“You must picture me alone in that room in Magdalen, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The Prodigal Son at least walked home on his own feet. But who can duly adore that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape?”
C.S.Lewis
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Quote of Note from July
“You must picture me alone in that room in Magdalen, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The Prodigal Son at least walked home on his own feet. But who can duly adore that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape?”
C.S.Lewis
C.S.Lewis
Thursday, August 07, 2008
John's Note on the Trinity
There is much richness in the original Hebrew and Greek languages of the Bible. Just as important as the words is the grammar. The following paragraph on the Second person of the trinity is from L.T. Jeyachandran. It was sent out from RZIM in a "Slice of Infinity (slice@sliceofinfinity.org) Thu 8/07/08
"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John14:8-9). This astounding claim should alert us to several factors of which we are often not quite aware. In John's Gospel, we consistently see the unfolding of the mystery of Incarnation. There is a unity between the Father and the Son that we cannot ignore. In chapter 10, John records Jesus proclaiming his oneness with the Father. He uses the neuter gender in the Greek language, implying oneness of substance or essence, and emphatically not oneness of Person. (If he had wanted to mean oneness of Person, he would have used the masculine gender.) This is fundamentally important but is not often heard. Simply put, Jesus says that he is of one essence with the Father, but is not the same Person. As a result, we see a continuing invitation from Jesus to "come and see" his actual humanity, the uniqueness of Christ, the person of God incarnate.
"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John14:8-9). This astounding claim should alert us to several factors of which we are often not quite aware. In John's Gospel, we consistently see the unfolding of the mystery of Incarnation. There is a unity between the Father and the Son that we cannot ignore. In chapter 10, John records Jesus proclaiming his oneness with the Father. He uses the neuter gender in the Greek language, implying oneness of substance or essence, and emphatically not oneness of Person. (If he had wanted to mean oneness of Person, he would have used the masculine gender.) This is fundamentally important but is not often heard. Simply put, Jesus says that he is of one essence with the Father, but is not the same Person. As a result, we see a continuing invitation from Jesus to "come and see" his actual humanity, the uniqueness of Christ, the person of God incarnate.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Quote of Note from June 08
" In essentials unity, in nonessentials liberty and in all things charity."
Rupert Muldinious
Rupert Muldinious
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
What in the World is Going On?
Since I launched You've Been Left Behind http://www.youvebeenleftbehind.com/ the secular media attention has been insane. Over 125,000 unique visitors from 160 countries have hit the site, searched a half a million pages, and spent about 4 minutes per visit.
I feel like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-12. This site has had the storm, and the Earthquake, I'm waiting for the gentle breeze and the word of the Lord. You've Been Left Behind has been on every Internet site, blog, and newspage. Its been on National public radio (NPR), ABC News, Fox News, hundreds of news.coms, The London Times, The London U.K.Gardian, The front page of the Irish national newspaper, Three Irish rush hour radio stations, but only one Christian Radio Program (1150 am Pittsburgh).
I must say that God has used this site to get up in peoples face again. I've thought much about why all of the secular attention and this is what I've written to my team:
It has been interesting just how much this thing has turned into a ministry. I'm getting emails from all kinds of people. Some with questions (seekers) some just rant and spew, (skeptics) and some Christians. I answer everyone. I try to dialog with them all. Some have genuinely been made to think. One man in London got out his bible for the first time in years. etc, etc.
I've been thinking about what has really been going on here. The way this site has hit the secular media and played out all the way to national T.V. and several publications...
In the last 45 days we have had leading the news stories of rice shortage, a devastating storm in Myanmar, earthquakes in (China, Reno Nv., Japan, Greece) a volcano in Chile, A years worth of acreage burned up in the U.S. before summer, Oil and Gas out of control, a pitiful primary election, the U.S. economy going south fast, and the islamofascists rattling constantly. If this is not a "birth pang" (Matt 24:4-8) then I don't know what is. People in general are full of tension, they can feel it. Everywhere everything is about to explode. YBLB came along and remind them that this is what Jesus said in Matthew chap 24, just when they thought that they had gotten him out of their life. YBLB has reminded them that God is still on the throne. He asked them a question and they didn't respond. Now God is up in their face, with Alec Trabec playing "I'm a little tea pot". He's saying, "time is up, what are you going to do about me"? "Choose you this day whom you will serve"!'
Its time for the "latter rain" revival/awakening!!
Joel 2:22...The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
JOEL 2:23 Be glad, O people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you
the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
JOEL 2:24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
ISA 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
ISA 45:6 so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
ISA 45:9 "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker,
to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
`What are you making?'
Does your work say,
`He has no hands'?
ISA 45:7 I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the LORD, do all these things.
ISA 45:8 "You heavens above, rain down righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness grow with it;
I, the LORD, have created it.
ISA 45:10 Woe to him who says to his father,
`What have you begotten?'
or to his mother,
`What have you brought to birth?
ISA 45:11 "This is what the LORD says--
the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker:
Concerning things to come,
do you question me about my children,
or give me orders about the work of my hands?
ISA 45:12 It is I who made the earth
and created mankind upon it.
My own hands stretched out the heavens;
ISA 55:10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
ISA 55:11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
ISA 55:12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
ISA 55:13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."
ISA 56:1 This is what the LORD says:
"Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
ISA 56:2 Blessed is the man who does this,
the man who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps his hand from doing any evil."
Mark
I feel like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-12. This site has had the storm, and the Earthquake, I'm waiting for the gentle breeze and the word of the Lord. You've Been Left Behind has been on every Internet site, blog, and newspage. Its been on National public radio (NPR), ABC News, Fox News, hundreds of news.coms, The London Times, The London U.K.Gardian, The front page of the Irish national newspaper, Three Irish rush hour radio stations, but only one Christian Radio Program (1150 am Pittsburgh).
I must say that God has used this site to get up in peoples face again. I've thought much about why all of the secular attention and this is what I've written to my team:
It has been interesting just how much this thing has turned into a ministry. I'm getting emails from all kinds of people. Some with questions (seekers) some just rant and spew, (skeptics) and some Christians. I answer everyone. I try to dialog with them all. Some have genuinely been made to think. One man in London got out his bible for the first time in years. etc, etc.
I've been thinking about what has really been going on here. The way this site has hit the secular media and played out all the way to national T.V. and several publications...
In the last 45 days we have had leading the news stories of rice shortage, a devastating storm in Myanmar, earthquakes in (China, Reno Nv., Japan, Greece) a volcano in Chile, A years worth of acreage burned up in the U.S. before summer, Oil and Gas out of control, a pitiful primary election, the U.S. economy going south fast, and the islamofascists rattling constantly. If this is not a "birth pang" (Matt 24:4-8) then I don't know what is. People in general are full of tension, they can feel it. Everywhere everything is about to explode. YBLB came along and remind them that this is what Jesus said in Matthew chap 24, just when they thought that they had gotten him out of their life. YBLB has reminded them that God is still on the throne. He asked them a question and they didn't respond. Now God is up in their face, with Alec Trabec playing "I'm a little tea pot". He's saying, "time is up, what are you going to do about me"? "Choose you this day whom you will serve"!'
Its time for the "latter rain" revival/awakening!!
Joel 2:22...The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
JOEL 2:23 Be glad, O people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you
the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
JOEL 2:24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
ISA 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
ISA 45:6 so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
ISA 45:9 "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker,
to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
`What are you making?'
Does your work say,
`He has no hands'?
ISA 45:7 I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the LORD, do all these things.
ISA 45:8 "You heavens above, rain down righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness grow with it;
I, the LORD, have created it.
ISA 45:10 Woe to him who says to his father,
`What have you begotten?'
or to his mother,
`What have you brought to birth?
ISA 45:11 "This is what the LORD says--
the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker:
Concerning things to come,
do you question me about my children,
or give me orders about the work of my hands?
ISA 45:12 It is I who made the earth
and created mankind upon it.
My own hands stretched out the heavens;
ISA 55:10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
ISA 55:11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
ISA 55:12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
ISA 55:13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."
ISA 56:1 This is what the LORD says:
"Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
ISA 56:2 Blessed is the man who does this,
the man who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps his hand from doing any evil."
Mark
Sunday, June 01, 2008
The Coming Great Delusion: My Guess U.F.O's
Ever since Chariots of the Gods was written the Cult of the U.F.O. has been growing steadily. Supposed U.F.O. sitings have increased proportionally. Ironically the technology and the origin of such extraterrestrials have risen equally with our own understanding of technology and the universe. A sure indication that the whole thing is made up in the minds of the bored. Now if Satan is behind this U.F.O. Lie, because "he is the father of lies" then my mind has to say Why? Several answers come pretty easy.
Wikipedia says, "Chariots of the Gods?: Unsolved Mysteries of the Past is a book written in 1968 by Erich von Däniken. It is centered on the hypothesis that many ancient civilizations' technologies and religion were given to them by space travelers who were welcomed as gods....The book was adapted for TV as In Search of Ancient Astronauts. It also served as inspiration for the original TV series Battlestar Galactica, the feature film Stargate, its spinoff TV series, the Halo games, in the Alien vs. Predator film, where Predators came to Earth and "taught humans how to build". The Ultimate Edition DVD of Stargate contains an interview with Erich von Däniken entitled, "Is There a Stargate?". The feature film "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" also uses the theme of ancient astronauts who landed in South America and interacted with early humans and mentions the Nazca Lines of Peru"
Before Chariots of the Gods there was an esoteric movement known as Ariosophy. I first came across this while studying The religion of William Butler Yeats to get a clue as to what his "gyre" symbol in the poem, "The Second Coming" meant. (for the record, Yeats sees the future AntiChrist as a reincarnation of Jesus Christ and thus, a second coming. His cult group is the origin of the New Age movement.) In the study of Yeats I found a 1940's reference that Hitler had belonged to a similar cult in Germany. It turned out to be Ariosophy.
The Occult Roots of Nazism, By Goodrick-Clark...focuses, as the title indicates, on its [Nazism's] possible occult roots, an esoteric movement of the 1900s to 1930s in Germany and Austria that is generically referred to as Ariosophy.
According to Goodrick-Clarke, the Ariosophists wove occult ideas into the völkisch ideology that existed in Germany and Austria during that time.[4] Ariosophy shared the racial awareness which was already current within völkisch ideology,[5] but in addition to this the Ariosophists drew upon the notion of root races from Theosophy, thus postulating locations such as Atlantis, Thule and Hyperborea as the original homeland of the Aryan race (and its alleged purest branch, the Teutons or Germanic peoples). The ariosophic writings described a time of a glorious ancient Germanic past, in which an elitist priesthood had "expounded occult-racist doctrines and ruled over a superior and racially pure society."[6] The downfall of this imaginary golden age was explained as the result of the interbreeding between the master race and those considered untermenschen (lesser races). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_occultism
These two ideas are easily linked together by a belief in extraterrestials. The Biblically trained mind would realize that Ariosophists were idealizing the Nephilim destroyed in the Genesis chapter 6-8 flood. Thus, the under water city of Atlantis. The modern God rejecting mind would see it all as evidence of life and evolution aided by aliens.
So Satan could easily use these two ideas to explain the dissapearance of millions of Christians at The Rapture (we had to get rid of those non-conforming Christians) and institute his AntiChrist counterfiet as returning to save mankind from itself (we got your message in a radio bottle for help, we're back!).
I remember reading Bob Larson's First Book of Cults. Three things stuck out in all of the cults. The first was that Jesus was not the Son of God Messiah, maybe a prophet but not God. The second was all cults depended on good works for a good after life of some kind. Third was that they all had what I call, 'preparation for the AntiChrist'. They all had some future coming leader who would be the savior of mankind. Christianity says, Jesus is the Son of God Messiah, second person of the Trinity, God! Christianity says, "you can't do any good works that will result in salvation. Jesus did the work, believe in him and be saved" Christianity says, "This SAME Jesus [not another one] will return as you have seen him go".
Now, "The coming of the lawless one (the AntiChrist) will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason GOD SENDS THEM A POWERFUL DELUSION so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.(2Thes 2:9-12) and in the book of Acts he says,"
2:17 " `In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
AC 2:18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
AC 2:19 I WILL SHOW WONDERS IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
AC 2:20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
AC 2:21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
I kinda think that God is going to play along with this whole set up and let them have the desires of their heart, an extraterrestial display, to set the hook, line and sinker deep in their Godless hungry throats.
Finally Satan can use the same delusion to gather them together for the Battle of Armmegeddon. This thought first occured to me watching the movie Independence Day with Will Smith. Earth fights the extaterrestials (God's armies) for final independence and freedom to do whatever with no God. Its the final great 'God, get outta my life' battle. They loose though.. Rev 16:13 Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
Its all just speculation about the Great Delusion, but it works! I'm not going to be here to find out. I hope you aren't either.
Mark
Monday, May 26, 2008
God Bless America?
Since 9/11/01 Americans have been singing and talking "God Bless America". Most of them don't know that his blessing are automatic to the nation that loves and serves him. Furthermore, curses come upon those nations that used to serve him and have turned away.
DT 28:12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. YOU WILL LEND TO MANY NATIONS BUT WILL BORROW FORM FROM NONE. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.
DT 28:15 However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
DT 28:43 THE ALIEN WHO LIVE AMONG YOU WILL RISE ABOVE YOU HIGHER AND HIGHER, but you will sink lower and lower. 44 HE WILL LEND TO YOU, BUT YOU WILL NOT LEND TO HIM. He will be the head, but you will be the tail.
I kind of think that with China buying our Treasury Bonds and using our trade imbalance to buy large amounts of oil to grow their economy, we are being warned the the curse is falling on us every time we go to the gas pump or buy a flag made in China.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
