The Freedom to Vet all Religions

     Approximately a year ago Secretary of State Clinton and the secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu met in Istanbul to discuss UN Human Rights Council resolution 16/18.

      The major thrust of this resolution ‘Recognizes that the open public debate of ideas, as well as interfaith and intercultural dialogue, at the local national and international levels can be among the best protections against religious intolerance and can play a positive role in strengthening democracy and combating religious hatred…’

     Or is the opposite actually true and the present administration is covertly working with the OIC to silence all criticism of Islam.

     Author Robert Spencer noted that while Christianity has been vetted through the ages by Islamists the origin of Islam has not been studied in depth.  Spencer has studied Islamic theology, law, and history in depth for more than 30 years.  He is also the director of the Horowitz Freedom Center’s Jihad Watch.  He has previously authored nine best selling books on Islam.

     His latest book is a detailed account of the origins of Islam according to history and verified dates.  It is extremely well researched.  He builds on and consolidates the research of nearly two dozen other researchers who have studied Islam over the past two centuries.

     To insure total objectivity this column will not offer commentary on Spencer’s findings, but will rather list several quotes from his work as follows:

     “The scholars who are investigating the origins of Islam are motivated not by hatred, bigotry, or racism but by a desire to discover the truth.”

      “A thorough review of the historical records provides startling indications that much, if not all, of what we know about Muhammad is legend, not historical fact.”

          “In light of this evidence, there is compelling reason to conclude that Muhammad the messenger of Allah came into existence only after the Arab Empire was firmly entrenched and casting about for a political theology to anchor and unify it.”

     “The alternative scenario we have considered explains the uniquely political nature of Islam by suggesting that the empire came first and the theology came later.  In this reconstruction, the spiritual propositions that Islam offers were elaborated in order to justify and perpetuate the political entity that generated them.”

     “This long history of conflict demonstrates that there are pronounced differences between the Islamic tradition and the Judeo-Christian tradition of the West.  And yet despite those differences, few have bothered to investigate how the Islamic tradition emerged and what those origins might tell us about the ‘clash of civilizations’ that has been a defining feature of world history for well over a millennium.”

     Inasmuch as Spencer’s attempt to understand Islam’s beginning is certainly in line with the ‘open dialogue’ suggestion at the Istanbul conference mentioned above, why has he been threatened with decapitation?

     On the other hand Christianity has been relentlessly evaluated by Islam for centuries.  Islam’s conclusion is that the Bible has been corrupted and is no longer reliable; Christ was not deity but only a prophet superseded by Muhammad; Christ was never crucified so there was no resurrection and Christ will return to earth some day as a Muslim.  Their critique totally dismisses the very foundation of Christianity.  Christianity’s reaction: love the Muslims but hold fast to Biblical teachings. 

     Another major difference between Christianity and Islam is that Islamists are taught to take retaliatory measures, called jihad, against non believers in the present time period, while Christians are taught that Christ will take vengeance on those who persecute His own at His return to earth.

     Americans are beginning to open their eyes and realize the severe consequences of political correctness.  It is observed that of the varied religions practicing in this country, Christianity is suffering most from religious persecution.  America needs to be reformed, not transformed.

     Again, being informed is a winning strategy for America and the church.  It is expected that Spencer’s latest book ‘Did Muhammad Exist?’ will be on the New York Times bestselling list as were his previous books.

     One of the best sources for current information relating to the activities of Islam around the world and at home is Middle East Forum at: http://www.MEforum.org

Israel Plagued with Droughts

      Just two years ago Israel’s Haaretz Newspaper reported: ‘Israel is in the midst of one of the worst droughts in its history…last winter was part of a continuing six-year period of drought.  Statistics show that this is the longest and most severe drought period recorded here since the 1920’s.’

     Several millennia ago God made it plain to Job who controlled the rain after Job and his friends tried to understand God’s actions.  Recall after all the attempts to ‘reason’ God, God set Job straight.

     “The LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: ‘Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”…Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? ... Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that an abundance of water may cover you? ... Who can number the clouds by wisdom?  Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven, when the dust hardens in clumps, and the clods cling together?’”  Job 38:1-2, 4, 34, 37-38

     God left little doubt that it was He who controlled the rain.  Even to comprehend God’s sovereignty was beyond Job’s ability.  The conversation between God and Job is believed to have occurred before the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants.

     As part of the covenant with Abraham and his descendants i.e. Isaac and Jacob, God promised them certain land to possess for their home.  That promise was unconditional; however, uninterrupted possession of the land was conditioned on Israel’s obedience to God’s instructions.

     As Israel prepared to enter the Land of Canaan, Moses recounted the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the subsequent blessings. 

    

     “‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, then I will give you the rain for your land in the season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil.  And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’”  Deuteronomy 11:13-15

     Note particularly the terms, ‘I will give’ and ‘I will send’.  God said He would supply all of Israel’s needs if they would just obey His instructions.  Inasmuch as God created man in His own image, chose Abraham to be the father of the chosen nation of Israel, and promised to supply all of that nation’s needs, He certainly had the right to stipulate the conditions.  The conditions were simply to recognize Him as God, place their total trust in Him for all their needs, and be obedient.

     The consequences for disobedience were as succinct as God’s promised blessings for obedience.

     “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, lest the LORD’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce…”  Deuteronomy 11:16-17

     The warning about disobeying God’s instructions was so significant that Moses reiterated it in later chapters of Deuteronomy in more explicit detail.

     “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments, and His statutes which I command you today, that…the LORD will change the rain of your land to powder and dust…”  Deuteronomy 28:15, 24

     After observing God’s miraculous power in such events accompanying His freeing them from Egyptian bondage and sustaining them in the wilderness for 40 years, one might reason that the Israelites would out of fear and reverence abide by God’s word, however, just prior to Moses’ death God spoke to him again.

     “And the LORD said to Moses: ‘Behold, you will rest with your fathers; and this people will rise and play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they go to be among them, and they will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them.’”  Deuteronomy 31:16

     But enough about Israel, what’s going on with the weather in the United States today?

Unpopular Truths

      Most people when asked if they believe in an ‘after life’ will say they do.  According to the Bible they are correct because there is no such thing as cessation of being for any human after physical death.

     “…for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His (Christ’s) voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”  John 5:28-29

     This verse once again defines the two categories of mankind, i.e. good and evil.  Good means to accept God’s provision for redemption while evil means to ignore or reject it.  Therefore, all will exist forever; some in the presence of God and the others outside His presence.  The vast majority of people when asked where they are going to spend eternity say they believe they will spend eternity in Heaven.  When asked why they so believe, the typical response is that they have done many commendable deeds that warrant eternity in Heaven.  There are other religions who believe likewise that if one’s good deeds outweigh the bad the reward is Heaven.  They believe God is objective, compassionate, and ‘reasonable’.

     God’s immutable attribute is His holiness and justness, for all will taste of His justice but not all will partake of His mercy.  The choice of one’s eternal destiny, however, has been given to each human and that choice is totally compatible with God’s election.

     The Bible is explicitly clear on the issue and reveals an ‘unpopular truth’.

     “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

     Notice the pairs of opposites in the above verse, i.e. narrow vs. wide, few vs. many, and destruction vs. life.  Destruction in this context means perish while life means life eternal.  Perish in the present context means eternal death and is from the Greek apollumi and also found in John 3:16.

     The Apostle Luke also addressed this significant issue.

     “Then one said to Him (Jesus), ‘Lord, are there few who are saved?’  And He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you will seek to enter and will not be able…’”  Luke 13:23-24

     Strive in this context does not mean to perform in order to earn entrance through the narrow gate; rather it means to persevere through all trials after one has been enlightened by the Spirit of God.  It further means to ‘strain every nerve to the uttermost towards the goal’.  Note that Jesus states many will seek to enter but will not be able.  His statement means many will trust in their self-righteousness instead of humbly accepting God’s gracious provision for true righteousness. 

     Therefore, while most people, including many professed Christians, believe the majority of mankind will go to Heaven, the Bible doesn’t support that premise.  But don’t 75% or more of Americans say they are Christians?  Was Billy Graham right when he suggested the majority of those filling church pews were not really Christians?

     The Bible also addresses that issue.  Many professing Christians will leave the church near the end of the ‘church age’.  Such never possessed saving faith but were enamored by what Christianity appeared to offer.

     The Apostle John addressed the departure from the church.

     “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.”  I John 2:19

     And lastly, the exodus from the church will accelerate prior to Christ removing the true church just before the tribulation.

     “Let no one deceive you by any means, for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin (Anti-Christ) is revealed…”  2 Thessalonians 2:3

     Several mainline denominations are already experiencing slowed or negative growth confirming an ‘unpopular truth’ foretold in the Bible.

The Conflict of all Ages

     There are pairs of terms that are directly opposites.  Examples include light and darkness, life and death, good and evil, and truth and lies.  Light, life, good, and truth are Biblical synonyms as are darkness, death, evil, and lies.

     The Bible introduces the earth as originally being in darkness.

     “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form…and darkness was on the face of the deep…Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light...and God divided the light from the darkness.”  Genesis 1:1-5

     And then at the end of the Bible, the Apostle John reveals that the earth that began in darkness will end in light.

     “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it…There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light…”  Revelation 22:3-5

      Between the initial darkness and the future everlasting light are life and death, good and evil, and truth and lies.  They describe the lengthy conflict between God and Satan.  The ongoing conflict began with pride and rebellion when Lucifer, the created son of the morning, thought he should be superior to his Creator.  As a result Lucifer, or Satan, has suffered, is suffering, and will continue to suffer the just penalty for his pride and disobedience to the One who created him.

     “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! ...For you said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God...I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”  Isaiah 14:12-14

     Notice the repeated use of the personal pronoun ‘I’.  Such is the epitome of pride.

     The prophet Ezekiel shed more light on Satan.

     “You were in Eden, the garden of God…You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.  Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty…”  Ezekiel 28:13-17

     Because of his rebellion, Satan lost his position of authority in the presence of his creator, although he retained access to the throne, for a time.

     Ezekiel confirmed Satan was indeed in Eden and he was created perfect until he chose to rebel.  He began his deception with Adam and Eve, i.e. those created in God’s own image.  Satan attempted to turn the light in Eden back to darkness.  His goal was to keep mankind from fulfilling the purpose for which they were created.

     Recall Adam and Eve had access to every tree in the Garden of Eden with the exception of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  They were basking in God’s light; they had no need to know evil or stumble in darkness.

     “And the LORD God said to the woman, ‘What have you done?’  The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’”  Genesis 3:13

     We read of Satan’s attempts to deceive all mankind through the ages.  Soon he will lose even his access to the throne and will be confined to the earth until his permanent demise.

     “So the great dragon… called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth…therefore… Woe to the inhabitants of the earth…For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”  Revelation 12:9, 12

     The Bible then tells of the devil’s everlasting destiny.  After spending the millennium in the bottomless pit and after his final attempt to deceive those remaining on the earth, he is defeated and cast in the place designed specifically for him and his followers.

     “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast (Anti-Christ) and the false prophet are…into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and is angels” Revelation 20:10, Matthew 25:41

     However, during this present age Satan is extremely busy deceiving and enticing all to choose darkness over light.  He does this by enabling the spirit of anti-Christ which is very active in the world today.

     See next week for specific examples.

    

Christ or Anti-Christ

     Christ in His deity or humanity embodies light, life, good and truth while anti-Christ epitomizes darkness, death, evil, and lies.  Everyone must choose one or the other, there is no in-between.  Progressivism tends to cloud the issue.  Consider the recent remarks by republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.  He stated that as morality changes, laws must also change to keep pace with changing societal norms.  The Bible, however, reveals that the benchmark for ‘right’ or ‘good’ for example, has not changed since the Bible was written.  That means the world and this great nation will be judged against Biblical standards and not against societal norms.

     Recall that as deity, Jesus is God.  As man He is the sole mediator between God and man.  He has been given all authority on heaven and earth.  His future role during the millennium will be that as King, Judge, and Lawgiver.  Then He and His Father will share the throne throughout eternity out of which will flow living waters.  Thus the Trinity remains forever.

     When the term ‘anti-Christ’ is used many immediately think of the future leader of the doomed empire who will be empowered by Satan himself.  But anything contrary to Christ and His teachings represents the spirit of anti-Christ.  The Bible states that such opposition to Christ is already alive and active in the world.

     “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.  And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world…They are of the world.  Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.  We are of God.  He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us.  By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”  I John 4:2-6

     Again, John draws a sharp distinction between those who are of God and truth and those who are of the world with the spirit of error.  The distinction begins with recognizing and accepting the deity and person of Christ.  The deniers by default are of the spirit of anti-Christ.  There is no middle ground.  Jesus succinctly made that point in three of the gospel accounts.

     “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”  Matthew 12:30

     There are many who believe that religion, in this particular case, Christianity, has no place in the functioning of the three branches of government, i.e. legislative, executive, or judicial.  Their position is that Christianity should be limited to one’s personal life.  But recall that according to the Bible Christ will be given authority during the millennium which will encompass and in fact replace all three branches of government.

     Jesus issued instructions on how to acknowledge and honor His authority during this present age in preparation for the future.

     “If you love Me, keep my commandments.”  John 14:15

     Therefore, the bottom line is whether we as a nation are following Jesus’ teachings or rather establishing our own priorities.  Examples:

·        Do we seek to please voting blocs instead of God’s interests?

·        Do we attempt to play God by usurping His prerogatives?

·        Are we a lender nation or a borrower nation?

·        Are we unconditional friends of Israel, or are we pacifying their enemies?

·        Do we make laws to protect those who break God’s laws?

·        Do we take all 10 commandments seriously, or only those that coincide with contemporary societal norms?

·        Do we as a nation align our priorities to match those events recorded as future history in the Bible?

     It boils down to whether Christ or the spirit of anti-Christ rules in day to day affairs. 

     Everyone can examine the evidence and objectively determine where this nation’s professed Christian leaders stand on major issues.

     “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit…Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”  Matthew 7:18, 20     

          

The King's Mother Describes the Ideal Daughter-in-law

     A man might list the qualities important to him in defining an ideal mate; however, the qualities important to him might not be the same as defined by his mother according to this bit of history.  The mother of the future groom was totally objective and candid when listing the qualities of her future daughter-in-law which she perceived would be best for her son and produce a lasting and fulfilling marriage.  Such was the case when King Lemuel’s mother shared with him her thoughts relative to the important qualities for his future bride.  Lemuel was a symbolic name for Solomon.

     The final 22 verses of the Book of Proverbs summarize the lesson of the virtuous wife.  The scenario presented considers the husband to have great influence among the people.  He is part of the governing body.

     “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.”  Proverbs 31:23

     Thus, the wife must complement her husband and not detract from him.  Following that the husband has great influence, their marital relationship is described.

     “The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.  She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.”  Proverbs 31:11-12

     The husband trusts his wife, i.e. he feels safe to rely on her to seek and share his wellbeing.  She does him no evil during their permanent relationship.  She exhibits no moral deficiency.

     The virtuous wife does what is most expedient to provide for her household.  Caring for her family is a top priority.

     “She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.  She…willingly works with her hands.  She is like the merchant ships.  She brings her food from afar.”  Proverbs 31:27, 13-14

     She willingly, or finds delight in, working with her hands for the good of her household.  She diligently seeks the best for her family by looking far and wide for the best goods considering the economic factors.  She does not sit idly by waiting for things to happen; she is assertive, proactive and not given to slothfulness.

     She is also a very innovative entrepreneur.

     “She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard…She perceives that her merchandise is good…She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.”  Proverbs 31:16, 18a, 24

     After meeting her family’s needs, she addresses the needs of others with the profits generated from her endeavors.

     “She extends her hand to the poor, yes; she reaches out her hands to the needy.”  Proverbs 31:20

     What does her family think of her resourcefulness?  Is she appreciated by her husband and children?

     “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.’” Proverbs 31:28-29

     This virtuous woman is certainly a loved and appreciated mother and wife.  Her secret for success is then revealed.  She chose that which is lasting and incorruptible versus that which is insignificant and transitory.

     “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”  Proverbs 31:30

     To ‘fear’ the LORD means to have reverence towards Him and realize that He is God.  It is a positive feeling of awe and is the motivation for godly living.  Her reverence towards God provides wisdom and the ways of God become natural to her.

     “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”  Proverbs 31:26

     This great proverb was penned 3,000 years ago but its great truths are timeless.  The wisdom given to her resulting from her ‘fear’ of God gave her proper priorities.  She earned profits by buying and selling, and making and selling.  She directed those profits according to the wisdom given her.

     Contemporary thinking from the “NOW” gang would find great fault in her subservient endeavors as would many others who would criticize her for encroaching on government’s responsibility.  Still others might examine her priorities and activities and conclude that the virtuous wife never had a ‘real job’ in her life.

    

    

    

 

Is America Found in the Bible? (Part 1)

     The ‘Mother of Harlots’ is described in the Bible as the predominant influence on gentile world kingdoms of the past and particularly on the final 10 nation confederation which will be led by the future anti-Christ.

     “And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”  Revelation 17:3

     The final gentile kingdom will, however, turn on the great harlot, according to God’s sovereign will, and destroy her.

     “And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot…and burn her with fire.  For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose... to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.”  Revelation 17:16-17

     The mighty angel then further describes the harlot and the influence she has over the nations’ leaders.

     “And the woman whom you saw ‘is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.’”  Revelation 17:18

     At this point many attempt to separate chapters 17 and 18 of the Revelation by referring to the woman in chapter 17 as false religion and the focus of chapter 18 being the future worlds’ political, economic, or commercial, system.

     However, the text indicates that chapter 18 describes the activities of the woman in chapter 17, i.e. they are one in the same.  In other words the woman in chapter 17 is called ‘Mother of Harlots’ because of what she does in chapter 18.  Note the focal point in chapter 18 is also called ‘that great city’ as is the great harlot in Revelation 17:18 above.

     “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning…saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon…For in one hour your judgment has come.’”  Revelation 18:9-10

     A logical question then arises, i.e. why would commerce or materialism be considered harlotry, or spiritual adultery?  An early indication of such a relationship is found in the Old Testament with reference to the ancient city of Nineveh.

     “Woe to the bloody city!  It is full of lies and robbery…Because of the multitude of harlotries (spiritual unfaithfulness) of the seductive harlot…who sells nations through her harlotries…you have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of heaven…”  Nahum 3:1-16

     A much lengthier and more detailed discussion on commerce and materialism is found in the writings of the prophet Ezekiel.  The city cited was Tyre which was known for its international trade associations.

     The king of Tyre was energized by Satan himself as was the king of Babylon.  The following passages begin with describing Tyre as perfectly situated to be the center of international trade.

     “…take up a lamentation for Tyre, and say… ‘You are situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coastlands’, thus says the Lord God: O Tyre, you have said, ‘I am perfect in beauty…’”  Ezekiel 27:2-3

     Next Tyres’ trading success is noted and the resulting pride it brings.

     “With your wisdom and your understanding you have gained riches for yourself, and gathered gold and silver into your treasuries; by your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches.”  Ezekiel 28:4-5

     Then Ezekiel notes the king of Tyre was energized by Satan.

     “…Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.  You were in Eden, the garden of God…You were perfect in your ways…till iniquity was found in you.’”  Ezekiel 28:12-13, 15

     The king of Tyre then suffers humiliating destruction from God Himself because of his pride and self serving agenda.

     “Your heart was lifted up (proud) because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you.” Ezekiel 28:17

     Now with that abbreviated introduction relative to commerce and materialism, how does that relate to the future judgment of that great ‘city’ Babylon, and more specifically America?

     To be concluded next week.

Is America Found in the Bible? (Part 2)

          Let’s continue the search for America in the Bible by further examining Revelation chapter 18.

     The key to understanding the scriptural ramifications of commerce in Revelation is determined by purpose and motive.  Note the common ground in each of the following verses.

     “…the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”  Revelation 18:3

     “In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow’.”  Revelation 18:7

     Note in the above verse the harlot considers herself to be a queen and not a widow.  Could it be that she has been deceived by not being aware of her gross harlotries, i.e. her spiritual adulteries embodied in commerce and materialism?

     “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her…”  Revelation 18:9a

          It becomes obvious that the focus of chapter 18 is the abundance of spiritual adultery committed by the kings of the earth as they strive to increase riches for the purpose of living luxuriously.

     The word ‘luxury’ has profound multiple meanings.  In the King James Version the word used is ‘delicacy’.  The Greek base for both in the present context means wantonness or lasciviousness.  It represents an insatiable desire for personal pleasure to the extent such desire overrides restraint or reason.   The primary thought is the focus on the present, or short term gratification with little concern for the future.

     “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys…for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

     “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”  I Timothy 6:17

     The desire towards self and present fulfillment along with its underlying motives was succinctly described by the Apostle John.

     “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.”  I John 2:15-16

     Spiritual adultery is simply forsaking God’s word and instructions, ignoring His provisions, and giving priority to the pursuit of ‘things’ present.  Instead of seeking God, men will trade around the world to find fulfillment.  The terms merchant and/or merchandise is found six times in the 18^th chapter of Revelation.  The consequence of placing priority on ‘things’ before God is clearly spelled out.

     “Therefore…she (that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth) will be utterly burned with fire…for in one hour your judgment has come.”  Revelation 18:8, 10

     How does this relate to America, if in fact it does at all?

     “…For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.”  Revelation 18:23b

     “And another angel followed, saying, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’”  Revelation 14:8

     Every individual can determine for themselves if ‘all’ in the above includes America, or if America would never be involved in forsaking God for the pursuit of ‘things’ and present self-fulfillment.

     In the meantime there are other more pressing issues to consider, such as the upcoming presidential election.  Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum wanted to discuss social and religious issues, but was silenced by those who said there were more relevant challenges facing America and social and religious issues were not a priority with voters.  Most Americans agree that America is on an ‘unsustainable’ path but there is little agreement on the reasons.

      It appears obvious that the tone of the 2012 presidential election will echo the infamous slogan coined by James Carville in 1992 describing Bill Clinton’s campaign.

     “It’s the economy, stupid.”

    

    

    

The Bride is Subject to Deception

      As stated in a recent article God illustrated marriage between husband and wife as a permanent relationship by comparing His relationship with Israel.

     “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the LORD.”  Hosea 2:19-20

     But there will always be the influence of Satan attempting to deceive the bride who was/is more susceptible to being deceived.  It began with Eve.

     “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy.  For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted…” 2 Corinthians 11:2-3

     Eve desired to have something for self fulfillment and gratification that God did not provide.

     “…the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise…”  Genesis 3:6

     She in fact told the Serpent God had revealed that she would die if she ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Satan’s counter:

     “…You will not surely die…”  Genesis 3:4

     Remember how Satan’s emissary was described.

     “Now the serpent was more cunning (subtle) than any beast of the field…”  Genesis 3:1

     The Hebrew base for ‘cunning’ and ‘subtle’ has several synonyms including deceive and lie. 

     The New Testament reaffirmed mankind’s temptation for those things which on the surface brings self gratification.

     “Do not love the world or the things in the world…For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it…” 1 John 2:15-17

     The Biblical teaching of marriage and the temptation of the bride continued with Hosea’s wife Gomer who analogically represented Israel.

     “   For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water…’”  Hosea 2:5b

     But Gomer had been deceived.

     “She will chase (pursue) her lovers…Yes, she will seek them but not find them.  Then she will say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for then it was better for me than now.’  For she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold…”  Hosea 2:7-8

     “…For the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the LORD” Hosea 1:2b

     The Hebrew base for ‘harlotry’ is also translated as adultery, whoredom, apostasy, departure, forsakenness, or to succumb to satanic deception.

     As a husband’s jealousy is aroused when his wife strays from his protective umbrella, so is God’s jealousy over Israel.

 

     “They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger…‘They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; they have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols…’”  Deuteronomy 32:16, 21

     Therefore, harlotry, i.e. spiritual adultery, which is departing from God and His word, is the result of deception by the enemy.  The zenith of such folly is described as the ‘Mother of Harlots’ and will be dealt with appropriately at the end of the current age.   It is the culmination of apostasy and pinnacle of deception.  Many who call themselves Christians will depart from their profession and sell out to the world.

     “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith giving heed to deceiving spirits…” 1 Timothy 4:1

     After the true bride of Christ is taken to the marriage supper of the Lamb the counterfeit, i.e. the harlot, will emerge and prevail for a very short time.

     “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth are made drunk with the wine of her fornication…”  Revelation 17:2

     Her demise will be sudden and permanent.

     To be continued.