Contending for the faith | Making Disciples | Equipping the Saints for Ministry

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

      As millions of Americans, and the rest of the world watch America’s fall into the cesspool of moral and financial ruin, one cannot help but wonder how many Christians are actively seeking to gain God’s perspective on this heartbreaking matter. After all, it’s easier to turn on FOX News and get caught up with all the philosophical arguments, heated debates, incessant rhetoric, educated guesses, and miserable prognosis over the future, or lack thereof, of this once great nation.

      What made America great? Alexis de Tocqueville an aristocratic Frenchman who came to the U.S. in 1831, when he was only 25 years old, and later wrote Democracy in America, a two-volume study of the American people and their political institutions, answered that question: "I sought for the key to the greatness of America in her harbors; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America ceases to be great.”

      The question is, has America really ceased to be good? To answer that question with a question, are the majority of America’s pulpits still aflame with righteousness, or have people exchanged their fear of God (which produces wisdom and righteousness) for a politically-correct, non-offensive, feel-good, “warm fuzzy,” watered-down, happy-clappy “fun” gospel that results in a tolerant, pathetic, “seeker-friendly,” lukewarm type of wimpy “Christianity” that saves no one?

          Isaiah 5:20 can be applied to the America of today: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Let’s consider some of the exchanges of light for darkness, truth for lies, life for death that have taken place in this once great “good nation. Couch Dave Daubenmire laments: “Our [elected] government officially denies the existence of God. Atheistic Humanism has overthrown the Almighty even though 80% of Americans still identify themselves as Christian. Government is no longer of, by, and for The People. We are actually being taught today that our children belong to the government. While babies are being murdered, sodomites are marrying, our government is being controlled by those who are loyal neither to America or to the Lord. Christians find themselves fighting over such trivial matters as school prayer, manger scenes, and the right to say ‘Merry Christmas’ at work. We strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. We have an un-American President. He opposes everything that made this nation great. Even a casual reading of his un-hidden personal history and the judging of his fruit exposes the fact his loyalty is to Islam and not to Christ.” (Excerpt from AMERICA: THE GREAT SUPER POWER, By Coach Dave Daubenmire, News With Views, August 22, 2013.)

     The double standard that has been skillfully interwoven into the fabric of American culture by the Global Mafia (agents of Satan) is a powerful weapon that seeks to divide and conquer. People are dumbed down by being continually lied to, and programmed to emotionally respond to certain key “triggers” rather than facts. In an article, “CHRISTIANITY IS OUR FOE…WORD MANIPULATION USED FOR CONTROL” written by Karen Schoen for News With Views, she states, “The altering of history allows the dumbing of the people by infusing meaningless values prompted by emotional trigger words rather than facts. Values not facts are now promoted in school. Facts are truths which give people the security of knowing where you are like being home with a warm fuzzy feeling you can always count on. Facts ground you because wherever you are, facts never change and will bring you home. You can always count on facts to be the same for everyone. People can communicate on facts alone. Facts when known, bind individuals together. Facts are the fastest way to unite people because they are the same for everyone. People knowing the same fact can organize quickly and come together efficiently. So to conquer people, facts must be destroyed. Once values, which are ever changing opinions, replace facts, individuals become confused and are easily led and often become part of a gang, crowd, or mob for security. School programs like: School to Work, NCLB, CCS eliminate facts and indoctrinate value driven emotion. Once you conquer someone’s emotion you can control them. School uses emotions to control the mind.”

What a fitting description this is for both America, and the post-modern church! With the exception of the remnant, pilgrim Church, the foundational facts of Christianity are more and more considered archaic and obsolete. Sound biblical facts are systematically substituted with emotionally-charged rhetoric drawn from modern “per-versions” of the Bible which flow from pulpit to pew. Facts concerning God, sin, judgment, hell, the deity of Jesus, and His death, burial, resurrection, and His millennial reign are no longer relevant to those whose religion and reality is solely feeling-based. Christians are told by God to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), not ask ourselves how what we see, hear or experience makes us “feel,” or if we think it’s “fair.” We are also warned that those who do not receive love for the truth will be damned. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12.

      As in the days of Noah before the Flood came and took them all away except eight souls saved in the ark, modern man has exchanged life for death, truth for lies, spirituality for psychology, true faith for “faith in faith”, morality for gross immorality, and dependency on God for dependency on Government. Common sense is being exchanged for nonsense, love for indifference, hatred, and the god of self. Unbelief, idolatry and the return of paganism is considered good while biblical faith is held up as bad and dangerous to national security. Foolishness is the norm, while godly wisdom is mocked and shunned. Integrity has been exchanged for degradation, generosity for greed, upright living for debauchery, sobriety for addictions, and godliness for idolatry, witchcraft, and sorcery (which includes drug addictions). The list of light exchanged for darkness is seemingly endless.  

      Other examples of when “good is bad” are when the mind benders tell us that the choice of abortion is “good” for women, while scoffers proudly declare that atheistic humanism and evolution is more “realistic, scientific and intelligent” than archaic faith in God and the Bible. Marriage between one man and one woman is derided and scorned while the abomination of homosexuality (and other deviant lifestyles) are exalted as “good,” “normal” and acceptable. After all, “if it feels good, it must be good” right? Wrong!

      The communists (who now have a controlling death grip of the government, media, and educational institutions) are boldly pushing the propaganda that decisions must be made, regardless of how damaging, destructive, demoralizing deadly, or damning, for the “greater good” which is the “right thing to do.” When it comes to fornication, adultery, homosexuality, pornography, and other abominations, we are told that it is “good” to be “tolerant.” After all, it is “bad” to “judge” and “good” not to insult or offend anyone, anywhere at anytime, especially if he or she is a Muslim, or a member of a cult, or even if he or she is a terrorist, or any other demon-possessed, hell-bent sinner. It is considered “good” to strip honest, upright, law-abiding citizens of their Constitutional rights such as freedom of speech, and the right to bear arms, (to name two) and considered “bad” to be a God-fearing, patriotic Christian.

      The environmental movement in America alone has turned this once great nation on its ear. Man was given dominion over the earth to subdue it (see Genesis 1:26-28) and everything was declared “good” by the Lord God. But, now we are told that man’s “dominion” is “bad” and that everything in nature is preferred above man. “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever” Romans 1:25. A major idol that is taking a huge chunk out of our American way of life is “Mother Earth” worship. It’s okay to murder unborn babies (and if some have their way, even children up to the age of three), but it’s a crime to destroy an eagle’s egg, or destroy habitat for a desert rat, or build a home where native weeds will be uprooted, or selectively harvest old growth trees, etc. It is “good” to introduce huge wolves, and other predators into wilderness and semi-wilderness areas where they destroy both wild and domestic animals, and are a threat to hikers, campers, sportsmen, and others who wish to enjoy remote areas. Predators such as wolves, bears, and mountain lions are either placed in wilderness areas, or protected in order to keep people out, and that is supposed to be “good,” while human habitations are considered “bad.” Thanks to Nancy Pelosi, tens of thousands of farmers and their land were brought to ruin in California when she halted irrigation water to their crops because of some silly little fish that was spotted in the irrigation canals. Growing food for the people and providing jobs is “bad,” but saving a worthless minnow is “good.” The bottom line—sin equals insanity.

      God’s perspective of good, bad, beautiful, and evil is far different than that of fallen mankind. Jesus told the religious, self-righteous Pharisees, “Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” Luke 16:15. [Underscore added.] A small example of that hit home the other day when a friend sent an email with a link to a magnificent violin performance by Andre Rieu of Holland. The music hall was packed, the orchestra superb, and the music gloriously beautiful. You ask the name of the song he played? It was, I Did It My Way. The music is so moving, so incredibly soul-stirring that you find yourself caught up in its flow; that is, (if you belong to the Lord) until the unsung, but well-known lyrics begin to twist through your soul like a conflicting undertow. As the meaning of those self-exalting words sink into your consciousness, you find them conflicting and colliding with God’s perspective. It feels like a jagged tear threatens to cut through your innermost being like a chainsaw rips through green wood. The music is beautiful indeed, but those famous lyrics, although “highly esteemed” by man are an “abomination” to God, for they exalt man’s total independence from God in the height of his self-sufficiency, rebellion, and pride, all of which God resists. They are evil because they portray the exact opposite of God, His Word, and the example given to us by Jesus Christ, who cried, “Not my will, but thine be done.” The philosophy of I Did It My Way belongs to the realm of Satan and his manifold temptations to man.

     Music so incredibly haunting and beautiful is hard to resist and can be as addictive as drugs. (This also applies to New Age music, ancient chants, Indian drumbeats, rock n’ roll, and other types of music.) Never forget, Satan doesn’t manifest himself as a gruesome, gross, grotesque gargoyle, but instead “is transformed into an angel of light” 2 Corinthians 11:14b. He knew how to present what appeared to be good and beautiful to Eve, and she, being beguiled, fell for it. Satan knows the power of music, having originally been part of the angelic host who worship God continually (Revelation 4:8). In Ezekiel 28:12-19, and Isaiah 14:12-15 we are given insight concerning Satan who was the “anointed cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14). Note: When studying the Old Testament, keep in mind that Hebrew writing often carries a literal intent or application for a certain time and place that can involve either literal physical individuals, places, and events of that time, as well as reveal, at the same time, facts concerning unseen entities in the spiritual realm, as well as describe the past, present, or future events concerning both the visible and invisible realms. In other words, the living Scriptures can, and often do, contain a dual or twofold meaning within one portion of Scripture. Hebrew writing also may contain a double fulfillment, such as with certain prophesies. To quote from Anna Schewry (http://yadbyad.messengers-of-messiah.org/index.html), “The basic factor in describing the Hebrew mindset of Scripture, is that first of all, Scripture must be tried in the realm of current, physical truth at the time of its writing.  Naturally, we cannot/must not try to spiritualize everything written in God's Holy Word. Thoughts to keep in mind:  Hebrew = VISUAL/PICTORIAL language; Greek = BRAINIAC/MIND language.” Another tip concerning reading the Old Testament is to determine who is speaking to whom. Unlike our English novels that make it easy for us to know who is talking, such as, “he said, “she replied,” and so forth, conversations can be difficult to follow. For example, in the Song of Solomon, one must discern when the Shepherd-King is speaking, and when the Shulamite girl is speaking. Likewise in the prophetical books such as Jeremiah, the reader has to be alert as to when the Lord is speaking, and when the prophet is speaking.

      Christians also need to remember that not all of the Bible is written to us, but every word is written for us; therefore, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” Matthew 4. (See also 1 Corinthians 10:6, 7.) Thus, we are to discern and obey both the intent and principles of the Word. As one of my Bible teachers years ago used to say, “If the Bible makes literal sense, seek no other sense. But, if it does not make literal sense, seek another sense.” This is called “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15b), by comparing Scripture with Scripture, thought with thought, precept with precept, principle with principle, and topic with topic.

      Returning to the main topic of this article of when beauty can be evil, Satan can, and does, present evil camouflaged with great beauty. A book that, in my opinion, every Christian should read is The Beautiful Side of Evil, by Johanna Michaelson written in 1982 about her involvement with psychic healing, and other occult phenomenon before she gave her life to Christ, and he set her free. This book helped unravel a lot of confusion I was experiencing at the time because of the “good” things (such as physical healings) that I had witnessed and read about. Also, my dad and his wife were heavily steeped in New Age beliefs, Unity and metaphysics—so much so that they traveled to the Philippines to visit the then-famous psychic healers. They excitedly returned to the States with three hours of home movie film showing the “healers” performing their “miracles” on Americans. My spirit was greatly agitated, but I wasn’t fully equipped at that point to successfully argue with their so-called “proof” of “genuine healing.” After all, if “good” things take place, and people are “healed” of all kinds of problems in the realm of metaphysics, then why was it evil? The answer, of course, is the spirit behind the miracle. We must never forget that Satan, and demons have great power, and are able to deceive through “signs and wonders” which have always captured the minds and imaginations of mankind through the ages. The question is, is the Church prepared for the great deception that will usher in the reign of the antichrist? “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live” Revelation 13:13, 14. (As a side note, in the recently-published, heavily footnoted, ultra technical book Exo-Vaticanus by Tom Horn and Chris Putnam ample proofs are given to substantiate that UFO’s, alien intelligences and abductions, which accompany the appearance of the one-world ruler are an exceedingly convincing, dangerous, terrifying plot targeting any belief and faith in God, and His Word, that remains on earth. The incredible, and overwhelming wonders and signs originate, not in the physical “outer space” as people are being led to believe, but from the unseen, spiritual dimension of Satan and demons who are able to take on substance and form that we can see.)

      Issues of good and bad, right and wrong, morality and immorality are being relegated in our day and age by the scientifically-minded, progressive liberals to the junk heap of history. These self-proclaimed “intelligent elite” see themselves as posed on the precipice of global change which Satan has planned and plotted for centuries. This “New World Order,” of course, will seek to exclude and eliminate those of us who continue to uphold the tenets of the faith, love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and obedience to the Word of God. But, praise the LORD! Satan will be given only a very short period of time on this earth. Then shall the King come, as it is written, “Behold I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” Revelation 22:12, 13.

      Are you ready?