Truth and the Backwards Bicycle Phenomenon

 

The Forkless Phantom Bike Photo: Olli Erkkila

A few weeks ago a lifelong friend of mine forwarded a video to me that I found very interesting. It illustrates how our brain locks into a mode of operation and how hard it is for us to adapt to doing something differently once we have become accustomed to doing it a certain way.

You can see this video at the following link:

http://viewpure.com/MFzDaBzBlL0?ref=bkmk

The Forkless Phantom bike pictured above is another mind bending work of creativity in the area of bicycling.

If you are one who enjoys looking at cars, you may have noticed the lack of diversity in the design and colors of newer vehicles. In my opinion, it would be nice if auto manufacturers would take some DeLorean like design risks as some bicycle designers have done so that we aren’t faced with looking at the same old barrage of colors and shapes while we drive.

Maybe auto design uniformity is all about top down control for mammon sake as it is in so many other areas of life today. It’s interesting that the controllers preach diversity as they hypocritically push for uniformity.

While there may be times within the will of God to be wise and simply blend in, there is more often a time to stand boldly apart from the masses. After all, the Lord certainly shows the ultimate in creativity in the awesome array of colors, shapes, sizes, sounds, smells and designs he uses in his creative works.

In my opinion, not only can the brain be trained to lock us into wrongly thinking that there is just one way to do something, the brain can also be trained to make it seem as if there is only one way to think about something. As a Math teacher, I see this truth in operation because different students will sometimes use different methods to correctly solve the same problem.

There are things, however, that should never be seen or done more than one way.

Biblical faith, for example, has many non-negotiable issues. Three of the most important questions that should be seen only one way are: who is God; how can he save us; and what will he do in the future. (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:1-3; John 14:6) There are many other non-negotiable issues that will not be discussed here because that isn’t the point of this message.

There are other issues of faith, however, that aren’t quite so simple. These negotiable issues, that won’t be discussed in detail in this message either, don’t have a one size fits all solution. What is right for me may be wrong for you in these matters of personal conscience. While never forgetting that all truth is truth, we need to understand that God does allow for differences in matters of personal conscience under the united liberty he desires between his children. (Colossians 2:6; Romans 14:1-15:7; 1 Corinthians 8-9) Divisiveness and disunity can result from locking our mind into one way of thinking on matters of personal conscience.

As hard as this may be for us to understand and accept, at times God has spoken about the future in a way that there is more than one way to look at his prophecy. This is in spite of the fact that all biblical prophecy will be fulfilled in one way as the Lord has predetermined. (2 Peter 1:20; Acts 17:26; Daniel 11:36)

In the area of prophetic truth there are prophecies that have more than one fulfillment. One example is found in Psalm 72. In this Psalm things are written about the type Solomon that could only refer to the antitype the Lord Jesus Christ. Another example of this dual fulfillment prophecy is found in Isaiah 61:1-2 which was partially fulfilled in Luke 4:16-21. The rest of the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1-2 will be fulfilled when Jesus returns to earth. Many of the most religious and well educated contemporaries of Jesus Christ rejected him because they were blind to the dual nature of his prophecies. They would only accept a Messiah who would come to rule as a King.

There are other areas of prophecy and scripture in which the backwards bicycle phenomena will keep us from being able to see the truth correctly if we aren’t careful. Locking our mind into an incorrect private interpretation or incorrect popular interpretation of biblical prophecy can cause division and even heresy and apostasy.

Church polity, the timing of the second coming of Christ, the rapture, the abomination of desolation, the future mark of the beast and its economy, the Antichrist, the ten kings, prophesied wars, and a host of other issues need to be examined being alert to how the backwards bicycle phenomenon can keep us from the truth.

Over the coming weeks I hope to explore some of these areas in depth and share with you what I learn from my studies. Please share your insights and questions with me as they arise.

While it’s certainly true that spiritual truth is spiritually discerned, there is also an intellectual component to understanding truth that requires us to use our minds effectively. (Daniel 9:2; 2 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11; Romans 12:2)

This message has been about the importance have having an open, teachable mind so that our “love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

In the spirit of Acts 17:11 and 2 Timothy 2:15,

David

Real Butter?

Introduction

Strange days have truly found us.

While ordering breakfast at a small country restaurant  recently, I asked a waitress if she had any “real butter” to serve us. Seated near the kitchen, we were able to hear the waitress talking about what real butter was with the kitchen staff.

After deciding that it might be “melted margarine”,  the waitress, an 18 to 25 year old women of seemingly average intelligence, brought  a small plastic dish of melted yellow material out of the kitchen and placed it on our table. When we asked her what it was, she replied “melted margarine.”

How do food service employees not know the difference between natural 100% organic butter and a humanly manufactured margarine which is one molecule away from plastic?

How do medical professionals promote margarine as a heart healthy alternative to butter considering it’s molecular composition.

http://www.naturalnews.com/043735_butter_consumption_margarine_health_hoax.html

How?

Most of us have been programmed from youth to trust system certified experts in media, education, science, politics and religion. When these leaders are misled, they mislead.

With that being said, consider the following additional illustrations of how strange the days in which we live have become.

How do weather forecaster not know the difference between real clouds and humanely engineering chemically laden plumes of poisonous smoke devilishly dispensed from planes?

http://www.globalresearch.ca/chemtrails-the-secret-war/5421137

http://www.truthmediaproductions.blogspot.com/

http://www.skyderalert.com/core/index-visitor/

http://www.stopthecrime.net/toxicsky/

How do people who claim to be educated not recognize that the destruction of the 911 high rise buildings on 911 was accomplished by human demolition, not airplane fuel fires?

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article31569.htm

http://www.consensus911.org/

How can we be so blind that we can’t see that no massive airliner pierced  the walls of the Pentagon on 911?

http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/911_pentagon_eyewitnesses.html

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2014/12/02/911-update-more-proof-no-boeing-757-hit-the-pentagon/

How can those that continue to claim that if 911 was an “inside job” that someone would have blown the whistle on the perpetrators  when credible  whistleblowers exist?

http://www.justacitizen.com/JustaCitizen-Letters.htm

http://www.veteranstoday.com/author/lindauer/

How can’t we see that the global war on terror and its domestic partners in crime, the DHS and TSA, are fraudulent because they spawn from  the official 911 conspiracy tale resulting in loss of Constitutional rights at home while claiming to export  freedom overseas?

How can we support a global war on terror that military strategists tell us is about integrating nations into the global economy and economic rule set ?

http://www.escapebabylonsdemons.com/GLOBILIZATION_TRUTH.html

How can we not believe that war is sold to us using the policy of propaganda?

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article40582.htm

How can we remain silent as our nation is increasingly locked down, our soldiers are being sacrificed, people are being  tortured and innocent civilians are being murdered because of the 911 lie?

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-most-expensive-war-in-world-history-costs-of-iraq-afghanistan-wars-could-rise-to-6-trillion/5329432

http://www.globalresearch.ca/torture-an-executive-summary/5418955

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/22/opinion/prosecute-torturers-and-their-bosses.html?_r=1

How can we continue to support the sacrifice of our troops and killing of foreigners when it is common knowledge that international bankers who now control the private Federal Reserve System have been profiting from financing both sides of wars  for over a century.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-federal-reserve-cartel-the-eight-families/25080

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-federal-reserve-cartel-freemasons-and-the-house-of-rothschild/25179

http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-federal-reserve-100-years-of-financial-terrorism/5362520

http://www.globalresearch.ca/origins-of-the-american-empire-revolution-world-wars-and-world-order/14552

http://www.globalresearch.ca/bankers-are-behind-the-wars/5378240

http://www.globalresearch.ca/global-power-and-global-government-evolution-and-revolution-of-the-central-banking-system/14464

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14474077/World-War-Two-How-a-Global-Elite-controlled-Both-Sides

http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/006/conspiracy1.htm

http://www.ukcolumn.org/article/who-enemy

How can we remain silent as these same powers are leading us to the brink of an East-West nuclear war?

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/12/29/outlook-new-year-paul-craig-roberts-2/

How can pastors and the body of Christ not know that the body of Christ, the church, isn’t a worldly building incorporated as a hierarchical 501-c3 religious organization led by a CEO but a living body, the support and basis of the truth?

http://www.escapebabylonsdemons.com/501_c__3__Incorporation.html

How can they think that God will revive the body of Christ, the church, when it is unequally yoked with unbelieving state through her incorporation as a 501-c3 religious organization?

How can they not immediately begin to do whatever it takes to severe their 501-c3 relationship with the state?

How can 501-c3 incorporated church pastors live a lie and practice fraud by preaching against public policy when they have agreed not  to in exchange for generous personal tax benefits?

How can pastors act like they don’t know about 501-c3 incorporation when questioned about  it when they know that it affords them generous tax benefits unavailable  to the church members who pay their salaries?

How can real pastors teach that law of tithing is commanded today when suffering believers imprisoned or unemployed because of their faith are unable to obey this law and future saints suffering under Antichrist’s global war on the saints will be unable to tithe?

How can we frown upon the body of Christ meeting in homes, rather than in church buildings, when the earliest church met in homes?

How can pastors think they are entitled to more money and possessions than their supporters when Paul, for the sake of others in furthering the gospel, waived his right to be paid for preaching. He taught his followers to follow his example of giving away truth and working in a secular vocation to provide personal needs.  (1 Corinthians 9; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)

How can a pastor minimize the importance of seeking and teaching the truth on biblical prophecy when about 1/4 of scripture relates to the promise of his coming and Jesus taught us to watch and be ready for his return?

How can we say that there are 2 comings when the scripture clearly teaches that there is one following the sounding of the angel’s last trump? (1 Corinthians 15:42-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18;  Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 11:15)

How can any real pastor claim that the KJV Bible is a perfect translation that could never be improved upon when its own translators told us in their preface that the KJV was a perfect translation that could never be improved upon?

http://www.kjv-only.com/1611pref.html

http://dewey.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?TextID=kjbible&PagePosition=6

http://www.kjv-only.com/

IQ continues to drop as the graph below indicates.

Strange thinking, however, seems to be affecting higher IQ individuals as much or even more than lower IQ individuals.

Is this an issue of sanity?

Is this strange thinking an issue of sanity?

If sanity is the issue, it isn’t those that aren’t believing what the media and science gatekeepers claim is true who lack sanity.

“Researchers — psychologists and social scientists, mostly — in the U.S. and United Kingdom say data indicate that, contrary to those mainstream media stereotypes, “conspiracy theorists” appear to be more sane than people who accept official versions of controversial and contested events.”

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/11/22/scientific-study-reveals-conspiracy-theorists-sane/

I believe that  the real issue truth is facing  is both a moral and spiritual issue. It is an issue that is effecting the most devout evangelical or fundamentalist Christian churchgoer as much as it is damaging the most irreligious among us.

Spiritual issues

A person who is deluded is misled in mind. They see illusion as reality and consider false views to be true.

The modern church has become severely deluded in mind and heart for a number of reasons.

Our pastors and teachers have not followed the pattern of Paul presented in 2 Corinthians 4:2.

Most are dishonest, not honest.

They are crafty, not straight.

They love the world system rather than hate it. (1 John 2:15)

They repeat the lies of the antichristian world system on these issues rather than exposing lies with truth.

They don’t preach repentance from sin and idolatry leading people who consider themselves good to simply “accept Christ” to complete their life.

Until a person comes to grip with the truth that their human nature is depraved and isn’t inherently good they will have a difficult time accepting the hard truth about how depraved the world system and some of its leadership truly is. Without the Holy Spirit to give them discernment and teach them the truth they will believe the lies.

They ignore the life and death moral issues associated with these issues and close a blind eye to the terrible destructiveness of these lies.

Spiritual pride deludes because  the light we claim is within blinds us to truth.

Loving ourselves, our possessions, our relationships, our security or anything else more than the Lord Jesus Christ will blind us to truth. (Matthew 6:19-34)

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12  links believing a lie with a strong delusion rooted in Satanic power and lying.

Conclusion

Maybe it’s never been easy to get the truth in America, however, socio-political and religious truth seem to have become a very scarce commodity in these United States.

Why it’s even become difficult to find the one perpetually, everlasting, true gospel of Christ preached in these United States.

In the realm of politics and religion we find many journalists and news commentators claiming to be telling us the truth who are really deceiving and being deceived.

Many Christians come to us in the name of Jesus Christ, however, many are proclaiming a false gospel that is deceiving many. (Matthew 24:5; Matthew 24:11; Mark 13:6; Luke 21:8; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-8)

Are we in that unique period of apostasy that Bible prophecy teachers tell us about?

In scripture, apostasy is defined as a defecting from truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

In the progression of events which precede the coming of the Lord, after the apostasy, Satan’s power packed punch of Antichrist wars against the church. (Daniel 7:25; Daniel 11:31-35; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:7)

After Antichrist comes God’s knockout counterpunch, the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ  to gather his people together with him and destroy the wicked who are destroying the earth. (Daniel 7:26-27; Revelation 19:11-21; 2 Peter 3; Isaiah 59; Joel 3; Amos 9: 8-15; Obadiah 1:15-21; Micah 3-5; Zep 3; Hag 2:6-9; Zech 12-14; Malachi 4; Psalm 1:4-6; Psalm 2; Psalm 9:5-7; Psalm 10:15-18; Psalm 11:2-7; Psalm 12:1-5; Psalm 21:8-13; Psalm 34:15-22; Psalm 37:9-22; Psalm 46:4-11; Psalm 47; Psalm 50; Psalm 53; Psalm 58…)

Presently, it seems that we are in the midst of an ever growing apostasy. The examples to follow illustrate that ludicrous heretical teaching, behavior and values are spreading in the professing church.

The divinity of Christ is blasphemed by well known evangelical Joel Hemphill.

http://www.trumpetcallbooks.com/Glory_Response.html

Mega church pastors such as “Pentecostal Apostle of Cool” Carl Lentz and Lakewood Church’s Joel Osteen refusing to call homosexuals and lesbians to repent of their sexual sin. Carl Lentz teaches the broad way leading to destruction as opposed to the straight and narrow way of Christ. Lentz explains his unbiblical philosophy of ministry like this: “So for us, we really believe in building the local church in general and we feel like we have a lane. We often use the analogy of a running lane. We are all running the same race with the same destination. We’re not running your lane. It’s not better or worse, just different.” (Nichola Menzie, 2013) (Menzie, 2013) (Heather Clark, 2013)

Emergent Church leader Brian McLaren describes himself as an ecumenical global networker among innovative Christian leaders. He doesn’t consider homosexual or lesbian relationships sin and the proper interpretation of scripture to be timeless moral truth. With a twisted logic he believes  “that extending marriage to gay and lesbian couples would strengthen, not weaken, marriage as a desirable and socially respected way of life” and “support for equal rights for our gay and lesbian sisters and brothers is, to us, not a violation of our Christian convictions, but an expression of them.” In 2012 he lead a same sex marriage ceremony with “traditional Christian elements” for his son. (Brian D. McLaren, 2010) (McLaren, 2004) (Stephan, 2012)

Former conservative Christian publisher Multnomah deceitfully and rebelliously plans to publish homosexual activist Michael Vines book entitled God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships. (Barber, 2014)

Mega church pastor Steven Furtick spends $1.7 million on a 16,000 square foot house (The Blaze, 2013) (Stewart Watson/NBC Charlotte, 2013)

Mega influential Pastor Dr. John MacArthur teaches that a person can be saved after receiving the mark of the beast on Brannon House WorldView Weekend Radio. (Johnson, Articles: Straight From the Pit of Hell: John Macarthur Teaches that People Who Take the Mark of the Beast can Repent and be Saved, 2013)

Dr. John MacArthur receives incredibly immodest compensation for his ministry and unequally yokes with antichristian organizations. (Johnson, Articles: Is Grace To You Avoiding the Appearance of Evil?, 2013)

Former 30,000,000 member National Associations of Evangelicals President and mega church pastor Ted Haggard confesses to homosexual relationships. His repentant confessions sound sincere; however, the damage is done. Sadly, mega church pastors Dr. Joel C. Hunter of Northland Church, and Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, both had sons commit suicide this year. Hunter’s son Isaac Hunter was a mega church pastor who admitted to an having an adulterous heterosexual relationship with a staff member prior to the suicide. Pastors Ed Montgomery and Teddy Parker commit suicide. (Anugrah Humar, 2013)

Mega church pastor Dr. Jack Schaap; 54 years old, admits to fornicating with a 16 year old female church member. (Billy Hallowell, 2012)

The Emergent Church, a fancy term for theology that 80% of professing Christians will associate together under within a future global church, has leaders like “ecclesiologist” Tony Jones advocating a new sexual ethic regarding pre-marital sex. Jones’ twisted logic is that Jesus wasn’t naive so we don’t want to be so naive to think a person can remain a virgin in modern culture. (Jones, 2013) Rob Bell, mega church pastor, arrogantly questions God’s just creation and use of Hell describing as “misguided and toxic” the dogma that “a select few Christians will spend forever in a peaceful, joyous place called heaven, while the rest of humanity spends forever in torment and punishment in hell with no chance for anything better.” (Erik Eckholm, 2011)

This is not an endorsement of the total content, however, if you are unfamiliar with the movement as I was, I recommend perusing the biblical based commentary and opinion on the Emerging Church found in Dr. Don Boys series found at::

http://www.cstnews.com/bm/issues-facing-christians-today-common-sense-for-today/falling-standards-and-seeker-sensitive-churches/index.shtml.

Also, the following video shares some insights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfLjAh-mWso&feature=player_embedded

Exaltation of C. S. Lewis, Billy Graham, N.T. Wright, Rob Bell and many emerging leaders teach some unbiblical “Third Way”, “inclusivism”, or “Christian Universalism”. This heresy believes that a person bearing the image of Christ in their life can be saved apart from repentant faith and personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and God and Savior. (Patton, 2011)

Christian Universalism is the deep desire of the evangelical Church

Prosperity and other false teachers abound. This is not an endorsement of the total site content, however, a good sampling of our false teachers can be found at:

http://www.false-teachers.com/index.html

False Teachers and Charlatans Exposed- Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Ken Copeland, Joel Osteen, John Crowder, Rob Bell, Rick Warren, etc.

Pastors are being taught to start secular non-profit corporations or CDC’s to help financially support church outreach events. They are linking or yoking themselves together with those outside the body of Christ in order to maximize support for the work of the ministry in their community.  This is a willful violation of clear commands and principles of ministry practiced since the days of the early church. These principles of Christ like ministry were clearly articulated by Paul and John in 3 John 1:7 and 2 Corinthians  Pastor Raul Rivera proudly boasts how he and his wife used a CDC to raise $40,000 in 3 months. (Rivera, blog, 2012)

At the same time professing believers are increasingly going apostate, more and more truth about the evils of this nation,  and the world system as a whole,  is being revealed to those seeking truth and justice.

There are many false prophets and professing Christians deceiving many.

There is ongoing war and rumor of war.

There is scarcity of food, earthquakes and plagues in various places.

People are being imprisoned, killed and hated for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sin and evil is multiplying and holiness is waning; even in the body of Christ.

The world is being conditioned to receive the mark of the beast in order to solve the financial and security issues facing it.

In light of the perilous times we face, let’s not forget that all of this has been predicted and will soon come to pass.

Let us fix on our minds on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross. In 2015, may we  take up our own cross and be light and salt throughout each day.

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?   And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:  Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.  (2 Thessalonians 2″1-17)

Bibliography

Anugrah Humar. (2013, December 14). Church & Ministry: Ted Haggard Says Suicides of Pastor Isaac Hunter, Others Reflect Flaws in ‘Evangelical Culture’. Retrieved January 1, 2014, from The Christian Post: http://www.christianpost.com/news/ted-haggard-says-suicides-of-pastor-isaac-hunter-others-reflect-flaws-in-evangelical-culture-110780/

Barber, M. (2014, April 16). Perspectives. Retrieved July 2014, from OneNewsNow: http://onenewsnow.com/perspectives/matt-barber/2014/04/16/deception-christian-publisher-sells-soul-for-mammon

Billy Hallowell. (2012, August 2). Faith: Married Megachurch Pastor Fired After Admitting to Sex With 16-Year-Old Church Member. Retrieved January 4, 2014, from The Blaze: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/08/02/married-megachurch-pastor-fired-after-admitting-to-sex-with-16-year-old-church-member/

Brian D. McLaren. (2010). Can We Talk? The Manhatten Declarations Harder Challenge. Retrieved 2013, from Sojourners: http://sojo.net/magazine/2010/03/can-we-talk

Erik Eckholm. (2011, March 3). U.S.: Pastor Stirs Wrath With His Views on Old Questions. Retrieved January 1, 2014, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/05/us/05bell.html?_r=1&

Heather Clark. (2013, October 3). Apostasy: Joel Osteen: God ‘Absolutely’ Accepts Homosexuals. Retrieved December 30, 2013, from Christian News Network: http://christiannews.net/2013/10/04/joel-osteen-god-absolutely-accepts-homosexuals/

Internal Revenue Service. (2009, November ). Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations Publication 1828 (Rev. 11-2009). Retrieved December 30, 2013, from IRS: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf

Johnson, B. (2013, November 7). Articles: Is Grace To You Avoiding the Appearance of Evil? Retrieved December 30, 2013, from The Watchman Wakes In Vain: http://www.thewatchmanwakes.com/John-Macarthur-Kory-Welch.html

Johnson, B. (2013, November 7). Articles: Straight From the Pit of Hell: John Macarthur Teaches that People Who Take the Mark of the Beast can Repent and be Saved. Retrieved December 30, 2013, from The Watchman Wakes In Vain: http://www.thewatchmanwakes.com/John-Macarthur-salary-GCC-corporation-Larry-King.html

Jones, T. (2013, February 6). is-it-time-for-christians-to-celebrate-pre-marital-sex. Retrieved January 1, 2014, from Theoblogy: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tonyjones/2013/02/06/is-it-time-for-christians-to-celebrate-pre-marital-sex/

McLaren, B. (2004). A Generous Orthodoxy. El Cajon: Zondervan.

Menzie, N. (2013, December 20). Church and Ministry. Retrieved December 30, 2013, from The Christian Psot: http://www.christianpost.com/news/pastor-carl-lentz-will-not-preach-on-sexuality-from-pulpit-refuses-to-ostracize-people-111211/

Nichola Menzie. (2013, September 9). Church & Ministry: justin-bieber-breaks-down-during-pastor-carl-lentzs-hillsong-nyc-sermon-104091. Retrieved December 30, 2013, from The Christian Post: http://www.christianpost.com/news/justin-bieber-breaks-down-during-pastor-carl-lentzs-hillsong-nyc-sermon-104091/

Patton, C. M. (2011, November 17). Parchment & Pen Blog. Retrieved January 5, 2014, from Credo House Ministries: http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2011/11/why-do-we-love-c-s-lewis-and-hate-rob-bell/

Rivera, R. (2012, May 7). blog. Retrieved July 2014, from startchurch: https://www.startchurch.com/blog/view/name/how-we-raised-over-40-000-in-three-months

Rivera, R. (2014, July 11). blog. Retrieved July 11, 2014, from http://www.startchurch.com: https://www.startchurch.com/blog/view/name/church-momentum-stoppers-a-must-read-for-every-pastor

Stephan, M. (2012, September). Archives: brian-mclaren-leads-commitment-ceremony-at-sons-same-sex. Retrieved January 30, 2014, from http://www.christianitytoday.com: http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2012/september/brian-mclaren-leads-commitment-ceremony-at-sons-same-sex.html

Stewart Watson/NBC Charlotte. (2013, October 22). Featured Videos: I-Team: How a pastor built a multi-million dollar home . Retrieved December 30, 2013, from WCNC.com: http://www.wcnc.com/video/featured-videos/I-Team-How-a-pastor-paid-for-his-multi-million-dollar-home-228870731.html

The Blaze. (2013, October 13). Fait: should-pastors-live-in-extravagant-homes-preachers-16000-sq-foot-house-sparks-debate. Retrieved December 30, 2013, from The Blaze: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/10/28/should-pastors-live-in-extravagant-homes-preachers-16000-sq-foot-house-sparks-debate/

Violence: The Fruit Of Deceitful, Wicked Human Hearts and U.S. Foreign Policy

Art by David Dees

Introduction

If you have seen many of the old western shows and movies created some 50 to 75 years ago, you have witnessed the best and worst of the human heart in action. These shows often picture apostate men and women lusting after the resources of others. Loving self supremely; they will do whatever wickedness it takes for them to get what they want.

Standing tall in opposition to these wicked are the good men and women who are willing to lay down their lives in love, truth and justice in order to protect the lives, rights, and resources of others. The kind of people that went to the Bundy ranch in Nevada to help defend their neighbor against unjust, abusive, greedy power.

http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/item/18176-showdown-on-the-range
http://www.infowars.com/breaking-sen-harry-reid-behind-blm-land-grab-of-bundy-ranch/
http://www.infowars.com/infowars-exclusive-on-the-ground-at-bundy-ranch-protest-area/

Like wicked modern day government operatives, the evildoers in old western tales can even be seen creating “false flag” scenarios in which they destroy something and blame it on a party they want to demonize and get out of their way so that they can move ahead with their evil plans. The BLM did this in trying to justify grabbing the Bundy acreage in order to protect turtles that they were actually destroying.

http://www.infowars.com/before-nevada-cattle-rancher-dispute-blm-was-euthanizing-endangered-desert-tortoise/

Without natural affection, brute beasts will shoot the defenseless or even their own blood in order to increase their share of the spoils. Pure evil falsely justified through worn out clichés like “more bang for the buck”, “just doing my job”, or “it’s the color of law”. The fruit of their wicked human hearts is deceit, greed and violence. Violence is the force and god which enables them to secure their short lived rendezvous with earthly riches. Their depraved, twisted minds deceive them to pay a tormented, unquenchable, eternal fiery hell in exchange for an appetizing taste of fallen paradise. Faithless and blinded by Lucifer’s dark light, they choose to enjoy an appetizing taste of fallen paradise here rather than eternity in the love, peace, beauty, comfort, security and prosperity of the Lord’s presence in his heavenly New Jerusalem. Only the intellectual and spiritual superiority of their invisible father the devil could convince the minds of such supposedly shrewd people to make such a foolish, short-sighted, self destructive decision. Only the unconditional love of a merciful, just and holy God would allow such stinking dogs the opportunity to repent; to turn away from their wickedness and receive pardon for their atrocious actions before his unbending justice demands that he throw them and their gang of supporters into the bottomless smoking pit to roast for eternity with their father the devil and his fallen angels.

Isaiah the prophet expressed the thoughts of the Lord God of Israel toward such people this way:

They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. (Isaiah 45: 16-25)

Retreating back to the idea of a “false flag” scenario; if you still can’t believe that any government wouldn’t manufacture murderous crises in order to give the impression that their murderous attack on a demonized foreign party is morally justified, you simply haven’t read history or the Bible with an open mind and heart.

Russia-Ukraine Crisis

The Russia-Ukraine situation is just another instance in which U.S. military led western outlaws are doing whatever it takes to do what they want. I have done some reading and research on the conflict from its onset. It is clear that Russia isn’t the aggressor in this situation.
Here are providing some insightful and well researched articles from Paul Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy under President Reagan and past associate editor of the Wall Street Journal, on the history of this dangerous conflict.

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/02/06/washington-destabilizes-ukraine/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/02/12/washington-orchestrated-protests-destabilizing-ukraine/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/02/14/russia-attack-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/02/17/us-eu-paying-ukrainian-rioters-protesters-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/02/22/sleepwalking/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/02/23/democracy-murdered-protest-ukraine-falls-intrigue-violence/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/02/25/crisis-ukraine-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/02/26/ukrainian-neo-nazis-declare-power-comes-barrels-guns/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/03/washingtons-arrogance-hubris-evil-set-stage-war/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/05/propaganda-rules-news-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/06/looting-ukraine-begun/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/11/western-media-lie-factory-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/12/obama-regimes-hypocrisy-sets-new-world-record-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/13/guest-column-israel-shamir-ukrainian-pendulum/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/14/new-russia/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/14/world-war-1-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/16/washington-set-world-path-war-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/16/95-7-crimeans-give-finger-white-house-tyrant-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/17/two-steps-forward-one-step-back-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/26/much-war-washington-want-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/29/western-looting-ukraine-begun-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/04/09/us-world-coming-end-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/04/13/washington-humanitys-worst-enemy-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/04/14/washington-drives-world-war-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/04/26/moving-closer-war-paul-craig-roberts/
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/04/30/us-economy-house-cards-paul-craig-roberts/

The Center For Globalization Research offers these insightful articles on the subject:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/americas-neo-nazi-government-in-kiev-towards-a-scenario-of-military-escalation/5380384
http://www.globalresearch.ca/burning-ukraines-protesters-alive-neo-nazi-shock-troops-supported-by-us/5381721
http://www.globalresearch.ca/reflections-on-odessa-the-nazi-legacy-of-mayhem-and-massacres-in-ukraine/5381697
http://www.globalresearch.ca/kiev-uses-chemical-weapons/5381664

Professing Christians need to be aware of this and be careful not to jump on the warmongering bandwagon promoting sanctions and military action against Russia and its interests. This should be no surprise since foreign policy advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski has said that “it should be the American goal to draw Russia toward Europe, to let Russia have a European identity and future, and that a European Ukraine is a necessary precursor for that.” “Russia will have to face the fact that it cannot indefinitely control that huge space, potentially so mineral rich, without being part of something larger. And that something larger essentially is the Euro-Atlantic Community, I don’t see Russia becoming a junior partner of China. If it does, it will lose the Far East someday, perhaps cataclysmically.” (pg. 180-181, “America And The World” )

On page 175 of the same book, another former National Security advisor Brent Scowcroft makes it clear that the U.S. wants the Ukraine incorporated into Europe. Brzezinski states that “Russia cannot be in Europe without Ukraine also being in Europe, whereas Ukraine can be in Europe without Russia being in Europe”. (pg. 122 and pg. 196 in the “The Grand Chessboard”)

What is really going on here in the Ukraine?

Brzezinski makes that clear in the same 1997 book, The Grand Chessboard. On page 86 he states that America’s central geopolitical goal in Europe is to “consolidate through a more genuine transatlantic partnership the U.S. bridgehead on the Eurasian continent so that an enlarging Europe can become a more viable springboard for projecting into Eurasia the international democratic and cooperative order.”

Chapter 7 of The Grand Chessboard is replete with Brzezinski’s preaching that it is up to America’s global planners; backed by American military, to formulate, maneuver, manipulate, encourage, prod and accommodate the geopolitical powers on the “Eurasian chessboard”, the globe’s central area, so that nobody can remove the U.S. or her powerful influence from Eurasia.
On page 196 he says that the “global stewardship that America has inherited is hence likely to be buffeted by turbulence, tension, and at least sporadic violence.” He refers to “the new and complex international order, shaped by American hegemony” and says that America will compete with “forces of turbulence” in Eurasia. He speaks on page 55 of the most dangerous “antihegomonic” scenario America could face. This danger is what we now see taking shape as a result of our maneuvering and manipulating in the Ukraine; the grand coalition of China, Russia, and perhaps Iran, a group of nations are being united by grievances against the hegemonic interests of the United States of America.

The following article by William Jasper provides a broad understanding of the geopolitical aims of this major move by globalist planners being played out now in the Ukraine.

http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/17927-ukraine-unraveling-the-planned-chaos

Conclusion

What do I think is really happening in the Ukraine? In my opinion, the crisis has multiple objectives.

First, political leaders and the masses under the influence of corporate propaganda are being conditioned to support increased military spending.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dougbandow/2014/04/07/washington-should-not-defend-ukraine-or-expand-nato-u-s-should-shift-responsibility-for-europes-defense-to-europe/2/

What is the reason for this? Fomenting chaos and propagating violence increases borrowing needs. Increased borrowing results in increased banker profits and devaluation of the dollar. Dollar devaluation depresses the purchasing power of the people while increasing the revenues of central bankers and informed investors. This process of war fed poverty increases the divide between the wealthy controllers and the people under their control. (Revelation 6:3-6)

Second, the Ukraine crisis is not only designed to increase banker profits, this major move on the grand global chessboard aims to further consolidate financial control in the hands of wicked leaders. It is about furthering the integration of Russia and Ukraine and the their natural resources under the control of the global financial system.

http://personalliberty.com/false-eastwest-paradigm-hides-rise-global-currency/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/03/brzezinski-ukraine_n_4890076.html
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article37878.htm
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_01/BRICS-creating-parallel-Monetary-Fund-disillusioned-with-IMF-and-World-Bank-expert-0502/
http://rt.com/business/156912-russian-putin-card-payment/

Third, by weakening the dollar, globalist powers further decrease the ability of the American people to stand against their drive to create the fourth and final global beast out of the sea kingdom.

http://scgnews.com/russia-threatens-to-drop-the-dollar-and-crash-the-us-economy-if-sanctions-are-imposed-obama-signs-sa

This kingdom will be comprised of 10 kingdoms which will be led by an 11th kingdom, the little horn kingdom. The little horn kingdom is to be led by Antichrist; the false prophet. Lucifer is currently driving the creation of the fourth and final beast out of the sea kingdom, the “United States of the World”, through the military power of the little horn beast out of the earth kingdom, the United States of America; the mysterious woman revealed in the Revelation as that woman, that great whore, that global superpower called Babylon the Great. (Daniel 2:40-45; Daniel 7:7; Daniel 7:19-24; Revelation 13:1-7)

http://www.escapebabylonsdemons.com/uploads/REV_13_THE_UNITED_STATES_OF_THE_WORLD_JAN_11_2011.pdf

Using the Ukraine crisis to try to integrate Russia and her resources into the hands of the controllers of the global financial system seems to me to be another pivotal move by the wicked in their efforts to finalize that ten nation scarlet colored beast currently led by the fallen superpower Babylon the Great, the mysterious enigma we now know as the fallen United States Of America. (Revelation 17-19:3)

We have now fallen so far as a nation that we actually believe the lie to the extent that we are supporting the very same evil forces that we claim we must protect the world from by killing lives abroad and freedom at home.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/america-has-switched-sides-now-backs-al-qaeda-and-nazis/5381716
http://www.globalresearch.ca/washington-behind-the-massacre-in-eastern-ukraine-putin-takes-the-blame/5381686

What terrible fate awaits the whore and her children; the wicked who birth such evil plans and their faithless partners who, either directly or indirectly support their violent dealings.

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (Revelation 18:1-8)

What blessed assurance awaits those who live by faith and come out of Babylon; those who put their hands to the plow and won’t look turn back, even in the face of death, to desire Babylon’s temporary beauty like Lot’s wife did when she was fleeing Sodom.

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:14-17)

Comforting One Another In The Coming of Christ

 In 1 Thessalonians 4:18 it is written that the body of Christ is to “comfort one another” in their shared hope that their Lord Jesus Christ is returning to gather them together with their deceased friends and relatives in Christ.

When professing believers converse about the second coming of Christ, however, all too often their words tend to be prideful, divisive and hurtful rather than humble, uniting and encouraging. It’s a sad reality that many seem to be ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of this truth. I believe some sincere pastors avoid the topic rather than deal with the potential fallout in their local body which might result from dealing with it.

Sound doctrine on the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ can be developed through simple word searching and scripture cross referencing. Truth hungry, believing and teachable hearts can understand the coming of the Lord without any bible college or seminary training. If you have had trouble trying to figure out what to believe about the coming of the Lord, simply follow the narrow road of scripture below. This teaching isn’t opinion, it’s written as “thus saith the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 records some very clear and simple truths concerning the next descent of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth.

This scripture was first written to converted Gentile and Jewish believers in Thessalonica, Greece. These believers were addressed as if they could be on earth when their Lord returns. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

The fact that both Jewish and Gentile believers will be on earth when Jesus returns is pictured in Revelation 7:9. Here we see an innumerable number of all racial nationalities worshipping God together after the Lord has returned to “wipe away all tears from their eyes” from the suffering saints who were waiting for him. (Revelation 21:1-7; Isaiah 25:8-9)

I Corinthians 15:51 also tells us that there will be some believers alive when the Lord comes. Both dead and living believers can hope with confidence that their faithful Lord will in that day gather them together to be with their Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14,18)

The descent of the Lord to earth and the gathering together of his children with him (2 Thessalonians 2:1) is outlined step by step in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

His descent to earth or coming isn’t imminent. In other words, the coming isn’t ready to happen yet. It is written that a falling away or defection from truth has to occur beforehand. During this time that Wicked Antichrist, the man of sin, the son of perdition will reveal himself and make war against the converted Jewish and Gentile believers referred to as “the saints” throughout New Testament scripture. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4; Revelation 13:7)

The gloriously bright manifestation and spoken word of Christ at his coming will destroy that Wicked Antichrist. (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

The following broad sequence of events listed below will occur in the coming of the Lord.

In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

The dead in Christ (all previously deceased believers from every race and nationality) shall rise first. (1 Thessalonians 14:16)

Then we (live believers of every race and nationality) which are alive and remain (on earth) shall be caught up together with them (the prior deceased believers) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

This entire sequence of events was previously outlined by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:27-31 in response to the question recorded in Matthew 24:3: “what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?” Mark 13:26-27 also touches on these same things.

1 Corinthians 15:52 calls “the trump” referred to in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 “the last trump”. Jesus Christ refers to the great sound of this trumpet in Matthew 24:31 as the great sound signaling the gathering of his elect children together with him.

Michael is the archangel or chief angel. (Jude 1:9) He blows the great trumpet. (Daniel 12:1) Two resurrections follow at different times after this great trumpet sounds.

The first resurrection is the resurrection of the just to life. (Revelation 20:4-6; Luke 14:14; Daniel 12:1-3; John 5:25-29) “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6)

Those that had received the mark of the beast are not resurrected at this time. Scripture gives no indication that receiving the mark of the beast is a pardonable sin like teachers John MacArthur, Tim LaHaye, Jimmy De Young, Brannon House, Chris Pinto and others falsely teach.

http://www.gty.org/Blog/B131030

It is written that receiving the mark of the beast is an act of blasphemous worship of the beast state and its identifying mark or image.

Globalization 4.0: The Mark of Revelation 13:16-18

It is written that being of the number 666 is unpardonable blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and is absolutely not a pardonable sin. (Revelation 13-14:11; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4-10)

Those who were deceived to mark themselves are resurrected after the 1000 years at the resurrection of the unjust to damnation. (Acts 24:15; John 5:29; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:7-15)

Rather than avoiding the doctrine of the coming of Christ because it might divide our local church, let’s simply receive the clear teaching based upon 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Let’s use this teaching to “comfort one another” in the hope that the Lord Jesus Christ will return to gather us, whether we be alive or dead in Christ when he returns, together with him and our deceased friends and relatives in him.

Blind Leaders of the Blind

Christian internet news is currently flowing with reports concerning the suspension of Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame by the A & E network. He was suspended because he expressed bible based, common sense feelings against homosexual behavior.

• http://www.christianpost.com/news/mike-huckabee-bobby-jindal-russell-moore-express-outrage-at-duck-dynasty-suspension-111158/

Duck Dynasty means nothing to me because I don’t own a TV. My thoughts on the matter is that it’s good to see the professing church speaking out in defense of Constitutionally based free speech. On the other hand, it makes me wonder why we don’t see greater concern over the censorship of free speech occurring within our institutions and corporations.

If the professing church is really this upset over censorship within the entertainment industry, why isn’t she alarmed over the ongoing censorship of free expression in important places like public schools, 501-c3 churches, news media and institutions. This inconsistency makes me wonder if the root cause of the anger is really the loss of free speech. Maybe people are upset because they fear losing the pleasure of watching a favorite Hollywood icon.

Many who say that Jesus is the Christ are deceived and deceiving many today. (Luke 21:8; Matthew 24:5) Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? (Luke 6:39) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18)

Where are the professing Christian politicians and lawyers who are faithful to Constitutional law and working to gain equal tolerance of their professed faith and controversial truth within our schools and places of employment?

This question isn’t referring to globalist friendly and traitorous CFR influenced politicians like Mike Huckabee; men whose words mean nothing because they are all about what’s best for their careers.

• http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/12/13/mike-huckabee-walks-back-his-support-for-common-core/
• http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2007/12/pelosi_reid_huckabee_obama_amo_1.asp
• http://www.newswithviews.com/Duke/selwyn79.htm
• http://www.wnd.com/2008/01/45475/
• http://www.wnd.com/2007/12/45060/
• http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/Articles/tabid/109/ID/478/We-Desperately-Need-The-Confessing-Church.aspx
• http://www.jonesreport.com/article/01_08/030108_huckabee_haass.html

What I’m referring to are professing Christian leaders with vision; leaders we can trust because their “yes means yes and no means no”.

We say children are our future; this being the case, where are the Christian leaders who support public education that are teaching their flocks to peaceably demand equal time and tolerance from school boards, district superintendents, school principals and classroom teachers for truth, natural law, and biblical behavior, principals and values? A pastor may say he doesn’t support public education, however, if members of his flock use the system to educate their children, and he is doing nothing to reform the beast, such inaction becomes affirmative action.

The blind can’t lead the blind! Worse than blind guides are blind authoritarian pastors. These lords won’t typically learn from anyone they consider to be below them on God’s organizational chart. They will only take advice from financially influential tares who tickle their ears with worldly wisdom they can use to help grow their organization. (Note: For a biblical look at Pastoral Authority please see Pastoral Authority)

Pastors who lead parents to send their children to public schools have a responsibility to know the influences affecting their children’s minds. They should know the classroom teachers, guidance counselors, and educational curriculum educating their children. They should know the moral climate of the schools.

Public education is a very trendy business. It is characterized by frequent and rapid change. The rate and effect of change in curriculum and teaching pedagogy varies by state and by district within each state. As a result, there is no quick, one size fits all method to gain an accurate understanding of the educational issues affecting a particular locale. A person can’t read an article about education in Virginia and assume that all the same issues will exist outside Virginia. Because of this diversity, pastors need to personally interview board members and district leaders within their locale if they are going to be equipped to watch for the souls of their flock for whom they are accountable. (Hebrews 13:7) If a pastor feels that this type of oversight is not practically feasible; in my opinion, based upon many years of experience in various types of education, the pastor should advise his flock to educate their children at home.

Pastors are responsible to teach parents to protect their children from the antichristian philosophy, values, and beliefs permeating public schools. They have a responsibility to train the parents of saved children attending public school that these children have a responsibility to be holy in school. This holiness means that they are to be faithful to their Lord and his truth in all classroom discussions, performances and conversations. These children of God need to be taught that they can expect to be persecuted for some of their beliefs. They need to know that God expects them to answer all questions truthfully. They should be taught that answering a question correctly from the point of view of a teacher or textbook can be sin if they know that the answer isn’t truthful. They need to be instructed that they have a legal, first amendment, Constitutional right to express their faith and knowledge publically; that God expects them to pray silently throughout their day and to share Christ and his teachings even if they are forbidden to do so.

You might think that this puts children under too much pressure. They are already under a lot of pressure to conform to the world. This is all the more reason why we better expect them to conform their lives to the word of God. Yes, persecution for the sincere and biblically enlightened believer, no matter what their age, is promised. But fear of suffering is no reason to give up the good fight of the faith and surrender to devilish lies when we know the better way of truth. We are commanded to fight the good fight. This is true whether we think we can make a difference or not. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 6; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Hebrews 10:32-Hebrews 11:40; Revelation 2-3)

God is love. His merciful benevolence expresses cares for all people. (John 3:16; 1 John 4:7-12; Matthew 5:43-48) He desires that his chosen people pray, teach and work to salt and light the world. This is so that all people can have an opportunity to be saved and live their lives in quiet freedom, peace, godliness, and honesty. (1Timothy 2: 1-2)  

Let’s pray that the eyes of the hearts of the current crop of blind leaders will be enlightened with godly vision. In addition, let’s ask that God grow a new crop of godly leaders who will help lead the body of Christ out of the Babylonian ditch into which she has fallen.

In Honor of the Faith of a Good Workman

This posting is in honor of my e-friend Richard Coombes. He is the author of the 1998 book America,  the Babylon and publisher of the Online Prophecy Magazine, The Alpha Omega Report found at http://aoreport.com/ao/.

Richard has been an encouragement to me over the years of my work studying and teaching the scriptures as they apply to the church and state in America, the Babylon. He always responded with thoroughness and humility to any questions I might have for him regarding his work. Thank you Richard for your exemplary faithfulness and hard work! On the subject of Babylon the Great, you are a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed because you have attempted with all your heart to rightly divide the word of truth regarding this controversial identity.  

This past July, Richard posted a letter at his site in which he shared his reaction to the shocking news that he has advanced cancer. I hadn’t noticed this note until the other day. I want to share it with you because it is a testimony to the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ in a human life and how a believer can be glorifying to God and edifying to others even as they are dying of cancer.

Stunning News

The Lord is Calling Me Home

 7-18-13

My Dear A-O Readers,

I have some stunning news to share.

I had not been feeling well of late, and had kinda of intimated that in some of my notes and writings. In the past 3 weeks, my skin had begun to turn a slightly yellowish cast, particularly last week. Local friends became alarmed and one friend in particular simply wouldn’t take no for an answer and took me to a local hospital emergency room on Friday, July 12. After extensive blood-testing, and a catscan, I was given a preliminary conclusion by the ER doctors that Cancer had been discovered. Specifically, “numerous tumors, one particularly large” was found on my liver. However, evidence indicated the cancer had started elsewhere. I was admitted to the hospital late that night and scheduled for reams of testing plus a sonogram on Saturday. More results showed cancer in the stomach, colon and intestines, with possible spreading to kidney and a couple of spots on a lung. This indicated that the cancer was very advanced and spreading rapidly.

The doctor’s prognosis: Terminal cancer, life expectancy of “less than 90 days, most likely.”

I remained in the hospital on Monday and Tuesday for more tests and a possible procedure that I later determined too risky for minimal rewards. I refused chemotherapy. It would do no good anyway. Instead I chose to sign up with a local hospice care for in-home assistance until such time as it becomes necessary to be moved to their hospice home, located at the same hospital I was diagnosed.

The hospital has social workers and financial aid representatives to assist those like myself who have no insurance to receive Medicare/Medicaid. They also have the ability to work with Social Security to dramatically expedite applications for disability and retirement benefits, since I am 61 and since I qualify for benefits from my late wife’s account after she went to be with the Lord in 2011.

So, bottom line: It appears all of my medical bills will be covered for me, one way or the other. This allows me to focus on making final arrangements for burial and to focus on keeping my work and research available to the public. One long time supporter has indicated an intention to form a memorial trust fund that will provide financial support to keep the website online and published.

In the meantime, I am searching for additional assistance to see if I can find someone to takeover as editor and provide news coverage and intelligence analysis. I will also assign the copyrights to “America, the Babylon” to a family member in hopes that perhaps a publishing house will offer to republish the books in softcover format as well as digitally. I doubt this will happen, as the subject is just too much of a “hot potato” for a publisher to handle.

 Needless to say, this news hit me like a ton of bricks. It comes after I posted what I believe to be my crowning article, describing how current events may unfold and develop into fulfilled prophecy – in very short order. There are still articles I want to publish yet this month. They are already drafted. I just have to digitize them here at the website. I will also continue to provide some level of commentary on late Mideast developments with intel reports as best I can as long as I am physically able to do so.

 My current situation now allows me to provide a shining example of how Christians should respond in such situations facing mortality. It is a wonderful opportunity to witness to unbelievers as to our faith and as an encouragement to fellow believers and family around us.

Already, while in the hospital, I have had numerous opportunities to share and many expressed that they felt blessed by my interaction with them. I had a field day with the nursing staff – joking around and passing out miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups as part of my evangelism.

The normal response to such news is to go into “denial” but this was not my case. My initial response was – “Wow” – I finally get to go Home.” My second response – to all others including the doctors was: To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. It doesn’t get any better than that. I feel sorry for you who are left behind.

Now you should have seen the double-take on one doctor’s face when he heard that. He didn’t understand. He was an admittedly unbeliever, agnostic/atheist and he did NOT want to hear the Gospel. Oh well, his loss, but maybe the Holy Spirit will use my remarks in the future to bring him around. It could happen, we just never know.

I wish you all could have been able to see or watch how I interacted with everyone I came in contact with. My intention was to act like the Apostle Paul would; cheerful, joyful and with subtle remarks intended to open up witnessing opportunities. There’s no better place than a hospital in which to do so.

So, there you  have it. Now you know why the recent delay.

Before I close, one final point.

 We are sooooooo close to the Rapture that – I may not die but instead, like you be transformed among the living instead of resurrected. It is a distinct possibility, given the current Mideast situation. Remember those folks who hypothesize that the Rapture will be on Rosh Hashanah? If they are right, then maybe this is the year and if so then September 4 is a date to watch for.

I would appreciate your continuing prayers of support and encouragement as I work to tie up loose ends here so that my work may remain available to all.

Sincerely in Christ,

Richard Coombes

Publisher, The Alpha-Omega Report

Richard and I don’t share the same view on the timing of the rapture, however, we share faith on the same Jesus Christ our Lord to forgive us of our sins and reserve a home on heaven with him upon our physical death on this earth. If I am ever in his shoes I hope to honor my God with like faith and testimony. 

Thank you once again for your fellowship in the gospel!

Politics, Business, Theology, and the Lord Jesus Christ

Introduction

The intent of this message is to present the mind of Christ, as revealed to us in the scriptures, with regard to politics, business, and theology in order to help unite the body of Christ.  

This summer I’ve seen that the Lord Jesus Christ and professing believers can be 180 degrees apart in their thinking with regards to issues surrounding politics, business and theology.

Religion and Theology

Beginning with the subject of religion; author Frank Schaeffer,  son of the late pastor-theologian-evangelical teacher-author Francis Schaeffer, expresses distaste for those of us who believe that the Old and New Testament scriptures are given by inspiration of God.

In his November 16, 2012 article entitled,  “If Jesus Hates Anything Maybe It’s Theology.” Schaeffer has exchanged the awesome certainty of experiencing fellowship with God through repentant faith in scripture, prayer, and Holy Spirit controlled relationships for feeling human love through participation in the uncertain religious mystery of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Schaeffer feels that “Orthodox liturgy is aesthetically pleasing: no guitars or historic preaching, lots of candles to light, incense to smell, things to kiss, stuff to march around with in processions,  and no one cares if you arrive late.” He says he “encounters the part of his brain that feels like its encountering God.” He expresses the misled belief that humanity is not separated from Holy God due to an inherit sinful nature stating “who you are, not what you believe is what’s important. In that sense you could be a “good Orthodox” and also an atheist– at least some of the time because doubt is not looked down on.” It’s also worth noting that this statement indicates that he believes that the visible actions of an organized religious group trump faith in the teachings of scripture; that church practices are more authoritative than the biblical truth of God’s Word.

Schaeffer’s heretically mocks bible study and authoritative biblical teaching stating that the Bible “has flaws and is just plain crazy in places so they spend lifetimes working to make “sense” of something nonsensical, mean and stupid.”  Rightfully disturbed by extreme Calvinism which twists the loving nature of God;  rather than balancing the reality of God’s sovereignty with biblical truth, he mocks the sovereign and omniscient power of God and divine ability to directly influence human choice. He attributes key life decisions to “genetics, psychology and brain chemistry and where I happen to live and in what time”. He scoffs at the importance of believing the right things about the nature and character of God as revealed to us in scripture. He forgets that true faith in God and his word expresses itself in charity toward others. (I Corinthians 13; James 2; 1 John 5) Furthermore, he dismisses the ability of the Holy Spirit of God to make fellowship with God and others an experiential reality for us as we live in repentant obedience to the God’s commandments and principles as taught in scripture. (1 John 1:5-10) He even claims Jesus was a backsliding Jew who repudiated and rejected the law while attacking the Bible of his day. The truth is that Jesus fulfilled the law; kept the commandments,  and said:

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-20)

The reasons for Schaeffer’s rejection of the Bible as truth are a reminder to us that the correct interpretation and application of biblical truth is an eternal issue. Here is a man who has rejected the true biblical Jesus and created another false Christ in his mind. His rejection of biblical truth seems to be an immature over reaction to poor handling of the word of truth by the body of Christ. How many people like Frank have turned away or are in the process of turning away from the truth because the body of Christ has minimized the importance of properly interpreting the intended meaning of scripture? Yes, we all “see through a glass darkly”. We are incapable of understanding all mysteries, however, spiritually blind teachers need to “anoint their eyes with eye-salve, that they may see” the true character and values of God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Revelation 3:18)

Based upon his own statements it’s absolutely clear that Frank Schaeffer doesn’t fit the biblical definition of a child of God.  His actions may reflect the character of Jesus in some ways, however, he speaks as if he has no love, or use, for those of us who love the word of God.

Frank Schaeffer is teaching dangerous heresy; acting as an enemy of the body of Christ while professing to be our friend. He must be shunned as a heretic. (Titus 1:10-14; Titus 3:10-11; 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 1 Timothy 6:3-5)

What does the Lord think about theology; does Jesus hate it more than anything as Frank Shaeffer says?

Webster defines theology as follows:

 “Divinity; the science of God and divine things; or the science which teaches the existence, character and attributes of God, his laws and government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the duties we are to practice.

Theology consists of two branches, natural and revealed. Natural theology is the knowledge we have of God from his works, by the light of nature and reason. Revealed theology is that which is to be learned only from revelation.

Moral theology, teaches us the divine laws relating to our manners and actions, that is, our moral duties. theology, teaches or explains the doctrines of religion, as objects of faith.

Scholastic theology, is that which proceeds by reasoning, or which derives the knowledge of several divine things from certain established principles of faith.”

From these definitions it seems that Jesus Christ would appreciate his children devoting mental energy to loving him with all of their mind; learning more about his divine nature and using their God given intellect to muse about their Heavenly Father; His nature, character, life, values, work, and more. We are to  love the Lord thy God with all our mind; let the word of Christ dwell in us richly; study to show ourselves approved unto God, workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth; and be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Matthew 22:37; Colossians 3:16; 1 Timothy 3:16; Romans 12:2) King David said “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”  (Psalm 1:1-2)  This is how we progressively become more Christ-like; not through mysterious feel good sacraments which hide our dark side. There is a little bit of Judas in us all; however, through sometimes emotionally painful personal interaction with the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit of God heard in divinely inspired scripture,  and remorseful repentance over our sinful nature, we can be forgiven and receive unmerited favor to overcome our ugly, sinful, un-Christ-likeness. 

Politics and Business

Concerning politics and business, many professing believers unknowingly believe in a shrunken God. All members of the body of Christ should be growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. However, there are those among us that should be teachers of truth that are bowing to a God whose values are foreign to the Holy God of the Bible.

Although most would agree that the God of the Bible is holy, all knowing and everywhere present, many professing Christians separate business practices and socio-political beliefs from the commands and principles of scripture. This shouldn’t be; God is everywhere at every moment. He expects his children to obey him without moral compromise in business and politics.

The lopsided American 501-c3 government incorporated religious organization/church emphasizes “preaching the gospel” to the exclusion of “teaching all nations” and the greatest of all virtues, charity. Due to IRS rules regarding the exercise of gifts to needy individuals, 501-c3 church leadership has subtly reduced the meaning of the most important way in which people show themselves to be followers of Christ to polished politeness and a selfish “I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine” mentality. Have we forgotten the truth of Proverbs 24:7 that ” iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”? Have we forgotten the benefits of brotherly reproof and instruction? The heated friction that will occur between spiritual brothers and sisters as the iron hard truth and spiritual wisdom of one rubs against the earthly wisdom of another is necessary and normal. A satanically deceived  Peter overcame and grew more like Jesus because he listened to the blunt reproofs from Jesus like ” … Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matthew 16:23)

Webster defined charity as love, kindness, affection, tenderness, springing from natural relations; as the charities of father, son and brother and candor; liberality in judging of men and their actions; a disposition which inclines men to think and judge favorably, and to put the best construction on words and actions which the case will admit. The 501-c3 church will teach this; probably because 501-c3 church leaders know that positive interpersonal relationships among church members and their families helps attendance and financial giving. Most of these guys are ultimately about their bottom line cash flow; so much so that they are even willing to hide from and or suppress the truth in various areas if they fear knowing and or teaching the whole truth  might jeopardize the special IRS tax exemptions they receive that their members don’t.

The whole truth, however,  is that charity; in a theological sense,  includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men. In a socio-political sense it includes liberality to the poor  to relieve them in distress; liberality in gifts and services to promote public objects of utility-educating like poor children, support of life saving, truthful,  independent media sources of all types and charitable government representatives.

The Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t have a separate set of commandments and moral principles for home, church, work and politics. God is holy! He is a God of justice and judgment. His people are to be people that help execute justice and justice as Abraham and David did and the returning King of Kings Jesus Christ will do. (Genesis 18:19; 2 Samuel 8:15; 1 Chronicles 8:14; Psalm 82:3; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 56:1; Ezekiel 45:9; Jeremiah 23:5; Isaiah 58-59)

Instead of letting the mind of Christ be in us and control our beliefs and opinions, we are trusting in our own understanding and or ignorantly burying our heads like a horse would in a bale of hay; enjoying the fine fruits of Babylon with those we love while reneging on our responsibility to be salt and light in this evil world. At best we are confining religion to the excellent things of Bible reading, prayer and sexually pure and nice relationships with family and friends. We need to understand that it is a false Christ who doesn’t mix his Christianity with business or politics. The living Christ brings moral light and truth to every corner of society because his eyes are open with a heated love for those he has created and suffered to death to redeem.

It might shock us to know that politics isn’t inherently evil. Webster defines politics as follows:

“the science of government; that part of ethics which consists in the regulation and government of a nation or state, for the preservation of its safety, peace and prosperity; comprehending the defense of its existence and rights against foreign control or conquest, the augmentation of its strength and resources, and the protection of its citizens in their rights, with the preservation and improvement of their morals. Politics, as a science or an art, is a subject of vast extent and importance.” 

Politics should be biblical morality, Christ-like ethics, and true religion lived out in the workaday. This obviously isn’t the case, however;  the hypocrites, puppets, liars, whores, thieves and traitors typically representing us in government who are failing to model biblical morality in their decisions are simply living out the lust and evil within their hearts. They are only revealing what they really are in light of God’s truth. Their political performance can be measured against the benchmark of true biblical morality. Their decisions and actions will one day be evaluated by a holy God in accordance with the commands and principles of his Word.

At root, political decisions are moral decisions.  Moral decisions are based upon moral law. Moral law is given by God. God is the judge. We are the judged.  We are responsible for what we know to be morally right. We are responsible to promote good and stand against evil. Children generally know this to be true while educated adults may conveniently rationalize their way around it for self and or mammon sake. Our moral stands for or against their morally based political decisions and actions made by our representatives on our behalf will also be judged by God’s unchanging moral law; his commandments and the true biblical principles.    

Moral politics puts legs to righteous supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, made for all men; for kings, and all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

Politics isn’t just about voting for candidates and taking a stand on issues. Our military and other agencies under government control are part of politics. The stands we take for or against their decisions and actions impact human lives around the world for good or evil. We have been given much; we are accountable for much. God desires society be quiet, peaceable, godly and honest. To accomplish this he has given his body on earth, the church, the responsibility to pray, preach the gospel, and salt the earth by living and teaching his truth in hopes of reconciling as many as possible to his moral life, light and truth. 

We pay our military and expect them to be willing to lay down their lives for us. God has paid for our sins and expects us to lay down our lives for him and others. (Romans 12:1; 1 John 3:16) We need to be willing to speak the truth about things political in order to protect and defend human life;  even if it means that we could be killed if as a result. To do so will take courage. Cowards without the courage to do so will share the same eternal hell with the same murderers they were afraid to take a moral stand against. (Revelation 21:8; Matthew 25:31-46)

Conclusion

Our works in the context of social, political, business, and body  of Christ (church) life reveal the truth about our profession of faith; whether we are sheep or a goat; a wheat or a tare.

The heavenly home of truly repentant  professors of faith in Christ is sealed. (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30; Romans 8:5; Galatians 4:6; 1 Peter 1:8). These children of God are presently working out their faith in every arena of their lives; even as they joyfully suffer the consequences of their alien belief system at the hands of hardened hearts. (Philippians 2:12; Hebrews 10:32-39) They are  expressing their faith, though still imperfect,  in sacrificial love toward others in preaching the gospel, sharing personal resources (time, money, property, talents, spiritual gifts, natural abilities) and teaching the truth in love to people. (Galatians 5:6; Matthew 28:19)

Tares and goats, on the other hand, unrepentantly delude themselves in a false spiritual pride over their professed religion; even though they don’t live by the truth in every area of life; including politics and business. They purposely neglect and compromise the commands and principles of God’s word for selfish gain. They close their eyes to evil they have been warned against. They continue to support slavery, injustice, treachery, murder, theft and all sorts of un-Constitutional lawlessness when they should be exposing and confronting it. They hoard resources out of selfishness and fear and only invest or share for the sake of return.  Lukewarm, self-satisfied, proud and content in the riches of Babylon, they are good for nothing when it comes to helping preserve liberty and justice for all in their own workplace, neighborhood, community, state or nation. Instead they rest deluded in the lie that the troops they support are sent overseas to kill enemies of goodness and freedom. They close their eyes to the truth that the muscular weapons and the unending war is ultimately about economic globalization and western financial control;  targeting sovereign Middle Eastern nations for economic rule set export and forcing the integration of all nations into a globally interoperable economic system. (Barnett, 2004)

Unless they anoint and illuminate their morally blind eyes with the healing eye-salve of socio-political and biblical truth they will be judged as useless good for nothings by God; trampled underfoot in their own nation by the tyrannical power of evil.  (Matthew 5:13; Revelation 3:14-22)

The hope and healing of those children of God who will overcome the beast and his world system rests upon repentant faith; not faithless, unrepentant, self-satisfied avoidance.

“…These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:14-22)