Christian Movie Reviews: "Frailty"

Years ago when I was a baby Christian, I was being challenged in my faith by a run of the mill hedonist with pagan inclinations. Hi, if you're reading. One thing that he kept advising me to do was watch the movie "Frailty." I eventually did and thought it was an o.k. movie, and wondered why he had wanted me to watch it, because at that immature stage in my Christian walk I thought the character was somewhat justified in his actions and wasn't sure why he'd wanted me to watch.

Of course I also sort of supported the unjust wars being waged, but I digress.

The movie, for those who haven't seen it, is about a guy (Bill Paxton, the "game over man!" guy from Aliens, or as MST3K called him, former star Bill Paxton) who wakes up one day and sees light reflecting off an angel staue/trophy, has a vision, and "receives a message from God," really an angel. The dad basically gets told that the world is going to end soon, and that his family's mission is to kill people who are actually demons to help save the world. As he explains his mission to the kids, he reveals that the angel called he and his kids "God's hands," and with "magical weapons," they will "fight and destroy demons".

Endowed with ordinary, but somehow "special" gloves, a length of pipe, an axe named "Otis", and a fanatical devotion to his vision, the dad of the family goes on an axe-murder spree killing people who were actually really bad people, in an effort to save the world from the devil and fulfil his mission to rid the world of evil.

As he goes about his mission, he touches people to make sure they are demons, to see their sin, and then he kills them. In disposing of the bodies, the dad says the angel was very specific about how to do it all, and that the bodies were to be buried properly, hinting very subtly or unintentionally that this might be some sort of ritual.

One of his sons though, understandably has some misgivings about this mission and in particular, the killing people part. That makes perfect sense. But because of his doubts, dad suspects he's a demon and locks him up until he sees a vision. This son fakes a vision, then kills dad when it's his turn to destroy a demon.

Years later the "demon son" has become a serial killer trying to get his "holy" brother arrested because holy brother has taken up dad's mantle as demon killer. Holy brother eventually kills demon brother and leads a cop (who is also a murderer) to the site of demon destruction, then kills him. It's revealed at the end that dad and holy brother actually seem to have some sort of supernatural power as video cameras can't identify him and no one recalls his appearance. The film also does a reveal of the evil that the demon folk/Paxton's murder victims had done, which is what was seen when they were touched pre axe murder.

We're left with the impression that the supernatural serial murders, aka, demon destruction was actually God's mission and the dad and holy brother were doing God's work.

At the time, I hadn't thought much about it. After all, the people he killed were child molestors, or other baddies, and figured maybe he had been justified and given a real mission by God in the fictional context of the movie.

In retrospect, I think the reason this "friend" had wanted me to see the movie was to undermine my faith and show me that faith in God is irrational, and can cause people to do crazy things if they think God told them to do it. He perhaps wanted me to see that faith in God brings out fanaticism. Certainly at that time people were using God as an excuse for war, and people often say that God told them to do things. Not to mention the horrors of history like the cruades, inquisition, and so on. On a surface level for those who don't do their homework or understand the Bible, there is that issue to deal with.

It's not unit recently when I was hit with a realization, out of nowhere as I hadn't seen the movie in years.

This realization is that if you view this movie with a Biblical perspective, Bill Paxton's character and his son were being used by a demonic spirit or fallen angel. And it's quite obvious once you realize it.

The Bible admonishes us to:


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"



Nowhere in this movie does anyone even come close to attemping this. Paxton sees a shiny light, thinks he hears a message from God and off he goes.


However, we should also add a little more check to the above test, because a spirit that doesn't emphasize the Gospel and Christ's deity, humanity, death and resurrection isn't to be trusted. Especially if they coerce one into murder.

Apostle Paul warns:


Galatians 1:8

"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."


And we know already that had Paxton's character read his Bible, and examined his mission in light of that, he would have seen that the angel who gave him the message wasn't on the up and up. The angel instructed him that in order to save the world, he had to destroy "demons". In other words, the angel gave him a different Gospel because the world (that is the people of the world) has (have) already been saved by what Christ did. This angel wanted Paxton to add to that or do something else in place of that.

And of course, "the gospel message is simple: "That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4).

http://www.ttb.org/salvation"


Anything else beyond that, especially if coming from a supernatural being is not the Gospel.

So although these guys are on a mission, and in fact ridding the world of evil people, they are completely out of God's will. If they had really received a message from God or His angels, they would have preached the Gospel to these "demons" instead of killing them.

Yet another case of Hollywood getting wrong in the supernatural realm, though admittedly they do leave a lot open to the interpretation of the viewer.

Prophet for Profit: Kevin Dedmon and Bethel

In walking with Jesus, and accepting Him as Lord and Savior, it's perfectly natural to come to a place where you want more than just the once a week Sunday worship, or daily check in with prayer and Bible study. After all, the Christian life is more than a religion, it is a lifestyle and personal relationship with the creator of the universe.

As one reads the Word and contrasts the supernatural and amazing acts of the early church to what we have now, the current church model doesn't quite measure up. Of course we don't always realize the book of Acts was actually many years of exploits, but that doesn't reduce our hunger for supernatural phenomenon and the desire to experience God's power in our daily lives. It doesn't eliminate the desire to see prayer answered and miracles worked.

For some, those Christians who take their walk seriously and those who posess good sense and discernment, this hunger for the supernatural should hopefully draw you closer to God in prayer and study of the Word and in sharing the Gospel with others. For those on the opposite end, like me (years ago, anyways) this desire and hunger for the supernatural outpouring of God's power can lead us down the path of Simon Magus, the pursuit of God's power for our own amusement, gratification and so on. For pride and vanity in other words. When pursued in the wrong motive, I believe (and in my own experience this was true), pursuit of supernatural power as an end in itself can lead you into New Age teachings, or worse, to false Christian teachers (perhaps teaching New Age as something of God). The pursuit of signs and wonders can cause us to wander into deception of one sort or another.

That is not to say that I think God doesn't work miracles today, or that every supernatural manifestation is demonic, but what I do mean to say is thay we need to be careful if we see evidence of supernatural manifestation happening among the Body of Christ, or those who claim to be such. Before accepting a miracle as a God thing, we need to test it (1 John 4) and make sure it actually is.

Before we start, I lay my bias out plainly: on the whole, I would agree that cessation of spiritual gifts does seem to be a reality, and i would agree with the general consensus that its because we have the full, revelation of God's word here in the First World. It is also easy here to fake and doubt a purported miracle, and so God doesn't seem to work that way here because His Word, the Bible is sufficient evidence and testimony.

However, I do believe God can and does work miracles today, when needed, and when they glorify Jesus and bring people to faith in Christ, especially in areas of people where God's revelation and Gospel has yet to reach. Perhaps on the mission field or frontiers where the Gospel hasn't gone before. I know i have personally been delivered from demonic attack and sleep paralysis by calling on Jesus Christ, so I cannot deny that God intervenes supernaturally from time to time.

But if you really want to see signs and wonders, go out and be a missionary, preach the Gospel and make disciples.

The Bible gives us many warnings not to be taken in by hucksters, false teachings or false signs and wonders. Many of the following verses certainly have a proper context (so make sure you understand what that is), often related to Christ's return, but they have the same underlying, unambiguous message. Don't get tricked into leaving the faith to follow a false teacher.

Do not be deceived.


1 Timothy 4:1-2

1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;


Ephesians 5:6-7

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.



(Regarding Christ's second coming and antichrist)

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; and verse 9

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Verse 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,



1 John 3:7

7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.


Matthew 7:15

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.


Matthew 24:4-5

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.



Because of the possibility of deception, we need to put Acts 17:11 into practice daily, and especially whenever we see someone claiming God's power is at work. You can go look that one up.


With that preamble in place, I now arrive at the main point of this article.


I don't normally like to call out names (though i guess this is not the first time I've done it) and in fact have gone out in the past and removed Creflo Dollar's name from a blog, but I have recently come across the teachings of one Kevin Dedmon by the providence of God and the meeting of a friend.

Who the heck is Kevin Dedmon?

Mr. Dedmon is one of at least several pastors at Bethel Redding in California, he has written several books, teaches and travels around teaching and giving conferences teaching folks how to heal and do supernatural wonders of a sort.


At first glance, nothing seems obviously amiss, aside from an overuse of catchphrases, until one takes a look at the man behind the curtain. I won't dive into a personal attack, as I bear no ill will to Kevin, nor do i want to tear him down, but I will seek to show where his teachings stray from the Bible. To do this, we shall examine the fruit (Matthew 7:16) borne of Kevin Dedmon in light of God's word and let you decide for yourself, prayerfully. This alone is hard enough to know where to start, so we'll go with what seems to be most Biblical and work out from there.


Healing

First off, healings. One of the most obvious signs in the Bible of God working was through healing of physical ailments. Jesus healed many in his ministry, and the Apostles (Acts 1:20 - 26 suggests that an Apostle is only someone who had seen or interacted with the Lord Jesus Christ after His death and resurrection, which Paul did in Acts 9 and he defends in other places) also healed the sick as they went about preaching and spreading the Gospel.

Kevin Dedmon also claims to have many healings under his belt as well, probably rivaling even Smith Wigglesworth. While Dedmon likely has many testimonies of healings on his site, I would guess that these couple are representative of many, if not all of them.

This first one, from one of his Firestorm Conferences (an admittedly awesome name, from a worldly perspective, for a conference) by Dedmon's own admission this account is pretty much an average experience. Dedmon describes it as a testimony, likely from one of the attendees. The testimony of the witness states they watched with "wonder" as healings took place (at the conference) though the witness remained skeptical, and asked themselves what I would classify as healthy questions. Not long after, this the healing skeptic had an opportunity to try their ownhand at healing. The party to be healed by the skeptic had recently injured their knee.

The skeptical healer prayed over the lady with the knee injury, following whatever steps they had learned at Firestorm. What happened next is where things get interesting.

The pray-er had to pray for healing of the knee FIVE TIMES, and each time something more fantastic happened. From slight movement, to heat (intense heat at one point) in the knee, laughing (yes, laughing) and finally, an allegedly complete healing after the fifth prayer and laying on of hands.

This next account, a couple went to someone's house to pray for a cancer patient. During the prayer, the cancer patient felt heat and electricity, then the pray-ers began to sing Dedmon's "healing song" (more on that shortly) and the cancer patient "sang it over themself" and everyone started laughing. Of course, healing allegedly took place. And yet, so many die of cancer each year.


One last example details a baby recovering from a potentially deadly spider bite, the healer allegedly laughed at it over the phone. Other healings were reported; people with metal plates and screws were said to be healed and the implants gone (if true, one would like to see some before and after MRIs, but still, thats not totally unbelievable or even supernatural because some implantable screws and such are designed and made to be absorbed into the body after a set time).


It would be nearly impossible to review every reported healing testimony attributed to Dedmon or his song/followers, but these should suffice, especially since one of them by Dedmon's own admission was a typical example. By looking at these few healings, we see a couple common elements.

First, the feeling of heat, sometimes with electrical feeling (or twitching/jerking), second the healing event is accompanied by laughter and in these two respects bear an unsettling resemblance to manifestation of Kundalini (Yoga, demonic) "energy". One former follower identifies Bethel's practices as Kundalini and explains Kundalini as "physical manifestations, such as jerking and shaking, and feelings of heat, energy, and pleasure."


Despite the ambiguous, and possibly sinister nature of these signs, they are believed to be evidence that God is working. But if it is God working, we should be able to see the same things happening in the Bible, because God never changes.

Although these signs seem to be prevalent in Dedmon's (and his followers') healings, they are not prevalent in the Bible, and in fact do not appear at all. Whenever someone was miraculously healed in the Bible, no sensation was reported, the healing was instant, obvious and verifiable. It was also absolutely clear God was behind it.

OT healing miracles:

Certainly some of the Hebrew Scriptures (aka Old Testament) the Lord asks people to do various things to be healed, but those healings are not attributed to the act alone, nor are they repeatable.

Numbers 21 details the Israelites being healed from snake bites merely by looking at a bronze snake. 1 Kings 17:17 - 24, the widow's son was raised from the dead. Naaman the leper had to wash 7 times in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:10 - 14) to be healed and Hezekiah (2 Kings 20) put figs on his boil, and i get the feeling that the healing was so sudden andv possibly anticlimactic that he had to ask God for an additional sign that he was going to keep living. In the end it was God doing the healing, and no mention of any sensation, heat or jolting, or laughter accompanied the miracle.

When we get to the New Testament, things have changed a bit. Jesus Christ, as God's Son and God in human flesh healed people merely with a touch or by His word. In all of these instances, people were instantly healed or raised to life. No sensation, just healing because of faith in Him. People looking for a show would have been sorely disappointed.

Later, in the book of Acts, we see healings as well. The apostles (again, only those who were witnesses to Christ's resurrection or those who had seen the glorified Christ), were able to perform healing by calling on the authority of Jesus Christ, or if not directly calling on Christ or commanding in His name, using the authority granted them as a believer in Christ to perform a miracle as a way to lead someone to salvation in Christ and to the true God. When attention or credit was given to the apostles, they directed it back to God.


The point of the apostles' healing and probably Christ's miracles were to validate the message they were proclaiming in a time when God had not yet revealed His entire word to us. It was a sign of their authority and the validity of the Gospel message. The Biblical gift of healing is expounded on here.


The article demonstrates that biblical healings are always verifiable, and always glorify God and bring people to Him through His son Jesus.


Contrasting Dedmon's purported healings and the Bible, one can see some interesting discrepancies. In the Bible, the healing is an inroads to Jesus Christ, and restoring a life to Him. It is the stamp of approval on the Gospel message, changes a life, it's merely the catalyst to getting someone right with God. Consider that Paul (who had worked miracles) prayed for healing for himself and never received it.

Looking at the testimony's on Dedmon's site, the healing seems to be an end in themself. Furthermore, Kevin Dedmon often gets credit. The method gets credit. The person praying for and doing the healing gets credit. Even Dedmon's healing song gets credit. But you know who doesn't get credit?

Jesus Christ.

Which should be our first clue that if the healings are legitimate, they are not coming from God, simply because there is no evidence they are leading people to Christ and Him crucified. Further, Christ receives no credit while man receives it all.


"Healing Song" by Kevin Dedmon... er...Michael Stipe

Associated with Kevin Dedmon and his healings, there is mention of his "healing song". You can see a good analysis of it here (with the great point that if it works, why not take it to the children's hospital), but really all you need to know is that it is a phrase repeated to the tune of R.E.M.'s "Its the End of the World as we Know it". This offends me as a music fan. This offends me as a Christian.


To say nothing of the fact that Jesus told us:

"5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

(Matthew 6:5 - 8)


What Dedmon is promoting as a healing song, aside from being an outright plagiarism of R.E.M. (Stipe should sue, really), is a vain repetition. Also known as a mantra.
A mantra (example from Kundalini Yoga) is basically a phrase one repeats (usually in eastern religions) and this phrase, and repetition thereof, is supposed to have certain powers. Say, the power to heal for example. Really what this repetition does is empty the mind so that one becomes susceptible to contact with demonic entities. These entities, when a "miracle" occurs, would likely be the ones behind the sign and wonder. Recall 2 Thessalonians 2:9.

To contrast the methods of Dedmon, here are a few looks at Biblical healing. One, two and three



Symptom of a Larger Problem?


Though Dedmon's healings (faked or demonic) are not Biblical, this should really come as no surprise, mainly because he is a pastor at the controversial "church", Bethel in Redding, CA. The "about" page for Bethel mentions Jesus thrice (once as Christ) and in those they don't really say or affirm anything about Him, the virgin birth or the Gospel (salvation by grace through faith, though they mention a "gospel of power") or anything that one would recognize as a core tenant of the true Gospel message.


Other sources (all linked below for other reasons) tie Bethel to the New Apostolic Reformation, a group of self appointed apostles and prophets covered extensively in the archives of View from the Bunker. Here are a few, (and last) but you'll want to dig a bit on your own to find more.

As if that wasn't concern enough, Bethel is host to signs and wonders that aren't even Biblical, much like those performed by Dedmon. The following video shows clouds of gold dust floating from an area of ceiling with bad visibility, meaning that the possibility of fraud and chicanery are pretty high.


They also report "angel feathers" which have been proven to be bird feathers in the few instances where they were analyzed. The linked article also highlights other areas of concern including a Bethel intern that was possibly possessed, and a worship service that featured bizarre activities and repetition of a song possibly to induce a trance.

This article takes a fair and critical look at the Bethel ministry and links to videos of alleged signs.

In addition to these items, Bethel seems to have some obvious signs of another kind. Signs of being a cult or under the sway of dark powers.

A testimony of someone who was under the influence of Bethel's signs and wonders, and a testimony of one saved out of Bethel by the true Gospel.

This testimony highlights many important indicators that the Bethel "church" is not Biblical and not of God.

Given that Bethel is teaching false doctrine, entertaining false signs/wonders and possibly demonic powers; in addition to being part of the New Apostolic Reformation, one should do everything in their power to avoid them, their teaching and miracles (fake or real/demonic). This should be extended to anyone who is part of their leadership structure like Kevin Dedmon. Dedmon is part of Bethel and his "healings" and teachings follow the same unbiblical and dangerous methods. If Dedmon or any other Bethel personality is coming to your town, have no part of it.


2 John 1:9 - 11

 9  Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

 10  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

 11  For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.


If you want to get closer to God, place your faith in Christ, accept the Gospel. Pray. Read your Bible. If you need provision, healing, or a miracle, heed the words of the late J Vernon McGee. He advised to pray, and have others pray for your healing (or needs), then go see a doctor. Dr. McGee is a great man of God who suffered from cancer, and ultimately died like all men. But he will take part in the ultimate healing, the resurrection of the body when Christ returns, because he believed the Gospel message that Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead according to the scriptures.

And there is no more miraculous healing than that which Christ will give us who have received Him and His Gospel.

Checking in

hi everyone.

just checking in to let you know I'm still around.

I've taken some time off from thIs blog to focus on a few other projects as welk as job searxhing. all of whIch seems t have hit a wall of sorts. I would covet your prayers for these items.

I also plan to take some time away from this blog to seek the Lord and grow in faith and wisdom a  bit. looking back, I wonder if I could have done any of these r rposts better, or pointed to Jesus more eeffectively. to help me in this, I'll be reading the Word, praying and listening to J Vernon Mcgee. most of all,  seeking Christ  the more i've looked into speculative things, the more i've realized how much I need Jesus.

so until I do some more blogs,  seek Jesus.

Is God Judging America?

I recently posted about Hurricane Sandy being a possible instrument of God's judgment. I didn't give much evidence or thought as to why I thought that. Doing so is labor intensive and needs much prayer and discernment. At the moment I didn't have much of either but really felt a burning need to get that message out.

I am not a prophet, nor do I definitively say it was a prophetic word of God. I hope what I wrote was of God and that He uses it, but I claim no gift of prophecy. I know it certainly is a departure from my previous stance when I blogged about Japan. I have sort of moved my position on whether or not I believe God judges nations.

As far as I know it was pure speculation based on what I've read in God's word about His judging of sinful nations and His own people Israel, as well as news developments, old podcasts and david wilkerson's "america's last call" which I urge you all to read as I will be going through it here. Wilkerson's book was written in 1998 and the last 6 to 12 months I've been feeling that it is highly relevant now, especially given the economic collapse of 08. Even writing this, I admit I may be subconciously borrowing from it, though not for mal intent.

The point I'm trying to make is that I think we should prayerfully and repentently consider the fact that not just hurricane sandy, but Katrina, the 2011 tornadoes and other events were God judging us so we'd repent. We didn't, so they continued and got worse.

And likely will continue to do so.

If I'm wrong and we're not under judgment, then turning from sin and turning to the Lord never hurt anyone. And I'm not asking for money, selling books or trying to get followers so i'll have no trouble admitting it if I'm wrong.

Since i think its important, I'd like to take time to build that case. I haven't done an intensive multipart effort in a while and this looks like my one for the year.

To start, God is the same in the past, now and forever. He is unchangeable. That is one of the infinite number of good things about God. It means He can be trusted.

But it also seems to mean that He has to act the same way all of the time, because He cannot change, so far as I know. If He cannot change, then how He deals with sinful nations and the world as a whole should be consistent.

From Genesis to Revelation, when a nation or the world continues in unrepentant and flagrant sin, God is forced to pass judgment, possibly in an attempt to get our attention to get us right with Him. Not because He is vengeful or petty, but because He is just and must punish sin. In my experience, it seems that God hates it when we sin because He loves us and when we sin it not only hurts Him, but it hurts us even more. So like a loving father (which He is) He punishes us so we don't do wrong next time.

We see evidence of the sin being more harmful to us than affecting God, when God talks about sexual sin.


"1 Corinthians 6:18

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body."


It doesn't have to be that way, God has given us a chance to get right with Him and avoid His wrath and punishment through His son Jesus Christ.

So back to God passing judgment on nations. In the Bible, God has judged nations in the past and He will do it again not just against nations, but the whole world as laid out in Revelation. He will send disasters and allow calamity as judgment, but also to get us to turn from our sinful ways to Him. This demonstrates consistency. And if He does it in the old and new testaments, and will do so in the future, why not in the intervening timespan?

Especially since His grace in Christ is readily available to nearly anyone in the world who chooses to accept it. Especially since we are "a Christian Nation".

This article lays out, with scripture references how God has judged nations in the past.

http://www.evenatthedoors.com/godsjudgment.html

Summarized,

The Genesis 6 flood, lots of bad stuff, covered extensively in many places. Basically, angels mating with human women, bloodshed was said to be occuring everywhere as well.

Sodom and Gomorrah, homosexuality of course, but also pride, fullness of bread, ignoring the poor. I've heard on a podcast, not sure which one or when, but it was said that sodomites were also excessively wicked in dealing with foreigners. There was something about how they would give poor foreigners a gold bar as a sick game, but no one in the city would use that bar for currency, thus keeping poor folks from buying food despite having money.

Ninevah, I believe Chuck Missler said was quite cruel and brutal in their war tactics. Whatever their crime was, they were due to be judged. But they repented and judgment was avoided.

The canaanites (who God judged through Israel) were said to have indilged in child sacrifice, and given the sins Israel was given to later on, idol worship and sexual immorality. There is also speculation that at least some Canaanite tribes were descended from nephilim.

When God judged Israel, it seems that they had violated the laws given by Moses and were punished according to what God had said would happen if they disobeyed. It occurs in multiple places, but Leviticus 26 is a perfect example and sets the stage for the judgment that occurs in Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Isaiah and other prophetic books. These books also describe God's judgment on the pagan nations for their treatment of Judah/Israel as well as other things.

A good summary can be found here. I won't be going through all the reasons here, but you should acquaint yourself with the old testament. Also, I am not as familiar with them as I'd like to be or should be.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevi'im

According to that article, Isaiah pronounced judgment on the pagan nations (and Israel/north kingdom) for oppressing Judah/south kingdom.

Jeremiah prophesied against the sins of Israel.

Ezekiel prophesied against Israel and surrounding nations and foretold the destruction of Jerusalem.


Some of the sins that God has judged nations for in the Bible and the prophets told were the cause of judgment for Israel/Judah, and pagan nations:


* the men were adulterers, liars and treacherous.

* rampant deception preventing knowledge of God

* human sacrifice (Jeremiah 19)

* forsaking God's law and pursuing idols (baalim) (also Jeremiah 2)

(All in Jeremiah 9)

* blood of the innocent has been spilled (Jeremiah 2)

* worshipping other gods/idols (Jer. 1:16)

* calling evil good, wisdom in own eyes, rewarding the wicked, mightiness to drink wine (Isaiah 5:20 - 23)

* open displays of sin (pride?) (Isaiah 3:8 - 12)

* oppressing/cruelty to the poor, prideful and promiscuous women (Isaiah 3:13 - 23)


http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/2303.htm


More:

-- Shedding blood in her midst

--Defiles herself by making idols

--They have treated father and mother with contempt

--Oppressed the alien

--Mistreated the fatherless and the widow.

--You have despised my holy things

--Desecrated my Sabbaths.

--Slanderous men bent on shedding blood

--Eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts

--Dishonor their fathers' bed

--Violate women during their
period, when they are ceremonially unclean

--Commits a detestable offense with his neighbor's wife

--Defiles his daughter-in-law

--Violates his sister, his own father's daughter.

--Men accept bribes to shed blood

--Take usury and excessive interest

--Make unjust gain from your neighbors by extortion

--And you have forgotten me declares the Sovereign LORD

--There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; and they devour people

--Take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her

--Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things

--They do not distinguish between the holy and the common

--They teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean

--They shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them

--Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain

--Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says'-when the LORD has not spoken

--The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice.

Ezekiel 22

http://the-end-time.blogspot.com/2010/07/jerusalems-list-of-sins-seem.html


And which of these sins has America not committed?

Deception is everywhere, preventing people from accepting the truth. Ancient aliens, evolution eugenics and many other lies are believed above God's word. The occult is everywhere. Not to mention duplicitous motives in politics and business.

Bloodshed, so much bloodshed is on our hands. How many unjust wars have we been part of? Many in recent years. Iraq, drone strikes in countries we aren't at war with. Vietnam, started by an incident, Gulf of Tonkin, that never happened. And what about slavery?
The slaughter of the Indians? To say nothing of the millions of babies murdered since Roe V Wade. That blood all cries out to God for justice like Abel's did!

(Perhaps God has given some judgment on the Indian/slavery thing with the Spanish flu and other things.)

Foreigners, while generally well treated, are still looked down upon and discriminated against. Immigrant (illegal or otherwise) labor is always taken advantage of. How many are paid less than minimum (or a fair) wage?

Usury and excessive interest. Do I even need to talk about credit card debt and student loans? Or the money we loan other countries at excessive interest?

Oppression of the poor. A few years ago, "bum fighting" videos were in the news. The homeless are often victim of violence.

Adultery and sexual immorality. How many people have affairs outside of marriage? Young men (and probably women too) especially consider it an honor and duty to have as much sex as possible. Casual sex is celebrated in film and television. Pornography is everywhere. Then there's homosexuality, the push to normalize it and now even gay marriage. Gay pride as well. the threat of AIDS or STDs has done little to make people think twice about any of these.

All of which brings us to...

A lack of humility and prideful boasting of sin. The sex especially, but people are often proud of other sin. The drunkenness, lack of faith in God. People are proud to support the murder of babies as "choice". People blindly support or turn a blind eye to the unjust wars. People support the exploitation of charity by wearing pink. (See revelation radio news a couple weeks back.)

And the list can go on!

America, we continue to pile sins upon our heads! Yet say we are a Christian nation. A claim, by the way, that is not true as I've said before here.

America, i believe God has been judging us for some time,
to urge us to repentance. God has blessed us, and has used some of us for His work, but on the whole, we are a wicked people. i believe His judgment has been coming upon us for years, and getting progressively worse each time we reject our chance to repent and turn to Him.

I believe future calamities, disasters and ultimately destructive judgment can be avoided if we but turn from our sin and accept God's free gift of mercy found only in His son Jesus Christ.

In the coming weeks, i'll be going through Wilkerson's "America's last call" to further demonstrate that even in the 90's, God's judgment of our people was nigh. How much mores so now!

Following that will be a look at events that were were possibly instruments of God's judgment, with a look to other possible items God may use to wake us up.

is hurricane sandy God's judgment?

all. please pray for new York and those hit by hurricane sandy. many are without power and food and dangerously close to barbsrism. and its only been one or two days. many in NYC at least aren't expected to get power for another week.

http://www.naturalnews.com/037805_chaos_superstorm_sandy_apocalypse.html

pray also that we as an American people will have a true heartfelt repentence of our sins through Jesus Christ. I believe we must accept the fact that hurricane sandy could well be the hand of God judging america. perhaps its a lessened form of it to warn and woo us back. but lets be honest, we do deserve judgment if we don't turn from our wicked ways as a country.

I'm not the first to say God is due to judge america. david wilkerson gave a potentially prophetic word YEARS ago about fires burning all throughout NYC as a result of God's judgment. I wonder if this is the beginning of that.

Chuck missler always paraphrases someone by saying if God doesn't judge america He'll have to apologize to sodom and gomorrah.

here's a few things we are responsible for that God could and should judge us for, using His example in the Old testament and the preaching of other biblical teachers.

aborting millions of babies

using virtual slave labor for our many products, including ipads

the continuation and starting of unjust wars

our corrupt business and political processes both of which work together against the good of the common man

lack of compassion for the poor

pride

the celebration of homosexuality

the continuation of human trafficking and pornography

the fact that we didn't repent after other "warning sign" acts of judgment (9-11, Katrina, the 300 tornadoes of 2011, the gulf oil spill, etc.)

it should be no shock that we had another. i'm no prophet and I have no prophetic word thst I know of but if we don't repent after this, something far worse will happwn and soon. maybe the big one in california. the new madrid. maybe somethig else entirely. what will it take for us to wake up? to recognize our sin and humble ourselves in repentance before our God? after all we're a "Christian nation" aren't we?

its not too late yet. turn from you sin, turn to Jesus. God took care of our sin at the cross. if we don't accept that and turn to Christ we are doomed.

Today God is First (Right After I Take Dominion)

Normally I don't do this and have actually gone back and removed names from a post dealing with an individual's false teaching. Today though I will name a name or two, but only because they are so subtle and also totally sold into their own theology. They also have a quarter million subscribers to their devotional. A number I likely will never reach nor aspire to. My hope is to help you avoid his teaching by telling you who it is.

I'm really fired fired up about this.

I have a friend at a company I used to work at and this company has a sort of group for Christian employees. I never joined it for several reasons, mainly that I was afraid it would lead to persecution somehow, was too worldly/superficial and I was starting to get back into weird stuff. Well, this group shares a devotional which my friend occasionally sends me.

The devotional is "Today God is First" by Os Hillman.

I read a few and found them kind of churchianity, kind of worldly, but occasionally found some value in them. Not often though. But one day Hillman wrote something that set off a little warning. I googled based on this warning and discovered my suspicions were right.

Os Hillman is a dominionist, and more importantly doesn't hide it aside from the fact that he doesn't like to use the word dominionist and does sort if hide it. He's really good at hiding it in his devotionals (some of which he adapts from C Peter Wagner's writings, another dominionist). He's a good little Ferengi, following the rule "never be afraid to mislabel a product".

What got me fired up is the devotional I received yesterday. Pray for discernment before you read it, as there's some almost true sounding stuff that actually isn't. I'll explain after the dump. The only thing I changed was to remove the date.

"The Queen of Heaven

TGIF Today God is First by Os Hillman

"The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes of bread for the Queen of Heaven" (Jer 7:18).

If you want to change the spiritual climate of your city you must address the principalities that rule that city. Such was the case for the apostle Paul when he went to the city of Ephesus. There was a territorial principality that was worshipped by the people of Ephesus named Diana of the Ephesians (also known by her Greek name, Artemis). The people gave money to this false god and it strongly influenced the economy because of this. The city was also the center for magic and the occult.

Her temple in Ephesus was listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the most outstanding and opulent example of architecture in the whole city. Her followers called her "magnificent," "great goddess," "savior," and "Queen of Heaven."

Paul preached in Asia for two years and had great success confronting this territorial principality. Paul began to neutralize the Queen of Heaven's power so much by the gospel that the common people began to notice. They not only stopped worshipping and sacrificing to her, the silversmith's who were manufacturing idols were going out of business, so they staged a public riot. They filled the huge amphitheater and shouted for two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" (Acts 19:34).

Many who were converted burned all of the idols and magic books. "When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power" (Acts 19:20). Based on the U.S. economy today, the pile of magic paraphernalia that was burned would have been worth four million dollars!*

In order for you to impact your city you must identify and break down the ruling principalities that may be hindering the gospel there. The more common principalities in the western world would include the religious spirit, the spirit of mammon, pride, and freemasonry to name a few.

Ask God for wisdom and discernment as you prepare to deal with your local and regional principalities.

Adapted from Confronting the Queen of Heaven, C. Peter Wagner, Wagner Books, 11005 N. Highway 83, Colorado Springs, CO p. 14-17 2001"

End devotional

Now, I used to be real gung ho "lets cast demons out of everything" and was super into spiritual warfare. I still believe in it of course, and do it, but I've learned alot.

And certainly all mission work is to be undertaken with much prayer, and i suppose a portion of that is asking God to move in a geographic area and asking Him to drive out any spiritual opposition. As i said I am a firm believer in and have experienced spiritual warfare firsthand.

What I take issue with is this:

" In order for YOU to impact your city YOU must identify and break down the ruling principalities that may be hindering the gospel there."

Emphasis added.

Where does the Bible say this? That prior to preaching we must break down territorial spirits? Where is God in this picture? What about the authority of Christ over the demonic? We certainly have no power on our own to do this. If he's encouraging spiritual warfare, at least explain it properly.

He doesn't.

Improper spiritual warfare is dangerous as you will see in the sons of Sceva.

The passage Hillman cites is Acts 19. But in the Bible I read, it doesn't say we're supposed to identify or confront territorial spirits to allow the Gospel to spread, much less do it ourselves. When Paul was on Mars Hill, he didn't confront or cast out the territorial spirits and idols there. He stood there and preached the Gospel. No mention of territorial spirits is made. In fact outside of Ephesians, I don't recall Paul mentioning principalities and powers, and we only see him casting spirits out of possessed people. Not in geographic areas.

An example is Acts 16:16 - 18 when Paul casts the demon out of the fortune teller. He didn't confront her or a spirit of divination before preaching. He only dealt with it after preaching for days and after he was irritated. And when he did attack, he relied on the power and authority of Jesus Christ, not his own.

Dealing with spirits is part of our Christian walk, but I don't see where we're supposed to do it before preaching or in our own power. I certainly don't see where we are to identify and confront them actively.

We're not to run around casting demons out on every street corner, or seeking to dethrone spiritual principalities and powers. I'm not going to run around my city trying to topple whatever evil spirit holds sway there. I don't think the Bible tells us to do that either.

We are to preach the Gospel first, THEN the other stuff comes. In Acts 19, Paul steadily preached the Gospel and telling people idols weren't gods for 2 years. Nowhere in the text do I see him moving against principalities (demons, etc.) directly. Perhaps it was part of his ministry, if he was attacked, but it was not the focus and it doesn't say he had to do it before preaching.

Maybe i missed it.

The only people seeking to confront the prinicpalities and spirits in acts 19 directly were the seven sons of Sceva and they were then beaten by the possessed individual. Of course they were unsaved, and didnt know Jesus, but I think there's a lesson there about looking for trouble.

And recall what Jesus said in Luke 10:20. "However, stop rejoicing because the spirits are submitting to you. Instead, rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

It seems to me that in preaching the Gospel and getting people saved (as the focus), satans forces get hip to us then seek us out for attack. We don't need to seek them out and topple them first. If we do our job to preach, they seek us out. Then they are to be dealt with.

The point I'm trying to make I guess is that the preaching precedes the having to deal with principalities and we shouldn't be going out of our way to seek out engagement.

I can assure you it's not something to play around with.

Moving on, how do I know Hillman is a dominionist and why is dominionism bad? First, Hillman's website has the infamous seven mountains right there on the front of his site, though he may call them spheres or something else this week.

I would refer you to derek gilberts vftb.net and pidradio archives to learn more about basic dominionist whackiness and the seven (insert allusion to a controllable something here). And not only is dominionism false teaching, they also make claims of doing things they don't do like you will see in operation ice castle below.

http://vftb.net/?tag=dominionism&paged=6

http://vftb.net/?tag=dominionism&paged=8

And perhap one of the best.

http://derekpgilbert.com/?p=3703

Brief overview of Dominion theology

http://herescope.blogspot.com/2007/06/dominion-at-first-it-may-seem-like.html

Onto Hillman. He's close to being right and has enough truth in his writing to sound right, but the best lies have a half truth. What mr. Hillman wrote about is pretty consistent with Dominion theology, though he's really good at hiding it.

This article is a must read if you read nothing else.

http://herescope.blogspot.com/2011/08/denying-dominionism.html

And here are some good quotes and articles.

"On his website, Hillman posts pieces written by Johnny Enlow, author of "The Seven Mountain Prophecy" which asserts that goal of Christians ought to be to establish a "virtual theocracy" in which government leaders will also be religious leaders so that they can present "the nations of the world to the Lord as His possession" and bring about the return of Christ."

And

"Hillman's website also sells the works of Lance Wallnau, one of the leading Seven Mountains proponents whose work has been central to the mission to "do whatever is necessary" to claim dominion."

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/wallnau-dont-say-dominionism-least-not-front-media

"Also issuing a denial was prominent Dominionist Os Hillman who helped launch the 7 Mountains movement and runs the reclaim7mountains website. Hillman is retrenching. He issued a syrupy brief statement[1] emphasizing that "Dominion, or perhaps a better word to use is influence, is a result of our love and obedience to God, not a goal to be achieved." However, the rest of his statement confirms the basic Dominionism platform of Genesis 1:28, adding in the neo-Kuyperian spheres and the idea of restoring heaven to earth."

http://herescope.blogspot.com/2011/08/denying-dominionism.html

And let's not forget Operation Ice Castle in which some dominionists claim to have climbed mount Everest to fight the queen of heaven. They actually didn't climb to the top. But they did go near it and claim they climbed and fought, as near as I understand this bizarre episode.

The main take away is their thoughts on spiritual warfare which are not Biblical.

This article is a good summary of the article below it.

http://herescope.blogspot.com/2010/12/spiritual-warfarers-battle-real.html

"The Bible does not speak or instruct us to confront principalities, powers in prayer or travel to where they are supposedly located to do prophetic prayer acts or declarations? According to the spirit warfare model of the new apostolic movement, it is necessary."

http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain64.htm

"Members of Wagner’s Third Wave/New Apostolic Reformation are convinced that their prayers can literally destroy individuals whom they’ve identified as demonic. Among those for whose deaths they claim credit are Mother Teresa and Princess Diana. Wagner taught his followers that a female mega-demon whom he called…“The Great Harlot of Mystery Babylon” lurked near the summit of Mount Everest…One of Wagner’s leading apostles in Mexico was a woman named Ana Mendez, a former witch in a Haitian voodoo cult…she led a team of twenty-six intercessors to Mount Everest in an assault she called, “Operation Ice Castle.” She and her elite force launched highly targeted intercessory prayers directly at the Great Harlot…Apparently, the prayers found their mark, killing the Harlot Queen."

http://www.joemcginniss.net/tag/dominionist

All of this to say, dominionism is bad and weird and grows more strange the deeper you get. It sickens me to learn that 250, 000 brothers and sisters are getting fed and partaking in this man's poison. It's even worse that Christians in a corporate setting are getting it as a quasi-official and reputable source of doctrine.

If you want good doctrinen go to the Bible!

Revealing Questions: Why Doesn't God Just Reveal Himself

This has been sort of addressed in my Top 50 questions blog, but it bears revisiting not due to s revelation, but just insight gained over time.

So, if God is real, why doesn't He just put an end to the "hiding" and show us His glory once and for all? Then people can believe. Makes sense, right?

Actually, i feel that's sort of a cop out that people seem to use so they don't have to deal with the idea of God and having to be accountable to Him. But rather than give the Christianese cop out answer "it's all about faith" (it is in a way, but we need reasons for the smart people) I will give a few reasons why God doesn't just show Himself.

The first reason He doesn't just show Himself is because it would destroy us. Pretty good reason if you ask me.

In Genesis 3, we see the fall of man. As a result, we humans chose to hide from God, and God had to drive us from His presence. Further, atonement had to be made by a sacrifice (animal skins, foreshadowing the Jewish sacrificial system in the Hebrew Scriptured and thus Christ's sacrifice). So because we are separated from God through our sin, we can't be in His presence. God is Holy and absolute good and therefore cannot tolerate the presence of sin, hence why adam and eve were evicted. Sort of like how you or i can't stand being around a certain smell or the sight of something. I can't stand certain actors in movies, so i keep them out of my presence. Sin is like that to God.

This is further demonstrated when Moses meets God on Mt. Sinai in Exodus 33:17 - 23 and chpt 34:5-9. In 33:20 God Himself tells Moses that if he sees Him face to face, that Moses would die. As it was, just seeing part of God, Moses fell prostrate before God. Even Exodus 19:20-21 the Lord warns the Israelites that they were not to look at Him lest they die.

Ezekiel 1:28, Ezekiel sees God and falls as though dead. He is a fallen man in the presence of God, so it makes sense. Isaiah has a slightly different experience, but when He sees God he realizes that he is unworthy.

In Revelation 1:17 John sees Jesus (God the Son, God as He incarnated as man) and He falls as though he were dead.

Just from these few encounters, we can see that it's not good for our fallen flesh to behold a Holy and just God. If God were to just reveal Himself to us, we'd all die or be close enough to it to wish we were. God, in His mercy, keeps us from seeing Him while we inhabit this body.

A good second reason is because deep in our sinful hearts, we really don't want to see God. Partly because we then would have to deal with our sin issue. So, we hide.

We already saw in Genesis 3 that when Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God (or tried anyways).

In Exodus 20:18-21, the Israelites have the choice to hear God directly, but instead choose to have Moses serve as intermediary (foreshadowing Jesus, no doubt). Not hiding really, but close enough in that they dodge having to deal directly with God. They can't bear being that intimate with Him.

Ezekiel 8, especially verse 12, we see that the elders of Israel tried to hide their sinful activities from God.

Quasi related to this, if God showed Himself then went away, we would forget before too long and revert to our sinful ways. God delivered Israel from Egypt mightily. He parted a sea, He was a pillar of cloud and fire, and yet Israel doubted and complained. The book of Judges is full of tragic cases where God worked miracles revealing glory here and there. Often within a few years Israel often turned back to sin.

Given the opportunity, we do our best to hide or avoid God and forget His mighty works. I myself have had God provide financially or deliver me from demonic attack only to try to hide from the truth and from God by trying to rationalize it away later. I have to remind myself it was a miracle and that God did move. I find myself now in a situation where I need a miracle, and I hope I will remember it when God moves.

But despite our best efforts to hide from God, we can't anyways. Its listed in so many places in the Bible that we can not hide from God. The prophet Jonah learned the hard way that it isn't possible. But it's best summarized by Chuck Missler, "God loves you so much that He can't take His eyes off of you."

It could also be argued that God did reveal Himself. 2000 years ago, He became a man, Jesus Christ, fulfilling hundreds of specific prophecies from the old testament. Mankind's reaction was to kill Him, fulfilling yet more prophecies in His death (psalm 22 for one) and His resurrection after 3 days.

On a sidenote, the book called "the Math of Christ" investigates the probability that Jesus Christ fulfilled merely 40 of the hundreds of prophecies from the Hebrew Scriptures, let alone the hundreds that are proposed. You can listen to an overview of it here: http://www.pidradio.com/2012/09/06/p-i-d-radio-at-prophecy-summit-col-stephen-bauer/

And of course, God will show Himself to us, but it's not going to be what you think. It won't be a quick glimpse to put our superficicial doubts at ease, then back to being invisible so we can go about our lives. It will be to come and pour out His wrath on those who have rejected His offer to make peace by turning from our sin.

Revelation 6:12-17 paint a terrifying picture of what happens when God will show His face. The physical universe that we touch and see will be removed and humanity will see God face to face. And on that day, the reaction of fallen man will be to hide. But if you read the rest of Revelation, it doesn't cause humanity to repent and believe in God. The rest of Revelation is about how despite God's continuing and obvious judgment and opportunities to repent, nobody does. Even to the point that people are trying to attack Jesus as He returns in Revelation 19. Other parts of the old testament expound on this time period and refer to it as the Day of the Lord, notably the book of Joel. Joel assures us that it is not going to be a happy day and that it will be too late to change our tune then.

The only way that any of us will see God face to face in a good way is to accept His free gift of salvation found in His Son Jesus Christ.

Turn from your sin, recognize it for its evil and ask God to forgive you for it, because He gave His Son Jesus to die for our sins according to the Hebrew Scriptures and Jesus rose from the dead according to the same scriptures on the third day. Done. He paid the price for my sin and yours, and by accepting that gift we can and will see God as a friend, Lord and Savior. He will reveal Himself in all His glory and finally we will be equipped to handle it.