Deconstructing God

Deconstructing God

Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not…

Many believe the future of humanity as we know it is at risk because our system of values has become corrupt and the world at large is suffering from moral bankruptcy.  We derive our value systems from our cultures and our cultures get their values from religion.   Christianity once was that flagship religion  whose mission was to convert the world, the same as democracy was hailed as the government of choice by many emerging nations. 

The earth is groaning under the pains of global warming, wars, and Christian values are becoming more and more toxic every day.   Romans 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. The president of the United States chose to publicly state,  “America is no longer a Christian nation.”  Our schools now can teach that man evolved from apes, but they cannot teach that man was created by God.  Christianity has dumbed down and accepted a position of adaptability as it seeks to create a non-confrontational God.

At an early age, my first impression of God was that of an angry God who underwent periods of silence when dealing with his wayward creation.  A fact that has been removed from our modern day interpretation of the scripture is that God often vented his anger and frustration upon his creation.   David understood and expressed the sentiment of God heart when he said in Psalms 7:11, “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.”  God’s wrath was poured out in the form of a flood in Noah’s day and he continued to vent  his angry when dealing with the people of the wicked nations. 

God’s anger peaked when he gave Israel,  his bride, his chosen people a bill of divorcement.  Jeremiah 3:8  And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah (western civilization)  feared not, but went and played the harlot also.  God spoke through his prophets concerning the final consummation of things, then God was silent until the fulfillment of time and his Son came forth, not to broker a peace or prosperity, but a plan of salvation.   The grace of God brought through the works of the cross did not turn God into a fun loving God, but a God who is storing up his wrath until the works of Grace is complete. Revelation 15:7  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

Now I  have introduced an idea or concept of God that is not politically correct, nor is it in the best interest of promoting a loving God.   The Old Testiment depicted a God that was prone to bouts of angry and long periods of silence.  The Old Testiment introduced us to a God that actively  participated in killing sprees.  The New Testament introduced us to the Son of God who extolled the virtues of love.  To overcome the obstacles presented in the Old Testiment and to make God more user friendly it became necessary to deconstruct and reconstruct God in a fashion that is compatible with todays standards.   

Nations that were once considered  ‘God fearing nation’ are backing away from the concept of one nation under God.  World leaders seek to shed the image of a Christian nation, and many have publicly stated that the way of the cross is just one of many ways to this new concept of heaven.  The church had no qualms about making God more user friendly, because it open up a  new level of power and control.  Under the direction of the church,  this deconstruction and reconstruction process produced a type of religion, (charismatic religion) that embodies many of the excesses that the God of old frown upon.

To deconstruct means to systematically remove layer after layer of the supporting structure, whether it is an idea, concept or even a religious deity.  This is done for the purpose of doing an analytical examination of something (as a theory) often in order to reveal its inadequacy  or relevance and to bring about changes.  Deconstruction is an environmentally friendly, it is the  alternate to demolition or destruction.    Rather than destroying or cast aside and item, idea, or even God, it is  more fitting that a process deconstructing and reconstructing be initiated.   The children of Israel attempted to do the same thing at the base of the Holy Mountain.  They just wanted a God that they could see and touch. 

 In our modern and ever changing world, it is necessary that certain items, things or even our belief structure be updated to maintain their relevancy in a modern and  high-tech society.  Let's look at the cook stove of the early 1900’s, a wood burning configuration  that certainly would be out of place in the modern homes of today.  Yet no home would be complete without the presence of a stove.   To fulfill the need of the home did not require creating a new method of processing food, heat would still be needed to heat a chamber or oven to a temperature necessary to cook the food.  Therefore a process of deconstructing and reconstructing the wood stove allowed for the emergence of the gas, electric and microwave ovens, thus eliminating the smoke and grit.  Yet, they all have one thing in common that makes them an oven.  

Blessings and miracles were the first two attributes of God that was subjected to an analytical examination.  A blessing had to be more than the power to act in God’s name, it had to represent financial gain.  A miracle became something that could be advertised and even sold.   Blessings and the miracle would be the selling points of this new or updated God.   The key to obtaining the blessing would be through an unholy translation of the scripture call “the planting of a seed”.  Jesus attempted to correct the disciples thinking when he stated in  Matthew 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  There are things that God allows or ‘maketh’ without regard to one’s status as a believer or not. 

There is no divine directive that says the design of a stove cannot change, but there is a divine directive that deals with the changing of God.  God simply stated in  Malachi 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not…    As a child growing up in a church going family the name of God was spoken with reverence and respect.   We were taught to never use the name of God in vain.  There was always the proper place and time to honor and praise God.   Often praise and prayer were a private thing being careful to adhere to the teaching of Matthew 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 

This new or reconstructed God can now be found in many places where he once was not found.  Many of us are doubtful as to whether God wants to be acknowledged in some of the venues that make the claim of honoring God.   The rap star, whose music caused many to blush, is often quoted as thanking God for his blessings.  God has exploded all over the social media and many have concluded that God is doing great things.  If you type “Amen’ under the picture of the huge stack of money ‘God’ will give it to you.  Once the door was open to the redesigning of of God many became caught up in defining and redefining God.   Today ‘God’ can be found doing so many wonderful things that the judgement of God spoken of in the Book of Daniel and Revelation is no longer an issue.   We have trivialized the name of God, and now we are well on the way to rendering the message of Jesus Christ impotent.  

Destroying The Prophecies Of God

Growing up in a church going family, we were taught to look forward to the end of the world. Judgement day is coming was the catch phrase that cause us to go to church and in our fashion attempt to serve God.  There was no attempt to define judgement day other than that day when we were required to stand before God and give an account of the deeds that we had done. Heaven was the place we wanted to go, hell was the place we did not want to go.  The attempt to define heaven or hell did not rate high on the list of priorities.  The book of Revelation was a scary book because it told of the fulfillment of the  prophecies and the end of the world.   We knew what lay ahead of us because we believed in the prophecies, then they told us we had it all wrong.  

       

The name of God was a sacred word, it was not cast about freely.  Reverence, awe, fear and respect usually surround its use.  We would worship God for what he was, not what we was expecting to get from him.   Now, the ATM God has replaced the God of the ancient prophecies and many have subscribed to the Devil’s ideologies.  Heaven and Hell have been redefined and many (so call) messengers of God are preaching messages that is contrary to the prophesies of the Bible.  These messages have been effective in that they have allowed the word of God to be twisted and the church, that is suppose to represent the body of Christ has become splintered and fragmented. 
  
Try to imagine, Christ is coming back for his church, combining all of the concepts and ideologies together into one cohesive unit, that can be referred to as the Bride of Christ.  It boggles the mind when we think of the confusion that exist within the household of faith.  Based upon our conception of Heaven, Hell, and everlasting life, the prophecies have long been discarded.   Christianity is all about earthly gains and continued blessing. 

While serving in the military a German immigrant and I shared the same sleeping quarters.   One of our many conversations centered around what is known as, ‘The Holocaust’.   It was his opinion that this tragedy was not an act of hatred, but an action that was supported by other nations for the purpose of circumventing biblical prophecies.   If the Jews could be eliminated or not allowed to reclaim their homeland, then the biblical prophecies would not be valid. History also bears out that Hitler was deeply concerned about the prophesies of the Bible and  Nostradamus.

Throughout Bible history and even today many world leaders and groups have attempted to destroy the Jews as a nation and a people, thereby claiming their birthright for themselves.  If this was allowed to happen, the written Bible prophecies would fail, and it is the thinking of the Devil (Antichrist) that Jesus Christ would not have a reason to return to this earth.  Even religious organizations and churches have unwittingly participated in this unholy scheme of claiming what was not theirs to claim.   Understanding the Bible prophecies will help us understand what has been and still is going on in the Middle East and the world.  It will also prepare us for the return of The Christ.

As we near the two thousand year mark, (depends on how we count it) since Christ left to return to his Father, many religious organizations have given up on the prophecies.  A gospel is being preached that caters to the here and now.   All of the blessings promised to the children of Isreal is now being claimed by the church.   There are three classes or groups of people dealt with in the Bible.  One Group does not supersede or replace the other.  Paul referred to all three of them in 1 Corinthians 10:32, “ Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God”.  The Jews and the Gentiles  are, and always been  earthly bodies, whereas the Church is and always been a spiritual body composed of both, all three will be judged separately...

The Judgment referenced in Matthew 25:31-46 is a judgement of the nations.  The description of this judgment, and of the one given in Revelation 20:11-15 are often combined, and taken to teach the doctrine of a general judgment. But when we compare them as they differ so widely that it is evident that they do not describe the same event. What God has put asunder let no man join together. The following comparison will show the difference in the two accounts  In Matthew 25:31-46

·         No Resurrection.

·         Living Nations Judged.

·         On the Earth. Joel 3:2.

·         No Books Mentioned.

·         Three Classes Named. "Sheep," "Goats," "Brethren."

·         Time-- Before the Millennium.

Revelation 20:11-15

·         A Resurrection.

·         Dead judged.

·         Heaven and Earth Gone.

·         Books Opened.

·         One Class Named. "The Dead."

·         Time-- After the Millennium.

This comparison reveals the fact that one of these judgments is "on the earth," the other in the "heavens," and that they are separated by 1000 years.  

As this is a judgment of nations only, the Jews cannot be in it, for they are not reckoned among the nations. Numbers 23:9. And as the Church will be associated with Christ in this judgment, for the "Saints" (the Church) shall judge the "World" (the Nations) (1Co 6:2), the Church cannot be in this judgment either. As we have seen the Church and the Jews have been already judged, the judgment  of the Nations" cannot be a general judgment. Who, then, is asked, are meant by the Sheep? Do they not represent the Righteous, and all the Righteous from the beginning of the world to the end of Time? And do not the Goats in like manner represent all the Wicked?

If the Sheep are the Righteous, and the Goats the Wicked, then who are the Brethren? If they are the "followers of Christ," as some claim, they should be classed with the Sheep. The Scriptures teach that the Righteous are saved by "faith," and the Wicked are lost because they "reject Christ," but in this judgment scene the Sheep inherit a "Kingdom" and the Goats are commanded to "depart," because of their treatment of the Brethren.

There are many different opinions of the final consummation of things as prophesied in the book of Daniel and outlined in the Book of Revelation. The most noted are:

1. Historic Premillennialism, It teaches that the great tribulation precedes the church age and is followed by the return of Christ. 

2. Dispensational Premillennialism, teaches that the church age and the great tribulation is separated by the rapture, which is followed by the second coming of Christ.

3. Postmillennialism, teaches that after the church age the great tribulation and the millennium overlaps each other for a period of time and at the end of the millennium Christ return.

4. Amillennialism, teaches that the millennium and the great tribulation run concurrently and ends with the return of Christ.

All of these different ideals involve the same elements, it is the placement of the elements that seems to be the most troubling. The common denominator of the concepts is the second coming of Christ and the final judgement. They all agree that the prophecies will be fulfilled, but it is the order of the events that is most troubling. 

"After the Children of Israel have returned to their homeland from whence they have been scattered, the anti-Christ will rise and he will broker a peace agreement.  This peace agreement last three and one half years. The Temple of the Lord will be rebuilt, and temple worship will resume. The antichrist will enter the Temple of God and declare that he is God. The peace pact will fail, and in that day the nations of the world shall rise up against the Holy City and her allies, and in that moment of despair when all hope for the world is lost Christ shall return with his Holy angels (the Church, The Saints) and fight against the infidels, and his judgement shall be based upon "how they treated the brethren." (Matthew 25:31-46 Joel 3:2).  

The Wrath Of God

 Ezekiel 22:17-31

As children growing up in the church, we were taught to fear God, this same type of fear prevailed in our homes, we learned to fear our parent.  It was a type of fear that fostered respect.   For me it began in the early sixties, the relationship between parent and children was redefined, and the relationship between God and humanity was soon to follow.  In todays society  a child is likely to say to his parents, “If you put your hands on me, I will call 911.”  A parent spanking its child is likely to be arrested and thrown in jail. 

This revolutionary new thought process is love and punishment does not coexist.  Therefore, if I love you I will not punish you.  If I get angry with you and threaten to knock you out, I must come to you later and apologize because the Bible says, “get angry, but sin not.”  No consideration is given to the fact that the use of the whip was Jesus response to a certain situation.  But, if we teach the fear of God, we are afraid people will run from this angry God.  Society at large is suffering from the meaningless use or application of love with the fear of consequences.  Love is the means to achieving our ends. I love you is the epitaph of many committing murders.  

The point that I am trying to stress is that when we remove the fear of the parent from the home, we are more than likely to end up with an amplified problem, a problem that ends with a lack of respect.  When we remove the fear of God from within the heart, we are creating a group of people who have no respect for God or man.  I present to you, many of the younger generation. If love is to flourish and grow stronger there must be a balance between love and hate, good and bad with fear as the gatekeeper, with wrath as the instrument of punishment.  This we will later show is according to the Word of God.  If there is a fear of doing certain things because of the consequences, then this once was considered a healthy response to God and parenting. 

Now consider this.  In the movie, “The Usual Suspects” it was said, that the greatest trick the Devil pulled was to convince the world that he didn’t exist.  A search of the internet opened the doorway to the many comments of those who did not believe in the Devil or God.  The next greatest trick the Devil pulled was to convince church folk that the blessing of God was raining down upon them, thus if we are concentrating on the blessings of God we lose sight of the wrath of God.   When I stop and consider the things that are taking place today, I see  a God that is trying to get our attention.

To deny the existence of God or the Devil does not require a formal declaration of such, a simple denial of the attributes or the powers of God or Satan is all that’s required.  To take it one step further,  to trivialize the Word of God and to use his name in vain.  That in itself is a strange paradox, to deny the existence of one is to deny the existence of the other.  To deny the wrath of God is to deny the love of God.  To deny the existence of Satan is to deny the existence of God. Now, simply put, to define God simply as a God of love is to deny the attributes of God.   Respect for God cannot be achieved by our love for God alone, it is the fear of God that should direct our walk with God.  As David said in  Psalms 86:11,  Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.   A conclusion that I have reached is that there is very little fear of God in the world, in and out of the church.

The Devil and the Wrath of God are two subjects that are rarely talked about in church settings.  This creates a false illusion about the works of God and the purpose of God’s creation.  The false indoctrination began with the simple statement, “God is love” and ends with a conclusion that a God of love would not cast his wayward children into a lake of fire.  God’s love is so great  for his children that he will allow them to make mistake after mistake while gently guiding them back into the right direction.   This is not God's idea of effective parenting.  This is what God had to say about his children when he sought to establish his Will here on earth. Remember we must not divide and misapply the scripture, the process of establishing a Kingdom began in the book of Geneses and the end prophesies in the book of Revelation.

 Ezekiel 22:17-31  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, the house of Israel has to me become dross: all they are bronze, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.

18. Dross. . . Brass--Israel has become a worthless compound of the dross of silver (implying not merely corruption, but degeneracy from good to bad, Isa 1:22, especially offensive) and of the baser metals. Hence the people must be thrown into the furnace of judgment, that the worse may be consumed, and the good separated (Jer 6:29-30).

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Because you have all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. As they gather silver, and bronze, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in my anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst. As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall you be melted in its midst; and you shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you. And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto her, You are the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation.

Eze 22:25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst of her, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst of her.

n. The false prophets have conspired together to make their doctrine more probable.and profitable

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and the common, neither have they shown the difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.

Eze 22:26, Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shown the difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. They have neglected my service.    I am profaned among them--They abuse My name for false or unjust purposes.

Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus says the Lord GOD, when the LORD has not spoken. The people of the land have used oppression, and committed robbery, and have oppressed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

The final declaration:

Therefore have I poured out my indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, says the Lord GOD. 

This was the final declaration to the Children of Israel, the final declaration issued to the church is in the book of Revelation.

Eze 22:31

v23-31 All orders and degrees of men had helped to fill the measure of the nation's guilt. The people that had any power abused it, and even the buyers and sellers find some way to oppress one another. It bodes ill to a people when judgments are breaking in upon them, and the spirit of prayer is restrained. Let all who fear God, unite to promote his truth and righteousness; as wicked men of every rank and profession plot together to run them down.

Merchandising The Word of God, Part #4

The marketing manipulation that is used to promote a form of Christianity is the same method marketers use to get potential consumers to become acting consumers. It is called the AIDA Model. This model consists of four stages: Awareness, Interest, Desire, and Action. Student in marketing, learn about this concept and are graded on their ability to bring about the desired action.  One can easily see the application of this model to promote a new idea of Christianity is the same model used to promote a new brand of box cereal.  Follow me for a moment.

The application of this model does not require a college degree, it merely requires a gift of ‘gab’, the ability to sell others on your idea and a desire to manipulate others. Manipulation seems to be such an ominous word, yet there is a good side and a bad side of manipulation. There is harmless manipulation such as being led to believe that a Honda is superior to a Cheverolet vehicle. Dangerous manipulation was to convince the public that smoking was ok. Money is usually a common factor of all types of manipulations, in the church, in the community and in business.  Yet, the church was not to be founded on the same level as an everyday business.

What happen?  The church realizing that its core membership base was eroding, therefore it implemented the AIDA Model as a means of expanding its membership base. Reverend Ike trumped the idea of, “The pie in the sky by and by”, and introduced a whole new concept of Heaven here on earth and by doing so he open the door to a host of others that would improve on his concept, many with false messages. To bring about the permutation of Christianity the ancient idea of God had to be changed. The statements of, “God is good” or “God has got a blessing waiting for you”, is enough to implement the first two steps of the AIDA platform, awareness and interest.  The desire for a little Heaven here on earth is a sellable but undeliverable attribute of Christianity.

The manipulation of desire is caused by knowing what is wanted or need and offering it. What do you want become the prime question. If you want money, God will give you money. Here again The Reverend Ike, my model for the fleecing of the sheep mailed out thousands of letters in the early sixties that said, “ SOMEBODY, reading this letter will receive a financial blessing from God, all you have to do is plant a seed of faith. The call for action was heeded by many, especially poor blacks who had become aware of this newly created God, and now they were lined up and clamoring for the blessings.   A touch of common sense from God would render that type of promotion baseless.

Problems have begun to manifest themselves when God refused to be manipulated. “If he did it once, he will do it again”, became the cry of the indoctrinated without the validity of scriptural support.  Standing on the creek bank waiting for God to put the water became a lesson in futility.  The redefinition of the works of God became commonplace, in that the starting of a flooded car has now been described as a miracle. The scripture is taken out of its context and the righteous are being indoctrinated into believing that if you speak it it will be so. If this were true, what a beautiful world we would have. A sick person in the hospital is often decreed heal, yet often that person passes on from labor to reward.

A cloak of fear is used to intimidate those who eyes have been open to the false doctrines that is prevailing.  How many people have left the altar wondering why they didn't get the blessing that was promised to them.  The man who gave his last dollar and went out looking for the blessing that was promised, found himself wondering if he and his family had been forsaken by God.  But, these are things you can't talk about because the problem is not in God, it is in you.  Through fear the indoctrination holds. The ancient prophets of the old testament urged the people to speak up and cast aside the false prophets.  Jesus, John, Peter and Paul as depicted in the first part of this study urged the followers of Christ to cast aside their false Gods. Jeremiah 23:32  Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.Revelation 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.  The angry God concept as depicted in the Book of Revelation is not a sellable attribute. When we reference God in the grocery store checkout line and in the social media, we reference a God who is laid back, arms folded and smiling as his creation dance and prance in the sunshine, with with uplifted hands begging for the blessing. But when I hear of the strange weather patterns enveloping the globe, the never ending wars being fought, the storms that are tearing our communities apart, I am reminded of an old spiritual song we once sang. “Dark clouds are rising. Poor sinner stands trembling, he is trying to hide his face from an angry God, I haven't got long to stay here. But the angry God concept is no longer sellable. 

Against my better judgement, I chose to watch several video's of worship services on YouTube. I sat mesmerized and filled with awe staring at the computer screen. The messengers of god perfecting the art of making people fall down, plucking angel feathers out of mid air and teaching all sorts of strange doctrines. A strange correlation between voodoo and Christianity has begun to emerge and is played out in many churches. Strange powers are being manifested and are promoted as the power of God. Many of these powers claimed by these messengers are nothing more than a deviant form of mind control.  Again, I pose the question, if a drunk stand before a crowd of, say fifty, and say, somebody in here have a headache do that make him a messenger of God?

Much of what we see emulating from the Christian communities are considered by many to be nothing more than self serving platitudes.  Sound bites that sound impressive and create the illusion that one has God  on speed dial (so to speak) is not an effective method of drawing people to Christ.  I know the well indoctrinated will say, if we lift him up, he will do the drawing.  Another point in favor of misinterpreting the scripture.  In John 12:32, Jesus said, " And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."  This verse had nothing to do with the worship service.  The next verse explains what he was talking about. John 12:33  This he said, signifying what death he should die. Who is talking, what is being talked about and who is being spoken to is important when seeking to understanding the word of God.   Failure to do so and we end up with a polluted mess that is being sustained through false teaching.

Students of the Word of God should study the lives of those who were inspired to write the Word of God. Doing so will give us a deeper understanding of the Word of God. Look at the Apostles, they walked and talked with Jesus, compare their lives with what we are taught and expect from God. Why did they languish in Jail and die horrible deaths when all they had to do was speak the word?  Matthew 14:10  And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.  In a moment of weakness I sometime wonder why John didn't say, "get behind me Devil, you can't have my head."  Are we greater than John?  If Jesus could have own a stable full of donkeys, why did he borrow one to ride into town? God got it and we want it, this is the sellable concept of God. 

In todays Christian environment, we are taught to amplify the blessing concept of God and downplay the Wrath of God. Are we being blinded by our wants? On any given day there are events taking place that should cause us to turn to God with fear and trembling, but fear and trembling are not sellable attributes of God. Planes fall from the sky, but God is blessing, Wars and violence are a daily staple of the news media, but God is blessing. Our community and our homes is being wrecked by violence, but God is blessing. Our young and old people are dying with incurable diseases, yet God is blessing. Families are struggling to get by on very little money or food to eat yet God is blessing. Is God selective blessing the rich and famous, the well prepared? Come now, let us reason together with the common sense of God. Have we not provoked the God of Heaven to wrath? 

Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go ye, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth.

Next

Living under the wrath of God

Merchandising The Word of God, Part #3

From the entire description in this chapter, it is clear that the persons referred to, though once professors of religion, had become eminently abandoned and corrupt. The focus of these messengers changed from fulfilling the ordinance of God to fulfilling their earthly ambition. It may not be easy to identify them with any particular denomination or class, but they existed then and they exist now. A few of the sects in the early Christian church bore a strong resemblance to this description; and there have been those in every age who have strongly resembled these persons. This chapter, therefore, possesses great value as containing important warnings against the arts of false teachers, and the danger of being seduced by them from the truth. 

One cannot help but marvel at the changes taking place in Christendom as it struggle to adapt to the changing demands of society. What once was characterizede as unholy and impure now requires a second look through tinted glasses. A religion that once flourished within the confrontational nature of John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness, "Oh ye generation of vipers...". This once confrontational religion has now dumb down its approach in the name of peace and policitial correctness, it has agreed to respect the rights of all religions. The fire and brimstone has been retired and sunshine and favors have become the modern day message. 

Verse 1. But there were false prophets also among the people. In the previous chapter, (2 Peter 1:19-21,) Peter had appealed to the prophecies as containing unanswerable proofs of the truth of the Christian religion. He says, however, that he did not mean to say that all who claimed to be prophets were true messengers of God. There were many who pretended to be such, who only led the people astray. It is unnecessary to say, that such men have abounded in all ages where there have been true prophets.

Even as there shall be false teachers among you. The fact that false teachers would arise in the church is often spoken of in the New Testament. They arise privately, in a secret manner, or under plausible acts and pretenses. They would not at first make an open statement of their doctrines, but while their teachings seemed to be in accordance with truth, covertly maintain opinions or interpretations which would destroy the very foundations of religion. The Greek word here used, and which is rendered "who privily shall bring in," (pareisagw,) means properly to lead in by the side of others; to lead in along with others. Nothing could better express the usual way in which error is introduced into Christianity. It is by the side, or along with, other doctrines which are true; that is, while the mind is turned mainly to other subjects, and is off its guard, gently and silently to lay down some principle, which, being admitted, would lead to the error, or from which the error would follow as a natural consequence. 

Those who indoctrinate error rarely do it openly. If they would at once boldly" deny the Lord that bought them," it would be easy to identify them, and the mass of professed Christians would be in no danger of embracing the error. But when principles are laid down which lead to doubts on remote points are suggested which may involve the error; or when a long train of reasoning is pursued which may secretly support the error; there is much more probable that the mind will be corrupted and turn away from the truth.

In essence, there are numerous scams being played out over the internet. The gauntlet ranges from those with impressive titles and government positions, promising to send huge sums of money, to those who invoke the name of God and promise an intersession in exchange for a small sum of money. These scams will not go away because of the profitability of such. There always seems to be a group of people who will believe whatever is dangling in front of them, if it will bring peace to their inner longing. The doctrine of prosperity that teaches Christians are wealthy and sinner are poor, fails miserably in the light of the Word of God and common sense. Yet, there is no limit to the number of struggling Christians who will defend these damnable heresies.

Damnable heresies. aireseiV apwleiaV. "Heresies of destruction;" that is, heresies that will be followed by destruction. The Greek word which is rendered damnable, is the same which in the close of the verse is rendered destruction. Heresy is a departure from the truth. In the early history of Christianity, the church established the basic teachings of the faith. Those basics can be found in the Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed. Over the centuries, however, theologians and religious figures have proposed doctrines that contradict established Christian beliefs. To keep those beliefs pure, the church once singled out people who taught or believed in ideas that was considered a threat to Christianity. 

Persecution became widespread as popes authorized inquisitions. Those investigations often resulted in torture and execution of innocent victims. This was not a workable solution to the problem. Jesus addressed the problem as such in Matthew 13:30, “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” John encapsulated the new concept 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Paul set guidelines by admonishing Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The thing which false teachers attempt is divisions, alienations, or parties, in the church, and these would be based on the erroneous doctrines which they would promulgate through the twisting, misapplying and misinterpretation of the scripture. What would be the particular doctrine in this case is immediately specified, that they "would deny the Lord that bought them." The idea then is, that these false teachers would form sects or parties in the church, of a destructive or ruinous nature, founded on a denial of the Lord that bought them. They would draw attention to themselves by making false promises in the name of God, for the purpose of obtaining wealth and power. Such a formation of leaders would be ruinous to holiness, to good morals, and to the soul. 

The authors of these sects, holding the views which they did, and influenced by the motives which they would be, and practicing the morals which they would practice, as growing out their principles, would bring upon themselves swift and certain destruction. It is not possible now to determine to what particular class the apostle had reference here, but it is generally supposed that it was to some form of the Gnostic belief. There were many early sects of so-called heretics to whom what he here says would be applicable.

In conclusion, It is strictly and properly true that only of the Son of God has "bought" us. The Father indeed is represented as making the arrangement, as giving his Son to die, and as the great Source of all the blessings secured by redemption; but the purchase was actually made by the Son of God by his sacrifice on the cross. Whatever there was of the nature of a price it was paid by him; and whatever obligations may grow out of the fact that we are purchased or ransomed are due particularly to him, 2Co 5:15. These considerations seem to me to make it clear that Peter referred here to the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he meant to say that the false teachers mentioned held doctrines which were in fact a denial of that Saviour. 

He does not specify what constituted such a denial; but it is plain that any doctrine which represented Jesus, his person, or his work, as essentially different from what was the truth, would be a denial. If he was Divine, and that fact was denied, making him wholly a different being; if he actually made an expiatory sacrifice by his death, and that fact was denied, and he was held to be a mere religious teacher, changing essentially the character of the work which he came to perform; if he, in some proper sense, "bought" them with his blood, and that fact was denied in such a way that according to their views it was not strictly proper to speak of him as having bought them at all, which would be the case if he were a mere prophet or religious teacher, then it is clear that such a representation would be in fact a denial of his true nature and work. That some of these views entered into their denial of him is clear, for it was with reference to the fact that he had "bought" them, or redeemed them, that they denied him. 

And bring upon themselves swift destruction. The destruction here referred to can be only that which will occur in the future world, for there can be no evidence that Peter meant to say that this would destroy their health, their property, or their lives. The Greek word (apwleian) is the same which is used in the former part of the verse, in the phrase "damnable heresies

The focus of Christianity in Jesus's day, in Peter's time and under the teaching of Paul was never about amassing wealth and claiming it to be the blessing of God.  Their focus was the finish work of the Cross.  When we present a Gospel that indicates that the Blood of Jesus alone is not sufficient to save us from our sins, that we must purchase our salvation through an MLM concept, we are guilty of denying the Power of God.

Merchandising The Word of God, Part #2

2 Peter 2:1  But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

I. That there would be such false teachers the apostle expressly states in 2 Peter 2:1; and incidentally in that verse, and elsewhere in the chapter, he notices some of their characteristics, or some of the doctrines which they would hold.

(a.) They would deny the Lord that bought them, 2 Peter 2:1.

There are many damnable peculiar doctrines that deny God, his rightful place.   In the most simplest form we are taught that Good is busy everyday directing the affairs of men.  It is based upon the thesis that God is in control and taken to the 'N degree', he is controlling every aspect of human endeavor.  Therefore, when the young child dies a horrific death at the hands of a drunk driver, we say it was the will of God.  It is hard for many to believe in this concept when we look at the condition of the family, community, nation and world.  In  Ephesians 2:2 Paul referred to  the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; but the sellable god we have created is so busy handing out blessings, he does not have time to think about such things as judgment. 

Denying God is more than saying, “I do not believe in God,” the Children of Isreal denied God at the base of the Holy mountain all the while they were dancing, shouting and praising their god for delivering them.  The story unfolds in Exodus 32:1-10  When we misdirect our praise and honor we are denying God his rightful place.  Many worship services are designed around the concept of heaping praise and honor upon the creation rather than the creator. 

Even denying the Lord that bought them. This must mean that they held doctrines which were in fact a denial of the Lord, or the tendency of such things which would be a denial of the Lord. We cannot suppose that, while they professed to be Christians, they would openly and avowedly deny the Lord.  To "deny the Lord" is to withhold from him, in our belief and profession, anything which is essential to a proper conception of him.

To make false promises in the name of God is to deny the power of God.  To trivialize the name of God is to deny the supremacy of God.  To reference God's power to make you look impressive is the same as denying the very existence of God.  Many public speakers once again have begun to play the "somebody card" on television and on the social media to impress and gain followers.   During any given month, somebody will be blessed with a huge sum of money, somebody will be blessed a new car.  Is this a true representation of God at work?  Even a drunk could pull of this act.  When God works nobody can claim the credit.

(b.) They would be influenced by covetousness, and their object in their attempting to seduce others from the faith, and to induce them to become followers of themselves, would be to make money, 2Peter 2:3.

Money has become the key to salvation as professed by those who seek to get rich at the expense of the people of God.  The doctrine that many teach and preach is that if you give money, God will open the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing that you will not have room to receive.   This is a play on Malachi 3:10.  With elaborating on an issue and a concept that has been wrongly used, I will make this assertion, "the tithes were never intended to be used to fatten the purse of the priest."  The above misquoted scripture is probably one of the most quoted scripture in the bible. Unfortunately, it is being quoted out of context and used as a weapon of mass intimidation, manipulation, extortion, oppression, cajolery and outright lies and deceit used by some church leaders to collect ten percent of the gross income of their church members who have been hoodwinked and indoctrinated into believing that they are doing God’s will.   

To understand what tithes really mean one would have to understand the social reasons and cultural / religious setting within which it was situated this concept of tithes was properly explained in the Bible as stated in the laws of the tithe which can be found in the books of Leviticus 27 : 30 – 34, Numbers 18 : 25 – 31 and Deuteronomy 14 : 22 – 29. Upon reading these passages, one would understand what tithes really mean, but unfortunately most pastors prefer to neglect these passages that tell us the true meaning of tithes and emphasize on Malachi 3 : 8 - 10 which was directed to the Levites of that time to remit the priest’s share of the tithes they collected to him.  Truth is, the status quo will always be defended by the indoctrinated few.

(c.) They would be corrupt, beastly, and licentious in their conduct; and it would be one design of their teaching to show that the indulgence of gross passions was not inconsistent with religion; 2Peter 2:10, "that walk after the flesh, in the lust of uncleanness;" 2 Peter 2:12, "as natural brute beasts;" "shall perish in their own corruption;" 2 Peter 2:14, "having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin;" 2 Peter 2:22, "the dog has returned to his own vomit again."

More and more the corrupt,  beastly, and licentious ways of those that claim to be messengers of God are coming to the light and there is a rush to silence those who have the audacity to speak out.  The Bible is being used to threaten and intimidate as the indoctrination fails and the sins of the false messengers are laid bare.

(d.) They would be proud, arrogant, and self-willed; men who would despise all proper government, and who would be thoroughly "radical" in their views; 2 Peter 2:10, and despise government; presumptuous are they and self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities;" 2 Peter 2:18, "they speak great swelling words of vanity."

(e.) They were persons who had been formerly of corrupt lives, but who had become professing Christians. This is implied in 2 Peter 2:20-22. They are spoken of as having "escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ;" as "having known the ways of righteousness," but as having turned again to their former corrupt practices and lusts; "it has happened to them according to the true proverb".  There were various classes of persons in primitive times, coming under the general appellation of the term Gnostic, to whom this description would apply, and it is probable that they had begun to preach their doctrines in the times of the apostles. Among those persons were the Ebionites, Corinthians, Nicolaitanes, etc.  Jesus said he hated the Nicolaitanes.  Revelation 2:6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

II. These false teachers would obtain followers, and their teachings would be likely to allure many. This is intimated more than once in the chapter: 2 Peter 2:2, "and many shall follow their pernicious ways;" 2 Peter 2:3, "and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you;" 2 Peter 2:14, "beguiling unstable souls." 2 Peter 2:18.

The techqunics of the false prophet is described by Peter as someone who use words, to attract or tempt by something flattering or desirable, to fascinate; charm. 

When the prophet said, " God said, that thing you have been praying for has been released, you blessing is on it way, all you got to do is claim it and receive it."   The prophet just declared it, God's ATM machine is working full time to insure that you get what you need to build up your treasures here on earth..

III. They would certainly be punished. A large part of the chapter is taken up in proving this point, and especially in showing from the examples of others who had erred in a similar manner, that they could not escape destruction. In doing this, the apostle refers to the following facts and illustrations:

(1.) The case of the angels that sinned, and that were cast down to hell, 2 Peter 2:4. If God brought such dreadful punishment on those who were once before his throne, wicked men could have no hope of escape.

(2.) The case of the wicked in the time of Noah, who were cut off by the flood, 2 Peter 2:5.

(3.) The case of Sodom and Gomorrah, 2 Peter 2:6.

(4.) The character of the persons referred to was such that they could have no hope of escape.

(a.) They were corrupt, sensual, presumptuous, and self willed, and were even worse than the rebel angels had been--men that seemed to be made to be taken and destroyed, 2 Peter 2:10-12.

(b.) They were spotted and blemishes, sensual and adulterers, emulating the example of Balaam, who was rebuked by even a dumb ass for his iniquity, 2 Peter 2:13-16.

(c.) They allured others to sing under the specious promise of liberty, while they were themselves the slaves of debased appetites, and gross and sensual passions, 2 Peter 2:17-19. 

Next

Damnable heresies.

Heresies of destruction