by Jamie Pantastico | Jul 28, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
📖 Galatians 3:13
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),”
📜 Background, Setting & Purpose
✍️ Author:
Paul the Apostle
👥 Written To:
The churches of Galatia—Gentile believers being misled by Judaizers. And to all members of the body of Christ.
⏲️ When:
Around AD 49–50, likely Paul’s earliest epistle.
🔍 Setting & Purpose of Galatians:
Paul is responding to a theological crisis. Judaizers—Jewish believers from the Jerusalem church—had infiltrated the Galatian congregations and were insisting that Gentile believers must follow the Mosaic Law to be saved. This is clearly stated in Acts 15:1: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved,” and repeated again in Acts 15:5. Paul writes to rebuke this distortion of the gospel and affirm that salvation is by grace through faith, apart from works of the Law.
⚠️ The entire book is a defense of the gospel of grace and a declaration that we are not under law but under grace!
🔍 Galatians 3:13
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),”
✨ Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
“Christ has redeemed us…”
- The word “redeemed” (exēgorasen) means to buy out of slavery or rescue by payment.
- This is not theoretical—Christ’s death was the purchase price (1 Corinthians 6:20).
- “Us” refers to both Jews and Gentiles who are in Christ, particularly those burdened by the curse of the law (Galatians 4:4–5).
“…from the curse of the law…”
- The law itself is holy (Romans 7:12), but it brings a curse on those who fail to keep it perfectly (Deuteronomy 27:26).
- The curse includes judgment, condemnation, and death.
- Everyone who seeks righteousness by law is under this curse—because no one can fulfill it (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10).
- Christ came to free us from this impossible standard.
“…having become a curse for us…”
- This is substitutionary atonement in its most direct expression.
- Jesus didn’t just take the curse—He became the very embodiment of it on our behalf (Isaiah 53:5–6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
- He stood in our place, absorbing the full penalty of sin so we never have to.
“(for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’)”
- Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:23 to prove that Jesus’ crucifixion fulfilled this law.
- In Jewish law, someone hung on a tree was seen as under divine judgment—cut off.
- Christ’s death on the cross wasn’t just execution—it was bearing the visible shame and curse that sin deserved (Hebrews 12:2).
❌ What This Verse Does Not Mean
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It does not mean the law is evil, the law is perfect—the law reveals sin (Romans 3:20).
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It does not teach that we are now free to live lawlessly—rather, we are now free to live in Christ by grace.
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It does not mean that Jesus became sinful—He became the sin offering, not a sinner (2 Corinthians 5:21).
⚠️ Many use Galatians as a prooftext for mixing grace with law—but this verse demolishes that idea.
✅ What It Does Mean
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Christ’s death satisfied the righteous demands of the law.
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The curse that was rightfully ours fell fully on Him.
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Believers are now free from the bondage of law-keeping as a means to righteousness.
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Righteousness is now by faith in Christ, not by works of the law (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:21).
🙏 Summary
This is the good news in one powerful verse:
You were cursed, condemned, and hopeless under the Law. But Jesus stepped into your place, bore the curse, and set you free.
Why would anyone run back to what Christ died to deliver them from?
Christ didn’t die to give you a second chance at law-keeping. He died to redeem you from it entirely.
We must not tolerate any message that brings believers back under the Law. Galatians 3:13 is a warning and a comfort: the curse is gone, because Christ bore it.
You are redeemed. Free. Justified. Righteous. Secure—in Christ.
And everybody said….Amen!
by Jamie Pantastico | Jul 25, 2025 | Daily Devotional |
Finding Hope in God’s Word
Scripture:
Romans 15:4 – “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Devotional:
When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to feel as though there is no way out, no hope for the future. Despair can cloud our thoughts, and we can be tempted to believe that our circumstances define us. But for the believer, hope is not a fleeting feeling—it is an anchor that is grounded in the promises of God.
Romans 15:4 reminds us that the Scriptures were given for our instruction, to provide endurance and encouragement so that we might have hope. The Bible is filled with promises of God’s faithfulness, His love, and His power to carry us through even the most difficult seasons of life. When we turn to God’s Word, we find strength to endure and encouragement to press on.
Reflection:
In the midst of hardship, God’s Word has the power to transform despair into hope. When we focus on His promises rather than our problems, we are reminded that our circumstances do not have the final word. His promises are steadfast and true. The Bible is not just a collection of ancient stories—it is a living, breathing guide that points us to the hope we have in Christ.
In times of trial, we can hold fast to God’s promises, trusting (faith) that He will never leave us nor forsake us. His Word gives us hope that is not dependent on the changing tides of life but on His unchanging character.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your promises that give us hope in the midst of despair. Help us to remember Your Word in times of trouble and to trust in Your faithfulness. May Your promises be our strength as we endure the challenges of this life. We find hope in You alone.
by Jamie Pantastico | Jul 25, 2025 | End Times |
A Closer Look at the GENIUS Act (S.394)
In Part 1, we looked at the spiritual and prophetic implications of the GENIUS Act. In this follow-up, we’ll examine the actual bill itself—what it says, what it does, and why it matters.
This is not fiction. This is not conspiracy. This is legislation that is now LAW of the LAND. And we encourage every believer to know what is being set in place.
📄 What Is the GENIUS Act?
- Bill Number: S.394 (119th Congress)
- Title: Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025 (GENIUS Act)
- Introduced: February 4, 2025
- Sponsor: Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN)
- Cosponsors: Bipartisan support including Sen. Tim Scott, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, and others
- Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
🔗 Read the Full Bill Here on Congress.gov
📌 Bill Summary
The GENIUS Act lays the legal foundation for the federal regulation of stablecoins—digital assets pegged to fiat currency (like the U.S. dollar). It creates a regulatory framework to oversee non-bank issuers of digital money and brings them under direct federal supervision.
While marketed as a necessary step toward innovation and financial stability, the language and structure of the bill reveal a deeper agenda: centralization of digital money under federal authority.
⚖️ Key Provisions at a Glance
- New Regulatory Category: Introduces “comptroller-regulated entities”—non-bank companies (think fintech or crypto firms) that issue digital stablecoins but are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
- Securities Exemptions: Exempts approved stablecoins from securities laws, redefining how digital currency is classified legally.
- Cross-Border Coordination: Includes provisions to recognize international stablecoin frameworks, setting the stage for global financial alignment.
- Supervisory Power: Gives unprecedented authority to federal agencies to monitor, approve, and intervene in stablecoin issuance and activity.
🌍 Context and Observations
- This bill doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It mirrors regulatory moves already underway in Europe, Canada, and Asia.
- Governments worldwide are racing to control digital assets, with many floating or piloting Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
- Though S.394 doesn’t create a CBDC directly, it builds the scaffolding for a fully government-sanctioned, programmable, and traceable digital economy.
🧠 What Are Comptroller-Regulated Entities?
A major shift in this bill is the creation of entities that are not banks but are granted authority to issue dollar-backed digital currency.
These entities:
- Are approved and supervised by the OCC
- Must maintain 1:1 reserves for every token issued
- Can operate similarly to banks in function, but without being chartered as such
This creates a new class of federally monitored private issuers of money, outside traditional banking but inside a growing federal system of control.
It’s a subtle but massive change.
🔍 Why This Matters Prophetically
This is exactly the kind of infrastructure the Antichrist system will need:
- Total control of financial access
- Centralized issuance of currency
- Programmable compliance tied to regulation
This is how the world is being prepared for the time when “no one may buy or sell” without approval (Revelation 13:17).
🔗 Verify and Share
We encourage you to study the bill for yourself:
📄 Read S.394 on Congress.gov
This is not fear—it’s fact. And the church must be awake.
Let’s not be caught off guard. The system isn’t coming.
It’s unfolding.
👈 Haven’t read Part 1 yet? Start there to explore the prophetic significance behind the GENIUS Act and how it connects to Revelation.
by Jamie Pantastico | Jul 23, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
🔍 John 1:9
“That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”
📜 Background & Context
✍️ Author:
John the Apostle
👥 Written To:
Primarily to Jews to demonstrate that Jesus is the eternal Son of God—God in the flesh—and that by believing, readers may have life in His name (John 20:31).
🗓 Date:
Likely between AD 85–95
📂 Purpose of the Passage:
To proclaim Jesus Christ as the true Light that came into the world—a Light that shines on all men. John 1:9 is part of the majestic prologue of John’s gospel, establishing Christ’s eternal nature, His role in creation, and His mission to bring life and light to a dark world.
This verse is a powerful reminder that Christ’s coming was not hidden or limited—His light has shined on all mankind, leaving no one without witness.
🔍 John 1:9
“That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”
✨ Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
“That was the true Light…”
- Refers to Jesus Christ, mentioned in the previous verse (John 1:8).
- The word “true” (alēthinon) doesn’t just mean genuine, but ultimate and perfect—the Light that all lesser lights point to.
- Christ is not a light or a teacher among many—He is THE Light, the source of all truth, life, and spiritual understanding (cf. John 8:12; 1 John 1:5).
“…which gives light…”
- The word “gives” is present tense—this is ongoing, active illumination.
- Christ doesn’t just shine; He gives light—spiritual insight, conviction, and the knowledge of God.
- This illumination can be seen in two ways:
- 👇
- General Revelation – His light shines in creation and conscience (Romans 1:19–20; Romans 2:14–15).
- Specific Revelation – His light shines through the gospel and the written Word (2 Corinthians 4:4–6).
“…to every man…”
- This is universal—Christ’s light reaches all humanity.
- It does not mean all will be saved, but that none are without witness.
- This destroys any claim that people are innocent because they didn’t know. Christ’s light shines on every heart to some degree.
- Compare with Titus 2:11: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”
“…coming into the world.”
- This phrase may describe “every man” or “the Light”—grammatically, either reading works.
- Most likely, it modifies “every man”—meaning every person who is born into this world receives some degree of light from Christ.
- Alternatively, it echoes John 1:4–5 and 1:14—Christ entered this world to bring light into the darkness.
✅ What It Does Mean
- Christ is the ultimate revelation of God—the true Light sent from heaven.
- His light reaches every person, either through creation, conscience, or the gospel.
- All mankind is accountable for how they respond to that light.
- Jesus is not one of many religious figures—He is the only Light, the true Light, and the source of life.
❌ What It Does Not Mean
- It does not teach universal salvation.
- It does not imply that all people receive saving knowledge—only the light necessary to be held accountable (Romans 1:20).
- It does not say people are saved by nature or good works—salvation requires belief in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
🙏 Summary
John 1:9 tells us that no one is born into this world without some knowledge of God. The true Light—Jesus Christ—shines into every heart, calling all to seek, to believe, to receive Him.
This verse shows that God is not hiding. From creation to conscience to Christ Himself, the Light has gone out into the world.
And because of this, no one will stand before the Great White Throne and be able to say, “I never knew” or “I never had a chance.”
God is both Just and the Justifier (Romans 3:26).
He has made Himself known. He has given Light.
But that Light must be received.
📖 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12)
Have you responded to the Light?
🌟 The Light has come. The darkness has no excuse.
by Jamie Pantastico | Jul 23, 2025 | Daily Encouragement, End Times |
I’m not an alarmist. I’m not a sensationalist. But I am a Bible believer.
And what we’re witnessing—particularly with the GENIUS Act (S.394) now introduced in Congress—is far more than just routine legislation. It’s another deliberate step in the long, calculated process of establishing a centralized system of control, one eerily similar to what Scripture describes will dominate the world in the final days.
This should shake people up.
⚖️ The Illusion of Innovation, the Reality of Control
The GENIUS Act proposes to regulate “non-bank payment stablecoin issuers” under the authority of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)—a federal bureau within the U.S. Treasury.
In other words:
- A new class of money issuers is being created.
- These are not banks, not the federal reserve, but they will have the power to issue digital assets (stablecoins) backed by U.S. dollars.
- And they will be federally regulated—which means federally controlled.
This has sweeping implications:
- Imagine private finance companies—like PayPal, Circle, or even new government-approved startups—issuing currency that you use to buy groceries, pay rent, or access healthcare.
- Now imagine that every transaction you make is tracked, recorded, and potentially restricted—not by a bank, but by a federal regulator with direct authority.
Remember this is already law, it is already happening. This isn’t just about currency. It’s about power.
📖 Scripture Has Already Told Us Where This Leads
You don’t have to be a prophecy expert (and I don’t claim to be one, I’m nobody, but I know how to read) to see the writing on the wall. This is exactly what God’s Word has forewarned.
1. A Global System of Control
“And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.”
—Revelation 13:7
“No one may buy or sell except one who has the mark…”
—Revelation 13:17
In order for this level of control to be possible, the world must first be conditioned to accept digitally governed commerce, compliance-based finance, and centralized currency systems.
We’re not there yet. But this is exactly how it begins.
2. The “Strong Delusion” and the Lie of Safety
“Because they did not receive the love of the truth… God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.”
—2 Thessalonians 2:10–11
The world is buying into the lie that freedom is dangerous, and compliance is virtue. Satan doesn’t come crashing through the front door—he comes through policy, fear, and “common good” narratives that sound reasonable.
3. Peace, Safety… Then Sudden Destruction
“For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:3
This kind of financial control will always be sold as a way to prevent fraud, stabilize markets, and ensure fairness. But it’s a trap. Once you give up freedom for safety, you lose both.
🧠 Satan Is a Genius Strategist
He’s not pushing Americans too fast. He knows he can’t, the other nations yeah, unfortunately, they’re gone already, lost to the upside down world of wokeness. The devil works through gradual erosion, not sudden revolution.
- Global treaties
- ESG scoring
- AI content monitoring
- Central bank digital currencies
- And now, federally approved non-bank stablecoin issuers
All of these are converging. These are not isolated developments—they are pieces of a puzzle that Scripture already revealed.
✝️ What This Means for Believers
We’re not supposed to panic. We’re supposed to be alert, bold, and grounded in truth.
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep…”
—Romans 13:11
Now is the time to:
- Proclaim the gospel of grace (1 Corinthians 15:1–4)
- Warn others with truth and love
- Stay grounded in the Word of God
- Encourage fellow believers that our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18)
The Stage Is Set
This bill is not the mark of the beast. But it is part of the infrastructure that makes it possible.
America was once the last holdout of personal freedom. If this can be introduced here—under the guise of innovation and stability—what comes next?
Let this shake you up—not to fear, but to focus. Because The Beast System isn’t coming…
It’s unfolding.
📄 Want to Read the Bill for Yourself?
We encourage you to examine the source directly. The legislation referenced in this article is Senate Bill 394 (S.394), titled the “Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025 (GENIUS Act)”.
You can read the full text of the bill, track its progress, and see updates on the official U.S. Congress website:
🔗 Read S.394 on Congress.gov
We urge you to do so. What’s being quietly introduced under the banner of innovation may have far greater implications for our personal freedoms and future than most realize.
👉 Continue to Part 2 for a detailed look at what the GENIUS Act actually says—and why it matters.
