Paz de Cristo!
Aren't you glad that God has EVERYTHING under control! I remember hearing a pastor, 8 years ago or so, say "When I die I want to be buried under a Wal Mart", praise the LORD he gave the explanation afterwards! "That way I know my wife will come to visit me everyday!"
Hard to believe, that when I heard that, Wal Mart seemed like a good ol American shop, but, things are really changing these days!
This is just to make you aware of what is going on around you at a high rate of speed, BUT, please don't get to excited over this until you see EVERYTHING the bible has to say about "Halal Meat!"
For most of you this may be the very first time you have heard of "Halal Meat" but it may be worth the time to try and understand this as it is probably happening all around you without you ever taking notice! When I first heard of Halal Meat about a year ago or so it really did not seem like to big a thing at the time. However, Halal Meat seems to be growing in the area almost as fast as phone technology!
Let me explain first what "Halal Meat" is! Better yet, let me just give you a definition straight from Wikipedia.
Halal is an Arabic word meaning "lawful" or "permissible." The term covers not only food and drink, but also all matters of daily life. Halal foods are foods that Muslims are allowed to eat or drink under Islamic Shariʻah. The criteria specify both what foods are allowed, and how the food must be prepared. The foods addressed are mostly types of meat and animal tissue.
The most common example of non-halal (or haraam) food is pork. While pork is the only meat that cannot be eaten by Muslims at all (due to perceived hygienic concerns), foods other than pork can also be haraam. The criteria for non-pork items include its source, the cause of the animal's death, and how it was processed.
The food must come from a supplier that uses halal practices. Specifically, the slaughter must be performed by a Muslim, who must precede the slaughter by invoking the name of Allah, most commonly by saying "Bismillah" ("In the name of Allah") and then three times "Allahu akbar" (God is the greatest). Then, the animal must be slaughtered with a sharp knife by cutting the throat, windpipe and the blood vessels in the neck (while the animal is conscious), causing the animal’s death without cutting the spinal cord. Lastly, the blood from the veins must be drained.
Muslims must also ensure that all foods (particularly processed foods), as well as non-food items like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, are halal. Frequently, these products contain animal by-products or other ingredients that are not permissible for Muslims to eat or use on their bodies.
When I first learned of this a year ago I immediately began a study on foods sacrificed to idols to see what Jesus had to say about such foods. The first scriptures that came to mind, although I really had no idea what was meant by it ,until now, were from the 7 letters to 7 churches (Revelation Chapters 2&3) in which at least 2 of the 7 were rebuked for eating "Foods Sacraficed to Idols" The church of Pergamos was rebuked in:
Revelation 2:14 King James Version (KJV)
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
and the church of Thyatira was rebuked in:
Revelation 2:20 King James Version (KJV)
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Now if your thinking you would NEVER eat anything sacrificed to an idol, chances are it's too late! (Don't forget, Do NOT get excited about this until you see EVERYTHING the bible has to say about this!) Many foods at Costco, some Subways and some Cambells soups already contain Halal products and you may have never known it! What really caught me by surprise is when I entered a local Wal Mart last week and saw a little sign as I entered the store that said "Halal Chicken now available"
Now if you want to get on the positive side of this subject, let's jump into 1st Corinthians Chapter 8, which is the theme of the entire chapter!
1 Corinthians 8:1-6 King James Version (KJV)
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
For the sake of time I did not put all of the chapter in this letter but it is only a short 13 verses and you really need to read the whole chapter a couple of times to really understand what is being said here about foods sacrificed to idols.
I have actually seen quite the contrary amongst Christians today but what Paul was saying in this chapter is that whatever you eat, know that you eat it towards the only True God, that being Jesus Christ. However what Paul also said was that if you have a weak Christian brother that feels he can not eat such things, DO NOT beat him over the head with a halal pork chop and tell him to eat it in the Name of Jesus!
Honestly, I know a couple of pastors personally that wouldn't eat halal meat because they feel condemned in it and therefore Paul urged us to also not eat it at that time if it would offend your Christian brother that is weak.
1 Corinthians 8:11-13 King James Version (KJV)
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience ye sin against Christ.
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Paul also used this same teaching towards alcohol elsewhere in the bible. He mentioned that if alcohol offended his brother he would also put that down for his brother that is weak. The norm today is more on the lines if you can't handle it but I can, "YOU are weak!" On the contrary the biblical teaching is more like this, If you can't handle it but I can " I will be strong enough to put it down for you!"
I recently was at a Christian home where one son battled with an alcohol problem and the Christian parents were giving him the basement and installing a bar in it! Helloooooooooooooo!
I don't want to get on the subject of alcohol here but personally I feel it is doing more damage inside Christian homes than Halal meat will ever do!
Personally I prefer NOT to have it but IF it slips into a plate ATLEAST I know EVERYTHING is going to be OK!
Don't forget!
1st John 4:4 King James Version (KJV)
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
And also don't forget this September 5th is the Feast of Trumpets mentioned in Leviticus 23:24. This Feast WILL tie into the Second coming of Jesus just as the first 4 feasts of the chapter ALL tied into the First Coming! Next year this same feast will be on September 25th so don't mark your calendar too far ahead because it falls on a different day of September or October every year by the calendar that we use in the USA.
Have a blessed day!
And be SURE to tell someone about JESUS!
Aren't you glad that God has EVERYTHING under control! I remember hearing a pastor, 8 years ago or so, say "When I die I want to be buried under a Wal Mart", praise the LORD he gave the explanation afterwards! "That way I know my wife will come to visit me everyday!"
Hard to believe, that when I heard that, Wal Mart seemed like a good ol American shop, but, things are really changing these days!
This is just to make you aware of what is going on around you at a high rate of speed, BUT, please don't get to excited over this until you see EVERYTHING the bible has to say about "Halal Meat!"
For most of you this may be the very first time you have heard of "Halal Meat" but it may be worth the time to try and understand this as it is probably happening all around you without you ever taking notice! When I first heard of Halal Meat about a year ago or so it really did not seem like to big a thing at the time. However, Halal Meat seems to be growing in the area almost as fast as phone technology!
Let me explain first what "Halal Meat" is! Better yet, let me just give you a definition straight from Wikipedia.
Halal is an Arabic word meaning "lawful" or "permissible." The term covers not only food and drink, but also all matters of daily life. Halal foods are foods that Muslims are allowed to eat or drink under Islamic Shariʻah. The criteria specify both what foods are allowed, and how the food must be prepared. The foods addressed are mostly types of meat and animal tissue.
The most common example of non-halal (or haraam) food is pork. While pork is the only meat that cannot be eaten by Muslims at all (due to perceived hygienic concerns), foods other than pork can also be haraam. The criteria for non-pork items include its source, the cause of the animal's death, and how it was processed.
The food must come from a supplier that uses halal practices. Specifically, the slaughter must be performed by a Muslim, who must precede the slaughter by invoking the name of Allah, most commonly by saying "Bismillah" ("In the name of Allah") and then three times "Allahu akbar" (God is the greatest). Then, the animal must be slaughtered with a sharp knife by cutting the throat, windpipe and the blood vessels in the neck (while the animal is conscious), causing the animal’s death without cutting the spinal cord. Lastly, the blood from the veins must be drained.
Muslims must also ensure that all foods (particularly processed foods), as well as non-food items like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, are halal. Frequently, these products contain animal by-products or other ingredients that are not permissible for Muslims to eat or use on their bodies.
When I first learned of this a year ago I immediately began a study on foods sacrificed to idols to see what Jesus had to say about such foods. The first scriptures that came to mind, although I really had no idea what was meant by it ,until now, were from the 7 letters to 7 churches (Revelation Chapters 2&3) in which at least 2 of the 7 were rebuked for eating "Foods Sacraficed to Idols" The church of Pergamos was rebuked in:
Revelation 2:14 King James Version (KJV)
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
and the church of Thyatira was rebuked in:
Revelation 2:20 King James Version (KJV)
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Now if your thinking you would NEVER eat anything sacrificed to an idol, chances are it's too late! (Don't forget, Do NOT get excited about this until you see EVERYTHING the bible has to say about this!) Many foods at Costco, some Subways and some Cambells soups already contain Halal products and you may have never known it! What really caught me by surprise is when I entered a local Wal Mart last week and saw a little sign as I entered the store that said "Halal Chicken now available"
Now if you want to get on the positive side of this subject, let's jump into 1st Corinthians Chapter 8, which is the theme of the entire chapter!
1 Corinthians 8:1-6 King James Version (KJV)
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
For the sake of time I did not put all of the chapter in this letter but it is only a short 13 verses and you really need to read the whole chapter a couple of times to really understand what is being said here about foods sacrificed to idols.
I have actually seen quite the contrary amongst Christians today but what Paul was saying in this chapter is that whatever you eat, know that you eat it towards the only True God, that being Jesus Christ. However what Paul also said was that if you have a weak Christian brother that feels he can not eat such things, DO NOT beat him over the head with a halal pork chop and tell him to eat it in the Name of Jesus!
Honestly, I know a couple of pastors personally that wouldn't eat halal meat because they feel condemned in it and therefore Paul urged us to also not eat it at that time if it would offend your Christian brother that is weak.
1 Corinthians 8:11-13 King James Version (KJV)
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience ye sin against Christ.
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Paul also used this same teaching towards alcohol elsewhere in the bible. He mentioned that if alcohol offended his brother he would also put that down for his brother that is weak. The norm today is more on the lines if you can't handle it but I can, "YOU are weak!" On the contrary the biblical teaching is more like this, If you can't handle it but I can " I will be strong enough to put it down for you!"
I recently was at a Christian home where one son battled with an alcohol problem and the Christian parents were giving him the basement and installing a bar in it! Helloooooooooooooo!
I don't want to get on the subject of alcohol here but personally I feel it is doing more damage inside Christian homes than Halal meat will ever do!
Personally I prefer NOT to have it but IF it slips into a plate ATLEAST I know EVERYTHING is going to be OK!
Don't forget!
1st John 4:4 King James Version (KJV)
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
And also don't forget this September 5th is the Feast of Trumpets mentioned in Leviticus 23:24. This Feast WILL tie into the Second coming of Jesus just as the first 4 feasts of the chapter ALL tied into the First Coming! Next year this same feast will be on September 25th so don't mark your calendar too far ahead because it falls on a different day of September or October every year by the calendar that we use in the USA.
Have a blessed day!
And be SURE to tell someone about JESUS!
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