10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Rev 4:)
LOGAN'S RUN
Somewhere around the mid '70's there was a movie out called Logan's Run. I'm fairly sure if you're over 45 you recall it. In this movie there was a concept that pretty well made use of a common expression and pushed it to the max. The expression used by the youth of the day was: "Don't trust anyone over thirty." Of course the people who were using that expression are now in their 50's and 60's. I wonder if they still think the same way?
Anyway, the theme of this movie was that when a person reached the age of 30 they were too be "recycled." Recycling for these over-the-hill bunch was to have a ruckus of a good time floating in the air until they exploded into a puff of smoke.
Sound exciting, you bungee jumpers?
Well, Logan's job was to track down those old timers who didn't agree to this Doctrine and wished to escape what they believed was suicide and murder rather than reincarnation. And because they ran from their destiny, they were called appropriately enough "Runners."
Of course my purpose here is not to tell you about a movie, as interesting and exciting as this one may be. What I wish to do is use this movie as an illustration of how easily and fully a person like you and I can become deluded.
In the case of this movie, the Government was the ones doing the deluding. Of course we know that our government wouldn't lead us astray, but there surly are, and have been those that would.
[ Incidently, a note of interest, the Government in this movie was made up of 60 to 70 year olds. It reminds me of how the Governments of Japan, China and the Arab nations are (or were) telling the youth of their era how wonderful blowing oneself up is and what great rewards are promised to those who do so. But I don't see any of them taking advantage of the bliss they so generously offer others.]
Governments are not the only ones who lead people astray. They are more skilled at it, and in a better position to do so, but there are others who are in there pitching right along with them.
CUB SCOUTS AND BROWNIES
A few years ago I had the opportunity to become a part of a Grange Hall. I found it an interesting experience, or more appropriately, an educational experience.
The Grange Halls do some fine things for the community at large, as do many other organizations (including the Cub Scouts and the Brownies). Because of their social efforts I found myself drawn into their organization.
But along with the Grange's social activities I found there were some things about being a member that caused me to be fairly uncomfortable: The Rituals.
Can a Cub Scout be a Cub Scout and refuse to give the Cub Scout salute? Can a Brownie be a Brownie without selling her share of brownies?
Can a Pentecostal be a Pentecostal without believing in tongues? Can a Baptist be a Baptist and want his or her baby sprinkled?
We believe what others around us believe. We perform whatever practice those in our circle practice. If we choose to believe differently or practice different practices then they, then we have to go elsewhere to do so. In the Logan's Run movie being a nonconformist meant either death (like being a nonconformist Catholic in the 1500's), or escaping the geodome or whatever it was and live in the "uninhabitable" outside world.
And in the case of the movie, the "Outside" turned out to be a place of bliss.
STORY TELLERS
Logan's Run was not written as history. The writer of the story did not look into some actual event in order to come up with the story. The story was created in his or her head.
It's possible that something in history or in the news stimulated the idea that brought the story about, but the story itself is fantasy.
Each story we read, or that we see or hear has a creator, someone who brought it into being. It might be a simple story rhyme like "Baa Baa Black sheep", or something as complicated as Lord of the Rings. But they all had a creator.
Some stories are very similar to existing stories, and some are merely rehashes of other stories and legends. In fact many, if not all the series writers find themselves in a groove where certain type stories are expected and demanded of them, so their stories become hardly more than the same story with a change of names and places.
Go to a Cub Scout meeting, or a Grange meeting, or any other organization and watch what happens. You will see a ritual carried out almost exactly like the one they had a week ago, a year ago, a hundred years ago. Only the names and the faces have been changed.
Consider that someone had to come up with the original concept for whatever meeting you are witnessing. Like a story book, there was a creative mind behind whatever ritual is being followed to the letter.
Now go to an Army or Navy or whatever camp. Notice the same process in action. Notice how everyone dresses the same, acts the same, and talks the same. Go to any other base of the same branch of the service and chances are you will not be able to tell you are not actually were you began.
This is "organization." Organization is a means of keeping things in order so that it doesn't become a free-for-all. If you would like to see the same process without organizational structure, attend a Town Hall meeting or a Mexican bull run.
Or if you would like to read another story about such structure and how it comes about, read The Clubhouse on this site.
Churches also have organization for much the same reason. And again, to see such organization in action, attend a church meeting of your choice. It makes little difference where you attend, as long as it is the same denomination, because it is very unlikely there will be any difference. In fact, even if it is called an un denominational church, it will likely be just like all the other undenominational churches of the same denomination.
Organization in the church is not a bad thing. In fact without organization the church would become like a Town Hall Meeing or a Mexican Bull Run. Should this be so if the Holy Spirit is in fact taking part in the church? No, it shouldn't. But when we realize that all the churches are overflowing with, and often ran by tares and wolves what else could be expected?
Paul, writing on this very subject had this to say:
26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1Cor 14:)
Can you imagine what the services must have been like with everyone wanting to read their poem, or sing their song, or preach their message? Add to this the fact that within the church there were factions wanting to follow their own favorite Apostle or Evangelist ("I'm of Paul," etc.)
Organization is necessary, to be sure. And are the churches ever organized! Some churches are so organized and structured that like the Cub Scouts, the only thing that changes is perhaps a face doing the reading.
With there being so many thousands of denominations (but as far as I know only one denomination of Cub Scouts and one denomination of Brownies, though in reality I find very little difference between their meetings and most of the church's) there must also have been thousands of creative minds at work as well.
Thousands of writers writing formulas and doctrines for thousands of churches. That is rather mind-boggling, don't you think? Considering that the Church was actually written by one Person, God in the form of the Holy Spirit; and that it was begun by one Person who gave His life for the Church, that is God in the form of Jesus Christ, it's rather amazing how many variations to the original rules as laid out by God, imaginative authors have been able to come up with, don't you think?
Yes, to me it is amazing the number of offbeat and bazaar theories theologians have come up with. But then they are just the writers of the stories. As authors of confusion, that's their job to write such stories. Like the author of Logan's Run, the fact that such an imaginative story was written is not such a mystery. I for one am glad it was written. And stories are written to be read. And some stories, or other type books are even written to be studied and picked at to gain from them information that might help us in our lives or careers.
The problem comes when someone takes the story and tries to make a practice out of it, and teach it as Gospel Truth, such as has the fictitious Government in the story, and as has some governments around the world.
But stories are merely stories - as long as they stay "in the book." However, when the book becomes a reality, then trouble ensues.
It takes followers to make a fiction story a reality. Jim Jones would have become a simple suicide story if he hadn't had followers who committed "suicide" with him. Hitler would have been regarded a "Mad Painter" if he hadn't had followers who listened to him. And Nero would have been known as a Caesar with a burning desire for Rome instead of the persecutor of the Christians if people hadn't wanted to see the lions be fed.
Followers make a story reality. Followers are not the Creator of Confusion, but without followers the authors would only be simple Story Tellers.
BELIEF IS NOT TRUTH
We think of Belief and Faith as having something in common with Truth. This is not so. For instance I can firmly believe that a certain medicine will cure my cancer. I have not based this belief on hope, but from official records and personal experience. Records show that everyone who has taken this medicine has made a full recovery. All my family and acquaintance who have had cancer and taken this medicine have had miraculous healings. And the fact that the medicine costs me nearly all my income and yet I still buy it pretty well indicates that I have complete faith in the medicine.
Yet, I find after taking the medicine that it didn't work, has made my condition worse, and I now have no chance for survival.
Did I have faith?
Was that which I had faith in the Truth?
By it not being Truth mean it is a lie.?
Jumping from one extreme to another is the fallacy of the churches that I harp so heavily on. The lack of light does not mean it is dark. Consider dawn and twilight, and add to this a clear night with a full moon.
If Mrs. Jones tells me she is coming to pick me up to take me to work at 3:00, and I stand in front of my house waiting for her, I have faith that she is going to pick me up. (Of course I might just have hope that she will, but let's assume she has had an excellent record of keeping her word.) It is now 5:00 and Mrs. Jones hasn't arrived, and I have lost my job. Did Mrs. Jones lie to me? It would appear so, wouldn't it?
Later I find that Mrs. Jones is in the hospital having had an accident and had been trying to reach me by phone. But since I was outside waiting for her, I missed her call. Now was Mrs. Jones lying to me? Or was she telling me the truth?
Your brother is the executor of your father's estate. You are to inherit a sum of money with which to purchase a new home. Without that inheritance you will be unable to pay for the house. Your brother tells you that he put the money you are to inherit in a special account and assures you that it is safe to buy the house you have found.
When it comes time to pay for the house, your brother tells you, that although the money was in fact in the bank at the time he told you it was, he has since spent it and you will have to pay for your house out of your own pocket. You lose the house and your cash investment.
Was your brother lying about the money in the bank? Was he telling the truth?
As shown above; truth, lack of truth, and lies are not so easy to assess. What may be truth at one moment may become not so true the next. What may be truth for one person may not be the truth for another.
Another example. You have a friend who is desperately in love with a girl. This girl has played your friend for a fool, leading him on and taken all his money. Then this girl runs off with your friend's best friend.
Your friend is despondent. In fact he has seriously stated that he is going to take his own life. He says he now has nothing to live for.
In effort to postpone your friend's desperate deed you tell him that you are going to pay for a two week trip to Hawaii where he can reconsider his options. But your friend refuses to go, saying that nothing matters to him but the girl who betrayed him.
You tell your friend that while he is gone you will pull some strings that is very likely to bring the girl back to your friend. He is persuaded, and takes the trip. In two weeks your friend returns happy and healthy and in love with another girl.
From the beginning you knew full well that it would be impossible to get the girl to return to your friend. And besides this you knew that it would be the worst thing for him were it possible. But you firmly believed that once he was away from the situation, he would see things in a new light.
Did you lie to your friend? Did you tell him the truth? The truth would have meant your friend's death. A lie meant his life.
Truth is not such an easy thing to define.
Of course the philosophy or the psychology of truth is not that in which I am interested here with this study. I could bounce the subject from hither to yon and still not come any closer to what Truth is.
Some Sunni Muslims believe that blowing themselves up will get them to heaven. They have enough faith in this concept that they do just that - blow themselves up. We have two towers and thousands of lives lost as evidence of their faith.
Catholics have raised many people to Sainthood because of their standing on their faith. Protestants have had many people stand against the Catholics and lost their lives. Protestants call these people Martyrs.
Which was right, thereby the holder of Truth? The Catholics or the Protestants? If one or the other, or neither are the possessors of Truth, then what does that say for the Martyr's and the Saint's faith unto death? Did they in fact have faith?
Let us say you are going to take neither side because in your mind both are Christian churches believing in the same Jesus, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, and the like. The variations after these fundamental beliefs do not effect you one way or the other; just as long as they are clear on the fundamentals as you see them.
But let's stir up the pot a bit. In the past hundred years or so certain men have come forth with new doctrines that do not fit your view of the fundamentals. You do not consider them as part of the established Christian religion. Let us use for an example Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith and his many followers risked life and limb, and were martyred for their beliefs in effort to start what they considered a reconstructed church as formed by the original Apostles. In your mind, since these people do not believe as you believe, they are not part of the Body of Christ, therefore they do not hold Truth.
Yet they are willing to sacrifice their lives for that which they hold as truth in the very same way as did the Catholic Saints and the Protestant Martyrs.
How can Truth, Faith and Belief be reconciled in such a situation? Is there anyone who can say what "Truth" is under the circumstances? Yet millions of people do, arguing to the death that their truth, and only theirs is the truth.
We know that God is Truth. I don't think there are very many people who will dispute this, certainly not Christians. In fact I suppose there are even a lot of Atheists who will agree that God is Truth.
And along with God being Truth, we believe that the Bible is Truth. Unfortunately at this point we begin to deviate from the absolute Truth we expressed with God since there are so many people who believe in different degrees of what Truth the Bible holds.
But of those Christians who hold that the Bible is absolute Truth -- which concept or perception of Truth is the correct one? The Catholics? The Protestants? If you chose the Protestants, which denomination of them out of the thousands that exist?
Rather baffling, isn't it? Who would think Truth would be so hard to find? And even still, so hard to define?
GOD IS TRUTH
Is He? I mean, how can anyone say that God is Truth? Of course we have the Bible for the Truthfulness of God. But there are millions of people who don't believe that the Bible is absolutely truth. And if the Bible, that says God is Truth is not to be counted on; then perhaps one of the verses that is not true is the one that says God is Truth.
And if God is not Truth, then what is?
Can God lie? Of course He can't. But how can we know God can't lie? We have the Bible for it. But here we run into the same problem we had above, and that is the reliability of the Bible.
Again, who defines Truth? Is it you? Is it me? Is it the Theologians who tell us what God is attempting to say to us?
I hope it's none of these, because I can't see how any mere speck of dust as we all are can be trusted to explain what the Mighty God who created us has in mind.
GOD CAN'T LIE?
Why not? Why can't God lie? God made us in His image, and we certainly have no problem when it comes to telling whopper, so why can't God tell a tiny fib now in then if He wants to?
We, that is mankind, know what telling a lie means when it comes to us telling a lie to someone else. And though we do it all the time, we know what it means to tell a lie to God. I'll bet you're saying right now that you never lied to God. If so, think back to the hard times in your life when you were desperate and cried out to God for help. What promises did you make that you have either let pass along the way, or have backed away from now that you feel you are standing on your own two feet once more? What about your prayer of total submission when you first became a Christian? Are you totally submitted to Jesus and being led, heart and soul, by the Holy Ghost?
Am I saying I am free of guilt from this transgression? Don't I wish I could say I am.
We lie. And we know that is the truth of the matter. But what about God? Does God lie? Can God lie?
It is my belief (before I get stoned for being a heretic) that God cannot lie, nor would He if He could. The reason I say this is twofold. One: God has no reason to lie to us little dirt clods that He created and stuck on this planet for whatever reason He might have for doing so. God controls all things and knows all things. You and I when we lie are trying to manipulate a situation we feel we cannot control. We either feel that lying will get us what we want, or will get us out of that which we know we deserve.
God on the other hand is not going to be in such a place that He has to make such decisions. If something should occur that He feels out of control with, all He has to do is use this earth for a Ping-Pong ball and start all over again.
The second reason God can't lie is because God has created all things, at least all things that effect us. What else God has to deal with in His realm we will likely never know. In that realm perhaps lying and telling the truth has a different concept altogether. Who knows? And besides, we can't make sense out of our own little lives without contemplating God's realm.
Without life there is no death. Without law there is no sin (transgression of the law). And without truth, there is no lie. Since God created everything, including the concept of Truth, then God also created Lie. And what is Truth and Lie in God's eyes? Whatever He wants it to be, regardless if we understand it or not.
And if God wants to change what Truth means half way through his intentions for us, that's His prerogative. It's God's game; He is just letting us play along.
BOTTOM LINE
I've taken an inordinate (a lot. My big word for the day) amount of time and space to philosophize a single word. I hope you got something out of the experience, it was rather cathartic for me.
My point here is [as it is for most of the studies I present ], we are but foolish specks of dust not worth the effort it would take to grind us into powder. For some reason we humans have the practice of creating a "cast" system whereby we classify ourselves in contrast with one another. "I'm better than you because I'm the president and you're only the vice president." "I'm better than you because your only two years old and I'm a three year old."
We are foolish pieces of clay. David brought down a giant with a small stone. And a kidney stone can bring down the greatest men who ever lived. And a tiny germ will kill the best of us. Whatever value we have is only in our own eyes, not in God's. Over and over again the Bible tears down the mighty and exalts the weak and beggarly. The more we think of ourselves, the less God thinks of us and the less likely He is to esteem us and make use of us.
Our ego gets in the way.
This is God's game, not our's. God makes the rules. And if we want to play God's Game, we have to follow His rules.
The churches are made up of a few wannabe demigod leaders and a multitude of care-less followers, all seeking ways to get from God what they can without following His rules; And the few legitimate churches and Christians who are seeking God's will for them are reading the Book of Rules with one blind eye and the other eye half shut.
There is no way any of us can find God's will, therefore the Truth, until we recognize that we are nothing, and that God has not created this universe for our pleasure and purpose, but for His (Rev 4:11). We are not to be glorified kings among men we imagine ourselves to be, but servants to one another, and slaves to God. Anyone who is not willing to submit themselves to God's will cannot expect to be with Him in Eternity.
Take the Glory and die.
Give God the Glory and rule and rein with Him.
SELF ESTEEM
The World tells us that we must have "Self-Esteem." We are taught by our parents, by our friends and by the schools - and especially by the media that we are special. These sources of information not only tell us that we must have self-esteem, but they tell us how to have self-esteem. And if we choose to find self-esteem in a different manner than that which these sources have prescribed, then we are considered as deviant and as nothing worth their efforts.
This is the World.
In the church we are taught to feel good about ourselves. We are taught that we are special in God's eyes and that he watches out for each and every one of us. And there is certainly Scripture to support such a teaching.
But at the same time there is an abundance of Scripture that tells us that we are but dirt, mere worms that God repents having made in the first place.
Is there some way that both of these concepts can be true? Can we be both precious in the eyes of God, yet be worms?
Yes, there is. But the Truth is not likely to be found in the churches, any more than it is to be found in the World. The Truth is not to be found with the reasoning mind of man. In fact the Truth is just the opposite of man's understanding.
Previously I presented Scripture whereby Job, Paul, and even Jesus stated that they were worms, nothing at all.
Can you or I say that Jesus is a "Worm"? Of course not! We call Him Wonderful and Lord. Then who can call Jesus a Worm?
Jesus can. And Jesus did just that.
All the above people, and many others, have called themselves nothing, worms. And because they called themselves worms, God called them precious and special.
Others in the Bible, like the Pharisees, and Korah, and Miriam, and Nebuchadnezzar, and a host of others have called themselves wonderful and special in God's eyes. God's response to their claims was to wipe them out and call them fools and blind.
Whatever way we choose to see ourself, God will see us just the opposite.
Judge yourself, and God will not have to judge you.
Judge others, and be judged accordingly.
REPENTANCE
Many of the churches and religious teachers say that Jesus died on the cross for all sins. Because of Jesus' efforts, we, the forgiven Christian do not have to continually repent. Nor, say the "experts" are we to remember our sins any more.
Because of this concept of complete forgiveness (which we in fact do have, if we are in fact a disciple of Jesus and not just a follower of the church), we are to consider ourselves as "King's Kids," as "Children of God," therefore better than the lost in the World.
But if we think of ourselves in this exalted manner, then we are no longer thinking of ourselves as the worms we are to remember that we are.
In my own experience; and I believe it to be in accordance with the desires of the Holy Spirit, when I followed the advise of the church, seeing myself as forgiven and therefore past my bad behavior; I found I was continually falling back into that behavior. This is not beyond understanding. Even the Worldly psychologists will tell you that denying our problems will only intensify them.
But in the church, that understanding is lost. Because of this we read continually about well known Pastors and religious leaders being caught in very compromising situations (a polite way of saying deep sin).
Since my "turn around" were the Holy Spirit finally took hold of me (my having turned my back on myself and allowed Him in), I find that quite often my past deeds come before me, which causes me to loath them, and myself as well. I know all too well that, although I no longer even think about such practices, they are a part of my being that I can't escape. I know that in order to be all I should be, and have always desired to be, that I must cling tightly to the Lord and follow His will for me to the letter as best I possibly can.
If I were to continue following the advise I received from church leaders, I would still be seeking my own self-esteem and therefore self control, and be drifting farther and farther from the path the Lord is trying to lead me on.
This has been my experience. Should it be yours? That's not for me to say. But what I will say is that if you are following what you are taught in church, even if what your church is teaching is absolutely correct and in line with God's Word, you are not following God's will for you. The Bible says that you are to listen to the Holy Spirit, which is for you the Word of God. Hearing the right words is not what God wants for any of us. It's listening to the right person that will save us.
CHAIN OF COMMAND
In the Army a soldier learns what the chain of command is. When a superior gives an order, the soldier is to follow that order to the letter. If that soldier is a buck private, that is a "clean sleeve," he is to take orders from someone who has but one stripe on his sleeve.
"But I don't want to listen to this nobody. I want to get my orders straight from the President, the Commanding General himself."
The fact is, when a superior, no matter how minor he or she might be, gives an order, that order is straight from the Commanding General himself. Why? Because the order that the Commanding General gave all soldiers is to obey the commands of those above him. If that command turns out to be contrary to the will of the Commander, then the one who gave the command will have to stand in judgment for his error. Any Pastor who has been in the Service should know this principal, and consider it well as he directs the flock placed in his care. (See Zechariah Chapter 11)
What has soldiering got to do with being a Christian? After all, we are Christians, we are to listen to Christ Himself, not to some peon along the way. Right?
Listen to these words from God Himself, our Commanding General:
17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Heb 13:)
1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (Titus 3:)
13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: (1Peter 2:)
5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1Peter 5:)
21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (Eph 5:)
4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
18I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. (John 13:)
15If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:)
According to Paul, as stated above, we are not only to obey other Christians who are placed above us, but the Worldly rulers ("Principalities and Powers") as well. Can you imagine what that must have sounded like to a Jew under Hitler? But Paul was not talking from a palace high on a hill, he had been beaten many times, stoned to death, and dogged constantly by the very people he said we are to submit to.
And Jesus? Look at what He submitted to.
When we exalt ourselves to any degree at all, we raise ourselves about Jesus, thereby God. And isn't that the very thing the church condemns the Humanists for doing?
Jesus said this about Himself:
25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Mat 11:)
Did the Old Testament Saints know that they were to be humble and lowly in their own eyes? Was this a Truth hidden from them?
Hardly.
6Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. (Psalm 38:)
32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. 33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just. 34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. (Prov 3:)
2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. (Prov 2:)
18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Prov 16:)
9Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zech 9:)
Ministers of the Word have an awesome responsibility. If I was a Pastor or a Theologian or a Teacher of the Word I would be in constant fear and trembling that I might teach the Lord's sheep a false doctrine.
But it appears I am very much alone with this attitude as I see and hear the bazaar statements coming from the pulpits, and as I watch the churches grow into monstrosities of watered down doctrine.
I know there is a tremendous amount about the Bible and the Lord that I don't know. And about those things I am ignorant I would fear to teach. Yet if I were a Minister I would be expected to do just that.
However, this has not always been the case. Originally the Word of God was given to the people straight from the mouth of His prophets, or read directly from the Book without verbal editing or speculation.
Of course this changed when God let up from cracking the whip.
Then when the early Church began they followed the same practices that had been followed in the synagogues and the Temple for centuries. Believers did not go to church to be entertained as they do today. Nor did they go to hear wild theories of what the Word meant as is the practice of Pastors and other experts of the Word today. People went to do three basic things. They went to commune with other believers. They went to commune with God. In this way they were in communion with the whole of Christ - the Head, and the body.
Fellowship was a means of communing with the body, which at times got out of hand as is evidenced by Paul's admonition to refrain from using church as a meal ticket.
And Communion with God was accomplished through prayer and praise.
Then, finally, but very importantly, people came to hear the Word read to them.
Keep in mind that people did not have Bibles and study books they could take home with them. Bibles (scrolls) were sacred and laboriously copied by hand. They were rare and very expensive. Therefore, even the fairly wealthy and the super righteous had only two ways by which they could hear what God had to tell them; they could hear pieces of Scripture read at the synagogue or the Church (remember, for the early Church their Bible was the very same as the Jew's - the Old Testament); or they could approach a Scribe or other such learned person who had the Bible memorized such as a Pharisee.
Pharisees and Scribes were the Preachers and Theologians of their day. But unlike Ministers of the Word today, these experts had the Word memorized down to the smallest jot and tittle. They were, if you please, walking Bibles. Jesus said of them:
1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (Mat 23:)
As the New testament developed from the piecemeal verbal messages of the Apostles to a written Word, letters were shared between the many Churches spread out around the known world. I am sure these letters were copied by the hundreds and kept as sacred writings, being read over and over as they are today, and as were the Old Testament scrolls (Torah).
As time went on, what Paul called "wolves" followed after the Apostles trying to nullify what had been taught to the congregates and adding their own brand of Christianity. These doctrines ran the gamut from having to do nothing to be saved, and that sin was looked on as good in the eyes of God because it increased His Grace (Epicureans, Nicolaitanes); to having to follow every law of the Jews in order to be saved (Judaizers).
Sound familiar?
The Jews leaned over backward toward the law, binding the people they were leading from finding the Lord. They never saw Him themselves, and tried to kill anyone who sought Him.
The Catholic church followed very much the same example, utilizing a watered down form of the Law that replaces rituals for sacrifices, and Priests for Pharisees.
The Protestant churches bend totally the other way obliterating any sign of the Law and sacrifice. Some of the more Modern churches going to the spine-snapping extremes of the Hedonists who believe they can do anything and still get to Heaven. Was this corruption of the church foreseen and reported in the Bible?
17Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? (Mal 2:)
1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1Tim 4)
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2Tim 3:)
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2Tim 4:)
3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. (Jude)
TO MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH
If there are any Ministers reading what I have written on this website, I am sure you feel I am making a personal attack on you and your beliefs. I can't blame you. It certainly would seem that I am.
But if you notice, it doesn't matter what church you belong to, or what you teach, my words seem to condemn.
So please don't take my words personally.
It's my opinion that all, every single one of the doctrines are wrong and have to be reevaluated under the supervision and scrutiny of the Holy Spirit.
I believe that every doctrine has been contrived by the carnal mind and without the leading of the Lord.
I believe the church, unlike what is being taught, is in no building or congregation but is a collection of broken hearts and spirits dedicated to the service of the Lord, sparsely scattered amongst all the churches and denominations.
I believe that when you preach or minister to your congregation there may be only one or two who are the Church, even if there are thousands standing before you.
As the School System has fallen into teaching to the slowest of the class, causing the more dedicated to lose interest and have to go elsewhere for their education, I believe the churches preach and cater to the tares and the worldly of their congregation hoping to force milk down their throat. Because of this misdirected efforts, I believe the True Sheep are left with nowhere to go for genuine fellowship, therefore they drop out of the churches and are left to flounder on their own.
I believe even the most dedicated Minister, the most Spirit filled Pastor is handicapped and tied to the doctrines and dictates of the organization which he serves. I believe that should a Pastor preach Truth as he sees it and is given to him by the Holy Spirit, he will be left on his own without a church to preach in, unless he can find one or two of the flounders he has pushed out of his church in the past.
I believe Truth is in bits and pieces throughout the Bible that only the Holy Spirit can link together. And since these pieces are not being linked, I believe that theologians and Pastors are afraid to search for them for fear of rejection by their congregates.
This said, I want to add that I appreciate and applaud the effort and life purposes of theologians, Pastors and other ministers of the church. I have not only gained a great deal from the many I have heard and read, but I quite well understand the dedication and effort each of you must exert in order to fulfill your mission.
I also understand that it is very difficult to care for the needs of a church, lead a halfway normal life, and stay in the Spirit as well. Because of this problem, I can see why ministers look to one another for support and information rather than to the Lord.
However, my understanding your situation does not change the fact that there is a job to be done, and that job involves the eternal souls of people put in your care with the intention that they be fed and matured into fully adult, Spirit-led disciples of Christ.
Your job, as I see it is to feed those lambs in your care. My job, as I see it is to feed you. Does that put me in the category of a theologist? I sincerely hope not. Does it sound egotistic? It surely does.
So if you, the Ministers to the body of Christ can find the information that will connect the pieces of God's Spiritual puzzle somewhere else, please use it and take full advantage of it.
If I am able to drive you away from me cursing the ground I walk on, and by doing so dive you out of your indoctrinated shell and into the arms of the Holy Spirit, then I have done my job.
The less I have to do with you, or anyone finding Truth, the better I will feel.
I didn't choose this job. Nor can I find any reason whatever why it has been given to me. I would much rather be the janitor of a church then to be a spokesman to God's chosen ministers.
Although the job given me causes me to be isolated and seen as a corrupt fool by everyone in every church, I would much rather have it than the job given you. The consequences for my failure to reach you is small since success can only be on your part for receiving it. But on the same token any success that might come from what I do I can receive no reward because there again, success will have been on your part.
1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
If the Scribes and the Pharisees sat in Moses' seat, who's seat do you suppose the Pastors and the Theologians sit in? (See Num 12:4-8; Ex 4:16 to the Church, Priesthood; Ex 7:1 to the World.)
And here Jesus is also commanding His faithful followers to listen to those who sit in Moses' (and His) seat. So if the disciple fail or are led astray, who will be held responsible, do you think? (See Mat Chapter 23 & Zech Chapter 11)
You, as a Pastor, a caretaker, a porter of the Lord's sheep must take great responsibility for your success or failure. And as I have said elsewhere, I am surely glad I haven't been called to such an awesome task as that you have been given. And unless I was certain the Lord had called me to such a position, and I knew He was working through me to care for His lambs, I would be in a fearful state day and night.
So again, I thank you for taking on the job that I could not handle. And I thank God for this job that is no job at all unless He is doing it through me.
I can't fail because I can't win or lose.
And He won't fail, because if this work I'm doing is of me, it's nothing more than pure foolishness.
If what I am doing is of the Lord, then the only failure that can occur is from those who pay no attention to it.
EGO BARRIER
If there are any Ministers who have weathered my writings this far, and if you still feel slighted, please try this:
Set your ego aside. Imagine that none of what I have said applies to you in any way. Are you able to do this? It's a lot to ask of anyone, but give it a try. Ego, as you know, is not only a barrier to listening to those who offend you, but to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Now, with your ego aside, consider what I have said on this page. As you look around at the churches of today, does any of it apply to those other churches? Would you agree that the World has many apostate churches and that more and more churches are falling into the same World View as the World?
Now, though you would not intentionally lead any of your lambs astray, is it possible that there is a little something that you teach that doesn't quite fit what you find to be true in the Word?
If this is the case, and you have given an affirmative answer, would you say it might be wise to consult the Holy Spirit to see if that little something, that tiny fable, is a tree behind which is a forest?
17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Heb 13:)
4And the LORD spoke suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And the three came out. 5And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. 6And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself know unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 7My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 8With him I will speak mouth to mouth, and even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? (Num 13:)
16And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. (Ex 4:)
1And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. (Ex 7:)
1Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. 2Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down. 3There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.
4Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter; 5Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not. 6For I will no more pity the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD: but, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand, and into the hand of his king: and they shall smite the land, and out of their hand I will not deliver them. 7And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock. 8Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me. 9Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.
10And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. 11And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the LORD. 12And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. 14Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
15And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. 16For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. 17Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. (Zech 11:)
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Rom 12:)
6A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 7Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. 9And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. 10Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. (Mal 1:)
17Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? (Mal 2:)
1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (Eph 5:)
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (Phil 2:)
8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. (Prov 15:)
13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 2:)
1Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
34Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Mat 23:)
