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How do you define success? Is it by level of income, bank account size, make of car, the size of a home, education, or career? Are these things really true success?  Do they provide lasting satisfaction? A closer examination will uncover that they are not. A lasting value is what defines true success in life, one that society cannot take away. This success is achieved by obeying the 7 spiritual laws of success. Therefore, what are the 7 spiritual laws of success?

Seven Principles for True Success

1. Set the right goal— Goals are important. Successful individuals always set goals. However, it is equally important to select the correct goal. Most of our goals are based on our external, material needs. However, we also have internal, spiritual needs that God has placed in us.

Eccl 3:11 reads:

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. NIV

God has “set eternity in the hearts of men.” This phrase denotes that we can by no means be completely satisfied with earthly pleasures and pursuits. Because we are formed in God’s image,

• we have a spiritual thirst
• we have eternal value
• nothing but the infinite God can truly satisfy us.

The Lord God has built in us a restless yearning for the kind of perfect world that can only be found in his perfect rule. God has given us a glimpse of the perfection of his creation. However, it is only a glimpse; we cannot see into the future or comprehend everything. Therefore, we must trust God now and do his work on earth.

Jesus offered the prescription for filling this restless yearning.

Matt 6:31-33

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The things that we usually worry about are secondary to the most important and crucial goal of all; seeking the Kingdom of God.

Whatever occupation or career goal we have, it must be to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” NIV

Setting the right goal produces true success. Our ultimate goal is the Kingdom of God. Therefore, we must make sure our goals contribute to lasting values (where we will spend eternity).

Bottom line: We must set goals that will yield lasting fulfillment by helping others and glorifying God.

2. Educate (or prepare) yourself—what knowledge and preparation is needed to accomplish the goal? We must never stop seeking knowledge as long as it leads to true wisdom.

There are two kinds of wisdom, James 3:13-15, 17

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. NIV

This passage describes the two types of wisdom.

The first type is fleshly wisdom that is unspiritual and from the devil. It leads to selfish ambition and envy. This is the wrong kind of wisdom that the world seeks. The wisdom of the world seeks power, position, and material possession and measures success by them. It is not true wisdom at all and does not produce lasting happiness.

The second wisdom is from above, from God, and produces good fruit and leads to happiness and peace. It yields service to others. While the false, worldly wisdom operates on the “get” principle, which is the default human nature of—self.

The knowledge we acquire must lead to true wisdom.

Prov1:7 “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Prov., 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Wisdom is the application of knowledge, and wisdom begins with knowing God. God gives insight into living because He created life. To know God, we must not just know the facts about Him; but we must have a personal relationship with him. If we genuinely want to be wise, we must get to know God better and better.

Scripture tells us how. James 1:5

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. NIV

What is meant by “wisdom” here is not only knowledge but about the capability to make wise decisions, especially in difficult situations. Whenever wisdom is needed, we can pray to God, and He will generously provide what we need. We can always ask God for wisdom to guide our choices.

2 Peter 1:2

2 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”

Many Christians desire an abundance of God’s grace and peace but are unwilling to make an effort needed to get to know him better through Bible study and prayer. To benefit from the privileges God offers us freely, we must grow in our knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

2 Peter 3:18

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Bottom line: we need godly wisdom and knowledge for true success.

3. Maintain good health— We have a responsibility to honor God with our bodies.

1 Cor. 6:19-20

19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. NIV

When an individual becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit arrives to live in him. Consequently, he no longer owns his body. Because his body now belongs to God, he must not violate God’s standards for living.

1 Tim 4:8

8 “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that is now and of that which is to come.”

We will be in better shape to achieve our goals if we strive for physical fitness. However, physical fitness is limited, for we must be in shape both physically and spiritually.
A great deal of emphasis is placed on physical fitness in our society. However, spiritual health is even more critical. Our physical health is subject to injury and disease, but faith can uphold us through any tragedy. To condition ourselves to be godly, we must grow our faith by using our God-given capacities for the duties of the church.

Bottom line: we must develop our spiritual muscles as well as our physical ones.

4. Drive yourself—Rest is essential, but we can’t overdo it. God warns against being lazy.

Prov. 6:6-11

6 “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no

commander, no overseer or ruler, 8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest —  11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” NIV

God uses the ant as an example that works diligently at its goal on its own without supervision. Once the goal is established, work at it until completion.

Bottom line: The motto for accomplishing a goal; keep it moving!

5. Be resourceful—the unexpected can and will happen. However, we must always search to find the resources available—do not give up, ask for wise counsel.

Prov. 15:22

22 “without counsel, plans go awry, but in a multitude of counselors they are established.”

We must constantly investigate our options, ask and pray for God’s help. Look at what happens when we ask for help. Matt 14:28-31

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” NIV

When Peter looked at his circumstance, he became overwhelmed and began to sink. but he cried out to the Lord and the Lord saved him.

We must never doubt. However, being human, we can stumble, and when we do, we must ask for help, and God will deliver.

We stumble when we look from Him to stare at ourselves or the circumstances that surround us. We should not be running for ourselves but Christ, and we should always keep him in our sight.

Bottom line: We must seek resources to deal with unexpected circumstances. After that, ask God for help. We must do our best and let God do the rest!

6. We must persevere toward our goals—we must stick to our goals; sticktoitiveness is in order—never give in!

Heb 12:1-2

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easiy ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (2) Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” NKJV

The Christian’s life entails hard work. It compels us to give up anything that endangers our relationship with God, to run with stamina, and to toil against sin with the power of the Holy Spirit. To live effectively, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, ‘the author and finisher of our faith.”

Bottom line:  we must run the race of life with perseverance!

7. Seek God’s continual guidance—In order to fulfill the previous six laws, we must follow this one. Seeking God: we must pray to Him, acknowledge Him, and follow Him.

Prov. 3:5-7,

5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; (6) in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

We are to trust the Lord in all of our circumstances and at all times. Being wise in our own eyes yields the wrong wisdom and results.

God promises to direct our paths and lead us through life to fulfill our human potential and ultimate destiny. Nevertheless, we must pray daily and act on the precious promises contained in His Word.

Isaiah 55:6-7,

”Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. (7) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Hebrew 13:5 “…I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

As the seven laws of success are applied, we will enjoy God’s blessings and true success. God desires us to live happy and abundant lives, but many chase happiness as a goal in itself. As a result, they become frustrated, aggravated, and discouraged. What needs to be recognized is that happiness is a consequence of something else—filling in the void mentioned above.

Bottom line – The greatest happiness comes as a consequence of having the greatest purpose, seeking God’s kingdom. A successful person is one who has discovered the will of God for their life and walks in it.

Amen

Questions, comments, concerns, and experiences with the 7 spiritual laws of success are welcomed below. You will receive a response.

Blessings!

For more articles see: TheChristianAdvocate.org

 

 

The postmodern movement is moving forward faster than ever. This movement has manifested itself to the point that subjectivity is ubiquitous in the land. One of the increasingly prevalent tenets of postmodernism is cancel culture. This culture seeks to cancel anything that isn’t popular. But does that include the Bible? This article addresses the Bible and cancel culture.

What is Cancel Culture?

Cancel culture is also known as call-out culture. Cancel culture is the term used for the growing trend of modern society to censor individuals who advocate socially disfavored or unpopular viewpoints. Those subjected to this exclusion are said to have been “canceled.”

Cancel culture is not new but a current form of ostracism. The principle of canceling a person or product has been around for quite some time. Both non-conservatives and conservatives have applied it in the form of boycotting. However, lately, social media has propelled it into a widespread force that punishes the victim for all sorts of what may be considered moral violations. This force will threaten, ridicule, and even attempt the offending party fired from their job. Actually, cancel culture has cost teachers, journalists, actors, scientists, etc., their assignments.

This canceling can occur for being on the wrong side of such topics as:

• • Black Lives Matter
    – A movement encouraging equal civil rights.

 

• Critical Race Theory – An examination of society as it relates to race and power.
• Gender Identity – A person’s sense of their own gender regardless of biology
• Intersectionality – How discrimination and privilege exhibits in a person’s social framework
• LGBTQ – An acronym to symbolize many sexual deviations
• Race/Racism – Discrimination or privilege according to an individual’s skin color.
• Sexism – Discrimination of privilege according to a person’s sexual orientation
• Socialism – Increased governmental control with a decrease of personal freedom
• Transsexuality – The surgical changing of an individual’s sex that they were born as
• White Privilege
  – The fundamental privilege in society as a result of being white

Based on today’s culture in the U.S., the standard that defines what is acceptable or not is a liberal, pro-abortion, pro-LGBTQ mindset. If an individual disagrees with the progressive liberal agenda, they can lose their reputation, popularity, or even their job. Ironically, cancel culture is a hypocritical attitude of intolerance while simultaneously demanding tolerance. Its intensity and reach differ and are deeply entrenched in today’s society. As a result, it is causing a restriction on free speech and adding to the ever-present divisive atmosphere. A recently published national survey indicates a rise in self-censorship when citizens decline to express their views.

Cancel Culture and the Bible

Is it possible that the Bible is subject to cancel culture? Well, think about it; the Bible speaks against the liberal pop culture mindset mentioned above. However, this is an insidious process.

The Bible is very popular, especially in the west. For example, in the U.S., we

have religious freedom. Even though it is somewhat of a façade in the current cultural environment, the outright elimination of the Bible would be the epitome of religious bias. This point makes suppression of the Scriptures objectionable, at least for now.

However, postmodernism has ushered in a time of shocking eagerness to repress and prohibit content that is disagreeable with the liberal agenda.

In this suppressive environment, many are taking advantage of what they observe as an opportunity to confront the ideas contained in the Bible rather than the Bible itself.  However, the desire is there, and this step-by-step approach comprises the insidious process of cancel culture’s attack on the Bible.

If Satan cannot get in the front door, he will attempt the backdoor as long as he can get in. We are warned about this in the Scriptures: Eph 4:27-28, “and do not give the devil a foothold.” NIV

Let us look at some of the issues under condemnation.

THE GOVERNMENT

To the chagrin of many in the Christian community, the desire to cancel the Bible has invaded our government. There has been a deep desire to eliminate biblical principles from the government. Over time this effort has grown deeper in intensity, scope, and explicitly.

This movement basically began with a controversy over displaying the Ten Commandments on government property.

In 1992, Justice Roy Moore was thrust into the national spotlight when he placed a wood carving of the Ten Commandments in his Etowah County courtroom. He has been the focus of praise and criticism since.

Numerous states filed suits against displaying the Ten Commandments. In 2005, a strikingly divided Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of displaying the Ten Commandments on government land. Still, it drew the line on displays in the interior of courthouses, stating they violated the doctrine of separation of church and state.

Another dramatic illustration of this cancellation occurred in 2018 at the confirmation hearings for the then-nominee for Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. He was grilled about his personal views, specifically regarding comments he made when the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage.

Similarly, a nominee to the D.C. Circuit Court was quizzed about their opinion regarding gay relationships being sinful or not. What is particularly interesting about these events is the U.S. Constitution bans religious tests for individuals desiring to serve in public office. Their personal views are not to be considered. Yet, it was praised by some.

Creation

Keep in mind that this assault on Biblical principles did not stop with the government but the private sector as well.

Creationism believes that the universe and living organisms originate from specific acts of divine creation, as in the biblical account, rather than natural processes such as evolution. Creationism has been under severe attack. For example, in March of 2021, it was recommended by a prominent

 

scientist that schools teaching any form of creationism that “deviates from national norms” should “prominently disclose” the occurrence of such instruction on transcripts and materials to make certain that those classes are not permitted to be a factor toward recognized science degrees.

In other words, “deviates from national norms” means “does not embrace evolution as the origin of life.” This action is an outright cancellation of a Biblical principle.

Numerous individuals have seen their careers damaged for acknowledging that there is considerable scientific evidence for the intelligent design theory behind the origin and diversity of life—a stance far too close to the Bible’s narrative of God to be permitted to go “uncanceled.”

For example, the President of the University of Idaho drafted a letter to all faculty, staff, and students stating that only evolution is “appropriate to be taught in our bio-physical sciences.” The letter indirectly said that disagreeing with evolution is only possible through philosophical and religious concerns, which contradicts research that produces credibility on intelligent design, a form of creationism.

In addition, a Double-Ph.D. biologist faced professional harassment for allowing the publication of a paper welcoming to the idea of intelligent design.

A Distinguished paleontologist was forced to leave his museum position after a 17-year career and an enormous number of publications when he orally expressed public cooperation for the idea that scientific proof points to an intelligent basis to life. These stories are documented at the website FreeScience.today.

The message is clear: even an inkling of biblical ideas of life’s beginnings and diversity or disagreement with the dogma of evolution is enough to be canceled.

Abortion

The Biblical principle on life in the womb is under severe attack. The Bible is clear on the sanctity of human life created in the image of God. Gen 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”

The Bible also expresses how precious life in the womb is and the punishment for causing it harm.

Ex 21:22-25

22 “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burns for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. NIV

This Scripture indicates that injury and death to an unborn child is equal to that of a child outside of the womb, and the punishment is to be administered accordingly.

Scripture further reflects how God regards life in the womb as a living human being. Jer. 1:5

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” NIV

This Scripture is one of a few passages confirming how God views life in the womb.

Abortion is so widely accepted in the U.S. that anyone who holds the Biblical view of life in the womb is finding it difficult to express it publically.

Anyone that believes the unborn must be respected as a human being, made in the image of God, is subject to be canceled.

The list goes on: marriage, homosexuality, justice, and morality are all addressed in the Bible for direction and application. Yet, these precepts are increasingly ignored.

The Cost of Canceling the Bible

Many are increasingly ejecting their ideas of what they feel is a just society, and the Bible does not reflect those ideas. In fact, it is just the opposite. So why not cancel those ideas so that we can walk in our own reality. The problem is, those realities are just dreams, and in time, the actual realities will reemerge. Society may become subjective, but God remains objective and will have the last word. Scripture addresses this as well.

The cost of canceling the Bible is devastating. Many of the foundations of society are based on principles found in the Bible. As our society turns away from the Bible and as our society turns away from God, anarchy occurs.

We are currently experiencing this in the U.S. There is rebellion against authority. We are shooting one another in the streets. We cannot even make rational decisions to protect ourselves and our loved ones, and our government is increasingly dysfunctional.

Without God, all that is left is the government, and when the government is dysfunctional, the result is nihilism—the state that all existence is useless, senseless, and meaningless. Yet, we wonder why the suicide rate is what it is.

We may think that we know more than God does; we may think that we are wise. However, that is not what Scripture says. Rom 1:21-22:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. NIV

This state of affairs is the result when God is removed from life. God just

turns us over to our depraved minds, and all hell breaks loose literally.

When we cancel the Bible, we are canceling God. Canceling the Bible is foolish, and it is futile!

Any questions, comments, concerns, or if you would like to share an experience involving cancel culture, it can be left below. You will receive a response.

Blessings!

 

 

 

The book of Revelation, the final book in the Bible, is a book of mystery written by the Apostle John during his exile on the island of Patmos. The reason for its mystery is that it is an apocalyptic letter that relies heavily on symbols, visions, and Old Testament references in order to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise given to Abraham back in the book of Genesis. One of the most intriguing revelations is the 666 mark of the beast.

The Mark of the Beast a Study

The first thing to realize is to emphasize again is that Revelation is heavily symbolic. Therefore, the 666 mark of the beast is symbolic. But, of what?

Let’s look at Rev 14:6-7

6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth — to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people — 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” NKJV

To look at the symbolism here, we have angels flying. Wings represent speed, and here we have angels moving with rapid speed with an urgent message that Jesus is soon to arrive. We, the readers, are encouraged to worship the Creator because there is another power competing for our worship.

Verses 9-11

9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” NKJV

A central theme in Revelation is the colliding of true and false worship.

Back in chapter 13, the believers are told how difficult it would be for them if they refused the beast’s mark. However, in these verses, an angel explained to the nonbelievers what would happen to them if they did receive the beast’s mark. Their ultimate judgment would be much worse and the penalty eternal. While those who belong to God would suffer and be killed, they would have a glorious eternity awaiting them (Rev. 14:1-5). However, those who worship the beast and accept his mark would choose to operate according to the Antichrist’s world economic system and ultimately face God’s judgment. To attain what the world merits, these individuals would have turned away from God and violated Christian principles.

Verse 12

12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. NKJV

This message is given by a God whose heart is filled with love

Here are the saints that endure. In the last days, all through the great tribulation, Christians will face dreadful times. They will have to reject Christ and accept the mark of the beast or else face death. But, if they persevere for Christ, if they are sincere in believing that heaven is real and that Christ loves them, only then will they escape the judgment of God. However, only those who persist and truly set their lives apart unto God, only those, will avoid the coming judgment.

Therefore, we have a presentation of two kinds of worship: those who worship the beast and those who “keep the Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ.”

The final conflict is revolved around the matter of worship: whom we worship, when we worship, or even whether or not we worship. Therefore, there is no escape because every person on earth is involved in some form of worship.

Either we worship God or something else because we were all created to worship. [Eccl. 3:11]

The fact that we have been created automatically lends itself to the concept of worship.

So, what is the basis of true worship? Rev 4:11

11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” NKJV

What qualifies God for worship is the fact that He created all things, and it is by His will they exist.

God has left us a sign of His creative authority.

Ex 20:8-11

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (9) Six days you shall labor and do all your work, (10) but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. (11) For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

• The Lord has left the 7th day of the week as a sign of His creative authority.
• When every Sabbath occurs, it is a reminder that it is God who made everything.

Ezek 20:12 12

Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.

Rom 4:11

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,

• Here we see that the words sign and seal
  are used interchangeably
• Therefore the sign that God has left and the seal of God are one and the same

Isa 8:16

16 Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples.

•  A sign that God has left as His creative authority is the same as a seal, “seal the law among my disciples.”
• God’s seal is in the heart of God’s Law
• It is akin to the ancient Middle Eastern tradition placing a seal of the dominant king in the middle of a covenant between nations that it is his covenant.
• This is the same approach God took when He made the covenant between Himself and His people. He placed His seal in the middle of the covenant, which is the seventh-day Sabbath.
• His seal contains His name, His title, and His territory.
• A seal authenticates a document. Therefore, the seal makes it binding.
• God’s seal contains His name, the Lord Thy God
• His Title—Creator
• His territory—The heaven and the earth

God’s seal stands in contrast to the mark of the beast.
Therefore, if God’s seal is a sign of His creative authority, then the
mark of the beast will be a sign of the beast’s authority.

Rev 7:2-3

2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, (3) saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

• The seal of God is received in the forehead or the hand
• The forehead represents thought and decision making. The seat of intelligence, the mind, meaning that receiving the seal of God would be an intelligent unforced decision for an individual to make in his mind.
• The hand is symbolic and represents our actions.

Rev 13:15-17
15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,
17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. NIV

In this passage we see that the same is true of the Mark of the beast. It will reside in the same locations, the forehead and the hand (thoughts and actions).

Heb 8:10

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

God’s seal says to “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” therefore, God’s seal and law which is in the mind, is an intelligent, unforced decision to serve God.

However, Satan has attacked God’s Sabbath because it is the seal of God’s Law.

Dan 7:25

He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.

Since the final issue revolves around worship, what power claims it has the authority to change God’s Law? The answer follows.

Previously, we identified that the antichrist beast is a kingdom and the little horn (Dan. 7:8) was a little kingdom somewhere in Europe called the Vatican or the Papacy.

From the St. Catherine Catholic Church sentinel 5/21/1995:

“perhaps the boldest thing, the most revolutionary change the church ever did happened in the first century. The holy day, the Sabbath, was changed from Saturday to Sunday…not from any directions noted in the Scriptures, but from the Church’s sense of its own power…”

This statement is an admission that the church (the universal—Catholic church) changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday.

From the St. Catherine Catholic Church Sentinel 5/21/1995 – “People who think that the Scriptures should be the sole authority, should logically become 7th day Adventists and keep Saturday holy.”

This statement acknowledges that the Catholic Church worked against the authority of the Scriptures when it changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday.

From the Decretal De Translat. Espicop.cap. “The Pope has changed times, to abrogate laws, and to dispense with all things, even the precepts of Christ.”

This is fulfilled prophecy and confirmation that Satan, through the Pope, has attacked God’s seal of the Sabbath, the basis of all worship.

The Sabbath is God’s seal and sign that He is the Creator. Satan has nothing that indicates that he is the Creator. Therefore, since he desires worship through all of the earthly powers, he must then attempt to erase or remove that which tells us that God is the Creator. Because if we have no evidence that God is the Creator, if we forget that God is the Creator, then he (Satan) can establish his monkey business doctrine:

• That humans came from monkeys
• That we came from nowhere
• That we can worship anything
• That we can do anything on our own without God

In Revelation 13, we have the beast. In the symbolic nature of Revelation, the beast represents a kingdom. Rev 13:1-2

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.

• Seas represent people’s, nations, and tongues
• Beasts represent kingdoms
• A crown represents smaller kingdoms
• Monarchs rule the smaller kingdoms. This beast represents a kingdom that is a composition of the four kingdoms that went before it.·   It looked like the kingdom of Greece [Leopard?]·   It walked like the kingdom of Persia [bear?]·   It speaks like the kingdom of Babylon [Lion?]·  The kingdom of Rome gave it its power [Dragon]—where is the dragon?Since this kingdom receives its power from the kingdom of Rome (the dragon), it must be a Roman power.

  Note: The large red dragon, with seven crowns on its seven heads
  from Rev. 12:3, symbolizes the (pagan) Roman Empire. The banner of the
  cavalry of the Roman army was a red dragon. Jesus referred to this
  banner as the abomination of desolation in Matthew 24:15.

  • Dan 7:23 “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be A fourth kingdom on earth,” [study verses 23-25]·  The little horn and the beast of Revelation 13 are the same.·  It came up among the ten·  It was after A.D.476·  It was a little horn (kingdom)·  It uprooted three kingdoms·  It has a little leader

    ·  It was diverse (different from all the others)

    ·  It was blasphemous

    ·  It was persecuting

    ·  It has changed God’s law

    ·  It ruled for 1260 years

    ·  It was (is) based in Rome. Revelation identifies the dragon as Satan

  Revelation identifies the dragon as Satan.

  Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

  • Satan works through human agencies.
  • The dragon working through pagan Rome attempted to kill Jesus.
  • It was a Roman official that tried to kill Jesus (King Herod)
  • A Roman Governor condemned Jesus.
  • A Roman sealed His tomb
  • A Roman guard watched His tomb.
  • It was under the kingdom of Rome that Jesus was crucified.

  ·  Labianca, Professor of History, University of Rome—“The
  succession of the Caesar’s came the succession of the pontiffs in Rome.
  When Constantine left Rome he gave his seat to the pontiff.”

  ·  When Constantine left Rome, he went to Byzantium, and he formed a
  new capital and named it Constantinople (the present city of Istanbul in
  turkey sits on its ruins).

  Who is the Beast?

  ·  A worldwide religious power

  ·  Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,
  whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from
  the foundation of the world.

  ·  Anyone whose name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will worship the beast.

  · A religious power dominating civil powers

  ·  The most popular religious power on the face of the earth today is the Vatican.

  ·  It has a Diaspora of millions upon millions of people all over the world.

Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

• In 1985 President Ronald Reagan became the first President of the US to send an ambassador to the Vatican. Therefore, identifying the Vatican as not only as a church, but as a civil and political power as well.
• Almost all major countries have an ambassador to the Vatican.
• When it speaks, everybody stops and listens
• Myer’s Genera; History, p.455 “Under him was very nearly made good the papal claim that all earthly sovereigns were vassals of the Roman Pontiff.”
• The Roman Pontiff had sway over all of Europe, including all the kings and all the leaders of Europe.
• We have an Angolan church today because the king was not granted permission from the pontiff of Rome to divorce his wife and remarry, so he broke away and formed the Anglican Church or the Church of England.

Myer’s General History, p.455 “Almost all the kings and princes of Europe swore fealty [allegiance] to him as their overlord. Rome was once more the mistress of the world.”

It is a blasphemous power

·  Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to
blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

·  Blasphemy is a man making himself God. Additionally, assuming any rights or power that belongs to God alone.

John 10:33 The Jews answered him [Jesus], saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. [cf. 2 Thess. 2:4]

• Pope Leo XIII “We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.” This statement is in opposition to Luke 5:21, 1 Tim. 2:5, 1 John 1:9.

It is a religious power.

·  Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great
things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty
and two months.

Ezek 4:6 …I have laid on you a day for each year. [42 months = 1260 years] If a day is given for a year, then 42 months would equal 1260 years (42 months X 30 days =1260 years).

• The legally recognized supremacy of the Pope began in 538 AD when there went into effect a decree of Emperor Justinian, making the bishop of Rome head over all the churches, the definer of doctrine, and the corrector of heretics.
• Therefore, the legally recognized reign of the famous legacy began in 538 AD [538+1260 = 1798 AD]
• From the History of the Christian Church vol3, p. 271 “Vigilius…ascended the papal chair (538 AD) under the military protection of Belisarius.”
• This reign of power reigned for 1260 years, which is the same period of time known as the dark ages.
• This power ruled until 1798
• During this period, there was a war against the saints. Saints are innocent people—war (an armed force) against innocent, unarmed people is persecution.
• This power persecuted God’s people for 1260 years because they refused to acknowledge the Pope and the Papacy. They were caught and burned at the stake as well as drowned and fed to wild animals. They ran into the caves and mountains but were smoked out and suffocated. However, the more they were persecuted, the more the church of God grew.

·  Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally
wounded, and his deadly wound was healed And all the world marveled and
followed the beast.

·  The end or pause of the supreme Papacy came in 1798.

· From The Encyclopedia Americana, 1941 edition “in 1798 he (Berthier—France)…made his entrance into Rome, abolished the papal government and established a secular one.” He took the Pope captive and sent him into exile in France, where he died.

The Pope was escorted into power by the government (Constantine). However, the same power that escorted him into power took him out of power.

He who rules with the sword (the civil power) will be killed by the sword. The wounded head represents this.

• San Francisco Chronicle, Feb. 11, 1929 “The Roman question tonight was a thing of the past and the Vatican was at peace with Italy…In affixing the autographs to the memorable document healing the wound…extreme cordiality was displayed on both sides.”

  

The deadly wound was healed. The Papacy was once again given back some land and some degree of authority, and restoring her to respect and power began.

• This restoration was accomplished through a treaty named the Lateran Treaty. For more details on this treaty, click this link: https://www.britannica.com/event/Lateran-Treaty

[Rev. 13:3]… And all the world marveled and followed the beast.

• • An end-time worldwide prominence
  • The Papacy has gained worldwide influence, prestige, and prominence.
  • It is the most popular religious power on the face of the earth.

Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding
calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His
number is 666.

·  666 is not the mark of the beast. 666 is the number of the beasts. It represents a false religious system

·  In Babylon, there originated the six adjustable of 60 degrees or
60 minutes in an hour or 360 degrees or 360 days in the year. They had
the idea that they were 36 different heavenly bodies that they would
worship. Each heavenly body would be assigned a number from 1 to 36. The
supreme God that they worshipped was the Sun. The supreme God to be
worshipped would have been the Sun. They would add +1+2+3 until the
number 36 was reached. That number would be 666. That number would be
assigned to the Supreme god, which was the Sun. The first of the week
was dedicated as his day to be worshipped (it was called sun’s day). The Sun god in Babylon was called Belmar Duke. He has a chief priest who
goes by the name Pontifex Maximus (which means chief priest). This idea
was passed down to pagan Rome-Julius Caesar, who wore the title Pontifex

Maximus. This where the word pontiff originates. Therefore, the chief
priest would wear the number 666 as emulates around his neck made of
gold because the color of the Sun is gold which is why Babylon is
represented in the Scriptures by gold because this is a kingdom that
worships the sun.

·  They wore the golden emulates around the neck, which had the
sexagesimal, and they have six lines and six rows from one to 36 and
whatever direction you count each line, and each row would give you one
hundred eleven (111). If you multiply that by six, you will have six six
six in whichever direction you multiply.

·  This same practice was passed on from Babylon to Rome when the
Babylonian priests arrived in Rome. Rome adopted the practices of
Babylon, and when the powers were shifted from the Caesars to the bishop
of Rome, the title “pontiff” was adopted by him.

·  His crown, which Belgium gave him in 1871, was the expression by carros filiadio-which means my corrupt god.

What Precisely is the Mark of the Beast?

• Considering the central issue is worship, the mark of the beast must be the sign of the Roman church’s authority.

Dan 7:25 “… think to change times and laws:

• The Bible says the day begins at sunset; they say it begins at midnight.
• They are changing laws that have to do with time, and there is only one law in the Ten Commands that concerns time—the Sabbath.

Letter, Oct. 28, 1895, from C.F. Thomas “Of course the Cah=tholic Church claims that the change was her act…and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters.”

• This statement is regarding the change of the day of worship from Saturday to the first day of the week, Sunday (the Sun’s day).

Each day of the week was dedicated to a different heavenly body.

Monday—moon’s day

Wednesday—wooden’s day

Friday—afrigs day

Saturday—Saturn’s day

Bottom line: The Catholic church, on its own authority, adopted Sunday as the day of worship.

From the Catholic Record, Sept 1, 1923, “Sunday is our mark of authority…The church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.”

• The mark of the beast is not a vaccine, computer chip, medication, 666, the number 6 is man—just below God’s perfect number of 7.
• The mark of the beast is Sunday worship

The seal of God is the Sabbath

At the end of time, there are only two choices:

·  The seal of God

·  The mark of the beast

Questions, comments, and concerns can be left below. You will receive a response

Blessings

 

 

 

The moral fiber of the US and the world has changed and is continuing to change. However, these changes are occurring in spite of what God and His word are saying. Perhaps something is missing or overlooked, so the question becomes, when did God change?

The Changes

The postmodern movement ushered in a climate of subjectivity. This movement has led to a move away from objectivity with standard fixed rules and traditions. Instead, everything now passes through the lens of subjectivity, how an individual feels about what is right or wrong.

So, let’s look at some of these changes.

Truth – What is truth? Truth is the core of real things, events, and facts: it is a state of reality. Therefore, the truth cannot be legitimately shaken or disproven.

Truth is an element of God’s being. When He presented Himself to Moses on the mountain, He proclaimed His attributes. In Ex 34:5-6:

5 And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.

6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Everything that proceeds out of the mouth of God is truth.

Truth is freedom. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, …”If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Truth is freedom from sin in this context, but the truth is also freedom from ignorance. If you know the truth about something, you are no longer ignorant of it. Therefore, to state that the truth is freedom means that when you tell the truth, that is the end of the story. However, when we lie, it leads to other lies to cover up the previous lie, and that is simply bondage!

However, presently, truth is becoming what an individual feels is the truth. Even when the truth is in their face, they deny it and put their own reality in place of it. This denial of the truth has even reached the upper levels of government.

But, what does God and His Word say? Col 3:9-10

9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices NIV

Ephesians 4:25
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

God’s Word says that we are to speak the truth; “every
man with his neighbor.” This means that everybody is to speak the truth; this will lead to living the truth.

Lev 19:11

11 “Do not steal. “‘ Do not lie. “Do not deceive one another. NIV

Can it be any clearer? 

Abortion – Abortion, the termination of human life, is legal in the US. The advocates for this act claim that it is a women’s constitutional right to chose to terminate life. This act is the law of the land. Statistics
indicate that from 2005 to 2018, 10,121,000 legal abortions were carried out in the US.

Now let that sink in; over 10 million human lives were destroyed. For what reason? This number doesn’t represent some financial statistic, but lives that never had a chance to live and society say it’s okay.

But what does God and His Word say? Lev 18:21:

21 Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord. NIV

God explicitly forbade the sacrificing of children. God wanted His chosen people, the Israelites, to be sanctified from the idolatrous nations who sacrificed children to the false god Molech. Leviticus contained the law for God’s people to live a holy life unto Him and still applies today.

Deut 18:10:

10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire… NIV

The book of Deuteronomy is a repeat of the law, and once again, the offering of children is forbidden.

Now we may not be literally throwing children in the fire today to Molech. However, we sacrifice them by terminating their lives for self convenience of one form or another. Because it isn’t convenient for us, we sacrifice the life and end it. This act is against the will of God, and it is idolatry. Whenever we choose to act against the will of God, it is idolatry.

Homosexuality – Homosexuality is widely accepted today in the US and the world. According to a survey
performed by UCLA’s Williams Institute, there are 10,338,000 homosexuals (LGBT) in the United States. But, what does God and His Word say? Lev 18:22

22 Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. NIV

Lev 20:13

13 If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. NIV

Again, these Scriptures are from the Levitical law and forbid the detestable acts of the idolatrous nations.  However, the New Testament Scriptures address homosexuality also. 1 Cor. 6:9-11

9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders (10) nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. NIV

Homosexuals are included with those who will not inherit heaven.

Same Sex marriage – This is the law of the land in the US and a few other countries. According to a 2019 population survey, there are 543,000 same-sex married couple households, and 469,000 households with same-sex unmarried partners living together in the US.

Question:
If God forbids homosexuality, how can there be validity in homosexual marriage? However, let’s look at what God and His Word say about it. Gen 2:22-24

22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’for she was taken out of man.”

24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. NIV

Notice that God created man and woman, and they are to be united as one flesh. This design is the order of God’s holy and divine creation; this is the created order of life. There is nothing in Scripture that sanctions same sex marriage.

To God, Marriage is between a man and a woman.

Transgenderism – Some individuals are not satisfied with their physical sex at birth but prefer the opposite sex (a man desiring to be a woman and vice-versa). This attitude includes adopting the behaviors and the appearance of the opposite sex. The modern and inclusive philosophy of some societies has embraced this attitude. So, what does God and His Word say about it? Deut 22:5:

5 A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this. NIV

Again, God created man and woman, and this is the order of God’s holy and divine creation; this is the created order of life. Therefore, the individuality between males and females is to be upheld. We must understand that there is a clear, distinctive difference between a man and a woman, and this clear, distinct difference is to be respected, maintained, and honored.

In this Scripture, God demanded that the created order of life was not to be violated. Wearing the clothes and adopting the behavior of the opposite sex is unnatural. In God’s eyes, it is abnormal, repulsive, distasteful behavior. However, even more severe, the Scripture indicates that transvestism is an abomination to God. God detests it. The idea conveyed is that the judgment of God will fall upon the person who seeks fleshly pleasure through transvestism.

Transvestism often directs to homosexuality; furthermore, this deviant behavior is often associated with homosexuality. The law of God was and is clear: the order of God’s holy creation that of male and female is not to be dishonored nor camouflaged. Females at birth are to be women, and males at birth are to be men. The distinction is to be protected, respected, and honored.

These are just a few of the areas societies, particularly in the US, have changed. Again, the idea is to be more modern and inclusive.

But, when did God change? Is He more inclusive? If so, how much?

The Unchangeable God

So how much has God changed? Let’s look at what His Word says in Mal 3:6-7

6 I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. NIV

In this Scripture, we have the Lord’s call to His people to repent in view of His return through the prophet Malachi. He states that they were not destroyed because of the promise He made to Jacob, their forefather. He made a promise, and because He doesn’t change, His promises are sure. This promise is the only reason they had not been judged and completely cut off from the Lord. Though they had sinned and violated every term of God’s covenant, He would not change. He would uphold His covenant and abide by it.

However, they had fallen far from God because they had not kept His decrees and had fallen out of His favor. Therefore, he admonished them to return to Him, and He would return to them.

In other words, no matter how much they changed away from His Word (decrees), He was not changing. So, therefore, they would have to return to His will to receive His favor and so must we. God has not and will not change. He is the unchangeable God. There is no need for God to change, He’s perfect!

He goes on in chapter 4. Mal 4:1-2, 4

Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. 4 Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. NIV

The day the Lord is referencing here is the day of His return. All of the arrogant and evildoers will be destroyed. However, the ones who obey the laws and statutes of Moses and revere God will be saved.

The Takeaway and Life Application

It has been said, “The Bible is old-fashioned and has fallen away from the times.”
However, the Bible hasn’t fallen away from the times; the times have fallen away from the Bible.

Indeed society has changed and is still evolving. But, unfortunately, it is changing and evolving away from God. However, no matter how much society changes, no matter what man’s law says, no matter how far we evolve from God’s Word, God will not change. Therefore, those who continue down this path will reap what happens on the day of the Lord.

Christ united all, both Jews and Gentiles, as God’s people (Gal. 3:28). Therefore, just as the Israelites need to return to God in verses 6 and 7, so must all of us.

We must remember the Scripture in 2 Chron. 7:14

 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

It behooves us to have reverence for the unchanging God and His Word.

Zeph. 2:3: “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.” NIV

Amen

Questions, comments, and concerns are welcomed below. You will receive a response.

 

 

 

The Ten Commandments are the base commands of God’s moral Law. These commandments were handed down to the Israelites as a guide on how to live righteously as God’s chosen people. However, as Moses descended from the mountain with the stone tablets containing the laws, the Israelites had already broken the first two commandments. Fortunately, Moses got to the bottom before they broke the 3rd commandment. However, as time went on, Israel broke all of God’s commandments. Is it any different today?

What is the 3rd Commandment?

The third commandment is found in Ex. 20:7, which reads:

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

What does it mean to take the Lord’s name in vain?

The NIV translation reads, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God….” The Hebrew word translated as vain is “shav,” which means pointlessly, using figuratively or foolishly, deceitfully, and flippantly. It means using God’s name in a thoughtless and insincere way. This third Commandment is a commandment that is universally disregarded by humanity.
In earlier times, the most common practice was to use God’s name in profanity slang, such as “it just a god**** shame.” In fact, in one church bulletin addressing this profane vernacular, it read, “God’s last name is not damn.”

But you don’t’ hear much of that these days. We have progressed—or have we? These days we have more insidious ways of using the Lord’s name in vain. For starters, we say, “oh my God!”

So, is it wrong to call on God’s name? After all the Scriptures read in Acts 2:21, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” In addition, in Ps. 50:15, God is quoted as saying, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” As well as Ps 91:15, “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.”
Lastly, Jer. 29:12, “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.”

It is apparent that the Lord wants His people to call upon Him. The problem is when we call on His name not to be saved or in a day of trouble, but merely as a figure of speech.

If a dollar was donated every time, someone used the expression “oh my God,” there would be a lot fewer homeless people on the streets. It is incredible how far we have departed from the Commandments of God.

Anytime someone is excited, shocked, surprised, dismayed, or even angered about something, the first thing out of the mouth is, “oh my God!” Even more incredible is professing Christians are engaging this very practice.

In our tech-savvy world, we have gone generic with OMG. In the realm of text and instant messaging, social media, etc., it has become a prevalent means for expressing surprise or astonishment. OMG can represent several things such as oh my God, oh my goodness, or oh my gosh.

This acronym is used in all sorts of secular venues: from Pop music to dolls. For example, a hit song is actually entitled, “Oh my God” which we danced to ignorantly!

The conventional wisdom says regarding OMG, it is not using the Lord’s name in vain because you’re not saying on my God. However, oh my God, is where it is derived. Even though it is watered down, it is not far enough away from God’s Commandment: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God…” NIV There are no exceptions. Therefore, it is merely a weak excuse to have our way and another manifestation of a rebellious and narcissistic-selfish society.

In the post-modern society we live in today, everything is subjective: even using the Lord’s name in vain. If an individual feels that it is ok, so be it. And yet we ask, what is happening to America?

When we speak God’s name, it is at all times to be in a respectful and reverent way. God’s name is in no way to be used in any irreverent way whatsoever.

Below are all the little sayings that use God’s name in an irreverent or careless way that are wrong:

⇒ God Almighty ⇒ Sweet Jesus ⇒ Lord have mercy ⇒ Oh God ⇒ The man upstairs ⇒ Somebody up there

⇒ God damn ⇒ God or Jesus Christ or Christ (by themselves, when spoken carelessly)

Why must we play with the name of God? Aren’t there enough words in the dictionary to express our excitement, dismay, or anger?

How we use God’s name and treat God’s name is of crucial concern to Him. He is the great Creator, the Sovereign LORD and Majesty, the Supreme Ruler and Judge of the universe. Therefore, His name must always be honored, praised, and worshipped. Because of His person and who He is, God demands and insists that we never, not ever, misuse His name.

Therefore:

• we must never curse nor abuse His name.
• We must never use His name in a frivolous or insincere way.
• We must never take the name of the LORD God in vain.

This commandment is directed to every human being upon the earth. There is no room for subjectivity.

No individual of any age group or time of history, as long as God lives, as

long as God exists, from eternity past to eternity future, is to misuse or take God’s name in vain. This is what God demands; one of the ways we are to connect to God is by reverencing His Name. This commandment will be in force as long as we live and as long as God exists—forever.

This commandment has an even broader spectrum. There are other ways an individual can misuse God’s name or take God’s name in vain. This commandment forbids profanity.

Profanity is the cursing, abusive, bitter, profane use of God’s name or any of God’s design. By design is meant everything within the universe. Therefore, taking God’s name in vain, misusing God’s name involves all uses of vulgarity and profanity: foul, distasteful slang words, and even words such as damn, hell, darn, and other such negative terms.

What do these kinds of words have to do with misusing God’s name? To put it simply, when we use profanity, we are profaning and cursing a part of creation. No individual has the right to profane and curse or condemn anything in God’s creation. We must never forget this one fact: The earth is the Lord’s, and He alone is the great Creator and Sustainer of everything within the universe. Therefore, to profane or curse anything in creation is to take God’s name in vain. It is destructive, totally senseless, and worthless.

Scripture, God’s Word, further confirms the distastefulness of profanity.  Col 3:6-9

6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and
filthy language from your lips. NIV

In this passage, Paul was reminding the Colossian Christians that they should no longer engage in the things they practiced before becoming Christians, including “filthy language.”

Eph 4:29

29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Here again, Paul is addressing Christian Behavior. This time it is to the Christians in Ephesus. God’s people are not to use “foul or abusive language.”

What are the Consequences?

The Commandment ends with, “…for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

It is pretty clear that judgment is the consequence. Judgment is the result of profanity. Yet, in our society, people excuse profanity as being therapeutic for agitated and angered spirits. However, that is a deception from the enemy. That perverted thinking will not hold up in court with God. On the contrary, it will only make the judgment for profanity more severe.

Profanity is like a storm, a terrible, terrifying disturbance that is devastating and completely senseless and worthless. Profanity is a pervasive sin that is blanketing our nation and the world today. Profanity is swiftly becoming so acceptable that it is a part of everyday conversation. The horrendous spiritual peril of profanity has been forgotten. The danger is tragically ignored and even denied. Even so, it is a definite threat: profanity is a creeping paralysis:

•  that devastates the foundation of respect between individuals, especially between the citizens of a diverse society and nation.
•  that wipes out the moral strength and esteem of individuals for one another and their nation.
•  that corrupts the language of a nation and people
•  that annihilates the ability of citizens to continue to grow, build, advance, enhance, enlarge, and increase the quality of their lives, society, and nation.

Profanity will destroy a nation by corrupting the language and respect of people for one another. Over time, profanity will attack and destroy everything held dear by society.

The bottom line is this: we must not use vulgarity, must not misuse God’s name for a terrifying reason: because the LORD holds us accountable if we misuse His name. The word “guiltless”
(waqah) denotes that God will not deem us clear or free from blame. He will not consider us clean or pure, innocent or “guiltless.” God will not acquit us or not let us go unpunished.

Here is why: Psalm 139:20

20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

Note what the Scripture says: the person who curses and misuses God’s name stands as an enemy of God. A man may curse God or swear untruthfully to his wife or neighbor or even a jury, and he may not be corrected or punished. However, God will know that the man cursed His name or lied, and Scripture is clear: God will rebuke him. God will punish the individual who insulted His great and glorious name.

It is interesting how both Christian and non-Christian individuals focus on a few commandments and disregard others. Such as, thou shalt not: lie, steal, commit adultery, and bear false witness. It is good to obey those. However, it is crucial to fully understand that all of God’s Commandments are to be obeyed. Not obeying just one commandment makes an individual a total lawbreaker. Scripture says in James 2:10-11, “ For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.” NLT

There are no shortcuts to obeying God. Therefore, we must obey the commandment of controlling our speech and not use God’s name in vain. This includes His Son, Jesus, whose name is just as great. Scripture says in Phil 2:9-12:

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

By honoring and glorifying the Son, we honor and glorify the Father. Therefore, it behooves us to control our speech along with the other areas of our lives.

Amen

All questions, comments, and concerns may be left below. You will receive a response.

Blessings!

 

 

 

One of the things God is most noted for is His forgiveness of sins. God forgives unconditionally. The Scriptures tell us in Ps 86:5, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” He sent His son to earth to provide a way for us to seek Him through repentance of our sins and ask for forgiveness. But did you know that there is a sin that He will not forgive? There is a sin that is unpardonable, and in this article, we have the unpardonable sin explained.

What is Sin?

Sin is the result of disobedience. More specifically, it is disobedience to God’s law. The Scriptures tells us in 1 John 3:4, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Therefore, it is a deliberate breach of the law. It is insurrection against God’s law, which is the standard of righteousness.

Sin comprises the denial of the living God from whom we as human beings draw our lives and existence (Acts 17:28); the outcome of this rebellion is death and the torment of hell. Death is the definitive penalty imposed by God for sin. The Bible states in Rom 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death…

In contrast to this dark condition of sin and its reality, the gospel arrives as the good news of the liberation that God has made available through His Son. Jesus bears the penalty of sin in place of His people (Mark 10:45). He additionally redeems us, liberates us from lawlessness, and enables us to desire to do good works in service to God and others (Titus 2:14).

How are we Redeemed

So how are we redeemed? The Scripture tells us in Eph. 1:5-7:

5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will (6) to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace NIV

Through repentance of our sins and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have redemption through His blood. When this occurs, we receive the Holy Spirit, which enables us to walk in the righteousness of God. Acts 2:38 reads, “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” NIV

There is no greater gift, for we are powerless against the enemy that leads us into sin without the Holy Spirit.

What is the Unpardonable Sin?

So, with such great gifts from God as forgiveness and redemption of sin as the above Scriptures verify, what’s the deal? There is no mention of a sin that is not forgivable. Therefore, is there a sin that is unpardonable? To explain the unpardonable sin, let’s start with Matt 12:32

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. NIV

This Scripture contains Jesus’ response to the Pharisees denying that His power was from God. Instead, in the previous verses, they claimed that His power was from Satan.

These words appear to mean that by speaking against Jesus, the Pharisees might be forgiven because the insult may have been based on ignorance of who he was. After all, at that time, even Jesus’ disciples did not completely understand who he was. However, speaking against the Holy Spirit, to deny the power behind Jesus’ ministry — was unforgivable. (Some translations use the word “blasphemy,”
meaning extreme slander and lack of reverence.) The rejection of a messenger, even Christ Himself, can be forgiven, but not the rejection of God Himself through the Holy Spirit. The mighty works done by Jesus through the Spirit were unmistakable announcements that the kingdom had arrived. Those who had the nerve to attribute these works to Satan were not ignorant; alternately, they had made up their minds not to believe. Jesus said that those who vilify the Holy Spirit would not be forgiven, not because their sin is worse than any other, but because they will never ask for forgiveness.

Forgiveness is not automatic; we have to request it. In the same way, we have to grant it to others whether it is requested of us or not.

Let’s look at another passage: Heb 6:4-6

4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, (5) who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, (6) if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. NIV

This passage involves individuals who have turned from belief to unbelief.

It is not possible for individuals who have professed Christianity and have experienced all of the beautiful elements described in this passage and then have turned away from Christ to turn around and repent again. It is not impossible because these individuals show scorn for Christ through their intentional actions. It would be like personally crucifying Christ again. By departing from the faith, these individuals agree that the crucifixion was correct in that Christ was an imposter and needed to be killed.

Such treatment of Christ actually shames Him, as the Scripture reads, “Public disgrace.”
Instead of exalting and honoring Christ, it makes Him a very evil person, thus shaming Him greatly.

This passage refers to folks who walk with Christ for a while, then deliberately turn around, and walk in the other direction, rejecting Christ. Heb 10:26 says, “For if we willfully persist in sin after having received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (NRSV). Christ cannot and will not be crucified again. Separately from His cross, there is no other achievable way of salvation. Once an individual turns from believing in Christ to not believing, that individual is lost. It is like the land of no return.

Whoever rejects the prompting of the Holy Spirit removes themselves from the only force that can lead anyone to repentance and restoration with God. Those who have witnessed the light yet prefer the darkness are blaspheming the Holy Spirit. This sin cannot be forgiven as the Scripture reads, “in this age or in the age to come”
because its consequences are eternal.

These individuals can never be restored because they will not desire to be. They have chosen instead to harden their hearts against Christ. It is not that God cannot forgive them; rather, they cannot be forgiven because they will not repent of their sins.

Scripture says in Prov. 29:1

He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. NKJV

Those who continue in sin despite the warning of the Holy Spirit shall be destroyed.

God has a threshold that takes an individual beyond the possibilities of redemption, and to exceed this point will require that one pay an eternal cost. If one exceeds the point of redemption, then one can expect to pay an everlasting price.

1 John 5:16-17

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. NKJV

There is a sin that does not result in eternal death, and there is a sin that results in the eternal death. For the sin that leads to eternal death, there is no forgiveness “neither in this life or the life that is to come.” The sin unto death is a sin whose end result is blasphemy. The Scripture says, “I do not say that he should pray about that.” In other words, this sin is unpardonable, so don’t even bother praying about it.

This sin is apostasy — which is when an individual has rejected Christ and turned away from the faith despite the Holy Spirit. John was writing to Christians and expressing his concern for the infiltration of false teachers, leading them astray—away from Christ. His warning to them was that their sin of apostasy would lead to unbelief and their spiritual ruin.

The sin that leads to death isn’t any one particular sin but continuous unbelief and rebellion. These attitudes can be so strong that the victim will likely be unrepentant and unpardonable.

Life Application

Any denial of the Holy Spirit’s prompting to accept Christ or to continue in Christ is unbelief and is an unforgivable sin. These sins lead to spiritual death because, without Christ, there is no avenue for forgiveness. Any individual that dies in this state is simply a lost soul.

The Scripture warns us in 1 Thess. 5:19. “Quench not the Spirit.” To quench is to put out or put away.

If the Spirit repeatedly prompts us to give up sin, yet we continue to refuse, the Spirit will leave and never ask again. At that moment, an individual becomes unpardonable. We cannot be pardoned unless we repent, and we cannot repent without the impression of the Holy Spirit.

Going back to the original text, verse 31, “all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:” The Scripture clarifies that all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven. Therefore, if all manner of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven, that means that there is no single sin that is not forgivable if confession and repentance take place. Against this background, since no single sin is unpardonable, it means that it is not the sin that is unpardonable. However, the individual becomes unpardonable because the Spirit has been quenched, leading to unbelief. As the Scripture reads … but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” NIV

Once the Spirit has left, there is no impression on the heart to repent. Therefore, it is not the sin that is not pardoned, but the holding on to the sin leads to the point of no return, the point where God cannot pardon. Persistent procrastination often provokes the punishment of God.

Any sin can lead us to the point of no return. The one sin that we hold onto can lead us to the point of no return—unbelief. This is the danger we all face.

The sin that is “not leading to death” is a sin committed out of ignorance or error instead of unbelief. These sins can be confessed, and repentance can occur (1 John 1:9, Prov. 28:13). For more on repentance, see the article, Repentance and Sin,
on this website.

So we must examine ourselves and ask what sin are we holding onto that we refuse to give up despite the Holy Spirit’s conviction?

The Bottom Line

Bottom line—the unpardonable sin in a nutshell is—unbelief. The only sin that God is not able to forgive is the refusal to accept forgiveness.

Eph 6:12 reads, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. NIV

Christians are in a war against the evil forces of this world known as spiritual warfare, and the Holy Spirit must empower us to fight successfully. This is a danger all Christians face and we need the Holy Spirit.

We are further warned in 1 Peter 5:8-9

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (9) Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. NIV

Doubt is the first stage of sin, which is missing the mark. For an individual to move from missing the mark to blasphemy is a gradual process that does not happen overnight. Without the Holy Spirit, we are doomed to fall into doubt and led into the unpardonable sin, unbelief.

Amen

For more information on Spiritual Warfare, please read the article, All about Spiritual Warfare, on this website.

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below.

Blessings!!

 

 

 

There is a mystery going on these days. Strange things are happening without any rhyme or reason. Common sense isn’t half as common as it used to be. Wrong is becoming right and right is becoming wrong. Many are unaware, but some are asking; what is happening to America today?

America Under Attack

There are no foreign guns, no tanks, no fighter jets, no cannons, no torpedoes, and no foreign soldiers on our soil. Yet, we are under attack. This attack is much more insidious than the usual weapons of war and that is what makes it so effective. This war is not carnal but spiritual (2 Cor. 10:4). What we need to understand is that what happens in the natural, first occurs in the spiritual.

This attack is hitting the nation at the very core, the foundation of its existence, chipping away at the foundation of the structure. In addition, if the powers that be don’t soon recognize what is happening, there is going to be a mighty shaking and crumbling.

The Evidence

What went on at the Capitol on January 6th
is merely a symptom of what is really taking place in the United States.

Let’s look at the manifestation of this attack.

Crime and violence – Gun violence is on the rise precipitously with no end in sight, and the government cannot reach a consensus on how to curb it. We are literally shooting each other in the streets. We do not need a foreign army to kill us we are doing it ourselves!

The Spirit of rebellion is running rampant among us to the point that we no longer respect authority and rebel at the consequences. We simply want to have our own way.

Immorality – We have drifted away from the standards commanded by God and have set our own standards chipping away at the principle of moral right and wrong. Mankind has become a god unto himself and set his own standard for righteousness, right and wrong, morality, and convinced himself that there is no God.

This standard has manifested itself in the following ways:

• God’s law no longer applies
• God’s Commandments have been abolished
• God’s Commandments are no longer relevant
• God’s standing of righteousness is no longer binding
• God’s Law has been amended.
• God’s Word has been abridged

Now, what do the Scriptures say about this mindset? Prov. 28:26 reads:

26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Here we have the contrast between the wisdom of those that trust in the Lord and those that trust the folly of self-trust.

First, we have the character of a fool: He trusts to his “own heart,” to his own wisdom and counsels, his own strength and sufficiency, his own merit and righteousness, and the good opinion he has of himself; he that does this is a fool because he who exercise this kind of trust, not only trust in that which “is deceitful above all things”—his heart (Jer. 17:9) but that has often deceived him. This implies that it is the nature of a wise man to put his trust in the Lord, and in his power and promise, and to follow his guidance (Prov. 3:5, 6. 2). The comfort of a wise man: that is he that walks wisely and does not trust in his own heart, but is humble and self-diffident, and goes on in the strength of the Lord God, shall be delivered; when the fool on the other hand, who trusts in his own heart, shall ultimately be destroyed.

This is because man’s heart, which is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9), will without fail deceive him.

This spirit of self-trust and denial of God has permeated into the upper echelons of leadership in the government causing a huge problem for the entire nation.

Let’s look at the Scriptural confirmation of this phenomenon. Rom 1:18-32

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Amen.

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. NIV

This passage contains the last half of chapter one and depicts a picture of the human predicament before a holy God. Further, it contains God’s wrath against mankind and the consequences have been disastrous as sin continues to increase.

Verses 19-20 – These verses make the point that God shows His anger against sinful and wicked individuals who cover up the truth of God through their wickedness, even though they are fully aware of the truth about God because He has made it evident to them. It is obvious through the creation of the world which demonstrates His eternal power and divine nature. Therefore, there is no excuse to not know God.

Verse 21 – We see and live in God’s creation every day. For this reason, how can we deny God? Scripture further answers that in Ps 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” NIV

Although they knew God, they refused to glorify Him or give thanks for His blessings (i.e. food, clothing, shelter, salvation, life). This is simply the failure to recognize God. When He is removed from the equation that only opens the door to evil.

When we eliminate God, we lose our standard or reference point from which to work. When anything goes, everything becomes useless.

To neglect what is good unavoidably leads to perpetuating what is evil. Lack of appreciation may appear to be a small thing, but it commences a downward spiral into depravity. To forget to thank God for all He is and all He has done reveals dangerous self-centeredness. The effect of this is darkness, pride, futile thinking and planning, blindness, and lastly total removal from God that erupts into a deluge of sin.

When God is removed from human thought, much more is lost than gained. Truth and absolutes are quickly abandoned and everything is subjective to opinions and feelings, including God Himself.

God created mankind with a void that needs to be filled. Therefore, something or someone must be at the center of life. This void is to be filled with God but without Him, we make ourselves central. Subsequently, everything we try is futile in giving satisfaction. As with Solomon, we find out that everything is “meaningless! Meaningless! … Utterly meaningless!” (Eccl 1:1-2 NIV). Living for oneself or some other idol is utterly futile (see Daniel 5:23 ff.). When God is removed from the equation, anything goes and everything becomes futile.

The “heart” is the center of intelligence, feelings, and moral choice. Hearts become foolish when they refuse to recognize God (more on this in verse 22). Useless thinking is followed by useless living. At this point, both mind and heart become completely lacking of light. When confused thinking becomes a lasting mindset, individuals are unable to turn to God.

Verse 22 – In this verse, we have the word “fool” (s) again. Without God, individuals become so caught up in their own professing wisdom that they are actually fools.

Acknowledging self instead of God is seen as a sign of sophistication and intelligence. However, by Biblical definition, any individual saying he or she cannot consider there is a God, or refusing to accept God, is acknowledging being a fool (Ps 14:1). The proof that God exists is so plain and clear that to ignore it is simply foolish.

Verse 23 – Mentioned earlier was the void that God placed in mankind. This verse elaborates on what is used to fill this void intended for God. Instead of worshipping God, man creates images of his own to worship.

Whether the images were created out of stone, metal, wood, or are humans elevated to the status of gods, they lack the glory that belongs only to God. These artificial gods might inspire fear or reverence, but they undoubtedly do not deserve worship. Only God is to be worshipped.

Verse 24 – In this verse, we get a glimpse of what is in the “deceitful” and “desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9) heart. Go turns over a heart that has turned against Him. One of these manifestations is sexual immorality. Sinful desires, then, cover a multitude of lusts. More on this to follow.

Verse 25 – Just as people exchange the glory of God for lackluster images (vs.23), they additionally trade what is known about God for a deliberate distortion. This falsehood is the belief that something or someone is to be worshipped in place of the one true God. Instead of worshipping the creator, the creation is worshipped—the things God made rather than God Himself.

Verses 26 & 27- More sexual immorality. The downward spiral continues to the point that God’s gift of sex becomes utterly depraved.

Verse 28 – People may start with some knowledge of God, but somewhere along the line, they chose not to glorify him nor thank him any longer. This generally leads to questions and doubts that led them to no longer recognize God as God. At that point, they refuse “to retain the knowledge of God.” Moreover, when they make the choice to reject God, He allows them to do it. As a result, their minds become depraved, and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong is lost. Once the conscience is tainted, there is little hope. “To do what ought not to be done”
is a sign that the people were not just doing things that were offensive to God, but additionally offensive by human standards.

God does not generally halt mankind from making choices against his will. He has granted free will to mankind and allows the declaration of the so-called independence from him, even though He knows that in time we will become victims to our rebellious choices. In other words, we will lose our freedom not to sin. There is no worse slavery than to be enslaved by sin.

Verses 29-31, Paul carries on to name the shocking consequences of human desire operating without godly control.

The Takeaway

A nation without God is a nation in chaos. The Scripture reads in Prov. 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” NIV

Iniquity, abiding in a nation, places disgrace upon it: Sin is a condemnation to any nation or kingdom and leaves them disgraceful among their neighbors. For example, the citizens of Israel were often instances of both parts of this equation; when they were good, they were great but when they forsook God all the nations about them insulted them and trampled upon them. It is therefore the interest and duty of leaders to use their power for the suppression of iniquity and support of virtue.

The fact of the matter is, America is under Spiritual attack and is in the midst of  losing the battle of spiritual warfare.

Life Application

A sinful nation will eventually come to shame (this is the future of our land in the US). This is a slow burn.

Unfortunately, Paul’s discussion in our text is not out of date. The same rebellion against God is alive and well in the human hearts of our nation. We fail to realize that we can be trampled upon just as ancient Israel was. History does indeed repeat itself; especially when lessons aren’t learned from it.

The United States has been on a downward spiral for some time as it heads toward becoming a secular nation. As mentioned earlier, what happens in the natural first happens in the Spiritual. America is losing its battle of spiritual warfare. Nevertheless “our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Eph 6:12 NIV). For more on spiritual warfare, please see the article, All about Spiritual Warfare, on this website.

The capitulation of the battle began with the removal of prayer from our schools and has progressed steadily from there. America has embraced social behaviors that grossly transgress God’s laws. A few are mentioned below

Abortion – Abortion is the termination of human life and the Bible is clear about murder as well as the sacrificing of children. Yet, it is legal in this country. Statistics show that from the year 2005 to 2018, 10,121,000 legal abortions were performed in the US.

Homosexuality – Homosexuality is regarded d an acceptable practice by many in our nation today — even by some churches! Many homosexuals feel that their desires are normal and taunt they have a right to express them. However, society does not set the standard for God’s law and this is a clear violation. Despite this, according to a survey conducted by UCLA’s Williams Institute, there are 10,338,000 homosexuals (LGBT) in the US.

Same-Sex Marriage – Further condoning of homosexuality to the point of marriage between individuals of the same sex even though the Scripture never confirmed acceptance of this practice. However, according to a 2019 population survey, there are 543,000 same-sex married couple households and 469,000 households with same-sex unmarried partners living together in the US.

Transgenderism
– A branch of homosexuality that involves the altering of one’s behavior concerning their natural gender. God has created us in His image as male or female and we are to conduct ourselves as such. Yet, according to a 2019 survey conducted by UCLA’s Williams Institute, 1,397, 150 individuals are transgender.

These are some of the major manifestations of the disregard for God and His laws.

How can we tout, God bless America when we flagrantly shake our fists in God’s face and transgress His laws? The question becomes, why should God bless America?

This is the result of what is made clear in our main Scripture text (vss. 21-22); disregarding God and professing ourselves to be wise we are becoming fools.

We are so wise that:

• We can’t pass common-sense laws for gun control to help fight gun violence
• We cannot make common-sense decisions about taking a vaccine against a life-threatening disease.
• We rebel against common-sense methods of protecting ourselves (e.g. wearing masks).
• We rebel against authority, bringing disenchantment upon ourselves, and rebel further against the consequences.
• We place every issue on the stage of political theater and politicize everything instead of seeking God’s wisdom.
• We are depending solely on the government to answer our problems instead of God
• The government is in constant conflict about how to help the citizens by failing to implement common-sense solutions.
• We want to decriminalize practically everything, including illicit drugs
• Our form of government, democracy, is under threat through insurrection, voter suppression, etc.
• We have made our own idols to worship (careers, homes, jewelry, cars, money, children, education, etc). Who needs God?

We are so wise that we have become divided to the point of chronic dysfunctionality.

The Solution

Not all is lost for America if we come to our senses. The prescription is in the Scriptures.

2 Chron. 7:14 reads:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. NIV

God has provided provisions for sin.

• – We must humble ourselves and admit to our sins
• – We must pray to God and ask for forgiveness
• – We must seek God on a continual basis
• – We must repent, turning from our sinful behavior

Real repentance is more than talk—it is a change in behavior. Whether we sin independently, collectively, or as a nation, following these steps will lead to forgiveness. God will answer our sincere prayers.

We need a national day of repentance that commences an earnest effort to seek God for forgiveness so that He can heal our land.

He is willing but we must make the choice to seek Him. If we cannot do it collectively as a nation, we are ultimately responsible for ourselves. Therefore, we must strive to become part of the remnant that will be saved.

Amen

Questions, comments, and concerns may be left below. You will receive a response.

Blessings!

Baptism is a topic that concerns a fundamental tenet of Christianity. It raises questions particularly for those new to the Christian faith. This article is all about baptism to answer those questions.

What is Baptism?

The root word for baptism is ‘bapt’, which has several variations: baptize, baptism, baptizer, etc. It is used in reference to washing and dipping.

Baptism is a Christian religious ceremony or rite. It is when water is either sprinkled or poured upon an individual or is immersed in water. It is the rite of induction into the Christian community. It symbolizes the individual’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some Christian denominations perform the baptism of infants as a covenant sign of identification in the Christian community of the faithful. However, the majority of Christian groups practice what is called believer’s baptism. Here is how the Scriptures explain it. Rom 6:3-6

(3) Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (4) We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

(5) If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (6) For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—NIV

In this chapter, Paul is addressing the Christian’s death to sin in principle.

What is Water Baptism all about?

Baptism is a representation of a spiritual truth. Baptism follows an individual’s decision to trust in Christ marking him or her as a follower of Christ, and a member of the Christian community.

Individuals who have faith in Christ are baptized into him and baptized into his death; in other words, they are joined with him. Just as Christ died, we die to our old, sinful lifestyle, and a new life begins. Scripture confirms this precept in 2 Cor. 5:17, which read: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” NIV

Immersion is the form of baptism for this principle— that is, Christians are completely buried briefly in water. It is recognized that this form of baptism represents being buried with Christ, thus the death and burial of the old way of life as a result. Rising up out of the water symbolizes resurrection to new life with Christ, in addition to the promise of a future bodily resurrection. As Jesus Christ was raised from the dead … we may also live a new life. If we consider our old, sinful life as dead and buried, we have a vigorous motive to defy sin. We can then willfully choose to treat the desires and temptations of the old nature as though they were dead. Subsequently, we can carry on enjoying the wonderful new life with Jesus. As the Scripture reads in Gal 3:27, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

John the Baptist also taught baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Matt 3:11

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Here John the Baptist clarified that his baptism with the water from the Jordan River demonstrated repentance or a willingness to turn from sin. This was the initiation of the spiritual process. John baptized individuals as a sign that they had requested God to forgive their sins and had determined to live as he desired them to live. Baptism was an external sign of commitment. However, to be effective, it had to be and still needs to be accompanied by an “inward” change of attitude leading to a changed life as it does today. John’s baptism did not yield salvation. However, it prepared an individual to receive the coming Messiah and accept his message and his baptism.

The statement from John, “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” exposed the character of the one who was more powerful arriving after John as the promised Messiah (Jesus). The coming of the Spirit had been prophesied as part of the Messiah’s arrival (Isa. 44:3, Jer. 31:31-34, Ezek. 36:26-27).

Perhaps the most significant baptism is the one Christ taught in the Great Commission. Matt 28:18-20:

(18) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

First, we see that God gave Jesus power over heaven and earth, an all-encompassing concept that entails divine status. That is to say, nothing is outside of his supreme control.

Second, based on this authority, Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples as they preached, baptized, and taught. “Make disciples” meant instructing new Christians on how to follow Jesus, to submit to His Lordship, and to take up his mission of compassionate service.

“Baptism” is significant because it unifies a Christian believer with Jesus Christ in his or her death to sin and resurrection to new life. Baptism represents surrender to Christ, an eagerness to live God’s way, and identification with God’s covenant people. Baptism is decreed by Jesus. To baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost”
affirms the reality of the Trinity, this concept coming directly from Jesus himself.  For more information on the Trinity, please read the article, All about the Trinity, on this website.

Is Baptism Required for Salvation?

Baptism is not required for salvation. Baptism is not a necessity for salvation because we are justified by faith. Rom 5:1-2

(1) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. NIV

Eph 2:8-19

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. NIV

Therefore, it is evident that we are saved by faith—not by faith and a ceremony (works). A religious ceremony is a set of activities or rites executed by someone. For example, circumcision was a ceremony where one individual performed a religious rite on another individual. Similarly, baptism is also a ceremony where one individual performs a religious rite on another individual; however, we are saved by faith alone, and any works we do, including ceremonies, will not help.

Works (action) are things we do as a result of salvation. James 2:17, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” NIV

If baptism was necessary for salvation, then no one could be saved on his or her deathbed or children that had not been baptized. Also, the bedridden could not be saved. Remember Jesus granted salvation to the criminal on the cross (who had not been baptized).

Therefore, baptism is not required for salvation. However, it is a crucial rite in the Christian community and theological revelation of the New Testament.

Baptism is an external display and confirmation of one’s salvation.

 Why was Jesus Baptized?

When Jesus requested John the Baptist to baptize Him, John balked at the idea. Jesus explained that it would be the proper way for them to “fulfill all righteousness.”  [Matt. 3:15]

What did He mean? It seems that Jesus saw his baptism as advancing God’s work.

The fundamental reason that Jesus was baptized was to fulfill the Old Testament requirements of entering into the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.

While even the greatest prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) were required to confess their sinfulness and desire for repentance, Jesus didn’t need to admit sin because He was sinless (John 8:46; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 John 3:5). Although Jesus did not require forgiveness, He was baptized for the following reasons:

(1) To confess sin on behalf of the nation, as did Isaiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah had done (see Ezra 9:2; Neh. 1:6; 9:1 ff.; Isa 6:5).

(2) To carry out God’s mission and advance God’s work in the world.

(3) To show support for John’s ministry.

(4) To initiate his public ministry in order to bring the message of salvation to all individuals.

(5) To identify with the penitent people of God, such as with humanness and sin.

(6) To give us an example to follow.

We see how pleased God was with Jesus’ baptism in Matt 3:16-17:

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The illustration of the Spirit of God coming down from heaven like a dove was a sign that Jesus was the Messiah and that the age of the Spirit predicted by the prophets was formally beginning (Isa 61:1).

The downward Spirit portrayed a soft, quiet, but energetic presence arriving to anoint Jesus. It wasn’t that Jesus required to be filled with the Spirit (as if there was any lack in him) because he came “from the Holy Spirit” (1:20) since his conception. Rather, this was his regal anointing.

Baptism is a joyous external act of transformation and confirmation. There is nothing like a fresh start in life—especially with Christ!

Amen

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Blessings!