocking End-Times Prophecy

"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." The objective of Vision of Zion is not merely to share insights and information about prophecies concerning the last days, but to teach and encourage you to develop your own ability to understand them through personal effort, guided by the Holy Ghost. In this podcast, I suggest some of the things that I have done to help me better understand prophecies concerning the last days, in the hopes that they will inspire you to do the same.

The Last Days - A Foundation for Discussion, Part 1

We are about to embark on a study of the prophecies concerning the Last Days, as contained in the Tanakh (Old Testament), the New Testament, and more. In this podcast I explain what we are going to be studying, and why.

Let Us Reason Together

One of the valuable lessons we can learn is how to apply the art of reason. There are two kinds of reasoning: deductive and inductive. Deductive is drawing conclusions from axioms--it works great with math--but not so good with the natural sciences. It took humankind centuries to go from a geocentric solar system to a correct, heliocentric understanding. Inductive reasoning gathers data and facts first (i.e., the empirical method) before trying to draw conclusions. This method has its own set of problems but is generally a better approach. You can read about God and religion and then try and draw your own conclusions, using deductive reasoning, but if your assumptions are wrong, so will be your conclusions. The Gospel is meant to be lived and experienced, In this way, we can better understand eternal truths. God will sometimes reason with us as one person reasons with another. But the gold standard for learning truth is feeling His spirit and letting it edify us. We might make mistakes, but the Spirit of God will lead us to light and rejoicing. If something is not from God, it leads to darkness and confusion. God is merciful and forgiving as He leads us along, teaching us the difference--if we remain humble and teachable.

The Best is Yet to Come...and Other Random Thoughts

While preparing to review lessons from the book, "Evolution Under the Microscope," by David W. Swift, I found some thoughts that came to me when I read this book a few years ago. I thought I'd share some of them with you. They are kind of random. My notes deal with the best of things is yet to come, some truths about truth, and one of the limits of evolution. Spoiler on the last one: evolution has not explained how life began; it can only (partially) attempt to explain what happens to life after it shows up. I kept this one short and sweet in case you wanted to replay it consider each point. I hope it's thought-provoking.

Casting Out

God taught Adam and Eve they had the power to crush the head of the serpent, or Lucifer, even though he could bruise their heal. By calling upon the name of Jesus Christ, we can cast the devil out from our midst, out of our lives, as often as is needed. Casting out Satan is as fundamental to Christianity as any other principal Jesus exemplified. We should be well-versed in recognizing the power we have been given to command him, "Get thee behind me, Satan!" In this podcast, the author describes his learning about this principle, which is not only taught in the scriptures, but also in the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is one of the most overlooked and underutilized aspects of Christian theology.

Why I Stay

I've attended Church my entire life! Have I ever been tempted to drop out? Only on rare occasions when I felt like a social outsider. Let me share with you why I've seen people choose not to go to church, and why I have decided to keep going. I've never regretted my decision! If you're thinking about leaving? Please reconsider. I'll give you a few reasons why you should stay, based upon personal experience.

Can I Forgive?

When someone wrongs you, is it easy for you to forgive? In this podcast, the presenter shares an experience in real time about the importance, in fact the requirement, that we forgive one another. We need look no further about the power and necessity of forgiving others than the example of Jesus Christ.

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