Confronting Darkness

MEMO TO THE "CHRISTIANS" WHO VOTED FOR BUSH: YOU'VE BEEN HAD

This article should be a sobering wake-up call to all those gullible Christians who have put their faith, hope, and trust in wicked men rather than in God. The fact that Christians across America are so pleased and tickled that "their man" was elected shows just how naive and undiscerning we have become in believing that the corrupt systems of this world will bring about God's righteousness in the land? The one will never bring about the other. The next four years are going to play out in the same way the last four years did, with little or nothing to show for the cause of righteousness by this administration at all - watch and see. The Church has fallen from simple trust in God and His sovereignty to a position of foolish and rebellious dependency on the worlds systems. That we stubbornly insist on believing that this country will be saved by crooked politicians who are only telling us what we want to hear so that they can get our votes is baffling. And the results are predictably the same - guaranteed disappointment. Just look at the proof cited in the article only three weeks after the election

When the Church starts to trust in God rather than in politics; when we repent of our self-sufficiency, worldliness and sin; when we work to bring about God's eternal purpose rather than our own selfish purpose; when we do things God's way with no consideration at all to cost and sacrifice, then and only then will we see God's hand move in this land. Until then we "Christians" will continue to "be had."

These Things Ought Not To Be

The dust has settled and the results are in and it looks like both of these men have been proven wrong. Contrary to what one Christian leader prophesied, President Bush won the election and contrary to the prediction of the other, he certainly did not win in a blowout. Both claimed that "God told them..."; both were obviously hearing from someone other than God, or were lying in their claims. The question remains as to whether or not either of these men will be held accountable by the Church for speaking falsely in the name of God. It appears that they have already come up with some practical excuse and explanation as to why they said what they said so that their followers continue to support their "ministries", but the fact of the matter is that this proves that they are really not hearing from God at all when they make these foolish predictions and credit them to special revelation. And if they are not hearing from God, who are they hearing from? And if they can't be trusted to bring forth truth in this realm, how should we have confidence in anything they say? Why should we trust them at all? Why does the Church continue to blindly support the ministries of men who are deceiving and being deceived?

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
(Jeremiah 5:31 KJV)

Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. (Jeremiah 14:14 KJV)

Its time for the Church to be built on the eternal purposes of God rather than on the selfish purposes of men. The wolves in sheep's clothing have been erecting their own self-serving kingdoms on the gullibility and the wallets of the undiscerning Church for too long and God is raising up a remnant who will be jealous for His glory only. Come out from among them and be ye separate - the decision is yours!

These Things Ought Not To Be

Here is an extra-biblical prophecy, found on the worldwide web where the author states that God told him that President Bush will not be reelected. Interestingly, he points out that he is "...very well aware that Pat Robertson has predicted President Bush will win in a landslide," and that either he or Pat Robertson will be wrong come election day. He even goes so far as to admit that if he is wrong, he is willing to be stoned to death as a false prophet and wonders whether Pat Robertson is willing to submit to the same standard. The truth of the matter is that after the dust has settled and all the votes are counted, one of these men will be proven wrong while the other is reinforced in his deception as the world watches and shakes its head in disgust at the foolishness being demonstrated by these antics. And the sad thing is that the undiscerning "Church" will go on their merry way without even questioning the validity of what is being said and done in the name of God. Would to God that He would raise up a remnant of believers who would be the Church that demonstrates His manifold wisdom according to His eternal purposes and not their own. Would to God that we would be that Church!

These Things Ought Not To Be

Here is a post on another website that is promoting an extra-biblical prophecy regarding the so-called Christian "rapture" that "the last sign before the rapture is that Arafat will be removed." The dislike for Arafat due to his antagonism against Israel and the recent deterioration of Arafat's health has these eager sign-watchers licking their chops in anticipation and in some cases even hoping for the man's death. Here's a post on the same website referencing a Washington Times news story reporting that doctors are trying to determine if Arafat's "sudden decline in health last week was from poisoning," and the author of the post indicates in the subject line that perhaps it was "not a strong enough dose." (Please note that at 2:00pm PST, the moderator of the website where this post appeared notified me that he was removing the phrase "not a strong enough dose" from the subject line of the post.)

No matter how much a believer may dislike Arafat, (or anyone else for that matter), it is completely contrary to Christ's teachings to hope for, or glory in the death of your enemy. Jesus Christ does not advocate murder and God is grieved by the death of anyone whether righteous or wicked.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we must refrain from resorting to hell's attitudes and methods to accomplish the eternal purposes of God. To hope for Arafat's death because of some extra-biblical claim predicting that his "removal" will trigger the "rapture" is a sure sign that we ourselves are self-deceived. Praying for Mr. Arafat's healing (and ultimately his salvation), like we would pray for the healing of our own father or brother is more in line with the Spirit of Christ and will do more to demonstrate the manifold wisdom of God to the principalities and powers in high places than wishing for his "removal" so we can be "fire-escaped" away from future suffering.