Don't ask that in Church

Abortion

2012-02-23T18:02:00.000-08:00

Sorry, no funny title on this one. It's a heavy topic, so if you are looking for the forgiveness part, skip to the very end or at least know that the best part is at the end.

I was recently engaged in an online debate on this subject on a blog that shall remain nameless. This unamed blog is almost militantly pro-choice and antiChristian. i was as rational as one can be, posted links to logical sources, etc. and didn't even drag religion into it. I have now found the whole thread of discussion deleted, so much for free speech.

I bring that story up to demonstrate that this is a touchy topic for people. Why? For pro-life, it's clear, a human life is at stake. I guess what i don't understand the most is why the pro-choice crowds so fervently support "women's rights". They often see the unborn fetus as a "non-being" and less than an animal. The choice crowd accuses the life crowd of emotional this or that, but in my experience use their emotions to justify their point.

Abortion is a choice alright as with all things we do. Before making a choice though, people do need to educate themselves.

I doubt this will convince pro-choicers, but for all sides of the table here are some things we need to know about abortion. This will be as rational as possible, but at the end I will share some Biblical thought as well.

One common argument in favor of "choice" is that the baby (fetus) is not actually a human being, because it cannot survive outside of the womb without the mother. That argument makes no sense, and when you expose its fallacy, it doesn't actually win any points. If this is true, that dependency on mom or another human being for life can make one human or not, then those with physical and mental dependency needs may not qualify as human. That's pretty much what Nazi Germany said, but they later extended that definition to Jews and many others. The Nazi eugenics program is a whole topic unto itself.

Even though to a rational person, dependency on another for survival doesn't make someone less human, are there any other factors to consider? What else may qualify a fetus as a human for those who want to split hairs?

In this link (http://www.ohio.edu/ethics/2003-conferences/a-rational-look-at-the-abortion-controversy/index.html) we have a rational look at abortion, and I would say adequate proof of a fetus' human or personhood. See this quote:

"Abortion is the unnatural termination of a pregnancy by killing (at least) one human fetus. This definition is not contested, and I think it seems clear that it is correct. Science confirms that life begins at conception,[3] and that this life is human is a—scientific as well as logical—necessity, because it is the product of two humans, and humans can only produce humans. Ergo, the fetus involved is human. Secondly, the fetus is, at least scientifically speaking, a singular and individual organism, as evidenced by his own unique genetic make-up, which he shares with no other human being on earth (unless he have an identical twin). There is thus an essential difference between a human fetus and, say, a tumor or similar parasite. Finally, that the fetus is alive is confirmed through empirical observation, and hence forcing that life to come to an end involves at least some sort of killing. Therefore, the unavoidable conclusion is that abortion deliberately and forcibly puts to death a human being. Again, this definition is uncontested and thus I shall not dwell on it any further. Rather, I shall now turn to the moral implications necessarily connected with abortion."

"[3] Even former Planned Parenthood president Alan Guttmacher admitted as much in his book Planning Your Family: The Complete Guide to Contraception and Fertility (New York, NY: Macmillan Co., 1964), 28. Numerous quotes from scientists and physicians that testify that human life begins at conception can be found in Randy Alcorn, Prolife Answers to Prochoice Arguments, exp. ed. (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2001), 51-55."

The author of that article goes on to address that the fact that humans do kill each other for capital punishment, etc. However, I can think of no logical reason to extend any of that logic in defense of killing an unborn child.

Some possible further evidence supporting this position. A few years ago a director for Planned Parenthood (some say abortions R us due to their lack of interest in helping people get pregnant) watched the video of an abortion and became involved in pro-life efforts! A picture is truly worth 1,000 words.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2009/11/02/planned-parenthood-director-quits-watching-abortion-ultrasound/

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2009/11/planned-parenthood-leader-resigns-after-watching-abortion-ultrasound/

Moving on from this angle we get into a little more yucky territory. This blog author i mentioned, often parrots this excuse to justify abortion. I will paraphrase.

(Many abortions are performed on African American women, in poor areas...these babies would have birth defects and disabilities, etc, etc. They can't afford to have babies, etc.)

I am shocked anyone would use that as an argument to support pro-choice. So abortion is OK because why? They're poor? They're black? Still, it brings up perhaps my main point: abortion is genocide.

The UN convention on genocide states:

"The Convention defines genocide as any of a number of acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; imposing measures intended to prevent births within
the group, and forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

The Convention also declares that there shall be no immunity. Persons committing this crime shall be punished, whether they are constitutionally responsible rulers, public officials or private individuals."

http://www.un.org/millennium/law/iv-1.htm

Read that part again, "imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group". Unfortunately, since many make the choice themselves to prevent the births, charging anyone would be difficult. Yay choice!

Connections to genocide and eugenics doesn't seem to stop support for abortion.

http://groups.csail.mit.edu/mac/users/rauch/nvp/eugenics.html

The website: www.Blackgenocide.org has some great information insinuates blacks are targeted for abortions. There are some graphic photos, but the information is great. An interview with someone of that group i believe (http://www.infowars.com/planned-parenthood-advances-the-eugenics-agenda-rev-clenard-childress-reports/).

They have a shocking comparison between Nazi eugenic laws, justification for slavery and now abortion (http://www.Blackgenocide.org/abortion.html) They also maintain that 78% of Planned Parenthood sites exist in "minority" areas and that blacks make up 35% (and 52% of all black pregnancies, link later) of all American abortions. (http://www.Blackgenocide.org/planned.html) They also point out the fact that PP's founder, Margaret Sanger was at heart into eugenics.

To be fair, she thought the Nazis were on the wrong track, and instead she favored forced sterilizations for the "feeble minded". Also, rather than killing grown adults she sought to prevent pregnancies, or kill the babies in utero.

Unfortunately, people in the African American community helped her get a foothold in the minority communities. W.E.B. Dubois, Martin Luther King Jr. (he at least received and accepted the Margaret Sanger award) and some African American Churches helped Planned Parenthood establish a presence. Whatever her end goal, Sanger's eugenics ideology inspired her work on abortion, and this has continued to haunt the black community.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Sanger

Sidenote:

Other M.S. Award winners include Lyndon Johnson and John D Rockefeller III who seems to want to reduce the third world population (http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/sociopol_rockefeller09.htm).

More on Sanger's move against the African Americans in Harlem.

http://www.citizenreviewonline.org/special_issues/population/the_negro_project.htm

Simply amazing that people will be quick to judge Nazis as evil, yet fully support something rooted in the exact same "science".

Minor issues

1) Cost

Moving on from there, we hear often that abortion is pretty cost effective and a good alternative for the poor. A recent fallacy i heard is about the cost of pro-life efforts. The topic was that an ultrasound (as is being considered a mandate by Republicans prior to an abortion) costs about a thousand dollars. Not sure where that figure came from, but a quick google search (you can do it too) turns up a cost of about $250-500 while an abortion runs $350-550 (barring complications from the procedure).

2) Political tool

Not much here. Just a comment Republicans make this an issue and tie it to faith and Christian values. I feel this is merely to gain political power and the Christian vote. The same Republicans will endorse war (killing fully grown people) and will also engage in illicit behavior of their own.

Additionally, we had 8 years of Republican President Bush in office, and as far as I know abortions are still happening.

3) Increased Risk of Breast Cancer

I heard years ago, that abortion can increase the risk of breast cancer. There is evidence for and against this, and I haven't the inclination to dig really deeply. Still, if i were a woman, I'd err on the side of caution. If it's true, wouldn't it be ironic that the Komen cure folks link up with the people doing abortions? A sad, vicious circle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion%E2%80%93breast_cancer_hypothesis

http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/The_Link.htm

http://www.lifenews.com/2010/10/13/int-1665/

And a US government article saying it doesn't increase the risk.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/abortion-miscarriage

4) Sickening facts

http://www.infowars.com/19-facts-about-abortion-in-america-that-should-make-you-very-sick/

5) It is NOT a religious issue

Pro-life atheists. Honestly.

http://www.godlessprolifers.org/home.html

To conclude the "rational" section, there is good reason not to allow it. We see that it's the death of a human life, ie-murder. We also see abortion has roots in the same eugenic ideology that eventually led to the holocaust. Those two reasons alone should be enough to keep this illegal.

Add to this, that the pro-choice arguments hold no weight (which i haven't fully addressed due to their lack of logic). The "we need safe places to do it so women aren't doing it with rusty hangers" is a line of tripe so people can sleep better supporting the murder of babies. It's akin to handing out clean knives to a serial killer to make sure it's done right. The "it's a woman's body, she can do whatever..." makes me wonder, where is the baby's choice? In short, there is no good reason to justify abortion.

Lastly, here's a few things that the Bible says. For all i've written, God's word is the only thing that can true conviction, but i put it at the end so people can see first that there are rational reasons to not be pro-choice.

1) Humans are made in the image of God, which is why murder is wrong.

Genesis 1:26

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

2) The Murder of Babies is Detestable to God

Recall that Pharaoh killed many baby's to prevent Israel from escaping. God later judged him and his country by killing all firstborn in Egypt, except the Jews whom He "passed over". We don't know if Herod met with judgment for the Matthew 2 mqasacres, but you can bet God wasn't happy.

The Bible has alot to say about abortion in the form of child sacrifice.

Leviticus 18:21

And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

And Israel did it causing God to turn away from them.

Ezekiel 20:31

For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

This site does a great job of looking at child sacrifice and the Bible, also comparing it to abortion. It would also be a great companion to the Moloch stuff in the Star of David article i did recently. It covers alot of stuff from the Bible that i would have covered here.

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Abortion%20is%20Murder/sacrifice.htm

Furthermore, this whole affair isn't just God giving laws, God tells us this because He loves us.

Matthew 10:29-31

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

And lastly, if the book of Enoch is to be believed, the fallen Watchers/angels taught mankind how to perform abortion, and not long after this God sent the flood.

Not only is abortion an abomination to God, it seems that it's often followed by harsh judgement. How long until that judgment falls upon America? As Billy Graham said, and Chuck Missler loves to quote "if God doesn't judge America, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.

I wonder if our economic situation isn't just a preamble to that.

As detestable as this is to God, His mercy is far greater than His wrath. He is good, slow to anger, that's why we're still around.

If you've had an abortion (or know someone who has) you may feel alot of guilt over it. There may be other feelings too. But God can and wiil forgive this. Jesus Christ paid the price for all who have sinned, all we must do is repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. Believe His death paid that price, and that He rose again, defeating death. Seek Jesus and He can heal you!

You Know What They Say About Bigfeet...Big Odor!

2012-02-15T13:41:00.001-08:00

Christian View of Bigfoot

Now back into normal territory.

I actually haven't thought much about this recently and even when i was into weird stuff, i never had a ton of interest in bigfoot. Here's why. A typical sighting goes something like this:

"I saw bigfoot, then it ran away."

Or

"I found a single footprint."

Or

"Redneck has bigfoot in a freezer."

Often times, these turn out to be hoaxes, but for every 30 hoaxes or questionable stories, there are one or two interesting sightings. So with this sort of track record, i pretty much wrote the topic off, and if there was something to it, i believed that bigfoot was most likely an ape creature as yet undiscovered by science and left it at that. After all, the mountain gorilla wasn't discovered until 1902,and we are still finding new animals all the time.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4688000.stm

It came into my thoughts again, because recently, my sister sent me info on a show about bigfoot, which got me thinking...what are Christians saying about sasquatch? The answer is, not much. And since i refuse to believe that hallucinations, lies and hoaxes can explain every sighting, we need some answers, and not surprisingly, some will be found in the Bible.

Where do we start with bigfoot? To start, there are similar sightings all over over the world. The yeti of the Himalaya, "yeren" in China, Sasquatch and skunk-apes in America and mystery "apes" in Africa. Central America and other locations also report hairy dwarves-distinct from apes-as well. Apparently, hairy "sort of ape, sort of human" creatures are seen everywhere.

http://www.bfro.net/GDB/

In America, bigfoot sort of came into popular conciousness with the infamous "Patterson Film". Just youtube it. This was followed by a number of decent sightings over the years, and many hoaxes.

But it's not just a recent thing, though it seems sightings have escalated in more recent times, much like UFOs. In the past there are many claims of similar creatures.

The Native Americans have many legends of bigfoot, some of which include stories of giants. Some of these depict a "friendly" creature while others depict a horrid cannibal creature with a bad smell. One of these horror stories was told to Teddy Roosevelt by some early pioneers.

http://www.mysterycasebook.com/teddyroosevelt.html

http://www.bfro.net/legends/

It's not new, so what are we seeing?

I will concede there is a possibility of an undiscovered ape. Perhaps a surviving gigantopithecus, perhaps something else. This is especially true where there is decent physical evidence or a situation like this photo from Pennsylavania. It was described as bear, but when compared to bears, that explanation seems silly.

http://www.bfro.net/avevid/jacobs/jacobs_photos.asp

There is (sometimes dubious) physical evidence as well (hairs, footprints which are sometimes dubious). The lack of any real evidence is explainable. Some theorize that bigfoot would be more rare than bears, and as it is we find few bear skeletons. ("Ape-Men Fact or Fiction, pg 48-49)

Another possibility which includes physical evdence is fossilized remains of the gigantopithecus. Gigantopithecus remains, so far, consist of a tooth found in the 30's, and a jaw bone from the 50's. I find it funny, that "scientists" discount the possibility of giants/nephilim in the Bible, but jump on the idea of a giant ape based on a few jaw bones and a molar!

More on gigantopithecus:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigantopithecus

http://creation.com/giants-in-the-land-an-assessment-of-gigantopithecus-and-meganthropus

If bigfoot is a physical being, then an undiscovered animal is one possiblity.

Another possibility is that they could perhaps be a living, breathing nephilim (Genesis 6). There's not really much evidence for this, however some bigfoot legends fit with the nephilim traits. The Book of Enoch describes that the nephilim giants were bloodthirsty and ate people.

In the actual Bible, nephilim/giants were always violent and rebellious against God. Recall Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.

The Iriquois stories associated with bigfoot are of "Stonish giants." These say that the Iriquois were conquered and ruled over by the giants until giants were lured into a quarry and killed. Other tribes describe that a "stone giant" became a cannibal eating people and his skin turned into hard scales.

http://www.bfro.net/legends/iroquoian.htm

This group also mentions cannibal giants.

http://www.bfro.net/legends/nadene.htm

Further evidence of this is that there is actually a connection between bigfoot and UFOs. For those not in the know, UFO experiences are, for the most part, demonic. (Ce4research.com, http://dontaskthatinchurch.blogspot.com/2011/12/ufos-and-abductions-part-1-dark.html and LA Marzulli's "Alien Interviews"). Whether aliens/UFOs are demons, a demonic body/golem thing or a fallen angel is unclear. What is clear is that calling out to Jesus Christ (and accepting Him as Lord and Savior) puts a stop to it.

The connection between bigfoot and UFOs was made by lifelong researcher, Stan Gordon. He discovered that it has been reported that in areas where there are UFO flaps, there are also bigfoot sightings (along with other paranormal goings on). Stan Gordon is a leading bigfoot and UFO expert. I believe he's studied it for 50 years. He made the connection in the 70's, but published them in his book, "Silent Invasion". The below articles discuss his findings briefly. One of the most interesting finds is that tangible footprints that abruptly disappeared were found when a bigfoot was seen around a UFO.

http://www.examiner.com/paranormal-in-pittsburgh/stan-gordon-speaker-at-the-ufo-and-bigfoot-conference-coming-to-westmoreland-cc

From (http://theparanormalpastor.blogspot.com/2011/03/ufo-bigfoot-connection.html)

Sometimes the bigfoot connection shares another aspect with UFOs, and that is sexual contact with the sasquatch. That's not terribly common, but there are reports of men in China being raped by hairy women of some sort. ("Ape-Men: Fact or Fiction" (Greenhaven Press) Pg 22)

Even though there is enough physical evidence to warrant the possibility of a physical bigfoot, a completely spiritual being cannot be ruled out, and seems far more likely. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 tells us that Satan and his henchmen can look like servants of light, so why not bigfoot?

"14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Joe Flying By, a Hunkpapa Lakota India is quoted as saying

"Sometimes we say that this One is a kind of reptile from the ancient times who can take a big hairy form" (pg 83, Sasquatch Legend Meets Science by Jeff Meldrum)

Interesting that a reptile rears his head.

Ray Owen, a Dakota Indian said of bigfoot: "They exist in another dimension from us, but can appear in this dimension whenever they have reason to." (Pg 83, Sasquatch Legend...)

Further noted in the "Sasquatch" book, some Indians (Athapaskan, Irisquois, Hopi and more probably) see bigfoot as a messenger warning humankind. Messenger, or "angel of light?"

In "Ape Men Fact or Fiction", Kewaunee Lapseritis writes a whole chapter dedicated to "psychic sasquatch" and interdimensional aspects of sasquatch. He even claims that his spirit guide is a sasquatch, and that people can often feel its presence. In essence, Lapseritis is a spirit medium, and steeped in the New Age. Nowhere did he mention testing the spirits.

1 John 4:1-3

"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. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."

Other evidences for bigfoot being a demonic spirit.

Many sightings with red eyes like this one.

http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=2347

A man being paralyzed by the creature, and his kids were filled with fear.

http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=27783

"October 28, 1982: Bell Township: A witness heard growling sounds from a creature. He saw something with red eyes at a distance in the bushes. The witness then shot at the creature three times with a rifle, but with no apparent effect. Submitted by Paul Johnson/Stan Gordon. Courtesy www.paresearchers.com website"

(This one perhaps belongs in the nephilim section)
"October 1977: Latrobe: A man returned home one night to find his dog hung by its neck and his home illuminated by a mysterious light. The witness then saw an 8 foot tall hairy biped with red eyes. He shot at the creature, but the bullets bounced off with no effect. Submitted by: Paul Johnson/Stan Gordon. Courtesy www.paresearchers.com website"

"August 27, 1973: Beech Hill, Greensburg: A woman saw a boomerang shaped UFO hovering over a heavily wooded area. Her husband then saw a large hairy bi-pedal creature and shot at it point blank with no apparent effect. Submitted by: Paul Johnson/Stan Gordon. Courtesy www.paresearchers.com website"

(http://www.pabigfootsociety.com/sightingswestmoreland.html)

Although some give a natural explanation, some bigfoot encounters are associated with a smell. Usually rotten meat or rotten eggs (ie, sulfur) http://www.oregonbigfoot.com/report_detail.php?id=00262

And demonic encounters:

"Strong unpleasant smells and foul odors are encountered in the house. The air may seem heavier in a certain part of the house than in the rest."

http://liparanormalinvestigators.com/demonic.shtml

Other characteristics observed in some demons (note hairy and sulfur):

"Usually have no eyes or red eyes in the sockets...Some demons may be very hairy...A demonic presence may give off certain odors/smells such as sulfur and/or rotten eggs. (This smell would be very strong.)."

http://liparanormalinvestigators.com/demonology.shtml

Not super common, but some alien abductees have reported sulfur smells in their abductions.

http://www.jerrypippin.com/UFO_Files_okc_experiencers.htm

And a list of paranormal encounters associated with sulfur, UFOs and bigfoot are among them.

http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/UFOs/ufosulphur.htm

While sulfur is not always a constant with demons, aliens or bigfoot, it is interesting that they all exhibit the same smell, suggesting the possibility that bigfoot is a demonic spirit.

The Bible is clear on how to deal with demonic spirits...DON'T! (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:10-12) This is because doing so will only harm us, and God wants only our good. By seeking after spirits, we open the door to oppression from Satan and his demons. Oppression that can only stop by asking Jesus Christ for help, and accepting Him as Lord and Savior.

Are you being oppressed, frightened or "visited" by sasquatch? You can make it stop. Ask Jesus Christ into your life, accept Him as Lord, repent of your sins. If sasquatch or other demonic spirits bother you, call on Jesus for help. Prayer and faith in Christ is the only way to go.

If you are able to talk, rebuke this or any other spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. If you have accepted Him, His death and resurrection, you will have authority to send it away. If you can't speak, just think or pray "Jesus" and like with sleep paralysis or abductions, bigfoot or other demons will go away.

Acts 16-18

"16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."

If bigfoot is a physical nephilim, we've seen there's little we can do. We've seen that guns have little effect, so again, prayer is key.

If it's a physical creature, which seems unlikely, you're on your own.

Further reading

http://www.bfro.net/

http://www.lorencoleman.com/bigfoot_main.html

http://forums.carm.org/vbb/showthread.php?45326-Biblical-giants-as-compared-with-Sasquatch-and-Neanderthal-man

Build a Bridge and Get Over it Part 2: Hinduism and Jesus - Building a Bridge for the Gospel

2012-02-09T12:25:00.002-08:00

This article is for Christians who want advice on how to share the Gospel with their Hindu friends, and also for Hindus who may be curious about who Jesus Christ is. For the second group, don't let me be a stumbling block, but rather a stepping stone. I mean no offense, but want to share the hope of obtaining freedom from sin which God has provided us in His Son Jesus Christ.

I am no expert on Hinduism and have never led a Hindu to Christ that I know of, but I know and have encountered a few Hindus. They haven't expressed interest in Christianity really, and I've tried sharing Jesus in a respectful way, but as far as i know, it's gone nowhere. So, it got me thinking.

Since i am no expert in ministering to people, i'm sort of ripping off Fouad Masri's strategy for the Crescent Project and applying it to Hinduism. He uses commonalities between Islam and Christianity to build a bridge to Jesus.

While there are many differences between Hinduism and Christianity, there are also some similarities that can maybe make it easier for Hindus to find what they're looking for in Jesus. I am not saying all roads go to God, but rather seek a "Mars Hill Moment" so that Hindus can find a jumping on point in a faith that seems so different.

First, there are a couple things, right out of the Bible that we can readily use to share Jesus with Hindus. To the best of my knowledge, which is limited, these seem to resonate strongly to the Hindu's heart.

Before i share those, always be ready to listen to what your Hindu friend believes, and respect them and what they believe. Be ready to ask questions, and be ready to share Jesus and your hope and why you believe.

If you have the chance to share, one popular part of the Bible with Hindus is the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes.

I read recently that Ghandi had read the beatitudes, and loved them. I have also read that the beatitudes of Jesus speak exceptionally strongly to the Hindu heart, so strongly that some Hindus have accepted Christ merely after reading them!

Matthew 5:3-12 (some also found in Luke 6:20-22) i have put the entire sermon on the mount here just because.

Matthew 5:3-48 Jesus said:

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 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. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

The second biggest thing i've picked up on is the sense of divine justice. That is, God will take care of punishing those who do evil in the world.

My Hindu friend had been in a traffic accident, and the other driver had given him fake insurance information! Although he wasn't happy about it, he realized he could do nothing about it, and pointed up and told me that he didn't worry about it, because God would take care of them and their punishment.
What form Hindu divine justice might take, i am not 100% sure. Perhaps something like karma, something that would be dealt with in this life, or through reincarnation. At any rate, they believe God will punish and we have a lot of Biblical options here that we can share.

Galatians 6:7-8

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

And Jesus promises to repay to everyone the deeds they have done. My presumption is that good deeds will be rewarded, while wicked ones are punished and dealt with. At any rate, it's a good one to share.

Revelation 2:23

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

In addition to these two more obvious options, there are other passages in the Bible that may resonate with Hindus. Please feel free to comment on what follows and if it's helpful, or will only mislead people.

Hinduism has many texts that they hold sacred (though this may vary), but the one most universally accepted is the Bhagavad Gita. I haven't read it all the way through, but like with the Quran, there are actually some passages that we can use to bridge the gap to the Bible and to Jesus with slightly similar ones in the Bible. I am not placing them on equal footing, rather just trying to use a similar idea to share Jesus and God's Word with Hindus.

Here is one BG verse about how a man who has faith will achieve his spiritual goals. The Bible too tells us that faith is the most important thing to please God.

Faith

Bhagavad Gita (BG)

BG 4:39-40 (http://vedabase.net/bg/4/39/)

A faithful man who is dedicated to transcendental knowledge and who subdues his senses is eligible to achieve such knowledge, and having achieved it he quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace.

The Bible

Hebrews 11:6 (all of Hebrews 11 would be good)

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Hbr&c=11&v=1&t=KJV#1

All of the great people in the Bible pleased God because of their faith in Him and what He could do.

Self Denial

Denying oneself, and self control also have a high place in Hinduism. My guess is many Hindus feel this self denial is something to be desired. I have been told by several Hindus that they do not eat meat.

This is not meant as a slight, but they are sort of proud about it. And in a way, it is admirable to deny the desires of the flesh. The Bible too teaches that we are to deny ourself as well. Loving God and neighbor, truly loving them, will always require some level of self denial. And following Jesus in general will require this too.

BG 5:7 (http://vedabase.net/bg/5/7/en)

One who works in devotion, who is a pure soul, and who controls his mind and senses is dear to everyone, and everyone is dear to him. Though always working, such a man is never entangled.

Jesus said in Mark 8:34-35

"And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it."

By denying ourselves to follow Jesus, He frees us from the sinful desires of our body.

Relying on God

We also can share with Hindus that committing our actions to God will bring us peace, and success. Here's what the BG says.

BG 5:12 (http://vedabase.net/bg/5/12/en)

The steadily devoted soul attains unadulterated peace because he offers the result of all activities to Me; whereas a person who is not in union with the Divine, who is greedy for the fruits of his labor, becomes entangled.

And the Bible

Proverbs 3:5-7

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 16:2-3

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

The Innate Goodness of God

Hindus rightly believe that in God there is no sin.

BG 5:15 (http://vedabase.net/bg/5/15/en)

Nor does the Supreme Lord assume anyone's sinful or pious activities. Embodied beings, however, are bewildered because of the ignorance which covers their real knowledge.

Which is very easy to prove all throughout the Bible, but here's one to start with.

1 John 1:5-9

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Universal Equalizer-Death

Then there is the matter of what happens when we die. Where do we go? As far as i know, Hindus believe in reincarnation (thats early in the BG) but here is an interesting passage. This may be what they believe happens once reincarnation no longer applies.

BG 8:5 (http://vedabase.net/bg/8/5/en)

And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.

This can be a great way to tell a Hindu of our hope in Jesus Christ, that if we turn to Him, and accept Him as savior and Lord, when we die, we will be with Him forever. He alone will bring us to paradise.

2 Corinthians 5:8-10

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

The Problem of Sin

Hindu scripture also tells Hindus that only God can deal with their sin.

BG 10:3 (http://vedabase.net/bg/10/3/en)

He who knows Me as the unborn, as the beginningless, as the Supreme Lord of all the worlds — he only, undeluded among men, is freed from all sins.

The Bible tells us how God has taken care of our sin and reconciled us to Himself. There is only one way that God has established.

John 3:16-18

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 14:6-8

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Romans 3:23-25

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Romans 10:9

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Although there may be other passages we can use, these are the most obvious parallels between the Bhagavad Gita and the Bible. Again, I'm not placing them on the same level, but rather trying to find familiar concepts to make it easir share the Bible. We have a couple loose ends though.

Yoga(s) and reincarnation

Throughout the Bhagavad Gita, the word Yoga pops up A LOT. Now I'm certain that this applies to what we westerners naively call exercise, that is but one of many Yogas and is part of the "eightfold mysticism yoga".

(See the poses "asan" and breathing "pranayama" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_S%C5%ABtras_of_Pata%C3%B1jali#The_eight_limbs_of_Yoga)

The word Yoga simply means "to yoke". Perhaps each yoga means that a Hindu becomes yoked to another aspect of Hinduism. I don't know the signifigance of all the various yogas, and my ignorance on the matter leads me to believe it sounds like a lot of work.

By following Jesus, one can be freed from all yokes and burdens. He did all of the work for us. Jesus gives us only one yoke, and it is light:

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Many believe, and i also like to think this, that the yoke Jesus has us bear is His arm on our shoulder as He walks alongside us through our trials and this life. The yoke of Jesus is freedom, not endless rules and regulations. By accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, He will free you from each and every yoke that you bear, giving you complete assurance of freedom. Would it be out of place to say that in believing in Christ, you have take up the "yoga of Jesus"? In doing so, He has freed you from any other yoga.

Moksha/reincarnation

Hindus believe in reincarnation for the most part, that is life, death, and rebirth into a new body. We won't get into the particulars here.

The goal of Hinduism, so far as i can tell, is to get free from sin and this cycle of suffering and reincarnation and attain to the Hindu concept of God through works. This "freedom" is called Moksha, and has a similar counterpart in Buddhism and Jainism.

The desire to end suffering is a human constant, and i think it is pretty universal that this suffering is linked to sin and life on earth, and that humans know the only answer is a spiritual one. Because it is a spiritual problem.

The best thing that Jesus Christ can offer anyone, Hindus and reincarnation believers especially, is that we only have to die once. The determining factor after death is whether or not we have believe and have accepted Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. The other thing the Jesus can offer is that He did all the work needed to remove our sins when He died on the cross and rose from the dead.

When i started to believe in reincarnation, i became burdened and wanted a release from the cycle. Luckily the Lord showed me His truth and I repented and gained freedom. The Bible tells us that believing in Jesus Christ will free us from our sins and bring us into paradise with Him. This faith will end all suffering! All we must do is believe and accept.

Hebrews 9:27-28

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

John 3-16-18; 14:6-8; and Romans 10:9 also can elaborate this hope.

The Idea of God

I've learned from my Hindu friend, and online. Hindus espouse a belief in a one "God" above all others. This seems confusing when we see other Hindu gods, but we'll get to that.

In my experience, i was told by a Hindu that other faiths are equally valid ways to worship this "one God." Whether we Christians agree or not, this seems to be what Hindus believe. Hindus also believe that this "one God" lives in each of us (and needs to be awakened) and in everything. Sort of Pantheism, sort of not. This article calls it henotheism.

"life shining out of the eyes of humans and all creatures. This view of God as existing in and giving life to all things is called panentheism."

http://www.himalayanacademy.com/basics/tenq/tenq_1.html

I don't know how to bridge that gap, but wanted to bring that up, because it is a HUGE difference. But God can still work with this somehow.

From the same link:

"One of the unique understandings in Hinduism is that God is not far away, living in a remote heaven, but is inside each and every soul, in the heart and consciousness, waiting to be discovered. This knowing that God is always with us gives us hope and courage. Knowing the One Great God in this intimate and experiential way is the goal of Hindu spirituality."

The Bible has a similar thought or two, perhaps these can help bridge the gap. Basically, we cannot hide from God, he can see us anywhere. Although we don't agree that God is in each soul or "one with" the creation, we CAN say the creation gives testimony to His glory. We also know that God created the world in a very special way.

Psalm 139

1 O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. 19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. 20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. 21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 19:1

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

And Romans 1:19-20, where Paul tells us that the men are without excuse because that the things God has made, proves the existence of God:

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

In basic english:

19 Because the knowledge of God may be seen in them, God having made it clear to them. 20 For from the first making of the world, those things of God which the eye is unable to see, that is, his eternal power and existence, are fully made clear, he having given the knowledge of them through the things which he has made, so that men have no reason for wrongdoing:

What about God being in us already? God wants to dwell within us, but He has no sin in Him, so how could He dwell within a defiled, sinful body? Before we are cleansed from sin through Christ, He cannot or will not. But, once we accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and repent, our sin is dealt with, and God will dwell in us.

1 Corinthians 6:19

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

What else do we know about the God above all gods, the creator of everything? He has revealed more to us in His Word. He created everything through His Word, which is Jesus Christ.

John 1:1-5

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Read all of John here:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=1&t=KJV&q=John

Further expounded in

Colossians 1:12-20

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

What about the other gods we see in Hinduism? The afore-linked Himalaya academy mentions that the Supreme Being created lesser gods, much like the angels.

The Colossians passage i referenced tells us about those angels, and the Bible is full of passages with angels that perform various duties. This includes even Mike Heiser's "divine council", and any other angels. The Bible does address disobedient angels, but we want to focus on the Gospel here. The main point is we can agree that God created other spiritual beings, and they may present themselves as gods, but that God alone is to be worshipped.

Exodus 20:3-4

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Other resources that might be helpful:

Testimony of a former Hindu. Hearing from another Hindu might be effective.

http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/helpseek/story.htm

Witnessing to Hindus

http://mosesonmissions.wordpress.com/2007/10/31/sharing-christ-with-hindus/

Similarities between the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita. Many of these are not Christian sources, but can be your resource to find other common points for Hindus if they mention something:

http://t-h-mitchell.livejournal.com/26269.html

http://www.hindu-blog.com/2007/05/similarities-between-bhagavad-gita-and.html?m=1

http://www.himalayanacademy.com/basics/point/index.shtml

Human Trafficking

2012-02-07T13:43:00.001-08:00

In recent months, Prayer Watch and more recently, Shatter the Darkness have done shows on human trafficking. I'm not just jumping on their bandwagon, but want to help spread the word with you as some of you may not be familiar with either podcast.

I myself am no stranger to the topic. I did this as a research project in college, and have read local news articles that have addressed it.

The movie "Taken" with Liam Neeson was a dramatization of the industry. It was a gripping tale, and kept me tense throughout the entire film. You should see it as it contains a reasonably accurate look at the seedy underbelly of the trade of human flesh.

There is human trafficking in the USA, where i live. Recently, there were people suing for "whale rights" on account of the 14th amendment's disbandment of slavery in the USA. I wonder if they care about these people in sex slavery? Who is trying to help them?

Where are those who will speak for those being sold into sex slavery? Why indeed is the church silent on this topic?

I don't know that i have alot to say right now, other than we need to pray. For the victims and even for the perpetrators. God can work miracles to save those who are victims and can bring the perpetrators to repentence.

So what is human trafficking? It's exactly what it sounds like. People selling women and little children as sex slaves. The perps use drugs to keep the girls and other victims somewhat sedated while other perverts pay to have sex with them. Often times perpetrators are family or community members selling each other, or other people who have been trafficked themselves.

Some stats: http://shatterthedarkness.net/files/LIVE%20RADIO%20JAN%2030%20T%20FEB%203%202012%20HUMAN%20TRAFFICKING.pdf

These girls and other victims not only end up as sex slaves in apartments, basements, massage parlors and neighborhood brothels, but they also end up in strip clubs and pornography as well. If you struggle with porn, maybe this is a good time to look at the people in the videos as someone created in the image of God. "Love your neighbor as yourself" tells us that we should not see these people as sex objects for our pleasure, but as someone that Jesus Christ died for.

Jesus said:

Luke 4:18-19

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

And here's some scripture on those oppress the poor. I would imagine this would include harming, using or abusing victims of sex trafficking.

Prov. 14:31

Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting. God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God.

Matthew 25:35-36

For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and
you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me.'

http://www.friendships.org/Scriptures.html

Christians, we need to bring this to God in prayer, then He will set these people free. We need to raise awareness, and in some cases even help those in need. There are organizations that help those coming out of sex slavery, see what your church can do to help those organizations in your area. Collect clothes, Bibles. Provide support. You'll have to find them in your area, but this might be a good place to start.

http://humantrafficking.org/organizations/348

Victims, Jesus Christ can heal you. Ask Him into your life, to take away the shame. He can do it. Ask Him to clean you of all the uncleanness, and any sins you may have committed. He loves you, He died for you. And He lives now and can heal you.

Perpetrators, it's not to late to stop, to repent and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you. He died for you too. But if you don't turn, if you don't stop trafficking your fellow humans, then He will have to judge you. Better to turn back now before it's too late. He can change you and show you a better way too. Perhaps He can use you to stop it.

Matthew 25:41-45

Then I will turn to those on my left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his
demons. For I was hungry and you wouldn't feed me; thirsty, and you wouldn't give me anything to drink; a stranger, and you refused me hospitality; naked, and you wouldn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.' "Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?' "And I will answer, 'When you refused to help the least of these my brothers, you were refusing help to me.'

For more information you can listen to Shatter's excellent look into this.

Episode 1

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-01-30T16_19_29-08_00.mp3

2

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-01-31T16_27_57-08_00.mp3

3

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-02-01T16_20_11-08_00.mp3

4

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-02-02T16_13_58-08_00.mp3

5

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-02-03T21_36_00-08_00.mp3

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star: Origins of the Star of David - Dissecting Dispensationalism Part 2

2012-01-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

One of the things we humans seem to love doing is labelling each other into groups. Often times this happens for convenience, other times it happens so we can exclude or persecute others. Part of this labelling process seems to involve the creation of an image or logo to go along with the group. Sometimes, we adopt that logo ourselves.

We Christians use a cross or an ichthys (whether we know of their true origins or not) to let the world know we are Christians. I refrain from including either on my car because I'm a bad driver and I don't want to put people off of Jesus Christ on account of my driving. Also, the Bible doesn't command or suggest we do this.

Muslims of course sometimes use the crescent moon. It's not really of interest to me what the deeper meaning of this may or may not be, and I don't think it's helpful for us to tell Muslims what we think of Allah and any connection there may or may not be to the moon. That too is a whole 'nother topic, and one we've sort of covered before. We should be about bridge building to Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit do His work in people from there.

Jews (at least some), for one reason or another, have chosen to be identified by the Magen-David. The Shield (or Star) of David. The nation of Israel has also adopted this as their national emblem. Magen-David is also a brand of Kosher wine without sulfates that, I personally didn't like, but I'm sure goes great with the right cheese and challa bread.

Here's some really basic stuff.

http://judaism.about.com/od/judaismbasics/a/starofdavid.htm

http://www.jewfaq.org/signs.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_David

When David wrote about God being his shield, he certainly didn't mean as a literal, physical shield and I would doubt that David would have made a visual representation of God at all, let alone in the shape of a star. That would be breaking one of the ten commandments. Rather, David referred to God (i presume) as a shield (magen) because He is always watching us, and can protect us from anything.

The name stuck, shield of David, and got attributed to the star.

Wait, why is a Christian blog writing about the Star of David?

Well, because there are probably Christians who think it's a good thing, AND there are Christians who think it's a symbol of Satan. In this second group, some people think that flying the star of David means that the nation of Israel isn't actually the Biblical or "real" Israel, and that Jews are actually Satan worshippers. You can imagine how easily this typically results in antisemitism and adoption of replacement theology.

What is to follow is hardly an extensive or exhaustive study on the origins of the star, and I doubt that I can find the whole truth this side of eternity. I will provide the best information I can find, from multiple viewpoints and you'll have to make your own decision from there. I do hope to dispel some rumors, and possibly eliminate or cast doubt on some perceived origins. Most importantly, whatever the origins of the star, I hope we can eliminate it as a cause for endorsing anti-semitism and/or "Jew bashing" among Christians.

After all, how likely is it that Jews (or any other group we can demonize) will want to hear the Gospel if we tell them they worship Satan? Recall Paul on Mars Hill. (Acts 17)

So, go forth, learn and pray for God to show you the truth.

Starting off, the one thing that can be said for sure, is that nobody seems to know for sure exactly when Jews started using the star, or exactly when it became associated with Judaism. Both About .com and Jewfaq say that both Christians and Muslims have also used it, and that Jews picked it up around the time of Kaballah (a topic for another day).

Wikipedia gives a 12th century date for Jewish use of the star. We'll revisit possible times of origin later. There are also indications that the star can be found in ancient buildings in India. In short, there's alot of stuff out there, and they can't all be true.

On to the various origins.

Possible pagan origins for the star of David:

One of the most popular opinions about the Magen-David is that it actually has pagan origins. This could be true without it being a real problem, and even some Jews may not see that as a problem.

A few years ago, Frank Lordi (formerly of Revelations Radio Network) did a show about the star of David and how that relates to the current nation of Israel.

Highlights are that he quotes an article by a rabbi and other Jewish sources indicating a non-Jewish origin. To be fair, in like manner, he also (perhaps rightly) criticises us Christians for wearing crosses. For both Jews and Christians, the Bible does not require or command us to adopt a symbol or a logo, and doing so may be displeasing to God, or at least something to pray about.

(Again, as a Christian, i don't know that I'm comfortable wearing a cross or using the Icthys. Especially the fish. I am ever thankful for what Christ did upon the cross, but nowhere did Jesus or the Bible tell us to wear one. We are to metaphorically take up the cross, die to ourselves, our desires and follow Him.)

Lordi also points out that Hitler, heavily into the occult, used the star to mark Jews as a burnt offering to his pagan god. An interesting claim. He also addresses some ties to Molech, Saturn and that the current Israel is actually secular, and therefore counterfeit.

We will be looking at the counterfeit Israel claims in another blog.

He makes a few more claims i find interesting, and could agree with, and a number that I'm not sure about. Give him a few minutes past the intro to get into the meat. It's interesting, but i don't agree 100% with him.

Frank's Podcast:

Counterfeit Israel Part I. The Star of David
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-20318/TS-122629.mp3

Bro. Chris White, also of RRN, agrees with Frank on the pagan origins, yet differs on the counterfeit Israel. He believes (i think) that Israel is Israel. Unfortunately, Chris's show link is not there.

A quote from shownotes on an old Chris White podcast:

("This Episode is a response to Frank Lordi’s Recent podcasts called

“Counterfeit Israel Part I. The Star of David”

While Chris very much agrees with Frank that the “Star of David” is of Pagan origins, this episode looks at whether the fact that Israel is apparently under the control of The New World Order is a reason to say that the Israel is “Counterfeit.”

This episode is also a vehicle for Chris to explain how he believes the future wars will play out and to explain the “physiological operations” that are being forced on the world regarding Israel and the Jewish people.
Franks Podcast

Counterfeit Israel Part I. The Star of David

http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-20318/TS-122629.mp3

show notes

barry chamish website

http://www.thebarrychamishwebsite.com/
the article chris reads from

http://www.solagroup.org/articles/endtimes/ep_0004.html

") END QUOTE

http://nowheretorun.podomatic.com/profile/nowheretorun?p=4

Another interesting possible pagan origin for the star of David could come from Nimrod.

Dr. Future, on Page 96-97 of "Pandemonium's Engine," indicates that a 6 pointed star was both an indication of Nimrod, Isis and Inanna. Dr. Future also points out that some in the government of Israel have sought to reestablish Canaanite roots and he mentions a statue of Nimrod. If you haven't read it, go to futurequake.com and buy it. It's a great book.

Anyways, when I did a search for such a star, all i turned up was an 8 pointed star rather than the Magen-David. In short, an interesting idea, but we can't say for sure without more evidence.

Again, if you want more on pagan origins, check out the Frank Lordi link.

Some Jews justify the star, even if it does have pagan origins. I don't agree with the logic, as i recall in the old testament God commanded the pagan groves to be destroyed, and idols were typically ground into powder, but hang with me here...

"There also exists a principle that even something whose origins were pagan is acceptable if the pagans no longer attribute it pagan significance, e.g. if a tree which was once part of a pagan grove and the pagans who worshipped it no longer exist or have changed their religion the tree is no longer considered as attached to idol worship and does not have to be cut down."

-Yair Davidiy

http://star-of-david.blogspot.com/2006/07/oldest-jewish-star-of-david.html

The star probably does get used by pagans, occultists and in magic/alchemy (covered in the next section briefly) so does this change anything? I don't know.

To be fair though, any Christian using the pagan origins of the star of David as an issue against Jews or Israel, should also look at Jeremiah 10, which parallels our Christmas tree. Add to that the actual Christmas tree probably also has pagan origins as does the yule log and December 25. I would wager much of "Christmas" has pagan origins as well.

Since learning of these things (Saturnalia, etc.) i grow sort of uncomfortable around Christmas time.

Observing Jesus' birth on December 25, using Christmas trees of pagan origins doesn't make anyone less Christian, so why wouldn't we apply this logic to Jews and the star? How does adopting the star of David (if really pagan) make someone less Jewish? If we Christians make that argument against the Star-of-David dust in the eyes of Jews, then we need to deal with the yule log and Christmas tree in our own eye. Same goes for easter eggs, bunnies etc.

Don't get me wrong, Christ's birth and resurrection are not to be condemned, or made light of, but the way they are celebrated in our culture is pagan. Maybe on Christmas and Easter, we should dedicate those days as a time of prayer, Bible study and sharing of the actual stories rather than paying tribute to Santa and easter bunny.

Either way, we can't deride Jews as false Jews when Christians do the same thing.

Associations with Magic:

Of course those in Kaballah hold the star in high regard, as do those who practice magic. They believe there is magical power with the star, but this has little to do with the star's origins. An interesting sidenote for the most part, no need to dwell on this. People performing magic(k) can and do use many symbols, whether or not they actually originate in magic(k) or not. The star is one of them.

http://www.menorah.org/starofdavid.html

http://star-of-david.blogspot.com/search/label/Alchemy

http://star-of-david.blogspot.com/search/label/Merkabah

And of course, the main link to magic, especially in terms of an origin is as the seal of Solomon. This claim is that Solomon used the seal to control demons and make the temple. This of course is not Biblical, and besides, why would God allow His temple to be built by demons?

So, if you want more on that you're on your own. We're interested in the origins.

Star of David and star of Molech:

One of the most popular arguments i see used, and sadly this is often by Christians, is that the star of David is actually the star of molech/moloch. This typical argument usually insinuates that this connection to moloch means:

1) that Israel is not actually Israel, and that the Church has replaced Israel.

2) that Jews and the nation of Israel actually worship satan.

3) this then also ends up getting into anti-semitism/Jew bashing.

See here for a typical example:

http://www.prayerpost.org/StarofDavid.htm

Some say that golden calf Aaron made was Moloch, and that he put the star on it. There is no proof of this in the Bible. There is also no solid connection with a bull of any sort, though some have attempted to make that connection.

Wiki indicates that Moloch could have a connection to Cronus (who we'll talk about soon), or a sacrifice to a king. The most interesting thought (and good explanation for lack of evidence of a god named moloch) is that moloch was not a god, but a method of sacrifice. A "mulk" or "mlk". This "mlk" would be the sacrifice (possibly of a child) to a god.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moloch

Despite this, you will also often see these scriptures used to support the idea that the star of david is the star of a god name Moloch. I'm not 100% clear, but it also seems that people are saying the star of David, not only Moloch's but also Remphan's. So I'm not sure if they're saying they're the same, but probably saying the star is.

Amos 5:26
But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. ...

Acts 7:43
Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

Of course, there are no pictures in the Bible...

The "god" Remphan seems related to the planet Saturn, and of course there is a large hexagon at the north pole of the planet making an interesting possible link to a hexagram. (This shape appears in beehives also, so it's not wholly unknown in nature.) On Saturn though, we don't know if that effect existed in antiquity, what significance if any this has, or how anyone then could have known that. I'm not sure whether or not Satan would have known this, but wouldn't rule out the possibility. In that vein, maybe we should also include the possibility that it's fake/altered photos from NASA as well.

Also, I am not sure where Saturn is in signifigance to mythology, though i understand Cronus to be Saturn and he has sort of a Satan/Lucifer role. Take that for what it's worth. I'm not sure if Cronus worship involved sacrifice or not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remphan

However, dubbing a hexagram/six pointed star/star of David as the star of Molech seems absurd, if only for the lack of evidence. Add to that the fact that Moloch may not be a god, but a method. The Bible does not say or give us pictures of what Molech or his star looked like. Neither do other ancient sources. In short, people making the star of David/Moloch claim, offer no real archaelogical proof that a 6 pointed star is related to moloch.

Note, there is no star in the ancient Baylonian depiction of Molech.

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10937-moloch-molech

Stephen Yulish (A Jew who came to Christ) also addresses Moloch briefly in his article.

http://www.hearkenthewatchmen.com/article.asp?id=196

The star of David blog, who I've quoted several times above, has probably hundreds of articles on the star (which is why that blog is referenced so much today), as well as where it has popped up and has not shyed away from non-Jewish uses of the star. His take on the Moloch scenario is that there is no proof for it.

http://star-of-david.blogspot.com/2007/04/moloch.html

I agree, there seems to be no actual evidence that Moloch/Remphan was represented by a hexagram/star of David. In fact, at least in Roman/Greek worship of Saturn, they worshipped a figure carrying a scythe.

"The temple's main cult object to Saturn stood in its interior and was constructed from wood. The statue was veiled and carried a scythe, and according to some sources, was filled with oil. Its legs were bound throughout the year with linen bents, which were released only for the duration of the Saturnalia festival. While dedicated to the god Saturn, the temple's primary use was as the seat of the Royal Treasury of the Roman Empire, storing the Empire's reserves of gold and silver; in this function it was also called the 'Aerarium'."

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Saturn_(mythology)

It seems unlikely that the star of David is a Moloch-related symbol, and even if it is, that does not make Jews Moloch worshippers by default. Recall that the worship of Moloch (if he's a god at all) required child sacrifice, and i don't see droves of Jews lining up to kill babies. Rather, i would accuse those endorsing and getting an abortion of Moloch worship, since they are the ones actually killing babies.

A Jewish origin:

Since we're investigating the origin of Magen-David, we need to consider ALL available evidence, or at least multiple viewpoints. Moloch theorists should at least consider the fact that there may be a Jewish origin to the star. Hard to believe that Jews would actually use a Jewish symbol. (That's sarcasm).

Although many reference a more recent date, we have a possible star of David with an origin of about 1200 BC. That predates the middle ages and Kaballah by a gigantic margin. It's unclear from this article what the origins are, though the suggestion is Jewish, it's just that it's way older than most think.

An interesting quote (that i believe one of that blog's readers posted) from the forthcoming link as well. They sort of explain that the Magen David, might just be a way to write David.

"Our support for the Magen David as a symbol is based more on other factors, i.e. it could be seen as a valid short-hand Ancient Hebrew ("Canaanite-Phoenician") letter of writing the name David."

http://star-of-david.blogspot.com/2006/07/oldest-jewish-star-of-david.html

And some interesting related articles.

http://star-of-david.blogspot.com/search/label/History

http://star-of-david.blogspot.com/search/label/Anti-semitism

And an article by Uri Ofir that gives a possible Jewish origin. The summary of it is that the origin goes back to the original menorah described in Exodus 25. I once considered the menorah itself (being 6 pointed) as the source when i read through Exodus last year or so, but actually Ofir points to a decoration on the menorah as the source for Magen-David--the lily. Each candle would sit within a 6 petalled lily, and theoretically cast a shadow of the star of David upon the floor. Interesting indeed.

http://star-of-david.blogspot.com/2006/06/jewish-origin-of-star-of-david.html

Summary of the views:

So there you have it. There are some possible links to paganism, in the Star of David's origin, but there is also a very real Jewish answer that i think should be considered. In any event, i don't believe the Moloch theory holds any water, and until I see an ancient Moloch with the star, i think it's safe to throw that one to the side.

If the origins are some other sort of pagan thing, then some of us Christians should think about the pagan things in our own lives and get rid of those before taking up opposition to the star. I'm not endorsing the star necessarily, but trying to make us less hypocritical. In any event, Jews do not worship the star in the same way we Christians do not worship the cross, Christmas tree, easter egg or Icthys.

No matter the origins though, Christians like Texe Marrs and many others shouldn't be so sold that their answer is correct. There is a good Jewish explanation, and also non-Molochian pagan origins. In other words, there are many explanations.

Too many are using the Moloch theory as a means to justify anti-Jewish sentiment, and not only does that make a slant against Jews, it is counter productive for the spread of the Gospel and makes us Christians look like hypocrites to the Jews. Much in the same way telling Muslims they worship a moon-god is not helpful either.

Again, it's a "why should i hear about your faith when you haven't respected me and accused that i worship Satan?"

Rather than focusing on this one point and using it to exclude the "other" (Jew, Muslim, etc) we should be focusing on Jesus and what He's done for us. This can be a Mars Hill moment.

Paul didn't berate the pagan Romans for following demons, rather, he applauded religiousness and that they even had a spot for an unknown god, and used that as a common thread, which wasn't much, to tell them about Jesus.

How much more could be done with the people whose faith and scriptures brought us our Messiah? Paul had but a thread, (and the Holy Spirit) but we have a complete foundation to work with.Texe

Prayer request

2012-01-26T09:21:00.000-08:00

All,

Please pray for me, for my protection, and wisdom in what to do. A project I was doing at work got cancelled, and now the potential client has made an issue of it. Subsequently, my boss has asked me to delete and shred everything related to this, which seems shady to me. I need wisdom, and don't trust anyone in the company to help, and can only trust that God is with me.

More to come, if I disappear we'll know why...though I don't think it's that serious...yet.

UPDATE

Thanks to all who prayed, seems that the problem is being ironed out. It wouldn't hurt though if ya'll prayed for me to get a better job. This place is kind of shady.

Music Pirates - Is it Stealing to File share Download Free Music, Movies, images and Novels)

2012-01-23T12:24:00.000-08:00

(Disclaimer, i don't actually do any of this stuff, i am merely intrigued at the ethical concerns of these activities. Also, this article is more to get you thinking and praying to see how God will lead you. i ask alot of questions, mainly to stimulate thought)

Arrr Mateys!

I'm probably about ten years late on this one. Nevertheless, i keep thinking about it, and must concede that the Lord may want me to address it here. Not that this makes me the expert, or even correct. The main take away should be to examine yourself. I just want to address some of the viewpoints, all of which are good so you examine yourself according to the scriptures.

This is a complex issue, and cannot have an easy answer. Rather than giving a pat answer, i want to raise a few points. After all, i can sympathize with the artist "losing money" and can also relate to the poor schlub who can't afford to buy a CD.

At any point in this article, feel free to exchange CD with movie or DVD and it will be the same. I suppose we could get really crazy and even say that images of artwork, or even novels online may even fall into this, if we consider "file sharing" as an overall "thing." So, feel free to also substitute file sharing with CD as well. But for simplicity we will refer to everything as CD or music.

The other thing, how do we Christians reconcile "thou shalt not steal" (Exodus 20:15) with Acts 4:32-35:

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

I guess first, what does it mean to steal? That's self explanatory really, but here:

Steal - intransitive verb1 : to take the property of another wrongfully and especially as a habitual or regular practice
2 : to come or go secretly, unobtrusively, gradually, or unexpectedly
3 : to steal or attempt to steal: to take or appropriate without right or leave and with intent to keep or make use of wrongfully

http://i.word.com/idictionary/steal

This is where it gets tricky. Is downloading music, "file sharing" stealing? In a sense, yes. But of course, some people feel there are exceptions and this can get legalistic very quickly.

Walking into Best Buy, Walmart, or some other establishment then grabbing a CD and walking out without paying is stealing, no question.

What about downloading it from a filesharing site? (BTW, i'm not familiar with any current ones. In my day it was Naptser, so i'm probably dating myself.) How is that different than if my friend loans a CD to me and i copy it? How is that different than when we used to make cassettes of CDs and records? Was it stealing then? How about if I buy the CD, copy it and give the CD to a friend, or sell it to a second hand store?

These all have the same scenario: the company gets paid one time for my purchase of the music, then the music changes hands without the record company seeing a penny. If i loan or copy the CD for a friend, post my files to a filesharing site or sell it to a secondhand store or Amazon, then that same friend buys it, my friend still has the music without paying the record company for it.

Let's extend this out to TV or radio. Let's say there's a TV show i liked. When that show aired originally, it was broadcast, from my perspective for free. Advertisers paid to sponsor it thus paying for me to watch a given show in the hopes i'd buy their crap. This is why i don't watch TV anymore.

Now, that same show is on DVD. Is it then wrong to download it or stream it? I could have recorded it on tape and watched it for free, but now some consider it stealing if i were to download it. But i can also watch it for free at the library (sometimes). For music, the radio, grooveshark and pandora, advertisers foot our bill.

See what I'm getting at? There's little to no consistency in looking at the issue. In one instance, it's deemed OK to bypass the record companies, but in another it's not.

How would God want us to proceed through this wild west of digital media rights and stealing? What would Jesus say about file sharing?

The Bible, of course has nothing to say about downloading music or movies, but it can give us some advice.

Proverbs 11:1-5

1 A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight. 2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Leviticus 19:35-37

35 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. 36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. 37 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the Lord.

How does this apply?

One, perhaps the record companies should produce quality material. Many people support artists they like. I buy albums of artists i like, and the whole thing is usually good. But there are many times i bought a CD for one song i liked, only to get a crap album. They should also in turn make sure their artists are paid for properly for what they do. I interviewed a local rapper once, and he said he makes little off of his album sales, and for him it's a labor of love.

The other thing, we need to make sure we are honest in our dealings with the record companies, no matter how dishonest they are. If we download an album, not only does the record company lose money, but the artist does too. (I'm not privy to how much artists make through what source, so let's pretend an artist makes decent money on the albums they sell.) When we download or share files, that is a loss of sale for hundreds to thousands of albums. That makes a dent.

However, when I loan or borrow to or from a friend, that's the loss of one sale. It's a smaller loss, doesn't impact the artist as much. Often times, if i like an album loaned to me, i will buy it. If i can find it.

So, when looking to get a free album, think about how much it will affect the artist. They should be paid for the work they do.

The only exception to this i can think of is if an album is out of print, an artist is dead, or if there isn't an album. This is me talking, my opinion, so don't think this is necessarily the right reaction. To me, it takes into account the artist and even the company.

1) out of print album.

I love Arthur Verocai's self-title album. I listened to it on grooveshark at work, nearly everyday. It was out of print though. Second hand copies were going for $50 on amazon.

I didn't download it, but in this case, neither arthur or the record label would have lost anything. It was out of print. No one was making money.

Lucky for me, they re-released it and i got it cheap.

2) dead artist.

The only one making money here is the record company. Is Aaliyah, Michael Jackson or Roy Orbison going to miss the money?

On the other hand, if a record company is distributing an album, they should be paid for their troubles.

This one is iffy.

3) there isn't an album

Then, why is there music?

Sean Lennon has on his website a few tracks from a concert he did. No album exists, you can listen to the songs as much as you want. I'm reasonably sure you can download them as well for use in your mp3 player. He could prevent the download if he didn't want them to be.

Also, I am a connoisseur of videogame music. I grew up on videogames, and i play few now, even old ones. But i love the music. But short of playing the game, how can one listen to the music? They don't sell videogame soundtracks much in America. I have gotten lucky and bought a few when i found them, but what if no album exists and someone has the tracks on their site?

The artist was paid long ago, and game players have moved on. Not to mention, is there anyone in the recording industry who would care to press this one?

My final thoughts are that we need to consider the artist and those who are selling this as a service to us, and balance that with our calling to live for Christ and that likely doesn't include wasting alot of time on entertainment.

Should we be wasting time watching and downloading music and movies? Or should we spend time reading God's Word, praying and trying to spread the Gospel?

Ephesians 5:15-17

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

The days are short, and we continually approach the end. Do we want to stand before Christ and see the time we wasted amassing movie and music files, just to do it? Do we want rip off artists, who God created and gave a talent to?

The Roaring 2012

2012-01-19T14:18:00.000-08:00

I heard about these weird sounds heard around the world here:

http://lamarzulli.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/strange-sounds-heard-worldwide-groaning-from-the-supernatural-or-something-else/#comments

My initial impression as a connoisser of Godzilla and Ultraman, is that this is fake, as it sounds like Godzilla, or a viral campaign for a new JJ Abrams movie. Anyways, the internet is somewhat abuzz over this topic. Rather than working, I've been looking constantly for updates, especially in regards to a hoax.

I did find that some of the bird calls in the videos sound the same, but opted to keep an open mind.

This link here seems to debunk some of these noises pretty well. I'm in agreement with some because a few of those sounded the same.

http://strangesoundsinthesky.com/2012/01/15/its-a-fake-tastic-fakefest-jan-16/

So, my opinion fake, though there may be something happening. I bet someone comes out in a few days owning up to it.

So, anyone thinking this the end of world, it's not. Deception is the order of the day these days, and Jesus warned us not to be deceived:

Luke 21:8

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

While He didn't say anything about roaring noises, i think Jesus would want us to not be deceived in any matter.

Peace

Is America a Christian Nation?

2012-01-17T07:43:00.000-08:00

Taking another quick break from Israel and dispensationalism.

One of the greatest idols eliminated from my life, years ago, and one of the largest lies believed by many in the body of Christ is this: America is a Christian nation.

Indeed, it is made up of many sincere Christians. It does also have some Christian roots in the Pilgrims, and a few places here and there. Some of our best schools (Harvard if memory serves) began as a Bible college.

But unfortunately, believing America to be Christian, often leads us to believe that we are "exceptional", that we have a divine right to plunder the resources of other nations, or start unjust wars.

It also doesn't help that our politicians compete to see who says "God" the most, and sells themselves as Christians, when often their lives don't echo this.

I once elected people to office because they were "Christian" and emphasized traditional family values, and promised to work against abortion. Yet they never did. Instead, they often acted in a non-Christian manner.

Luckily, God has helped me understand that, although America has some very godly people in it, is not necessarily God's chosen people, or a Christian nation. This was hard for me to accept, but as I look at Jesus, His life and what He has called us to do, i see our American life at odds with the Gospel in many ways.

This does not mean God hasn't blessed us, or that I'm unpatriotic. America is (or was) a place of freedom, and God loves Americans as much as anyone else, so long as we come to Jesus, and accept His death and resurrection for our sins.

Below are some great podcasts that prove why America is not a Christian nation, although there are many good Christians here.

Enjoy!

How Christians are being set up for a fall:

http://www.pidradio.com/2012/01/09/best-of-p-i-d-radio-the-new-world-order-scam/#com-head

The article:

http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/newworldorderscam/newworldorderscam.htm

Allies and the occult: How American and UK leaders have been involved in the occult:

http://vftb.net/?p=4430
http://www.vftb.net/archive/vftb097.mp3

The article(s) (caution, i think he's not a Christian)

http://williamhkennedy.com/Allied.html

The TRUE Faith of founding fathers:

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow201.mp3

More on the founding fathers:

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow230.mp3

Planned destiny of america:

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow144.mp3

Bohemian grove: (haven't heard this one yet)

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow119.mp3

Secret origins of America:

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow108.mp3

More secret origins:

Pt 1
http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow84Hr1.mp3

Pt 2
http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow84Hr1.mp3

Tebow, or Not Tebow? That is the Question.

2012-01-11T08:13:00.000-08:00

Taking a break in research for a moment, here's my random tebow thoughts, finally congealing into something that resembles coherence. Not that anyone has asked for them. I didn't really even have any until today. I don't want to berate the man, just urge him to exercise caution.

My caution for him, not that anyone cares, would be that the media loves to lift people up, then waits for them to fall. Tebow's up high now, he better make sure he's walkin the walk in his private life, cause if he slips up, pulls a scandal or two, it will make us all look bad.

My other two cents, in general on the guy is for him to be cautious that some of this isn't show (remember Matthew 6:5-7). There is a time and place for public prayer, but I'm not 100% sure that Tebow is either right or wrong in his displays. He is being criticized by atheists (ironically using the verse I quoted) for putting on a show. But at the same time we're not to put our light under a basket. How else can he glorify God for his abilities if not publibly? So, I guess I would advise him to exercise balance and wisdom. If he's following the Spirit's lead, great! If he's just increasing it with the media coverage, well...

Ultimately, it's between tebow and God. If it's all for show, then God already knows. Some questions to consider:

Are people getting saved because of this?

Or are people just going to superficially tack on to tebow because he's doing an "in thing"?

Yes people are googling the 3:16, but what will come of it?

Are we ascribing too much in the fact the he had a game of 316 yards? Much the same way people find Jesus or Mary in a burnt piece of toast? Or is God really using it?

May God's will be done here, and may we critically look at Tebow, without degrading him. Glorigy God, not the one serving Him.

Apologies in order

2012-01-06T07:32:00.000-08:00

Hi, I've recently been informed that one of my links, New Age Deception, went to a site that was not the one I intended.

My apologies, and I hope that no one was misled by this. The correct link should be http://newagedeception.wordpress.com/

And of course, my biggest apologies should be to Gaz Parker for linking folks to the wrong site!

Additionally a few others were wrong or entered incorrectly, but should be fixed. Let me know if they take you somewhere weird!

Lastly, I apologize for the delay in posting new material. I could make excuses, but two legitimate reasons are: 1) I am working on a small project for somebody that will drain some of this time away and 2) the current topic of dispensationalism, and particularly this week's topic make it hard to be accurate, so I'm trying to be extra careful. There are folks on both sides, (WAAAYYY to supportive of Israel and military action in the area to help them and folks that think the Church has replaced Israel and that Jews are evil) and I'm trying to avoid either extreme, which is hard.

So, stay tuned and expect minor delays for the present. Also pray that God lead me in the best use of my time.

Dissecting Dispensationalism: Pt 1 The Protocols of Zion

2011-12-29T08:42:00.000-08:00

(Disclaimer: i do support the right of Israel to exist as a country, and acknowledge that believing in Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to eternal life. That said, i have respect for Judaism as i do other faiths, but acknowledge that Christ is THE way. any comments defending Jews, or not defending Jews are because i believe the stance to be true.)

The Protocols

Like Dracula, the Protocols of Zion just keep coming back. "The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" are basically bandied about as the plans of a "secret Jewish conspiracy to take over the world" by purchasing, then controlling everything. That's my understanding anyways, and since it doesn't involve a man with a scarred face and a Persian cat, I'm inclined to think it's too silly to be true.

Read more here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Protocols_of_the_Elders_of_Zion

As far as I know, no serious scholar accepts these as legitimate. On top of that, they were debunked quite a long time ago.

How does it relate to dispensationalism?

They're only tangentally related, having their origins in Russia. The Protocols are connected only because people within dispensationalism have used them as proof for one thing or another.

This article mentions a dispensational minister using them to blame Jews for various ills.

http://www.nyu.edu/fas/projects/vcb/ChristianMedia/timeline/timeline5.html

And a fascinating article that provides evidence that some other dispensationalists used to accept the Protocols. Dispensationalists have since flip-flopped into nearly unwavering support for Israel as a nation. The article also explains why there has been a change of heart.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/north7.html

So there's your tenuous connection to dispensationalism. Dispensationalists used to believe Jews were the bane of all people, but now provide overwhelming support for Jews and Israel.

Why is it the Protocols were used to support dispensationalism, but now refute it?

My take, is that those who support Israel carte blanche, may actually want the protocols to be true and those against a "favortism" of Jews/Israel would use the Protocols as proof of evil. Both are extremely dangerous positions to hold.

http://www.mediamonitors.net/williamson3.html

So, are the Protocols legit?

We see they spread confusion. It also resulted in quite alot of antisemitism, and were used as rationale to kill millions of Jews.

If they were true, confusion would be transformed into understanding.

2 Corinthians 14:33

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

Well, let's get to it.

A book about the protocols is finding acceptance in the Arabic and Muslim world. Interesting, since "those people" are typically the boogie-man du jour and supposedly always out to get everyone, especially Israel. One would think they would least like the Protocols to be false, yet they are readily accepting the truth that the Protocols are lies.

http://fighthatred.com/fighting-hate/reports/791-arabic-book-debunks-protocols-of-zion-

The above wiki at the beginning of this post on the Protocols provides a side-by-side comparison of the works quoted below.

"In 1921 the Times of London published convincing proof that The Protocols were largely plagiarized from books published decades earlier—primarily The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu, by Maurice Joly (1864) and Biarritz by Hermann Goedsche (1868)."

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/09/060911-zion.html

The article is good too. It goes on to claim that Russia (where the Protocols came from) has declared them fraudulent, and that even the Nazis knew they were false.

They also quote Joseph Goebbels' OWN WORDS:

"I believe that The Protocols of the Elders of Zion are a forgery … [However,] I believe in the intrinsic, but not in the factual, truth of The Protocols,"

I don't know about you, but Goebbels' opinion that these are a forgery is the only thing I'd ever agree with him on.

And another article that highlights the plagiarism. If you have any doubts that the Protocols are fake, this article should remove those quite well.

http://www.history.ucsb.edu/faculty/marcuse/classes/33d/projects/protzion/DelaCruzProtocolsMain.htm

Despite the overwhelming proof the Protocols are not a legitimate document, there are people who still believe them. Though I couldn't find anyone who could prove their veracity, especially in light of the evidence of forgery, many people still hold to them.

This below article is pretty representative of some of the "truth" claims. That is, they just kind of ignore the forgery claims, or worse, poo-poo them without looking at the evidence. Maybe I'm doing that on the opposing side, but the evidence of fraud is, in my opinion, airtight.

I completely disagree with this author as he claims the Bible is nothing but proof that the Jews have it out for everyone.

http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/proof.htm

The problem is, they attack the idea that Israel in the Bible is God's chosen people using the Canaanite conquest as proof that Jews feel superior. I've already addressed that here: (http://dontaskthatinchurch.blogspot.com/2011/09/wrath-of-god-is-god-really-genocidal.html)
and here: (http://dontaskthatinchurch.blogspot.com/2011/09/wipe-outall-of-them-why-would-good-and.html) that the conquest of Canaan had little or nothing to do with "racial superiority". While there was landgrabbing, this too is addressed.

This "proof" article also claims that Jews want to enslave all gentiles, but nothing could be further from the truth. Rather, God has always wanted to use Jews (and now Christians) to draw gentiles as well as Jews into right relationship with Him. All are sinners, yet God chose us if we accept His offer. Israel, historically was always meant to be a light, an example to the gentiles. So where is the "proof" that Jews and Israel were meant to enslave gentiles?

Here's proof that God intended the opposite.

Deuteronomy 10:19

"Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."

The entire book of Jonah is dedicated to a Jew, Jonah, leading a group of gentiles-mortal enemies of the Jews no less-to repentence.

Isaiah 42

6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isaiah 49

6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. 7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. 8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

Luke 2

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

No need to reinvent the wheel. The Protocols of Zion, are in fact nothing more than a reworded plagiarism of an older pulbication. They are not true in any sense of the word. Rather than spending any more time debunking them, maybe someone should prove them. I recommend by starting with addressing the clear evidence of plagiarism.

I have no doubt that there is a plan to "take over the world", but it is not the Jews or Israel. Or even a particular group, a "THEY". Rather, it is Satan as outlined in the book of Daniel and Revelation using various groups to eventually enthrone himself as god. Satan is "god of this world" and as such is the true motivating force behind globalism.

2 Cor 4:4

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Dissecting Dispensationalism: Prologue

2011-12-22T10:25:00.000-08:00

Dissecting Dispensationalism: Prologue

Yet another topic thanks to Bro LA Marzulli's blog (and Sandie). Sandie had asked me to address dispensationalism, and linked me a few things that are all addressed after this.

I apologize that I'm not 100% clear on the issue, at first glance, some of the things I saw appeared to be unrelated. Once i started digging though, things coalesced and things started falling into place.

This topic is from a hotly debated subject, that is: Dispensationalism, Israel, the Millenial reign of Christ, Ezekiel 37 and the Jews.

This also entails the fact that there's something of a divide among some Christians that: either the current nation of Israel is God's chosen people (fulfilling Ezekiel 37), is equivalent to the ancient nation of Israel and (some believe) should have carte blanche to do anything, and the opposing view that Israel is not necessarily Biblical Israel but is actually part of a Jewish plot to take over the world. the second group also tends to lean towards replacement theology and that there is no Millenial Reign of Christ.

That is the debate, as near as I figure, in a nutshell. I'm sure I've made everyone angry, but for simplicity's sake, i had to generalize.

Part of the debate is posted here:

http://www.thewatchmanforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1314

And some general background info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._I._Scofield

(From the below linked article)

"Dispensationalists believe that the nation of Israel (not necessarily the same as the state of Israel) is distinct from the Christian Church,and that God has yet to fulfill His promises to national Israel. These promises include the land promises, which in the future world to come result in a millennial kingdom and Third Temple where Christ, upon His return, will rule the world from Jerusalem[3] for a thousand years. In other areas of theology, dispensationalists hold to a wide range of beliefs within the evangelical and fundamentalist spectrum."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispensationalism

My Presuppositional Bias:

Without fully realizing it , i guess i fall in with this general idea i quoted. So, you know the bias i start from. The reason being, is that if you read certain prophecies in the Bible, there are a number yet to be fulfilled (like Zechariah 14; Book of Revelation). I don't think anyone in their right mind could say that those have happened yet. So, I believe Christ has yet to return and will reign literally and visibly for 1000 years. I believe God also has promises to keep to Israel. But will this change in the coming weeks?

Who's right?

I'm inclined to look at Scofield skeptically. We're not concerned with him in any event right now, other than to acknowledge he made the theory of dispensationalism popular.

I also see the danger in dispensationalism. If you read the wiki, the section of Judaism is where I think some Christians go a tad too far.

This is a huge HUGE topic, one not easily addressed.

We can start to unravel some of this topic by looking at dispensationalism and its components. These sort of all fit into the dispensationalism bag.

Here's a breakdown of topics for the coming weeks

1) The protocols of the Elders of Zion

2) The Star of David

3) Ezekiel 37 and the nation of Israel

4) What do the Jews think?

5) Jesus' return and 1,000 year reign

whew!

2011-12-19T12:28:00.000-08:00

OK kids, that's all the blog for right now!

Come back in afew weeks when I take a break from UFOs (for a very long time)

Merry Christmas!

UFOs and Abductions Part 3: Alien-Human Hybrids (aka Nephilim Hybrids)

2011-12-19T12:25:00.002-08:00

This blog is pretty much 100% pure speculation. Again, the culmination of the conflicting accounts i've encountered in studying UFOs over the years.

To start with, not only am i late to the party (as usual) i also kind of hate looking into the alien hybrid/modern nephilim phenomena. I would rather not have addressed it, but i kind of felt led to, since i covered the dark spiritual side, and the human involvement. I hate it because there's no real, tangible evidence of hybrids, and there's so much weird stuff that goes on with it. Or if there is, it's open to interpretation.

It also accomplishes two of satan's goals just by existing. It distracts, and it destroys. Some people (no one in particular in mind...really!) spend way too much time worrying about hybrids everywhere. I used to. It also destroys by setting believers of differing opinions against each other. It caused quite a quarrel among many believers i highly respect a year or so ago.

As if the Christian church didn't have enough things to fight over. We've added one more to the list, except when we fight over this one, we really throw people off. Few of us "kooks" dispute that Genesis 6 and afterwards there were nephilim-human/angel hybrids. The debate is whether or not it's happening now or not as part of the UFO phenomena. Many abductees report breeding programs taking place as part of their experiences.

Some Christian researchers use a number of texts to support their viewpoint. The Book of I Enoch (quoted in the book of Jude and Peter in the Bible.) Genesis 6 and Daniel 2 (though i'm not fully convinced that the iron mixing with clay in Daniel 2 means there's nephilim. It's often asked who is the "they" where it says "they shall mingle themselves...") still, most of the rest do refer to nephilim of Genesis 6, initially the offspring of fallen angels and human women.

No problem, except the aforementioned Daniel, which i could be wrong on. I have other theories on Daniel 2, for some other time perhaps. My basic thought is the iron mixed with clay is "hard" governments like communism/dictatorships as iron. Clay, is the democratic governments of the world. People are made of "clay" in Genesis, so maybe governments "of the people mean" mean clay. Communism and democracy don't mingle all that well. At least they never used to.

But i digest.

So, the flood of Noah wiped the nephilim out. Done deal.

The problem comes with the nephilim after the flood (Og,Conquest off Canaan, David vs Goliath). Did more fallen angels mate with human women after the flood? Are they doing it now? That's where the split is. Where did the post flood nephilim come from? Some think that more angels came and mated with women again.

My thoughts are, if the angels that did this the first time were put into the abyss, outlined in Enoch, Jude and Peter, why would more angels jump to do it again? Sure, they were going to be put there eventually anyways, but why hasten the trip?

If i knew i was going to jail in 20 years for something, but had 20 years of freedom to enjoy i'd enjoy my 20 years. But if say, commiting crime X would get me there immediately, i would avoid crime X. But, fallen angels are insane, after all, they did, as finite creatures, rebel against an infinite God (having been with Him even!) so who knows what their thought processes are like.

Perhaps a few angels took the fall, did the deed and got thrown in the abyss, while the other fallen are still loose. These nephilim propagated again after the flood, but kept their numbers down to keep God from acting against them. That's 100% speculation.

At any rate, for more on post flood nephiilim, i covered that here http://dontaskthatinchurch.blogspot.com/2011/09/wipe-outall-of-them-why-would-good-and.html and another link in that blog.

Check out Dante Fortson's King Wells interviews for more on that. I don't have a link, but it should be in iTunes, or Bro. Dante can find the link for you. You'll have to do the legwork on that one. Dante also has a book "In the Days of Noah" that might be worth a look, that may get into more of this.

At any rate, the split among us kooks is, are angels or demons disguising themselves as aliens and making more nephilim through UFO abductions? Both sides have good evidence. Having looked at both sides, i can't say that i can really decide myself. Personally, i do lean more towards the hybrids being an illusion.

Let's start with Joe Jordan's illusion view.

http://www.alienresistance.org/ce4testimonies.htm

I have heard Joe speak on several interviews and he maintains that ALL alien abductions are illusions. His main proof of this is that he was doing an over the phone deliverence with a guy. This guy said they were taking him, and when he had been "taken" his wife picked up the phone and said he had just passed out. This happened several times, the guy was convinced that he went somewhere, but he actually didn't.

I'm sure the above link corroborates that story in other testimonies.

Using stories like that, Jordan posits that the hybrid encounters are actually illusions as well. Illusions designed to form a bond with the demons, making it harder to get free from them. The demons are presenting illusory children to take advantage of maternal and paternal instincts in abductees, which would make the abductee desire more contacts.

I can completely believe this.

However, the flipside of this issue is the physical evidence, or physical encounters with alleged hybrids. After all, how do you explain the physical evidence of an abduction, the scoop marks, and implants and what not? If it's a spiritual mental thing, there should be no physical traces. That's where satan's human agents, whoever THEY may be, come into play as discussed in my last blog.

Anyways, onto some of those who support the physical hybrid arguments.

LA Marzulli posted on his blog that someone encountered a possible hybrid in a shopping mall. I probably made some comment in there somewhere, see if you can find it!

http://lamarzulli.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/hybrids-among-us-nephilim/

Weird.

There's also a book called "Raechel's Eyes" about an alleged hybrid "THEY" were trying to integrate into society, except this one failed. I haven't read it, but heard the story somewhere. It was weird, but another one of those ones that's hard to prove.

Betty Andreasson in "Watchers" saw a woman's baby taken from the womb, then placed into a container to finish gestating. This was apparently a baby grey or a hybrid. It wasn't clear. That book is weird anyways, and i would gather there was alot of demonic illusion going on, so maybe this should really be in the first section. The interesting thing though is it triggered an emotional response in Betty.

Then there's Dr. David Jacobs' "The Threat." This book goes through a number of cases where abductees produced hybrids and somehow Jacobs came to a realization that these hybrids were being integrated into our society for some unknown end. Of course, at least some of this data was collected by use of hypnosis, so i would wonder if all or any of it is trustworthy. That seems to be the general problem with UFO alien-human hybrids, there is little in the form of actual physical proof. Still, Jacobs makes a compelling case.

Tom Horn has some interesting thoughts to add to this debate. He maintains that the nephilim in Genesis 6 weren't JUST the children of angels, but also DNA hybrids of animals too. Chimeras. Verse 12 does say that ALL flesh had been corrupted. So perhaps some of every species and most of humanity was hybridized and genetically modified to some extent.

Another weird one, but it would explain the legends of centaurs, satyrs and the like. What makes this relevant now is the transhumanism movement.

This isn't science fiction either. Earlier this year, scientists had admitted to growing 150 human-animal hybrids in a lab. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2017818/Embryos-involving-genes-animals-mixed-humans-produced-secretively-past-years.html

Why would they be doing this?

Sure these were JUST embryos, but the article says there are hybrids being grown in countries WITHOUT regulation. This story is just what we've been told about, how do we know there aren't human animal hybrids that were grown to full term?

Now this was just a lab, not a UFO or abduction scenario, but how do we know there aren't any of those?

So IF there are nephilim around now, why don't we see them?

One argument is that the UFO breeding programs are designed to make the nephilim fit in more.

One theory of mine is that bigfoot, if physical, is a nephilim. I first heard this in a podcast, of course, and it was an interview with a guy who's studied sasquatch for 50 years, since the age of 12. His name escapes me. But at any rate, he maintained that there are a number of UFO flaps that also involve an uptick in bigfoot sightings too.

Here are some articles i found on a message board.

http://www.ufomystic.com/2009/04/09/bigfoot-and-ufos-2/

http://www.w-files.com/files/bfpicklepatch.html

This one is the best. The bigfoot were fired upon, seemingly with no effect, AND there was the smell of sulfur, which has allegedly been reported with a few alien encounters and of course, demonic manifestation.

http://www.mombu.com/aviation/unidentified-flying-objects/t-25-years-ago-today-a-scary-bigfootufo-encounter-3254395.html

Of course, the bigfoot theory may not hold water. There are reports of bigfoot being shot point blank with no effect. If bigfoot were a nephilim, then logically it should have died from a gunshot like the rest of the nephilim in the Bible. This sort of case suggests bigfoot may be yet another illusory demonic manifestation.

Wow, that was a rabbit trail. So aside from the actual creation of human animal hybrids in a lab, there's really little to no physical evidence for alien-human nephilim being made.

However, that doesn't mean it isn't happening. An underground eugenics program run by people and demonic beings under cover of a UFO invasion would fit nicely with satan's earlier, public eugenics plans at the beginning of the 20th century. It certainly has a better PR spin.

That aside, debating hybrids, and looking into it will take you down MANY rabbit trails, many of them into David Icke or New Age/UFO places which is really not a good use of time.

And, even if there is a nephilim/underground eugenics, we are not told about it explicitly in the Bible. Yes, Jesus says Matthew 24 that the end of days would be "like the days of Noah". Does that mean modern nephilim? Some think so, especially in light of the iron mixing with clay in Daniel 2.

But notice one thing. Even if Jesus and Daniel are warning about nephilim in the last days, they don't say believers should do anything about it! We're not supposed to try to stop these programs. We probably can't. We shouldn't live in fear of hybrids among us like "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". God alone will deal with them.

Although Paul tells us:

Epeshians 5:11 - 13

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].

For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light."

And Jesus tells us:

Matthew 10:28 - 30

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

So what should Christians do and think about the hybrid phenomena?

We should probably have a basic knowledge about the phenomena, so we can answer those in the conspiracy realm, and use it as a witnessing tool for Christ. Perhaps use someone's interest in alien-human hybrids to tell them it happened before, in Genesis 6, and here's what God will do about it in the end, then show them Revelation, and share the Gospel.

Aside from that, there's really nothing else we can do about it. God alone will deal with it when His Son Jesus Christ returns, ala Revelation 19.

Appendix

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2011-11-17T16_19_15-08_00.mp3

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2011-11-20T15_38_00-08_00.mp3

Neph

UFOs and Abductions part 2: What do Christians say About Physical Evidence

2011-12-19T12:19:00.000-08:00

None of this is really my original idea, as i think this is basically a summary of watching too much X-Files, 4 years of listening to Future Quake, Russ Dizdar, LA Marzulli, and a lifetime of reading and studying about UFOs and conspiracies. It's really just a melange of thoughts on just about everything i've ever come across. So, none of this is new.

This is the second version of this article. The first version, i don't know what happened, but it focused more on my working, half-(expletive deleted) theory on who was responsible. Quite honestly, I have 0 evidence, and it really doesn't matter WHO is the human party(ies) involved. What does matter, and what some Christians overlook, is that there is physical evidence of "alien" abductions.

Satan has quite often in his various schemes resorted to using human agents to achieve his goals. Judas Iscariot comes to mind, as does Haman from the book of Esther.

So too with the alien abduction phenomena. While many abductions can be explained as purely demonic phenomena as outlined in article one of this mini-series, and the piles of evidence Joe Jordan and others have compiled.

But there's a huge question that the demonic theory doesn't address. If alien abduction is a purely a spiritual phenomena, why would there be physical evidence?

Some of this physical evidence includes: scoop marks on the skin, waking up in other people's clothes(!) bizarre implants made of unknown materials, residue on an abductee that glows in UV light, an alien hand print on a window and crashed UFOs. This is just a taste. Not every abductee has this stuff going on, but many do.

A famous example of physical evidence is Dr. Roger Leir and the number of "alien" implants that he has removed from people, and when analyzed they exhibit odd properties and emit various electronic transmissions. I'm sure LA Marzulli has some good info on him, so check out the "Alien Interviews". (No, i don't get any money from him, it's just a decent book.)

Where is this physical evidence come from if the greys (or whoever) are only demons?

I personally wouldn't rule out physical effects resulting from some spiritual encounters. The Apostle Paul encountered Jesus and fell off of his horse, and was blinded. Jacob "wrestled with God" and then his hip was injured. Angels have destroyed armies in the Old Testament.

Since abductions are spiritual typically, i believe this could explain some physical evidence.

But there's another angle to consider.

I had a brief correspondence with a Christian podcaster, and he had mentioned on one of his shows about the demon/alien thing being an illusion. I asked him "what about the physical evidence?" He replied via audio (which was super cool) that implants and such probably come from the usual rogue's gallery of the globalist/luciferian people (hereafter referred to as "THEY").

They explained that this could account for the connections with satanic ritual abuse that is supposedly prevalent in alien abductees. It also accounts for the massive harassment by humans in say, Stan Romanek's case.

I was shocked, and yet, it made an incredible amount of sense. It also reminded me of something that i've heard of before.

Joe Montaldo of ICAR (abduction research) frequently refers to "milabs" on his radio shows. He is a really thorough researcher and abductee (with a lot of bias supporting the ET theory) who has collected an enormous amount of abduction data. What is a milab? Milab is short for "military abductions". I don't have specific shows to link to, as I rarely listen to him, but on his ICAR page, he has a link to milabs. While he means military, and probably US Government, I'm content to chalk it up to unknown human agents. Probably serving Satan. Again, THEY.

Here are some of those links, pray up first though, as he could easily lead you astray. Stay rooted in Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that this is meant to deceive. I haven't looked too close at these, mainly because I'm not that into UFOs and abductions anymore, but i am familiar enough with his work to know he doesn't believe in Christ, and supports an ETI hypothesis. Still, his evidence and articles probably have some decent take aways, even if i disagree with his conclusions.

Again, do not be led astray.

General Articles
http://www.icar1.com/MILAB.html

Betty and Barney Hill encounter a "space nazi"
http://www.icar1.com/Betty---Barnie-Hill---Milabs.html

A random case
http://www.icar1.com/investagation2.html

Audio interviews
http://www.icar1.com/Research-Archives-Alien-Abduction.html

One example of a milab is the Betty and Barney Hill Case. Montaldo maintains that the Hills were in fact first taken by "aliens," then later on by the milab folks, which accounts for the contradictions in their stories. I wouldn't be surprised if he was right about an actual "alien" abduction followed by a human one.

There are people who would want to access "alien" information, and there's also human agents just open to doing bad stuff (See the Boeche and Redfern links on previous post) or maybe checking how their experiment went.

Other abductees who seem to have been taken by aliens/demons, and later by milab are:

Whitely Strieber (described i believe in his second book, but the humans had an alien with supposedly.)

Stan Romanek (if not a milab, THEY supposedly break into his house alot.)

Betty Andreasson (again, perhaps not milab, but she reported odd helicopters around her house)

That's just a few.

While one can point fingers and blame certain parties, it really doesn't matter who is doing it. Or even why. The physical evidence in at least some abductions comes from human hands for unknown reasons.

Another thing to consider is that some UFOs, are actually very likely man-made. Whether or not these man-made crafts participate in abductions, is up for debate. But it may explain UFO crashes and such.

These human craft may have been given by demonic inteligence, "UFO" technology. Some claim the Nazis got this, and hence made strides towards making these craft. This theory is everywhere, "Atlantis Magazine" recently featured nazi UFOs, and it also comes up alot in UFO literature and sci-fi with the forthcoming "Iron Sky" film.

Whether it's actually Nazis or not, i don't think it really matters. This is just where i think THEY got the technology from. Take a look at the following links. It may be wholly wrong, because it makes too much sense.

Also, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Nazis

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_UFOs

http://www.stevequayle.com/High.Jump/Vril.and.Andromeda.html

I also recently saw this kind of stuff in the Captain America Movie, and the X-Men Forever comics.

In the "SS Brotherhood of the Bell" by Joseph Farrell, outlines a good case as to why the Nazi's "lost" the war. They had advanced technology, and just went underground with it to continue their ideology, experiments, eugenics stuff and whatnot undisturbed.

Farrell also hints that the bell as being the culprit behind the kecksburg UFO crash, which looked like an acorn, that is BELL. Others have alluded to this as well.

Jim Wilhelmson (i think) said this would also explain the Stephensville lights from a few years ago. A pastor allegedly took video of the lights, and saw flying bell shaped craft. He gave the video to Linda Moulton Howe, and it has yet to be shown to anyone.

Thanks Linda, for your unbiased research and willingness to share knowledge.

"Fate Magazine" had an article about UFOs in the south pole discovered by Admiral Byrd's expedition. This article hinted at a Nazi connection.

Nikola Tesla also had invented alot of stuff, including a theory on making "flying cars" and zeropoint energy. My theory is he was behind the 1897 UFO flap. Perhaps his technology was developed too.

Feel free to dig deeper and come up with your own conclusions. There is alot of controversial evidence, and we are left with questions as to who is doing it, and exactly why. At the very least, there is plenty of evidence answering why there is physical evidence for a spiritual phenomena.

In the end, it doesn't matter who is doing it. We know, as told in the book of Revelation that Jesus Christ wins, and sends those serving Satan into Hell with their master. Jesus wins at the end of the book.

Appendix

Russ Dizdar gives a look at UFOs as a plan to create a nephilim sort of antichrist.

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2011-11-20T15_38_00-08_00.mp3

UFOs and Abductions Part 1: Dark Spiritual Encounters

2011-12-19T12:16:00.001-08:00

This mini series is scant on scripture, mainly because not alot of specifics came to my mind. This post, is mostly an Ephesians 6:12 thing.

In the body of Christ, there's already a number of good folks talking about UFOs. Much of what i have to say is in this series in well line with what they say. I also don't pay as much attention to UFOs as i used to, and won't make a habit of writing about them. This miniseries is basically taking the major threads of publicly available UFOlogy info and trying to make sense of it all from a Christian perspective. It's pure speculation on my part.

It's a mishmash of the Christian folks and sold out UFO = extraplanetary stuff folks.

There are others like Joe Jordan, LA Marzulli, Dante Fortson and Guy Malone among others who do this sort of thing more often and better than me. Even though they disagree on alot, they all have good evidence for their claims.

When looking at alien abductions, we have few options as to who is doing them. A brief look for the one or two of you who have never heard of alien abduction: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_abduction

The general consensus in the field of abductions is that the abductors are one of the following:

1) aliens from another planet that's an absurd distance away

2) extra dimensional beings

3) demonic beings (as described in the Bible)

4) humans using the alien thing as a smoke screen for whatever they are doing. (This was explored in the "X-Files" and comes up occasionally in ICAR's investigations (more on ICAR later))

5) some combination of one of more of the above

6) some sort of physical being meant to look alien

#1- Aliens

It's quite easy to discredit this one based on logically looking at the claims of those who have been contacted by so-called "aliens". I have alot of questions here, that should at least shed some reasonable doubt here.

Why are aliens travelling absurd distances to mutilate cows (allegedly), take people in the night and basically rape them? Why would they need to make hybrids with flawed human beings? Why travel so far to give people spiritual advice?

One claim is they can't reproduce, and thus have to make human-alien hybrids. Where do new grays come from if they can't reproduce?

Betty Andreasson claimed that they did (through people) in "Watchers", yet other accounts I believe she claimed these were grays and not hybrids or that they were modified humans of some sort, that became grays. OK, but this contradicts the claims of other grays saying they're from space and the claims that they can't reproduce. If this works for one set of grays, why do some do it different?

So again, where do new greys come from? A single gray likely could not live for thousands of years, yet if greys have been here for millenia as some claim, how are they able to do so? Let's say alien fred came here 5000 years ago, the died of extreme old age 300-500 years later. How can his species still be around right now, 5000 years later if they can't reproduce?

Certainly grey aliens can't last for thousands of years, they'd have to make new ones to still have greys today, or else they would have died off long ago.

Cloning is an option, but if they can use cloning to perpetuate the species, why not keep doing it? And if you say that cloning works for now, but eventually will lead to extinction or genetic abnormalities, then how have they used it for so long with no problems? Why a sudden need for hybridization over thousands of years?

Also, why do aliens travel billions of miles to "correct" our religions and theology? Why do they tell us that any religion except Christianity is the right path "for you"? And when they tell us spiritual "truth" why does it often contradict itself, and other "space faiths"? These are a few examples from "UFO Religions" by Gregory Reece, a book about religions supposedly started by aliens. Again, why travel interstellar distances to give earth people re-dressed paganism?

The Urantia book claims different things than the book of Mormon. They both were given by "advanced beings" with an outer-space connection. If true, shouldn't they corroborate each other? Why do Mormons say God is an evolved human now living on Kolob, and that Jesus is "God's" first son and Satan's brother, while the Urantians claim that Jesus is really the angel Michael?

Why do Billy Meier's aliens say that Christ was a reincarnation of some ascended being? How would they even know who He is? How is this "true", when other aliens claim they made Him? (I don't know specific cases, but I recall reading that some greys have claimed that they had made Jesus.)

Why do the Aetherius people claim that Jesus was an incarnation of a master? Why does the Nation of Islam say the UFOs will destroy all white people, while others say the UFOs are here to help us? Other aliens supposedly told Hitler (documented in Mein Kampf, according to Joe Montaldo) to do the things he did. Why didn't the aliens just do it, and why would they want Hitler to do it? The "good cop, bad cop" only explains so much. Both sides have similar non-Christian beliefs.

The Raelians claim that their aliens created Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed to teach the world. (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO_religion) if that's the case, why do the teachings of these people contradict each other? (See also http://dontaskthatinchurch.blogspot.com/2011/10/was-jesus-really-just-good-teacher-then.html). Why does this group of aliens contradict the others?

Why do only Scientologists mention Xenu? Why do no other UFO religions mention Thetans, or the other stuff Scientologists believe? Why did a Thetan-cleared Scientologist start the Eckankar religion?

Benjamin Creme has yet another spin on it on Jesus and the goals of the aliens to bring a "world teacher" called Maitreya. Again, this contradicts Nation of Islam's goals.

In short, why do all of these religion's founding aliens have these absurd stories to tell people, and why do their theologies not only disagree with each other, but also disagree with the Bible and who Jesus is?

Why do they travel so far to sell reincarnation which some faiths here already endorse? Why do they all contradict the Bible?

Surely there are better things to do once you've travelled that far. To use a familiar abduction example, we don't fly to the north pole to tranq polar bears, anal probe and make hybrids with them, then tell them it's for their own good, and by the way, what you believe is wrong. Why would aliens do that? It's illogical.

Aliens from so far away would likely have very little knowledge of our faiths, unless they'd been here forever as some argue. But then if there are ancient aliens, and they made our religions, why do none of the religions agree? Muslims can't agree with Hindus, and Jews and Christians with either or each other. Why is it these faiths disagree, especially if these aliens gave them to us for our benefit? Wouldn't it be better "spiritual truth" if the stories supported each other?

In Star trek, the Ferengi have a saying: "keep your lies consistent." Apparently ET hasn't learned the rules of acquisition.

The Bible alone is internally consistent, despite having more that 40 different authors across hundreds, and even thousands of years. Most of these authors never knew each other, yet there are consistent themes and symbolism all throughout. If the Bible is made up, how can this be?

Even the star wars novel series written across less than 40 years by maybe fewer authors can't even manage to get the color of lightsabers right, or the bios of certain characters right, and they have a team of "experts" keeping watch to make sure things stay consistent.

So too with the new age and "space" revelations. They have have had 50 (perhaps thousands if you buy the ancient aliens THEORY.) of years to get their story straight, and have yet to do so. Any group of aliens spouting "truth" should at least be consitent with each other if it's really true.

It shouldn't surprise us though, that these "aliens" preach stories that contradict each other. It also shouldn't surprise us they also talk about a different Jesus. For these aliens from the stars are really "angels from heaven" or demons in disguise.

False Jesus-es (like Rael, Billy Meier) and false paths of spirituality were foretold nearly 2000 years ago in the Bible.

Matthew 24

V 5

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

V 24-26

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Behold, I have told you before.

Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=24&v=1&t=KJV#1

(See also Mark 13 and Luke 21)

Galatians 1:6 - 9

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gal&c=1&v=1&t=KJV#1

Funny how the Bible can readily explain the "false gospels" of ET so easily.

#2 - Extradimensional Aliens/ Advanced Beings

Some will say that the aliens from other planets are also on a "higher physical plane". OK, but they still fall into the same pitfalls as above. Also, why would a "higher" being need to hybridize with a lower? Like a man with an ape, say? It does the ape no favors, and the human none either. Like the nephilim, offspring of human and angel, they reportedly hated their angelic fathers, and also hated humanity (Book of Enoch). They killed people like crazy, which is one possible reason for the flood.

These "higher beings" also should have their story straight, but haven't got it right after millenia. They do after all, have the advantage of "being more evolved and on a higher plane". So if they're so advanced, why is it so easy to debunk their claims? Whether they're from another star/planet and/or from a "higher plane", they suffer the same mistakes.

The Bible supports this extra-dimensional view, except the "exradimensional being" are called fallen angels (sons of God, Genesis 6), and demons. These beings in the Bible are always seeking to draw people away from God, Jesus Christ and the Bible, which is often what "aliens" are found to be doing. They also try to focus worship onto themselves and will never lead you or anyone else to the truth.

#3-Demonic Beings

This looks really likely, in light of the above and the many testimonies here:

http://www.alienresistance.org/ce4testimonies.htm

Also, go to LA Marzulli's site and get his e-version of alien interviews. That will be pretty much confirmation of this.

Whitley Strieber has also said in his book "Communion" that it was like he had been visited by the demons of old. I recall seeing Carl Sagan say much the same thing citing that the demon encounters of old were near identical to alien encounters. Of course he poo-pooed them both.

I also demonstrated this theory in my multipart look at Betty Andreasson's case.

http://dontaskthatinchurch.blogspot.com/2011/01/alien-abduction-autopsy-betty.html

Interestingly, Andreasson learns her greys call themselves "watchers" which is the title of the fallen angels in the Book of Enoch. Are they the same? I can't say.

Here's an interesting case that supports the view of demons.

http://www.ufodigest.com/news/0109/abductions-stopped.html

An interesting case which could also support this view is the Billy Meier (EVERYONE knows about him) case. Though this was pretty much torn to pieces by Open Minds Radio in their recent magazine and shows. They have good evidence to support that Meier is a fraud, and his story often contradicts itself. Joe Montaldo of ICAR has in the past speculated that Meier had some real experiences, then they stopped and then he did alot of the fraud stuff to keep it going.

I agree with Joe, that Meier had encounters, then produced fake pictures and stuff just to stay in the spotlight. His contact with alleged aliens fits quite well with the demonic theory.

Semjase an "alien" who contacted Meier, has a name which is quite close to Semjaza in the Book of Enoch. Meier and his crew refute this by saying the pronunciation is different...that's just semantics as far as I'm concerned. "Eye-gor" vs Ee-gor is still the same humpback helping Young Frankenstein.

At any rate, Meier supposedly gets "prophetic" words and predictions from his supposed contacts, which if true, are not messages from the Pleieades, but messages from Satan. They teach lies about Jesus, and claim Meier is an equal with Christ. See Galatians 1 above.

These aliens claim that they are not only aliens, but on something like the equivalent of another dimension which is why most of us can't see them. I wonder who else is like that? Right. Demons. This is the sort of alien you see working in "Ashtar Command" or various galactic federations. You also see this with Blossom Goodchild, who channels not only dead spirits, but New Age messages from "space brothers."

Lynn Dickie (set the captives free) used to do "Lightworker" stuff, like reiki and i believe channellings. They claimed to be aliens and had her take many pictures of UFOs. When she came to Christ, they revealed their true nature.

The most damning evidence that "alien" abductions, and the UFO phenomena is demonic/satanic is that Aleister Crowley, who admittedly practiced "magick", encountered an entity, Lam, which looks quite similar to the alien greys. The author of the following article mentions that many Crowleynian magicians seek out the Betty Andreasson "Watchers II" book. This article explores the connection in depth. Armor up first though.

http://www.boudillion.com/lam/lam.htm

We know in the Bible that those who practice witchcraft (like Crowley), are really in touch with demons. 1 Corinthians 10 explains that those who worship idols (which is pretty much a magical ritual) really are praying to devils.

2 Corinthians 11 tells us that Satan presents himself as an angel of light, which would explain the "nordic" aliens, as well as the aliens of all stripes that present themselves as here for our good. 1 Timothy 4 tells us that people will believe "doctrines of demons" which is exactly what people are doing when they start following the teachings of these "aliens".

#4 -Humans

Will be covered more in depth in the next article which covers what ICAR calls "milabs". I really don't know much about this aside from whats out there in podcasts. Actually really anything outside of Joe Montaldo, and one of Strieber's books.

There was also an interview with Open Minds that Alejandro Rojas did with Gabe Valdez (and later Norio Hayakawa sp?) That may be related. This article gets into that a bit, you can probably dig the interviews up at open minds' archives.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/alejandro-rojas/cattle-mutiliations_b_932711.html

#5-Some Sort of Hodgepodge

The fact that so many stories are so different, yet also similar suggests that one, or more of the above are occuring.

We can see there is demonic power at work, and there is good evidence of human involvement also, though i would not venture to what extent there is. Human involvement would explain why there is physical evidence, such as crashes, implants and so on in an otherwise spiritual phenomena.

I also once read an article by someone who claimed that as a child, they were ritually abused and also dressed as an alien while adult earth-humans did the abduction scenario. I really wish i had a link on this. This would explain the satanic ritual abuse connection cited in so many abductions.

This idea was sort of explored in the "X-Files" episode, "Jose Chung's From Outerspace." Must see.

But human involvement doesn't explain how abductions can be stopped in Christ's name. This situation was also one article, without any real attribution, so i can't vett it in any event. Take that merely as a possibility, i don't think this could explain every abduction.

If you want to dig deeper into possible human involvement with UFOs, Nick Redfern and Ray Boeche have been partial to interviews on Future Quake.

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow231.mp3

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow211.mp3

We also know that Satan sometimes works in concert with humans, using them, as in the cases of Haman, and Judas. So, seeing a collaboration in the UFO phenomena should be expected.

#6-some sort of physical being, meant to look like aliens

This one gets out there. I don't have much in the form of links, just what i've randomly stumbled across researching UFOs.

There's the aforementioned "dress up" scenario, where humans play the part of aliens.

There's an option that grays are some sort of robot, or golem/homonculous. That is, some sort of physical automaton under demonic control. This is pure speculation on my part, BUT Aleister Crowley and Jack Parsons (i think) were both rumored to be trying to create a homonculous, that is a golem. This would explain the often robotic nature of the greys and why Betty Andreasson's aliens looked like clay to her, but again, it doesn't explain many other cases, and doesn't fit well over all.

Lastly, perhaps greys and other aliens are some sort of genetic chimera, to give demons a temporary body. I believe Darrell Simms, or someone on Montaldo's shows claimed they caught a grey by surprise and killed it with a samurai sword. Unbelieveable i know, but what up to this point about UFOs has been believable? Anyways, this guys dog ate part of it, and DIED several days later! He also had some of it sent for analysis and had some interesting results that i can't recall. Must have been really interesting.

So, hopefully this sheds some light on one aspect of UFOlogy. It's interesting to note that these "aliens" often say they don't reveal themselves because we would worship them as gods, yet thats what some are doing anyways. Not to mention, they are leading people away from the Bible and into false religions and cults. If they didn't want to affect our religions, then why are they? It's classic paganism/eastern mysticism.

For more information, there are a number of UFO sources to read, many of them biased. A decent one is Jim Marrs' "Alien Agenda." If you read it, make sure you put on the armor of God and pray as you read it. With the knowledge that UFOs are a plot of Satan, you'll find plenty of decent evidence of the reality of UFOs, but also evidence that they are not aliens, or of God, but demons and fallen angels with an agenda.

The last part of the book is quite New Agey, but the reports from remote viewers shed alot of light on some of Satan's schemes. Again, the book is deceptive, so make sure you go into it with God, and cling to Jesus.

Updat 2-2012

Russ Dizdar, shatter the darkness discusses ancient aliens

Pt1

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-02-06T16_43_12-08_00.mp3

Pt 2

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-02-07T16_41_15-08_00.mp3

Pt 3

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-02-08T20_53_41-08_00.mp3

Pt 4

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-02-09T16_26_07-08_00.mp3

Pt 5

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2012-02-10T21_10_10-08_00.mp3

2012 Predictions

2011-12-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

Here's my disclaimer. This is not an infallible prediction, nor is it a prophecy, or a "thus saith the Lord." This is me, making a haphazard crapshoot on what i think will happen in 2012. This is based on trends that i think i see. So, please feel free to comment and share your own thoughts and predictions.

This is all wild speculation, for fun, but also somewhat serious based on serious information and possibilities given the current situation.

I am not a prophet, don't stone me if i'm wrong.

1) First, politics. Boy is it ugly. My first thought is Obama's approval rating probably ain't that good, so unless he has an epic campaign again, i can't see him winning. The birth certificate thing, while However, given the republican line up, i think he'd probably win. Herman Cain seems to have been taken out. Donald Trump is a joke, and no one likes Newt.

Here's what i think. America is finally wising up to "the man" or the fact that our two party system is not only corrupt, it's unfixable. There's Occupy meetings everywhere, the TSA is getting out of hand, etc. etc.

So, remember how Obama was hyped up in the news media, then he got voted in? I think this is happening in the independent media for Ron Paul. He's being "shunned" by the mainstream press, which is building his street cred and anti-establishment mystique. He's also the darling of everyone who's fed up with everything. So, he'll build the grass roots support he needs, and that Ralph Nader fantasizes about.

And Ron Paul will become the next president, with Jesse Ventura as VP.

Together they'd be unstoppable. But even with those two in office, nothing would change. Which is why I'm writing in Captain America with Dante Forston's group.

If the right-left wing flapping keeps happening, expect the losing side to grow even more resentful. If repub wins, dems will complain, and so the opposite if Obama wins again.

2) Mayan Calender/Return of Nephilim gods, etc.

This one's a toughie. On one hand, you have not only the Mayan calender but other occult calenders "ending" in 2012 as well. At least according to Tom Horn. This is assuming that he hasn't done some creative number work to end up at this conclusion. He's also got some theories outlined in his book (Apollyon Rising). There are other Christians as well who feel that 2012 will have some interesting events including any number of things. One of the weirdest is a return of "the gods" (fallen angels/nephilim)

I don't know what to think. On one hand, you have a bunch of pagan and New Age sources, which are demonically inspired, pointing to some huge event in the next year. We all know the Bible forbids consulting mediums and fortune telling, etc.

On the other, you have Christians saying similar stuff, and sort of buying into it and putting a Christian spin on it.

I will concede that we are being conditioned to accept something amazing, perhaps like a "god". There's alot of movies (more than 300 movies since the 50's about aliens) and also stuff like Thor, X-men, and the Immortals. But does that mean fallen angels and/or nephilim are coming back? Does it mean 2012 will see that?

I don't know. I don't want to put any stock in demonic sources or science fiction. I think 2012 will have a definite increase in paranormal activity, and occult stuff. Probably more people getting demonized casually and deliberately. And more normalization of paranormal things.

Sadly, i think Christians will continue to get caught up in it. You wouldn't believe how many Christians are doing Yoga or Qigong. One of the most popular searches getting people here is "Christian qigong". There's also "Christian" people like Perry Stone selling books on new age dream techniques. So, more Christians getting into it.

2011 has seen a huge increase in interest in the paranormal. The last few years teen paranormal romance novels have taken off. Ghosthunters and UFO stuff is also off the hook.

So, this trend will continue, with many outside of the Church being drawn in, but also many in the Church will also add some occult to their faith. But i don't think there will be a culmination, or anything else to really worry about in 2012.

3) The Economy

I think the EU will probably dissolve. What i think will happen, based on nothing really, is that the economically strong nations of Europe will abandon the lesser nations and re-form into a ten state EU. Maybe this is the "beast" kingdom, maybe it's only meant to make us think it is. This is a wild shot out there.

I think America will default, unless we can keep things going until after the election. What this means? Lawlessness probably. Along with the persecution of Christians. Perhaps America will start to become a communist state. Better watch "If Footmen Tire you, what Will Horses do?"

Generally, i expect we'll see an increase in general lawlessness (I hope i'm wrong) for any number of reasons. The economy, black awakening (or similar kind of thing).

4) Christianity

I think some interesting things are coming to us. I think true believers will begin to see some persecution, while fringe stuff like Dominionism and "blab it and grab it" stuff will gain precidence.

5) World War III

The middle east is nearing a boiling point, we see wars and rumors of wars everywhere. Iran recently shot one of our drones down (supposedly). The whole region is poised for war. Alpert Pike/Manly P Hall said (I heard this on Future Quake long ago) that they needed 3 World Wars, then they could bring out their "world leader." Is it actually true? Who know, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see an official escalation of war into Wolrd War III. Or perhaps we've been in it and have called it the war on terror. Just a thought.

WooT!

2011-11-29T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hey all, no post this week. Anyway, there were two last week...

I've got a ton of stuff lined up, but I'm really slow. I suppose it would help to make things shorter. Well, regardless, i want to thank all of you readers for coming here so far. So far, there have been more than 11,000 hits here since we started writing! But this is not because of me, it's because I believe God led you here. I also pray that He has edified you in some way, and that I've been a stepping stone to Jesus, not a stumbling block.

Hopefully, if you're unsaved, you have become saved (or seeds were planted and God will grow them in your heart). If you've been a wandering believer, I hope you've been restored. If not, go listen to Russ Dizdar's podcasts. If you're right with God, praise God, I hope I've informed you with a Biblical Christian response to some of the weird stuff out there and not led you astray.

Lastly, special thanks to you all for getting me started:

Dr. Future, Tom Bionic, Michael Heiser, Chris White, The Gilberts, Russ Dizdar, LA Marzulli, Frank Lordi, and Gaz Parker.

Prophet for Profit Part II: Is Eckankar (Harold Klemp) really God's Messenger?

2011-11-22T18:39:00.000-08:00

This one was mentioned recently on Lynn Dickie's "Set the Captives Free." They also seem to have some presence in all 50 states, including in my general vicinity. I see their fliers occasionally, and am not sure what to do about it.

Anyways, they sell themselves as the only way to God and/or enlightenment. They were founded by Paul Twitchell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Twitchell), sometime pulp writer (like L. Ron Hubbard). It seems he studied under some Hindu Guru, and Scientology, where he rose quite high in the ranks.

Scientology, founded by Hubbard, of course, has an undeniable link to dark occultism. Jack Parsons had a sort of love-hate with Hubbard, and they both practiced dark rituals. That's outlined in "Dark Mission" by Richard Hoaglund (pray up before reading that one). Hoaglund also ties both of them to Aleister Crowley, as sort of apprentices of his. So in essence, Eckankar is really the "grandson" religion of one of the most wicked men of the 20th century-Crowley.

Here's an article talking about someone discussing inaccuracies in the religion.

http://truthabouteckankar.blogspot.com/2007/06/chanhassen-newspaper-scratches-surface.html

So, sketchy origins rooted deeply in Hinduism, New Age and Scientology.

Looking through their site (which i won't link to) it's hard to find out what exactly they teach.

What i've discerned is they teach reincarnation, astral (soul, body) travel, and a few other odd things. They teach that the "Holy Spirit" is like an energy field.

They also teach that the eck teachings have been around basically through all human history with roots in the far east, yet no country claims to have originated it. I suppose if you count Hinduism, you could say that.

Well thats enough on the history.

Even though it's hard to find any really specific doctrine on their website, the Bible can shed some light on why Harold Klemp, or any "Eck Master" is really not a messenger of God. The Bible is very clear on what a true messenger of God will be like and also what a false teacher will be like. What God tells us through His word shows us that Eckankar (and its subsidiaries) are not His messengers, but rather false teachers.

Satan has no new tricks, which is how we can know the truth about Harold Klemp and Eckankar.

2 Corinthians 11:4

"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receiveth another spirit, which ye have not received, or another Gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."

1 Galatians 8-9

"But though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

"As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye received, let him be accursed."

Well, that about sums it up. We know the gospel is salvation through Jesus Christ alone. His death, atoning for our sins when we repent and accept Him. Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to God. (John 14:6)

Eckankar teaches they are the best road to God. He also teaches that Jesus is merely a good teacher and the one who leads us Christians to God/spiritual enlightenment. (1 John 4:1-3). Except that they must not know what Jesus taught. Jesus taught alot of things, and one of them was that He was the ONLY way to God. (http://dontaskthatinchurch.blogspot.com/2011/10/was-jesus-really-just-good-teacher-then.html)

So, strike one and two for Eckanisms and Mr. Klemp. Wrong on how to get to God, and COMPLETELY wrong about Jesus.

Another pop-out thing Eckankar/Klemp teaches, is to chant a certain word (which i won't repeat). This is also accompanied by internal visualizations. Visualization is a key element in New Age pracitces, i used to do it occasionally myself.

On their website, i noticed that they also teach chanting different words/letters for varying effects. Again, i'm not linking to it. In any event, as i understand it anyways, they think this brings them closer to God. It's not really praying i guess, but it would be an equivalent to prayer.

When we pray to God, it should be a conversation with God, and a time of praise, thanks and petition. Not repeated words, phrases or sounds. (Not to pick on Catholics, but this applies to you too when praying the Rosary.)

Here's what God says about how to pray. That's in addition to the prayer Jesus taught ("Our Father...")

Matthew 6:7

"When ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do: for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking."

Chanting, and repeating are often gateways into the occult, because it brings about an altered state of conciousness, which in turn brings contact with demonic beings. Of course Eckankar and Klemp call these spirit guides, a classic New Age feature. Strike three for Eckankar? Or perhaps a foul?

Spirit guides are another topic perhaps, but the short of it is this. They ALWAYS lead you further into yourself, or other strange methods that are supposed to help you attain a higher level. They also will teach you false things about Jesus.

1 John 4:1-3

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."

Of course no look at New Age/Hinduistic religions would be complete without reincarnation. Of course. Eckankar is no different. It's a lie Satan loves. After all, why worry about your actions and choices in this life when you can just set them right next time around? Except it doesn't work that way.

Hebrews 9:27-28

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

One time's all you get. God is fair. He gives each person one chance to get it right. Would be fair for one person to get saved on their first life and another person 30 lives? Unless you're playing Super Mario, one life is all anyone gets.

This is all just a brief overview, but even from this it is plain to see that Harold Klemp is not God's messenger, nor will Eckankar lead you to anything eternal. At least not an eternity with God.

Paul T. didn't die for you. Harold Klemp will not die for you. Eckankar will not lead you closer to God, nor is the "Holy Spirit" they offer even close to God the Holy Spirit. Instead, they will string you along through countless initiations, probably taking your money and teaching you the lie that you are already divine.

I don't know about you, but i know i can't be divine i make far too many mistakes and treat people less lovingly than i should. I regret decisions i've made and the fact that i don't do more to help those suffering in need. If you or i are divine, why aren't we better?

Instead, why not turn to the real divinity. God, the true divinity, sent His Son Jesus to come. He came and died for our sins, though He shouldn't have. He also rose from the dead and has been glorified by God the Father. The REAL Holy Spirit will attest to what Jesus has done. He is the way, if you repent and turn your life to Him, He will set you free with out initiation. He will walk with you on your spiritual journey. He's already done the work, all you have to do is believe. Accept Him as Savior. Accept that He's dealt with your sin, and wants to draw you close.

Eckankar is a spiritual yoke of bondage to past lives, karma, initiations and mindless chanting (Which will bring new bondage: "spirit guides" aka, demonic oppression). The yoke of following Jesus Christ is His arm around you as He walks with you to God the Father. But you have to accept Him first.

Appendix:

For more on Eckankar:

http://www.gotquestions.org/Eckankar.html

They explained things much better than I.

It's the end of the world as we know it (again): Ezekiel 38 any day now?

2011-11-21T12:26:00.002-08:00

***Disclaimer: Though i do my best to be accurate, and ask for God's leading, please don't accept everything i say as truth. I'm just some dummy with a little Bible knowledge and a blog. Rather, go and search the scriptures (Acts 17:10 and 11) to see for yourself what the truth is. My knowledge of Bible prophecy is far from expert level

Please let this bring you closer to Jesus. Be a stepping stone, and not a stumbling block. I don't care if I'm right or wrong, so long as it leads you to search the Bible, and get closer to Jesus Christ, our Messiah.
***

So, with Palestine seeking statehood, and the mideast seemingly about to erupt in chaos, Iran allegedly making nukes and Israel about to do something about it. Many folks, "prophecy experts", are warning that we're about to see not only the rapture, but the unfolding of the great tribulation and the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38, etc.

But are we?

The world seems pretty much against Israel, true, and there are signs protesting Israel in the most unlikely of places-like New York and London. Someone wrote "avenue Jew" on a wall in New York. Folks are believing the protocols of zion again. A libelous work promoted by Henry Ford (anti-semite, freemason) and disproved LONG, LONG ago.

So, there's a general climate check.

I'm going to get into wild speculation here, probably much of it based on the works of others, but i will do the best to share my own understanding.

First, i do believe there is still much Biblical prophecy to be fulfilled. I believe Lord Jesus Messiah will be returning soon (in the sense that He can come in ten minutes, or ten more years). I have studied Bible prophecy, loosely, for about 15 years and have believed that I will see the end times. I also believe that Revelation and the Bible have somethings yet to fulfill.

That said, the more i see current events, the more i see that Biblical prophecy IS unfolding. Of course i also become more confused on what i think i know, especially given the output of so-called "prophecy experts." Nothing against them mind you. They too see through the same glass darkly, and i believe their contributions are valuable. The belief in prophecy and Christ's imminent return is what helped bring me back from a major backslide. So here's my very crude, and ill researched attempt to unravel what i think is a hot and convoluted topic. Ezekiel 37, 38 and 39, and is it on the horizon.

Regardless, we must always be ready to stand before Jesus Christ, whether it be at His return, or our death.

The reason i bring this up is that Ezekiel 38 comes up alot in prophecy circles, and it sometimes seems that some think this is the very next thing on God's clock. Some speculate that chapter 37 is fulfilled already with the Jews arriving in the homeland.

This is actually a really old story, about Prime Minister Netanyahu declaring 37 fulfilled. I've heard it elsewhere, but this blog summarizes it nicely.

http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/netanyahu-at-auschwitz-says-prophecies-of-ezekiel-37-have-been-fulfilled/

It's interesting to note that if Netanyahu really believed that, then he shouldn't be worried by threats of attack on Israel, because as I understand these 3 chapters, God keeps Israel safe anyways. Note also, that he points out that the key is a strong, militarized Israel, and not reliance on God's power. Reliance upon God (in my mind) might be a more secure option. And when did a prime minister become an expert on Bible prophecy?

At any rate let's see if Ezekiel 37 is actually fulfilled and if so, is Ezekiel 38 and 39 on the way?

Enough of my prattle. Here's the passages...thanks to Blue Letter Bible. You guys rock!

Ezekiel 36 - 38

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eze&c=36&v=1&t=KJV#1

Ezekiel 36 (for context)

Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD:

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession:

Therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made [you] desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and [are] an infamy of the people:

Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that [are] round about;

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all [their] heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.

Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I have lifted up mine hand, Surely the heathen that [are] about you, they shall bear their shame.

But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.

For, behold, I [am] for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown:

And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, [even] all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:

And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better [unto you] than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Yea, I will cause men to walk upon you, [even] my people Israel; and they shall possess thee, and thou shalt be their inheritance, and thou shalt no more henceforth bereave them [of men].

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they say unto you, Thou [land] devourest up men, and hast bereaved thy nations;

Therefore thou shalt devour men no more, neither bereave thy nations any more, saith the Lord GOD.

Neither will I cause [men] to hear in thee the shame of the heathen any more, neither shalt thou bear the reproach of the people any more, neither shalt thou cause thy nations to fall any more, saith the Lord GOD.

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.

Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols [wherewith] they had polluted it:

And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.

And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These [are] the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.

But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not [this] for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.

And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.

Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that [were] not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

Not for your sakes do I [this], saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.

Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause [you] to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.

And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.
And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities [are become] fenced, [and] are inhabited.

Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined [places, and] plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken [it], and I will do [it].

Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet [for] this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do [it] for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

End Ezekiel 36

***
Ezekiel 37
***
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which [was] full of bones,

And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, [there were] very many in the open valley; and, lo, [they were] very dry.

And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but [there was] no breath in them.

Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken [it], and performed [it], saith the LORD.

The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,

Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and [for] all the house of Israel his companions:

And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.

And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou [meanest] by these?

Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which [is] in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, [even] with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.

And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.

And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:

And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:

Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.

And David my servant [shall be] king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, [even] they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David [shall be] their prince for ever.

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

***End Ezekiel 37***

So, i don't have huge problems with 36 or 37 EXCEPT the part where it says God's will have a new spirit. The Jewish people, at this time, and by my understanding, do not yet have this new Spirit, which i believe to be a reference to God, the Holy Spirit.

We Christians do, and we are God's people by adoption (Romans 11) but as I understand Romans 11, tells us that we gentiles have access to salvation (to become God's people) through Jesus Christ. And that ALL OF ISRAEL will one day be saved (v 25 and 26) after the fulness of the gentiles.

So, Jews, at the moment, do not have this Spirit yet, and won't until all of us alloted gentiles are saved. Then, when they become saved, i believe that God will give them His Spirit, and also write His laws upon their hearts.

Netanyu says 37 is fulfilled because the Jews are back in the homeland. He's on the right track. The Jews are there, but not all of the Jews certainly. And as i understand it, the government of Israel is secular, so not even close to having a new Spirit.

Also note the last verse. The heathen (that's you and i and others) will acknowledge that God, has set Israel apart. I don't know abou you, but I don't see this right now, in fact the opposite is the more prevalent viewpoint. Some want to wipe Israel off the map.

Despite this lack of complete fulfillment of 37, i do recognize Israel's right to exist as a country, and believe that God may be moving them towards this fulfillment.

Now to the meat.

***

Ezekiel 38

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:

And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts [of armour, even] a great company [with] bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:

Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:

Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: [and] many people with thee.

Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land [that is] brought back from the sword, [and is] gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.

Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, [that] at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:

And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places [that are now] inhabited, and upon the people [that are] gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know [it]?

And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:

And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

Thus saith the Lord GOD; [Art] thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days [many] years that I would bring thee against them?

And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, [that] my fury shall come up in my face.

For in my jealousy [and] in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;

So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that [are] upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.

And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that [are] with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

***End Ezekiel 38***

Revelation 20

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection.

Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea.

And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

***End Revelation 20***

I'm speculating here. Some folks say that Ezekiel 38 isn't fulfilled until AFTER the Millenial reign of Christ. I think this makes sense, especially since (unless i'm taking things out of context) Revelation 20 seems to parallel Ezekiel 38.

This would make sense if Revelation outlines the Great Tribulation, which most of us Christians think we'll escape through the Rapture and that the Tribulation will lead the Jews to accept Jesus as Messiah.

Again, this is all my understanding, based on the work of others, and what i understand from God's Word.

Of course, some good evidence is out there that Psalm 83 is a prophesy, and that it precedes the whole Ezekiel situation. I could buy that, but haven't done much homework there.

For those who are interested, Chuck Missler recently had a series that outlines all this. We're more or less on the same page, though i really think i need to go back into it all again and double check.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/66-40/listen/11-14-2011-strategic-trends-2011-part-6-234711.html

So, based on my understanding of the famous Ezekiel prophecies, i don't believe they are on the horizon. Ezekiel 38, in my understanding of scripture is after the Millenial Rule of Christ. Even 37 isn't fulfilled as there are a number of things missing.

One theory i have, is that "They" or Satan want people to think Ezekiel 38 is coming up, and then after the dust settles, "They" will present their false messiah, the Mahdi and or the Antichrist. This is a scenario, IMO.

Whatever the case, events are heating up, and I think there is going to be some acceleration of events, and we may see some prophetic events unfold.

Whatever the case, we need to have urgency in sharing the Gospel, and we need to do our best to get right with God and submit ourselves to Him. We need to be ready to meet Him in the Rapture (soon? Or later on?) or if we meet an unfortunate event and see Him much sooner.

No matter what happens prophetically or not in current events, we will still need to give an account of ourselves before Christ. He saved us, if we accept it, but did we do everything we could to share the Good news with others?

Update 11-23-2011

So, along these lines, Chris White of Revelations Radio just addressed this as well. And there was no collusion between us. He does take a similar stance to me, but I would have linked it even if he disagreed with me. So here it is, a better summary of what I said above. It's about halfway through the show.

http://nowheretorun.podomatic.com/enclosure/2011-11-18T11_15_24-08_00.mp3

Open Season: On Questions that is.

2011-11-18T14:25:00.000-08:00

Hi all, this here post is the one to post/comment on for any random discussion or question. If you'd like to ask a question, just comment here.

Any other random thing should be here too please.

Thanks!

...Let God Sort'em Out Part II: More People Have Died in the Name of Religion Than Any Other Reason

2011-11-14T18:56:00.000-08:00

I have heard from atheists, and others that "more people have been killed in the name of God (or religion, implying Christianity) than for any other reason." Let's be perfectly fair here, I’ve never challenged that, because I didn’t know.

I do know there have been atrocities (crusades, etc) committed in the name of God, though I would be of the opinion that God was not in favor of these. Even though I never argued, knowing there was some support for this data, I now realize one thing - there's rarely, if ever any proof offered of this. Where are the numbers?

It seems that this is often used as an excuse to reject Christianity and the Bible, and was often quoted to me by a hedonist who liked quoting Karl Marx's "religion is the opiate of the masses." Ironically, he was addicted to the true opiate of the masses - television. He also smoked marijuana. Who's the real addict here?

Before we even start, I have already addressed the previous "genocides" perpetrated by the Israelites in the Bible. So we won't go into that here. If you're losing sleep over that, go read them after this. (http://dontaskthatinchurch.blogspot.com/2011/09/wipe-outall-of-them-why-would-good-and.html) and (http://dontaskthatinchurch.blogspot.com/2011/09/wrath-of-god-is-god-really-genocidal.html)

Alright everyone who uses the "religion has killed..." excuse, let's put your money where your mouth is. Figuratively. Let's take a look at the causes of death to humanity (by people killing each other for various causes), and see what adds up to more. If you're right, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If you're wrong, then maybe you should give God and the Bible another chance.

Facts

Abortion. First, it's murder. If unkilled, a fetus will become a baby human. Period. The only difference between a baby, and a human outside the womb is:

Size
Level of development and dependency

Fetuses have hiccups, heart beats, body parts, etc. What else does? A human being.
Killing a human being outside the womb for being small is absurd. Killing someone because of their level of development/dependency is also frowned upon and rightly so. No sane, rational person goes around killing people smaller than themselves or the mentally disabled. Anyone who does, goes to jail and becomes a pariah.

That's why if someone hurts a pregnant woman, and she miscarries, they can go to jail (assuming she wanted to keep the baby).
Anyways, we're not discussing IF abortion is murder or not. Leviticus 18:21, God spells out clearly that killing a baby is murder. And for the purposes of this discussion, it is considered murder.

If you disagree, skip ahead or provide factual data that proves a fetus is not a human being.
In America, since 1973 there have been about 50 million babies murdered in the womb. That's almost 10 times the number of Jews killed by Hitler in the Shoah.
http://prolifeaction.org/faq/abortion.php
Worldwide, the number is 42 Million PER YEAR.

http://prolife.org.ohio-state.edu/Facts.htm

If that number has stayed constant (which it probably hasn't) since 1973, that's 1,596,000,000. That one and a half BILLION. Certainly, these people weren't murdered in the name of God, but rather the sake of convenience.

Hitler, whether it be to furnish his ideal "Aryan" race, and eliminate those who didn't measure up, or if you consider that he was sacrificing Jews, etc. for a luciferian agenda, here's the round numbers.

6 Million Jews
500,000–1.2 million Serbs (killed by Croat Nazis)
200,000–800,000 Roma & Sinti (Gypsies)
200,000–300,000 people with disabilities (or you could say those not as "developed" or people who were dependent)
80,000–200,000 Freemasons
100,000 communists
10,000–25,000 homosexual men
2,000 Jehovah's Witnesses
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006050806108

All said and done, probably more than 8 million people died at the hands of Hitler's regime. Another source you'll see in a minute, puts the total at 12 million.

Well, Hitler was crazy, right? So how about other dictators. Surely they can't approach the insatiable bloodthirst of those killed "in the name of God". Before we see what a menace to the world Christians are, let's take a look at what happens just when people are killed by governments. We won't hit every dictator on the list though.

Chairman Mao - 50 to 70 million
Stalin - 23 million, i've heard up to 30.
Leopold II of Belgium (Congo) 8 Million
Japan (Civilians in WWII. I don't know if this counts the Nanking massacre) 5 million
Turkey (Armenians, and others) - about 2.5 million
North Korea's communist regime - more than 1.2 milliohn

http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/dictat.html

The high end of this number is around 130 Million (including Hitler's 12) and that's not all the ones on the list. But i don't think we could count any of these as killed by "Christians" or in God's name. Rather, these were all killed for political or ethnic reasons.

Communism Alone
"The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression" gives a good set of numbers for just those killed when all belief in God is not only expelled, but punished by death or torture. Let's take a look at what a God-free, atheist utopia can do. After all, if God's followers have killed more than any other cause, the good ol' commie deathtolls should be quite low. After all, they're not trying to please God, so they shouldn't want to kill anyone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Book_of_Communism

Well, we already saw Mao and Stalin at about 70 to 100 Million between the two of them. The book gives about 94 million.

From the wiki:
(65 million in the People's Republic of China
20 million in the Soviet Union
2 million in Cambodia
2 million in North Korea
1.7 million in Africa
1.5 million in Afghanistan
1 million in the Communist states of Eastern Europe
1 million in Vietnam
150,000 in Latin America
10,000 deaths "resulting from actions of the international Communist movement and Communist parties not in power." )

Communist Utopias, with their absence of God have killed a lot of people, so this must mean that those killed in the name of God must be at LEAST 200 Million, or 2 BILLION if you count abortions, which I'm counting them, because i believe God is.

Well, let’s see how many have died “in God’s name.” We don’t include those humans who were and are sacrificed to pagan gods. Sorry Aztecs, Mayans, Canaanites, etc. We’re also not including how many people have been killed by Muslims or Hindus. Mainly because people who argue this have a beef with Christians. In any event, My personal thought is that Muslims and Hindus combined haven’t killed even as many people as Hitler, let alone Communism. I’m also going to exclude Christians who are killed by various folks martyred, but will put some of those stats in the appendix.

Killed "in the name of God" that is, by "The Church" or alleged Christians

A disclaimer here. While a portion of individual Catholics i will concede may be saved and true Christians, i don't think we can include all of the elements in leadership, especially through the centuries. Those who ordered the Crusades, the inquisition were not following the Bible, and thus not God's will. Pope John Paul even formally apologized for some of that. Afterall, Jesus didn't say to spread His name at the sword's point.

Constantine was allegedly told by a vision (by a spirit he didn't test) to go and conquer. Nowhere did this vision prove itself to actually be of God. He either made it up, or was fooled by Satan to kill people under the guise of Christianity. I highly doubt God would have told him to conquer. So, was he a Christian? I can't judge his heart. But his actions cause me to question.

But, for the sake of argument, let's give you the numbers of those killed "in the name of God".

It's hard getting good numbers on this, so i'll go through a few different ones.

Total for the crusades, inquistion (over 200 years!) and other "witchcraft" kinds of things. This author says about 264,000. He's also got a really good point, (like i mention above) not everyone who says they are a Christian, or says that they are following God actually are. The pews are also filled with "Christians" but how many of us actually are? How many are there for social or other reasons?

Also, look at the Norway shooter. The media called him a Christian, yet there's no real evidence that he actually is a true Christian, especially in light of what Jesus taught and lived about violence. Anyways, the link.

http://www.newscholars.com/papers/Killing,%20Christianity,%20and%20Atheism.pdf
This author gives about 100,000 people-all time-killed by alleged Christians.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080829095434AAuK2UD

Here's a new agey/neo pagan website that looked promising for stats at first, but fell apart quite quickly for me.

http://www.truthbeknown.com/victims.htm

They make a lot of complaints about Christian murderers, and pagans being unjustly killed. They mention a number of examples, with “thousands killed” or “tens of thousands massacred” and these are indeed horrific, yet give very few actual numbers and no total.

Not to mention that some of these groups doing the massacres don’t seem all that Christian to me. I can't speak to the faith of those who committed these atrocities, but contrasted with the true Christians in the book of Acts, I'd suggest that those who killed these pagans and other poor folks had their hearts far away from God. That is, they were killed by people falsely representing the God of the Bible. But that should be no surprise.

Additionally, the stats on this site are way off, one example that author gives is a total of “80000 Turks massacred” during the battle of Belgrad. Oddly, they neglected to mention is that the Turks were INVADING Hungary. They were the aggressors. Secondly, the Turks had a (presumably) seasoned army of 30,000 – 100,000 troops. Wiki lists them as receiving casualties of only 13,000. Meanwhile, the “menacing” Hungarians had around 4,000 actual soldiers that were armed and trained and a “motley” army of 60,000. That’s 60,000 nobodies fighting for their lives for probably the first time ever.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Belgrade_(1456)

Here’s a relevant scripture.

"For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. "

2 Timothy 3:2 - 5

"[Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men."

Matthew 15:7 - 9

Suffice it to say, these people may have thought they were acting “for God”, but in actuality were doing the bidding of the political movers and shakers who happened to have been a part of the Catholic or Holy Roman Church. Just because the "Church" a Pope or a "Christian" king ordered the killing of a group "in the name of God", doesn't actually mean that God Himself endorsed or approved it, or that those people actually have given their lives to Christ.

Look at George Bush, he lied about his conversion (supposedly converted by talking to Billy Graham, though Graham doesn't remember this). He also went on to start 2 wars. Somehow I don’t think you’d see Jesus, the Apostle Paul, Corrie Ten Boom, or Richard Wurmbrand. In fact, Paul condoned killing of people BEFORE he was a Christian, then afterward let people beat him!

This is why when Jesus warned us “let no one deceive you” He wasn’t kidding. He likely knew that folks would come around and use God as an excuse to kill. A true follower of Christ would not have went along with any violence that a Church or government ordered.

Saying that more people have died “in the name of God” or were killed by Christians because the Church/Theocratic government ordered it makes about as much sense as saying that actors are criminals because of shenanigans like Winona Rider’s shoplifting or what Pee-Wee Herman did.

Here’s a good article that summarizes the above point. That sinful humans are using religion to fulfill their own evil agendas. I strongly recommend that you read the whole article, and forward that to anyone who says religion has killed more than…

www.godandscience.org/apologetics/atrocities.html

Here’s the numbers he used for those killed by “Christians” (actually land/power grabs).

Crusades – 1,000,000
Aztecs – (unclear if he means sacrificed by the Aztecs or killed by conquistadors. I assume the latter) 1,000,000
The Inquisition – 350,000
Albigensian Crusade – 200,000
Witch Hunts – 100,000
So wrapping up here’s the “score”.

Killed “in the name of God” – 250,000 – 1,650,000 people. (This is based on the earlier number I had and the recent article. Of these, I would say none have been killed by true Christians, but rather the visible “Church” and political entities, of which, the Church was a part.

Killed for any other reason – 1.6 Billion people have been killed because they were unwanted. This is either by a political party or a parent. That’s well above small amount killed by “God’s followers.” Even taking away abortion we’re left with 130 million killed by dictatorships of various sorts. Or if you prefer, Communism alone has killed probably 100 Million, ten times more than those who claim to follow God

Appendix:
I won't concede that many true, Spirit filled, Bible believing Christians have killed anyone, or even COULD kill anyone. The more we grow in faith, the less attractive violence becomes, even "justified" violence. Listen to Corrie Ten Boom's testimony, or read Richard Wurmbrand's "tortured for Christ" or Wilkerson's "the Cross and the Switchblade". Those are how true Christians react to violence.

If you can give more numbers of those killed "in God's name," (Crusades, Inquisition, etc.) please give me an event, a number and a source, and i'll add it.

Fred Hartley said in his book "Prayer on Fire" that in the "1980's, 270,000 Christians were martyred every year." He also quotes a number of 500,000 dying for believing in Jesus the Messiah every year. So in one year, twice as many are killed for believing in Christ than those killed by alleged Christians during the crusades, witchhunts and inquisition combined over a several hundred year period.
Voice of the martyrs gives a much lower, though still alarming number at their site. It's a good look at the extent of persecution faced by Christians right now.

http://persecutedchurch.blogspot.com/2009/04/limits-of-statistics.htm

UFO Battle: Nuremberg 1561 (Nuernberg 1561)

2011-11-09T18:02:00.000-08:00

Having studied UFOs for a good long while, there is one case that's been bothering me since i started viewing UFO's from a Christian perspective. That is, the 1561 (drawing made in 1566) Nuremberg UFO battle. In fact, this case was one that sort of got me thinking ET is real, here's proof. Here's the best resources on the internet I could find, for a generic overview. That's actually about all their is on the topic, most actually just repeat this.

On the surface, it seems to be a reasonably good proof of an ancient aliens scenario. Regardless of how credible this is, a lot of folks on the Internet think it's legit.

Here's some links, proceed with caution.

http://www.ufoevidence.org/cases/case486.htm

http://www.altereddimensions.net/aliens/NurembergUFOBattle.aspx

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/04/a-ufo-is-still-a-ufo-from-antiquity-to-today/

Pretty compelling, huh? Especially if you lack discernment like I did. Especially when you factor in the crash, and the large black arrow that looks like it came from Star Wars. Spaceships.

A modern view of the Nuremberg skyline, from a similar vantage point. Just for the heck of it.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl=us&biw=480&bih=295&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=nuremberg+city&oq=nuremberg+city&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=11644l12553l0l13221l5l5l0l0l0l0l0l0ll0l0&mvs=0#i=6

There are of course people who think this whole case is BS, and so try to rationalize it. One rational explanation is that it's a "sun dog". That is, a weird effect of the sun producing a light effect.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_dog

Maybe that explains part of it, the boomerang shapes by the sun could be sun dogs, this event did happen at dawn. But I can't be convinced it can be explained totally as a sun dog. The orbs, and the crosses fighting each other and the "star destroyer" are hard to explain as natural phenomena. Not to mention, the Nuremberg woodcut is remarkably different from current photos of sun dogs (see the wiki), and also a Swedish painting of one.

Note how the painting is relatively obvious it's a sun dog. ("Sun Dog Painting" (Vädersolstavlan) Stockholm 1535) despite it being a little weird looking. It looks natural, and different from the Nuremberg event. The description is a little similar, in that the Swedish account is described as multiple suns and arcs across the sky for 2 hours.

But notice, this is 30 years earlier, and while they did interpret the Swedish event as an omen, they don't seem to be attribute any battle going on, and no crash. The Swedish painting looks more natural than the Nuremberg woodcut. Not to mention, the images don't seem to fight.

So, in light of another event, i will concede the Nuremberg event could have been a sun dog. Or at least happening at the same time as one. What keeps me from being totally convinced is the alleged crash object(s), the fact that the objects appeared to chase and battle each other. There is also the fact that the rods, circles and crosses all were separate.

In all the sun dog pics online, and a few youtube videos (first sun dog in mongolia is a really good one.) there are circles, and crosses, maybe even what could be perceived as cylinders (of light, not gray). But the crosses are inside the circles and the none of them appear to be interacting, and they all seem quite stationary in the videos. So until someone shows me a sun dog that does the things the Nuremberg one did, i won't buy it.

So, this moves us to the possibility of a hoax. This article postulates the entire event is fake. This is entirely possible...

http://worldofweirdthings.com/2009/05/18/the-case-of-the-legendary-nuremberg-ufo/

Except for the fact that it appears Hans Glaser,was a real person and did other woodcuts. It was also referenced in older materials by Jacques Vallee.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Hans_Glaser

http://www.telelaget.com/histcult/bonde.htm

But here's a few things in favor of a hoax. The history of the city of Nuremberg addresses a few historical things in the 1500's, and the UFO battle is not one of them. Look at Roswell, there's like 3 books a year about "new Roswell evidence" and festivals, etc, and that's only 60 years ago. Wouldn't people have made a bigger deal then? Wouldn't the city, with a link for tourism, market this even now? I would.

http://www.nuernberg.de/internet/portal_e/buerger/imperial_city.html

And no mention of Glaser, or this woodcut here. One would think, as a source exploring the art of the period, such an interesting piece would be addressed, but it's possible it was avoided because of controversy.

http://www.archive.org/stream/nurembergandits00regoog/nurembergandits00regoog_djvu.txt

So, if it's a hoax it's probably a 500 year old hoax. Evidence in favor of a hoax 500 years ago, no current attempt to exploit it for tourism and no crash wreckage ever seems to have been recovered.

This one, may be possible, and it ties into where we're going next. Ergotism was the cause, and it was all a "mass hallucination". This would certainly explain why people saw a crash, yet make no mention of any wreckage.
Basically, people ate bread that wasn't good, and as a result hallucinated. Apparently, the mold acted similarly to LSD and therefore caused people to see this light show.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergotism

http://www.toytowngermany.com/lofi/index.php/t139128.html

Given that ergotism has some relation to LSD, I'm going to go out on a limb and speculate. LSD and certain other drugs, especially DMT have the ability to open a person's mind to the spirit world. This is not a good thing. The Bible warns us repeatedly not to engage in witchcraft and sorcery.

As Dr. Future says frequently, in Revelation 18:32 the word "sorceries" means pharmakeia (G5331), that is drugs. But in addition to drugs, my understanding is there's also a spiritual component as well, that is drugs and spirit contact go hand in hand. What's more, as i understand it, the Septuagint uses pharmakeia for witchcraft throughout the Old Testament.

Here's some podcasts that address drugs, spirit contact and UFOs, and you should be able to see some sort of connection.

LA Marzulli on Drugs, and spirit contact
http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow157.mp3

Adam "Ayawasca" Ellenbas (Caution, non-Christian guest)
http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow236.mp3

Dr. Will Alnor, UFOs and the End of Days
http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow158.mp3

Gary Stearman
http://www.pidradio.com/2011/08/10/p-i-d-radio-special-gary-stearman-the-luciferian-ufo-agenda/

So, my working theory is that the people in Nuremberg, sick with ergotism had their spiritual "eyes" opened through this LSD-like mold. Then, they saw into the spirit world, that is "hallucinated" a big "UFO battle". The battle in the sky, was perhaps the Ephesians 6:12 spiritual battle always going on around us, except they saw it. Perhaps also, Satan and his forces manifested in this manner during the battle, knowing that one day he'd be able to use it as proof for UFO visitation.

So the sun dog theory has something to be desired, especially in light of contemporary artwork. Not to mention, that i don't think people would be so stupid as to think that sun dogs are fighting each other.

The possibility of a modern hoax doesn't seem feasible, it would be easily disproven. The fact of an ancient hoax leaves a question of motive. Why would they manufacture such a story, and record it as a factual event in their news? Hans Glaser, to the best of my knowledge was a real person, and an artist in the period. He seemed to record other real events, why would he record a fake one as news?

Ergotism is a good answer, especially in light of a possible spiritual connection. But if this was a battle of "principalities and powers" what were they fighting over? Did they manifest because of the ergotism, or were they able to manifest without it? What's with the "star destroyer"?

We may never know this side of eternity for sure, but my money, for now, is on an "LSD" door opening which the locals witnessed.

Update 11-14-11

I did a little more digging. The city of Nuernberg has pointed me to a couple websites, one of which has been extremely useful. Of course, it's just the German wikipedia, but it's pretty good.

It turns out Hans Glaser was real, and he did actually produce the famous woodcut. You can read about it here:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Glaser

There's also talk of the 1561 UFO in here

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO

Pop over to google translate to get the gist of what they say.

Next, with the ergotism. In their history of ergotism (ergotismus, Mutterkornalkaloide) there doesn't appear to be any connection between the Nuremberg event and ergotism. That doesn't mean there wasn't a connection, but it's not clearly stated.

These links give some good info about ergotism and it's symptoms

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/wong/bot135/lect12.htm

http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/history/ergot.htm

But here is one article that connects the 1561 event, and other "ancient aliens" with ergotism.

http://www2.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/ufos-in-history.html

So, i'm still sticking with my theory, but this is new info that makes old evidence a bit stronger.

The Outhouse of Abhorrent Theology: aka, The Shack

2011-11-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

This is a long one. I probably should break it up, but i guess it's good to just get it all together. I also want to preface this with why i did what I did, that is: read this book.

When "The Shack" came out, i really had little interest in reading it. I barely knew it existed. With the exception of CS Lewis, and Robin Parrish, I have not really ever read ANY Christian fiction. I tend to read sci fi or general fiction so something like "The Shack" was not on my list.

Then I heard a few interviews with James B. Deyoung related to his book "Burning Down the Shack" and he pointed out a few of the theological problems with "The Shack" chief among them is that Young (authoer of the Shack) is a Universalist. That is, everyone from Adolf Hitler to the Apostle Paul eventually gets to go to Heaven no matter how bad (or good) they were.

Stalin, Mother Theresa, Pol Pot, Ghandi, Hitler, Mr. Rogers, Nero, and on and on.

How that works in light of God being a just judge, i have no idea, but it sounds like a sweet deal for bad people, and a bum one for the rest of us.

So, at that point i resolved to not read The Shack. Mainly because it seemed like it's not just a waste of time, in that it suffered from an extreme lack of ray guns and spaceships, but it was also full of false teaching. After all, if someone else wrote a book about all those pitfalls, why would i need to know anything else?

Well, that changed, and I think God wanted me to read it so i can tell you (whoever you are) about it. Let me tell you, it has been a struggle. Not just in exercising discernment, but also in just reading it. Not only is The Shack not my genre, and FULL of bad theology, it has also committed another crime. It is full of bad writing. Of course what do iknow, my novel remains unpublished...and also unfinished.

So, let's go through The Shack!

First, the good points. There were a few minor good or interesting points. There were also things i sort of agreed with (they were half truths after all). Also, this book got me to look thru God's word to see if what was said was actually so. Reading God's word is always a good thing.

(When referring to the "god" of the story, and "his" emanations, i will try to use lower case and quotes to separate them from the real God. Although they are supposed to be God, i will not give them that honor, as my God revealed Himself specifically in the Bible, and His Son, Jesus.)

To start with, the writing is "special". Special, in that afterschool or very special episode kind of way. It's very "cozy", and not in an enjoyable way. The characters are not very believable from the outset. It's as though the characters already know they're in an allegory (and not even a good allegory), and so act accordingly, trudging along their little model railroad track of plot.

The book is also plagued by "Postcard" descriptions of places like the park they went camping, rather than description of anything that mattered. Sort of a cheap way to set a scene rather than actually describing the actual place the characters were. Why do we care how tall mount Howard is, or when the tramway was built? Why do we care how cold Lake Wallowa is if no one is swimming in it at that exact moment? How about, "the campsite was filled with smoke and clouds of mosquitoes?" Nope. Maybe, "the leaves mack had used as emergency toilet paper turned out to be poison ivy, and while it burned like crazy, nan had a gut busting time. Until it happened to her too." Nada.

Because that would have actually affected the characters. Instead, we get something off the tourist brochure, which i'm convinced the author paraphrased when writing this.

Other pet peeves, is stuff we might want to know more about, like an internal thought process, or smart dialogue, we don't get. Mack gets into a situation, says a couple things, sticks his foot in his mouth, and the resulting dialogue resolves mack's issues.

A big way this happens in the book is Young often has Mack marvelling at how the alleged "trinity" "relates" to each other and how great it is, but doesn't explain it much further.
He's copping out of explaining (showing...portraying...INSERT VERB) the conversation and "relating" going on and mentions it merely in passing. Here's my attempt to paraphsrase one of these instances:

"oh, MAN are those guys relating!" Mack thought. "I mean, i am in the shack my daughter was molested and axe-murdered in, probably as a Satanic sacrifice, but MAN this relating is SO COOL! It just takes my mind off of the bloodspot by the fireplace.

"I'll just sit and watch how cool it is, then I'll interupt this relating so we can to move along to the next contrived one-on-one with me so i can deal with my junk by interacting with questionable spirits claiming to be God, rather than praying, reading the Bible and getting counselling."

"Say, can one of you three...i mean one... i mean...heck, someone just pass the gravy. PRONTO!" Mack said.

For a Christian, Mackenzie, the main character has about the most shallow faith i have ever seen. He doesn't test these spirits, they tell him they're "god" and he just goes along with it. His interactions with "god" are just plain...American, and his dialogue is often short snips of phrases like "OK." Or, "i thought you would really be like..." etc.

Anyways, let's move on from terrible writing, to...

Stereotypical characters!

Young gets racist points for naming his Italian mailman...wait for it...wait for it...Tony! That's right. Had the mailman been named Mario or Luigi, he would have gotten some sort of award had Tony actually appeared saying something stereotypically Italian, like "mama ma".

The midwestern post lady, a reject from the movie "Fargo" who says "don't ya know" and also talks with annoying slang that turned me off. She's just a stereotype, no racism really.

There's also the matter of "the large black woman" which edges Young up much closer to "Michael Richards award" territory. More on LBW later, but suffice it to say, it reminded me of older times that are better forgotten. I'd make a joke, but i really take that matter more seriously.

Let's move on. The sterotypes persist into "Brawny-Jesus" and "Sarayu". I'll explain their issues in a bit.

Let's get to the theology problems. I never read "burning down the shack" so these are original observations. De Young focused more on universalism in the interviews i heard, and i take a slightly different road, "no extra charge" as Chuck Missler always says.

Problem number one. When "god" appears it's nowhere close to how God has revealed Himself in His Word. It's fiction, i get it. The author can't be constrained to authoritative scripture in portraying our loving God. But at least in Narnia, it's another world, and sort of consistently ties in a fairly close Biblical portrayal. Where it differs, the model AT LEAST serves as a solid parallel for deep theological truths. While we're on Lewis, his planet series uses just a different name for the same God, but all the people recognize it's the same God. I can buy that. At least Lewis makes an effort to keep God as a reverent figure, and if not, he uses it as a parable. Which is what the shack is supposed to be.

No, the "god" revealed in this book is a folksy, sassy, black woman. A Jewish Paul Bunyan/Brawny paper towel guy, and an Asian woman with a fondness for gardening. Riiiiight.

First, god as a black woman. I'm not racist, but even by the standards of The Shack, they call god "papa" (which is a little familiar for my tastes, at least the New Guineans call God, "Papa God") so a woman of ANY description is already a stretch. I have no issue with a black woman playing a major role, i like the Oracle in the Matrix and the creepy black lady in the Ikea in-store videos. But God calls Himself The Father, and He revealed Himself in the Bible as the Father and "He". The god in this book is not God in any Biblical sense. It's Blasphemous. (I blame kevin smith's "Dogma" for this kind of approach.)

The author also constantly refers to "god" by the name "large black woman" even after the name "elouisa" is revealed. "LBW" is also in charge of cooking, bringing to mind unpleasant memories of Al Jolson, and "mammy" stereotypes.

(Btw, elouisa means "warrior", and God is not usually portrayed as a warrior, the Lord of Hosts fits. Google names of God for a good look at names God has used in scripture. What was wrong with those? Why do we have to have elouisa? Why not El Shaddai, or one of the many others?)

Another review i read, after starting this one, brought up the black stereotypes, especially the "slang sounding" talk, and the phrase "sho 'nuff." When i saw that in the book, all i could think of was Julius Carry's character in "The Last Dragon". All we need now is Bruce Leroy to show Mack how to get "the glow" or for her to tell Mack "that's right, BOW SUCKA!"

God showed Himself many times in the Bible. When He showed Himself to Moses in the Old Testament (Exodus 33 and 34) Moses was allowed only to see a small part of God, because God is too Holy for us to handle seeing. Even seeing that was alot for Moses, and the GLORY of God reflecting from Moses was too much for all of Israel.

Or how about Isaiah? When he saw God, he realized he was unworthy, and asked God to clean his lips!

How is it Mack can just nonchalantly "hang out" with god? Yes, Christ bridged the gap, and God loves us, but we must remember how AWESOME the Lord truly is. I think we've lost sight of that in our age, especially in America. We want the God to be our rich best friend. Whatever God does look like, it is NOT a large black woman. The descriptions in my Bible sound like an awesome, and all powerful, Holy God! Lightning, and power, and Holiness! I look forward to that day, but i realize how unworthy i am to see Him.

The Brawny-jesus. Where do I start? His first lines come off like the neighbor from Office Space (aka the Rexkwondo guy in Napolean Dynamite). Young also gets another racist point for calling out that Brawny-jesus has a big nose, of course, because he's Jewish. Not only that, mack (or is it Young subconsiously?) finds a large nose unattractive. Smooth move.

Now i don't know alot of Jews, but NOT ONE single Jew that I've ever met had a large nose. in fact NOTHING about them stood out from anyone else!

Does the real Jesus have a big nose? Who knows. but a large, Jewish nose calls to my mind a stereotype out of a Nazi racial hygiene propaganda poster. I have seen those before in school, and let me tell you, it was not good. Let's hope Young runs out of stereotypes before he runs out of characters.

Too late. The "holy spirit" as an Asian woman is just weird, and of course, also a blasphemy. I suppose the author, who seems unable to waste a good stereotype, chose an Asian woman because of the "exoticness" "quietness" and "mysteriousness" that is so stereotypically attributed to Asian women. To his mind it must seem a perfect match.

She also likes to garden, i don't know if this is anything to note or not, but Chinese and Japanese culture do have some place for gardens. Not ALL Chinese and Japanese, but in proper places. Japanese gardens are real, but this character is just "Asian" and is of course fond of gardening. I suppose i should be thankful she didn't know and teach Mack kung fu, of course this book was already too "Matrix-y" for my taste anyways.

The Holy Spirit in the Bible is usually kind of non-corporeal in any sense, when a physical description was necessary, He was described as "LIKE a dove". Or He came as tongues of fire. Or one can be filled by Him. How an Asian woman portrays any of these attributes is beyond me.

So, this sums up the weirdest, and probably least respectful attempt at explaining the Trinity. They interact in a goofy way, and are always laughing frivolously. The only way it would have been more disrespectful would be if the Three Stooges had been there representing God.

At least the story might have been entertaining, and Mack would have gotten the slap i think he deserved. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!

As if screwing up "god" wasn't bad enough, let's get into how he screwed up what we know about God as revealed in His Word, the Bible. So here's a few theological mishaps, i'm sure i missed some, so please share your thoguhts.

* on page 101 it starts off with a reasonable description of the fall, and redemption. OK so far. But pg 101 starts going to dangerous territory and crashes headlong into it. Pg 102, "god" says that when Jesus was a man, He had no power on His own to do anything, even though He was fully God and fully man, He had power only by reliance on "god" of this novel.

I don't know how i feel about this, i'm open to your thoughts. We know Jesus in the Bible did the will of the Father, but Young seems to have stretched things here by saying that Jesus had no power on His own.

* chpt 7 starts out with "god," all 3 characters of "him" laughing, and cavorting frivolously. Apparently Brawny-jesus was clumsy and dropped something. It is here that we see the author basically insult Jesus by insinuating He lacks perfection, and thus dropped a bowl due to clumsiness. Even Brawny-jesus plays along. This sort of portayal of "god" persists, with each member of this "trinity" laughing and being giggly, especially when Mack sees them relating, or poking fun at his micro-brain observations.

They seem less like "god" and more like giggly school girls at a slumber party who just got caught in a pillow fight. But man, their relating rocks!

* sarayu - the name given to the character who portrays "the holy spirit". It's interesting to note that Brawny-jesus tells a lie. He tells mack that sarayu means wind...i'm not sure what language that is, but here's what i dug up on sarayu when i tried to figure that out. Apparently it does mean wind in sanskrit, so Brawny-jesus only half-lied.

The name sarayu does comes up though in "The Immortal Love of Rama." It's a river, not wind, i presume it's in India.

http://books.google.com/books?id=zHgW9SezCqoC&pg=PA67&lpg=PA67&dq=sarayu+in+occult&source=bl&ots=9J6VYRZQfs&sig=8NNpsJ4zxNkGiCnO9AbpB8-RnVM&hl=en&ei=a0SeTuadJ6bq0gHt5eG4CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDYQ6AEwBQ

Sarayu river is also apparently where an incarnation of Vishnu, Rama (see my Buddha article for the link to Vishnu and a possible link to Antichrist. Vishnu is sort of one Hindu version of God incarnating.) has essentially a baptism. Upon this "baptism", Vishnu is able to return to his Brahman (fully god) state. An interesting parallel and mockery of Jesus's baptism by John which seems to fill Jesus with the Holy Spirit and sets Him on His ministry.

Sarayu river
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarayu

The god-state rama returns to.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavishnu

It's interesting to note, that the sarayu article has a "see also" section. In it, is the name Saranyu. Here's an interesting quote from that wiki.

"Saraṇyū is the female form of the adjective saraṇyú, meaning "quick, fleet, nimble", used for rivers and wind in the Rigveda (compare also Sarayu)." Sounds alot like the character to me.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saranyu

So it seems that Young's Sarayu, is not the Holy Spirit as portrayed in the Bible, but rather a Hindu goddess! What does this tell us about Young's theology, or lack thereof? It certainly explains the "all different faiths get to God" viewpoint Young espouses.

Papa, aka "god" refers to herself (?) As Elouisa.
Elouisa \e-loui-sa\ as a girl's name is a variant of Eloise (Old German), and the meaning of Elouisa is "famous warrior". See my commentary earlier.

Gods names, why didn't Young use one of these?

http://bible.org/article/names-god

Another review
http://jaxworld.blogspot.com/2008/09/shack.html?m=1

Pg 112 Brawny-jesus tells Mack that He is the BEST way to relate to "god", whereas in the Bible, Jesus was crystal clear. He is the ONLY way.

The beginning of Chapter 8 has Mack dreaming. But not just dreaming. It seems to me, alot like lucid dreaming. I should know i used to try it. Lucid dreaming, as i understand it, is being in a dream, realizing it, and then taking control of the dream to do what you want.

I practiced this often in my youth, and i haven't done it since i renounced the New Age stuff i had unwittingly added to my walk with Christ.

Later, LBW says that he/she doesn't punish sin, that sin is it's own punishment. While it's true that sin is sometimes a punishment in itself, those who don't repent through Christ will be punished. 1 John 1:9, shows us how we get forgiveness from God.

The "relationship" of the "trinity" is described as a "circle of relationship." Maybe i'm reading too much into it, but perhaps this is a zen buddhist thing. Again, maybe i'm in discernment overdrive, but a circle is a Buddhist symbol.

At the close of chpt 8, "god" doesn't really explain pain and suffering that well. "he" just kind of gives a "i'm good, so suffering is OK" cop-out answer. At least in Job, it makes sense when God doesn't give an answer. But here, they sort of explain that it's because we are imperfect, and place our trust in authority figures. A good point perhaps. It also comes up that "god" is redeeming the creation (that's what i got anyways). But suffering itself doesn't bring redemption, and will save no one.

Wait a second. Papa seems to have forgotten its Bible, Hebrews 13:17 tells us basically to obey the athorities, within reason. What's going on? Did papa forget that it had that written down? Good thing that's only in one spot. What's that? Romans 13? "For there is no power, but of God?" Hmmm. I guess LBW must have just forgotten. Wait, the REAL God can't forget, apparently papa is not God. well...

Anyways, we know, from the Bible, that suffering refines us, and can perhaps sanctify us and tests our faith, (1 Peter 1) like in Job. In Job we can see that sometimes God allows suffering because Satan has been given permission to cause it. And at the end, God justly replaces what was lost with a double portion. But it wasn't the suffering that redeemed Job, it was his faith in God.

Speaking of Satan, he, and more importantly his role in all of this suffering is conspicuously absent from the whole discussion. I wonder why?

Mack later asks why the good creation went bad. Apparently (also evident EVERYWHERE) he isn't familiar with his Bible, because mine is pretty clear on the matter. It's right there in Genesis 3, the serpent, and man's sin. But, he's on even footing. Sarayu seems to have forgotten too. (Didn't the REAL Holy Spirit inspire scripture?) Sarayu says the good went bad because man chose independence. Partially true. Genesis 3 tells us it wasn't just man choosing independence, it was also Satan's rebellion and temptation of man that messed things up.

Wow, 2/3 of the "trinity" messed their scripture up, I'm not so sure this is my God. Oh, wait. 3/3 of this "trinity" messed their Bible up, because Brawny-jesus said that he was the "best" way, not the ONLY way. Case closed. I have to use google to find my chapter and verse markings sometimes, that's really sad that Young couldn't manage that.

On pages 136 - 138, Sarayu talks to Mackenzie and gives probably the only sound advice and theology in the book, and that is, humans are not qualified to judge good and evil, and so must rely on the standards that God has already established. Thats what i got anyways.

We are also told that evil is an absence of good, but i would say it's a REBELLION against good. So, there's that.

Pg 151, Brawny-jesus says that his life was never meant to be copied, that we're not supposed to try "to be like Jesus." I have a little problem with that, as we are being conformed to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29, clearly tells us that those that God brought to salvation, He will conform us to the image of His Son. Yes, that is done by accepting Jesus, and dying daily to ourselves and walking with Christ, but it is still something we are to strive for.

After all, who is a better example for human behavior than God in human flesh?

It's also interesting that here and later, when Mack walks across the water, it becomes mundane and something taken for granted. Much like many of the gifts the real God gives us.

You know, all of chapter 11 is just plain weird. And I have to tell you...I have read some weird stuff. There's some sort of judge setup, implying that "god" can't judge and send anyone to hell, because s/he loves them to much, which is why Brawny-jesus died. Apparently, it doesn't matter whether or not someone accepts Christ's death or not, "papa" loves them too much to send them to hell. This sounds perilously close to what Aleister Crowley, an apparent bedfellow of Young said: "Do what thou wilt" and also contradicts 1 John 1:9.

Somehow after this bizarre chapter, once Mack realizes through some vague dialogue with a suprisingly non-stereotypical Latina, the great sadness has left mack. How? We don't know. But it must have been the realization that his daughter was now in Heaven, and that he, Mack, wasn't fit to judge anyhow, based on a lifetime of superficial judgements and not trusting papa. Thank goodness he couldn't cut it, because I'd hate to find Mack instead of Jesus Christ judging me when I die. If only it were that easy to treat depression, though i suppose it would be that easy if us Christians were out preaching Jesus instead of reading the Shack and watching Dancing with the Stars or crazy-haired georgio.

Chapter 12, Brawny-jesus is back to his crazy antics skipping stones, and asks Mack how his time with sophia was...what? Sophia? I'm sure others have pointed out that this is A PAGAN GREEK gODDESS, and i don't think the description in proverbs of wisdom being a woman was talking about the greek goddess. Instead, i think Solomon was going for an PARABLE, rather than the non-parable this book is. but let's move on. Oh, and tying in my earlier Matrix comments, Jesus asks mack "what is real?" Don't tell me this book wasn't influenced by the Matrix movies.

Someone get me an exit.

Page 180, describes the church. This probably the only part of the book i liked. Brawny-jesus says that the church is the people who make up the church and love him, and that the church most of us are familiar with is an institution. Not to hate on Church, but i do think we as the church need to re-evaluate how close we are to Jesus and repent. I'd say we're fairly close to the Laodiceans in Revelation.

Pg 181, i saw this in an amazon.com review, so i won't say much. Brawny-jesus's view on marriage seems off, as does the comment that he "doesn't want to play God." Ummm. Well, i suppose the real Jesus isn't playing after all, since He's the real deal, but it's weird.
Pg 184, also saw in amazon...OK, OK, i'm getting bored of this book, and wanted to see what others said. Not just because the theology is bad, but so is this writing, dialogue and characterization. Yes, i realize that Young is a published novelist, and i'm not. Actually, i'm even surprised you made it this far. Anyways....

Pg 184 has Brawny-jesus saying that the people who love him basically are all kinds of faiths. Muslims, Buddhists, etc. Well, ok. There are people of all persuasions who love the real Jesus as a "good teacher" but believe the wrong things about Him. Perhaps of some of those, some really hunger for the real Jesus. But, what we all need is to ACCEPT the real Christ's sacrifice for our sins, BELIEVE in Him and His resurection and daily SUBMIT ourselves to Him, dying to ourselves. I doubt anyone who calls themselves a Buddhist or a Muslim would confess to that. If they did, they would be...Christians.

Though, to be fair the Crescent Project says a great way to witness to Muslims is to say that "I am a Muslim, THROUGH Jesus." The word Muslim, as I understand it means to submit. So, Young is on a slippery slope there, and pretty much wrong.

Chapter 13 opens up with Young entering questionable racist territory. I'd elaborate, but the less said the better. It continues with the Oracle, i mean Papa giving Mack questionable theological advice with more slang filled talk.

Pg 199, the Hindu goddess, Sarayu, gives Mack a good ol' classic New Age-ism! Sort of. Usually new agers say this about good and evil, sarayu just says this about emotions. That is, "they just are. They are neither bad or good. They just exist." Not exactly true. The Bible tells us the proper context for just about every emotion if we look. Such as "only a fool gives full vent to his anger" being but one.

This page also tells us that the Bible isn't for teaching us rules, but to point to Jesus. This is partially true, the Bible and Old Testament does indeed point to Christ, but we also need to follow the Bible and the rules God gave us. We are not saved by this, but we need to live by the rules outlined in God's words.

John 14:15

If ye love me, keep my commandments.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=14&v=1&t=KJV#1

Pg 213, there is an army of (hopefully non-axe murdered) children that was glowing, and were the source of the light, yet none of us are the source of any light. We can only reflect the light and glory of Jesus Christ once we accept Him.

Then th story gets a little weird (ok, could it get weirder?) by saying that each person talks to each other and expresses things by using different colors of light. This and the dialogue explaining it all is pretty new agey to me, bringing to mind auras, and the colors of chakras. Maybe I'm stretching here, but that's what it's reminding me of, because in thos new age beliefs, certain colors affect emotions, and also have various properties and meanings. At any rate, none of it is Biblical, nor does it serve as an effective parable for anything i can think of outside of Trix cereal or Fruit Loops.

Pg 225, Papa said that guilt and humilation don't produce righteousness. I disagree, when i read God's word if i feel guilty, or humiliated i can pray to God, and ask forgiveness and be reconciled with God. Then, guess what. Those feelings are replaced by happiness!

Pg 227, Papa says that he has forgiven everyone because of Jesus, and that not everyone chooses the "relationship." Not true, Jesus' atoning sacrifice is for those who accept it. It is sufficient for all humans, but it will be only given to those who repent and accept it. So again, using Young's logic, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer and Jim Jones are all Ok, because of Jesus, even though they didn't repent and accept Christ. Good to know. If they had, like Berkowitz, that would be a different story.

Pg 229, Papa says there's power in what his children declare. This sounds a little like "blab it and grab it" that is Law of Attraction. It's a footnote really.

Also, this whole interaction of Papa FORCING Mack to forgvie his child's killer, seems not only contrived but also out the true God's character. Yes, our God commands us to forgive those who wrong us, BUT He equips us to do that and as Corrie Ten Boom said once, that it's Jesus and the Holy Spirit working on us to forgive our enemies.

Pg 239, there's a curious phrase "God, my servant." I think this definitely reflects the western Laodicean mindset. We have turned God into a cosmic vending machine, pumping in prayers and good works hoping to get some nice stuff out.

So, that about does it. I need to read some Bible and do a massive prayer time to clean all this off...here's my final thoughts.

Mackenzie is lost, and sadly he seems about as theologically "with it" as an average American "Christian" with a "Jesusa" bumper sticker. He assumes that God would listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (when Mormons believe in a de-deified, space alien, half-brother to Satan Jesus). Mack also has few clues (like the god of this book) about the Bible, or even basic sunday school theology.

Here's what i think the reality of the story is. And this explains the heresy of the whole thing. Mack goes to the site his duaghter was killed at. This is the lair of a notorious serial killer/molester. The murders (probably done as satanic rituals) have caused demonic spirits to take up residence in the shack. Mack never tests them (1 John 4) and so is misled by them. He's a luke-warm believer to start with, so it's quite easy for Satan to deceive him, with a few parlor tricks, funny jokes and wise sounding half-truths. And thus as Mack is deceived, so too us readers.

The final evidence for this is after Mack is well, good and deceived, he is hit by a car and nearly killed. Satan deceived him, then tried to kill him. This explains satan's absence from the book, he was there all along.

So with the shack, wyhat little truth there is in this book, is accompanied by lies, and delusions. Basically, Satan's normal tactics. Hiding the poison of his lies in a little bit of truth.

This book is indeed a good parallel for Pilgrim's Progress for our generation. Except, Pilgrim's Progress spread God's kingdom, while the Shack spreads Satan's.

Halloween Treats, and a Trick

2011-10-24T10:58:00.001-07:00

Growing up, we celebrated Halloween maybe one time. My mom, though not a Christian (that i know of), thought it was too demonic. Somehow, i didn't really care much not celebrating it. We did carve pumpkins even when we didn't "celebrate" it, but it was very low-key.

It wasn't until I was a "grown up" that i really celebrated it. Oddly, it was even after I had become a believer in Christ! Actually, it was after I began attending the Presbyterian church, not that it was their fault, there were other factors at work.

I had been invited to a Halloween party by a coworker and went, then in costume i went to the singles group session where we were voting on leaders for the group, and i was elected to the board. Following that, one of our first events with me as event planner was to go to a haunted house. The following year, we had a Halloween event in the church.

Why am I telling all of this?

I guess it has alot to do with the fact that aside from a few comments, no one really thought there was anything wrong with celebrating Halloween, and no one challenged me about it either.

So? It's just harmless fun, right?

I had originally planned to research and delve into the history and origins, and why it's not something we Christians should partake in. But i think i want to inform, then give some advice.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, and duplicate what others have done before me, why not refer you to one of the best? Chuck Missler's current series is on Halloween, and he presents basically what I would have wanted to. He also has articles.

Chuck Missler on Halloween
http://www.khouse.org/topical_bible_study/halloween/

And Infowars' take on Halloween
http://www.infowars.com/the-dark-side-of-halloween-the-kind-of-stuff-that-real-life-nightmares-are-made-of/

Here's a couple more general ones.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomona

So what can we do about it? Celebrate or not celebrate? First, we can thank God for what He's done, and that He has the victory over Satan through His work on the Cross through Jesus Christ.

Second, we can pray against these dark things and powers. See the Prayer Watch show on the Revelations Radio Network.

Third, go ahead and hand candy out. Wait, WHAT?! That's right give them candy. With the candy, you can hand out Gospel tracts. I like the following site because you can actually download them, rather than request them or go thru some convoluted process to get them. And they are FREE!

http://www.tracts.com/Acrobatpage.html

So, use Halloween as your Mars Hill moment, and spread the Gospel one candy bar at a time. Pray for a huge harvest...of souls!

Dream of Riots and Chaos

2011-10-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I'm listening to Russ Dizdar too much (www.shatterthedarkness.net). Maybe I've got too many other podcasts in my iPod that talk about how things are getting worse. Maybe it's because I read about David Wilkerson's prophecies www.wnd.com/?pageId=91097.

Well, about a month or two ago, I had a dream I was in a large mall, and then a city. It was kind of both. Weird. But, there was typical action movie stuff. Explosions, people running. I then took refuge somewhere and woke up. When I woke up, I figured it was just a bad dream. Perhaps it just was that. But it felt like something more. Personally, I felt it was a warning, but I stop short of claiming this is a prophetic message from God. It could be. Or it could not be.

Well, I had another dream last night. I was driving out of some restaurant, and in a decent hurry. But as I got into traffic, I was unable to drive, because suddenly there was traffic. Then, there were crowds of people, not exactly rioting, but hardly peaceful all over. I tried to lock the doors, but at thatv moment all power in the car and everywhere went off. I heard people saying that there were riots everywhere, and that some of the people were being violent, and had somehow stopped all the power. It was then that I awoke.

Perhaps this was nothing. The result of the above podcasts and artiicles, and some really good hotsauce i'd eaten, or it was something more. Regardless, it reminds me of Wilkersons dream in some ways, and of Russ Dizdar's work. So, take that for what it's worth. I'm not date setting, nor am I claiming this is a prophecy. I wanted to share it in case it was, but I can't say for sure. At any rate, it should get you to folks who have done real research and who have real insight into possible coming chaos.

Again, these were dreams I had, so use your discernment, I will pray myself for God to show me what these are about.

The bottom line is, no matter what's on the horizon, God is in control. He knows the end from the beginning, and He isn't surprised. What's more, He loves you, and wants you to know Him. If you haven't accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, now is the time to do it. Repent, accept Jesus's gift of salvation. He died on the cross, and rose from the dead to fulfill the scriptures and sits at God's right hand, right now. The most important decision in your life is if you accept this gift or not. When you and I die, God's going to know if we truly asked His forgiveness and accepted Christ's sacrifice. If we didn't, we go to hell. God doesn't want you to go to hell, which is why you can accept Jesus now.

Christian response to Gaddafi's death

2011-10-20T10:18:00.000-07:00

I heard the news that Gaddafi has just been killed. Like Bin Ladn's death, this saddened me. Partially because, unless they died having accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, they are now in Hell.

It also saddened me because Gaddaffi did not get a trial. If we're going around "spreading democracy" and disposing of dictators by killing leaders without a trial, then what sort of example is that? How is that democratic?

From a Biblical/Christian view, he should have been tried as well.

Deuteronomy 17:6

"At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."

Do we have testimony of even one witness? Where was this testimony given audience? Was Gaddafi given a chance to defend himself?

It also saddens me, because i expect to see the majority of American Christians will rejoice at his death. A view that I think our Lord would not condone. Even Rep. Keith Ellison, a Muslim, is on the right track. He stated not to celebrate anyone's death, even if they are bad. He's right, but sadly i bet many Christians will celebrate.

Ezekiel 33:11

"Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"

That said, Jesus isn't celebrating this man's death, and neither should we. Yes Gaddaffi was likely a tyrant and a wicked man, but i think it's clear what reaction Christians should have.

David Flynn Tumor

2011-10-20T05:55:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

Most of you hopefully know who Derek and Sharon Gilbert are. They do a couple of podcasts that are awesome, and they're great people. They're at www.pidradio.com, check them out.

Anyways, they mentioned David Flynn, a brother in the Lord who just had brain surgery, and he has had a near-miraculous recovery from the operation. That said, he also has huge hospital bills. Please pray the God miraculously provide the needed money so he can pay the bills. For those who feel lead to donate, please do so here:

http://www.mt.net/~watcher/

Let's see what the Lord can do!

Was Jesus Really Just a Good Teacher? Then Why Don't You Follow What He Taught?

2011-10-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

This one is less for the church...OK, it's also for the church because we often don't listen to Him too. Without a doubt, Jesus is widely recognized the world over as a good teacher, at the very least. Some see Him as a mere prophet. OK, let's work with that. Jesus was a teacher, sure and very wise. I don't think anyone would disagree.

But I would bet that any of you who say this would be hard pressed to repeat anything that He actually taught. I know I can't recall 100% accurately some of the things He taught and I've been a Christian for more than ten years. Let's start with some easy teachings that everyone should know.

Turn the other cheek. If someone asks for your coat, also give them the shirt. Give to Caesar what is Caesar's. Go the extra mile. We've turned many of these great lesson's into cliche's. Stripped them of their depth, to some extent, if that were possible. But yes, these are some things that Jesus taught.

But what else? The sermon on the mount of course. But what was that about? Let's take just a small piece.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=5&v=1#1

From that, this comes out.

Matthew 5:17 - 20

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Which causes me to ask, how can a mere teacher fulfil the law? There's no way a mere person could fulfill the Law.

He also said that the law, the Torah, the "Old Testament" was still valid, and would continue to be relevant, basically until the last chapter of Revelation. So, that means you and I are subject to the law and held accountable to it.

Or as Paul explains in Galatians, the law is still valid for showing us what is sinful, and to help us judge what is right and wrong. Lying, stealing, adultery, witchraft, homosexuality, etc. etc. are still sin. When we read the law, I think we are supposed to see in it where we fall short, and confess to God that we sinned by not measuring up. It's sort of our diagnostic tool to see where we are with God.

That's interesting to note in light of the ordination of gay clergy in Lutheran and Presbyterian denominations, and the Church's general laissez faire attitude to sin in general.

Even more, Jesus teaches us who He is.

John 5:16 - 47

"And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth [them]; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.

But I have greater witness than [that] of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

I receive not honour from men.

But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only?

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is [one] that accuseth you, [even] Moses, in whom ye trust.

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=5&v=17#17

John 14:6 - 12

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father?

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. "

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=14&v=1&t=KJV#1

These statements go way beyond mere teaching, Jesus taught who He is, which is the Son of God! He's not just a wise teacher, He is God's Son! Fully God and fully human! God, so He can be infinitely sufficient to atone for us (and more probably) and fully human so that we humans can become saved.

He also taught on the road Emmaus that He fulfilled the scriptures by suffering and dying on the cross for our sin, and being raised up. (Luke 24:27 (read it all, but pay close attention to v 27. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=24&t=KJV#13 ) )

Maybe He covered Psalm 22, which describes crucifixion hundreds of years before it was even invented! Maybe He covered something else.

Following is a link that outlines more than 300 prophecies of the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled. Keep in mind that the Old Testament was written by several different authors across hundreds of years by people (most of whom never knew each other). The Holy Spirit worked in them to predict the coming of Jesus the Messiah, and as Chuck Missler says, embedded consistent symbolism to foreshadow the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Here's the link:

http://www.accordingtothescriptures.org/prophecy/353prophecies.html

Perhaps Jesus didn't address each one of these on the road with the disciples, but you can bet He did a large number, His disciples were quite impressed afterwards. I don't think anyone would forget. I personally hope that God explains that to us in eternity. Then i can see how wrong I am on many points.

So, Jesus taught that He is the Son of God, that He would fulfil the scriptures (He often predicted His own death and resurrection, like in Luke 9:22) that those who believed in Him would have eternal life (John 3). He taught that Hell was a real place that people who reject God's salvation will go to (Luke 16). He taught after His resurrection that He had fulfilled the scriptures and He taught before His death that He would return one day like a thief (Matthew 24), that is, when we least expect it.

Does this sound like someone who is merely a good teacher? He is either or He said He is and taught who He was, or He wasn't. If you think that Jesus was merely an enlightened teacher, or very wise, you miss the entire point of what He taught.

How can you say He was a good teacher, then not accept what He said about Himself, and the scriptures, that He fulfilled them?

So if you acccept that Jesus is a good teacher, heed His teaching. Accept Him as Lord and Savior and accept His payment for your sins. Believe that He now lives! Believe that He is coming soon! Believe that He has overcome death, and allowed us to spend eternity with Him.

After all, Jesus taught these things.

Appendix

How to get saved, and have a relationship with Jesus.

"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." -Romans 10:9

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/how_to_be_saved.html

Did Jesus exist? Non-Biblical evidence that He did:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffvyroYH3g

Value Voters Summit

2011-10-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

So the results are back from the value voters summit in America. Supposedly Ron Paul was in the lead. I don't necessarily support any candidate, but here is an episode of Future Quake that discusses the summit. The folks running the summit suggest that Ron Paul supporters skewed the results, but Doc Future was there actually, and here's his perspective.

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow283.mp3

In other news, I've got a backload of articles for the blog here, but I haven't had time to do them right, so pray for me to have more time and use that time more effectively. Prayer for wisdom and discernment is also good.

Open Challenge to Open Minds Radio and Magazine

2011-10-17T06:08:00.000-07:00

Years ago, I began listening to "UFO Thinktank" with Alejandro Rojas. I enjoyed it, but it led me back into the ET is real and from space viewpoint and derailed my Christian faith partially. This show eventually morphed into "Open Minds Radio" and magazine. Both of these are well done, and have good information and evidence. Alejandro Rojas. Sounds like a super-cool nerdy guy, like me and he usually makes a good connection with his guests. On the show, Alejandro is willing to dismiss questionable sightings rather than accept every single light as aliens, so he gets some points there too.However, Open Minds is biased, and thus should not be called "Open Minds".

They support only the ETI (intelligent alien visitors from other planets) viewpoint and have yet to have on a guest that claims otherwise. (They may have had Nick Redfern on with his "Final Events" book, but I can't recall and nick is sort of on their page anyways. Nothing against nick either) So, knowing that their view is slanted should be a warning for those who check them out. They will lead you away from Biblical truth and into New Age or other viewpoints. I do not recommend anyone listen to them, unless you are fully armored up in the Lord's armor and sound in your walk.

So, that said this is my challenge to Open Minds and Alejandro Rojas. If you really have "Open Minds", then let's see some folks on the show and in the magazine who have good sound evidence that ET's are demonic in origin, and can be stopped in the name above all names, Jesus Christ. Joe Jordan alone has HUNDREDS of testimonies attesting to this.

This interview should be done in the same good spirit, and respect that all of your other interviews are done in, and the guest should be given adequate time to present their views and evidence. If Open Minds interviews the following guest I will buy 2 consecutive years of Open Minds Magazine subscriptions.

Joe Jordan

http://www.alienresistance.org/ce4.htm

Alejandro, you're a great guy, but please let's prove Open Minds is what it is by interviewing folks with a view different than your own. I don't want to beat you up, but let's see Open Minds, open up further.

Update 10-19-11

Alejandro Has accepted the challenge. He knows Joe and said he will have him on. I will update this with a link to the show or info on how to get it. Also, I modified the challenge to what he accepted, which is Joe Jordan.

What Will Happen When I Die?

2011-10-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

This question has plagued humanity for pretty much...ever. Of course just about every philosophy and religion (and every combination of the two) worth it's salt has an answer.

Atheists tend to believe nothing happens, that we're just a happy accident. At the end, nothing. Though i know one who believes his "conciousness," as energy will exist in some form even millenia from now. Some atheists like Ray Kurzweil think they'll be able to upload into a computer.

Muslims believe that Allah will judge them, weighing their good deeds against their bad. Hopefully their good deeds outweigh their bad, but even that isn't a guarantee. If Allah is feeling capricious that day and wants to mess with you, he could disregard the good deeds and send even the most devout Muslim to hell. Even if he's in a good and fair mood, how would anyone know if they've ever done enough good works? It's not like you or i can keep score.

A (reform Judaism) Jew told me that Jews believed that after death, there was nothing. Lights out, just like most Atheists. No judgment from God. It makes me wonder then what the point of keeping the 600 plus Mitzvoh would be if you're not rewarded or held to account over it. I'm sure other branches of Judaism would dispute the point on the afterlife.

Buddhists, Hindus and probably New Agers (since that's mostly westernized Hinduism/Buddhism with a pinch of selfish Americanism) believe their soul will be reborn into a new body depending upon how enlightened they became or how good they are in this life. There's even a bank that will set you up for your next life-that is if your new body can remember the password. There has yet to be a withdrawal.

Mormons believe that if they were good Mormons (men only, sorry ladies you can only go if your husband says so) will evolve into gods based upon their own merits and inherit their own planet to rule (don't believe me? Ask a Mormon about planet Kolob). This is all based on the writings of Joseph Smith (and the teachings of his successors), who had his hands in occultism of various sorts.

Those are just a few beliefs, there are hodgepodges of all the above, and even more distinct beliefs for other religions. But a common theme is that one will be judged for their good and bad works, and sent to heaven or hell accordingly, or sometimes just reincarnated based on that judgement. But nobody can say with absolute certainty since no one has died and come back. Well there was one, but we'll get to Him soon.

So, based on these beliefs, when is good, good enough? When are you ever good enough to go to Heaven or achieve enlightenment? There are millions of Buddhists, but none can claim they have achieved enlightenment. When can you or I, a finite creature, attain an infinite existence?

To avoid answering this question, some faiths skip the whole "good works/bad works" game and say that EVERYONE can go. After all, that's the only fair way, although that's not fair to those who did good. The worst thing is some of those people claim to be Christians. But if everyone eventually reaches the good place, that's great news for Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Jeffrey Dahmer, Jim Jones, Pol Pot and Dr. Mengele to name a few. And for those who did good, well, that's just too bad, we need to be fair, you'll just have to rub shoulders with mass murderers.

Despite the fact that these other faiths give answers, nobody can be absolutely sure.

Except for those who believe the Bible.

The Bible is absolutely clear on what happens when we die, and it also tells us PRECISELY what we need to do to get to the destination, we choose. Whatever that might be. Most know that the Bible says we either go to Heaven or to Hell and believe that God sends there which is partially true.

I've blogged about Hell (and the underworld for all spirits in general) so, feel free to dig around for that one. But to save time, here are the basics, as it pertains to you and i as humans beings.

Hell

Luke 16:19 - 31

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

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;

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

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.

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=16&v=1&t=KJV#1

The rich man died and found himself immediately in hell. Notice he was in TORMENTS, not having a good ol' time with his buddies as my pastor might say. To quote another good teacher, Chuck Missler, "He knew he was in hell and what's more. He knew that he deserved to be there." That's a brilliant observation, because notice he didn't argue that point at all.

Also note, God is not present with the rich man as he suffers. He lived without God, and that's his eternal reward. Eternity without God's love which in itself is a torment. I think it's interesting to note that Jesus says that He is Living Water (to the Samaritan woman) and water is just what this guy is asking for. That water would ease his torment, i think that his thirst may be at least partially a thirst for God and the Living Water. He's a spirit at this point, so why would he want physical water?

Anyone in this Hell, I presume, will end up in the Lake of Fire described in Revelation 20:15, which i believe is a punishment reserved for Satan and his angels and by default those who rebel by rejecting God. Luckily God gave us humans a way out, if only we accept it.

Why did he end up in Hell, while Lazarus went to Abraham's Bosom? From what I've been hearing in podcasts and commentaries it's because the rich man didn't trust in God. This is evidenced by his actions towards Lazarus who was literally outside his doorstep, begging even for scraps. The rich man didn't love God or His neighbor, not even enough to give this kid some scraps or to pray for him. I'd say that's proof that his heart was wicked.

Now for the flip side which is good news. Not everyone will go to Hell, though wide is the gate, so many people will sadly end up there you and I don't have to go. We saw in Luke 16 that Lazarus was in paradise, because he had faith and hope in the Most High God. But keep in mind this was before Christ's death and resurrection.

It seems according to this text, and possibly elsewhere in the Bible, that the faithful dead went to a temporary paradise, but when Christ died and rose again, the souls of the faithful dead went with Him to Heaven. Notice what Jesus said about faithful dead people differs from what Paul said.

2 Corinthians 5:6 - 8 the Apostle Paul stated that now after Christ's finished work, a faithful dead person goes straight to Jesus, even though we will all appear at the judgement seat of Christ. (Verse 10). (Also, Revelation 20:11 - 13, though i might not be 100% right on that.) Still, Jesus is now at God's right hand, not in Abraham's Bosom implying that those who now die in Christ, go to God directly.

So how do we get to Heaven and avoid Hell? How do we become faithful? What will Heaven be like?

We can't get to Heaven based on our works. Ephesians 2:8-10 clearly says we are saved by grace. That grace is our faith in Jesus Christ, who He is, and what HE HAS DONE (John 3:16)

First, God the Father draws us towards Him, to Jesus. Then, in my understanding, it's up to us to accept or reject that truth. Many people hear this truth, and reject it, then decide it's not fair that God send people-including themselves-to Hell.

That's like getting told about a five star, all you can eat buffet thats free for everyone who comes to the restaurant and washes their hands. But then refusing to go in and telling the host it's not fair the owner wants people to wash themselves clean and won't feed the people who don't want to wash their hands or come into the restaurant! Would you want to eat even the best food with filthy hands, or filthy people?

John 6:44-48

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

I am that bread of life.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=6&v=1&t=KJV#1

God's drawing us to Him with the "free buffet for everyone" sign on, and people just don't want it. Because they have to admit they are hungry and dirty, in need of cleaning and food.But how do we who want to, partake of this?

By repenting, and confessing our sins (1 John 1:9) and having faith in Jesus and what He's done, we are cleaned of our sins, and acceptable to God. Then we are free to go and be with Him.

No one eats before cleaning themselves.

Heaven of course, will be wonderful. Jesus describes Heaven and the Kingdom of God in the Gospels, i highly recommend you read those all the way through on your end. But we also get a glimpse of what Heaven will be like in the future.

Randy Alcorn has written a decent book about Heaven. But hardly anyone can do better than what God has given us. Take a look for yourselves.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Rev&c=21&v=1&t=KJV

So, there are really only two options of a destination when we die and the good news is we get to choose which one we want. God does draw us to Him, and gives us that faith as stated earlier and He also chose us before He created ANYTHING!

Ephesians 1:4-5

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=1&v=4&t=KJV#4

Is that fair? Yes, because although God draws us to Himself, and fore oredained us, He also allows the choice to accept His offer.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Pe&c=3&v=1&t=KJV#1

Right there, God makes it clear that He wants us all in Heaven with Him. He wants YOU there too. But because He is perfect, loving and just while we are not, we cannot be with Him in Heaven unless we accept His solution to deal with our sin. Can you think of anything more sad than you or someone you know going to Hell, eternally separated from God and in torment when they have the choice not to go? When God has clearly given us the way out? I can't.

So, God does not send anyone to Hell. He did not send the rich man in Luke 16 to Hell. The rich man wanted nothing to do with God in this life and lived accordingly, so he was rewarded with an eternity of what he wanted. Life without God and God's love. Read it Luke 16 again if you need to so you can see what an eternity without God's love is like.

Anyone now who does not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and rejects His gift to us, is saying with with their life that they want nothing to do with God. So upon death, they will get eternity without God. Please don't let that be your choice.

But if you want to spend eternity with a God who loves you, He will allow you to based on what He's done in Christ. Ask Jesus into your life, accept His gift of forgiveness and ask Him to forgive you. Tell Him you are sorry, and turn from your sinful life.

So again. Do you want so spend an eternity with a God who loves you so much, He died a death He didn't deserve? Do you want to get to know Him, and care for others like He does?

Or do you want spend an eternity without God? An eternity in torment with Satan who rebelled against God, hates God and hates you and I?

It's your choice.

Weight Loss, Daniel's way and God's Way was Daniel Trying to Cut his Carbs?

2011-10-04T13:04:00.000-07:00

This is hopefully a short one. I have been hearing bits and pieces about Rick Warren's Daniel Plan, and how non Biblical it is. And i think those claims are justified. Jan Markel's "Understanding the Times" (which i only catch occasionally) has done a great job of covering that angle, check out her archives.

The summary is that Warren is sharing his pulpit with occultists/non-Christians to give out health advice. This of course makes 1 Timothy 4:1 all the more relevant. (Stay in 1 Timothy, we're going back later!) Here are the experts. ("Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Daniel Amen, and Dr. Mehmet Oz").

I want to cover a different side, but first what is the Daniel Plan? From what i gather, these folks are trying to lose weight and get healthy using a "Biblical" model. Finding no scripture verse that supports exercise and weight loss, they did the next best thing. Take a chapter out of context. They took Daniel 1, and ran with it.

Here's their version, i had a real hard time getting to the real meat, but the simplified version is OK at doing that. Basically, Daniel 1 is their justification. I don't really see that they actually bother to quote Daniel, they just seem to assume that people will know enough to realize that Daniel did restrict his diet.
How closely the follow Daniel's "diet" i cant say.

http://saddleback.com/thedanielplan/dpsimplified/

http://saddleback.com/thedanielplan/whatisit/

But what does Daniel 1 actually say about food?

Daniel 1:4 - 16

And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel [the name] of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which [are] of your sort? then shall ye make [me] endanger my head to the king.

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.

Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Dan&c=1&t=KJV&q=daniel

The reason Daniel changed his diet was because it would defile him. In all likelihood, the meat did not conform to God's standards outlined in the Torah. (See Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Exodus for the dietary laws. Also, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashrut which more applies to today's standards for Jews but is a good overview.)

Daniel also gave up wine for other reasons. We're not told why the meat and wine were "unclean" but given that he was in Babylon, anything was possible.

But the long and short of it is, he wasn't trying to lose weight.

So, does the Bible say anything about exercise?

Not alot. But also keep in mind that in the times of the Bible people farmed and lived more active lives, their work WAS their exercise. But here's what Paul says:

1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ti&c=4&v=8&t=KJV#8

Now, i don't think he's saying not to exercise, but he's saying that pursuing your relationship with Christ is even more important. And it is. Make that priority number one. But also recall our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) so, in my opinion (in addition to keeping our bodoes free from sin) we are to take care of it properly including diet and exercise.

Opinion Zone (check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program)

Some "Christian Exercise" tips. First, don't do anything obviously sinful, like Yoga. I would even say that the striptease exercise classes are probably a bad idea. Instead, stick with something simple like aerobics, walking, running, swimming and other safe sports.

You can even use some of that exercise time to grow closer to the Lord. What i do sometimes while walking is listen to podcasts. (Check out itunes, for revelations radio, 66/40 and others) why just waste the time walking when you can hear great teaching about God and the Gospel?

The last thing you can do for a healthy body, in addition to exercising is to eat healthy. I don't even need to cover that here.

So before joining the Daniel plan, at least know that there are non-Christian and antiChristian elements in it. Also know that Daniel was not trying to lose weight, but He was trying to stay right with God.

Remember, Jesus commanded us to "let no man deceive us." That includes me, that includes Rick Warren and his "Daniel Weight Loss Plan."

Christian Persecution in America

2011-09-29T14:57:00.000-07:00

Persecution in america

Picture a small Bible study getting fined or arrested for meeting and studying God's Word. Imagine Christians being barred from jobs or schools because we believe that Christ has risen from the dead.

We often hear about stories like these (and these http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/09/28/iranian-pastor-faces-execution-for-refusing-to-recant-christian-faith/) coming from China, or Iran and America criticizes them for it. This also comes up in some Muslim countries, especially when we're looking for an excuse to bomb them. Usually the media and government officials turn their noses at them as "barbarians" and human rights violaters. Or some candidate for office decries their violation of freedom.

Of course we also know that some of this is how the holocaust in WWII Nazi Germany started. Those who don't learn from history...

What we never expect is for this sort of stuff to happen in America. The bastion of freedom, a "Christian" nation (although Chris Pinto can easily refute that). We are the land of "Jesusa" bumper stickers and churches where marines rappel from the roof tops on July 4 (thanks future quake for that one!) But I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I think persecution of Christians is already happening in America, and serious persecution will be not far behind.
Anyone who doubts an anti-Christian sentiment is at work in the culture should look around. Bill Maher frequently mocks Christians, Ned Flanders on the Simpons is what we are to others. And for a more sinister proof, just look at the drudgeretort blog. Its as if the author took the Protocols of Zion and replaced "Jew" with "Christian."

This is not to diminish those who suffer and die in Christ all over the world. We still have it easy here, but i fear not for much longer. Some believe that this persecution will even be at the hands of the big denominations. I wouldn't be surprised, but more on that later.

Here are some links i've been gathering for a week or two, and i wish i had time for more, but the Alex Jones one has about 18, so for any naysayers this should suffice. I don't normally advocate (nor rail against) infowars, but they sometimes have good stuff. Sometimes.

Links:

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2011/09/20/oc-couple-threatened-with-500-per-meeting-fines-for-home-bible-study/

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/22/texas-school-punishes-boy-for-opposing-homosexuality/

www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/21/cross-in-elderly-la-womans-yard-stirs-controversy/

http://www.infowars.com/18-examples-of-how-christians-are-being-specifically-targeted-by-big-brother/

I doubt that's all of them.

But this should not surprise any of us. Jesus Himself warned us that we would be persecuted for our faith. The World hated Him, so it will hate us. And i believe He even told us how to respond to it.

Despite Jesus' instructions, many American/western Christians presume that if we're about to be persecuted, robbed etc. that we have not only the right, but the Divine obligation to use lethal force upon others. I think that before using violence, one should consider the ramifications of the violence, which ultimately is likely sending an unsaved person to hell. I would say that in most circumstances the use of violence is not what Christ would have us do, particularly as it relates to being persecuted for our faith. Prayer, Bible study and discernment is needed though on your part well before such a choice presents itself to prepare you.

Keep in mind, this study is mostly in the vein of getting picked up by the authorities or others merely for believing on Christ, and does not cover self defense for other situations like robbery and the like. That has been addressed in a previous post.

Some American Christians often use this passage as justification. After all, if Jesus said to carry swords He obviously wanted us to use them, right?

Luke 22:36 - 38

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

And

49 - 51

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=22&t=KJV#38

Or as the new living translation says it

Luke 22:51

But Jesus said, "No more of this." And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=22&t=NLT#38

Notice that Jesus undid Peter's attack. He didn't stop Peter, nor did He chastise Him much either. But i think we can infer by what Jesus did by healing that He would rather not have us Christians using weapons to avoid arrest for our faith.

No, if we are to be conformed to the image of Christ, we are to follow His example. After all, if He who was the only one worthy of escaping death went anyways, how can we justify ourselves escaping by violence? When we are persecuted Jesus says quite clearly what we are to do. Now i do believe we need to pray about this and ready our hearts now, so that when the time comes we are ready.

Luke 21:12-19

"But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.

But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. [fn]

So don't worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,
for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!

Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you.
And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. [fn]

But not a hair of your head will perish!
By standing firm, you will win your souls.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=21&v=1&t=NLT

Matthew 24:6-9

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=24&t=KJV#1

Some of the above does happen elsewhere already. But, a couple of things here, notice in Luke, He mentions we would be sent to the synagogues, my working theory is this means also churches. Some like Chuck Missler have said persecution will come from the denominations, and i think that verse definitely supports that. It makes sense when you consider that mainline denominations continue to defy what the Bible says for whatever reason.

So we're just supposed to go and get persecuted without a fight? How can we do that? This is where prayer and discernment come in. For anyone who wants to see an example of this in action, read Dave Wilkerson's "The Cross and the Switchblade". This book is full of examples of how saved former gangsters refused to fight when confronted with violence because they now followed Christ and wanted to be a good witness.

I recall a recent story on Future Quake where Tom Bionic told of a former prize fighter who had become a missionary. So this boxer is out somewhere when a witchdoctor challenged him to a fight. After some prayer and thought, the fighter told the witch doctor that God did all his fighting and agreed to meet him. The witch doctor came up to him and started doing his stuff, and as he was about to fight the missionary, he fell over dead.

Also note that Jesus gave us a reason to not fight back. As we get arrested and questioned, this our chance to share the Gospel with those who would do us harm.

I admit that it goes against everything we're taught, and most everything we feel to not fight back, but so does just about everything about being a disciple of Jesus. Remember, if we are persecuted for His name, He is with us and will make sure our eternal state is secure.

Update 10-8-11

For a look at what Christian persecution in America might look like, take a look at these links.

"If Footmen Tire you, What will horses do?"

http://futurequake.com/Audio/FQShow281.mp3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKyZPC-gEMs&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLBB1D279C7E95EA9C

It's a little campy, but it's full of powerful images. Also, it doesn't have to be communists, it could be other forces one day, though I doubt it would be Muslims like many on the right would have us believe.

http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/RA/k/767/Living-By-Sword.htm

Update 11-15-11

Churches vandalized in one of the Carolinas.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45303711/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

Also, Chuck Missler is recommending Everyone read Habakkuk (esp 2:4) and Hebrews, Romans and Galatians as a way to live faithfully during any upcoming turmoil.

Please share any articles you find below

Book Review of Robin Parrish's "Vigilante"

2011-09-28T17:16:00.000-07:00

Soldier. Super Hero. Christian.

These are the words that describe Nolan Gray, a former war hero who takes up the mantle of "The Hand" to deal with the growing crime in New York City. His objective: to show the people a better way.

Nolan teams up with his former commanding officer and gadget nerd to save the day. Armed with clever high-tech devices, including (by novel's end) an over-abused grappling gun, Nolan's quest to show people a better way takes off. But as he tries to bring Heaven to earth through man's efforts, the government's bungling efforts to reduce crime lead Nolan into a war against a dangerous mobster and a character revealing descent into darkness.

As a superhero/adventure novel, this book is definitely a page turner. There is action to be found on nearly every page, intrigue and a number of surprising plot twists that caught me off guard. Many of the characters reacted to situations in believable ways lending some realism to the unbelievable premise of super heroes. We also find that working with an original character has a number of advantages over working with folks like Batman or Spider-Man. You're not bound by 60 years of (dis)continuity and you just never know for sure what to expect or what will happen next.

As I mentioned a moment ago, there was also a good dose of realism added to the story, in that Nolan finds out quite quickly that super heroics take a toll on the body. After only a few days on the job, he's already pushing himself to go on despite injuries and ailments received on the streets. But he pushed himself and recovered in a believable way, not with bandages and three panels of time like, many mainstream heroes. And points for using graphene and not making any characters come back from the dead.

As a Christian novel, one could look at it in a number of ways. I'm not sure what the author's theology is like, but I don't need to know. Part of the allure of this novel for me is what my own theological baggage brought into it. Ten years ago, I would have thought Nolan was right on even in the later parts of the novel, but after growing in my own faith and knowledge of God's Word, I see the character's journey as a warning to what Christian America is in danger of becoming. A self-righteous killing machine justifying his actions in the name of fighting evil.

Nolan's Christian faith is an enigma. While it would have been interesting to see Nolan wrestle with the "eye for an eye" vs "love your enemies" stances, he's already made his mind up. We are the ones who have to figure out if he's right or not. These arguments were explored in the novel briefly by other characters, but I had hoped for them to be explored more deeply by Nolan. But in some ways leaving things unsaid might be a bolder statement. Especially in the later parts of the story, where Arjay, the unbeliever, is the most Christian sounding person of the bunch.

To me, "Vigilante" was a sobering parable for Christian America's (Christian right, Dominionists and anti-Sharia law folks) eagerness to embrace violence to dispatch America's enemies in the hopes of creating Heaven on earth, rather than bringing people what they need, a relationship with Jesus Christ. Would Jesus really want His people taking life and using violence to make the world "better?" As you see what happens to Nolan's decisions, I think we see that the cost of what his adventure did to him as a person shows it wasn't worth it. But despite the bad, anti-Christian choices he makes, God's grace is still there for him if he chooses to accept it.

Despite the overall awesomeness of the story, I would like to point out a few detractors. First, there are a lot of really short chapters, and some of these chapter breaks weren't really necessary to me. This is kind of a pet peeve of mine (I'm talking to you Steven Barnes! "Cestus Deception!") it makes you feel that you're progressing through the story faster than you actually are.

I was also confused at a few minor points in the story, but those could have been things I missed the clues to and certainly didn't take anythin away from the enjoyment of the story.

As mentioned earlier, something that was huge for me as I read it was that I wanted to get into the motivations of the characters, Nolan especially, and it would have been nice to know if he had just gone crazy or if he's really got a good reason for what he does. There are implications that his experiences as a POW had something to do with it, but there were no solid leads. As I reflect though, I think that Nolan's internal motivations are often manifested through his actions, and we are the ones who have to decide if it's justified. So, while we don't get into Nolan's head, reflection on what he does reveals his motives. I'm not sure what the author's intent was regarding Nolan's character, but it kind of worked out.

On the flip-side, we do see quite a bit of the villain's motivations, which does make for some good and creepy scenes.

"Vigilante" is a solid adventure story, with a little bit of on-page faith and prayer, without any solid doctrinal stance leaving it open for interpretation. However, just knowing the main character is a Christian should cause any reader to be a Berean about how well Nolan's actions line up with what the Bible said. Is he in line with Christ? Or is he in line with the culture?

Give it a look to see what a Christian superheo might look like, or what happens when Christians abandon the Bible and use their own standards to deal with injustice. If anything "Vigilante" will make you think about how justified "Christian" violence is.

Wipe Them Out...All of Them: Why Would a Good and Loving God Ask Israel to Kill Everyone

2011-09-24T15:22:00.001-07:00

Wow, am I losing it. Turns out I had just written a similar blog less than a month ago here: http://dontaskthatinchurch.blogspot.com/2011/09/wrath-of-god-is-god-really-genocidal.html. I guess God must have just had this heavy on my heart. The previous article deals with more of the nephilim angle, so consider this blog may part deux.

On top of that, i had some errors which i've hopefully fixed.

One of the most common arguments (in my mind) for atheists rejecting the Bible or God being a loving God (or there even being a God) is the Conquest of Canaan and the "genocide" perpetrated by Israel. They can't believe that a loving God would demand "genocide". This is true, God is love, and He didn't demand genocide, or wonton slaughter merely for the sake of it. If He'd wanted that, He didn't need Israel, and could have just rained fire from Heaven, or allowed other nations to just wipe each other out. There are also a few places in the Bible where angels wiped out whole armies to keep Israel from destruction, so God used Israel, but had other options for punishment if needed.

In my view, and i would say the Bible's view, God didn't order genocide or death for land. Or just genocide for no reason.

He ordered judgment.

Because God loves us, and is good, and Holy, when we sin, it hurts Him. Sin in part is a rejection of the good things of God, for the fallen things of satan. And although God is patient, and slow to anger, He must eventually punish disobedience and things that hurt Him. Case in point, Canaan was a land of sin, so God had to punish them after more than 400 years (the time Israel was in egypt) of sin.

But even so, God allowed for mercy except in the few cases we'll get into. First, see that God commanded Israel to pursue peace where possible.

Deut 20:10-12

When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.

And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, [that] all the people [that is] found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.

And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:

Its also not unheard of for God to judge one nation, by using another to conquer them. We often see in the Old Testament that God used military action between nations to judge other nations for wicked behavior. We even see that Babylon and Assyria were used to judge Israel when they started to act in horrible ways (the same ways the Canaanites had acted). Because God is fair He dealt with Israel the same way. See the book of Judges, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel among others to see that God severely punished Israel in a similar manner to the way He used Israel to clear out Canaan. If it hadn't been for His covenenant, and His goodness to keep His word its possible that God might have even wiped out Israel for their sins.

But, thats not really enough justification. What about the "genocide"? So what if the Canaanites were bad, is it really necessary to wipe out whole peoples?

What follows is my best attempt to explain Israel's conquest of Canaan, the tribes affected (and how) and what that tribe had done that would warrant what they got.

To start, in Numbers 35:32-34 God says that murder pollutes the land. the Hebrew word in my concordance indicates that this is a moral defilement. Perhaps this creates a foothold for the devil as it seems to be much like what Russ Dizdar and LA Marzulli talk about.

I can't say 100% for sure but it makes some sense to me. Think about it, when a place has alot of murders, or suicides haunting stories are often not far behind. Or ghosts on famous battlegrounds (this is a whole new topic!). Satan and his demons love to see humans suffer, (and sexually defiled) so it makes sense that they would congregate where much blood (like in a sacrifice) has been spilled, thus a defilement occurs.

At least some of the Canaanites practiced human sacrifice, Molech worship as well as child bones have been found in canaanite areas.

There are also some examples of excessive cruelty when the Canaanite tribes fought each other. Sihon and the Amorites had fought Moab, and i gather that Moab took a good beating beyond what would be considered "just war".

Another thing to note is that the spies in Numbers (Caleb, etc.) Reported giants, that is nephilim. (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephilim)

http://lamarzulli.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/the-cosmic-chess-match-giants-in-the-promised-land-why-are-they-there/

Genesis 6 outlines how nephilim came to be. Fallen angels mating with human women. The flood wiped them out, but somehow they returned in another form. I won't debate this, as its been argued many times over, but this topic is HOT right now.

Your kids are probably reading the "Fallen" series or Percy Jackson (half "god?" please, its a nephilim) which are nephilim viewed in a positive light. "Heroes, great men of renown".(My assumption, i havent read either. Please correct me if i'm wrong.) I might even throw x-men into this boat. Why not see the truth about "demigods" and nephilim from the Bible, that this DID happen at some point, and God saw it as an abomination, not enetertainment like the kids have.

Anyways, not to beat a dead nephilim, but its relevant. Canaan, the promised land had some nephilim in it. End of story.

So there were nephilim, and the non-nephilim tribes that lived in Canaan. Nephilim are usually bloodthirsty. And the human tribes, in some cases, committed murder by doing human sacrifice, and brutally warring against each other. The land was defiled, at a minimum with spilled blood.

God clearly says (Num 35:33) the land will remain polluted until the murderer is killed. The canaanites were the murderers, so perhaps with their defiled hands, they couldn't be used to judge each other. Some outside force needed to get rid of all those who had spilled blood wrongly. Which is what He commanded Israel to do. Execute, in righteous judgement, those who had killed and rebelled against The Most Hgih God.

Keep in mind this rule was made at a time before Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Now, His work on the cross, and His blood is sufficient to cleanse a murderer or cleanse a defiled land as His power and authority, proven by His resurrection, place Him above any spirit that would reside in any such defiled place. Controversially, David Berkowitz has publicly accepted this atonement and thus will be spared on judgment day as he has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

Back on track, after much set up. What follows is my best attempt to identify the tribes Israel displaced or wiped out. If i've missed any, or assigned evil to them that they didn't do, please correct me. It was quite difficult to find out what these tribes were all about, and with my limited resources, this is what i could find out about what they did, and how they were punished.

One more thing to keep in mind as we consider how Israel committed "genocide". We are told that they (tribes) all were stronger than Israel in Deuteronomy 11:22 and 23 and that the Lord would do most of the work. Also, the inhabitants were evil. (Nephilim are unsaveable, they always oppose God and Israel) and many of the humans were evil as has been shown.

Deut 11:22-23:

For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;

Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.

First, the Nephilim tribes. Ahiman, Sheshai, Talmai are all descended from Anak (Numbers 13:22) (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anak). As said earlier, nephilim had an automatic death sentence. They can't be saved, they were evil and irredeemable. Christ died only for people, and no nephilim would ever want to repent anyways. For God to order a complete destruction of this group is to eliminate a class of being that is wholly against God's natural order and the result of rebellion by beings who should have known better.

Bashan - King Og attacked Israel first, so he brought it on himself to start with. (Numbers 21). Not only that, he (and presumably the Bashanites) weren't human. In Deuteronomy 3:11 he is described as last of the giants (H7497 which is actually Rephaim or Rapha).

How exactly a Rephaim differs from a nephilim, i don't know. But if you're interested, check out Judd Burton's "Interview with the Giant". He gets into the other giant tribes Israel had to deal with, like the zamzummin (Ammonite name for Rephaim) and the rest.

For more on nephilim in the land, see my early september post linked in the opening paragraph. Suffice it to say, they were the easy ones to justify.

Now, the humans. God makes it clear that certain tribes were to be wiped out, and this judgement was multifold. So Israel wouldn't turn from their God to follow false ones. To judge them for the abonimable things they'd done. And my conjecture: the blood they'd spilled in murder/sacrifice and that they were perhaps demonized.

Exodus 33 outlines that God would drive out certain tribes, and it appears that the same tribes are in Deuteronomy 20 and have been selected for judgment, but i'll go through them in no particular order. I've brought up a few tribes that are dealt with in different ways to show there were differences in what God commanded.

Exodus 34:11 & 12

Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Exd&c=34&v=1&t=KJV#1

Deut 20

V 16 - 18

But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

But thou shalt utterly destroy them; [namely], the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:

That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Deu&c=20&t=KJV#1

Amelekites (not listed above, but judged) - These guys appear to be kind of like Edomites, who were descended from Esau. (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalek).

Exodus 17 indicates they attacked Israel unprovoked, which involved some back and forth fighting. Deuteronomy 25 has God talking about dealing with people fairly (related to trade) and gives the order to wipe them out because of their unprovoked attack on Israel. This suggests that they generally treated ALL passersby in horrible ways, suggesting completely irredeemable hearts.

They weren't wiped out in the conquest of Canaan, but were judged by God (1 Samuel 15) for their unrepetent persecution of Israel and their general uncouth conduct. It seems they had grown exceedingly wicked and repentence was far from their mind, much like Sodom and Gomorrah. (See the susancanthony article later. Apparently S&G were wicked in WAY more ways than just homosexuality.) So, Amalek was judged the way other cultures were and even Israel was when they practiced evil. Though they were to be wiped out, Saul didnt complete the task in any event. This of course cause problems later.

Here is a look at some of Amalek's shining moments. In summary, they were often cruel, and cowardly and often opposed to Israel for no real good reason.

(http://www.rationalchristianity.net/amalekites.html)

(http://www.isaiah58.com/broadcasters/amel.htm)

Hittites - These guys were hard to find in regards to what they did wrong. It seems these guys lived north of Israel, near the black sea. Maybe where Turkey is today. Here's some basic info. They also seem to have pretty standard Babylonian religious beliefs, some of the same gods appear.

We do know that peoples practicing pagan worship were selected for judgment. Israel was too when they partook of it. As i said earlier, pagan worship likely gets people demonized and probably involves human sacrifice. We don't know what exactly the Hittites practiced but it likely was abominable and offensive.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hittites
And
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Hittites

Exodus 33 God says He will drive them out. But later in Deuteronomy 20 God does select them to be wiped out. Though Israel was told to wipe them out, they don't seem to have done the job as there are Hittites after the Promised Land was occupied, and Israel seemed to live with them. And Uriah, king david's general was a Hittite.

My new conclusions are that God drove the Hittites away, until such a time as Israel was populous enough to live in their land. But when the time came to get rid of them, Israel just never did it.

Jebusites - Exodus again says that God would drive them out, and Deut. 20 gives the instruction to wipe them out, but they also appear to fall into the same boat as the Hittites as they too were around after Israel took over Canaan. In Joshua it seems the Jebusites take up arms against Israel, before He struck so Israel had to fight them because they wouldn't leave. Now keep in mind, most, if not all of the inhabitants of Canaan had all heard about Jericho, and Og and Sihon being wiped out and were afraid of Israel and God.

But even knowing God was with Israel, the Jebusites took up arms anyways, which is no less than a rebellion against God and demonstrates that they were unrepetent. They knew they were being judged, and rather than repent (like ninevah) they resisted.

Still, it seems that God was still merciful or Israel again dropped the ball as they didn't get wiped out.

Amorites (King Sihon) - Numbers 21 outlines that they had previously wiped out many Moabites (in a brutal way) and were hostile to Israel even passing through. Israel had even sent ambassadors to ask if they could pass. Not only did Sihon deny Israel passage, he went to attack them! Again, this may be like the Jebusite situation. He knew judgement was coming, and rather than repent, Sihon sought to get rid of the instrument of judgement: Israel.

They also don't seem to have been completely wiped out, as later on, Israel was influenced by their idol worship, which got Israel in major trouble with God.

Canaanites and Perizzites - There is really little on these guys. I can find no reason they were judged, or if they survived it. Again, they also practiced "abominations" which involved idols and possbily human sacrifice. If anyone has anything to add on these guys, by all means. But for now, they're on the naughty list.

The Canaanites were also said to worship Molech which involved child sacrifice.

Moab - not completely wiped out, nor selected for getting wiped out, but idol worshippers of Baal Numbers 25, and Chemosh (who might also be related to Molech which involved child sacrifice). The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary implies that Chemosh was not adverse to human sacrifice, citing 2 Kings 3:27.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemosh

In any event, they don't seem to have been harassed much by Israel as the Amorites had already taken their (Moabite) land which was then taken by Israel.

Midianites - Are resident in Numbers 25 and were basically baal worshippers. This involved prostitution (which could easily have spread demonization, not to mention STD). They were slated for punishment by death because their idolotry caused problems for Israel, so God judged them.

The daughter of the midianite leader was involved in defiling Israel with idol worship and God ordered them killed for it in Numbers 31. Perhaps because someone in power was responsible, more people had to be punished. This makes some sense, as the leader usually is a representative of the people.

Also, the Israelites involved in this scandal were to die so as not to defile all of Israel. God didn't just single out the Midianites.

In Numbers 31 the Midianite men were killed, as were some women, because they led Israel into idolatry. Virgins were spared and allowed to marry into Israel. Presumably the sexual contact would have opened Israel up to STD's, and/or demonic influence and if Israelites had sex with the non-virgins, they would become demonized or infected with VD as well.

Also, verse 21 has a requirement to burn all the metals Israel took. This i think lends credence to the demonized theory which would sterilze the implements, but also presumably remove any demonic attachment.

Again, at this time, before Christ had come, there really was no way to effectively exorcise people, let alone on a mass scale, so execution was the order. Anyone who thinks possession is no big deal should read about Jesus' encounter with Legion. Sure, God could have just removed the demons but that seems to not be the way God operates.

This seems to be all of the tribes selected for "genocide" so if i've missed any, please note what the tribe name is, and the punishment alotted to them. If i uncover more, i will add them. Also note that in many cases Israel didn't obey anyways which cause them to stray from God.

This should be perfectly clear that God, as a loving God did not order a wholescale genocide of the promised land. Rather, it was a judgement on the groups of people living there for the wickedness they'd done. In many cases, Israel didn't even kill them (even when they were supposed to) or only killed when attacked first. The only instances of successful "genocide" appear to be directed to the inhuman nephilim of the area. Other similar orders were only given when a tribe had really led Israel astray, or once the specific Canaanite tribe had proven they were beyond repentence.

It is also worth noting that God is not only good, but also just. Israel's conquest was a judgment, and because God is just, He turned Israel over to the same fate when they started to do the abominations the Canaanites had done.

So for those who question why a loving God could ask for "genocide" or the death of people let me reiterate what i said earlier and paraphrase Chuck Missler. God is good, God is just. Sin, is rebellion against a God who is good, and loves us. As a just God, He must punish sin. But, because God is good, He only punishes people to this extreme when they are beyond repentence. Read the book of Jonah. Ninevah was at least as bad as some of the Canaanite tribes, but because they responded to God's threat of judgement, they repented. The Canaanite tribes seemed to know judgement was coming and opted not to repent, but to resist.

Appendix

General evil in Canaan (Sodom and Gomorrah too. I haven't read this in depth yet.)

http://susancanthony.com/Resources/Dennis/canaan.html

(Referenced earlier)
http://www.truthnet.org/biblicalarcheology/6/conquestcanaan.htm

Disclaimer

This is a general overview. Some of this info is conjecture on my part or is based on incomplete information. Please feel free to bring up tribes or other examples of Israel's genocide and i will address it. I apologize if any info is wrong.

The Most Worthless Blog Post Ever

2011-09-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

We made it to one year!

Thanks everyone!

I've been busy lately, so that's why there's not much new...I am kind of researching for a few possible posts and kind of out of ideas for the moment.

Special thanks to chris white and gaz parker for kicking me started, and of course to Jesus Christ who did everything for me!

Everything's a Conspiracy...or so THEY say!

2011-09-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

Mention any one of a hundred "alternate viewpoints" of a famous event: 9/11, JFK, HAARP, UFO's, bigfoot, the moon landings, planet x Roswell, and many others and you're bound to be labelled a conspiracy theorist. All because you didn't buy the official story from the people who sold it.

Jesse Ventura has a show about them, people spend large portions of ther lives studying-and being afraid of-conspiracies. Most people just roll their eyes and go back to their lattes and 9-5. After all,no one could lie to the whole world, could they? There's no way people could get away with conspiracies now, everyone is working for the better good of humanity. Republican politicians want to keep conservative family values. Democrats want to help social justice.

Nevermind that Goebbels (i think, maybe it was Himmler) in Nazi Germany said that if you tell a lie big enough and often enough the masses will believe it. Maybe i made that up and twisted it around. Sorry.

While there a large number of conspiracy theories about, and i'm sure a large number of them are disinformation, there are likely a number that are actually true. Though many of them are fascinating I don't want to touch on any from today. Rather, i want to show, by studying history and the Bible that conspiracies are actually to be found everywhere. And if they happened in the Bible and throughout the more recent past, why wouldn't they be happening under our noses?

One of the first conspiracies, to be found would be Genesis 6. When satan and the fallen angels came down took human women and had children with them. This is expanded on in the non-canonical book of enoch.

If that's too mythological for you, how about Babel? Humans conspired to build the tower to reach into Heaven.

Those are both fairly fantastic, though i believe they were true and happened as the Bible said. But how about something more "down to earth"?

Let's look at a few, there are quite a number of conspiracies in the Bible. I won't post links as there are so many. I'll just give you the verse and the briefest summary i can.

In english the words conspiracy, and related to conspiracy comes up alot. Its fairly consistent in the Hebrew it looks like as well. The Genesis reference is H5230 in Strong's (thanks BLB!) Which means "Nakal" or to be crafty/deceitful.

Most of them seem to use H7194 (qashar) or some variant which means very much the same as conspiracy's definition, which is to tie or bind together. H7195 also comes up which is qesher, which is also conspire but can mean treason as well.

We're not told how many are in on each conspiracy, some of them seem to imply a "lone nut" approach, that of one person killing the king, or it could (IMO) mean that one person led others against said king, and we just don't get how many others were involved. The Bible doesn't say, but we do get a clear sense there is conspiracy, and treason.

Gen. 37 - Joseph's brothers conspired to kill him, but sold him into slavery instead.

Numbers 16 - Korah, Dathan and Abiram conspired together and led 250 people in a revolt against Moses. You really need to see how God dealt with that!

1 Samuel 22 - shows us that Saul had become a "conspiracy nut," thinking that David was conspiring against him.

2 Samuel 15 - Absalom and David's counselor Ahitophel led a conspiracy to get rid of David and make Absalom king. David prayed and Ahitophel's counsel turned into foolishness. (Prayer can disrupt conspiracy proving that God is more powerful!)

1 Kings 15 - Baasha conspired to assassinate King Nadab. It also appears that it displeased the Lord, and he was punished for it in Chpt 16.

1 Kings 16 - Baasha's son Elah ruled, then one of his officers conspired and killed him.

2 Kings 9:14 - Jehu conspired against King Joram and killed him.

2 Kings 10 - King Ahab (i THINK) admits to having conspired against his master. King Jehu (at God's command) also seems to engage in a conspiracy against the priests of Baal.

Actually, 1 and 2 Kings are full of conspiracy, and assassination. If anyone interested in how conspiracies often enact a regime change should just read those. The following all mention some conspiracy.

2 Kings 12, 14, 15 (at least three conspiracies!), 17, and 21.

2 Chronicles 24 - King Joash (i presume) conspired with the people to kill the prophet Zechariah. Later, others conspired and killed Joash.

2 Chronicles 25 - King Amaziah was killed by a conspiracy of the people it seems, though the word "they" appears. (THEY always show up!)

2 Chronicles 33 - King Amon's servants conspired and murdered him, in turn they were killed by the people.

Nehemiah 4 - Arabians, and a bunch of various "Ites" conspire to attack Jerusalem during the rebuilding.

Jeremiah 11:9 - the men of Judah and Jerusalem were wrapped up in a conspiracy to chase after false gods, and Jeremiah was told this by God Himself!

Ezekiel 22 - God again reveals a conspiracy of the false prophets in Jerusalem (i believe) seemingly to get rich and to violate the priestly law.

Amos 7 - Amaziah the priest accuses Amos of conspiracy, yet seems to be conspiring against Amos.

Luke 20 - here, and various other parts of each Gospel, the Sadduccees and Pharisees and Judas conspired to kill Jesus Christ. Of course, Christ being God's Son, one with the Father, was basically in charge of when they could act upon that.

Acts 23 - more than 40 Jews conspired to kill Paul.

Revelation 18 - Dr. Future's favorite verse (j/k doc) seems to say that the kings of the earth committed adultery with the Babylon system and the merchants of the earth also used that system (and drugs/sorcery) to get rich at the expense of deceiving the people of the Earth.

So, there is alot evidence of conspiracy in the Bible, and much of it seems to be related to people overthrowing kings, but there also seems to be a few instances of where rulers or religious authorites misled the people. The biggest one of course is that the Babylon system deceived everyone.

Though this is a long list, i would say this hardly begins to scratch the surface of the things the men have conspired to do. Think about how many other conspiracies there may have been throughout all of history, for one reason or another. And keep in mind that this doesnt cover the ones we know about from recent history.

Hitler's Reichstag fire which led to him getting more power, and the "final solution".

The gulf of Tonkin incident, which led to the Vietnam war has recently been revealed as having been a cover up, or due to faulty intelligence AT BEST, deliberate distortion to get into a war at the worst.

Those are but a few.

Since conspiracies are indeed a reality, what should we do? First i would say, realize that a majority of conspiracy theories are probably bunk, BUT there are probably some with truth in them. I recommend looking at the evidence yourself and vetting it. Don't take it for granted that Jesse Ventura, David Icke or abovetopsecret have all the answers.

Second, use common sense. There are probably a ton of 9/11 conspiracy theories, and they can't all be right. So, take the most credible and realistic and stick with that.

Third, more importantly DON'T WORRY ABOUT CONSPIRAICES! There's nothing most of us can do anyways, not to mention that worrying about being victim of one would do nothing also. Fear not men, who can only harm the body, but rather fear God who will judge us one day. (Thats a haphazard paraphrase, sorry.) Also, take Isaiah:

Isaiah 8:12 - 14

Say ye not, A confederacy, to all [them to] whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.

Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and [let] him [be] your fear, and [let] him [be] your dread.

And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. "

(Confederacy is the same as H7195, conspiracy)

NLT

"Don't call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don't live in dread of what frightens them.

Make the LORD of Heaven's Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble.

He will keep you safe. But to Israel and Judah he will be a stone that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. "

This is good advice, because God is sovereign and nothing happens that is outside of His plan. You can't surprise God, and nothing that happens in the world surprises Him. Just know that God loves you, He has a plan for you and He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for you, and if you believe in Him, you will share in Jesus Christ's resurrection.

Appendix
(Search for consp* in the Bible

http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=conspir%2A&t=KJV&sf=5)

Prayer need

2011-09-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2011-09-06T22_18_35-07_00.mp3

Wrath of God: Is God Really a Genocidal Maniac?

2011-09-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

There was a "Churchianity Today" magazine issue a while back that claimed the "God of the Old Testament" (as if He changed from the old to new covenants) acted like a spoiled toddler. How such a blasphemous article was published in a Christian magazine, i'll never know.

Similar claims are also made by atheists, and those rejecting Christianity. People claim they would have believed in God if He wasnt so murderous, etc. Its a shallow excuse, as God (if He's good, and just. And He is) must punish evil. After all, we dont want people like Hitler traipsing about Heaven. If someone reads about God's thoughts in the Bible, it's clear that He gives people incredible chances to repent before punishing them, and it even seems to grieve Him to have to do it.

Just read Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, As God punishes Israel in His righteous anger, He does so because Israel has been unfaithful to their promises. God's heartache is also evident. The book of Judges is also a great example of how Israel was punished by God, through the use of other armies when they backslid.

A few quick examples of how God was patient before judgment:

Sodom and Gomorrah. He gave Lot time to leave before judging. God also would have spared the city even if there had been a handful of righteous men, God wouldn't have passed judgment. Even when the folks in that city saw the angels, they were hardly interested in hearing any message to repent, but wanted to sleep with the angels!

God even says through His Son Jesus in Matthew 11:23 that if Christ had come to Sodom and performed miracles, they would have repented, and would still have existed in His day. This implies, to me anyways, that anything less would not have moved Sodom to repentence, which is why God judged them. They were beyond redemption for the most part.

We also see in the book of Jonah, that God had passed judgment on Ninevah. Ninevah was incredibly wicked, for details i recommend Chuck Missler's series on Jonah. But even a wicked city like Ninevah was allowed to repent!

God would prefer true, heartfelt repentence over destruction any day.

God even judged Israel, and used the armies of other countries to punish them for disobedience. In fact, He had warned Israel it would happen when they entered into the covenant. But it sets a precedent that God sometimes uses human armies to punish other nations, and even judges those armies if they are too harsh! I can't find the exact verse but i recall that being the case occasionally.

God's warnings to Israel that disobedience would lead to His curse, and that He would punish them. As i recall, the book of Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Isaiah at a minimum relate to Israel being attacked by foreigners as God's punishment for not obeying Him.

(As suggested by the Life application study Bible)

Lev 26:14-45
Deut 28:15-68
5:15

Isa 9:13
44:26
Jer 44:2-6

And He was right to do it:

Daniel 9:4 - 14

But what about Canaan? Didn't God basically give the Israelites carte blanche to murder and commit genocide? Why did God command Israel to wipe out the inhabitants of Canaan, even to the last woman, child and even sometimes the animals?

First, there were instances (shown in Deuteronomy 2 at least, where God said not to do anything to the people.)

This article, outlines some good reasons why God ordered the complete eradication of the Canaanites. http://www.rationalchristianity.net/genocide.html. i dont agree with all of them, but they are some good logical ones. Probably inadequate for most hard line skeptics.

These,

http://www.theology.edu/conquest.htm and http://www.spiritandtruth.org/teaching/documents/articles/27/27.htm

First, Canaan was a land of sin, pagan worship and immorality. Not to mention that much of that pagan worship involved child sacrifice. So the Canaanites were already killing their own children for the worship of their gods and idols. (Deauteronomy 12:29-31).

But couldn't the canaanite children have been saved by Israel instead of killed? The above article gives a decent reason, but I doubt it would satisfy critics. So, why would innocent children need to die?

One theory i have, sort of based off of things i hear Russ Dizdar talk about occasionally, is that these kids were part of a pagan society. As such, they may have partaken in, or been the focus of pagan rituals. Pagan rituals in turn, open people up to demonic influence and possession. Not to mention, if they were going to be sacrificed, they would have been demonized through rituals anyways. And without salvation, and the power of Jesus Christ, His work on the cross and Resurrection, there was not much that could be done to get the demons out. Especially on such a large scale. Thus, the need to get rid of the women, children and animals, they were likely all highly demonized.

If that's not a good enough reason, consider this. at least some of the people in Canaan were not fully human. That's right, there are other sentient beings that exist besides humans. Canaan was full of giants/nephilim. The children of Anak at a minimum were non-humans, i would submit that many canaanites were not as well. And giants/nephilim have always acted in a wicked manner and hated God.

Numbers 13:26 - 33

And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this [is] the fruit of it.

Nevertheless the people [be] strong that dwell in the land, and the cities [are] walled, [and] very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.

The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.

And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they [are] stronger than we.

And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, [is] a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it [are] men of a great stature.

And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, [which come] of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Num&c=13&t=KJV#33

Deuteronomy 2:9 -11

And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land [for] a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot [for] a possession.

The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims;

Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.

Deuteronomy 2:19 - 21

And [when] thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon [any] possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot [for] a possession.

(That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;

A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Deu&c=2&t=KJV#11

Deuteronomy 3:3 - 5

So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining.

And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.

All these cities [were] fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many.

Deut. 3:11

For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead [was] a bedstead of iron; [is] it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits [was] the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Deu&c=3&t=KJV#11

It's fairly clear that Israel was dealing with beings who were not fully human to begin with and were at a disadvantage strengthwise without God's help. I would say in some of these cases, the children and women were far from defenseless. These nephilim/giants are always shown to be against God in every case.

Genesis 6 clearly outlines that giants/nephilim were the result of fallen angels mating with human women. Some may have been gigantic, but not necessarily as some were just "mighty men". The common thought is that these "giants" were on the earth before, and after the flood. See david guzik's commentary for more information. http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=2&contentID=7326&commInfo=31&topic=Genesis&ar=Gen_6_4

Some people make a huge deal out of the nephilim, but i think God makes it clear how much time we ought to devote to nephilim. There is a reason they are but a vague footnote in the Bible. It is interesting to note though that nearly every major culture has stories of "the gods" or "star people" coming down and mingling with people. From middle east to native americans. The zuni tribe has stories that parallel the Genesis 6/book of Enoch story quite closely.

Anyways, the nephilim after the flood had some presence and at least some of them had taken up residence in Canaan. As Israel went through and cleared the land of inhabitants, many of them were likely nephilim. This is hardly an idea original with me, but it is one that many people have yet to see.

But all this stuff about nephilim and fallen angels and giants is kind of crazy. but here is possible proof of a nephilim skull, from south america i believe. They call it the "star child" skull. I recently heard that DNA tests came back on it, and that while it may have had a human mother, a number of its genes have been positively identified as non-human! Many in the new age/UFO field would have us believe its an alien skull.

http://www.starchildproject.com/dna2011march.htm

And Russ Dizdar's thoughts on the star child skull.

http://preemptionbroadcast.podomatic.com/enclosure/2011-08-31T16_42_58-07_00.mp3

So thats it for today. Yes, Israel was given a job of clearing Canaan of its inhabitants, and in some cases were instructed to wipe out everyone. I believe in these cases the people were either non-human nephilim or so highly demonized and irredeemable that God had to allow them to be destroyed. Had their been an option for redemption, He would have allowed them to repent. Their destruction implies that they never would have been capable of it.

This is why after Christ's work on the cross, there's a chance for all humanity to be redeemed and escape the judgment slotted out for the few Canaanites that were human.

In the coming weeks, i may like to go through the book of Joshua just to highlight why God asked Israel to do what they did.

audio Bible in Chinese

2011-08-22T17:42:00.001-07:00

http://www.audiotreasure.com/mp3/Mandarin/menu.htm

The Stars Predict That Christians Read Horoscopes

2011-08-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

This is hardly new ground, but relevant still. Unfortunately.

I occasionally looked to horoscopes. For "entertainment" of course. I especially sought this entertainment as i sought a mate and approached life changes and sought direction for my life.

Later, during my spiritual "yondering days" i looked to them thinking God would speak to me through them. After reading "dark mission" by richard hoaglund, i even began to think that horoscopes might have some validity through hyperdimensional physics. After that, i sought out horoscopes that were touted as more accurate.

This was all after i was saved.

I was having a talk with someone who appears to be a Christian. Reads the Bible, goes to church, and this person mentioned that their horoscope had said something that resonated. I said that horoscopes were definitely forbidden by the Bible, but i was told that it purely for entertainment. Like Harry Potter or Star Wars.

Not good examples to make a case justifying horoscopes. Harry Potter, at best should be watched/read with the most discerning and mature eye. I read them when i was an immature believer, and finished the series once i had been more mature. As i was immature, who knows how that affected me.

I can more or less guarantee that the stuff in Harry Potter will only serve to spark a kids interest into the occult. After all, it was merely a mention of "Ray's Occult Books" in Ghostbusters 2 that sent me straight to that section of the library.

Star Wars too should be enjoyed responsibly. It is after all, basically pantheism packaged with starships and laser swords. Once you know that, it's easier to separate. It is still dangerous though, because the philosophy is so tied into the story. If you read the books, some of them contain parts that are basically how to manuals for new age meditation.

Perhaps both should be avoided altogether.

Anyways...

So apparently, horoscopes are OK for Christians, as long as its "only entertainment." Maybe, we ought to bust out a tarot deck or two with a ouija board, and rune tiles to have a church fortune telling fundraiser. Grab a channeler, maybe Blossom Goodchild, have her do some channelings for us...for fun of course. Even new agers know enough that oujia boards are not toys.

OK, off the soap box. What does God have to say about astrology, and even fortune telling, for fun or not?

My main source! Read it! But i had some of these scriptures before going there.

http://www.gotquestions.org/astrology-Bible.html

And here:

Daniel 2:2 - 6

He called in his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, and he demanded that they tell him what he had dreamed. As they stood before the king,

he said, "I have had a dream that deeply troubles me, and I must know what it means."

Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, "Long live the king! Tell us the dream, and we will tell you what it means."

But the king said to the astrologers, "I am serious about this. If you don't tell me what my dream was and what it means, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into heaps of rubble!

But if you tell me what I dreamed and what the dream means, I will give you many wonderful gifts and honors. Just tell me the dream and what it means!"

Daniel 2:9 - 10

'If you don't tell me the dream, you are doomed.' So you have conspired to tell me lies, hoping I will change my mind. But tell me the dream, and then I'll know that you can tell me what it means."

The astrologers replied to the king, "No one on earth can tell the king his dream! And no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer!

(Thanks blueletter Bible, sorry, no link today)

Looks to me like Nebechadnezzar took his astrology pretty seriously. He didn't seem like he hade merely missed the latest "Babylon Idol" (pun intended) that is, entertainment. He was greatly disturbed! Notice also that the astrologers are powerless to give their king ANY wisdom. Some things never change, astrology still has little clue what's going on, and still no wisdom to offer.

Isaiah 47:13 - 14

Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from [these things] that shall come upon thee.

Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: [there shall] not [be] a coal to warm at, [nor] fire to sit before it.
(E)

Again, astrologers are shown to be essentially powerless. Not to mention, their ultimate destiny is fire, aka hell. They have no knowledge or power to help avoid calamity. i will avoid the snarky comment i was going to make.

At best it seems that astrologers can't get anything straight. But what about those times when a horoscope seems to ring true in your life? Surely, the stars must have aligned for your own, unique situation and destiny. Right?

Even in those rare instances where a horoscope has some truth, it is never 100%. Usually it's quite vague or almost fits, but i can guarantee a horoscope will never EVER be 100% accurate. Only the Word of God is. But why some horoscopes have any degree of accuracy would be due to demonic influence. Hence why Christians should avoid astrology and fortune telling. It's a foothold for Satan to get into your life. He's been in my life due to these footholds, and i can assure you it's not fun or entertaining.

Enough of what i say, here's what God has to say about fortune telling.

Leviticus 19:31

"Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the LORD your God.

(E)

Isaiah 8:19 - 20

Someone may say to you, "Let's ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do." But shouldn't people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?

Look to God's instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.
(E)

So God's pretty clear that those consulting the spirits of the dead become defiled. I would propose even by consulting them indirectly through horoscopes. Isaiah says it well. Why would we rather listen to the spirits of the dead, rather than turn to the God who loves us, and gave His Son for us?

I would submit that horoscopes are but one of many doctrines of demons affecting the church. We were warned about those in 1 Timothy 4:1. I challenge you to find the doctrines of demons you're taking heed to and get rid of them.

But there is a real prediction and it's 100% accurate. It's called the Bible. And God gave us a road map of what the future is. He has authenticated it, by showing that His Son, Jesus, has power above that of the seducing spirits who give us horoscopes. He also has told us the end before it happens, and had that mapped out before any of this even started.

Acts 16:16 - 18

One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters.

She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved."

This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And instantly it left her.
(E)

Jesus Christ has power over these fortune telling spirits and EVERY evil spirit, and even the good ones (angels). The story from Acts proves that fortune telling comes from demons.

So, will you bend your ear to Satan and his spirits who give us nothing but lies and half truths? The ones who seek to drag us to hell and the lake of fire with them? Or are you going to repent and turn to God?

Don't be Such A Pill: Medicine and the Occult

2011-08-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

Part 1: Western Medicine

To lay the groundwork for what's to come later looking at alternative and herbal medicine, we need to have a good foundation of what we're already familiar with in the west. Many argue (sometimes rightly in the case of reiki, sometimes wrongly in other cases) that certain medical practices are demonic. This comes alot of times with unfamiliar practices.

Things like reiki are clearly demonic, based on testimonies of former practitioners, whereas something else like taking an herbal med or a traditional prescribed med could be beneficial, or end up in a spiritual gray area. One could argue that even taking certain prescribed meds could open the door to the demonic. So too with acupuncture or chiropractic, sometimes cited as witchcraft or occult or perfectly safe depending on who you ask.

So, before getting into the meat. God clearly made human beings, in His own image. God never made us to die, but as a result of our rebellion against Him we have been sentenced to die. The only way to escape death is through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection and whether or not we accept and believe that. If we do, our bodies will be resurrected like Christ's, knowing death nevermore.

Sadly, as a result of the Fall in Genesis, our bodies wear out and die. Despite this, i believe that God made our bodies capable of healing themselves to an extent. This is incontrovertible. When you cut yourself, it heals. If you break an arm, it heals. When you have an ailment, time will usually heal it. God made a remarkable creation when He made the human body. For more major things, even with medical care, we need to realize that it is God who ordains if a person is to be healed or not.

But, as we all too often learn, sometimes our body just isn't up to the task of fixing itself, and so we consult a doctor. In the west, there is often little to no spiritual conflict with going to the doctor, though recently there are alarming trends which we can get to later. On one hand, going to the doctor is OK for the average Christian, but the same person may avoid acupunture or something else due to it's origins.

But do any of us really know when or what the origins of modern medicine are? Or how about the medical advances that were made by big pharma companies like Bayer during the Holocaust? How about the medical knowledge obtained by Germany's Dr. Mengele or the atrocities of Japan's Unit 731? If we're rejecting medical help because it has origins we dont agree with, then Christians should avoid most western medicine on principle. Without a doubt, some of our current medical treatments were learned by some of the worst methods, while others were not.

So what are the origins of modern medicine?

My brief search into the topic turned up some interesting results.

Many would say that Hippocrates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocrates) would be considered the father of our modern medicine, and to be sure there is alot of truth to that. But some posit that the ancient Egyptians had a form of medicine. Still others claim that the Phoenicians invented it.

I've long known that Egyptians used honey as an antimicrobial agent. This article talks alot about the things Egyptians did for medicine. Many of their treatments are still used today in some form.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-05/uom-eng050907.php

The egyptians should also be well known for their heavily pagan society. If one were to base all of their opinions on medical treatment based solely on the culture of origin, then we'd have to probably cut alot of our present treatments due to their use by a pagan culture.

Despite these more ancient claims of treatments, Hippocrates is often credited with the formation of modern medicine.

http://lib-sh.lsuhsc.edu/fammed/grounds/history.html

This article explains his methods, mainly that he observed external symptoms and tried to diagnose internal problems. He also did the occasional controversial dissection. So, in light of this, he did certainly move things along in regards to observing, diagnosising and treating illness.

However, the Bible is clear that touching dead bodies is unclean, and i would presume cutting them up is frowned upon also.

Numbers 19:11

http://bible.cc/numbers/19-11.htm

Personally, i would rather not be cut open on death. Still, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, did things not in line with the Bible. Current Jewish belief, i've been told, stresses that the body is not to be touched. I'm not familiar with this thought in antiquity.

OK, so ceremonial uncleanness is hardly a deterrent, or good excuse for avoiding medicine, but there are a few occult links to western medicine. The following link explains the common "serpent/pole" symbol that many associate with medicine. The author ties the double serpent to the god mecury the god of commerce, and the rarer single serpent to the god of medicine.

http://drblayney.com/Asclepius.html

Another interesting blog, describes further some of the occult ideas in medicine. I don't agree with all of it, but the point that the god hermes (mercury) is also the god of liars and thieves is interesting in light of Revelation 18:23 which idicates that the nations were deceived by "sorceries" aka pharmakia, which can mean more than just drugs. David Guzik's commentary on blue letter Bible is an interesting take on that verse.

http://occultsymbols.blogspot.com/2009/07/caduceus-decoded-secret-symbols-reveal.html

Moving back to Hippocrates, he subscribed to the theory of "humors." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humorism) That is, the body could have an internal imbalance of the four classical elements of earth, wind, water and fire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_element). The elemental theory was widely held across various pagan cultures, but was not necessarily a pagan belief, though it occasionally works its way in.

The humors theory treated illnesses by trying to fix the perceived imbalance. If one had too much "fire" the sickness could be fixed by eating something of the opposite character. This thought was a key component of Hippocrates' work and was in practice until the 1800's. It is still sometimes used in herbal and Chinese medicine. Herbal medicine is another topic, but i think it could be safe to say that the use of herbs works chemically, but people perceived that it was the humors philosophy at work.

Looking back, we can see that medicine had some origins in the pagan past, namely Egypt and Phoenicia, and later the Greeks. While the treatments may not have been occult, they originated in pagan societies.

Later, Hippocrates used a philosophy of diagnosis that was clearly wrong, but not necessarily against God. His belief in the four elements working in a body were probably just a misunderstanding of how things worked. The four elements are neither condemned, nor condoned by the Bible, but they often find their way into pagan beliefs. Take that for what it's worth.

We also can see that there is a blatant occult symbolism in the use of the serpent/staff motif. That could be a study in its own right, but the fact that modern medicine uses this in a few places should indicate what their true goals are. Aside from that, many parties in the medical world and pharmaceutical companies are mainly interested in profit.

So, while there's no specific procedure with occult origins there are some questionable philosophies that helped form modern medicine into what it is today. Does that mean we should avoid it? Not necessarily, but we should exercise discernment, especially in the area of prescription drugs (painkillers, psych meds, etc.) These occult connections aren't all encompassing, but there are some interesting connections.

Knowing God's will

2011-08-03T14:56:00.001-07:00

I have struggled with knowing God's will for my wife for a while. I hit a wall, some time ago, then crashed low. Then, God raised me back up, and during the time God was healing/improving me, I felt some purpose and was continually improving. I felt like I was in God's will because He was giving me skills, and slowly rebuilding my faith.

Since then, I left my old job, using the degree I had obtained in college. The degree that God paid for, and allowed me to get high marks in. God worked an amazing miracle with money amd grades. But now, as I am working using my degree, I feel kind of empty. Unfulfilled. I feel again that I've hit a wall, that I don't know what God wants to do with me and the skills He's given me.

I prayed today, that God take my skills, the drawing. The writing and other abilities, and use them for His kingdom. I tell you all this so I can share how God will answer prayer and direct my path. I also want to share that time is indeed short. I believe Christ will return soon, and I want to be operating iin God's will when He comes back. Please be inspired to do the same. Please pray for me, and share your prayer requests as comments and God will help us know and do His will.

In Christ