That They Should Believe A Lie!

All scripture is taken from the ASV unless otherwise noted.

It is with the utmost respect to the great host of people in the world, that believe Biblical miracles are given today, that I share this article. I do have a sense of Christian consideration for those among us that claim to harbor some, or all of the supernatural gifts that we can read of in the word of God. However, I must be blunt and upfront. I remain very skeptical of such assertions for a number of reasons.

Joseph Smith, as most people know, claimed divine spiritual contact with God, Jesus and angels in dreams or visions. He claimed to have conversed with all of them. In fact, he claimed to be a most important, “prophet,” of God. In short, Smith claimed he was told by God, that there were no religions on earth that were true to His word. Smith said that he was told by God to plant a new church that would have the earmarks, and also the blessings of God.

Anyone familiar with the word of God, the Bible, should know this to be a false claim. Keep in mind that in Smith’s particular era, visions and the like were due in part to a great religious revivalism that was under way across the nation. Not to mention, the practices of what would be considered, “sleight of hand magic,” such as glass looking, rod divining, card reading, etc, etc.

And so, what does the Bible say? “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,” Galatians 1:13. It is indeed ironic that the Mormons claim that their book of Mormon is, “another gospel,” of Jesus Christ. A most glaring inconsistancy with the Bible. One should be able to see through this facade and steer clear. Herein lies the problem. People are easily led because they do not possess Biblical knowledge!

Joseph Smith was not the first to employ such means to deceive good people, and it is a sure bet that he will not be the last. The Bible is not quiet relating to this subject. There were false prophets spoken of in the Old Testament, as well as in the New Testament. These false prophets in most cases were named as being such, and it is not unlikely that in most cases, these imposter’s were dealt with swiftly. Deuteronomy 18:20, backs up this statement.

Yes, in the Bible we read of the prophets of God. However, if one is to actually delve into the subject and study the motives behind God’s employment of prophets, we find a commonality. First and foremost, was God’s desire for His creation to know Him, to hear and to heed Him. And this of course was for mans own good. However, we now can know Him, hear and believe Him through the word (Bible) that He has given us, once and for all time, “Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints,” Jude 1:3.

There is a consideration that we must here deal with. There were many false prophets all claiming to have a direct line to God. In order for God’s people, the Israelites, to know if one was speaking for God, He made the answer plain and clear. It is found once again in Deuteronomy, chapter 18, verse 21. We read: “And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

I will presume to say, that this process still stands to this very day. But I will go further and say that all folks that claim to speak for God independently of the Word that He has given to each and everyone of us, unfortunately is a false prophet. Some find this a harsh condemnation. I aver that when the apostle that Jesus loved, John, died, from that time until now, we have not had one proven prophet come from God.

The Bible tells me that all of the supernatural gifts that were bestowed by God, would soon come to an end. “Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known,” 1 Corinthians 13:8-12. What is this thing called, Perfect?

The Bible most always speaks of Gods words, and will, as being, “Perfect.” Most notably, in the Old Testament. Passages such as, 2 Samuel 22:31, 1Kings 8:61; 20:3, and many others. Naturally, we have to assume that the, “Perfect,” in 1Corinthians, as being the will, or, “word,” of God as well.

It would stand to reason that once mankind had received the word, the New Testament, in it’s entirety, as God would have it, there would be no more need for these gifts that we are told were temporal. They were temporal, however, they were necessary in the beginning, in order for the establishment of Christ’s church.

What do the prophets say about the Bible, the word of God? Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” That’s a mighty powerful statement about this book that we call the Bible.

Finally, we must beg the question, why would God need prophets now at this point in time if the Bible is all sufficient, and final, and the church is fully established? The Word of God is what saves. The hearing of the Word is what troubles a person’s soul to the point of needing to obey Jesus’ gospel to be saved. Also, how is one to prove that they have the gift of miracles? We are told to, “prove the spirits, whether they be from God.” ” Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world,” 1 John 4:1.

I hear of the, “tongue speakers,” today and I am truly alarmed. What would be the purpose for speaking in tongues? These folks do not even follow Paul’s advice to make sure an interpreter is present during these supposed inspired public events. I have heard people comment that attended one of these so called worship services, that they thought the people were indeed mad! Lo and behold. This is the very thing Paul says about this practice in 1Corinthians 14:23, “If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?”

During the days of the apostles, many wonderful signs were given from God. People would behold these magnificent signs, and thousands were led to believe in Christ. However, the church has been firmly established, and there will be no more signs from God. People have the Word now, and all have the same opportunity to respond to the Holy Bible’s invitation that God has given. He is not a respecter of persons. He will not give one person a sign, and not another. This would be a contradiction on Gods part, and we know this is an impossibility.

In conclusion, I know that there are many fine folks in the world today that just have to have miracles of some sort in order to believe. I’m sorely afraid that the miracle that is searched for is right before us all. It is the Bible Itself!

Study for yourself about how the Bible has come down to us. That my friends, is a miracle of miracles in and of itself. And then, add to that the miracles recorded within its pages. If that is not enough miracles for anyone, I just don’t know what is.

True, “bend the laws of nature,” miracles do not exist today, except on a providential scale (through prayer). If people would truly study the Word of God, they would understand this fact.

“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe4100 a lie,” 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11.(KJV)

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How Do We Find God Amid All Of The Chaos

Today I am reminded of an old story, that goes something like this:

A drunken man stumbled upon a baptism down at the river one Sunday. He walked down into the water and stood next to the preacher. Well, the preacher noticed him and said “Mister, are you ready to find Jesus?” The old drunken man looked at him with his red eyes and said, “why yes preacher, I sure am.” The minister then proceeded to dunk the fellow under the water and pulled him right back up, and, asked him, “now then sir, have you found Jesus?” To which the drunken man replied, “no preacher, I surely didn’t.”

The preacher then quickly grabbed the fellow again, and, down into the water he went. But this time he held him under a bit longer. And when the preacher pulled him up again he asked the fellow once again, “Now brother, have you found Jesus?” To which the drunken man said, “no, I did not preacher.”

The preacher now was getting visibly perturbed, and grabbed him once again, and down into the water the drunken fellow goes a third time. Only this time the preacher held him under the water for what seems like an eternity. When he pulled him up the preacher looked him in the eye and said, “my good man, have you now found Jesus?” The drunk man wiped his eyes and coughed a few times, and, then said to the minister, “preacher, are you sure this is where he fell in?”

The question for the ages is, how can one find God? There are so many theories, religions, spiritualists, gurus and evangelists all claiming to hold the key. And so what seems like such a simple question turns into a myriad of mind numbing replies that could make one dizzy. Is everybody right? Are we to blame God for all the innumerable theories and wayward notions?

I once had a fellow tell me that all religions and religious beliefs were correct. He reasoned that which ever religion a person chooses for their self, they must be true to that belief alone in order for God to bless him or her. I reasoned back that if that be true, then God is the Author of confusion, and I know this cannot be. 1Corinthians 14:33 tells me, “for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, …” God did not write all of the books purporting to be the work in some form or fashion of God. It is clear that all of these books contradict one another in so many ways. This is surely proof that something is amiss.

For example, if God were the Founder of the Hindu or Native American religion, He has divided Himself up into many Gods! But wait! God has spoken in the Bible that He is the great, “I AM,” and that there are no other Gods but Him.

If God is the Author of the Quran, He has deceived many that have placed all stock in Jesus as their redeemer.

If one is to be honest, he or she would know that God the Creator would never play such a silly game with His creation. Buddhism, Confucianism, Zoroastrianism, Shinto, etc, etc … cannot compete with Christianity.

We have all seen in cartoons the bewildered man that has climbed the mountain for hours and maybe days. He is worn, ragged and dirty. He finally gets to the top of the mountain to find the bearded Guru sitting just inside the cave. The man then, after all he has been through, asks the Guru the age old question, “What is the meaning of life?” Does the poor man ever receive an answer that remotely describes the meaning of life? Of course not! This ridiculous scenario happens every day believe it or not, although not quite so humorous.

The answer to mans question, “what is the meaning of life is found in Gods Book. The Bible is truly the product of God’s own hand. Man could not have written the Bible for many reasons. Yet, man could and did write the other so called holy books, and if one is honest enough he can see this to be true.

There are many that think they can worship God without worshiping Jesus. They are in deep error. And Jesus Himself explains why. “I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through Me,” John 14:6. This was Gods plan before the foundation of the world, 1Peter 1:19,20 tells us, ” … but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ: who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake, … ”

Jesus is the only door that leads to God, heaven and eternal life. John 10:9, “I am the door, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

So the key is that one must seek after Jesus in order to find God. Jesus says, “seek and you shall find,” Matt. 7:7. Many have, and are, seeking God. However, they end up trying to find Him by going around the, “Door,” to discover another way in. They seek God, but ignore His Son. You cannot have a relationship with God except through and by His Son. You cannot worship God without worshiping Jesus.

This was Gods plan from the beginning. The Jewish law (Old Testament) was just a, school master that teaches. A schoolmaster with a view towards salvation, and a view towards the King. A school master that now and forever directs all mankind to God, through Jesus Christ.

Gal 3:24,25 says, “So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.” The Old Law was nailed to the tree. The Old ended so that the New could begin. The Old Testament clearly points to Jesus as the answer to all spirituality and forgiveness. In Him lies the secret to a loving covenant relationship with God the Father.

At the cross we can see the bloodstains that transcend any and all boundaries mankind may try to erect. Jew and Gentile alike can still to this very day look inside the tomb of Jesus and find it empty! He is risen! The sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God was for all mankind and not just a select few. Kings and queens, rich and poor, black and white, red and yellow, young and old, wise and simple. Any and all that will seek Jesus, will find Him, and then, and only then, through Him have access to God.

There are some people that aver that the Bible has been tampered with and changed down through the years, and hence, is unreliable. And I will agree that there may have been an error of little or no importance made by a copyist many, many years ago. This would have been easy to do when the scriptures were hand copied. However, it would be rather silly to claim major alterations when there was really no need to do that in the first place! It would have been an impossible task for a number of reasons. However, I will not turn this article into a defense of the Bible. It would really be up to Bible detractors to prove such allegations as this.

The truth is, we have manuscripts that back up our translations. Especially the Old Testament, and certainly the New Testament as well. Man could not have written the Bible without divine guidance, and if one is honest he or she can see and understand this fact. God has chosen to speak to us in this manner in order for us to know Him and obey Him in love, as He loves us. He chose to send His Son to die a horrible death on the cross because He wants us to have a relationship with Him. This is how we find God amid all of the chaos that surrounds us. Read His words, and then, come to know Him as the loving Creator that He is.

As Christians, we who worship Jesus, meet upon the first day of the week, Sunday. We sing praises to His glorious name. We pray together through Christ our one and only, “Mediator,” between ourselves and God. We read from His Fathers Word. And we gather around His table that has been prepared with the bread which represents His body and the fruit of the vine which represents His blood that He shed for all mankind.

Only true worshipers of Jesus have for 2000 years gathered together upon the first day of the week to give full homage to the rightful King of Kings. It is a time for reflection upon Jesus and His undying love for us. It is a time to reflect upon our Christian lives during this memorial of Christ. He is our true Door to God. Let us think upon these things as we worship our Saviour.

I will leave you with this quote and one final comment to ponder:

“If you knew that there was one greater than yourself, who knows you better than you can know yourself, and loves you better than you can love yourself, who can make you all you ought to be, steadier than your squally nature, able to save you from squandering your glorious life, who searches you beyond the standards of earth. . . . One who gathered into Himself all great and good things and causes, blending in His beauty all the enduring color of life, who could turn your dreams into visions, and make real the things you hoped were true, and if that one had ever done one unmistakable thing to prove, even at the price of blood — His own blood — that you could come to Him, and having failed come again, would you not fall at His feet with the treasure of your years, your powers, service and love?”

Raymond C. Ortlund, “A Biblical Philosophy of Ministry, Part II: The First Business of God’s People”, Bibliotheca Sacra (April 1981), p. 103.

What is the meaning of life? “This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear (love) God, and keep his commandments; “for this is the whole duty of man,” Ecclesiastes 12:13.

God Would Never Approve Suicide

Most all religious people are continually outraged by the awful practice of murder by abortion. Why then are not more of the faithful speaking out against the practice of denying blood to those that need it for medical purposes?

Another misguided soul of 22 years old, has willingly gave up her life yesterday, while refusing a blood transfusion following the birth of her two beautiful twin babies. These offspring now will sadly grow up without her. This is an injustice based upon ignorance and twisted teachings of the word of God, and is regrettably happening way too often.

Instead of calling this practice what it is, “suicide,” the faithful within this strange group that call themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses, insist that refusing blood is God’s will for man. Oh yes, it is true the Bible speaks of the devilish practice of drinking the blood of any living thing. And it is also true that some nations routinely were involved in this sick ritual, as some are to this very day. But to make this command to abstain from blood, a test of faith when it comes to needed transfusions in medical emergencies, is a travesty of the highest order.

There are folks that should be ashamed for teaching such non-sense as this. Sadly, if one among their number decides to save their life or anyone of their loved ones lives with needed life sustaining blood, they are shunned forever by this so called church. This by the way is only one reason that I cannot refer to them as a church. This is only one reason that I must call them what they are, a cult!

There is not much that can be done about this religious band of nuts however, except attempting to teach the truth to JW individuals when given the opportunity. I have found that you must converse with them one on one though. You will not be too successful with more than one at a time. And even this is quite a challenge to say the least. I have on occasion been met with face reddened anger when attempting to show the truth of the scriptures to them.

How many good folks have to die because of this blind faith and allegiance to a sect that was founded upon a man that thought he was a prophet of God. He was no prophet this we know. For if Charles Taze Russell would have been correct in his predictions of the coming of Christ, we might have known that he was indeed a prophet come from God. But he was not correct. For crying out loud, he was not correct multiple times!

The Bible makes it clear that this is how you can determine if one who claims to be a prophet of God is for real. If his prophecies do not come to be, such a one is an impostor. People, Charles Taze Russell was an impostor. An impostor who is killing good folks to this day because of his wayward teachings. I pray for these poor blinded souls. My heart goes out to them. Lord have mercy on those responsible for this injustice. And please Lord, forgive this young lady that gave everything because she was deceived.

Religious Debate-A Forgotten Medium

There’s an old adage that I’ve heard many times in my life that in effect says, “do not discuss politics nor religion with strangers or more importantly, those that you wish to remain friends with.” Personal experience seems to bear this statement to be quite true.

We have of course, over the years, acquired our own philosophies based upon the premises of our own reasoning, whether it be political or religious. Religious thinking over the scriptures has conjured up many various theories within the Christian community. From the onset of the church age, there have been countless hypothesis in an attempt to uncover the many Biblical truths that reside within that Book.

Years ago, religious debate was very active, encouraged and considered quite acceptable. Formal debate consumed many a mans personal time in terms of Biblical study and of course the actual forums. Church buildings and other venues would be at times filled to capacity by people, which could be likened to attending a sporting event today.

Debate was a wonderful route to religious knowledge, not only for those actively involved, but also for those that were in attendance. It caused many a mind to open and study the Word as had never been done in over a thousand years. Religious debate in my opinion is still beneficial, and, can still be a spring board for people to advance their Biblical knowledge.

There are problems, however, that need to be approached in a forthright manner. When we consider the many aspects of religious differences, there are of course a number of items that collectively make up our sometimes preconceived conceptions on any given topic. And these are what can and do hinder our ability to embrace the opposite side of the coin in debate, when one can see and understand that their position is flawed. In my opinion many a person has remained on a questionable side of debate for reasons that would not be considered honorable.

Our past history as children, our family, mom and dad’s belief system, has much to do with our mindset today of course. Influence at the church we were raised in will weigh in quite heavily as well. And although we have gone through many changes since our early days, we remain influenced by these past happenstances all the same. Another adage that would fit this idea is, “the fruit does not fall far from the tree.” And this rings true in most cases. I have witnessed folks a few times admit defeat in their reasoning, only to remain with their affiliation after all.

Also, with another thought, what seems totally logical to one person, would never be sufficient for another. The reasoning just would not jostle the stance one has already firmly grasped onto over time. This is the reason that there are so many differing religious denominations throughout the world even now.

I have to say that I have personally never witnessed a religious debate in which at the end of the argumentation, either party was totally convinced, admitted defeat, and crossed over to the opposing side. Why is this? I believe in more than a few cases, “pride,” enters into the picture. We humans have a hard time with our perceptions of, “losing.” It seems we view losing as shameful, and weak. This should not be. Jesus went to the cross in a seemingly losing position. It seemed He was defeated both in debate and physically. But we know that He actually was victorious. He finally won and in the process won souls. And with this in mind we must never debate for the sake of winning, except that we debate for the purpose of winning souls for Christ!

With another thought in mind, often, religious debates degenerate down to the lowly level of personal attacks upon those ingaged in religious battle. It is quite easy to see that this is wrong and should be avoided at all costs. However, passion runs deep somtimes, and we can very easily be caught up in the heat of the moment. We will not help the cause of God in this manner, this we must know.

We find this to bear out as true within Biblical examples also. Jesus, the Master debater, argued most often with those that opposed Him and His teachings. The Pharisees were most rigid in their beliefs. Jesus challenged them as no one had ever done.

The Pharisees could see and understand that Jesus was on the winning side of the debates that He had with them. Their reasons for remaining firmly entrenched in their beliefs were various. Prestige and power would most likely be the number one reason. Many times however, some may have felt that they were indeed right, and on the proper side. However, many times we see that the Pharisees were angered beyond all reasoning and logic and lashed out with personal attacks regularly.

In conclusion I will ask, “is religious debate wrong?” Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Do these verses sound as though debate is wrong? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few,” Acts 17:11,12.

Debate was used by prophets, Jesus, the apostles and Christs disciples for centuries and, if performed correctly can be very beneficial and even may save some souls from the fiery darkness of hell itself. With this knowledge readers, check daily whether Biblical doctrine is true, or, if you have been deluded into believing a lie or lies.

Christians Only

Note: All scripture quotations are taken from the ASV 1901, unless otherwise noted.

“Then they that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved,” Acts 2:46-47.

In this historical Biblical record pertaining to the beginning of the church, there are several items that should be noted. First of all, those that did believe Peter and the facts of his powerful sermon that he delivered on this, the,“birthday,” of the church, truly wished to know what it was that they could do to make things right in the sight of God. This same question, “what shall we do,” should serve as a benchmark today for those who would strive to achieve truthful and honest answers to the way of salvation and entrance into the church. Sadly the answer that those folks on Pentecost was given does not satisfy the larger portion of  bodies that claim to be, “Christians,” today. If the answer and example contained in these scriptures were indeed satisfactory, there would be no Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, or any other man made institution in this world today. There would simply be Christians!

This concept sounds foreign to most people, I know. It goes against all that most have been taught religiously all their lives. It is a hard truth to fathom, and I understand the shock and surprise of folks not acquainted with this Biblical standard of truth. While we look at this question of Biblical salvation, let us remember that the book of Acts is referred to as, “the book of conversions.” Acts involves all aspects of the church, or kingdom, including of course, the way to salvation.

Think it over. Nowhere in this example found in the book of Acts, nor any where else in the Bible is there found that one is to, “join,” the church. We find that they were simply, “added,” to the church by the Lord. They were, “added,” to the church following their obedience to the commands of Peter to, “repent and be baptized.” Incidentally, the commands uttered by Peter in this instance,completely mirror the Lords commands before His ascension to the letter, as can be seen with the reading of  Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Luke 24:47.  Nowhere can it be found in the Word that once a convert had been added to the church of our Lord that he or she went about seeking to create, or join another church of their choice. We cannot think we have authority to be members of two churches can we? This idea is foreign to the Bible. It is of human design, as are these churches not built by Christ. There was, and still is, only one church! This church is the one founded by Jesus, and purchased by His precious blood. No one can expect to enter the kingdom through another door other than that Door; Jesus!

Denominations of the world give a blurred and error filled teaching of the, “visible,” church and the, “invisible,”church. To think that all denominations are true visible churches within the true invisible church of our Lord is quite ridiculous. The denominations conveniently work this false notion of ,“join the church of your choice,” into their rhetoric, although this is not even slightly alluded to within the Word of God.

Indeed, there were, in the beginning, various congregations of the one true church. However, there were no such things as denominations, each preaching and practicing different doctrine. This is no more than an attempt at reconciling and rationalizing the divided state of denominationalism. Christ never intended for there to be anymore than one church, undivided and bound together by a common love for the Lord and a holy devotion to the brotherhood of Christ. Indeed, as a matter of record, Christ prayed that His subjects would remain undivided, “Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as we are, “John17:11. Jesus built one church. He died for His church at Calvary and purchased it with His own blood, “…The church of the Lord which He purchased with His own blood,” Acts 20:28.

People in this day and age shop for a church as they would an automobile or clothes.Whatever suits their fancy and makes them happy is the order of the day. And most folks today seek out and choose the most, “entertaining,” church they can find. This is not true worship that is in spirit and in truth, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth,” John 4:23,24, (King James Version). This is not doing  things decently and in order! “But let all things be done decently and in order,” 1Corinthians 14:40. I would think that this verse would most definitely pertain to our, “worship,” first, as well as in our every day lives as well.

Would you not agree that it would be much better to let God do the talking in all matters pertaining to His will. I think I can safely aver that it was never His will or intention that human inspired organizations plant themselves in place of, and in addition to Christ’s one true church.

The Reformation Movement was a good start at getting back to a “thus sayeth the Lord.” However, the Reformation did not go nearly far enough. As a matter of  fact, though much good came from that partial revival, ultimately, much more damage was done than good. What transpired from the Reformation Movement is a maze of countless institutions and bodies, all in disharmony, and all thinking in some strange way that God approves of this arrangement. “giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through you all, and in all,” Ephesians 4:3-6. Human injection and interference was the cause of the falling away centuries ago, and human injection and interference continues to be the cause of division to this very day.

The call to do away with human devised party names, creeds, and doctrine was sounded in the churches infancy. The Holy Spirit through the inspired writers of the New Testament divinely made that call. The call that was sounded went unheeded, the result is evidenced today with the countless number of denominations, all claiming harmony in diversity. All claim divine guidance of the Holy Spirit.

With the advent of the lesser known, “Restoration Movement,” some three hundred years ago, the call to do away with party names, creeds and doctrine, and return to the purity of the scriptures was once again sounded. This plea is still being sounded today by the Lords church. The plea is to return to unity in all phases of Biblical matters, and to call ourselves just, “Christians.”

On a final note I will ask one question in relation to denominations. Each and every denomination that I am aware of, will declare that they are guided by the Holy Spirit. Each and everyone of these church bodies will teach their particular brand of creeds and doctrine, which variously at many points, is in complete disharmony and disagreement with one another. I will ask, which one is led by the Holy Spirit? Someone is wrong! How could a person know? Will you attempt to affirm that it does not matter? It most certainly does matter because the Holy Spirit does not teach conflicting doctrine, of this we can be sure. Each denomination will go to the Word for their proof…most of the time any way. There are exceptions, and this is because some denominations do not accept the Bible as literal. This is fodder for another day however.

Truthfully, there are many people within a church that they follow, that do not even know exactly what it is that their denomination teaches! I ask that all folks need to determine what is truth and what are falsehoods. Do you want to know? Study your Bible.

If you are joined to a denomination you need to question it’s teachings in light of the Word of God. Remember, the Lord, “adds,” converts to His church. If you are added to the church that Christ built, why would you want to be joined to another church? Think about this will you?

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As Time Goes By

I was asked on my last birthday how it felt. I thought about it for a second and I said,”well, I fell asleep one night at the age of 25, and when I awoke I was 55.”

Yes indeed, time sure does fly!

It does not seem that long ago that I was a power house of energy and strength. I could work all day and have enough left over for some serious hard play.

My dad told me many times that this would happen. He would tell me, “the older you get, the faster time slips by.” Well, I heard him, but I didn’t really hear him, you know? The words just kind of went in one ear and out the other.

The one thing that I truly regret in my life is that I took most everything for granted. Early on I just thought that my grandparents would be with me like forever I guess. When they died it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was very angry.

Later on I took my married life and family for granted. I  was a big man and could do as I pleased. What a rough lesson that was for me to learn. I lost everything including my wife and could have lost my kids as well, but I was lucky in that respect. I surely lost respect for myself.

The main gist of what I am trying to get across is that folks have a short time in which to get it right. I was given a gift in Christ that has helped me through some bad times. This is because even though I was in a way emulating the, “Prodigal Son,” I, like he, hit rock bottom and came home to a ecstatic mother and father that called for the proverbial fatted calf to be eaten in joy.I had returned to the fold. Oh happy day!

There is a lesson in all of this. If you listen to the wise, usually your parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, you just may be be spared a lifetime of pain. If you choose to learn by yourself as you go, it will be a mighty rough road to travel. Take it from one who knows.

Yes, time flies when you think your having fun. My prayer for you, whoever and where ever you may be, is that when you wake up slopping with the hogs, you will decide to come home. Realize that there is a place still reserved for you where your folks love you. And know also that the arms of Christ are as wide as the world and beyond.

God Bless,
Gary

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We are Now Victorious: The Kingdom Came!

Once again the purveyor’s of fictitious millennial hogwash have ground out what they say will be the final installment of their ever popular series of books called the, “Left Behind Series.” Thank goodness that this is the final installment…praise God! However, it is too bad that this series of literary hocus pocus has already done so much more damage on untrained and unlearned religious minds. These sub par “Harry Potter- ism,” novels are very high on fiction, and oh so low on actual truthful consumable Bible meat to feast upon, I’m so sorry to say.

Tim LaHay and Jerry Jenkins claim that their work is fiction and that it is based upon facts that are expressed and represented within the pages of the Bible. However, sadly, nothing could be further from the truth. It is truly sad to say that the Left Behind books should indeed have been left behind where they belong, in the inner dark recesses of the minds of these seize the day (and wallets) pie in the sky penmen.

First of all their supposed facts are hopelessly well outside any doctrine found within the Bible as we shall see. And yes, I know that I go against the grain of popular religious teaching here. Yet, the truth of scripture in various circles of popular thought is muddied enough as it is without having these two self aggrandized millionaires mucking up the confused landscape of Apocalyptic mumbo jumbo yet even more.

I have to admit it, to dream up such imaginative stories as Tim LaHay and Jerry Jenkins have done in such a fashion as this is rather clever. Mix fiction with what the religious majority understand to be fact within multiple installment novels, and timing them for release at just the right time, is indeed skillful. It certainly has put dollars in their bank accounts. Sadly though, it has only furthered a doctrine that has put no sense in the minds and the hearts of those that are weak and unlearned in the Word of God.

Ever since Hal Lindsey’s‘, “The Late Great Planet Earth,” in the 70’s, it seems that folks have worked themselves all up into a lather over these notions of Jesus reigning on Davids literal earthly throne right here on this literal earth from the once literal Holy Temple of Jerusalem for a literal thousand years.

I have one thought before I get started here. There are over 1 and 1/2 billion Muslims in this world who would love nothing more than to have a bunch of over zealous Jews and Christians attempting to dismantle their mosque (dome of the rock) in order to build a new temple for Christ to rule from. Folks…it ain’t gonna happen! But that is something else for another day I guess.

In the Bible we find that the kingdom is spoken of in the Old Testament as being in the future. Many of the prophets spoke of the King who would one day arrive and set up His kingdom. Moses, David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Micah, Zechariah. all prophesied on the subject of the King and His kingdom. Many aspects of the kingdom were revealed by these prophets of God. Daniel even plainly speaks of the time in which this kingdom would arise. Let’s read what Daniel had to say to King Nebuchadnezzar in response to what this king wanted to know of a dream that he had dreamed:
Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces.
Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. Daniel 2:31-45

We now know historically that the kingdoms that Daniel mentioned are, in order;

Babylon    Medo-Persia    Greece     Rome

The kingdom of Christ

We can see from this prophecy that Christs kingdom would indeed be established during the reign of the Roman kings. Meaning the Roman dynasty of old, not a future Roman rule that we are to look for today! How ridiculous a position to hold, as if the Romans will once again dominate the whole world. If you believe this silly doctrine, this is the position you are taking. It just does not hold water whatsoever.

And so we have established that the king and His kingdom was promised to mankind some time in the future. And then we have narrowed the time down to the Roman kings. That being said we move on.

Enter doctrinal error number one. The Pre-millennialism premise begins here. It is surmised that because the Jews, “unexpectedly,” rejected Jesus as their King, that God delayed or postponed the coming of the Kingdom until a later date. Is this true? Does the Bible indeed show this to be fact? No!

As a matter of fact it was no surprise at all. Isaiah had predicted this happenstance some 700 years before and it is recorded in Isaiah chapter 53. Let’s read it: Isa 53:3 ” He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

Sounds to me that God knew Jesus would be rejected and it was no surprise at all. How in the world could or would anyone think that man could surprise God? How does anyone think that by mankind’s actions that God will change His plans that have been decided by Him before the foundation of the world? Matthew 25:34  “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” It is most silly to be swayed by such nonsense as this theory of a delayed kingdom.

People want to see, smell and touch don’t you know? They want the physical thing, not the spiritual. What did Jesus say? “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”  John 18:36-37
Unfortunately this is what the Jewish people wanted. Jesus did not fit the bill of the One who would liberate the Jewish race from the cruel Roman overlords. He was not in their eyes a logical successor of the great King David of yore. He was meek, gentle and did not strike one as being anything special. Where was His kingly clothes? His grand army that would destroy Rome? Had they been learned in the scriptures they would have known who Jesus was. I will take this opportunity to ask, do you know who Jesus is? Is he this day your king?

John the Baptist arrived on the scene and began to preach that the kingdom of heaven was at hand:
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Matthew 3:1-3

Now we know that the kingdom was close by. It would not be much longer naturally until the King would arrive. And then… He does arrive on the scene:
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.  Mark 1:14-15

John is now in prison and Jesus picks up where John left off preaching that the kingdom was at hand. Verse after verse tells of the kingdom very near.

The icing on the cake is with this particular verse found within 3 of the gospels:
Matthew 16:28  Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.  Mark 9:1  And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.                                                                                               Luke 9:27  But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

Jesus told the people here that  some of them would live to see the  kingdom in all of its power and glory. If this did not occur, then there are some mighty old people walking this earth!

Now, Marks account above is most telling here. He says that Jesus averred that the kingdom would come with, “power.” In relating to the disciples future events that they did not yet fully understand, Jesus told them that they would be endued with, “power,” from on high:
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
And ye are witnesses of these things.
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:46-49

The book of Acts continues on this thought with additional information about this. “power,” that they (apostles) would receive:
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:6-9

The power did indeed come to the apostles who were gathered in Jerusalem as instructed by Jesus. We read of it in Acts chapter 2 and there can be no mistake made as to the power and it’s source. The Holy Spirit which had been promised by Jesus made His grand entrance about and within the apostles. The kingdom was about to commence just as Christ had said it would. Is there any doubt? If so lets read:
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:14-36

To, “sit,” means to reign. One cannot reign without a kingdom, this we know. Christ did receive His crown and He rules over His kingdom now, right now at this time. Those who have humbled themselves in obedience to His gospel and became one of His subjects are servants in His kingdom.

From Acts to Revelation the kingdom is spoken of as in existence, such as:
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 1:12-14
Also:
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Hebrews 12:27-28

There are many other verses to show that the kingdom is now a reality and Jesus begs for those who would to obey Him to accept His kingdom as a child. But how do we enter in unto the kingdom? Just as Jesus declares!

One must hear the gospel of Christ; Romans 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

They must believe; Acts 8:36-37  And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

We must repent; Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

One must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; Rom 10:9-10  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.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

One must be baptized; (Folks don’t like this command made by Jesus) Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Acts 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

One must live a life within the kingdom of Christ as an obedient subject, fit for every good work and service. We must serve God and one another as Jesus did while He was upon this earth. He served as the perfect example of lowliness and humility devoid of human traits such as pride and evil deeds and thoughts.

The kingdom of Christ has indeed destroyed every other worldly kingdom that satan leads. When Christ was raised and His kingdom was established, the devil was beaten and humiliated. His worldly kingdoms can never rival Christ’s great kingdom that will never fall nor fail.

Remember, in the Old Testament the kingdom is, “future tense.” In the gospels the kingdom is, “at hand.” And finally from Acts 2 through the New Testament the kingdom is, “present tense.”
One more thing. It might surprise you to know that the church and the kingdom are one and the same divine institutions. We know this by the reading of 3 verses found in Matthew chapter 16:
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:17-19

The interchangeable use of the words church and kingdom by Christ within 2 verses here proves without a doubt that the church and kingdom are one and the same. Throughout the New Testament we read of the kingdom just as readily as we read of the church, and we read that they are both now in existence.

Do not be mis-led by these wild and fanciful teachers of Biblical fiction. They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Romans 10:2 The kingdom has indeed come!

Gary

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The Ticking Bomb-Part 3

This will be the 3rd and final installment of, “The Ticking Bomb.” I have been attempting to sound an alarm to the rapid spread of Islamic terrorism, while at the same time utilizing people that are experts and in the know to explain to us just how serious the problem of Islamic terror really is the world over. I truly fear that many of us are just not paying attention to what is going on all around us.

Now, just to set the record straight, I understand that there is a difference between peaceful Muslims and extreme Islamics bent on taking over the world and shoving Islam down the throat of anyone and everyone that they judge as an infidel. That is what I have been writing about. I mean no offense to any law abiding Muslim anywhere in the world that is upholding life and liberty. No, I do not agree with the Muslim religion what so ever, but this does not make me mad enough to injure or kill them. This cannot be said of many of the Muslim world that would just as soon see non-Muslims burned at the stake than look at them.

It is estimated that the total number of Muslims range from 700,000,000 to 1.3 billion worldwide and 1,200,000 to 7,000,000 in the U.S. About 21% of all people on earth follow Islam. I think I could safely say that this figure is now conservative since this survey was done. The religion is now and has been for quite some time very obviously in a period of rapid growth. In Europe we find the fastest growth, and have for instance even heard reports that Sweden’s native population is worried about becoming a minority before long. Like wise in France their population seems to be spiking with growth of Muslim communities.

Christianity is now at this time the largest religion in the world. But according to figures this will not last long. If the current trend continues, Islam will become the most popular world religion sometime in the mid-21st century. Europe is now starting to feel the real effects of a hardcore Islamic terror backlash, such as in Spain and close calls in the U.K. Also in Canada and the United States have succeeded in halting plots in North America. However, even in Saudi Arabia we have just had an incident in which over 178 individuals have been arrested in plots to disrupt oil fields and other places of real interest. Pakistan has their share of problems as well. So we can see that this problem is world wide and is not going away very easily.
We must all face the fact that there are those that want to take our freedoms away from us so that they can install a Taliban type religious government with their many rigid traditions, customs and laws. And their goal is indeed world wide domination. These terrorists are not stupid. They are ignorant, but not stupid. They will stop at nothing to get what they want. If this means killing and injuring their own people they will do so. Old men and women, children, it does not matter to them, and as a matter of fact; the more blood the better. The want to scare us into submission. What ever it takes that is what they will do. They have no respect for human life. They don’t even respect their own lives. This does not have the ring of a peaceful religion to me, does it to you?

I would like for those interested to read the following:
The Fall of France and the Multicultural World War
From Gates of Vienna:
Muslim blogs are calling for violence against the Jews, the whites and the well-to-do. They say, “We must burn France, as Hamas will burn Israel.” The growth of the Islamic population is explosive. According to some, one out of three babies born in France is now a Muslim. Around 70% of French prisoners are Muslims. Hundreds of Muslim ghettos are already defacto following sharia, not French law. Some have pointed out that the French military are not always squeamish, but there are estimates that 15% of the armed forces are already made up of Muslims, and rising. How effective can the army then be in upholding the French republic? At the same time, opinion polls show that the French are now officially the most anti-capitalist nation on earth. France has chosen Socialism and Islam. It will get both, and sink into a quagmire of its own making. Some believe France will quietly become a Muslim country, others believe in civil war in the near future:

Although I do not believe all Muslims have these types of feelings, I would be curious to know just what percentage do have these feelings.

The Islamic Koran teaches that all people must conform to, “the one true religion,” Islam, or they are considered sons and daughters of satan. According to Islam, Christianity is polytheistic and is an un-authorized religion that has sprouted from misguided information found within the Bible. The Bible they say has been tampered with and is not reliable. This is another subject for another day, but I will go on the record as stating that this idea is total nonsense, and can be quickly proven wrong .

I will aver that I am by no means an expert in the field of all of the differing doctrines, hadiths, laws and culture of the Muslim world. I only know what I see, hear and read. And what I have found is very confusing and conflicting indeed. This is the reason I have tried to let those that are Muslims, experts, and, “apostates,” of Islam speak, so that people can effectively see and understand the problems we all face. We must understand that this threat will only grow with time and we cannot just turn a blind eye to it.

We were attacked viciously on 9/11/2001, and I believe we were sufficiently warned beforehand of this heinous act. We, meaning our government, did not recognize the clear signs of what these thugs were up to. Islamic Terrorists in following what they believe to be the words of their Allah, did exactly what they believe to be their doctrine of war, or armed jihad. First, they warned of impending attacks, and then second, they called on America to convert to Islam.

We have not I believe, learned from that occurrence. And it has been repeated throughout the world since 9/11. We have watched videos of these radicals communicating these same two message’s of late. What do you think this means? I think I know. It is not, “if,” we will be attacked again, it is rather, “when.”

I read this the other day on a, “pro-Islam,” web-site and I could not help but shake my head in disbelief:
“The history of Islam has never witnessed any single case of forced conversion. Freedom is for all to choose as long as they don’t wage war against Islam.”

This person is either mentally challenged, in self denial, truly mis-informed or lying, I don’t know which. It does not take much investigation into the matter to find the truth about such a claim as this one however. And we should also ask this fellow just what he means by, “waging war,” with Islam? Even my writing of this piece will be                  construed by some Muslims as, “waging war,” with   Islam. And so that assertion can mean more than one thing. History is replete with hard evidence to contradict this wayward declaration. Actually, it is not even worth a reply, but you can find many answers here.

I would also like for you to read this offering from the same web-site as the above that is no doubt right on the money in terms of terrorism and the ideologies that accompany it.
We left Islam
Mankind’s biggest challenge:
“Today the humanity is facing a great danger. Islamic fundamentalism is on the rise and the hatred is brewing in the minds of millions of Muslims. This hatred must be contained or there would be disastrous consequences. We believe that the education is the only answer. Muslim intellectuals must realize that Islam is a false doctrine and they must let the rest of Islamic world know the truth. Islam is a religion that thrives on the arrogant assumption that it is the most logical, the most scientific and the most perfect religion. While the fact is that it is the stupidest doctrine — the most backward and absurd belief. Once the truth about Islam becomes common knowledge, it will be weakened and the Islamic fanaticism will lose its fangs. Hundreds of billions of dollars are being expended to combat Islamic terrorism, yet no effort is made to contain the ideology behind this terrorism. It is our belief that Islamic terrorism will not be eliminated unless and until the ideology behind it is exposed and eradicated. This is what we intend to do.”

That is one of the most powerfully logical and truthful paragraphs related to Islamic extremist terrorism that I have yet to come across. And this comes from admitted,”apostates,” of Islam no less! They do know whereof they speak! They are obviously not crackpots. They see and obviously understand the truth, and unabashedly tell it like it is.

This is another warning: (Author Unknown).
“There is the erroneous assertion that Radical Islam is not connected with mainstream (moderate) Islam “[or] that the religion of Islam has been “hijacked by a few extremists” that the vast majority of Muslims do not agree with the Islamofascists. Such thinking is a terrible error and a grave threat to America’s national security, especially in this age of nuclear terrorism.”
“The so-called radicals are not a fringe element; they are fully supported by the worldwide Islamic community (Ummah). If they were a fringe element, they would have been defeated long ago. The fight rages on because of strong support from the moderates both covertly and overtly. This means the Islamic Military (wrongly labeled radicals) is intimately connected with moderate Muslims who we have mistakenly labeled as innocent bystanders.“

Allah, very obviously, is not the one true God by any stretch of the imagination. The Lord my God does not teach His children hatred and killing by, or for, any means. His message is love and has always been so. And this message of love was embodied fully by His Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus is love! There is no room for hatred and killing, and teaching children to hate and kill.

The Old Testament which was written for our learning, was also preparing the way for the Messiah. The many references (333) attributed to Jesus in the Old Testament were reliably accurate right down to the most minute detail. He was indeed who the Old Testament prophets, including John the Baptist, and even Jesus Himself, said He was. It needs to be said again, when Jesus died upon that cross upon Calvary and uttered these words, “it is finished,” so commenced the beginning of Grace for sinners who will honestly seek redemption through Him. We do not find salvation through Muhammad, this is certain. The Man (Jesus) that Muslims unfortunately call a prophet, “only,” is their only way to God the Father. Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6).

Many people say that there are many roads to heaven, but they are wrong. If one would sincerely and honestly seek to know the truth, God says, he or she will find it. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31,32)

There is no salvation found in Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism and all the other religions and sub-religions the world over. God is not the author of confusion, this we know. He recognizes His children as being separate and apart from man made institutions in which Islam is a part.

Not one paragraph, not one sentence, not one word or iota about another supposed prophet to arise after Jesus is found within the Holy Writ! Much less a prophet that we are to deify! And why do you surmise this to be? Has the Bible been altered as Muslims allege? No! Honest research and study proves this notion to be nonsense! Matthew 24:35.
There was certainly no reason what so ever of a need for another prophet sent from God 600 years after Jesus to confound, and confuse, those who would be followers of the one true Christ. We have all we need for salvation within the New Testament. There is a standing offer to all peoples of the world to come to Jesus on His terms. We are all offered the benefit of eternal bliss in the presence of God on high. And there is indeed no need for a book written over 600 years later purporting to be words from God that completely contradict what the prophets through the Holy Spirit wrote within the Bible.

There have been many false gods, messiahs and prophets throughout history and they just cannot stand upon the laurels of truth when evaluated externally, internally, and side by side with the true revelation come from God, the Holy Bible. Honest, and sane inquiries with study will validate this assertion.

One person who has commented on my earlier posts has stated that we should, as Christians, pray for this situation and those that are committing sin by hating, killing and maiming innocent men women and children; and he is right. However, that should not deter us from actively warning others of impending chaos and destruction and also help others in the quest for self preservation. This is vitally important as human beings, and above all else as a Christian. Once again education is the place to start. There are many such as myself that write on the internet. We need all the help we can    get, Christian or not.

I am well aware that some will say that we here in America have our terrorist and fringe hate groups that would love to dominate the world as well as the Islamic jihadists. And that is true. However, they are not a huge main-steam national religion. These groups here are shunned and there is no silence as if we approve of these radicals. There is no spoken support for these hate mongers, except in their own little world. We (Americans) for the most part treat this type of disease as the cancer that it is. A deadly disease that needs to be eradicated fully. Our law enforcement keeps close tabs on these hate groups, and you can bet your bottom dollar that when hate groups make a mistake they are taken out of the way and in many cases sent to prison.

Some have raised the question, “what would happen if we simply packed up and left every country over in the East and came home”? Would terror follow us home? Something to ponder I guess. In view of the evidence, I would have to conclude that yes, they would indeed launch attacks here in the U.S. I have read lately that Muslims are recruiting converts to Islam in our own prison systems. That is a chilling thought. What do you suppose will happen here before too long? Well, once again we can not stress enough that Islam has a dream. That dream is to dominate the world; at all cost! Here are some thoughts that affirm what I say.

PA’s Al-Ayyam newspaper on March 25, 2007.
“A-Zahar emphasized that the Islamic Movement’s [Hamas’s] position concerning the problem of the liberation of Palestine is clear and known,” Al-Ayyam reported. A-Zahar is quoted as saying:
“We have two important foundations: one is Koranic and the other is prophetic. The Koranic: the divine promise made in the Al-Israa Sura [Chapter 17] is that we will liberate the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, ‘and we will enter it as we have entered it the first time’ [paraphrasing Sura 17 (The Night Journey), verse 7]. And the prophetic foundation is the message of the prophet Muhammad, that Islam will enter every house and will spread over the entire world.
Read more here.

A-Zahar Reiterates Hamas Goal: World Dominationby Nissan Ratzlav-Katz(IsraelNN.com) Addressing a mass rally in memory of the founder of the Hamas terrorist organization, Ahmed Yassin, senior Hamas leader and former Palestinian Authority official Mahmoud A-Zahar reiterated a fundamental position espoused by Hamas and other Islamist groups worldwide: struggle for the complete obliteration of Israel and the worldwide rule of Islam.Go to India for dance and music, says Pakistani cleric,
“We will not wait more … it will now be Sharia or shahadat (martyrdom),” Aziz said in his Friday sermon at Lal Masjid.”
“the Lal Masjid administration was ready to sacrifice everything, including their lives, for the enforcement of Sharia in Pakistan.”
Islam or death.

Al-Qaeda said to be planning big British attackThe Times, UK Apr. 22, 2007 Diseph Gadher

http://www.timesonline.co.uk
Al-Queda leaders in Iraq are planning the first “large-scale” terrorist attacks on Britain and other western targets with the help of supporters in Iran, according to a leaked intelligence report.
Spy chiefs warn that one operative had said he was planning an attack on “a par with Hiroshima and Nagasaki” in an attempt to “shake the Roman throne”, a reference to the West.
Another plot could be timed to coincide with Tony Blair stepping down as prime minister, an event described by Al-Qaeda planners as a “change in the head of the company”.
The report, produced earlier this month and seen by The Sunday Times, appears to provide evidence that Al-Qaeda is active in Iran and has ambitions far beyond the improvised attacks it has been waging against British and American soldiers in Iraq.

Anti-terror raids net 6 suspects
POSTED: 7:02 a.m. EDT, April 24, 2007
LONDON, England (CNN) — British anti-terror police backed by local authorities arrested six people Tuesday in a series of raids, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
The suspects were arrested “in connection with inciting others to commit acts of terrorism overseas and terrorist fund raising.”
“The men were arrested this morning by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, supported by local officers, at five addresses in London and one in Luton,” the statement said.
Luton is located north of London. All six were arrested under Britain’s Terrorism Act and are being held at a central London police station, according to Scotland Yard.
Police said searches are being carried out at a number of locations.
“The arrests form part of a long-term pro-active and complex investigation into alleged incitement and radicalization for the purposes of terrorism, as well as alleged provision of financial support for international terrorism,” the statement said.

TERRORISM IN GERMANY
Failed Bomb Plot Seen As Al-Qaida Initiation Test
By Andreas Ulrich, AP
Germany narrowly escaped what could have been its worst-ever terrorist attack last July when two bombs placed on trains failed to detonate. The case comes to trial in a Lebanese court this week with German police suspecting that the attack was an initiation test for potential al–Qaida recruits.Read the rest of the story here.
Jihad Hamad, one of the suspected train bombers, stands trial in Beirut this week.
German authorities believe that the two Lebanese students who tried but failed to detonate self-made bombs in two German trains last July may have done so to qualify themselves for al–Qaida missions in Iraq.
Read more here.

Another interesting fact concerning the integration of Muslims into democracies is their tendency to want, “special,” and, “differing,” rights that run counter to what is common law within the countries they immigrate to.

For instance, here where I live, Muslims that work in grocery stores are refusing to ring up pork at the checkout lines. Now, I can understand their desire to live by the standard of their religion that requires them to refrain from eating pork. But to make a stink about ringing up a sale for the grocery store that employs them is certainly going too far. Time for them to seek other employment I would say. But you know what? The stores are caving in to their demands! What will be next, demonstrations in the streets calling for an end to pork commercials? You know the one, the, “other white meat?”

Now that example is rather tame compared to my next showing. Please read on:
“Sweden’s largest Muslim organisation has demanded that Sweden introduce separate laws for Muslims, according to Swedish television. Sweden’s equality minister Jens Orback called the proposals “completely unacceptable”.
The Swedish Muslim Association, which represents around 70,000 Muslims in Sweden, has sent a letter to all Sweden’s main political parties suggesting a number of reforms, SVT’s Rapport programme reported.”

When I last checked Sweden was a fine model of democracy that everyone could admire. Now, according to some Muslims, it’s just not for them. They would rather fall back in time once again to the era of polygamy, wife beating, contract’s of marriage arranged by the parents, female circumcision, stonings and all of the other fun stuff that goes along with such a peaceful religion.

I will leave this thought with you now, and hope that true Godly love comes to each and every person living today. Because without that, we cannot be in a covenant relationship with Him. This is only possible through His son, Jesus the Christ, Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.

But we read things of this nature that just breaks the heart and makes one wonder how people can be so cruel.

My mother, my mother,
Me and Ubaydah are awake and waiting for you
to come to put us to sleep.
Me and Ubaydah, oh Mommy,
still need you to wipe our tears…
Instead of me you carried a bomb in your hands.
Only now, I know what was more precious than us…
May your steps be blessed,
and may you be flawless for Jerusalem.
Me and Ubaydah wish we were there with you.

Muslim 34.20.4652 “Who is the best of men? [mohamed] replied: A man who fights for Allah or help those who die for allah.” in the way of Allah spending his wealth and staking his life”.

Words to live by?

Gary

The Ticking Bomb-Part2

In Part 1 of my post called The Ticking Bomb, I inferred that we in the West should be ready and standing guard ever vigilent. We want to educate from the cradle that violence in any form is wrong, both morally and religiously. There are people that want to harm you because you are not what they would have you be. I speak of Muslim radicals of course.In Part 1, I let one former radical speak to you about the threat that is nigh. Many folks have been lulled into a sense of security since 9/11 and we at any time can once again be caught off guard. Now, that does not make me an, “Islamophobe,” as I have been called. Nor does this make me a needless alarmest. I consider myself a realist however, tuned in to the events day by day as they unfold.

Were you aware that there are organizations right here in the States that are funding terrorist activities in the East and could possibly be funding a terror campaign right here once again in the future? But we are so afraid of offending someone that that we walk on egg shells in dealing with these maniacs. But actually I’m afraid that this type of thing is standard in every corner of the world.

Consider Britian and the terror cell they cracked not long ago. Could there be cells here in the United States or Canada? A few charities have been stopped, but I’m certain that there are many more charities in the world and the majority of them will sadly never be stopped. However,the local police agencies, the Border Patrols, the F.B.I, Home Land Security and Interpol has known this for years and are at work right now attempting to shut these sources down. This is a daunting task as you can imagine. Here are some words that solidify what I am saying:

Judicial Watch says Muslim charities secretly supporting terrorists Chad Groening
OneNewsNow.com
April 11, 2007
Judicial Watch is a public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption. It believes the United States government needs to place greater scrutiny on a Muslim organization that has links to terrorism. The watchdog group is concerned about the Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and has included it in a recently released report titled Muslim Front Organizations: Moderate Non-Profits or Elaborate Deceptions?
“Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton says CAIR has been successful in portraying itself as a champion for all Muslims and “has been very effective in making themselves out to be the ACLU of Arab-Americans when, in fact, they are a narrow interest group funded by initially terrorist-associated organizations; and they’ve knowingly assisted violent Muslim Arab groups.”

No doubt you’ve heard this before but I will still ask, where is the outrage from Muslims in regards to illegal activities and horrific crimes of murder and mayhem that is the staple of these radical terrorists? Yes I know that there are those who are starting to speak up. But these Islamic voices are rather weak and hollow. There is no true alarm in response to the wholesale slaughter that is being committed each and every day around the globe. Even today I hear that 184 or more were killed in Iraj. Here is an AP report in part:

“Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, the Iraqi military spokesman, said, “We have not seen such a wave of attacks since the security plan began. These are terrorist challenges. Ninety-five percent of those killed today were civilians.””Late Wednesday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered the arrest of the Iraqi army colonel who was in charge of security in the region around the Sadriyah market. The colonel’s name was not given.”

“Our Iraqi people are being subjected to a brutal attack that does not differentiate between an old man, a child or a woman. This targeting of civilian populations brings back to our minds the mass crimes and genocide committed by the Saddamist dictatorial regime,” said a statement from al-Maliki’s office.”

I do think it is high time the U.S. left Iraj as they are now embroiled in a civil war that only adds to the tension and confusion. We do have interests over there though, and I can see and understand the dilemma we are faced with. Is it worth the many deaths that we have endured though? I think not.

It is said though numerous times that if we leave the terrorists will follow. I think I believe this thought. If the Jihadists smell fear they will pounce for sure. And so it is a rather uneasy predicament we have gotten ourselves into. I do know this however, the radical Islamists  are savoring the fact that we here in the States are arguing among ourselves   about the situation. They know that a house divided will easily topple. Think about that for a while. 

Now then, just what is the aim of all of the Jihadist groups? Domination! You don’t think that they are just protecting their homeland do you? It is reported that Osama bin Laden wanted the United States in Afganistan and relished the thought, and even was thilled over our presence in Iraq to boot. What was the motive behind Bin Laden’s thinking? A dire need to protect his country? No, he was thrown out of his true country which is Saudi Arabia a few years back. And why was he thrown out? Because they would not go along with his radical and devious cause. He wants what all terrorists want, total domination of the world! Consider this:
Jim Brown
OneNewsNow.com
April 13, 2007
Quote; “An expert on terrorism and the Middle East says this week’s deadly terrorist attacks in the mostly Arab Muslim country of Algeria show that the war on terror is global and not linked directly to U.S. foreign policy.
The North African branch of al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s twin car bomb attacks that targeted the prime minister’s office and a police station in Algiers. According to one Reuters report, hospital sources put the death toll from the two bombings at 30, and the official APS news agency reported 222 people wounded.People, that is 242 dead in just a few days! Here is another quote that should be heeded by all.
Quote;
“Dr. Walid Phares is author of the book The War of Ideas:
Jihadism Against Democracy (Palgrave MacMillan, 2007). He says the militant “Salafi Combat Group” wants to bring down the Algerian government and establish an Islamist state like the Taliban did in Afghanistan in the 1990s.””That is a bright example that the jihadists in North Africa and elsewhere in the world, regardless of American foreign policy, want to establish their own empire,” Phares says. Meanwhile, he observes, the fact that Democrats in the U.S. Congress want to ban the phrase “global war on terror” shows that many in the West still do not understand that the aim of the jihadist movement is to establish a worldwide “caliphate,” or Islamic form of government.”And there’s more;
“The attacks in Algiers affirm that it would be foolish for Democrats in Congress to eliminate use of the phrase “global war on terror,” the Mideast expert adds. “If they would do so, that would mean that the jihadist camp is free to roam, develop worldwide, do the connections,” he says.”

“And making those connections is crucial to confronting global terrorism, Phares points out. For instance, he says the terrorism in Algiers is linked to last week’s attacks in Morocco and the confrontations in the rest of North Africa and Somalia.”

Pretty chilling if you ask me. But it can’t happen here right? We are too far away, protected by a vast ocean and much too civilized to have this type of violence here on our continent, right?I am not prejudiced against nor do I or could I ever hate anyone because of race, religion or even sexual orientation or preferences, although I would just as soon not be around the latter, in which case now I will be called a, “homophobe.” I don’t much care though what people call me. I am concerned with the fact that where ever there are strong numbers of Muslims, there is violence. This is not a baised or hateful stance of mine, it is just merely a fact. Can you prove that statement wrong? I know you can’t. Oh, but yes, there are peaceful Muslims you say? That is true. I myself live among the highest Muslim American population and can tell you that for the most part they are very nice folks. I talk to them, and even share views with them about Islamic culture and events in the East. As far as I know, they have no terrorist ideas or plans. But this can change over time. We should not get too comfortable my fellow Americans.

Gary “Ansol” 

The Ticking Bomb-Part 1

It is said that the best defense is an offense. In the case of the growing threat of radical Jihadists I would say that this statement is very true. But we here in America are once again so lax that we are falling asleep at the wheel. Many
have fell back into an inactive mode since 9/11. No further attacks have occurred here in the States since that September morning and I think that many of us must have that great feeling of safety and comfort once again. Please, do not get too comfortable and relaxed because this is just what our enemies want.

It is high time we here in the Western world wake up to the deficient view of violence within and among the common interest groups of the Islamic
world. Oh yes, I do understand that there are peaceful Muslims. However, I also know that there are more than a few radical extremists diligently at work plotting to either exterminate us or strong arm us to their religion and their way of living and thinking. And many Muslims that do not personally kill and maim, but supply support in some way or another, whether it be with silence, or donations of money.

Now let me just say from the onset that I am neither a hate monger nor am I calling on Christians to wage physical war with Islam. This is not how Christians are to behave. As Christians we are to love the sinner yet hate the sin. To venture outside the realm of God’s commands found within His word would make us worse than the evilness that can be found within this world. However that is by no means an excuse to be passive in terms of defense and safety of Americans lives and interests around the world. I will also say that if you think that the United States is now free from this violent brand of evil influence, you dead wrong! Consider these
very interesting excerpts from a writer and former terrorist from the Wall Street Journal,The Trouble With Islam
Opinion Journal, by the Wall Street Journal, USA
Apr. 3, 2007 Opinion
Tawfik Hamid
The Author of, “The Roots of Jihad
Quote; “As a former member of Jemaah Islamics, a group led by al Qaeda’s second in command, Ayman al–Zawahiri, I know firsthand that the inhumane teaching in Islamics ideology can transform a young, benevolent mind into that of a terrorist. Without confronting the ideological roots of radical Islam it will be impossible to combat it.”In other words, the worse thing we can do is ignore this scourge that is infiltrating every corner of this earth. I guarantee that the 9-11 attacks on the W.T.C. will seem like child’s play if we do not act in some sensible manner soon.Mr. Hamid goes on to say;
“Yet it is ironic and discouraging that many non-Muslim, Western intellectuals–who unceasingly claim to support human rights–have become
obstacles to reforming Islam. Political correctness among Westerners obstructs unambiguous criticism of Shariah’s inhumanity. They find socioeconomic or political excuses for Islamics
terrorism such as poverty, colonialism, discrimination or the existence of Israel. What incentive is there for Muslims to demand reform when Western “progressives” pave the way for Islamics barbarity? Indeed, if the problem is not one of religious beliefs, it leaves one to wonder why Christians who live among Muslims under
identical circumstances refrain from contributing to wide-scale, systematic campaigns of terror.”I would hope that every watery eyed spineless liberal reads this mans words very carefully.
This is not a fellow trying to cash in on his past. You can sense that he truly cares. He is sounding the early warning signal and we better pay close attention to him and others like him. Here is one final warning from Mr. Hamid;“Western appeasement of their
Muslim communities has exacerbated the problem. During the four-month period after the publication of the Muhammad cartoons in a Danish
magazine, there were comparatively few violent demonstrations by Muslims. Within a few days of the Danish magazine’s formal apology, riots erupted throughout the world. The apology had been perceived by Islamic as weakness and concession.”Now heres an extremely unpleasant and unsettling example of the appeasement to Muslims Mr. Hamid is talking about. The U.K. is setting a very foolish precedent in their quest to make their ever increasing Islamic population happy;
Evening Standard, UK
Apr. 2, 2007
“Schools
are dropping the Holocaust from history lessons to avoid offending Muslim pupils, a Government-backed study has revealed. It found some
teachers are reluctant to cover the atrocity for fear of upsetting students whose beliefs include Holocaust denial.
There is also resistance to tackling the 11th century Crusades – where Christians fought Muslim armies for control of Jerusalem – because lessons often
contradict what is taught in local mosques.The findings have prompted claims that some schools are using history ‘as a vehicle for promoting
political correctness’.It found some teachers are dropping courses covering the Holocaust at the earliest opportunity over fears Muslim
pupils might express anti-Semitic and anti-Israel reactions in class.”

Can you believe this? Lets just drop history from our schools so as not to upset Muslim students. We surely would not want to offend this poor
misunderstood minority group now would we? Let’s just drop courses from curriculum rather than teach truth. Lets just let these Muslim children
believe a lie so they can hate us even more! History is history and it cannot be changed no matter who it offends. The Holocaust is history and a lesson for all people to know about and spread so that it does
not happen ever again. Millions died, but we don’t want to offend any group of people that does not want to deal with it. This is the
propaganda of those who would want to rule the world as did Hitler.

Gary “Ansol”

 

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