A Study Of The Soul, Part #2 of 6

A Place of Refuge

In the creative works of God, the soul is defined as the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being. Genesis 2:7 says, "God breathed into man the breath of life and man became a living soul."  In this statement, there is no reference to the beast of the field or innate objects.  As the knowledge of good and evil increased, the definition of the soul began to change in that animals and even rivers are said to have souls.  Different religions have always existed and they all have different ideologies as pertaining to the soul.  According to the Hebrew scripture the God of Abraham once actively intervened in the affairs of man to prevent the spread of false religions.  After the divorce of his chosen people, the freewill nature of man is allowed to proceed until the Day of Judgment.  There are many false narratives and false doctrines surrounding the soul.  

In the first part of this series according to the teaching of Jesus, the soul maintains consciousness after death.  This is undeniable, but because it does not fit the narrative of select groups, Jesus' lecture is reinterpreted as a parable rather that an illustration of life.  The authority on life, death, the soul, and resurrection reside with the Christ. Therefore, we should study closely the thoughts that are attributed to him.  The illustration given in Luke 16: 19-23 provides all of the necessary data for formulating the status of the righteous and the unrighteous souls at the time of death.  There is no need to use words like, Paul said or Ecclesiastes said, Jesus said is the only citation needed to establish the concept and status of the righteous and unrighteous soul.  The problem is many of us are not prepared to accept the cold reality of Heaven and Hell.  

To promote a false type of rhetoric the altering of the definition of the soul, and heaven is in line with the different religious beliefs or lack of religious belief. Wealthy talk show host and even Tele-evangelist have altered the spirituality of Christ, now he is presentented as just another prophet.  The believability of God is at an all time low as men and women search out ways to challenge the Christian belief.  The Christian belief, which is based upon the teaching of Christ, should be uniform in its belief and application. Yet such things such as salvation, soul sleep, the reincarnation of the soul and even the non-existence of the soul has become a part of the so-called Christian experience.  Much of the confusion is derived from referencing the writing of other authors in an attempt to explain what Jesus said.   We should remember the trick the Devil preformed in the Garden of Eden, how he was successful in explaining to Eve what God said.

In the narrative of Lazarus's death there are numerous keys to understanding the events taking place.  "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;" (Luke 16:22).  From this verse, we learn that both men died, but it is what took place after they were buried that should be of great interest to the Christian.  Death can be thought of as separation. Physical death is the separation of our body from our soul/spirit, while spiritual death is the separation of our soul from God. The simplicity of that statement indicates that Adam died a spiritual death the day he sinned.  Jesus died a physical death on the cross.  Jesus taught that we ought not to fear physical death, but we should be most concerned about spiritual death. (Luke 12:4-5)

Luke 16:22 also reference a place called Abraham's bosom.  Jesus did not say Lazarus was carried into Heaven, or before the Throne of God.  In Luke 23:43, Jesus has a conversation with one of those crucified with him.  The thief who was hanging beside him asks Jesus, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom."  Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you today you will be with me in paradise.” The simplest explanation is that on that same day the thief and Jesus would enter the intermediate resting place of the dead who were waiting for the Resurrection.   What is and where is the resting place of the dead?  In the Jewish theology, there were three "heavens." The first heaven deals with the atmospheric region (Deuteronomy 11:17; 28:12; Judges 5:4; Acts 14:17). The second heaven deals with the region of outer space (Psalm 19:4,6; Jeremiah 8:2; Isaiah 13:10). The third heaven is God's dwelling place (1 Kings 8:30; Psalm 2:4; Matthew 5:16).

Luke 16:26, " And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they who would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from there."  A barrier or gulf that separates the spiritual world from the natural world and man in his natural state cannot cross over.

John20:17, sheds light on the ideology that upon his death Jesus did not return to his Father's side.  "Jesus said unto her, Mary. She turned, and said unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher. Jesus said unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."  Eight days later, he allowed Thomas to touch and handle him.

There are many exotic messages designed to stimulate based upon the resting place of the souls as they await the resurrection.  We are told that the dead is in Heaven looking down on us, yet the scripture says, the rich man saw Lazarus resting, but it did not say Lazarus saw the rich man being tormented.  If Lazarus were able to see the tourment of his fellowman this no doubt would have cause him to suffer a form of tourment.  Thus it seems as if he was able to enjoy a perfect state of bliss, resting in the "Bosom of Abraham." 

On the cross, Jesus referred to Paradise as the next step, and in the story of Lazarus, he referred to it as Abraham's bosom. Thus they both are the same.  "Bosom of Abraham" refers to the place of comfort in the Biblical Sheol (or Hades in the Greek Septuagint version of the Hebrew scriptures from around 200 BC, and therefore so described in the New Testament) where the righteous dead await Judgment Day.

Next

The Spirit World

A Study Of The Soul, Part #1 of 6

What is the Soul?

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul." 

In a Bible discussion, I asked for a show of hands of those who believed in ghost. Only one, maybe two students ventured to raise their hand. The rest stared at me as if I had lost control of my mental faculties. When I rephrased the question and asked, "who believe in God," the show of hands was unanimous. In our Bible studies we talk freely about the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit, often failing to accept the relationship of these entities as residents of the spirit world. There is the spirit of God, and there is the spirit of the Devil.

To state that I believe in a metaphysical God, but I do not believe in the spirit world or I do not believe in ghost or spirits is a contradiction in belief.  The question of the soul and where it resides after death translates into questions of the spirit world that we shall attempt to answer in this six-part series.  To believe in and understand the soul one must have a firm belief in the spirit world.

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth". (John 4:24)  God is a spirit, thus the soul is a spirit.  If we are to accept God as the Lord of the universe, we must accept the spirit world as the ruling authority. To worship God, we must worship him in our spirit. Ancient culture believed strongly in the spirit world whereas modern day societies have learned to doubt even the simple manifestation of a ghost while offering prayers to a metaphysical God.  

We live in an environment of opposites such as good and bad, and there are night and day. There is the natural world, and there is the spiritual world. The natural world consists of elements that we interact with on a natural level and we interact with the spiritual world on a spiritual level. The spirit world consists of what is known as the heavens. In the Jewish theology, there were three "heavens." "We will provide scriptural documentation in a detail discussion of these places of interest and the resident of the soul later." 

To entertain the question of the soul and it existence after death we must adjust our perspective so that our view is spiritual rather than natural. The Bible teaches us in the New Testament that we continue as a spiritual being after death. Those who teach that the soul sleep often refers to the Old Testament and obtain their doctrine from it alone. This is a violation of Paul's admonition to, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". (2nd Timothy 2:15) A couple of scriptures that are often referenced is as follows:

· Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

· Ecclesiastes 12:7, "then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it." 

Those that hold this position and refer to Ecclesiastes forget the keys to understanding the scripture. Context and perspective are two important keys to understanding the word of God. Here again, is Paul admonition, " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2nd Timothy 3:16). All scriptures are not to be used as doctrine; some are to be used as bases of reproof. Surgically removing a verse from its supporting scriptures that determine it context and presenting it as a complete thought are the making of a polluted mess. The context and the perspective are established in the first three verses of Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3, "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit has a man of all his labor, which he takes under the sun?

The Preacher is writing about things from a human perspective, from that which is "under the sun." He is not providing doctrinal statements about life after death. From the human perspective, when you die the dead do not know anything in that the spirit returns to God who gave it and the body returns to dust. These statements do not mean the soul ceases to exist when a person dies. Those who advocate the pro-soul sleep will say that "the dead not knowing anything" means they do not exist. However, here again, this is written from the perspective of people on earth. He has made it clear that he is speaking from a human perspective. We cannot interpret the New Testament in light of the Old Testament. The New Testament interprets the Old Testament. This is why we look to what the word of God says in totality.

Matthew 17:1-8, "And after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his clothing was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if you will, let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear you him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face and were much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, except Jesus only".

This is known as the Transfiguration of Christ. What is important to note is that Moses and Elijah were both alive in their, so to speak, dead state. In other words, they are not united in their resurrected bodies because the general resurrection has not yet happened. Therefore, we can clearly see that there are at least two people who are alive, after death, who are not in their physical bodies.

Jesus gave a startling dissertation of a righteous beggar and a rich man living and dying. (Luke 16:23) And in hell he lifts up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. In that elucidation, we are privy to a conversation between two dead men. There is no indication that Lazarus saw the rich man in Hell, This would have been too traumatic, but the rich man saw Lazarus, which added to his torment. .” (Luke 16:24-25) And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” If one came back from the dead would it make any difference to what we already know? There is much to be learned here without the twisting and shaping of these verses. 

We can see in the story of Lazarus and the rich man that after each has died, both were conscious and self-aware. Jesus is obviously teaching that the soul survives after death. Still, there are those who will say that this is a parable. Of course, the problem with this theory is that parables do not have proper names in them. In this case, there is a specific individual named: Lazarus. Also, if it were a parable, then what is Jesus saying with the illustration of consciousness after death and before the resurrection? The most logical answer is that Jesus was teaching us that there is life after death. 

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Paul is telling us that he would rather be outside of his body, "absent from the body," and be at home with the Lord. If soul sleep is a true doctrine, then how is it possible to be outside of the body and also be home with the Lord? It wouldn't make any sense.

2 Corinthians 12:1-4 It is not expedient for me doubtless to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) such a one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

To properly understand this section of Scripture we need to know what is meant by the term "third heaven." In the Jewish theology, there were three "heavens." The first heaven deals with the atmospheric region (Deuteronomy 11:17; 28:12; Judges 5:4; Acts 14:17). The second heaven deals with the region of outer space (Psalm 19:4,6; Jeremiah 8:2; Isaiah 13:10). The third heaven is God's dwelling place (1 Kings 8:30; Psalm 2:4; Matthew 5:16).

So, when Paul says that knew someone who was caught up to the third heaven, he was speaking about entering into that dwelling place of God. What is important is that it occurred either in the body or out of the body of which he did not know. If soul sleep is a true doctrine, it could not be said that such a person who is outside of his body (who had died), was also with God at the same time. It just wouldn't make any sense. Therefore, soul sleep is wrong.

Continued in Part #2

A Place Of Refuge

Living In A Deteriorating Society, Part #5

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Now on Sale

In a deteriorating society, the shifting of perspective is necessary to bring into focus those once unacceptable elements of society.  To facilitate changes a process of indoctrination shifts the perspective of the individuals, thereby infecting the masses with an alien viewpoint.  It is acceptable to offend, but to be offended is taboo.  The political correctness of society allows subjects that once were unthinkable or unnecessary to become a part of our daily conversation. That which once was evil has become good, and good becomes evil.  It was a subtle process, perfected by the godless one.   First practiced in the Garden of Eden, the perspective shifted from obeying God to being like God.  The shifting that many are motivated to speak off has caused our home, church, and community to suffer.  Even, our modern day approach to Christianity is the major cause the believability of God is suffering.

Those that we have lifted up as leaders for no other reason than they appear in the media as sports player, talk show host, or self-proclaimed messengers of God, reveling in their success, they have leading people astray.  The live their lives detached from society only to appear in the media professing a way of life that is contrary to the Word of God and because of the "false clothes" they are wearing we call them our heroes. 

As society deteriorates, the cry of martial law heard throughout the world has become a viable option for many nations.  Many countries have become the breeding ground of hateful rhetoric and false narratives.  Newly minted leaders have emerged, claiming the power to eradicate hate through the implementation of laws and conversations.  Not only is this a false narrative it defies the power of God.  God in his infinitive wisdom knows that in the present world afflicted by the Devil "opposites" exist.  To destroy hate, you must also destroy love and what is left is chaos.   God's plan to rectify this unholy dilemma is after we have passed the test is to create a new Heaven and Earth, one without opposites.  Revelation 21:1, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea (Sea and Land)." Revelation 22:5, and there shall be no night there; (Night and Day) and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.

Now On Sale

When man succumbed to the antics of the Devil and failed to carry out the mandate of his creator, destruction became the conclusion of the matter.   There is no escaping this destruction.   It was through God love for his creation that he gave the man and the world a chance to redeem himself.  This is reiterated in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  The Devil have used humanity for more than 6,000 years in every conceivable form and fashion in his attempt to destroy the creative works of God.

Matthew 24:7 for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers' places.

The ancient writing of the Bible rings true in today's world as the death toll from wars continues to rise, new diseases are emerging, and a food crisis looms on the horizon. Famines are becoming commonplace as once wealthy nations are finding it hard to feed their populace.  Venezuela, an oil-rich country is sinking deeper into chaos as overspending has left the economy shattered and is now facing a large food shortage.  Those that have are seeking to barricade themselves awhile the have-nots are knocking at their door, a classic example of the events that took place in the day of Noah.      

Following the rule of proper interpretation, Kingdoms reference those seats of power or domains that exist within the boundaries of a country or nation.  Within a nation, there are states, within a state, there are cities, within a city, there are communities and within communities, there are the so-called leaders.   When these entities fail to work together for the good of all humanity and the knowledge of God, the leaders is the cause of error.  There are speeches, rhetoric and false narratives designed to bring about social unrest.  Social unrest has torn many nations apart, and it is knocking at the door of those countries that once escaped. 

Mark 13:8 reiterates the same theme advanced in Matthew 24:7 that speak of unrest in humanity and the world.  "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers' places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows."

Luke 21:11 speaks of earthquakes, famines, and pestilences: and fearful sights.  "And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven."  While around us these events are taking place, there are those who proudly proclaim that God is in the blessing business.  The organized Church, the Church that Jesus condemned in the book of Revelation is akin to Nero the Roman Emperor, who fiddled and danced while Rome burned.   Money, motivation, and entertainment, the gods of paganism has become the mainstay of many ministries in an attempt to merge the gods of Esau with the God of Jacob.    Humanity finds comfort in the fact that through his vast knowledge of good and evil he can explain most of these things away.  

Those that wish to condemn Christianity often refer to the things done in the past in the name of Christianity to validate their argument.  Recently the presidents said, "And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the crusades and the inquisition Christians committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ …"  This is a distortion of facts, the same as if I would say, "If you eat sugar you will die."  The stain is not on Christianity, the stain is on humanity.  This is not unique to one group or one religion.   In a deteriorating society, Christians and Pagans have always preformed sinful acts in the name of their God or gods.  There is a tendency in us, a sinful tendency to seek to justify sin to advance our agenda.  That is what pervert and distort our faith.

Living In A Deteriorating Society, Part #4

Revelation 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

The visions in this chapter are two distinct "beasts," each with peculiar characteristics, yet closely related, they deriving their power from a common source; aiding each other in the accomplishment of the same object, and manifestly relating to the same power under different forms.  

One of the characteristics of the first beast, mention in Revelation 13:1-10 is that it comes out of the sea, signifies the death of a nation and the creation of another.  The use of the word "Sea" symbolizes a state of confusion. This verse indicates that a new nation is born out of the commotion, the agitation and manipulation of confused people.  Under the tutelage of one who possess the spirit of Antichrist, a new and ungodly nation will spring up from those disturbing elements.  Laws and constitutions will be set aside; in today's terminology, this is MARTIAL LAW.   In that day the blood of the Christians, the jihadist,  the protestors of every race, creed and color will mingle together in the streets and run like a river.

This beast with seven heads (rulers or Kings) and ten horns (the ultimate war machines) will crush the European nations that once stood as the vanguard of Christianity.  Using a cliché of the supposed enlightened, one does not have to be a "Rocket Scientist" to see the confusion, the changes, and manipulation that are taking place worldwide.   The attempt to establish a one-world government is a reality.  This transformation began with the reemerging of a false religion, one that look like the real thing but deny the true power of God, it purpose is to crush the heads of Christianity.

Durning the early sixties, a young man stood before his friends and in a drug introduced stupor declared, "God is dead".  The media practiced exploitation rather than censorship, all in the name of greed.  The metaphysical lightning bolt did not appear and strike him dead as many feared would happen.   In that highly publicized moment when it seems as if God had failed to defend himself, the fear of God began to vanish.   There was no shame or public outcry when the Rock Star stood on stage and decried he was more popular than Jesus Christ was, and the band played on.

Many of the older generation grew up in an age when we respected God and the Flag.   In school, our morning ritual began with the Lord's Prayer and a recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.    This did not make us less of a person; in fact, I would say it made us a better person.   It taught or gave us a sense of respect, a thing that our younger generation is searching for with guns, crime and drugs.  What can be so asinine as to disrespect the thing or entity that provide for your existence?  Our nation, our homes, our communities and the organized churches failing to police their sphere of influence as greed, and/or corruption becomes the status quo.   

The same as Jesus posed the question, "will I find the faith when I return", I often pose the same question.  The posting on the internet said, "Within 11 days, God will open your delayed money doors." "If you believe, LIKE and type men and share."  The number of people who respond to this type of "skullduggery" is amazing.  On the internet, in the church and on the street the transformation is complete; the God who offered the world salvation is now a God of money.  The great things that God is doing today usually involve money.  An interesting side note: If Jesus and the Apostles had ascribed to the prosperity and blessing Gospel, they would have lived a glorious life here on earth.

When I listen to a motivational message about planting seeds and reaping blessing the question that clouds my mind is; "do we really believe in God?"  What is our belief in God based upon?  Is it based upon God giving us the things he promised us?  My next question would is, "What did God promise us?"  One answer to the question would be, "He promised to be with us until the end of time".  Another said, "He promised to heal my body."  Once we get pass the platitudes without substance, it becomes clear we are serving God for what we can get.

The further we travel down the road of corruption the easier it become to trivialize the works of God.  Trivialization and corruption become the essence of false teaching.  I offer this, not for the sake of condemnation but for consideration, Jesus spoke or touched the sick and healed them.  Even the raising of Lazarus from the dead was not to prolong his life; it was so that those standing there might believe.  A miracle once was something that, in awe men and women proclaimed it the works of God.  In today's Christian environment healing and blessing is an inducement.  The redefinition of miracles and blessing allows one to enter the hospital for a surgical procedure and testify of the healing power of God. 

I often hear those that are enlightened speak of what God is doing.  Like the man said sitting by the side of the road if God is doing so much for the world, why is the world in such bad shape?  Now come the irrelevant platitudes and clichés, but they are not the answer.  The only thing standing between this sinful world and an angry God is the blood of Jesus. The religious right has become a part of the problem, like Nero fiddling while Rome burned.  Dumbing down and selling out to an alternate belief structure, promising blessings and favors while the wrath of God is building. On the horizon, the dark clouds are rising,  the world, even America, once that vanguard nation is now adrift in a sea of confusion.  

Living In A Deteriorating Society, Part #3

The thing that worried my ninety-five-year-old church-going mother was the changes that were taking place in her church.  Much of her life she had lived by a set of rules and teaching.  Those standards and teaching of old now classified as old fashion and outdated by the modern day preachers who was learning to ply their trade as prosperity and motivational gurus.  The justification of sin became a necessity in the modern day church.  Scriptures surgically removed from their supporting text and reinterpret to support an alien rhetoric.  The thing that bothered my mother most was that two people could read the same scripture and each get a different message.  

The simplicity of the Holy Scripture is made complicated for the sake of sounding profound.   Salvation once an attainable goal is now just a work in progress, as the church learned to separate the sin from the person.   The rules of the church as pertaining to fashion, marriage, and even worship service are changing; a new permissive and non-confrontational  order is emerging.   The many changes are taking place in the church, country and world are baffling to many of us who "grew up" in the church.   

The Constitution adopted by a country as well as the doctrine of a religious order once was a sacred document; it defined the values of such an entity, and it was the basis of its unification.  The ancient wisdom of old has always decried, "a house divided against cannot stand."  The Bible once was considered the backbone of the Christian religion and it values were derived from that sacred book.  When the protectors and the detractors began to chip away at the foundation of these sacred documents through the process of interpretation and reinterpretation, the foundation is weakened and what emerges is a shaped truth.  Wisdom dictates that when the foundation of a structure deteriorates or is weakening the resounding collapse is inevitable. 

The promise of changes in the world of religion and government was the cause of exhilaration to many.  This moment of gladness created a type of blindness, the same as that which infected the village in the tale of the "Emperor's new clothes".  To facilitate these changes subtle indoctrination into a new order was a necessity, one that extolled the virtues of diversity, rather than unity.   Under a growing cloak of diversity protected from the light, the seeds of hatred are watered and allowed to grow.  Leaders emerged who are skilled at massaging and manipulating the growing medium, producing a type of hatred akin to one never seen before.  The definition of marriage, gender, civil rights and theology has regressed, and as we slip into that abyss, the same as other civilizations that preceded us, we have the audacity to proclaim proudly, "We finally got it right".  

The detractors of religion have declared that Christianity is the cause of many of the problems of the world, and if Christian values were, eliminated man could live in peace. There is a grain of truth in this statement, but to find it you must shift your perspective.  The root of the problems of the world is the failure of religion.   Man's religion is what separates him from the beast of the field.  Mankind's ideology of religion also is what separate him from God.  The ability to think and adapt is not so unique to man only, it is a trait of all of God's creation, and even the seed knows the direction of the sun.

To dominate has always been the objective of any religion.   Christianity, the religion of the Hebrew scripture, in the hand of it modern day projectors is failing objectively.   Christianity emerged as a religion whose focus was to dominate the whole world in the name of The One God.  The Devil created opposites or counterfeit religions to deter the plan of God.  For everything that is of God, there is an opposite, there is night, and there is the day, there is good, and evil.  When we attempt to blend or merge that which is evil with that which is good, we end up creating a polluted mess such as attempting to blend oil and water.   The detractors say it is possible, yet in the mighty oceans, it is not possible without adverse effect on marine and wildlife.  The great Roman society tried this approach with Christianity and Paganism; the result was the hasten downfall of the Empire.

Luke 18:8 ... Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?   We should not ignore the question posed by Jesus that seems like an afterthought.   When Christ return, will he find the faith that once existed or will he find something new?  A sad fact is the new age messengers of God can explain away the basis of my dissent.  When the discussions proceed, I often relate to sitting through a lecture where a young man presented indisputable evidence that his existence was a figment of our imagination.

Living in a deteriorating society, the desire to blend in has caused a type of blindness to infect the society's vision on a church and world level.  Jesus spoke of this condition as, having eyes to see but cannot see.  A common analogy was, the blind leading the blind.  The promised changes that we so eagerly awaited have resulted in ethnic and religious groups pitted against each other, fueled by the rhetoric of the disenchanted.   Voices are quick to mount the soapbox of perceived public opinion, grabbing up the microphones of discontent and watering the seeds of hatred, while glowing in the spotlight of self-adoration.  There is the failure to understand that hatred is not appeased by its exposure, exposure causes hate to grow. 

The deliberate dumbing down of Christianity and America has moved the world and even the church into a chaotic position.   The believability of God is at an all time low, yet the proclamation of words of God is at an all-time high.  According to the messengers, God is restoring that which we lost, yet chaos and confusion reign supreme.   Christianity is accepting positions that are contrary to the teaching of the Holy Scripture.  This is possible because we have entered an era where is acceptable to explain what God meant to say,   the same as the Devil did in the Garden of Eden.

The world is becoming a dangerous place; our safety is dependent upon whether or not we accept the status quo.  Society is beginning to demand that we hide our light.  No longer accepted as a guide or light to the world, the Supreme Court has declared that living by Christian values is illegal in the United States.   Asked if he agreed with one of his top advisers, Pope Francis told a conference in Dublin in the days after the deadly Orlando gay club attack that the church owes an apology to gays for having marginalized them.  

The Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. is raising eyebrows after lifting up prayers to Allah at its General Assembly meeting.  "Allah bless us and bless our families and bless our Lord. Lead us on the straight path - the path of all prophets: Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad."  These words rang out over the congregation at The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.  The attendees led in the prayer to the Islamic deity, a move arranged by the Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministry staff at the assembly.

  To be continued...

Living In A Deteriorating Society, Part #2

Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 

The last part of this verse seems like an afterthought although many will disagree.  Jesus was using the unjust Judge as a teaching point, and he spoke of avenge his very elects.  Then he seems to wonder aloud if he would find faith on earth upon his return.  There is a teaching point in this verse, but it does not fit the narrative of the modern day church, the same as Jesus condemnation of the church in the book of Revelation. When Christ comes in his final judgment, there is a sense here that there will be few Christians on the earth, and that the wickedness will overrun the world.  This may be true, but it is not taught in our glorious sanctuaries because it fails to support the emerging agenda.  The faith of today has become polluted and is alien in nature compared to the faith Jesus taught his disciples.

 The word faith denotes the whole of religion, and it has been understood in this sense here.  The truth lies in whether there is a close connection in what Christ says in this verse, and what he said before. The truth that he had been teaching before making this comment was that God would deliver his people from their calamities and save them, though he suffered them to be tried.  It seems as if he was aware, without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the suffering his followers would endure would be enough to turn many away from the faith.  The question he posed was when he came back to this earth would he find the faith, or a belief of this truth, among his followers? Would they be found persevering in prayer and believing that God would yet avenge them in the world to come; or would they cease to pray always, and faint?    

The concept of marriage is dying, and abortion is at an all-time high. The messengers of God have become proficient at raising money, and the community in which they exist are suffering.  Following after the money many churches in the Western world has allowed themselves to become pawns of the government.  The edict of the Holy Scripture is cast side as they scramble to adapt and promote the failing agenda of the government, ruling body or pastor.  The Word of God no longer influences simple things such as marriage and the sexuality of humanity.  The Holy Spirit is downgraded, whereas it once was our guide now only shows up and make us want to dance.  Salvation is a work in process; sin is justifiable, and the size of our offering determine our faith.  The world condition of today seems to indicate that Jesus was aware of the deteriorating state of society.

 A shooting occurred in a bar in Orlando Florida, At least 50 people were killed in what police are investigating as an act of terrorism. There were numerous reports of the patrons praying that they make it out safely. The headlines proclaimed the shooting at a gay bar was the worst case of domestic gun violence in the history of the United States.   Another headline that caught the attention of many was "Canada Legalizes Sex with Animals". Canada's Supreme Court has declared that most sex acts between people and animals are legal, as long as no penetration is involved, Slammed by animal rights groups it is label as a controversial bestiality ruling.  What an evil wicked generation full of the devil and on the road to hell was the respond of one writer. 

Schools are threatened with the loss of federal fund by the president and the justice department if they do not adhere to the transgender agenda.  A private issue of who can use what bathroom has become a hot political issue.  At least 13 states have filed a notice of taking legal action to stop the erosion of common sense. The International Olympic Committee will now allow transgender men to compete as women without reassignment surgery. This ruling is great news for adventurous male Olympic hopefuls: if they declare themselves women and reduce their testosterone below ten nmol/L for at least 12 months before the competition, they can compete against women. 

In Chicago, 64 people were shot during the Memorial Day weekend, From Friday evening to the end of Monday, 64 people was shot in this city of 2.7 million, six of them fatally. In a population made up of nearly equal numbers of whites, blacks, and Hispanics, 52 of the shooting victims are black, 11 Hispanic and one white. Eight are women, the rest men. Some 12 people were shot in their cars, 11 along city sidewalks, and at least four on home porches. The prevalence of evil is what the world is experiencing in its culture.  A society with no moral compass "cannot survive." The churches are failing to educate society about morality and moral issues, they have become caught up in the world of entertainment and are govern by the rules of such.  The gates to the sheepfold seem to be no longer guarded and the wolves have entered in the form of "pimp style" preachers proclaiming a motivation Gospel that is contrary to the Word of God.  

A man is charged in seven sexual assault cases in Houston; he also is the prime suspect in eight others since 2012, investigators said Monday.  He is accused of using either a knife or a gun to force women into his car and then taking them to secluded areas and sexually assaulting them, said a Houston, police officer. For nearly 2 thousand years the church has been working to transform the mentality of humanity.  

For nearly 2 thousand years the Devil has been working to change the mindset of the church.  The Devil has always sought to mimic God; he operates under the rule of opposites.  The same as God has a throne, the Devil has also established his throne.   There is the faith (religion) that is sanction by God, and there is the faith (religion) that is sanction by the Devil. The battle between good and evil manifested itself between Cain and Abel and proved its resilience in the battle between Esau and Jacob, a battle that will continue until the end of time.  

Revelation 2:13-14  I know your works and where you dwell, even where Satan's throne is: and you hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith, even in those days when Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, (the prophet for profit)  who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.  

Living In A Deteriorating Society, Part #1

When engaging in a discussion concerning sin, there are various truisms injected into the conversation that is supposed to be accepted as the Word of God.  Often these truisms are the product of shaped interpretations of scriptures out of context.  The ancient view of Christianity and salvation is cast aside by those who are in search of a new ideology.  The doctrine or concept of Salvation once was living a Holy life, free from sin, this is now of none effect, salvation is nothing but a work in progress.   Jesus speaking to the adulterous woman did not advise her to work on freeing herself from her sins; rather he told her to "go and sin no more."The justification of sin is that we all sin but some of us just sin differently, therefore sinning is acceptable because Christ died for our sins.  

The pastor of a 45,000 plus member church says God love everybody, regardless of the sin they commit. Those who says God love everybody, regardless of the sin they commit, confuses me. Where is it in the Holy Scriptures does it say that? I have often asked for documentation, but what I received were conjectures and suppositions. The God of the Old Testament expressed his hatred for those who sinned. Hosea 9:15 All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings, I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.

Malachi 1:2-3 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? Saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. Romans 9:13 as it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.  In these verses, we are privy to a type of discrimination and hatred that is unacceptable in today's society.

Supporting the law, a pastor of a Christian church in Washington State recently wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper in Spokane. In the pastor's reasoning, she stated that as Christians, we are called of God to love everyone, even transgender people, and discrimination is certainly not of God. She speaks of transgender as if God said he created male, female, transgender and others. Genesis 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Claiming anything else is adding to the Word of God.  

As a Christian, as a pastor or teacher how do you preach or teach about something that does not exist? Can a Sunday school teacher teach the "Theory of Evolution?" Not likely, because according to the bible, there is no "Theory of Evolution." What about the theory of gender identification, do it exist or is it a figment of a corrupted imagination? There is nothing in the Holy Scriptures that supports the existence of either of these theories, yet proclaimed messengers of God are scrambling to voice their support for that which does not exist. Either we believe in the Bible and teach the Bible, or it is nothing but an ancient Book that is the product of creative imagination.  

The Headlines of the media speaks to the changing and declining values of society. God-fearing nations are promoting values that are politically correct while excluding God from the matrix. What once began as an experiment in the protection of human rights have evolved into a cesspool of in-your-face stench that leaves many wondering how long before we self-destruct. Could the founding fathers of this nation in their innate wisdom foreseen a time that when the government became the presenter and protector of human rights. I do not believe they envision a nation whose courts would become the definer of marriage.

We are engaged in discussions seeking to determine when does life began. The president has become the decider of what bathroom we should use. The founding father declared that our Creator endowed us with certain inalienable rights. The problems began to manifest themselves when men lacking understanding began to define the meaning and intent of the founding fathers.

It is taboo to speak of the fear of God or God's hatred or even his wrath; God is made to seem as if He just loves playing with his children. We have redefined the attributes of God in such a manner that, "God is love" is indicative of a God, who spends his time showing his love for his creation.

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Another truism that emerges when seeking to justify the sin question is, "We all are God children". This statement is not true, not everyone is His children’s, everyone is His creation, yes, but not His children’s. Jesus said to the Pharisees “you have Satan as your father and not God” (paraphrased) and that showed not everyone are His children’s. John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it.

The same holds true in the household of faith. Defining the scripture in a manner that allows the justification of sin has become common among the messengers of God. Once sin is justified, the masses can come together in agreement that to sin is of no consequence. Whenever there is a discussion of sin, the first truism to emerge is that "God loves everybody". I am searching for that scripture that says, "God passionately loves us." Our indoctrination guides us into a belief that God loves us no matter what we do, is this ideology scripturally supported. I have often asked for clarification on this point only to no avail.

Homosexuality is nothing new, in Judges 19, we can see the depravity of the human mind even in Benjamin's tribe, and we can see how God deal with it. The next truism to emerge is, "God hate the sin but love the sinner", but in Ezekiel 18, God says something entirely different. God does not love the sinner because a person who lives in sin is one with the sin and God hates the sin and the person who do the sin. Somehow, we have contrived an unscriptural way to separate the sin from the individual, thus justifying our life as a sinner. God loves the sinner when the sinner rebukes his sin and decides to live a righteous life. We need to stop saying these wrong and deceitful things about God and his way of dealing with the sinner.

We need to read the Scripture more careful, and we will understand if we ask for and allow God to guide us. The pious prelate said, “Everyone sins and they are forgiven by the grace of Jesus.” Haven't we read that not every sin is forgiven?

Are We Headed In The Right Direction?

Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death".  

2nd Timothy 3:1-5, (1) But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: (2) For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, (4) traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (5) having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 

Have you ever pulled over to the side of the road and pondered the direction you were heading?  Have you ever been lost and did not know you were lost?  Maybe, knowingly or unknowingly you simply miss your exit.  Traveling in unfamiliar territories, have you ever become confused? Oh yes, in the age of smartphones and GPS one would suppose that it is hard for a person to lose it way, but a dead battery, a lost signal or even unfamiliarity of the user can cause a driver to miss a turn and end up lost and confused.  Traveling in the wrong direction or missing a turn has not gone away even with the increase in reliance on advanced technology. An even stranger phenomenon exist among those who are proud in spirit,  they are traveling in the wrong direction but refusing to acknowledge it because to do so would require admitting they made a mistake.   I know that there are those who know what I am talking about, because I once drove in circles, rather than admit to my fellow travelers that, " I was lost."   

What direction are we headed is a self-check question.  This question is worthy of an answer, but there are those would prefer that a question of this nature never came to the "light of day."  Through the justification of our sins, we are quick to infer, "I know I am headed in the right direction."  As a nation of people of different ethnic backgrounds, different cities, and states, we are all headed in different directions.  Even the church, that singular body of Christ presents itself to the world as a divided body. Simple things such as the direction we are traveling are no longer worthy of debate; there are more important issues at stake.  As a nation, people and the church we are distracted by more important, but irrelevant issues.  Simple things that are not worthy of debate has torn the organized church and the world apart.  Our society is plunging swiftly into almost the total rebellion against God.  The question is, how much longer before the true God of the Bible began to intervene and shake this world to its senses?

We live in a world in which self-centeredness is being promoted to its greatest extent in human history. Appealing advertising hammers away at us to gratify ourselves: Why wait, why deny ourselves, why sacrifice, why not go along with everyone else? Constantly we hear, "Indulge yourself because you deserve it."  This world always appeals to moral and ethical standards lower than those of the great God and His way of life. In Technicolor with emotion-stirring music, Hollywood "sells" adultery and fornication as acceptable as long as the couple involved are attractive and somehow oppressed—thus "deserving" of a "better" relationship. 

In a society whose mere existences depend on the emergence of leaders, we are guilty of creating leaders or role models when there is no need.  Often the unqualified emerge and claim the role of leaders.  Those who are dissatisfied with their status are quick to embrace the antics of a fool.    Demonstrated in the Garden of Eden, The desire for self-improvement is the greatest weakness of humanity.   In the Garden, the Devil offered the representative of mankind the chance to be like God, and to this date, he has not rescinded the offer.   As an added incentive that old Devil offered Jesus all of the richness of the world.  The promise of financial blessing have now become, and intricate part of our Christian worship and God promises monetary awards if we type "Amen" on the social media.

In our American society, it is those who yell and scream and "want their own way" in promoting vile behaviors of every sort, and these are the ones who usually get their way.  Eventually, the silent majority will rebel against some of these outlandish requests and behaviors that are being promoted.   In the end, we will have unrest, riots, and a complete shattered society because humanity has turned totally away from God.  A phenomenon called road rage has dominated the natural and spiritual roadway, and we are traveling in the way that seems right to man. 

 The desire to be like God or the desire to be like "a god" is the result of subjective thinking.  Humanity has placed itself at the forefront of the agenda, personal perspectives, feelings, or opinions has entered the decision-making process.  Subjective thinking is struggling to eliminate objective thinking, the same as Cain slaying his brother Abel.  Christianity should place the values of God above the values of humanity.  Religion is about faith. Therefore, faith is subjective.  Religion is easily perverted by our personal belief system.

Doors are open that should have remained closed. The putrid smell emulating from these once hidden cesspools is a testimony that we are not moving forward.  History gives us many examples of people or nations that traveled down a road that led to destruction.  The desire for change is usually indicative of the beginning of destruction.    Many world leaders' desire for change led their nation or people down a road of destruction.  From the Roman Emperors, the Kings of England to leaders such as Hitler and Stalin, the road to change is paved with destruction.  What God did to the ancient city of Sodom and Gomorrah was to be an example to us today.  More and more politicians and liberal professing ministers are going along with the vile behaviors of the so-called communities of humanity. 

We are traveling today in a new direction, a direction that our emerging leaders have proclaimed to be the right way.  All of the sacred cows are being slaughtered and offered up on the altar of political correctness.  Doors are being thrown open, new ideologies are emerging, and God is not in the matrix. 

A type of unholy godliness has arisen; this godliness caters to the subjective nature of humanity.     It is different from that spoken of in the Word of God.  The leaders of our nations and churches have downplayed the importance of the one God concept and what has emerged is a more political correct God.  Even the Pope and Bishops are scrambling to realign their thinking to the acceptance of this new and multifaceted concept of God.   

More and more news emerge every day as to how our entire society is breaking down.  Our justice and educational system are becoming more and more corrupt as the attention is turned from the will of God to what bathroom certain people are supposed to use. Pointless arguments dominate the human agenda.  A great number of people are becoming discouraged with our political system, our so-called leaders and even our "religious system".  The people are being seduced into more and more vile behaviors as our society comes apart.  The Apostle Paul wrote about the early philosophers of the Roman Empire, who: "Professing to be wise, they became fools" (Roman 1:22).  Later he describes how: "For this reason, God gave them over to a debased mind" (Roman 1:26-28).

In the Old Testament Scriptures, death and destruction are synonymous. Therefore, the proverb infers that traveling down the wrong path or in the wrong direction even though it seems right is detrimental to one well-being. Faithlessness is rising to its peak because self-centeredness, the father of irresponsibility, is being promoted to its utmost. It is the spirit of this age, but we have cause to resist it by what God has offered us in His revelation. God-centeredness in our lives is the answer to faithlessness and irresponsibility. But God-centeredness is not cheap, and few are willing to pay the price: their lives!

The Evolution Of The Failed Church

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In the early days of Christianity when the light shined brightly, the church eagerly awaited the return of Christ to establish his Kingdom here on earth. During 1500-1620, from Augustine to the Reformation, a reinterpretation of the scripture took place. Among other abandon truths, the formation of the church was herald as the arrival of the Kingdom. This period was representative of the Sardis church age, (Revelation 3:1-6). The church was abandoning it true nature and beginning to walk after a worldly nature. Later, many Christian Churches discarded the interpretation of the scripture that formed the basis of this false ideology. But, it was too late to undo the damage, according to the adage, "you can't unring the bell". Children of this false teaching had been born, and they continued to produce offsprings.  

A proper and more fitting title for this book would have been, "Revelation, Jesus Letters to the Seven Churches." The author chose what one would consider a more thought provoking title. The use of the words, "failed church", does not set well with many Christians. The indoctrination of Christian beliefs does not allow the ideology of a failed church. This book tries to reconcile the statement made to Peter in Matthew 16:18 and the threat issued to the church in Revelation 3:16. The Scripture basis for this work is the first three chapters of Revelation. There is a type redundancy in the seven letters addressing the overlapping problems of the seven churches. This book is filled with the same type of redundancy it addresses the potential of a church failing.  

The Evolution of a Failed Church does not propose a new solution to the problems that the church is facing today. Jesus has already identified these problems in his letters to the churches, and he has offered the solutions. This book is not a proclamation of a new doctrine, nor is it an attempt to confirm or enforce a set of new rules governing the interpretation of the scripture or the operation of the church. This book like many of Earl Gillespie's books poses more questions than answers. This book calls attention to the problems facing the church and questions the refusal to implement the solutions proposed by the Christ.  

From the dimming of the light through the abuse of power within the church, this book shines a light of the divisions that exist within the household of faith. It explores the first split of the church that opens the door to more splits upon splits. Children of these divisions were born Revelation 2:23, and Christianity now boasts a membership of more than 30,000 different groups, each with different doctrines and ideologies. This knowledge is the basis for the questions presented in this book.  

There is a plateau known as performing on the world stage that many seek to attain. The desire to be a world stage performer can be intoxicating, and the quest for that pinnacle of success defines the character of many who claim to be the messengers of God. "Evolution of the Failed Church," explore this paradox that has befallen the church and poses all the question that we need to ask ourself as we emerge into an unsettling future. Is the church just another place for entertainment?