God's Word #1

The Bible isn’t just a history book of the life of Jesus Christ—the Gospels. Nor is it a history book of persecution of first century Christians—Paul’s letters. It is a life saving book—that we are sinners in need of a Savior and that Savior is Jesus Christ, and Him alone. As stated by the 16th century Reformers, we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 

During the early centuries, the Church defined what constituted biblical doctrine from the Scriptures. They debated and refuted heresies—false doctrine—even within the Church. When doctrine is changed, distorted or neglected, those professing it are false teachers and not Christian, even if the name of their church professes that they are. 

All of history is laid out before God like a tapestry, from Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning; to Revelation 22:21 – May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. We typically look at the Bible as the spiritual side of life, and current events as the physical side. And church history as important yet dull facts. But all things are laid out before God from the very beginning to the very end of time. All are blended and yet distinctive, all are mixed and yet individual. As stated on the slide, God is sovereign in every aspect of life and His Word is foundational in all things.

Isa 46:10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. (NIV)

Down through history, there were those who professed to be Christian but expressed beliefs contrary to Scripture—e.g., denying the divinity of Christ and the Triune God. How did the Church take the O.T. books and new testament letters (books) and establish valid Christian doctrine that we still profess today while refuting heresies? 

The O.T. called the Septuagint, which dates back to the 2nd-3rd century BC. was an accurate and valid translation of the ancient Hebrew O.T.; a few passages were written in Aramaic; all of which were translated into Koine Greek. The Jews in Alexandria and surrounding area spoke Greek as their common language, due to the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. which marked the beginning of the Greek period in Egyptian history. Hebrew was translated to Greek, just as we have English translations of the original N.T. Greek texts and O.T. Septuagint. 

Alexandria, Egypt, became one of five centers of the early Christian Church. As the Church grew and became organized, it was structured into five important centers: Jerusalem, Antioch (Roman Asia/modern Turkey), Alexandria (Egypt), Rome (Italy), and Constantinople (modern Istanbul in Turkey), each was led by a bishop known as a Patriarch. The Bishop of Rome—one of the five—is currently known as the Pope.

Latin was the formal language of the Roman Empire, though most understood and many even spoke Greek, which was the vernacular across most of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Orthodox Eastern Church spoke Greek and maintained the Greek language Bible. – Latin Vulgate was in reference to the common speech of the Roman people; a.k.a., the vernacular. 

The Bible was carefully preserved, meticulously copied and authenticated in the early church with great caution and due diligence. False teachings were discussed, errors debated and heresies refuted just as firmly. 

Church Councils stood the test of time for hundreds of years as the custodians of Scripture and biblical doctrine, addressing differences in interpretation and understanding, and refuting outright heresies. The first organized was the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. Today denominations replace Councils. 

Judaizers in the infant Church insisted that Gentile-converts accept and practice Jewish dietary laws and certain rituals including circumcision. In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas met with the Apostles in Jerusalem, to officially settle the matter, because pockets of Jewish Christians were continuing to tell Gentiles to get circumcised (the Judaizes). Paul won the dispute—salvation was a matter of grace, not law. His writings and preaching to Gentile Christians reassured them not to worry about circumcision (you can imagine, uncircumcised adults were rightfully unset by the idea that they’d have to do this). 

Why a council? Differences arose within the Church creating division, which concerned Emperor Constantine I (306-337) who saw it as discord in the Empire. He resided in the City of Constantinople, the new Rome—modern day Istanbul.  The Council addressed and ultimately condemned Arius and the Arian heresy that Christ is a created being, and as such rejecting the divine nature of Christ. 

The simple illustrations shows the relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit as three distinct Persons, yet one God of a single divine essence, not one person who changes form to accommodate circumstances. 

The image illustrates the false teaching of Sabellius (215 A.D.) that God is one person not three; that the Trinity is God in three modes or forms of activity as illustrated: H2O = water, ice and steam; under which God manifests himself as Father in the O.T., Son in the N.T., Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The Council of Nicaea focused on the identity and divinity of Jesus Christ, but not on the full nature of the Triune God. Which Satan managed to distort over time, even now--modern modalism. 

John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (NIV)

The Trinitarian doctrine of God being three Persons, was fully addressed and reaffirmed at Chalcedon in 451 A.D. In Matthew 28, Jesus Himself professes the Trinity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit—as three distinct, Individuals, not three manifestation of one Person. 

Matt 28:18-19 – 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me [by the Father]. 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... (NIV)

In Matthew 3, when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit descended on Him as a Dove, while the Father commended Jesus as His Son. The Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all together as individuals, not three separate manifestations of one Person. 

If Jesus is only a manifestation of God, why would He command the Apostles to “baptize” in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit? Why not just command them to baptize only in His name? Time and again, it’s readily apparent, when people believe a lie, nothing will convince them otherwise. 

The Nicene Creed, originally written in Greek, shown here translated into English, emphasizing the Triune nature of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It also demonstrates the significance of Creeds. (Slides can be enlarged by clicking on them).

First Council of Constantinople was an effort to attain consensus in the church. It also reaffirmed the Nicene Creed. Each Council reaffirmed sound biblical doctrine and refuted heresies that had crept in.   //  The Council of Ephesus also reaffirmed the Nicene Creed. Also that Mary could be called “Christ-bearer” but not “God-bearer”. Why did it matter? She bore Christ in His human form, not the Triune God.   //   Council of Chalcedon renounced the heresies of Monphysitism, that Christ had only one nature—not two being: 100% divine and 100% human; it denounced Eutyches (a presbyter who took such extreme positions and was denounced as a heretic).   //   Second Council of Constantinople was mostly a meeting of Eastern church leaders reaffirming the two natures of Christ.   //  Third Council of Constantinople once again reaffirmed the two natures of Christ.  //  Second Council of Nicaea attempted to resolve the iconoclastic controversy, when Byzantine Emperor Leo III issued a decree against the worship of icons (religious images of Christ and the saints). I think the emperor won. I have my own take on this as a Catholic kid who frequently prayed before church statues of the crucifixion, Sacred Heart of Jesus, all of which focused my attention on Jesus. In regard to Mary, I believed she would intercede for me with Jesus. 

Today’s heresies also contradict biblical doctrine. Modalism, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormonism, to name the most common. Most deny the true nation of Jesus Christ and salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. So let’s examine the two most popular ones…. 

The next slides explain Jehovah Witnesses’ beliefs in their own words. Bottom line, they do not believe in the Holy Trinity nor that Jesus is equal with God. Since Jehovah Witnesses deny the divinity of Jesus Christ, as such, they are not Christians, even though they recognize Jesus. Even the Devil and his angels believe in Jesus--but not as Savior. 

Statements 1 & 3 distinguished Jesus as being separate from Jehovah God. They see Jesus as an example to follow, leading to salvation, but do not believe in being born again or saved by Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection. 

They believe heaven is restricted to just 144,000. The others, who are obedient will reside on an earthly paradise. Bottom line once again, they do not worship Jesus as God. 

Are Latter-Day Saints—commonly known as Mormons—Christian? If you’re a Mormon and you come to this blog, the intent is to show the differences between historic Christianity and what the Mormon church professes. Sorry, but Mormonism is not Christianity. If it came up during the time of the early Church Councils it would have been condemned as heresy. Sorry if it hurts your feelings, but you need to check it out for yourself. 

The Book of Mormon is placed on equal, or even above the Bible, as stated by a Mormon friend. It is "works righteousness". Comments are a combination from both Mormon and Christian descriptions. 

All of which is major departure from historic Christian doctrine regarding Jesus Christ. Definitions were downloaded from the web. As stated a plan of salvation was needed for the people of earth so Jesus offered a plan to the Father and Satan offered a plan to the father but Jesus’ plan was accepted. In effect the Devil wanted to be the Savior of all Mankind and to “deny men their agency and to dethrone god.” Hmmm? 

Their definition, not mine, which is quite a departure from what we believe and profess as Christianity. They teach that working through Joseph Smith, the Lord brought about the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon, and a personal tutor for Joseph Smith named Moroni. 

Mormons believe in a heaven made of three "kingdoms" or " degrees of glory " called the Telestial, Terrestrial, and Celestial kingdoms. In the Celestial or highest kingdom, Mormons believe that, under the guidance and tutelage of God our Father and His divine Son Jesus Christ, human beings will grow and develop.  There’s more to it but these are the basics, and with it we will end our look at Mormonism.  

In today’s Church, every difference of opinion as to whether it’s sound biblical practices and teachings must be addressed within a denomination, since there is no longer a unified universal Church from which to call a Church Council. So, within such a body, those who profess an error will discuss and more often than not, debate different versions of that error. So, now we turn to error in today’s church.

The United Methodist Church does affirm the historic Apostles and Nicene Creeds. They recently made the news. Some of you may have seen it or not. Nevertheless, it fits into our discussion of Church Councils and biblical doctrine vs. false doctrine. 

The United Methodist Church, with a membership of roughly 13 million worldwide, 7 million in the U.S.A., is in the process of splitting over LGBTQ rights including ordaining openly gay ministers. Is that good or bad? It’s both. It is not just a denominational split, but it will spill over into individual churches, perhaps even individual families. A majority of U.S.-based churches opposed what is called the “Traditional Plan” (i.e., current practices) but were outvoted by conservatives in the U.S., Africa and the Philippines. (P.S. still being debated)

In every culture and society, evil always resided alongside of good, even within the church, often coming under the guise of a lamb, but in reality a ravenous wolf—i.e., a false prophet. 

Matt 7:15-16 – 15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  (NIV)

(LifeNews.com) United Methodist and Episcopalian Church Clergy Lead Prayer Rally to Bless Abortion Clinic – UMC pastor, Reverend Laura Young, says she believes pro-life protesters in front of Planned Parenthood and other abortion facilities have “misguided faith.” – Signs: pro-choice (abortion rights); pro-faith (ordination of sexually active LGB clergy); pro-family (full acceptance of LGBT Youth). What does the Bible say? Read Romans 1:24-27.

Can you imagine a society that did not respect the truth, even in court to determine someone’s innocence or guilt”? Or a pastor in a sermon? Or a politician who made campaign promises that had no basis in truth? How long before the whole system collapsed? Or like today, many claim that truth is relative—what’s true for you isn’t true for me. But the reality is that truth is not relative—gravity is true, regardless of what we believe. Sin is a fact and afront to God regardless of what we think. Pandemics are real whether we believe in it or not. A lie can unjustly destroy someone’s reputation. Nor is God’s Word subject to how we feel about it—it is Truth! 

We are seeing the effects of voter fraud, which is in and of itself a lie of orders of Magnitude that can change the destiny of our Nation. Satan paves the road to hell with a lie, or series of lies. Adam’s disobedience was in response to a lie. False teachers in a church who comfort people in unrepentant sin, and stating that not everything in the Bible can be taken literally even Paul’s letter to the Romans—it only had to do with that society, but we’re more progressive and educated (per a conversation I had with UMC pastor). 

We will turn it over to Dr. John MacArthur at this point….

Dr. John MacArthur’s 29-minute sermon -- Telling the Truth in a Post-Truth World

https://youtu.be/IdiriskbXlE

(copy and paste into your web browser)

We should always have time to pray for America, for our president and his family that truth may prevail. For our church our pastor and his family. We should also pray for Covid-19 victims, some of whom are personal relationships. 

End of God's Word #1

 CROSS & NATION #4

(#1 can be easily accessed via the Blog Archive dated, 11/08 - 11/15)

This topic was prompted by both the pandemic and apparent voter fraud. Which raises the question, where are we heading as a Nation and also as a Church? There was a time in history when the Church’s voice held sway over both kings and people. Today’s Church has little if any influence over government-policies or culture. Why is that? 

This has been a very different year affecting both Church and Nation. The biblical role of the Church is to worship God and profess the Gospel. Throughout Scripture we are reminded of God’s glory and His sovereignty, which means nothing happens without His permission, even permitting evil as seen in the Book of Job. Be the enemy a pandemic or voter fraud, God has the power to stop evil and bring about good. Nevertheless, in the Old Testament, we see God letting a rebellious people suffer the consequences of their sinful actions and unfaithfulness. What about the USA?  

2 Chron 14:11 Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army*. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.“ (NIV)  (*even an enemy within.) 

Individuals in the painting portray our Republic over the course of its history. The office of president is the rudder that steers the ship of state and its policies. Without the right leadership a nation is prone to run aground or hit the rocks in any number of ways. If election fraud was truly prevalent it will, not could, but will undermine and even change this Republic forever. 

Prov 10:9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.  (NIV)

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided sufficient free time to observe and reflect on the events shaping our nation and church, much of which goes into this blog. I am not sure how well the blog and its topics are being received. The only gauge I have is the number of views each week. For the past week, i.e.  the previous posting #3, there were 89 views. The total number of views since I first created the blog, in March, was 3,434. Our previous study looked at the End Times which led to this topic and spiritual warfare against the church and nation. It doesn’t replicate my Sunday Foundation’s class—well, maybe just a little bit. 

Having served 9 years on the city council, including 2 years as mayor. Seven of those years on county, regional and state boards, including as President of the O.C. Division of the League of California Cities. So, yes, I have taken a great deal of interest in politics at all levels, beginning with JFK and LBJ. Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society (1964-65) was supposed to eliminate poverty, but all it did was destroy many Black families by driving men out of the home and increasing the number of unwed mothers and children without parental guidance. So yes, politics and the moral fabric of the nation are tightly intertwined. 

Lt. Gen. Michael Fynn: “We have a crisis in confidence in the electoral process”. Elections aren’t only about politics, it’s also about moral integrity. Why does the Liberal-Progressive Left, the corporate globalists and the establishment media all hate President Trump? First and foremost, he is an outsider and not part of the “establishment” aligned with the Washington DC power base. Consequently his “American first” policies have upset their new world order. They will do everything in their power to, not just drive him out of office, but destroy him and his family. Our daily prayers are a shield around him and his family. 

Take a moment and pray for our President. He certainly needs God’s shield, and he and his family certainly need peace of mind and God’s comfort. 

Ps 34:17-18 – 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (NIV)

What can we expect over the next four years? At the end of a Biden presidency (if he is officially inaugurated) maybe America will sink so deep into the swamp that a majority of the American people will recognize it as such, resent it and swing to the RIGHT, or perhaps things will sink further setting the stage for the Antichrist? Regardless, God is sovereign, and everything will go according to His will… even the bad stuff in order to ultimately achieve good or fully and completely punish the wicked. 

Local elections, like national elections, reflect the will of the people, except when an election is stolen or when voters don’t pay attention. If we don’t care enough, others will gladly fill the void. So, are the comments contained in this topic political or moral? Both, because they are intertwined. Politics and one’s state of mind go hand-in-hand, be it for good or for evil. Indifference allows the evil side to grow and dominate. Leaving us wondering, “Gee what happened?”

Watch the daily news and it’s readily apparent that we are a divided nation, split between blue and red, left and right, evil and good. Division isn’t new for America; it even existed during the founding of our nation between Loyalist and Patriots; and a Civil War between South and North. One thing that sustained us over the years is that we were a Christian people who stood on God’s Word. And, after a time of trial we always managed to come together as one nation and one people. The question before us now is, will God heal America or let us suffer the consequences of sin and division? He will heal us if we turn back to Him. 

Ps 22:27-28 – 27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations shall worship before You. 28 For the kingdom is the LORD’s, And He rules over the nations. (NKJV)

What about the Church? I can’t help but wonder, will the pandemic restrictions and election fraud (corruption) fully awaken the Church? Is Jesus’ message to the churches in Rev. 2 & 3 as valid today as when John wrote it as the Revelation of Jesus Christ? How many Christians ever wonder, where does my church fit in Jesus’ words to the 7 churches—both praise and condemnation? At the very least it is biblical food for thought for today’s church, what we should and should not be as God’s people, especially during these uncertain times. 

Ephesus is referred to as the loveless church. The “love” they abandoned is believed to be brotherly love for other Christians in the church. In other words, they were not treating each other, even within their church, with brotherly Christian love. 

Smyma is referred to as the persecuted church who were facing trials and difficulties and poverty (but rich in grace); some were cast into prison for their faith. This was particularly true during the Roman Empire, when John wrote the Book of Revelation, a letter, around 95-96 AD. John, himself was in exile on the island of Patmos, for his faith and for not worshiping Rome's pagan gods, including the emperor-worship as demanded at the time. 

Pergamos dwelled where the “throne of Satan” (v.2:13) was—an altar to the pagan gods of Olympus. Apparently, those Christians tolerated pagan worship and did not openly object or reject it, some may have even participated as a cultural thing to retain family and friend ties. Perhaps they had statues they prayed to.

Thyatira hosted a major cult of the pagan god Apollo (son of Zeus). Artisans (craftsmen) in Thyatira belonged to a guild that worshiped a particular pagan god as their patron. In order for those who converted to Christianity to continue earning a living they had to, at the very least, go through the motions of observing pagan worship—maybe lighting candles and burning incense, or offering a sacrifice.  

Sardis was a wealthy and very prosperous city. They were spiritually dead overall, despite having a reputation of being spiritually alive (v.3:2). Jesus, in his evaluation of them, found them deficient in regard to doing enough good works (v.3:3). However, some in Sardis were faithful and had not soiled themselves spiritually (v.3:4). So here we have a mixed church, like we even see with certain mainline denominations supporting culture in violation of Scripture. 

Philadelphia, Jesus set before them an open door, and no one had the power to shut it, because they kept His word, and did not deny His name. Because they were true to His word, He would keep them from the time of temptation which is about to come upon the whole world to try those who dwell on the earth. 

Laodicea had a large number of New Testament believers, which made it a major hub of Christianity. But they were referred to as a lukewarm church. By earthly standards, they declared themselves rich, and wealthy, having need of nothing; but they did not understand that they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked spiritually in Jesus’ eyes. 

Note: Closing note on the churches: Church only appears in the first 3 chapters of Revelation. There is no reference to the Church during the entire 7-year Tribulation period described in subsequent chapters of Revelation. 

The best advice any of us can follow during these uncertain times is to “stay in the Word”. If things continue the way they are going, it looks like we may have a President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, even though evidence on how votes were submitted and counted show that Biden’s victory defines logic on a number of levels. Definitely a call for prayer. Nevertheless, God’s “will” be done in all things. Are these events laying the groundwork for the coming of the Antichrist and Tribulation? Again, it’s important to note that in Revelation there is no reference of the Church after chapter 3, or during the entire 7-year Tribulation. A strong indication of a pre-Tribulation Rapture. 

Isa 46:9-10 – 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. (NIV) 

His purpose will stand, even in regard to who occupies the White House for the next four years.

The dark powers of this worlds are part of Satan’s domain. Eph. 6:11-12 warns us that our battle isn’t just medical, economic or political; it’s also against the rulers of the dark forces of this age (those seeking economic and political power), and the spiritual hosts of wickedness (Satan and his fallen angels). Satan’s power over the world is real, as we see in Luke 5:4-7 where the Devil tells Jesus: “And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, ‘To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’” When the world was contaminated by Adam’s sin, it became totally corrupt and Satan’s domain, bringing death to all of life. 

Was COVID-19 released on the world by accident or as part of a larger plot as many suspect? If a larger plot, by whom? Was the virus accidentally released in a lab in Wuhan, China and spread? Did Communist China’s leadership think that if they were going to suffer the consequences of a pandemic, everyone else should also suffer, especially America? I have seen a fair share of conspiracy videos being circulated on the web. Satan works through people, like Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus; the Pharisees’ plot against Jesus; Adolf Hitler’s murder of six million Jews; to name a few. Communism isn’t just another political system; just like the former Soviet Union, Communist China seeks worldwide economic-domination. The pandemic would have derailed their ambitions….unless others also suffered its impact, putting all their competitors on a economic level playing field. 

The dark forces of this world operate within Satan’s power. Without ample evidence I have never nor do I readily accept conspiracy theories. Systems engineering was my forte during an extensive-career participating in the design of spacecraft such as the lunar module, and military and commercial aircraft; none of which have fallen out of the sky, one even landed on the moon. As such, I am facts-oriented, and not a conspiracy theorist, nor am I easily swayed. But the circumstances of the pandemic and statistical data, strongly suggest election fraud, and just can't be shrugged off. The intensity of the battle will increase as we approach the End Times, setting the stage for the Antichrist. But don’t worry, God has other plans for you (1 Thess. 4:17).

Eph 6:11-12 – 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 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)

Is this topic important or even relevant? Let me answer with this, can you imagine an army that is in the middle of a battle, and didn’t even realize it was at war? We the Church, the Body of Christ, are literally at war against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Parade-ground rest is not a worthy position for an army at war. The forces of evil have been turned against the Church—including shutdowns and restrictions on worship—even within the Church there are false teachers. I think we always need to ask ourselves: What would Jesus do? And in response, how do we become more like Him? Consider it a “call to duty”. 

The Lord restrains the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, when His people, the Body of Christ, call upon Him in prayer—and praise! 

Ps 144:1-2 – 1 Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle —  2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.  (NKJV)

“My people under me” is the enemy within, and even right alongside us, be it false teachers in the church or even stealing an election by fraud. 

If I was to write a book about the Antichrist, this would be chapter 1: “The Lie!”, and “father of liars” as the sub-title. There is ample evidence that Dominion’s computer software flipped presidential votes from Trump to Biden, along with other illegal ballots poured into the system, enough to swing the election. Roger Stone claimed voting machines and systems used in this country have the same software Dominion used to switch votes in Venezuela. If true, will Satan get away with stealing this election? Or is it just a bad-dream by those who lost? Can Americans ever trust any future voting process unless this is sorted out? A potentially imminent danger ignored by the mainstream media, rather than investigating it. 

Eph 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.  (NIV)

Just how persuasive a liar is Satan? He convinced 1/3 of the angels who resided in heaven to follow him in rebellion; he convinced Adam and Eve who resided in a perfect paradise having everything they could possibly need, to disobey God to get the one thing they didn’t have—to be like God. This topic really isn’t about politics as such—it’s about spiritual warfare as warned in Eph 6. Satan is crafty and will do everything in his power to pave the way for the Antichrist and he will succeed unless God restrains him, which He has done so far. Our role is to pray with faith, knowing that God is in control, and hope that He will give American another chance…. 

Eph 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.  (NIV) – even the ones who hold political office, that they may have the wisdom and strength to resist evil schemes. 

My only comment at this point, is to encourage you to stay aware of the signs! Will there be an extended COVID-19 pandemic, or will the vaccine be a cure that eliminates risks? Will there be increased pressures to close churches until the entire world is vaccinated?  What about voter fraud, is it the new normal for America, will it be the political elite and mainstream media electing future presidents? There are so many unanswered question in 2020, that may carry over into 2021. Whoever takes office in the White House and Senate, will determine the future course of America. Be it Left or Right; we can be certain, there will not be a middle road. The big losers are the kids who aren’t learning due to the COVID-19 shutdown, and many are failing to get even the basic social skills by interacting with other kids, or even educational fundamentals without hands-on guidance. Many kids are feeling the pressure of not being a kid. Suicide and drugs amongst teenagers have increased during the shutdown. 

Americans have always had differences of one kind or another, which goes with human nature, including the political arena and even religion. There were differences in how to respond to the 1929 Great Depression; there have been marches for racial justice; and 2020 riots in major cities led by Black Lives Matter (BLM) and Antifa, with demands to defund the police, which was implemented in several major cities with notable consequences—increased crime. An example, of progressive-liberalism’s failure to understand right from wrong and wise from foolish. 

2 Tim 3:1-5 – 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.  (NIV)

1 John 4:15-16 – 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. (NIV)

President Ronald Reagan showed profound insight and wisdom that should be embraced by every generation of Americans and every Christian—it applies equally to the Church. Is this the generation that will change our nation and Christian heritage forever? What will the Church do during these uncertain times, especially during the COVID-19 shutdown where many churches, impacted by a drop in attendance and donations, are struggling to remain viable. 

Prov 10:21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment. (NIV)

Most seniors will remember scenes like this from their school days. I do. It was a daily occurrence in my elementary school-years in NYC. Did it matter? Absolutely. It gave all of us a sense of identity as Americans regardless of national origin, and instilled Christian values—it was a parochial school; teachers were nuns. What values are our young people learning these days? 

Prov 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.  (NKJV)

A step in the right direction that needs to be done is every school across the land. The pledge won’t teach values in and of itself, but it’s a step in the right direction, especially for our large immigrant population in California and the Southwest, most of whom came from socialist countries. 

Is it any wonder that our Nation is divided? This school is soliciting parent to excuse their children from reciting the pledge of allegiance. One parent had the courage to push back. How many will excuse their children from the pledge? They are shaping the next generation of Americans with an anti-American bias, which we are even seeing in the universities, with a teaching ratio close to 50 liberal professors to 1 conservative professor. So, instead of education that encourages them to explore and even debate ideas, they are being indoctrinated to one ideology; we can be certain it isn’t a Christian world view. 

Let’s take a look at the church in America. Be it a pandemic, election fraud or patriotism, the depth of sin goes deeper than we realize. The hope for our Nation and the next generation of children is Jesus Christ. Don’t be too shocked at the next slide…

A report from the Cincinnati Enquirer: Dan Davidson dressed up as “Sparke Leigh” complete with a purple dress, makeup, high heels, and “a glitter beard” and stood at the Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church door greeting members and visitors. 

Following the song “God Welcomes All” by the church choir, Davidson walked up on stage and read the book Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag. The story was read to the children during the church service. I don’t know anything about this church, except what I read here, and heard a partial Easter message from the female pastor—nothing about sin and salvation. If the Church can’t get it right, who can? 

Concern for children goes deeper than the Pledge of Allegiance. What lies below the surface in today’s American culture are children, many of whom are being perverted as shown on the slide: “Baby Drag Artists: Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Drag Queens.” This is an international enterprise that exploits and perverts children. At what point will God say enough is enough? 

I’ll let this speak for itself. We have a pandemic; we have election fraud; and we have this. The lower right photo is with permission of the parents. God help us, please. 

No matter what the circumstances, never underestimate God. He is sovereign over everything. He doesn’t create evil, but He allows sinners to willfully sin, just as He let the angels rebel and Adam and Eve disobey. The Holocaust was a reflection of Satan’s hatred of the Jews, and Hitler’s evil intent to destroy them, but God used it to bring the Jews back to the promised-land, as part of His End Times plan. He could have killed Adolf Hitler before he rose to power to become Fuhrer (supreme leader/dictator) of Germany, to prevent the Holocaust, but He didn’t. He allowed Hitler to prevail and his evil was used to accomplish good. The Jews would never have left Europe otherwise, and God knew their stubborn hearts as He knows ours. 

Ps 80:19 Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. (NIV)

We’ve come a long way baby, as the song goes—but in the wrong direction. Adrian Rogers’ sermon (though 10+ years old) is a wakeup call for America. There has been a gradual erosion of prayer, the Bible and the Ten Commandments in America’s schools. There is no longer a place for moral guidance for our youth. And we are now seeing the consequences in 2020. His message is a decade before the coronavirus pandemic and voter fraud in the presidential election but especially relevant now. 

Ps 80:4 O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people? (NIV)

Pastor Adrian Rogers’ 43-minute sermon: Will God Impeach America?  His sermon was more than 15 years ago, and yet our nation seems to be that much closer today. God put a protective hedge around America all these years, is the hedge being removed? When a church in name only prayers, they are repugnant to God as false teachers, because their prayers are insecure and in violation of God's Word in their teaching and practices. 

https://youtu.be/20yfUrtDt4U

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True born-again Christians can take hope for what lies ahead should the Antichrist begin to establish his kingdom, as we are told in Adrian Rogers’ 43-minute sermon on, The Midnight Cry & the Rapture of the Church.

https://youtu.be/cF4Jo7cz9M0

Some will do anything and everything to gain and retain political power. Power that serves their ideology, purposes and even personal gain. Kimberly Strassell explains how the goal of some is to change the rules in order to obtain and retain perpetual political power. Yes, it’s political, but important in regard to understanding what's going on in today’s politics. She is very insightful. 

Kimberley Strassel –“How Trump Haters Are Breaking America”  -- skip the ads up front and when they pop up. Her 44-minute message explains how the political-Left is literally breaking America. All the reasons why they hate Trump are actually the reasons his followers support him. Yes, it’s political, but it’s also about moral corruption. She explains why the Left hates Trump and why this election is different than previous elections. It’s interesting for those who are interested in what happened that makes it different. She also explains how Trump was good for America—with 95,000 pages of government regulation reduced to 60,000 pages. You won’t hurt my feelings if you skip it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSMxQHqHYI0

(copy and paste into your web browser)

A date will depend on when the Pastor and Session determines indoor worship and other campus activities can resume safely. The blog will continue. What topic would you like us to study? 

Ps 80:3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. (NIV)

END OF CROSS & NATION #4