The defining statement of the HolyLight4U website is deeply rooted in Luke 21:34-36:
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
The days in which we live are the LAST of the Last Days. Many things have already happened and are happening that readily exposes this as a fact. There has been a dramatic increase in earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, famines, wars, plagues, the tetrad of lunar eclipses from March of 2014-September of 2015 (also called blood moons), comets and meteorites, the rise of UFO activity around the world, solar eclipses and unusual signs and wonders, pestilence, persecution, etc. Jesus said clearly in Luke 21:9-11, 25 that “ye shall hear of wars and commotions,” but to not be “terrified: for these things must first come to pass…nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven…And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and waves roaring.”
In the past, people have seen snippets of this passage being fulfilled: A famine here, an earthquake there. However, at the present time we are seeing ALL of these signs happening simultaneously every day. Even so, when ALL of these things together are witnessed coming to pass, Jesus encouraged us in Matthew 24:32-35 to “learn the parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
When Jesus speaks of the fig tree in this passage and in Luke 21:29-31, He was speaking to his disciples in a parable. The parable is about the fig tree and some other trees budding. The fig tree throughout Scripture has always referred to Israel. In 1948 Israel was declared a nation by the United Nations. But they were not the only nation birthed at that time. In the years surrounding 1948, other nations were born (granted independence) including modern day Egypt (1952), Syria (1946), Jordan (1946), Lebanon (1943), etc. Indeed, the fig tree and the other trees of Luke 21 began to bud in the years 1946-1952. And Jesus said that the generation who sees these trees (nations) begin to put forth leaves and who sees ALL of the other signs of disaster, famines, and war as well, is the generation who will not pass away until Jesus Himself returns and the Bible is fulfilled in its entirety.
Even so, there is one more thing that Jesus said will be prevalent among this generation that sees all of these events coming to pass: False Prophets and Lying Signs and Wonders. Many will come saying “I am christ/messiah” which means, “I am anointed”. But Jesus said, do not be deceived. Time and again, in parable after parable, Jesus emphatically taught His followers to be awake, be sober, be vigilant, be prayerful, be mindful and be alert. These words were not spoken to frighten nor were they spoken in vain. These words are still ours today and are to be enacted in everything that we say and do as the Body of Christ. For, indeed, the closer we get to the return of Christ, the more darkness will masquerade as light. According to 2 Corinthians 11:14, the devil and his minions appear as an angels of light and even are preaching another gospel (Galatians 1:8) and are prowling around like a lion (1 Peter 5:8) seeking those who are not being vigilant or alert in order to steal, kill and destroy them (John 10:10).
While people may agree that all the other signs of disasters around the world are multiplying by leaps and bounds, this one concerning lying signs and wonders and false prophets they merely shrug off and/or assign to men such as Jim Jones, Sun Myung Moon and David Koresh. However, not enough people are running after men such as this in order for it to be a fulfillment of what Jesus said. If all the other signs have increased dramatically, then this one too must have increased dramatically. And, indeed it has. But because of it being so deceiving, not many have detected it. Everywhere, there are those saying they are anointed. There are signs everywhere. There is light everywhere. There are miracles everywhere. There are prophecies everywhere. But the light is not God’s, and the signs and miracles and prophecies are not God’s though they are done in the name of Christ.
How can we not be deceived? Matthew 7:15-20 states, 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” How can we know what good fruit versus bad fruit is? By knowing God’s word and with the help of the Holy Spirit. Second Timothy 3:16-17 reads, “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” It is through His word that we are taught, reproved, corrected, and trained. Without it we are none of those things. Therefore, we don’t want to be “unskilled in the word of righteousness”, but skilled and able to consume the “solid food” of the Word which “is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). And it is the Holy Spirit who will “bring all things” to our “remembrance” (John 14:26).
Remember, not everything supernatural is of God. After all, didn’t Jesus say in Matthew 7:21-22, “21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” And indeed, will not antichrist and his false prophet perform lying signs and wonders to deceive many? “9The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2). And Revelation 13 goes on to say, “13And the second beast performed great signs to cause even fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people. 14Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived. 15The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.”
This Holy Light website is all about revealing what is really happening in the Church and world in these last of the Last Days, teaching what the Bible says about these things, and encouraging Christians to be discerning NOT deceived.It is important to view the world through the lens of the Bible and not the Bible through the lens of the world. Bible prophecy is coming to pass in living color. Let’s not miss it!
Jesus is coming SOON. Let’s be vigilant. Let’s be watchful unto prayer. Let’s keep looking up, for our redemption is drawing near!
There is an outspoken group of American Christians who really believe that Christians can and will make America great again, and reach the world via an incredible revival that they state has already begun. And yes, there are the rumblings of revival – including Asbury. And I want to make it clear from the outset of this article that this is not a paper against an end times revival nor revival in general. Quite the contrary. To get this website’s view of revival, please view this link: https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2023/02/28/asbury-a-note-to-the-vigilant-and-discerning-to-the-dead-american-church-and-for-christians-to-hear-what-the-spirit-is-saying/ After all, God is slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness and tender mercy, and is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance and a knowledge of the truth.
This being said, there are those who believe that based on the prophecy of someone regarding the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl (source below), a billion souls will now be harvested and absorbed into Christ. Yes, absorbed. Added to this, they are firm believers that they will one day be the unstoppable Joel’s army that will sweep the earth. They also believe that what is happening now around the world is of the devil, and must be decreed and declared away. After all, they are the super apostles and prophets, the likes of which the world has never seen nor will ever see again. Things will get better when the Church takes authority over the world and brings it under their dominion, bringing the spiritual into the physical.
But is this biblical? And is this the state of the world today? The world is literally falling apart. America too. Politically. Legally. Financially. Educationally. But, there is more to it that – and it is something that has not been seen by most who are too busy working or being entertained, or even those who think of themselves as spiritual who are having visions and trips to heaven. What will be the state of the world just before Christ’s return? Will it be a world that has been beautified by a powerful, ecumenical Church unified with other religions that stand in unity with them, that will take over the world with the seven mountains mandate? Or will it be a chaotic world that has rejected Jesus, rotted to its core, inundated with a new world order and its mark of the beast, in which believers are slaughtered, and is under the judgment of God?
How Will the World Look Before Christ’s Return?
Let’s begin with what the Bible says about what the world will look like just before Jesus comes back for His Bride. In Matthew 24 we see a world shaken by countless earthquakes and other crazy natural disasters, food shortages otherwise known as famines, wars and rumors of wars, overwhelming fear, and a plethora of false prophets and an abundance of great deception among believers – not to mention the world. Furthermore, Christians will be hated in all nations for Jesus’ name sake. In 2 Timothy we see a world racked by complete crazy, mad insanity, for people will be narcissistic, lovers of money, riddled with unforgiveness, foul with unholiness, unthankful, devoid of love while being lovers of pleasure and not of God, and so on. Then in 2 Peter 3 it is revealed that there will be scoffers who mockingly question the promise of Christ’s coming, saying that things will continue on as usual, because they have willfully forgotten that God judged the world with a flood, and will do so again only this time with fire. And thus Jesus warned in Luke 21, “34“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” And He warns again in 1 Thessalonians 5, “2For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” And indeed, as war will shake every continent, as well as the intensification of persecution of Christians worldwide, natural disasters everywhere, selfishness on steroids, famines in nation after nation, rampant deception and apostasy among believers, and all the other things listed in Scripture, the call for peace and security will be heard more and more among world leaders and the people protesting in the streets.
How Does the World Look Now?
So, is this the state of the world today? In one word, yes. Just look at your own grocery store shelves. Just look at the headlines about more coming food shortages and food insecurity and famine. Just look as the displacement of Ukrainians. Just look at the fearful, heartless lockdowns not long ago in China. Just look at the increase and amplification of the persecution of Christians worldwide, including in China where the Chinese president is calling for all to swear allegiance to him and even to worship him. Just look at the threat to Christians in India where they are looking to get rid of all minority religions and return to the old ways. And how about the threat to eradicate Christianity in Tigray (the northern part of Ethiopia). And what of the somewhat unexpected and tyrannical persecution of Christians in the Ukraine? Just look at the threat of war from both China and Russia and Iran. Just look at the volcanic activity in Hawaii, and the huge earthquakes along the Turkey/Syria border. Just look at the serious talk of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. Just look at the horrific flooding worldwide, historic snowfalls and heatwaves in so many places, locust plagues around the world, raging wildfires in the U.S., Canada, Siberia, and Australia to name a few places. Look at the insane rise in crime in big cities, political upheaval in South American nations like Brazil and elsewhere like Myanmar and even Canada with the march of the truckers on the capital. Look at the world gone mad with vaccine mandates, vaccine passports, firing employees for not getting the vaccine and even preventing people from shopping in grocery stores if they did not have the vaccine and being arrested for not wearing masks. And there is so much more!
And…according to the Scriptures read above, things are not going to get better. It’s not that God couldn’t make it all better, and He will when He returns and sets up His Millennial kingdom. It’s that God predicted that things will get way worse just before His return. And here is the real reason why.
There is a sign not so readily or overtly known by the oblivious, preoccupied world populace, much less by Christians. And it is this. A majority of people the world over have rejected God.And worse than that, Christians – God’s own people – have forgotten Him, days without number (Jeremiah 2:32). The great falling away of 2 Thessalonians is here. Apostasy is alive and well, but most are too deceived to know it and too busy and self-absorbed to care.
Did you know that the majority of the people of 25 major nations of the world are self-proclaimed atheists? Did you know that most other nations, major or otherwise, are predominantly made up of a non-Christian majority? And did you also know that of those in the U.S. who call themselves Christians, only a single-digit minority actually believe in and apply the Bible to their daily lives?
According to the Win-Gallup study for 2023, atheism has a stronghold in many nations of the world today, and in the nations not atheist, religions based on works and not Christ are predominant. Here are some percentages. China is 91% atheist. Japan is 86% atheist. Sweden is 78% while the Czech Republic is 75%. They are followed by the United Kingdom, Belgium and Estonia all at 72%, and Australia and Norway both at 70%. Denmark, Vietnam, Germany, Hong Kong, South Korea, Azerbaijan, Spain, Canada, Finland, Latvia, Israel, and Ireland are all in the 60+ percentile, and Slovenia, France, Iceland, Lithuania, Bulgaria are all in the 50+ percentile. In the 40+ percentile are Ukraine, Albania, the U.S., Indonesia, and Portugal. (“Most Atheist Countries 2023,” WIN-Gallop Studies for 2023, https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-atheist-countries).
Look at those names. Israel – the very land in which Christ walked is mostly atheist at 61%, and those who are not atheist in Israel are involved in various forms of Jewish Mysticism, including the Orthodox and Chabad Lubavitch sects of Judaism. In other words, those who experienced Christ firsthand in the annals of history would rather seek the pagan, supernatural experiences of Kabbalah and its plethora of false gods/angels and lying spirits as opposed to their own risen Messiah. And yes, the texts of Kabbalah are taught in rabbinic schools (such as the Zohar), and thus all rabbis have been influenced by Kabbalah. Having rejected Christ, Kabbalah (Babylonian mysticism at its core) is now the only way to experience God, and is called the “soul of Judaism” according to the chabad.org website (source below).
And how about England, now known as the United Kingdom? They were the home of the 18th century hymn writers Isaac Watts (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross), Charles Wesley (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing), and John Newton (Amazing Grace), the movement of Methodism and the revival preaching of John Wesley and George Whitefield; home of the 19th century Great Awakening involving evangelists D. L. Moody (1837-1899), William Booth (1829-1912) founder of the Salvation army, and Charles Finney (1792-1875) that “…brought millions to Christ and triggered off global mission to impact the lives of countless more millions for Christ…” are now 72% atheist – questioning to the point of denying the very existence of God. (“The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Revivals in Britain,”https://www.christianheritageedinburgh.org.uk/2016/08/20/the-eighteenth-nineteenth-century-revivals-in-britain/)
Do we still wonder why the Great Tribulation is just around the corner? These nations are not ignorant of God. They are defiant of Him. Indeed they are those spoken of in Romans 1, “18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened…24Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness…25who exchanged the truth of God for the lie…26For this reason God gave them up to vile passions…28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind…”
Truly Romans 1 is not just for now, but has been applicable since the fall of mankind. That being said, it has increasingly gotten worse at present because now they are rejecting the revelation of His Son Jesus Christ. Even so, 2 Thessalonians 2 calls them, “those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
The world is on the verge of this right now, for they have rejected God. They may love freedom. They may love family. They may enjoy good things. They may indeed be good people. But they heard the Gospel and have rejected the one true God and His Son. This is the state of the world right now.
America and American Christians
And what of America – land of the free and home of the brave, one nation under God? 43% are atheists. But, does this mean that the 57% remaining are born-again Christians? What is the state of the United States of America in 2023?
If you think the stat of 43% is good because it is below half, the stats get even worse when we turn to the research of Probe Ministries and the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University. To begin with, in 2021 it was found that Syncretism and ‘Moralistic Therapeutic Deism’ are the most popular worldviews among Americans in the U.S. So, Syncretism, Deism, and Atheism are very dominant in American culture.
What is Syncretism? It is the collection of an eclectic mix of beliefs from here and there and everywhere. Basically, in Old Testament biblical terms, it is everyone doing what is right in their own eyes, and in New Testament terms it is Nicolaitanism, and known also as Gnosticism in early church history. They may call themselves a Christian, but they also believe some of the same things as Catholics and New Agers and a smattering of other forms of Spiritism or Mysticism – because it sounds good to them.
What is Moralistic Therapeutic Deism? I believe Karen Jones of the Lifeway Kids website said it best when she wrote in December of 2014 (link below), “The term moralistic therapeutic deism (MTD for short) has been tossed around the Christian blogosphere for a few years now, but what is it? Where did it come from? And why do you need to know it as a kids ministry leader?
In 2005, Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton released a book called Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers. In their book, Smith and Denton coined the term moralistic therapeutic deism to describe the “defacto dominate religion among contemporary teenagers.” MTD is a heretical system of thought that has infiltrated evangelicalism and Christianity as a whole. It is subtle and dangerous.
Let’s break it down:
Moralistic – God wants people to behave.
Therapeutic – God wants people to be happy and well-adjusted.
Deism – There is a God, but He made the world and then left it alone. God isn’t personally involved in the everyday lives of people.”
But, according to the Bible, being good is not good enough, or else Jesus would not have had to die for the sins of the world including our own personal sins. Our happiness is not our ultimate purpose here, or else the prophets of the Old Testament such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel and Daniel and Elijah and Elisha went through hell for nothing! And a distant, unknowable God is an unbiblical God, for in the pages of Scripture we constantly and without fail see a God who perpetually longs to dwell among us, calls His people to repentance and holiness that He might remain among them, intervenes on their behalf when they call upon Him, sends His only begotten Son Jesus to die for the sins of the world, now dwells in believers via His Holy Spirit, and is coming back again soon to obliterate evil and to establish His eternal Kingdom among us. Thus, this Moralistic Therepeutic Deism is unbiblical and heretical and is leading many far from the living God.
And this is all just the tip of the iceberg that is sinking the American Titanic right now.
For, what of the American Church? It was found by Probe Ministries that “Nearly 70% of born-again Christians disagree with the biblical position that Jesus is the only way to God…The survey also found that among the top reasons given by born-again Christians for not telling others about their faith is the acceptance of pluralism. When asked why they don’t share their beliefs with others, born-again respondents chose “They can get to Heaven through their different religious belief,” “We shouldn’t impose our ideas on others,” and “The Bible tells us not to judge others” as their top three responses, respectively.” (“Nearly 70% of Born-Again Christians Say Other Religions Can Lead to Heaven: Study,” October 21, 2021, https://www.christianpost.com/news/nearly-70-percent-of-born-again-christians-dont-see-jesus-as-only-way.html)
Their responses define what pluralism is, in case you were wondering. And to make it a little more clear, pluralism is just another way of saying that they are syncretistic and Nicolaitan and doing/believing what is right in their own eyes.
The Cultural Research Center in 2020 found that of “…an estimated 176 million American adults who identify as Christian, just 6% or 15 million of them were actually found to hold a biblical worldview.” (“American Worldview Inventory 2023 Release #1: Incidence of Biblical Worldview Shows Significant Change Since the Start of the Pandemic,” February 28, 2023, https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CRC_AWVI2023_Release1.pdf)
Think about that a minute. Only 6% of American Christians held a biblical worldview in 2020. It was also found by this same research center that, “58% of Americans believe “there is no absolute moral truth”; and 77% believe “right and wrong is determined by factors other than the Bible.” Furthermore, it was determined that “A majority of Americans who describe themselves as Christian (52 percent) also accept a “works-oriented” means to God’s acceptance—even those associated with churches whose official doctrine says eternal salvation comes only from embracing Jesus Christ as savior. Almost half of all adults associated with Pentecostal (46 percent), mainline Protestant (44 percent), and evangelical (41 percent) churches, as well as nearly two-thirds of Catholics (70 percent), hold that view.” (“Survey: Majority of American Christians Don’t Believe the Gospel,” August 9, 2020, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/survey-a-majority-of-american-christians-dont-believe-the-gospel/). In other words according to this, a large number of Christians don’t really know if they are saved or not because they feel they have to earn it.
And it gets worse. In 2022 the same research group in a nationwide study “…found that just 37% of Christian pastors in the United States have a biblical worldview…The majority (62%) possess a hybrid worldview known as Syncretism. The study, released Thursday, showed that 41% of senior pastors — as compared to 28% of associate pastors — have a biblical worldview. Further, only 13% of teaching pastors and 12% of children’s and youth pastors have a biblical worldview. The lowest level of biblical worldview was among executive pastors, with only 4% of them holding consistently biblical beliefs and behaviors…” (“Study finds 37% of pastors have biblical worldview: Spiritual awakening ‘needed in our pulpits’,” May 16, 2022,
From this study we see that American Syncretism is not just a youthful belief system but is also a predominant view even among Christian pastors! I mean, look at those stats! And these pastors are teaching you, your children, and your youth. And they don’t even have a biblical worldview!!!!! Did the pastors start this or the people in the pews or the professors in the seminaries? One way or the other, the people are perishing for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4).
So, what about 2023? Have things improved at all? While in lock down, did pastors and their followers finally have time to read the word and be changed by it? Did they repent? Did they weep before the Lord under His Holy Spirit’s conviction? Did they fall silent in the presence of an awesome God? Though Jonathan Cahn did lead many in repenting at “the Return” of 2020, were a majority of Christian’s worldview actually affected by this?
This is the beyond the saddest information yet. I’ve been weeping over it. I am going to quote a long piece from the researcher George Barna. Here it is, freshly published on February 28, 2023.
“The COVID-19 lockdowns and lifestyle changes that began in early 2020 provided Americans with an opportunity to spend more time doing things their hectic, on-the-go lives precluded, such as reading the Bible. But it appears that as people’s lives were substantially altered by the virus and government policies, Americans were not spending the extra time devoting energy to spiritual matters and worldview enhancement.
In fact, the first national study of Americans’ worldview in the post-lockdown era found that the incidence of biblical worldview declined to a mere 4%—down one-third from the 6% recorded just months before the pandemic started in 2020. New research from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University shows that the benchmark worldview measure of American adults taken in January 2020 may prove to be the high-water mark for the foreseeable future. Americans tinkered with many things during the three lockdown years—from home-improvement projects to baking sourdough bread—but improving their worldview apparently was not one of them.” (“American Worldview Inventory 2023 Release #1: Incidence of Biblical Worldview Shows Significant Change Since the Start of the Pandemic,” February 28, 2023, https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CRC_AWVI2023_Release1.pdf)
Now, only 4% of American Christians have a biblical worldview. 4%.
Or a land of darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are lords; We will come no more to You’?
32Can a virgin forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.” (Jeremiah 2:31-32)
“6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
7“The more they increased, The more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. 8They eat up the sin of My people; They set their heart on their iniquity. 9And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, And reward them for their deeds. 10For they shall eat, but not have enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Because they have ceased obeying the Lord.””(Hosea 4:6-10)
Two Sides of the Same Coin
So, let’s get this all straight. 25 nations of the world are composed of an atheist majority, and those that are not atheist are led by false religions. Christian persecution has intensified in all nations of the world, including China, North Korea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Canada, etc. – and Ukraine of all places! There are threats of immanent famine and war in every nation. Horrific natural disasters and wild weather everywhere (some caused by geoengineering). Banks and national monetary systems are undergoing a controlled demolition. Violence is plaguing large cities, divorce is still rampant, the destruction of the family is still active, and all out war for the souls of children rages like wildfire as depraved people seek the destruction of their God-given gender and innocence. A new world order is rising from the ash heap that the leaders of this world created, and all is ripe for the arrival of antichrist on the world stage. And then to top things off like a poisonous cherry on top of the already poisoned ice cream sundae, the America Church does not look like the Biblical Church.
Interestingly enough, on Sunday March 19th, Pastor J.D. Farag of Calvary Chapel church of Kaneohe, Hawaii, revealed in his Bible prophecy update that there is a two sided coin at play here (source below). On the one side, there is the overtly evil team composed of the World Economic Forum, Bill Gates, Klaus Schwab, climate change and geoengineering, the implosion of the world banks in order to establish a one world, digital currency, vaccine mandates/passports, etc.
However, on the other side of the coin is that which is perceived as good, and is dressed in red, white and blue. But, it is not just about America, for this can be seen garbed in the colors of every individual nation of the world wherein people are rising up against their governmental tyranny – such as Myanmar, Brazil, Canada and Australia. The people want their liberty back, and are willing to protest and take up arms to get it. And Christians are joining forces with those who are non-Christian in an attempt to take their nations back, and make them great again. In America they are holding large conferences every month this year dubbed “the great reawakening”, and Christian and non-Christian speakers are scheduled to speak to already “sold out” patriotic, nationalistic crowds (sources below). This is a syncretistic mix, a Nicolaitan group, an ecumenical gathering, an eclectic mix all brightly dressed in the goodness of patriotic Americanism. And then there are the “prophets” of the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) that have been saying for years that it is God’s will to “save America”, which is remarkably similar to what the false prophets of Jeremiah’s day were saying about Judah. Indeed, it is also more akin to Isaiah 9 which states regarding the rebellion of Israel and their leaders who cause them to err.
“9All the people will know— Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria— Who say in pride and arrogance of heart: 10“The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with hewn stones; The sycamores are cut down, But we will replace them with cedars.” 11Therefore the Lord shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on, 12The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth.
For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still.
13For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them,
Nor do they seek the Lord of hosts.
14Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel, Palm branch and bulrush in one day. 15The elder and honorable, he is the head; The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail. 16For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed.” (emphasis mine)
For, no one is repentant. No one is weeping with deep, heart-rending remorse. No one is falling on their faces before Jesus in penitent and complete surrender. No one is turning away from their unholy lifestyles or movies or entertainment or pursuit of pleasure or greedy desires or pornography or vacations or violence or ignorance of the word of God or their rebellion. There is no sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, no conviction, no revelation of how grave their sin is before a holy God. Truly, both sides of the coin have rejected God. One side may be violent “black magic” taking on the world with tyrannical force and occult power, and the other side non-violent, freedom loving “white magic”, but both are rebellious, both are occult, and thus both are evil. That is why, according to Pastor J.D. they are two sides to the same coin.
An Unholy Alliance
What are Christians doing? What does light have in common with darkness? Are they really in agreement with those who do not know Jesus? Can they truly walk together in sync, side by side with New Agers and Atheists and Catholics and Satanists and Jewish Mystics all in the name of making America great again? What are they doing?
At the 2016 GOP convention this nonsense was everywhere. Did anyone see it? Was anyone else appalled? Many born-again believers, well-known or otherwise, were looking to a political candidate to make America great again. Thousands believing just that gathered at the Republican National Convention dressed in colorful suits and dresses and hats, pledging allegiance to the flag and singing the national anthem. These were genuine, hard-working, hopeful Americans.
But something was different at the 2016 convention. It appeared to be more related to the ecumenical gathering of Pope John Paul II at Assissi in October of 1986 (wherein he joined with the leaders of other world religions as equals and partners in the pursuit of peace), only this time mingled with political correctness and American pride. http://www.mostholyfamilymonastery.com/catholicchurch/anti-pope-john-paul-ii-photos-apostasy/#.V5F76aLoCM8.
The cherry on top of this politically correct, ecumenical sundae was the praise of Christian conservatives, whether present at the GOP convention or not – from Tony Perkins (Family Research Council), to L.A. Marzulli (Watchers), to Mike Huckabee, to Paula White, to well-known Southern Baptist minister Robert Jeffress. Indeed, Christian Conservatives gathered together in unison with Sikhs, Mormons, Muslims and homosexuals….and said, “amen”?!!!!!
When else in the history of the United States of America has this abomination happened? Since when has standing in unity with the ungodly saved a nation? When did being led in prayer to a Sikh entity save a people? When did God Almighty call Christians to unite with Mormons in prayer or that it was okay to allow men in women’s bathrooms in the name of freedom? When were Christians called to believe that their salvation is wrapped up in a human politician or a king or a leader or in any other entity for that matter other than Christ and Him crucified?!!!!!
Did Jesus say in Matthew 24 that when all the signs of the end times are coming to pass, that we as Christians are to gathered together at political rallies with non-Christians to make our nations great again? Did Jesus tell us to quote our founding fathers, wave our flags, chant “U.S.A”, and stand against tyranny? Did Jesus form an army and march on Rome to take back the Senate for Jehovah? Just look at the Bible, read what Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Joel and the other prophets said, what Paul and Peter wrote, and even what Jesus told us. The answer is unequivocally and in no uncertain terms, absolutely – NO!
But, then…only 4% have a Biblical worldview. So, how would they know this?! And even if told, they’d say something like, “that’s for you, not for me,” because everything is relative.
The Curses and 4 Fold Judgment of God
Indeed, is this attitude not the reason that the world is in trouble? In Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 it is clear that God told Israel they would be blessed if they obeyed Him and cursed if they did not, and He got specific regarding both the blessings and the curses. Yes, this was regarding Israel – a nation called into covenant with God.
But America too was called into covenant with God. Those who first landed here in 1620 stated in the Mayflower Compact that they had come here for “the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith” (http://www.ushistory.org/documents/mayflower.htm). Later the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution carefully states in Amendment 1, that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” According to many a founding father, America was founded upon Biblical principles, even the 10 Commandments, and those who first landed upon our shores covenanted with God to abide by His statues, and that if we did not we would be answerable to Him just like Israel. And according to Jonathan Cahn in the book The Harbinger there has been no other nation like America who entered into such a covenant with God. Thus, just as the blessing and the cursing applied to Israel when they rejected God, they also apply to America.
What are those curses?
Ezekiel actually says it the most succinctly and agrees completely with both Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26. So, here is Ezekiel 14.
“12The word of the Lord came again to me, saying: 13“Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it;
I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God.
15“If I cause wild beasts to pass through the land, and they empty it, and make it so desolate that no man may pass through because of the beasts, 16eventhough these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be desolate.
17“Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, ‘Sword, go through the land,’ and I cut off man and beast from it, 18even though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only they themselves would be delivered.
19“Or if I send a pestilence into that land and pour out My fury on it in blood, and cut off from it man and beast, 20even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.” (emphasis mine).
What are the curses? Famine, beasts, sword and pestilence.
It is also clear from the passage of Ezekiel 14 that the cursing applies to A LAND that is persistently unfaithful. In other words, not just Israel or Judah. Isaiah 24 agrees with this when it says,
“4The earth mourns and fades away, The world languishes and fades away; The haughty people of the earth languish. 5The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. 6Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, And few men are left.”
In other words, even those who are not like America and Israel are still held accountable for breaking God’s covenant and transgressing His laws. Indeed, God tells Israel in Leviticus 18 that the nations being driven out before them were being vomited out of the land because of their abominations.
“24‘Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. 25For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants.26You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you 27(for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), 28lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you.” And Leviticus 20 goes on, “22‘You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. 23And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they commit all these things, and therefore I abhor them…26And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.” (emphasis mine).
Furthermore, it can be seen in Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Nahum, etc. that nations like Egypt, Sidon, Tyre, Edom, Moab, Philistia, etc., were all judged for having rejected and forsaken God, and for abusing God’s people. And their land spewed them out – meaning, God sent in the sword, pestilence, beasts and famine.
Thus, whether a nation has covenanted with God or not, they will be judged for their rejection of Him and cruelty to believers called by God’s name. In short, the point, is this, that the whole world is ripe for judgment, and the Great Tribulation is about to unfold, ready or not, because the nations have rejected God, they are abusing Christians who are God’s people, and the land is ready to spew them out. The land of America is ready to spew Americans out. The land of Canada is ready to spew out Canadians. The land of Australia is ready to spew out the Australians. The land of China is ready to spew out the Chinese. And the list goes on indefinitely.
It’s Time to Repent
That’s where we are…right now. The whole Earth is ready to spew out its inhabitants that have rebelliously rejected God, and the four judgments of God (famine, pestilence, the sword and beasts) are already touching the nations of the world. This is not the time to make any nation great again, but is rather, a time for nations to fall upon their faces before the living God in repentance before it is too late. That is the message the Church ought to be preaching. For indeed, it also is time for the Church to quit listening to the lullaby lies of false prophets and teachers saying good things and causing their eyes to be fixed on the here and now, as if we are to establish God’s kingdom on earth! It is also time to discontinue yoking up with unbelievers at political rallies while looking for a physical, political savior for a temporal, earthly kingdom. Indeed, it is not time to rally. It is time to repent. It is not time to regroup, but repent. It is not time to have a reawakening, but to repent. It is not time to vote or campaign or fight or protest or go to the Supreme Court. It is time to repent. It is not time to decree and declare, but to repent. This is the revival that all nations are being called to – right now.
Those who are ruling over us hate us, not just in America but in nation after nation. Do you really think they are in positions of power because they were elected or voted in? Do you really think that the devil put them there? No! It is God who is sovereign. It is God who appoints. It is God who builds up, and God who tears down (Daniel 2). Rather, the very fact that this is happening in nation after nation is proof that part of the curse of Leviticus has fall upon us (Leviticus 26:17).
Peter wrote about this generation of scoffers. Paul informed us of these perilous times. John portrayed in living color the state of the Church and the world at the end of days, and called them to repentance. Daniel related the state of the Jews during the time of Jacob’s Trouble also known as the Great Tribulation. Jesus told us these days would come, and that at the time when all hell is breaking loose that we should be vigilant and not weighed down with the cares of this life (Luke 21:34-35); that we would “watch therefore and pray always that we might be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass” (Luke 21:36); and that we would get up and lift up our heads for our redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28).
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus! The Spirit and the Bride say “Come!”
Quote: “Transcript From Mike Bickle’s Tape Ref’Bob Jones Discipline’ (This is NOT a word-for-word transcript A only covers the first side of the taPe)…
Bob made very clear admission of sin in the presence of 13 men…Thirdly the sexual misconduct…Fondling it involves disrobing…
Bob Jones’ response. He has been denial in terms of the gravity…Bob is in denial. He is minimizing his present condition…it is an alarming sign of deception…there is a pollution in his spirit.”
Quote: ““Bob Jones was told that the general level of prophetic revelation in the church was about 65% accurate at this time. Some are only about 10% accurate, a very few of the most mature prophets are approaching 85% to 95% accuracy. Prophecy is increasing in purity, but there is a still a long way to go for those who walk in this ministry. This is actually grace for the church now, because 100% accuracy in this ministry would bring a level of accountability to the church which she is too immature to bear at this time. It would result in too many Annaniases and Sapphiras” (The Prophetic Ministry” Rick Joyner. Morningstar Prophetic Newsletter. Vol. 3, No. 2, p. 2).
So we are too immature to have prophets be right all the time? Does this make sense or is it more correct that these prophets are not 100% right because they are not speaking for God who is ALWAYS 100% right. God was always right with his prophets in the Old Testament and New Testament, but in their ministry, they are not always right, they are not even half right; they are not as accurate as a skilled psychic.
Mike Bickle is not anymore reassuring: “Now, obviously, probably about 80% of what’s in the Body of Christ that’s called prophecy is fleshiness. And so we’re in a day when we’re in such an immature stage of this. So much of what is called prophecy is not truly prophecy. So we realize that; so what’s our reaction to that? We don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. We say, “Lord, we don’t throw out prophecy. We ask You to mature it.” We don’t take it as serious in the early days as we will in the days to come” (Media Spotlight- THE RESTORATION OF APOSTLES AND PROPHETS AND THE KANSAS CITY‑ VINEYARD CONNECTION by Albert James Dager).
NOTE: Jones was at one time in a mental institution where he had many conversations with demons, and at some point in his lifetime was told by the devil that if he discontinued speaking against abortion that he’d walk in powerful miracles again.
Jones also taught that the Church would put death under their own feet, would become god-men, and “come into the divine nature of Jesus Christ” as the perfect Melchisedekian priesthood. Furthermore, he taught that “the prophetic movement was started by an angel named Emma who is androgynous and appeared as female. This angel is supposedly at work with freshfires revival meetings. For the first time in history we have a woman angel working inside the church bringing signs…”
He also believed that when his hands turned purple that God was answering prayers, which goes along with the New Age belief of Alice Bailey that colors are important when it comes to healing, especially a violet light or violet flame. His hands would turn red for different reasons and would feel prickly if there was witchcraft in the room.
Does this really sound like someone we should trust?
Quote: These are the “Nicolaitans”. Halley’s Bible Handbook tells us of them, “Sexual vice was actually a part of heathen worship, and recognized as a proper thing in heathen festivals. Priestesses of Diana and kindred deities were public prostitutes. The thing had been a troublesome question for Gentile churches from the start. . . Meantime great multitudes of heathen had become Christians, and had carried some of their old ideas into their new religion. . . Naturally there were all sorts of attempts to harmonize these heathen practices with the Christian religion. Many professing Christian teachers, claiming inspiration from God, were advocating the right to free participation in heathen immoralities. In Ephesus, the Christian pastors, as a body, excluded such teachers. But in Pergamum and Thyatira, while we are not to think that the main body of pastors held such teachings, yet they tolerated within their ranks those who did” (p.694).
Ancient Pergamos was a city where the worship of Zeus and Asclepios were endemic, whose symbol was a serpent entwined around a rod or staff. It was a city where paganism and politics were closely entwined and allied. Nicolaitan pressures were very strong in this city where pressures to “compromise” would have been very heavy.
The Nicolaitans seduced God’s people to “eat things sacrificed to idols” – that is, participate in heathen, pagan festivals, including sexual immorality – in other words, to commit spiritual fornication and adultery – which is IDOLATRY! This convergence of Christianity with pagan beliefs and practices was sheer APOSTASY in the eyes of God!”
This has more sources regarding Kabbalah, modern Judaism including Reformed, tikkun olam, The Elijah Interfaith Institute and Yosef Abramowitz who helped bring about the converging of the various religious leaders of the world on Sinai in November 2022 for the sake of instituting a new 10 Commandments for the world.
Quote: “Nearly 70% of born-again Christians disagree with the biblical position that Jesus is the only way to God, according to a new survey from Probe Ministries…The survey also found that among the top reasons given by born-again Christians for not telling others about their faith is the acceptance of pluralism. When asked why they don’t share their beliefs with others, born-again respondents chose “They can get to Heaven through their different religious belief,” “We shouldn’t impose our ideas on others,” and “The Bible tells us not to judge others” as their top three responses, respectively… This confusion among Christians and what they believe was also recently reflected in the American Worldview Inventory published last month by the Cultural Research Center of Arizona Christian University. Of an estimated 176 million American adults who identify as Christian, just 6% or 15 million of them were actually found to hold a biblical worldview. The study showed, in general, that while a majority of America’s self-identified Christians, including many who identify as evangelical, believe that God is all-powerful, all-knowing and is the Creator of the universe, more than half reject a number of biblical teachings and principles, including the existence of the Holy Spirit. Strong majorities were also found to errantly believe that all religious faiths are of equal value, people are basically good and that people can use acts of goodness to earn their way into Heaven. The study further showed that majorities don’t believe in moral absolutes, consider feelings, experience or the input of friends and family as their most trusted sources of moral guidance, and say that having faith matters more than which faith you pursue.”
“The COVID-19 lockdowns and lifestyle changes that began in early 2020 provided Americans with an opportunity to spend more time doing things their hectic, on-the-go lives precluded, such as reading the Bible. But it appears that as people’s lives were substantially altered by the virus and government policies, Americans were not spending the extra time devoting energy to spiritual matters and worldview enhancement.
In fact, the first national study of Americans’ worldview in the post-lockdown era found that the incidence of biblical worldview declined to a mere 4%—down one-third from the 6% recorded just months before the pandemic started in 2020. New research from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University shows that the benchmark worldview measure of American adults taken in January 2020 may prove to be the high-water mark for the foreseeable future. Americans tinkered with many things during the three lockdown years—from home-improvement projects to baking sourdough bread—but improving their worldview apparently was not one of them.
Compared to 2020, almost every demographic subgroup experienced a small decline in the proportion of those possessing a biblical worldview, according to the American Worldview Inventory 2023. The most noteworthy declines across the three years were recorded among born-again Christians (down six percentage points) and people from households earning $60,000 to $100,000 (down five points)…”
“The 2023 incidence of biblical worldview is 4%, based on the tracking study of the worldview of adults across the nation. That is a seemingly small but noteworthy drop from 6% three years ago.”
“The subgroups of the nation that are most likely to possess a biblical worldview include: SAGE Cons (Spiritually Active Governance Engaged Conservative Christians), among whom one out of four (24%) have a biblical worldview; people whose beliefs qualify them as born-again Christians (13%); and those whose political ideology places them in the “consistently conservative” category. There were no other segments that reached double figures, according to the latest AWVI 2023 data. • Most Americans (68%) consider themselves to be Christians. Among these self-defined Christians, though, only 6% have a biblical worldview. Less than half of the self-defined Christians can be classified as born-again, defined as believing that they will go to Heaven after they die but only because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Within the born-again population (just 33% of the adult population), a shockingly small proportion (13%) hold a biblical worldview.”
“The results of the American Worldview Inventory are frightening for biblical Christians, according to George Barna, the creator of the American Worldview Inventory and director of the research for the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University… “When you put the data in perspective, the biblical worldview is shuffling toward the edge of the cliff,” Barna said. “As things stand today, biblical theism is much closer to extinction in America than it is to influencing the soul of the nation. The current incidence of adults with the biblical worldview is the lowest since I began measuring it in the early 1990s.”
“The data referred to in this report are taken from the American Worldview Inventory (AWVI), an annual survey that evaluates the worldview of the U.S. adult population (age 18 and over). Begun as an annual tracking study in 2020, the assessment is based on several dozen worldview-related questions that fall within eight categories of worldview application, measuring both beliefs and behavior.
The American Worldview Inventory is the first-ever national survey conducted in the United Statesmeasuring the incidence of both biblical and competing worldviews. The current wave of worldview research was undertaken in January 2023 among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults, providing an estimated maximum sampling error of approximately plus or minus 2 percentage points, based on the 95% confidence interval. Additional levels of indeterminable error may occur in surveys based upon both sampling and non-sampling activity.”
“Last year, the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, under the direction of George Barna, conducted a national survey that found only six percent of American adults have a biblical worldview…
The Cultural Research Center previously released the results of three other worldview surveys conducted earlier this year:
The first of these concluded that America’s dominant worldview is Syncretism, which isn’t actually a worldview at all but rather “a disparate, irreconcilable collection of beliefs” that people paste together to suit themselves.
The second survey concluded that America’s most popular worldview is what can be called Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. Components of this worldview include: “belief in a God who remains distant from people’s lives” and “the universal purpose of life of being happy and feeling good about oneself.”
The third survey found that Millennials are “substantially more likely” than previous American generations to “reject biblical principles in favor of more worldly spiritual perspectives and practices.”
As Barna noted, “Frankly, the culture is impacting the Christian church and the Christian faith more than the Christian church or Christian faith are impacting the culture.” Notably, increasing belief in reincarnation, declining belief in a literal hell, and the pervading belief that people are basically good are other indicators that Christianity is losing influence in America.”
“A majority of Americans who describe themselves as Christian (52 percent) also accept a “works-oriented” means to God’s acceptance—even those associated with churches whose official doctrine says eternal salvation comes only from embracing Jesus Christ as savior. Almost half of all adults associated with Pentecostal (46 percent), mainline Protestant (44 percent), and evangelical (41 percent) churches, as well as nearly two-thirds of Catholics (70 percent), hold that view.”
“58% of Americans believe “there is no absolute moral truth”; and 77% believe “right and wrong is determined by factors other than the Bible.”As for that book, 59% of Americans say that “the Bible is not the authoritative and true word of God.”…
Self-described “Christians” are even more relativistic than Americans as a whole: 68% agree that the content or object of the faith doesn’t matter. In terms of Christian denominations, 56% of Evangelicals, 62% of Pentecostals, 67% of mainline Protestants, and 77% of Roman Catholics agree that the content or object of faith doesn’t matter.”
“Study finds 37% of pastors have biblical worldview: Spiritual awakening ‘needed in our pulpits’,” May 16, 2022,
“A new study from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University has found that just 37% of Christian pastors in the United States have a biblical worldview, demonstrating that spiritual awakening is “needed just as desperately in our pulpits as in the pews,” according to the pollster.
The nationwide study of about 1,000 Christian pastors found that just slightly more than a third (37%) of the U.S. pastors hold a biblical worldview. The majority (62%) possess a hybrid worldview known as Syncretism.The study, released Thursday, showed that 41% of senior pastors — as compared to 28% of associate pastors — have a biblical worldview. Further, only 13% of teaching pastors and 12% of children’s and youth pastors have a biblical worldview.
The lowest level of biblical worldview was among executive pastors, with only 4% of them holding consistently biblical beliefs and behaviors…
Another study released by the Barna Group last month showed that more pastors now say they considered quitting their jobs compared to a year ago, driven to despair by stress, loneliness, political divisions and other worries like their church being in decline.The share of pastors who have seriously considered quitting being in full-time ministry within the last year increased from 29% in 2021 to 42% in March of this year.”
“Barna surveyed 547 U.S. Protestant pastors and asked them which issues they believed were a major concern facing the U.S. Christian church.
Seven issues topped 50 percent: Watered-down gospel teachings, 72 percent; culture’s shift to a secular age, 66 percent; poor discipleship models, 63 percent; addressing complex social issues with biblical integrity, 58 percent; prosperity gospel teachings, 56 percent; reaching a younger audience, 56 percent and political polarization in the country, 51 percent…
Three issues topped 40 percent but failed to reach 50 percent: Negative perceptions of the church, 46 percent; the diminished influence of churches in the community, 45 percent and church leader burnout/exhaustion, 40 percent.”
Quote: “In ancient times, it took considerable time for the sins of individual empires and kingdoms to spread to other peoples. That was understandably due to low-technology. International travel and communications were very slow and limited. Trends and lifestyle behaviors, whether good or evil, could take centuries to spread very far. In today’s world, global digital connectivity is so instantaneous that sins and sinful attitudes that once would taken centuries to spread around then world can now infect the entire earth in a very short time. 2 Timothy 3’s prophecy includes a long list of the sins and degeneracies that would characterize mankind’s society in the latter days of our age. Romans 1:17-32 offers another list of sins that take hold in societies that “do not like to retain God in their knowledge” (verse 28). Does modern mankind choose to “not retain God in its knowledge?” We all know the answer is “yes.””
Something is happening in Asbury College and now other colleges. There are those who applaud it, saying it’s about time. There are others who don’t give it the time of day. There are those who are watching it carefully to see what will come of it. There are others who never like moves of God and say it is not of God and steer clear of it calling it strange fire. And still there are others who believe it is not a genuine move of God but was started by the leadership and followers of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR).
Before continuing, I want to insert a slightly personal note. I am no longer on the worship team at my church because of NAR influence via Bethel Church Redding. Because so many Christian musicians today see Bethel as unquestionably Christian (Jesus Culture and Bethel Music), their music has infiltrated a majority of churches and Christian radio stations in America. Also well-known worship singers find no fault with them and sing on the same stage as Bethel worship leaders and even teach in the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. Last June while still on my church’s worship team, I requested that a song be changed because I could not in good conscience sing it while leading in worship, and even gave them an article regarding Bethel’s unbiblical practices and doctrine in the hopes that they would understand (https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2022/04/08/do-not-be-deceived-an-angel-of-light/). But instead of them being appalled by the information or at least being open to talk about it, they avoided me, and for months have no longer invited me to be on the worship team as the song leader. Furthermore, one of our four councilmen sees the NAR prophets as legitimate and even invited a man who welcomed Bethel soaking music into our sanctuary. So, I am more than familiar with the NAR, and am more than aware of their far-reaching tentacles.
Planned, Emotional, Experiential
Now back to Asbury. From what I can assess, some are reasoning that one needs to steer clear of what is happening at Asbury and now other colleges because it was a “planned” event, is emotional and experiential, and may be associated with the NAR (this NAR link I’ll address later). To the rest I would respond with a question: didn’t the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 happen during a “planned” event? It did. It happened on the planned day of Pentecost when Jews from everywhere had gathered from the nations. Jesus had told the disciples to “tarry” in Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit who would be sent from the Father. So, 120 of them waited in the upper room for a 10 day prayer meeting that culminated in the incredible outpouring that shook Jerusalem and then went to the uttermost parts of the earth.
Furthermore, wasn’t it emotional and experiential? It was. According to the text those 120 who received the empowering of the Holy Spirit were bubbling over abundantly and speaking forth the marvelous works of God, and thus some in the crowd believed they were drunk on new wine while others merely stood in awe. Indeed, this was a moment of great, even inexpressible joy, in other words, it was emotional.
Speaking of another “planned” and emotional experience wherein the ark of the covenant of God finally entered the city of David, according to 2 Samuel 6: 14-15, “David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.” Talk about emotional. Talk about exuberant. Talk about genuine. Talk about indecorous and improper!!!
Speaking of yet another “planned” and emotional experience on the day of Yom Teruah when all the people who had returned from Babylon were assembled for the reading of the law it says in Nehemiah 8:9, 11-12, “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law…So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.”
Just hearing the word of God had the people emotional, deeply grieved and repentant. But, they were instructed by their leadership that it was not a day of grief but of joy. Their leaders did not tell them to express no emotion, but rather told them to turn their grief in to great joy. Thus, they went forth in a festive attitude, and they “rejoiced greatly”. This rejoicing was not done quietly, but with great loudness and grew in magnified volume among the throng of God’s people. And for days, even weeks, they celebrated before the Lord gleefully and mirthfully, dwelling in booths, eating and drinking, and hearing the words of the Law read to them.
And yet again in 1 Kings 8 during a “planned” event during the Feast of Tabernacles when all the people had assembled for the feast and the Temple was dedicated and the ark of the covenant was placed in the Most Holy Place, “…the cloud filled the house of the LORD 11so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD…” In other words, God showed up, and the priests could not continue doing what they were doing because of it! Makes me think of Isaiah 6 when Isaiah was overcome with emotion when in the presence of the Most High, and he cried out that he was undone for he was a man of unclean lips.
Indeed, we as humans when we come into contact with the holiness of our great God always have an emotional response to that experience: sometimes grief-stricken repentance, sometimes dancing with exuberant joy, and sometimes it renders us unable to go about our normal activities.
Asbury 1970
There is an old documentary that appears to have been filmed back in the 1980s or 1970s about the Asbury revival of 1970. And in it is the unquestionable account of what happened and how it was all about prayer, genuine repentance before God and the restoration of relationships and lives, and testimonies. It was not merely emotional nor planned nor conjured up and was not about signs and wonders or show or lights or fog machines or anything man-made, not even angel feathers or gold dust. It was was an incredible time of giving God the time to do a deeper work in His people, His Church, His Bride, and to call those who did not know Him to Himself. Please, take a listen to this documentary to understand it more fully before speaking in a derogatory way about it. This is the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSkzQD74hEs Could this not genuinely be called apart of the Jesus movement/revolution that Chuck Smith founder of Calvary Chapel was very much apart of, and Hal Lindsay too?
The term “Revival” As for the present revival, if there is a problem calling it “revival” because of NAR false prophecies and propaganda then let’s use a Biblical term such as an “outpouring” of the Holy Spirit. After all, it was God Himself in both Joel 2 and Acts 2 Who stated,
“17‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.”
The Lost Youth and a Dead Church
This is the most unchurched generation and most ignorant generation regarding God in the history of the world. They have been spoon fed lies from their birth from children’s entertainment, movies, school, family, media, video games etc., deluged by filth on every hand, overwhelmed by despair and purposelessness and fear, and who are being destroyed by a tidal wave of addictions and suicide. Are they not the field white unto harvest while the drought ridden church lies unmoved and apathetic? And who will reach them? And how will they be reached if the Church is so dusty, dry and dead that they cannot speak? Is not the church of America like Sardis of Revelation 3?
Just like Sardis, the church in America has had “a name” for a long time. It had been alive. From America thousands of missionaries were sent out into all the nations of this earth. It was here that Great Awakenings ignited, countless tent meeting revivals took off, and incredible, individual moves of God drew people closer to God and sent them out into the highways and byways to reach the lost. The American church was indeed a shining city alight upon a hill for all the world to see. But, that light is nearly out, and she is a dying remnant of what she once was. Faded and dingy, like coal smudged windows of jolly old England, she has lost her brilliance and glory. Like the Temple of Ezekiel 8, her walls have become lined with the idolatrous images such as that of the “American dream” (a house, a dog, 2.5 kids, a white picket fence, etc), busyness, prosperity, vacations, sports, entertainment, New Age practices (yoga, meditation that empties the mind, the idea that we are all christ and little gods, etc.), Catholic mysticism (labyrinth walks, “practicing the presence”, asceticism, etc.), ecumenism (being united equally with other religions of the world), dominionism/kingdom now/manifest sons of god false doctrine that teaches the church will take over the world and then Jesus can come back; demonic lying signs and wonders that they attribute to the Holy Spirit (The Toronto Blessing’s barking like dogs, roaring like lions, unholy laughter, and writhing about like snakes; Bethel church Redding’s gold dust, angel feathers, fire tunnels, Tarot cards and Ouija boards, etc); the apostolic movement that states that modern day prophets and apostles are greater than those in the Bible; the abomination of LGBTQ+ is welcomed with open arms. It is no wonder that 70% of those who call themselves Christians in America believe that a person of another religion can be saved without Christ, that Jesus is not the only way for everyone. Oh how far the mighty have fallen!
And the Lord said to Ezekiel, in Ezekiel 8:6, 17, ““Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations…And He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger…”
Because of Israel’s departure from God, He departed from them as Ezekiel 10:18-19 and 11:22-23 says, “Then the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim. And the cherubim lifted their wings and mounted up from the earth in my sight. When they went out, the wheels were beside them; and they stood at the door of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them… “So the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was high above them. And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain, which is on the east side of the city.”
Even so America and the American church has departed from the Living God, and the time is drawing near wherein He will depart from them – even in the great departure of the Rapture when He snatches His Bride home and unleashes the Tribulation upon those who have rejected Him and His supreme holiness and absolute truth.
Jesus is returning SOON. Thus, in Revelation 2-3 is He not calling to His Bride to awaken, repent, and return to her First Love, to do the first works? Are we not still in the Last Days, even the last of the Last Days? Thus, will He not continue to be at work among His people, pouring out His Holy Spirit? Will not the latter rain be poured out even as the former upon those who seek Him? Does He not say that those who seek and keep on seeking Him will find Him, and that He will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and keep on asking? (Luke 11:9-13). Does He not say to Sardis, “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent?”
The NAR
Now, as for the NAR false prophets and false teachers, they like the devil, piggy back onto any true move of God. Did not Simon the sorcerer of Acts 8 try to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit with money for his own profit and glory? And what of the spirit of python in the oracle of Delphi in Acts 16 who followed Paul around like a puppy announcing truth so as to appear to be one with the Apostles and thus be seen as legitimate? Just because the NAR attempt to steal God’s glory does not mean that what is happening genuinely at Asbury is not of God. So far there have been no lying signs and wonders and thus no false holy spirit; no false doctrine, and thus no false Jesus. And there have been no NAR big names leading from the platform. They may sound their own horn, but if it is of God then He will deal with their Luciferian thievery in His own time and in His own way.
What would cause the NAR to do such a thing? Well, they have taught for a long time that there was going to be a revival among the youth. And some have even “prophesied” that this last days revival was just around the corner, including Dutch Sheets and others. They believe that this revival must happen and spread to the entire earth, infiltrating and taking over all 7 mountains of influence in this earth. These 7 mountains include education, government, business etc. This is otherwise known as Dominion Theology, the Manifest Sons of God, the Latter Rain, etc. They really truly believe that they must unite the world for Christ in order for Christ to return and that Jesus cannot come back until they do. And revival is the first step in the direction of this Dominionist mandate (if you are unclear about what Dominionsist Theology teaches, please refer to the references regarding the NAR and Dominionism below).
Thus, some believe that the NAR have planned this “revival” at Asbury, and are fanning the flames of it into other colleges. They see the One World Order agenda of antichrist arising, and are zealously eager for their chance at a counter move with their own one world order agenda in order that Christ might return soon. And the NAR had planned for a prayer event on February 23rd at the time of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the original collegiate day of prayer. As the ag.org website states (link below), “Officially formed in 1815 as the Concert of Prayer for Colleges, by 1823 every major denomination and every college adopted the last Thursday of every February as a day of prayer for all U.S. college campuses — where churches, parents, students, and others commit to pray for specific colleges and universities on one day. This day was frequently associated with powerful revivals and awakenings in schools across the U.S.”
However, just because someone wants something does not mean that they can make God move. For unless the Lord builds the house the laborers labor in vain (Psalm 127). No matter how powerful the NAR apostles and prophets think they are (and they do think they are greater than the apostles and prophets of the Bible – even believing they are little gods and little christs), they cannot conjure up a move of the real Holy Spirit. I’ve seen worship leaders attempt to stir a crowd to no avail. All those kids are not faking worship.
Now, how is it that NAR leader and teacher of false Dominionist theology, Dutch Sheets, had such a detailed vision in Boise, Idaho on September 11, 2001? Assuming he really did have this vision this then would fall into the category of Deuteronomy 13 wherein God states that He is using the false prophet whose prophecy actually comes to pass in order to test His people. “1If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ 3you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” The fact that Dutch Sheets has had this vision come to pass does not mean that he is of God nor does it mean that you can trust him. His teaching and doctrine are still false.
A Warning to the Vigilant and Discerning
All of you who are concerned about what is going on at Asbury and now other colleges, remember the Ephesians of Revelation 2. Continue to be patient; continue to not bear those who are evil; continue to test those who say they are apostles but are not – even the NAR – and continue to persevere and not become weary. And indeed, thank you for pressing on, for being passionate, for being watchful, on guard and aware, and for stirring others to be watchful, aware, and on guard too.
But, dear ones, do not lose your first love like the Ephesians were in jeopardy of doing. They had become so fervent, so careful, so overly protective, that they not only had forgotten to spend quality time in the presence of the Lord, but had also lost their love for each other. For flowing out of that love and time with the Lord is the love for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ – for will not the world know us by our love for one another? (John 13:35). Think back to when you were first saved. There was a closeness and a bond you had with other believers, a nearness, and a great love like a warm fuzzy blanket felt between you all. They were family. And if there was a financial need, it was met. If there was a spiritual need, it was prayed for. If there was a practical need, it was provided for. If one needed healing, people prayed over you. If there was an emotional need, there were hugs and words of encouragement. And everyone was quick to forgive and full of grace.
While still being vigilant and watchful, may this same heartbeat of overflowing warmth and love be in you now toward these youth. Please, in our great zeal against the NAR do not speak against these youth who are desperate for what you experienced when you were saved, set free and delivered. Do not speak against what may truly be of God just because the false apostles of the NAR are trying to steal God’s thunder. Do not turn on the genuine in your fervor to stamp out the strange fire of the NAR madness. According to both Matthew 12:20 and Isaiah 42:3 Jesus would not break off nor snuff out even that which is barely hanging on in spiritual vitality. “3A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench.” So then, why are we so quick to do so?
No, not everything ‘supernatural’ is of God. But equally true is that not every ‘move of God’ is of the NAR.
Do not stand against those who are so thirsty, so parched, so deeply dry that they desperately need the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Do not oppose those who are so hungry that they cannot get enough of spending time worshiping, kneeling before the awesomeness of our God, who are so enthralled by His glorious love and forgiveness and deliverance that they cannot help but lift their hands, fall on their knees or get emotional – and like David desire that they “may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4). And as the sons of Korah said in Psalm 84,
2My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.
4Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah”
Please, do not be like David’s wife Michal of 2 Samuel 6:20-23 who cynically and critically responded, but rather be like Gamaliel of Acts 5:38-39 who said, “…now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” Do not throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water. One who is questioning, be careful here. Please, rather be like Paul who said in Philippians 1:15-17, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”
We are the body of Christ, and as such, let those of us who are vigilant and guarded and watchful not become so hyper critical that we turn upon the good as well as the evil. As the “Body” of Christ, let’s not develop an auto-immune disease wherein the human body’s immune system becomes so hyper sensitive that it begins destroying the bad along with the good. Being on high alert, it mistakenly attacks itself.
God’s Promise for the Last Days Still Stands
Jesus is coming soon. And He did promise that in the Last Days He would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, that our sons and daughters would prophesy, that young men would see vision and old men would dream dreams, and that all who call upon the name of the Lord would be saved. And these are still the Last Days, the last of the Last to be exact. And as such, the Lord is still fulfilling His promise. No one else, not in the NAR or otherwise can take the credit for a prophecy fulfilled except the Lord Himself. Indeed, well over 2,000 plus years ago God predicted that His Spirit would be poured out upon the youth. Why are we surprised that He is doing it yet again? And truly, why not now just before He returns? Why not one more time?
And to the dead church of America turn your eyes to Jesus’ warning of Revelation 3, “…if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’”
Vigilant and discerning Christians, let’s not be found overly suspicious when God Himself prophesied that He would do just what is happening. Let’s not let the NAR steal God’s promise fulfilled anymore than we ought to allow the LGBTQ+ movement to steal God’s rainbow or the New Age religion to steal God’s crystals. Let’s instead be found both watchful and rejoicing in the outpouring of His Spirit upon this desperate and final generation just before all hell breaks loose upon the world. Let us be refreshed that God is washing over His dead church with the latter rain of heaven. Let us be comforted that He is awakening His Bride, and refilling His Body with the Holy Spirit of the living God for the glory of His great name! Praise the Lord! So be it!
Jesus is coming soon! Let’s be ready!
Looking up,
Holy Light Ministries
References: (Holy Light Ministries does not endorse any link just because they are used for referencing purposes)
Note: I highly respect Light House Trails Research and have quoted them often in other articles on this website. However, in this instance I am in respectful disagreement — and am also respectfully calling them to be careful in how they approach what is happening at Asbury and other colleges in the U.S. right now.
Note: I highly respect Pastor JD Farag of Calvary Chapel Kaneohe, Hawaii, and have both quoted and posted in full his Sunday prophecy updates on this website. He is truly a man of god and a treasure to the Body of Christ. However, in this instance I am in respectful disagreement — and am also respectfully calling him to be careful in how he approaches what is happening at Asbury and other colleges in the U.S. right now.
Note: Dutch Sheets is known to be a false teacher of the New Apostolic Reformation, and was actually the founder of the NAR C.Peter Wagoner’s personal pastor. He is false in that he teaches Dominionist/Latter Rain/Manifest Sons of God theology to the body of Christ, stating that Christians are here right now to rule and reign with Christ in all areas of society, that a great end times revival will usher in a time wherein Christians rule in all “seven mountains”, is focused on making America great again and defended the false prophecies that Trump would be reelected for a second term, and firmly believes that America as a nation will be saved.
Informative Articles on Sheets and the NAR and Dominionist theology:
Here is a summary of what Dominionism is. It has gone by many different names such as Manifest Sons of God, Seven Mountains Mandate, Latter Rain, Joel’s Army, New Breed, Dominionism, etc., but all of them refer to the same thing. The Great Commission is to take dominion over the entire earth and all areas of society. Furthermore, they teach that last days Christians are not only reincarnations of Christ but are becoming Christ. They are therefore not awaiting the Second Coming of Christ but the “becoming of Christ.” As those who are becoming christs they must take back each of the seven mountains of society until they take over the world with the greatest revival the world has ever seen. Those who are little christs/little gods will take on immortality and will be an invincible Joel’s army of supermen that will conquer the world for Christ, and Christ will then be released to come down from heaven.Doesn’t this sound familiar — maybe “lo here is Christ, lo there” from Matthew 24
Note: C.Peter Wagoner is the founder of the New Apostolic Reformation. In this presentation from back in the early 2000’s, Wagoner even mentions Dutch Sheets’ definition given at this conference of the difference between pastor preaching and apostolic preaching (about the 9 minute mark). Quote: “Pastoral preaching stresses Jesus’ death on the cross…but apostolic preaching takes that verse literally…Jesus came to save that which was lost literally that dominion that Adam gave up… is now being restored.”
Quotes:
At about the 1 minute mark, “Dominion means being the head and not the tail. Dominion means ruling as kings…we are kings for dominion. Now the dominion mandate is another phrase for the Great Commission…”
10:45 second mark, under point number 4, “…Jesus delegated establishing His kingdom to us…to you and to me. We are the ones who are supposed to bring this about. See, Jesus trained His disciples to take charge after He left…”Acts 1:8…what did Jesus mean by be my witnesses? He meant that we are to be people who would speak and act on Jesus’ behalf, as if Jesus Himself were doing it; Jesus wants us to do that.”
12:50 second mark, “This is kind of, sort of a prophetic word, see. Let me just read this so I get the wording right. ‘Satan has been losing ground for 2000 years…now I say this, Satan will lose more ground in the next hundred years than he lost in the past 2000… the year 2001 opened the second Apostolic age. The government of the church is now in place. We’re aligning with apostles and prophets, and this war that we’re in…has two fronts. It has a spiritual front, and it has a natural front. And the spiritual front it says we must stand against the wiles of the devil…the wiles of the devil are anything he does to maintain the dominion that he stole from Adam in the garden of Eden. And what does that mean? Spiritual warfare…that’s the spiritual front. But we’d better not stay there! We better bring it down to the natural front…bringing it to earth…And this is a new cutting edge for this generation.”
Quote: “William “Dutch” Sheets is a leading figure in a fundamentalist movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, whose followers believe America is anointed by God to convert the world to Christianity — by force if necessary — and they seek to accelerate Jesus’ return and rule over the Earth. This divine mission, as they see it, will be carried out when true believers seize control of the institutions of the U.S. government.”
Quote: “Sheets and his “prophetic” colleagues like Engle and Cindy Jacobs believe that the church—which they refer to as the Ekklesia—is meant to be God’s governing authority and legislative body in the world.”
Sheets said, “You will fail! … The Ekklesia will take you out. The outpouring of Holy Spirit will take you out. Angels will take you out. You are no match for any of the above. You are no match for Father, Son, Holy Ghost, or his family or his angel armies. You are no match for his word. You are no match for his prophetic decrees …. So we push you back. And we say your finest hour has come and gone, and the church now rises to the place that he has called us to walk in …. We now rise up and I call that new order into the earth.”
“Jesus is considered the ‘Pattern Son.’ He was the first one to make it as a divine, immortal, sinless Manifest Son of God and this accomplishment will be duplicated by each individual who, following Jesus, become Manifest Sons of God. This Christ Company, now individually Manifest as Sons of God, will execute judgement at the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord… “Rick Joyner is another teacher for this movement. He believes that the elite ‘overcomers’ will conquer the world. This will lead to the greatest revival of history, where the majority of the world will be won to Christ and the kingdom made ready to be received by Christ.””
“Every man who has been born again is an incarnation and Christianity is a miracle. The believer is as much an incarnation as was Jesus of Nazareth.”
– Kenneth Hagin, The Incarnation, December 1980, p.13
“Who are you? Come on, who are you? Come on, say it: ‘Sons of God!’ Come on, say it! And what does work inside us, brother, is that
I think I just got it! The Bible says of Jesus that He learned obedience through the things that He suffered in Hebrews 5:7-9 which states, “…when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him…”
Before I continue I want to make it clear that this experience took place when Jesus had cloaked His divinity and took on human flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus as eternal God did not need to be perfected in any way. But Jesus did come as a sinless man, God in the flesh, referred to as the “last Adam” or “second Adam”, and experienced being human in this fallen world. And while here, He exemplified the footsteps in which we are to walk, and thus attentively learned obedience (5218 hypakoḗ) through the experience of and by heading the voice of suffering. In other words, suffering is our path.
The word for “suffering” in Greek is pásxō (3958) and refers to when something happens to us that is strongly, emotionally overwhelming to the one that is experiencing it. This happened in the past while Jesus had humbled Himself as a servant, but this learning (3129 manthánō) was objectively, unshakably real, and its lesson remains with Him who is now seated on the right hand of God, doing intercession on our behalf as our great High Priest.
We can all read that over and over and over again, and it is all just words. But, I’d been wondering about it, and been thinking on it – what the Bible terms “meditation” (as seen a lot of the Psalms). Plus, I’d been thinking on the book of James, specifically James 1:2-4 and 5:10-11. James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” And James 5:10-11 goes on to say, “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
In short, it is through suffering that we are perfected (and no, I do not mean we will attain perfection while here). Whatever that suffering might be, whatever that trial might be, whatever that difficulty or hardship or suffering, it is there to train us, to mold and fashion us, to conform us into the image of Christ. As Romans 8:29 says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” And Jesus humbled Himself to the lowest degree, becoming the servant of all (Philippians 2). A servant is also termed slave in Scripture, and a slave had no rights and had to obey their master’s commands, even doing the most menial tasks. Soldiers in the military were no different, and priests in service to God in the Temple were no different either. They were in “service” to whoever was above them, and when they heard a command they did not question – they just did it. Period.
This is what our Jesus did. He who made all things, and in whom all things consist and are held together by the word of His power, the One who created principalities and powers and shaped man into His own image, whose fingers formed the stars, the very One who said “let there be light”, stepped down into darkness cloaking His glory; God incarnate, bowed down low, obeying every command no matter how demeaning, even to the point of death – “for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2b)
I’ve read it time and again, but never had it touched me as it did today. Just the other night I was emoting to the Lord about how there are certain people who seemed to be very touched by His favor, and how I do not feel or appear to be favored by Him. It’s not that I even want “their” life nor do I wish them less joy. I just look at my own life and it appears so void of what everyone else has or is doing. And without going into too many details, my world is filled with pain, challenges, and grief; when one thing appear I was careful not to accuse the Lord of withholding, because that is not what I was doing. I was simply hurting and venting to the One I love the most, the One I know I can come to with any and every problem, my dearest friend and Father.
Then today I experienced great anger over the fact (and yes it is a fact) that many good things I’d been looking forward to have all be stifled by some form of suffering. Over and over again something I’d looked forward to has been dashed by some unforeseen pain or disappointment or grief. Now, no, it’s not maybe every time, but it is often enough that I can list many instances. And today all of that happiness turning to sadness time after time vented like a volcano. On top of this – not to justify my emotional explosion – so many of my dear friends are overwhelmed with physical illness and/or pain, circumstances and relationships out of their control, and are lost in a sea of emotion.
And then it hit me – Bam! We learn through suffering. Jesus did. And God’s almighty hand is fashioning us into the image of His dear Son by the same instrument of suffering. After all, the pupil is not above his/her teacher. Jesus showed us the way in which were to walk, and He walked the path of suffering. It is no wonder then that we are all walking this path. Jesus did not like it. We don’t like it. The student never likes being tested, but the test is essential. Even so, we are being tested. And this test, this suffering, is not to make us fail or weaker or make us look foolish or belittled by God. NO! God does not tempt us to fall! Ever! (James 1:13-15). But, this testing is to make us more resilient, more enduring, more sparkly more eternal and more and more like Jesus!!
Our life does not belong to us. Our lives here on earth are not about our happiness. We as Christians are not our own. We are bought with a price. We belong to God.
Even so, I am considering myself blessed because of all of my “temporal” happiness constantly turning to sorrow. I’m changing my attitude. I am choosing to count it all joy to endure my string of trials of sadness in order that I may be perfect and complete, wanting nothing. God is doing this for my good, and I am honored to be His child, that He is taking the time to carefully fashion each intricate detail, mold each divot, chisel each mark, sand each edge, sharpen what should be sharp, placing each gemstone just where it ought to be, and firing me in His kiln when necessary for both refinement and sparkle. I am not my own. I am His creation, His workmanship created for good works in Christ, His masterpiece, His little seed that must die that one day I might rise in the glory ordained for me in the eternity to come – for His praise and glory!
To whoever is reading this article in this strange time in human history, even the end of the end of the world, let us embrace the time that we have left on this earth, however long that may be, and choose not to fear the storms. And by storms I mean all storms: tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, political upheaval, unemployment, bankruptcy, world war, medical emergencies, death of loved ones, injustice, and whatever else you can think of or are experiencing. After all, is not God in the storm and greater than the storm? (Job 38:1; Nahum 1:3).“Fire and hail, snow and clouds, stormy wind fulfilling His word…” Psalm 148:8. Is He not the One who stilled the wind and the waves? (Matthew 8). Is He not the one who closed the lion’s mouths (Daniel), parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14), kept the shipwrecked Paul from drowning (Acts 27), delivered Peter supernaturally from Prison (Acts), upholds all things by the word of His great power (Hebrews 1:3), and answered Job from the whirlwind (Job 38:1)?
Even when we think we are in control, we are not. Us thinking we were ever in control was a lie, a mirage, an unreal fantasy that we came to believe when all was well. But, we do not control whether or not we are born nor who our parents are; how many hairs are on our head; who we fall in love with or who falls in love with us, who will employ us or who will unemploy us; the car on ice that slides into us or the plane that is late or the train that derails; our children’s decisions in life whether good or bad; who will like us or not like us for who we actually are, and the list could go on indefinitely. What we actually control outside of ourselves is not under our jurisdiction even when we think we have it all together and we “pulled ourselves up by our own bootstraps” as the saying used to go.
Moses and the Israelites were encamped between Pharaoh’s massive, intimidating, enraged army and the choppy, overpowering waves of the Red Sea. They did not know what to do. They were trapped. And all of them began to cry out. In that tumultuously intense moment, Moses too cried out to God too……….and God answered.
What would you have done? Perhaps you would have wanted to fight and would have picked up any instrument in order to do battle. Others maybe would have chosen to try swimming in the stormy sea. Still others may have wanted to attempt to build rafts out of whatever wood they had. Some of you may have run to the nearby caves to hide. Perhaps a few would have wanted to wave a white flag of surrender and turn themselves over to the enemy, hoping to save their lives. And a few of you would probably have melted into a puddle of emotion, weeping profusely for all was lost.
Isn’t that how we are handling our own personal Red Sea situation now?
What would you have asked God to do if you’d been one of the Israelites? How would you have had Him help? Would you have prayed that God would grant you victory in battle? Would you have prayed to survive the surf? Would you have prayed for refuge in the nearby caves and that the army would not see you? Or maybe, as so many of us do, we would have turned on God unjustly claiming that He wanted us to die! In any case, the people felt that because everything was out of their control that it must be out of God’s control too.
But, God was not out of control, not even for a second.
Exodus 14:13-16 reads, “And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea…”
Indeed, the greatest choice is to trust the ONE who controls and is sovereign over all. We can choose to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We can quit looking at Pharoah’s army, quit staring at the Red Sea, and quit allowing emotions of all kinds to cascade over us like a tidal wave.
Instead, we can choose to “Be anxious for nothing…” (Philippians 4:6), to think on things above and upon godly things (Colossians 3:2; Philippians 4:8), and on how BIG our God is (Colossians 3:2; Isaiah 26:3). To be silent. To be still. To not be afraid. To stand back and see the Lord’s salvation.
And God’s salvation may not come in the expected package of deliverance. He did not help the Israelite’s to swim or to fight or to hide. He did something they never would have envisioned. He parted the Red Sea. And He did not merely part it, He dried the sea bottom for them to walk upon. I mean, think about that detail that God provided for them. He made sure that they would not walk through the muck and mire. Don’t limit God’s answers to what you envision. Remember the Red Sea.
I am also reminded of an incredible story in 2 Chronicles 20 wherein the Jews were overwhelmed by overpowering circumstances beyond their control: a massive army of several nations was descending upon them to annihilate them. Thus, they all had gathered at the Temple together where they prayed, “we are powerless before this vast army…we do not know what to do, BUT our eyes are on YOU.” In short, while choosing to trust the Lord, they marched singing in worship to the Lord, and God did battle for them by turning the enemy upon themselves. It states in verse 22 that “…when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people…and they were defeated.”
And that is just where God wants us — to be like “babes and infants” (Psalm 8:2), in humble, out of control weakness in order that He might be our strength, to silence the enemy and the avenger (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Psalm 8). Believe it or not, we are completely in need of God who is our ever present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). After all, God who is in control has called on us to trust Him in all situations, at all times. Our life is God’s. Our children are God’s. We have our job because of God. Our bodies are God’s. Our house or apartment or condo is God’s. Our car is God’s. Our bank account is God’s. He is the owner of all. We are the stewards. Can we not then trust Him?
So, no matter what monumental thing you are facing and enduring, choose to trust in the Lord instead of leaning on your own understanding. And in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5). And choose to walk by faith not by sight. Let us therefore, not limit our God by our own limitations! Be men and women of faith in these final hours. Be those who trust without question. Be those who fear not (not tornadoes nor hurricanes nor earthquakes nor floods), not cancer, not suffering, not persecution, not world war, not medical tyranny, imprisonment, not pain, not loss of job or money or house or lands). Be those who stand firm upon the promises of God. Indeed, let us “…hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of hope firm to the end…” and “Beware … lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, but exhort one another daily while it is still called “Today”, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end…” (Hebrews 3:6, 12-14).
God is BIGGER. God is in control. He upholds the world by the word of His great power. God is sovereign. After all, God is God.
In Christ,
Holy Light Ministries
“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8) “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is in the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17:7)
The secular new year of 2023 is nearly upon us, and the year of 2022 is nearly behind us. Really, the past few months have felt really, really strange. For one thing, I and my family were sick over the Thanksgiving (in America), and so we celebrated it late. Then, because of sickness the early Christmas activities were missed such as going to Handel’s Messiah and the lighted Christmas parade, and then because of ice and snow we missed all of the week before Christmas events like the Christmas Eve specials at various churches and shopping for last minute gifts. Therefore, Thanksgiving did not feel like Thanksgiving and Christmas did not feel like Christmas.
On top of this there was a heaviness over the season. I thought I was feeling this way simply because I had not experienced all the fun events, but it went deeper. Each time I would shake it off. Each time I would struggle against it and turn up the Christmas music a bit more, and sing a little bit louder. But something was definitely different. It was nearly tangible.
Just after Christmas I and a family member listened to Dana Coverstone’s most recent dream (posted about a week before Christmas) about the canary in the coal mine, and it not only explained the growing darkness, it also explained that we as Christians in that darkness must continue working and worshiping while we work. We must not stop singing. And, we must not attempt to defend Christianity or the Holy Spirit or ourselves. We must not be defensive, but must be active in working and worshiping, for when we do so we will not be discouraged nor distracted nor defeated. This is, in short, the interpretation of the dream.
Then, yesterday I went onto youtube looking for something else when I came across the video below by Adele Grobler of Bold Existence. Adele Grobler and Candace and Michael Foy are the “coaches” and ministers of Bold Existence. They are true Christians, and are Holy Spirit- empowered sisters and brother in the Lord on the other side of the world. They do not appear to be apart of any nefarious group nor are they a cult. Praise the Lord! And they have deeply refreshed me! And oh! How I needed refreshing after a very oppressive week!
Yes, I believe Jesus really shared His heart with Adele through the Holy Spirit, and I pray that whoever it is that is reading this today would also click on the video below to hear Christ’s “right now” message (rhema word) to the Church.
Indeed, it has been a blessing to hear from both Dana Coverstone and Adele Grobler the same exact thing that I have been experiencing and feeling. They truly have confirmed what I have been dreaming and hearing from the Lord.
The darkness is growing. But as it does, we who have been in the secret place, who have pressed in to the Lord, who know Him will be unshaken by what is coming on the earth. And we must continue to worship and shine, for as we do so the darkness will still be perplexed and will be rendered powerless to overcome us! (“Christmas 2022: Choosing to Shine,” https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2022/12/23/christmas-2022-choosing-to-shine/).
Indeed, God has made His heart known to mankind, and is about to show forth His great power in the earth. He has given many warnings, allowing time for people to repent. Things are going to happen more quickly now than ever before, “wave upon wave. All this is of My doing, and My shaking, and final attempts to wake mankind up, to wake them up to the hour that is upon them… Will not all these things that I have spoken come to pass? The clock is ticking and is running out; the hourglass is almost empty. My light is almost here…I will continue to shake everything…they will see many tears in days ahead, and you will hear many cries of suffering and pain and anguish on the lips of my people who wake up too late. They will beat their breasts and cry out loud saying, ‘Why didn’t I listen? Why didn’t I hear? He spoke but I was blinded in my own ways. He made His way known to me, but I refused to follow. I wish I could turn back time. I would do things differently if I knew what I know now.”
To these the Lord responds, “I will never turn My back on my people who repent, but I won’t ease the consequences they will need to walk out because of their disobedience. They have made themselves their god. They are so focused on their next meal, their next success, their next holiday, their next entertainment. They put me on a shelf thinking as long as I gave my life to Christ I will be saved, and yet, little do they listen to the rest of my instructions, what it means to be a true disciple and follower of Me.”
Truly those “Christians” who, like Jesus said to Adele, have been looking to their next vacation or meal or fun thing will seriously be affected by the grave darkness that is descending palpably upon the world.
And so dear Christian who is reading today as the year 2022 turns into 2023 and as Christ’s return is upon us and the darkness is becoming so thick that it can be felt, do not be found lukewarm! Do not be found wanting! Do not be found pursuing your own goals, your own pleasures, your own gains, your own wants, your own ways when Jesus calls His Bride home! For truly, who is it that you are serving? Yourself? Are you your own god? Are you your own idol? Is your family your idol? Are your kids? Your spouse? Your job? Your house or your car or your tv shows or movies or vacations or life in general? Do you say you believe in Jesus, but everything else is on the throne of your heart?
Where is your heart? I pray the Holy Spirit convicts you now, today, and that today if you hear His voice you will not harden your heart! For today is the day of salvation (Psalm 95:8; Hebrews 3:15). You must choose THIS day whom you will serve. Everyday you make a choice. Every single day you decided who rules your life — you, another person, or God. If it is not God, then it is time to repent. For real. Today. Right this minute. This very second. Whether or not you go in the rapture of the Bride depends on it! Seriously. We are called to lives of holiness, for without holiness and undiluted, unadulterated faith we will not see the Lord (Hebrews 11:6; 12:14). “28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12).
“25“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”29Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 34“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Let’s be found watching. Let’s be praying always that we may be counted worthy to escape. Let’s not be found enamored by the things of this world nor be found overwhelmed by all that is happening, but rather, may we be found looking up. May we be found believing Jesus’ words that will come to pass and will NEVER pass away.
Jesus is coming SOON! Let’s be ready!
Looking up,
Holy Light Ministries
I personally only listen to the dream portion by Pastor Dana at the beginning and do not listen to Cherie. The interpretation is simple and does not take an hour to unpack!
“2The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:14-17)
“2For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:2-3)
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This Christmas season wherein we commemorate Jesus as the Light of the world, great darkness still covers the people. And this darkness is certainly growing deeper and darker, even as dark as before the creation of the world when all was without form and void (Genesis 1:1-2). And as the darkness grows, the shadowy beast system is slinking stealthily upon the world stage for the final countdown of time itself. All secret societies are boldly straining to amass enough of a stronghold, to unite the world under a new world order, like the tower of Babel, before God can reveal the rest of His preordained plan. Nearly every nation is right now flexing its muscles, suppressing its people, creating chaos, slowly demolishing their own money, establishing – unbeknownst to most of its patriots – a new set of laws, and enforcing medical tyranny and moral depravity. The distant storm once seen far in the distance is now upon us. Though not everyone understands why the storm is here (rising gas and food prices, immoral transgender agendas, unfair judicial decisions, legislatures that do not represent the people anymore, warnings from well-known economists about the plunging stock market, and the intensifying persecution of Christians in nation after nation including China, North Korea, and even Ukraine where it is the Ukrainian government that is unfairly intimidating Christians under the false accusation that their church takes orders from Russian based organizations), there are those of us who do know why. But whether we understand or not, the darkness is here and growing more palpable.
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I have heard from various Christians from different walks of life, that there is a heaviness right now. Depression is hitting harder. Discouragement is stronger. Feeling alone or a failure or dismal is a force to be reckoned with more so now than ever. People don’t want to get up in the morning. Along with everything that is happening on the world stage, Christians are facing very real, insurmountable odds in their own lives. They are battling cancer, recovering from major surgery, dealing with deep grief over the recent loss of a loved one, fighting illness, going home for the holidays to unsaved loved ones or unhealthy situations, unemployed, deep in credit card debt, their one child with whom they are close has moved far away or is moving far away, some can’t go to college because they can’t afford it, others are wondering what their purpose is, and the list could go on indefinitely. All in all, everything seems to powerfully overwhelming.
Not long ago, I was overwhelmed. At first I just went with the feeling, and thought it was warranted. So, I felt a little depressed. I had a right to be. But, something was wrong. And as I attempted to shake it, it grew stronger. But, I just kept praising and worshiping God anyway, and kept the worship music on in my home and car. As I called out to God to clean out the room of my heart and to be the Lord and Master of this throne, I felt a burden lift that had been quite heavy. But, that same night I awoke to a terrifying, demonic dream wherein a muscle-bound entity was wrestling with me. After wrestling it off and feeling weak, I moved to reach out to someone I know for help, but the entity made a surprise attack at that point of my weakness. I awoke with a loud cry.
I am sharing this to let you know that it is not okay to indulge any longer is depression, feeling sorry for oneself, discouragement or any of those downhearted feelings, for they are not just feelings. There is a demonic element to it. Whatever you and I got away with before in the arena of emotion, we are not going to get away with it now. It is time to take authority in Jesus’ name, and it is time to stand in agreement with a brother or sister in Christ in Jesus’ name. This is exactly what I did immediately after that nightmare. I rebuked the demon, and then went to my best friend who stood in agreement with me. And though depression has attempted to return, I have not allowed it. I know now first hand that it is not just an emotion. It is demonic, and not to be tolerated.
Yes, it’s dark out there. Yes, it is easier to just give in to an emotion. Yes, our circumstances are disheartening. But, we as Christians are called to shine anyway; we’re called to rejoice anyway; we’re called to praise anyway; we’re called to bless God and accept good and bad from Him anyway.
Jesus called us, in Matthew 5:14-16, the lights of the world. Not only is He the LIGHT of the world, but He gave us the same title. And we must not let our lights go out. We must not allow the darkness to overcome us when we’ve been made more than conquerors through Christ Jesus. We must not give in to the demonic forces when we have authority to trample upon them.
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Paul did not allow his beatings and shipwreck and being lost at sea and intense persecution and opposition to keep him from rejoicing always (2 Corinthians 11). For he knew the sufficiency of God’s grace, and that when he was weakest, God’s strength was strongest (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). For though “we are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” (2 Corinthians 4) We are not to lose heart for “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4).
Joseph did not lose heart though his brothers at first conspired to kill him, and then decided to sell him into slavery instead. Joseph did not lose heart when he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and unjustly imprisoned. He knew his God was bigger and would fulfill what He had promised through the dreams He had given. (Genesis 38-50)
Job did not lose heart, and said to his dear, grieving wife that she must not be like one of the foolish women but instead was to accept from the Lord both good and evil (Job 2:10)
And a modern day example is that of my friend Don. For ten years his wife faded away into the darkness of Alzheimer’s at a care center where I was chaplain a number of years. But, unlike so many who only visit a few times and don’t stay long with their loved one, he came daily for around 5 hours at a time. He fed her, watched over her, attended hymn sings and Bible studies with her, and wheeled her down to get her hair done. And one time, I unbeknownst to him, saw Don and his wife dancing – she in her wheelchair and he twirling her around to music in the activity room. It was a sight I will not soon forget and still impacts me today. For that man could have been out on the golf course in denial about everything or could have been depressed or angry with God, but instead, he chose to dance. He chose to shine.
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There is much in this life that does not make sense. There is so much heartache, hardship, unfairness, injustice, pain and grief. But, just like Paul and Joseph and Job and Don, they did not let their light, momentary affliction destroy them. Instead, they chose to shine.
For, whether you know it or not, there is always someone watching you. It might be a co-worker, a neighbor, or a relative, and you have absolutely no idea that they are seeing your response to things. They are observing your reaction. They are admiring your ability to rejoice in spite of suffering. They are inspired that you’ve chosen to smile, to sing, to dance, to press on no matter what your burden or insurmountable obstacle. I was one of those who saw. I was one of those impacted. I was one of those who still sees in my memory, Don dancing with his beloved wife in the midst of a trial turned to gold.
Even so, I call on you, dear overwhelmed brother and sister in Christ, chose to shine like the stars in the universe as you stand blameless and harmless before a watching world, even a crooked and perverse generation, holding fast to the word of life (Philippians 2:14-16).
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In this Christmas season, as you admire all those beautiful lights around you, may you reflect on Jesus who came as the LIGHT of the world. His own did not receive Him (John 1). He was rejected and despised, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53). But, did He diminish in His brightness? No. He is the LIGHT, and as such cannot help but shine!
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Do you think you can top Jesus in your suffering or challenges or disappointments? Do you think you are poor? Think of Jesus born in a stable/cave around animals. Do you think you have no purpose? Think of Jesus who was born to die. That’s right. He was born the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. This means He was born as a sacrificial Lamb for us. Born to die. Do you think you are unloved or rejected? Reflect on Jesus was was rejected to the point of being crucified. Do you think you are treated unfairly or unjustly? Well, meditate on Jesus was was given a mock trial and condemned to die through no fault of His own by those who knew that He was innocent. Do you think your pain is greater? Think on Jesus who was beaten mercilessly, had his beard plucked out, thorns pressed harshly into His scull, was forced to carry a heavy cross, and then nailed to it where He took upon Himself the weight of all the sins of the world and died of heart failure.
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This same LIGHT calls US His lights in this world (Matthew 5:14-16), and thus, we too ARE lights. And as lights, we are made to shine no matter what the storm, no matter what the attack, no matter what the injustice, no matter how fearful the situation, no matter how deep the darkness. You ARE light (Ephesians 5).
So, this Christmas season, choose to dance; choose to rejoice; choose to love others to Jesus; choose not to worry about anything but to pray about everything and let Jesus protect your hearts and minds with His peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Choose to shine as the lights of the world that Jesus has commissioned and created you to be, and do not lose heart! We can do all things in Christ who strengthens us, for He is greater in us that he that is in the world! (Philippians 4:13; 1 John 4:4). And Jesus has overcome the world! As Jesus said, “33These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” (John 16).
Jesus is coming soon. Let’s be found faithful, and as people of faith. Let Him turn your trial to gold. Let’s be ready!
You might want to check out Pastor JD Farag’s latest Bible prophecy update from Sunday November 20th (link below). Everything is coming together for the new world order from the COP 27 new 10 Commandments that the religions of the world just established at Sinai this past weekend with the blessing of the Pope after smashing the Lord’s 10 Commandments; to the new crypto digital currency that is more speedily coming together according to a news report this past Tuesday; to the requirement of the vaccine passport for international travel signed by 20 nations in Bali this past Wednesday.
Regarding the G20 at Bali, “The leaders from 20 countries at the recent G20 Summit signed a declaration which states they agree to adopt vaccine passports to “facilitate” all international travel.The current membership of the G20 accounts for more than 66 percent of the world’s population and includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and European Union. The two-day summit concluded in Bali, Indonesia yesterday and consisted of talks between the G20 member countries. Klaus Schwab, World Economic Forum (WEF) Chair, also attended. The G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration, signed by leaders from all the countries…” (“World Leaders Agree to Implement Vaccine Passports,” https://lc.org/newsroom/details/111722-world-leaders-agree-to-implement-vaccine-passports-1)
The signs are everywhere. The time clock is winding down speedily. This is yet another warning that the time is almost up, and we as Christians must be busy about our Lord’s business. Let us not be weary in well doing, for in the end we will reap a harvest if we faint not! (Galatians 6:9) Let us strengthen each other, lifting up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees (Hebrews 12:12-13), and stir one another’s faith, building each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11) as times get tougher and as the day of the Lord draws nearer.
We must remain vigilant and not downplay our role in the final seconds. Are you an unemployed dad trying to find work and fighting discouragement? – shake it off in Jesus’ name and be the best dad you can be! Are you feeling that you’re ONLY a mom – stop believing that lie, and be the best mom! Are you a janitor – be the best janitor! Are you an American called to be a missionary but there’s been no opening or not enough finances? – don’t forget that we in America live in a mission field. Do you have a college degree but can’t find any other employment other than in a retail store – then be the best employee! Are you an entrepreneur – then be the best entrepreneur!
And by “the best” I mean do it God’s way, honestly and humbly, and do it for the Lord, to please Him and no one else. “And whatsoever you do in word or deed do in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him…And whatsoever you do do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men!” Colossians 3:17, 23
Do you feel overwhelmed by what God has you doing? Remember he uses the weak and foolish things in this world for His glory. The story of Moses is key regarding this truth. Exodus 4:10-12 states, “And Moses said unto the Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto thy servant. But I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? Or why maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Now therefore, Go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”
In all our roles may we not forget that we are first and foremost “ambassadors of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20) and citizens of an eternal Kingdom that is now in our hearts and coming soon (Luke 17:21; Matthew 6:10; Ephesians 2:19; Hebrews 11:9-10). And He is the One who empowers us to will and to do His great pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
And finally remember Philippians 2 wherein we hear of Jesus who was equal with God yet humbled Himself and became the servant of all. He was royalty, yet became a slave. He was wisest, but simply served. He was exalted, yet humbled Himself. So, never think you are too good for something or not good enough. Get your eyes off of yourself, and turn your eyes upon Jesus. Let His heart be in all we are and do.
The New World, One World Order Religion is rising. Right now. This month. It is a one world religion with a whole new set of 10 commandments being given at Sinai, with a legal system based on Noahide laws, and a strange mixture of Gaia, Mithraism, and Kabbalah. This philosophy is uniting the world religions under one higher power. Mystery Babylon has been forming a long time, spanning centuries in fact, operating mostly behind the scenes, but now it is rising to its prominent place in the sea of nations, and the practitioners of Kabbalah seem to be its driving force. Below are many quotes about what is happening, links to those quotes, as well as my thoughts and perceptions.
Here is a quote taken from the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development website (link listed below), “Between November 6th and 18th, 2022, the UN climate conference COP 27 will take place on the Sinai Peninsula, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Religious communities and religious leaders have a key role to play in addressing climate change and climate justice, which requires deep transformation within society…Mount Sinai is a mountain whose memory and meaning loom large as a place of revelation in the collective consciousness of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and others. As an ancient sacred space, it was the site of prophetic experience, and receiving God’s message, for the prophets Moses and Elijah in all three Abrahamic traditions, and the prophet Muhammed in the Muslim tradition. COP 27 taking place in Sinai can remind humanity of our sacred responsibility to care for God’s creation…the project partners will bring together premier religious leaders from the world’s major religions to put forth a prophetic interreligious call to action: “Climate Justice: Ten Universal Commandments.” The call’s originality in compiling the finest teachings of all religions in support of climate justice draws inspiration from the great prophetic figures associated with Mount Sinai. Teachings and spiritual ideals will be highlighted…
This is an event delivered by world religious leaders. At its core is the work of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders, an active community of high-level religious leaders. The project partners also seek to involve celebrities who have a track record of climate advocacy.
“Founding Partners: The event will be coordinated by a coalition of organizations.
The Elijah Interfaith Institute and its Board of World Religious Leaders brings together some of the world’s most prominent religious figures from Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and the Religions of India
The Peace Department is a US non-profit designed to solve global coordination failures by making philanthropy and impact investing effective and scalable.
Climate activist Yosef Abramowitz serves as special advisor to the initiative.”
Regarding some of these partners, the Elijah Interfaith Institute states concerning itself (link below), “The spirit of Elijah is wisdom, inspiration, friendship and hope across religious traditions. Elijah deepens understanding among religions. Elijah’s mission is to foster unity in diversity, creating a harmonious world. Elijah’s message: The world’s great religions radiate wisdom that can heal the world. Deep level spiritual conversation across interreligious lines enriches our inner lives, enhances our prayer and opens our hearts. Discover unity and embrace diversity. We are many and we are one.”
Yosef Abramowitz who is listed as a “special adviser” to the initiative is a journalist and a well-respected environmental activist who even hosted a Shabbat dinner party for Kamala Harris and her husband back in 2017. He was raised attending a Solomon Schechter school which teaches (link below), “…that there are 70 faces of the Torah (Bamidbar Rabba 13:16), which is understood to mean that there are countless ways to interpret our sacred texts. It can feel like magic when a word or phrase, with a seemingly singular meaning, suddenly reveals itself to be multi-dimensional and rich in character.” He then went on to become what is called a “Young Judean.” The website of the Young Judeans explains that they are training up the Jewish youth to be activists and social justice defenders.
Abramowitz is married to Susan Silverman, who is an American Reform rabbi. “Reform Judaism, also known as Liberal Judaism or Progressive Judaism, is a major Jewish denomination that emphasizes the evolving nature of the faith, the superiority of its ethical aspects to its ceremonial ones, and belief in a continuous revelation, which is closely intertwined with human reason and not limited to the theophany at Mount Sinai…It is strongly identified with progressive political and social agendas, mainly under the traditional Jewish rubric tikkun olam, or “repairing of the world”. Tikkun olam is a central motto of Reform Judaism, and action for its sake is one of the main channels for adherents to express their affiliation.”
What is Tikkun olam? To be succinct and to the point, tikkun olam stems from and is the goal of Kabbalah. According to Chabad.org, “The Kabbalists taught that the Torah was given so that we could improve not only our own selves, but the entire cosmic order…In our times, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, described tikkun olam as the mission of every human being. He spoke with a voice of urgency…Tikkun olam is often used exclusively to describe acts of social justice and environmental awareness…And it is certainly vital that we ensure the sustainability of life upon this magnificent stage of creation.”
So, now what is Kabbalah? According to a Reform Jewish Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis (link below), “Kabbalah (also spelled Kabalah, Cabala, Qabala)—sometimes translated as “mysticism” or “occult knowledge—is a part of Jewish tradition that deals with the essence of God…The Zohar, a collection of written, mystical commentaries on the Torah, is considered to be the underpinning of Kabbalah… Kabbalistic thought often is considered Jewish mysticism…
The practical dimension of Kabbalah involves rituals for gaining and exercising power to effect change in our world and in the celestial worlds beyond ours. This power is generated by performing commandments, summoning and controlling angelic and demonic forces, and otherwise tapping into the supernatural energies present in Creation. The practical aspect of Kabbalah furthers God’s intention in the world, advancing good, subduing evil, healing, and mending. The true master of this art fulfills the human potential to be a co-creator with God…”
Furthermore, Kabbalah believes in what is known as Shekinah (also spelled Shechinah). Though there are Christians who use this term thinking it is a biblical one, it is not actually used in the Bible at all, but rather is from Kabbalah. The links below to biblestudytools.com, bibleinfo.com, christianity.com, and biblehub.com prove the point that it is not a biblical term. According to Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary as found at biblehub.com, it is “a term used in the Targums and by the later Jews, and adopted by Christians.” And according to the New Bible Dictionary, 3rd Edition, on page 1090, “The Shekinah… is used by Targumist and Rabbi to signify God himself, for legal Judaism dislikes ascribing form or emotion to deity.” The Targumim were initially Rabbinic oral interpretation and translation and even commentary of the Hebrew Scriptures into Aramaic, which were eventually written down with additional commentary. In other words, this was not the Christian understanding of Scripture, but a non-Christian interpretation.
This Rabbinic Shekinah according to learnkabbalah.com, is one “who never leaves us, the Divine Feminine — in other systems understood as the Goddess — who is with us always and who is, like us sometimes, exiled from her Divine lover, the Holy One. Sefirotically, the Divine name “Holy One, Blessed be He” refers to Tiferet as expressed through Yesod — the active masculine principle, the “sky god” in primitive theology. Erotically, the great motion of the universe is the reunification of the masculine principle and the feminine one…“Sabbath Queen” and “Sabbath Bride”…Some texts of the Kabbalah take precisely this view, even if it may strike us as surprisingly pluralistic. The Zohar, for example, understands even the despised idolatries of Ancient Canaan as merely imprecise in terminology. Asherah-worship, for example, is basically worship of the Shechinah — only with the mistaken notion that Asherah is really a separate being. Indeed, in one of the most shocking passages in the Zohar… Asherah is even a future name of Shechinah herself… Across thousands of years and wide geographical expanses, peoples around the world have experienced the Divine as feminine…She is closest to us. The great Kabbalistic project to restore unity and harmony in the Divine begins with unifying the immanent and the transcendent, or shamayim [heavens] and aretz [earth]. We might also see that project as the essential work of traditional Judaism as a whole: bringing together the actual world in which we live with our ideal notions of truth, justice, and God.”
Thus, the concept of Shekinah is Kabbalistic and completely pagan. And tikkun olam and its notion of the restoration of the heavens and the earth via the unification of their goddess and god is Kabbalistic. Both of these have led to this present climate initiative, this repairing of the world, this altering of the 10 Commandments, this blasphemy.
So, what blasphemy is happening at Sinai? Well, back in August of 2022, Yosef Abramowitz published an article entitled, “For Our Sin of Emissions: 10+1 Climate Commandments” wherein he stated, “A narrow strip of biblical land, from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, is not only the pathway of the Israelites during the Exodus, but it is also the birthplace of our climate redemption. This November, world leaders will gather down the coast from here in Sharm el-Sheik to try to hammer-out yet another climate plan…Climate hope may not come… from the 27th gathering of world leaders on the issue but instead from a nearby place of paramount spiritual power. A group of us, under the auspices of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development and the Elijah Interfaith Institute, recently came together at Mount Sinai to envision what message of hope and transformation religions can offer to humanity as we grapple with the challenges of climate justice. One of the ideas was returning to the 10 commandments, given at Sinai.”
This is not honoring the literal interpretation of God’s commandments, but rather, is adding to Scripture. Abramowitz states wittily, “While not set in stone, here’s my version…” These are new commandments, man-made commandments such as ‘acknowledge a higher power’, do not murder by allowing climate change to continue, do not steal the future of mother nature, do not lie about the very real dangers of climate change, keep the Sabbath by not using your car that day, and honor mother earth.
Really, this is all in honor of Shekinah – the mother goddess – via a Kabbalistic ritual performed by most leadership of the world religions today.
Going deeper, Jonathan Cahn in his new book, “The Return of the gods” writes about the return of pagan worship (specifically to America) and of the replacing of the Trinity for the unholy trinity of the ancient gods. This came about when first America emptied herself of the one true God by removing the Bible, prayer, and the 10 Commandments from public schools and from public display elsewhere as well. Money, profit, pleasure, comfort and success became idols, and brought about the molten Baal bull of Wall Street. And as with the Baal of the Bible, he led America into paganism and the worship of Gaia. “Man was of nature, nature was of God, man was God, and God was everything – pantheism.” (pg 57).
But the most ancient of the gods was the goddess of Sumer, but who bears many names and is revered in nation after nation, religion after religion, and whose title is the “Queen of Heaven.” This is is the Mother Goddess with many names including Gaia, Astarte, Ishtar, and Innana to name a few. She is a goddess of sexuality, homosexuality and prostitution, a sorceress of great enchanting power, who changes her form from woman to man, and is the consort of Baal. Death and rebirth and the coming of Spring are associated with her, and is the goddess of personal freedom and war. And strangely enough, she bears a striking resemblance to America’s Statue of Liberty created via the vision of French Freemason Edward Laboulaye (link regarding this below).
What is happening at Sinai is definitely a form of Kabbalistic “rituals for gaining and exercising power to effect change in our world and in the celestial worlds beyond ours…” as stated at learnkabbalah.com, and is truly about “performing commandments, summoning and controlling angelic and demonic forces, and otherwise tapping into the supernatural energies present in Creation…” and being “a co-creator with God…” This much is clear. And many if not all religions are being represented there at this time, and they are actively performing, summoning, and thinking they are controlling and tapping into the supernatural realm, playing co-creators.
Indeed, this “return” is not a moral returning nor a repentant one before the one true God, but is a blasphemous one aimed at reverence for the earth and a call for all religions to join together in unity for the salvation of the planet and all of the cosmos, that their messiah might emerge. But this messiah is not Jesus, but rather the realization that each person is messiah. As kabbalah.com states, “The startling revelation of Kabbalah is that each and every person is actually the Messiah. The removal of chaos requires the collective consciousness of all its pieces, and Messiah is the collective enterprise of all human beings. When each of us fulfills the requirements of consciousness and behavior – and thus become Messiah within ourselves – then and only then can we bring forth and become part of a collective Messiah. When all people achieve communion with their individual Messiah‑consciousness, we will then experience the presence of Messiah. The awesome Light of the Creator is then revealed in its full splendor– and chaos, the epitome of darkness, simply fades away, for darkness cannot coexist with light.”
And this belief is more pervasive than one might think. This Kabbalistic belief about light and messiah-consciousness aligns perfectly with the New Age movement for it teaches “…pantheism — the pagan belief that God is in everything and therefore everything is God. This belief stands in direct opposition to the biblical teaching that God exists separate and apart from His creation. A corollary of pantheism is the belief that Man is god and therefore the key to spiritual enlightenment and salvation is to recognize one’s divinity and release it to achieve Christ-consciousness.”
According to an article on LetUsReason.com, “No one has spoken clearer on the new ecumenism that is united by a mystical experience than Matthew Fox. Fox states Christianity has been “out of touch with its “core,” its center, its sense of mystical practice and cosmic awareness” (p.7, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ by Matthew Fox.) “This shift requires making mysticism central to our faith once again. What the human race needs today is mystical solidarity. (p.232) the coming together of religions, has been thwarted because world religions have not been relating at the level of mysticism” (p.65.) Fox’s view is panentheism, which he defines as “all things in God and God in all things” (p. 57 The Coming of the Cosmic Christ). He is also correct in stating, this “is the way all genuine mystics interpret the universe. Divinity is not outside us. We are in God and God in us. That is the unitive experience of the mystics East or West” (p.50.) It is not surprising that so called evangelicals like Tony Campolo say the same thing. In his book “Partly Right” He favorably writes, “Robert Schuller affirms our divinity, yet does not deny our humanity … isn’t that what the gospel is? Isn’t God’s message to sinful humanity that He sees in each of us a divine nature of such worth that He sacrificed His own Son so that our divine potentialities might be realized?…Campolo has said that, “I’m not convinced that Jesus only lives in Christians.””
Even leadership in the New Apostolic Reformation adhere to such beliefs including both Bill Johnson of Bethel Church in Redding, California. Bill Johnson contributed a chapter or two to a book called The Physics of Heaven. In it, one of its main authors Ellyn Davis states of all the contributors of the book, that “all agree that the next move of God will cause a shift at the deepest level of who we are—perhaps the very “vibrational level” that the New Age movement has been exploring. They also all agree that there are precious truths hidden in the New Age that belong to us as Christians and need to be extracted from the worthless.”
Yet another Christian contributor of the same book, Jonathan Welton, states, “I have found throughout Scripture at least 75 examples of things that the New Age has counterfeited, such as having a spirit guide, trances, meditation, auras, power objects, clairvoyance, clairaudience, and more. These actually belong to the church, but they have been stolen and cleverly repackaged…We need to begin to use [New Age] counterfeits as signposts. Every time a counterfeit shows up, take it as the Lord presenting you with an opportunity to reclaim . . . the Church’s stolen property.”
Another New Apostolic Reformation proponent Brian Simmons author of the new, popular Bible translation the Passion, has stated, “We are the Word made flesh again. We are the Reincarnation of Jesus Christ,” and “We’re the seed of Christ, the 42nd generation, we complete the geneology of Jesus. CHRIST IS NO LONGER A MAN, HE’S A PEOPLE. YOU AND I CARRY LIKE MARY. WE WILL BRING FORTH THE CHRIST. THE SECOND COMING IS THE BECOMING OF THE LORD,” and “AS THE CHRIST COMES FORTH AND EMERGES ON THE EARTH IN A CORPORATE EXPRESSION…And that Revelation 12 virgin is going to come and bring forth the salvation of the planet.”
All in all, what is taking place at Sinai right now in November of 2022, is the blasphemous one world religion of “messiah consciousness” beginning to take shape in order to bring all the world under the rule of the Noahide laws based in Kabbalah and a new set of 10 Commandments, whose paganism goes back all the way back to ancient Sumer — Babylon. And the Queen of heaven, mother goddess, Mother Earth, the great prostitute, Shekinah – call her by whatever name you will – will quite possibly rise to prominence in a newly “reset” America.
These really are just my thoughts thus far on what I am perceiving, and I wanted to let you in on that research.
Quote: “Between November 6th and 18th, 2022, the UN climate conference COP 27 will take place on the Sinai Peninsula, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Religious communities and religious leaders have a key role to play in addressing climate change and climate justice, which requires deep transformation within society…Mount Sinai is a mountain whose memory and meaning loom large as a place of revelation in the collective consciousness of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and others. As an ancient sacred space, it was the site of prophetic experience, and receiving God’s message, for the prophets Moses and Elijah in all three Abrahamic traditions, and the prophet Muhammed in the Muslim tradition. COP 27 taking place in Sinai can remind humanity of our sacred responsibility to care for God’s creation…the project partners will bring together premier religious leaders from the world’s major religions to put forth a prophetic interreligious call to action: “Climate Justice: Ten Universal Commandments.” The call’s originality in compiling the finest teachings of all religions in support of climate justice draws inspiration from the great prophetic figures associated with Mount Sinai. Teachings and spiritual ideals will be highlighted…
This is an event delivered by world religious leaders. At its core is the work of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders, an active community of high-level religious leaders. The project partners also seek to involve celebrities who have a track record of climate advocacy.”
“Founding Partners: The event will be coordinated by a coalition of organizations:
The Elijah Interfaith Institute and its Board of World Religious Leaders brings together some of the world’s most prominent religious figures from Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and the Religions of India.
The Peace Department is a US non-profit designed to solve global coordination failures by making philanthropy and impact investing effective and scalable.
Climate activist Yosef Abramowitz serves as special advisor to the initiative.”
Quote: “The spirit of Elijah is wisdom, inspiration, friendship and hope across religious traditions. Elijah deepens understanding among religions. Elijah’s mission is to foster unity in diversity, creating a harmonious world. Elijah’s message: The world’s great religions radiate wisdom that can heal the world. Deep level spiritual conversation across interreligious lines enriches our inner lives, enhances our prayer and opens our hearts. Discover unity and embrace diversity. We are many and we are one.”
Quote: “The Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders brings together some of the world’s most prominent religious figures from Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and the Religions of India. The Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders is unique in mission and scope. It brings together an unparalleled group of religious leaders from all over the world in a profound exchange of ideas that leads to deep engagement with each and spiritual friendship between participants. This paves the way for transformation within religions and their teachings. It provides a platform and an opportunity for these religious leaders to collectively address today’s problems from within the resources of their own traditions. The wisdom of multiple traditions is shared as a collective voice, respecting diversity and difference.”
Quote: “A narrow strip of biblical land, from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, is not only the pathway of the Israelites during the Exodus, but it is also the birthplace of our climate redemption. This November, world leaders will gather down the coast from here in Sharm el-Sheik to try to hammer-out yet another climate plan…Climate hope may not come from the 27th gathering of world leaders on the issue but instead from a nearby place of paramount spiritual power. A group of us, under the auspices of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development and the Elijah Interfaith Institute, recently came together at Mount Sinai to envision what message of hope and transformation religions can offer to humanity as we grapple with the challenges of climate justice. One of the ideas was returning to the 10 commandments, given at Sinai.
Emissions are down 30 percent over the sabbath every week in Israel and are almost zeroed out on Yom Kippur (the Jewish Day of Atonement, the holiest of the year). A global weekly non-carbon day of rest could reduce emissions of the world by a seventh, and can be observed by different faith communities on different days.”
Note: Says he attended Solomon Schechter School of Greater Boston that “created a base of Jewish knowledge.” Below is the info from that very school concerning what type of Jewish knowledge was presented.
Quote: “Our tradition teaches us that there are 70 faces of the Torah (Bamidbar Rabba 13:16), which is understood to mean that there are countless ways to interpret our sacred texts. It can feel like magic when a word or phrase, with a seemingly singular meaning, suddenly reveals itself to be multi-dimensional and rich in character. Yet the process of revealing that deeper meaning of a text is not supernatural or unexplained—it comes from a unique process of exegesis that is at the core of Jewish tradition. The way that we study and parse texts is almost as ancient as the texts themselves.
Jewish tradition values asking questions and challenging assumptions. The ancient sages modeled an emphasis on intertextual connections to draw parallels between multiple sources. Our tradition trains our eyes to notice literary devices and patterns that reveal deep truths that may be embedded inside of the simple meaning. These are all central to the critical thinking process required for the analytical study of any discipline and these processes are profoundly Jewish. As a school, we believe that when our students study ancient Jewish texts that they not only elevate their level of proficiency around our beloved tradition but also enhance their analytical skills in all areas of study…”
“Shabbat Dinner with Kamala and Doug,” August 13, 2020, by Yosef Abramowitz who is the
‘special advisor’ to the COP 27 climate change initiative and event that will be taking place at Sinai beginning November 6, 2022, and the writer of the article about the 10 Commandments and sins of emissions, https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/shabbat-dinner-with-kamala-and-doug/
Quote: “While we have hosted many members of Congress, Kamala Harris was going to be our first senator. This was a private trip, we were told, so that Doug, her Jewish husband, could finally see the Jewish state and also experience a special Shabbat. No one had to tell us the significance; there were already whispers of a presidential campaign. Unbeknownst to us, the senator had asked her staff to seek out a Shabbat dinner that would resonate for Doug, and they presented six families. I think we won the privilege because the Israel that Senator Harris loves, and the Judaism she most identifies with, is our Israel and our Judaism — filled with good people challenging its imperfections and fighting to lift human dignity wherever we can…
On the one hand, there is nothing remarkable about our Shabbatot. Candlelighting, angel cards, kiddush, blessing the kids, motzi. But Kamala wanted something special…
Kamala brought up solar energy and climate change. I was happy to tell her about our goal of going 100% solar daytime for Eilat and the Arava Desert – which we achieved this year! – and how we are bringing that model to African countries with US government advocacy and financing. This is the good stuff. We did not talk about settlements or other wedge issues on Israel. But rather how the US and Israel can work together to further international development and win the climate battle. “We have a lot to learn from you,” said the junior senator from California…
Kamala waited until dessert to share her Israel-related mission. She leaned forward toward Susan. “My goal is to hold together the center on Israel in the Democratic Party,” said the now-contender for the vice presidency of the United States. She said it with conviction, authenticity and, in that moment, as a related-Member of the Tribe around the Shabbat table in Jerusalem.
When you walk into the front reception of Kamala Harris’s Senate office, there is a framed photograph with the caption, “Shabbat in Israel 2017” with a group picture from our home.”
Quote: “Reform Judaism, also known as Liberal Judaism or Progressive Judaism, is a major Jewish denomination that emphasizes the evolving nature of the faith, the superiority of its ethical aspects to its ceremonial ones, and belief in a continuous revelation, which is closely intertwined with human reason and not limited to the theophany at Mount Sinai…The origins of Reform Judaism lie in 19th-century Germany, where Rabbi Abraham Geiger and his associates formulated its early principles. Since the 1970s, the movement has adopted a policy of inclusiveness and acceptance, inviting as many as possible to partake in its communities, rather than strict theoretical clarity. It is strongly identified with progressive political and social agendas, mainly under the traditional Jewish rubric tikkun olam, or “repairing of the world”. Tikkun olam is a central motto of Reform Judaism, and action for its sake is one of the main channels for adherents to express their affiliation.”
Quote: “Kabbalah (also spelled Kabalah, Cabala, Qabala)—sometimes translated as “mysticism” or “occult knowledge—is a part of Jewish tradition that deals with the essence of God…The Zohar, a collection of written, mystical commentaries on the Torah, is considered to be the underpinning of Kabbalah… Kabbalistic thought often is considered Jewish mysticism…
The practical dimension of Kabbalah involves rituals for gaining and exercising power to effect change in our world and in the celestial worlds beyond ours. This power is generated by performing commandments, summoning and controlling angelic and demonic forces, and otherwise tapping into the supernatural energies present in Creation. The practical aspect of Kabbalah furthers God’s intention in the world, advancing good, subduing evil, healing, and mending. The true master of this art fulfills the human potential to be a co-creator with God…
Beyond academia, however, the term “Kabbalah” is a catchall for all forms of Jewish esotericism…In contemporary Reform congregations, the observances of Kabbalat Shabbat, havdalah, and the Tu BiShvat seder derive from Kabbalistic traditions.”
Quote: “In reference to individual acts of repair, the phrase “tikkun olam” figures prominently in the Lurianic account of creation and its implications: God contracted the divine self to make room for creation. Divine light became contained in special vessels, or kelim, some of which shattered and scattered. While most of the light returned to its divine source, some light attached itself to the broken shards. These shards constitute evil and are the basis for the material world; their trapped sparks of light give them power.
According to the Lurianic account, the first man, Adam, was intended to restore the divine sparks through mystical exercises, but his sin interfered. As a result, good and evil remained thoroughly mixed in the created world, and human souls (previously contained within Adam’s) also became imprisoned within the shards.
The “repair,” that is needed, therefore, is two-fold: the gathering of light and of souls, to be achieved by human beings through the contemplative performance of religious acts. The goal of such repair, which can only be effected by humans, is to separate what is holy from the created world, thus depriving the physical world of its very existence—and causing all things return to a world before disaster within the Godhead and before human sin, thus ending history.”
Quote: ““The Kabbalists taught that the Torah was given so that we could improve not only our own selves, but the entire cosmic order…In our times, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, described tikkun olam as the mission of every human being. He spoke with a voice of urgency…
Tikkun olam is often used exclusively to describe acts of social justice and environmental awareness…And it is certainly vital that we ensure the sustainability of life upon this magnificent stage of creation.”
Quote: “Next week, we are leading the Climate Solutions Festival with our partners from JNF Canada and KKL, a unique global innovation event at the Hulda Forest in Israel. There will be hundreds of attendees, over 100 speakers from over 12 countries including Sweden, Bahrain, UAE, Italy, Canada, the UK and Singapore, and more than 60 start-ups showcasing and presenting their solutions that will advance the goal of connecting Israeli innovation to global challenges and global opportunities.”
Quote: “Israel’s government Sunday voted to approve a new climate plan, under which all government ministries must – by the end of 2023 – submit action plans that will specify their preparations to meet the climate crisis, also known as “climate change” and “Global Warming.” The vote was made as Israel is set to take part in the upcoming UN Climate Conference, to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt from 6 – 18 November 2022. The new action plans will be written in accordance with climate change scenarios prepared by the National Emergency Authority (NEA) and the Environmental Protection Ministry…”
Summary: “Kabbalah and Ecology is a groundbreaking book that resets the conversation about ecology and the Abrahamic traditions. David Mevorach Seidenberg challenges the anthropocentric reading of the Torah, showing that a radically different orientation to the more-than-human world of nature is not only possible, but that such an orientation also leads to a more accurate interpretation of scripture, rabbinic texts, Maimonides and Kabbalah. Deeply grounded in traditional texts and fluent with the physical sciences, this book proposes not only a new understanding of God’s image but also a new direction for restoring religion to its senses and to a more alive relationship with the more-than-human, both with nature and with divinity.”
Quote: “Our experience of separateness is part of our reality. And that which is present is not mere illusion: it is the Presence of the Divine, the shechinah, the tenth sefirah, also known as malchut, sovereignty. Malchut completes the chain of the sefirot…In Divine terms, malchut is the world that we experience, which is filled with the Shechinah, the Divine presence. Malchut is that aspect of the Divine which is totally immanent, absolutely here and now, closer to you even than your concept of “you.”…
Malchut is not merely an abstract quality in the Kabbalah, however. It is also Shechinah, Presence, the revealed Divine face — and the Divine feminine. It is Shechinah who never leaves us, the Divine Feminine — in other systems understood as the Goddess — who is with us always and who is, like us sometimes, exiled from her Divine lover, the Holy One. Sefirotically, the Divine name “Holy One, Blessed be He” refers to Tiferet as expressed through Yesod — the active masculine principle, the “sky god” in primitive theology. Erotically, the great motion of the universe is the reunification of the masculine principle and the feminine one…
How different is this dynamic of Holy One and Shechinah from the ancient wedding of god and goddess, precisely the practices about which our ancestors were so concerned? And the more you know, the more “troubling” the situation becomes. Mystics are exhorted to experience this union sexually — with their wives, on Friday night in particular. Poems and prayers are composed to the Shechinah itself — for example, the many references to “Sabbath Queen” and “Sabbath Bride.” (Who do we think we are addressing in those prayers, anyway?) And the imagery of the Shechinah is, unabashedly, goddess-imagery: She is the Earth mating with the sky through the conduits of rain, She is the spirit in the trees, She is the ever-renewing cyclical flow of natural times and seasons…
Well, what about the hundreds of different religions around today? Are women who venerate the Virgin Mary wrong? Confused? Are over a billion Hindus, devoted to any number of different Divine beings (or manifestations) really worshipping something completely devoid of any reality?…Clearly, the “primitive” person, the Kabbalist, and the devotees of different religions are experiencing something…
Some texts of the Kabbalah take precisely this view, even if it may strike us as surprisingly pluralistic. The Zohar, for example, understands even the despised idolatries of Ancient Canaan as merely imprecise in terminology. Asherah-worship, for example, is basically worship of the Shechinah — only with the mistaken notion that Asherah is really a separate being. Indeed, in one of the most shocking passages in the Zohar (brought to my attention by Rabbi Jill Hammer), Asherah is even a future name of Shechinah herself.
If the radical nature of these ideas is not resonating with you, imagine something closer to home. Imagine a text which says that Jesus Christ is but another name for Tiferet, or that Ganesh is just a name for Hod. Everyone’s on the right track, so to speak; it’s just in some of the theological details that they get confused…
The Kabbalah may be aware of these energies, and honor them far more than does any other part of Judaism, but it is also conservative in nature. Traditional Kabbalah does not set aside the mitzvot, or Torah study, or the life of the pious…
But if we are speaking of the Presence of God, then we are speaking of God as experienced — and that includes the gendered and eroticized images of Earth Goddess, princess, and bride. Across thousands of years and wide geographical expanses, peoples around the world have experienced the Divine as feminine. And the more some traditions have sought to erase Her, the more slyly She has persisted — sometimes in “Christmas Trees” or “Easter Eggs” (historically, both pagan symbols of the Goddess)…
The Goddess is a nearly universal human experience, it would seem, and She remains in monotheism as a part of the unified One — albeit a part which is sometime in exile from the whole, and in need of unification…
Malchut is probably the most important of the ten sefirot — remember, what’s higher on a Kabbalistic hierarchy is not more important than what is below — because She is closest to us. The great Kabbalistic project to restore unity and harmony in the Divine begins with unifying the immanent and the transcendent, or shamayim and aretz. We might also see that project as the essential work of traditional Judaism as a whole: bringing together the actual world in which we live with our ideal notions of truth, justice, and God.”
Quote: “the word “Shekinah” itself does not appear in the Bible. The word “Shekinah” or “Shekinah glory” is only found outside of the Bible in rabbinic (Jewish scholars) manuscripts.”
Quote: “In the classical Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments, the word shekinah is actually not found. It was first introduced by Jewish rabbis through targums and literature in the period between the completion of the Old Testament and the onset of the New Testament.
Quote: “Regarding this period that is about to dawn, in which miracles will become the norm, the Zohar cautions us concerning those people who will be determined to prevent the end of chaos, pain, and suffering. The existence of such people seems to defy human understanding – Why would anyone resist ideas that can benefit all mankind? Why not accept changes that will remove, once and for all, the pain and suffering that mankind has so long endured?…
Kabbalah teaches that the power behind the resistance to growth and transformation is the Satan. People are often confused upon first hearing of the Satan in a kabbalistic context. The term does not refer to a being with horns and a tail…
The Zohar tells us that the forces of evil and chaos, as represented by the Satan, willcoerce vulnerable individuals to reject outright any and all solutions that might enhance the quality of their lives. At the same time, these people will vehemently deny the existence of the forces that are leading them toward negative and self‑destructive behavior. The revelation, therefore, of these unseen forces is an overwhelmingly significant step toward preparing humanity for entrance into a new era filled with the Light of the Creator.
Amid these questions raised by religious interpretations of Messiah – such as who he is, when he is coming, and why certain people will refuse to accept him – it is extremely refreshing to connect with the universal truths concerning the Messiah concept as presented by Kabbalah, bearing in mind that Kabbalah existed long before there were any formal religions.
The startling revelation of Kabbalah is that each and every person is actually the Messiah. The removal of chaos requires the collective consciousness of all its pieces, and Messiah is the collective enterprise of all human beings. When each of us fulfills the requirements of consciousness and behavior – and thus become Messiah within ourselves – then and only then can we bring forth and become part of a collective Messiah. When all people achieve communion with their individual Messiah‑consciousness, we will then experience the presence of Messiah. The awesome Light of the Creator is then revealed in its full splendor– and chaos, the epitome of darkness, simply fades away, for darkness cannot coexist with light…
We, of this generation are so fortunate to participate in this Age of Aquarius. Unlike previous generations, awareness of Messiah’s true meaning is available to us. Now that we can see ourselves as integral parts of this cosmic event, the task of achieving a Messiah‑consciousness is a great deal easier to achieve. Indeed, the cosmos itself now supports and assists us in this effort to reach out to our own Messiah‑consciousness…
What has taken place in this incredible 20th century– an event more significant than any other in history – is the unveiling of the wisdom of Kabbalah beyond a select few to all the people of the world. This 4000‑year‑old discipline and teaching, locked for centuries in ancient vaults, has finally been restored to its rightfulowners.
It is therefore comprehensible that because the awesome Light of the Creator has been released into the cosmos by virtue of the Zohar, the incredible technological advances of this century have come about as a direct result of a cosmic transformation of consciousness.”
Quote: “The essence of the New Age Movement is pantheism — the pagan belief that God is in everything and therefore everything is God.10 This belief stands in direct opposition to the biblical teaching that God exists separate and apart from His creation. A corollary of pantheism is the belief that Man is god and therefore the key to spiritual enlightenment and salvation is to recognize one’s divinity and release it to achieve Christ-consciousness…”
Quote: “No one has spoken clearer on the new ecumenism that is united by a mystical experience than Matthew Fox. Fox states Christianity has been “out of touch with its “core,” its center, its sense of mystical practice and cosmic awareness” (p.7, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ by Matthew Fox.) “This shift requires making mysticism central to our faith once again. What the human race needs today is mystical solidarity. (p.232) the coming together of religions, has been thwarted because world religions have not been relating at the level of mysticism” (p.65.) Fox’s view is panentheism, which he defines as “all things in God and God in all things” (p. 57 The Coming of the Cosmic Christ). He is also correct in stating, this “is the way all genuine mystics interpret the universe. Divinity is not outside us. We are in God and God in us. That is the unitive experience of the mystics East or West” (p.50.) It is not surprising that so called evangelicals like Tony Campolo say the same thing. In his book “Partly Right” He favorably writes, “Robert Schuller affirms our divinity, yet does not deny our humanity…isn’t that what the gospel is? Isn’t God’s message to sinful humanity that He sees in each of us a divine nature of such worth that He sacrificed His own Son so that our divine potentialities might be realized?…Campolo has said that, “I’m not convinced that Jesus only lives in Christians.””
Quote: “On this day, people from all over the world gathered on behalf of the Laws of Noah,” said Rabbi Yakov D. Cohen, head of the Institute of Noahide Code, which sponsored the conference. “Their observance is required, so that the vision of the United Nations—to have a settled and civilized world, filled with economic justice and righteousness—will prevail.”Titled “One People, One World,” the conference brought together journalists, diplomats, and delegates from countries across the globe – including Egypt and Israel. Guests of honor from the UN Diplomatic Corps also signed a “Declaration of the Seven Laws of Noah,” which emphasized the importance of the Seven Noahide Laws in maintaining peace, justice, and harmony among peoples and nations. In his remarks at the event, Rabbi Cohen discussed how monotheism – uniting the world under the one true G-d – is essential for breaking down barriers between cultures…
The Institute of Noahide Code is a UN-accredited NGO dedicated to spreading awareness of the Seven Noahide Laws, which all peoples of the world are obligated to follow. It takes its guidance from the inspiring vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who understood the inherent power of these laws to unite the nations of the world.”
Quote: “The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of blessed memory, is the seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty. He has been described as the most phenomenal Jewish personality of our time. To his hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of sympathizers and admirers around the world, he is “the Rebbe,” today’s most dominant figure in Judaism and, undoubtedly, the one individual more than any other singularly responsible for stirring the conscience and spiritual awakening of world Jewry…the Rebbe is the son of the renowned kabbalist and talmudic scholar, the late RabbiLevi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson. He is the great-grandson—and namesake—of the third Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch.”
Quote: “The Statue of Liberty was a Masonic concept conceived from within Freemasonry. The chief promoter and fundraiser for the project was Edward Laboulaye and he collaborated with the sculptor Frederic Bartholdi to develop a statue of Masonic enlightenment…
In the original planning, the Statue of Liberty was designed in the initial stages to be in color. She was to be wearing the royal robes of scarlet and purple.
It became obvious that for reasons of monetary purposes the statue must be made from copper. The use of copper precluded the use of any color schemes. Thus the original plans for scarlet and purple robes were abandoned.
The Torch:
This item was originally designed to be a golden cup filled with the wine of freedom. This golden cup remained in the planning and was actually made.
However, before completion and shipping of the entire statue, the New York Port authorities asked if there could be some sort of modification to allow for an eternal flame or light to be designed into the statue so that ships could use her as a night time navigational aid. Bartholdi consented to make modifications to the basic cup design to allow for a natural gas flame to be utilized.
The torch we see today is actually the same type of cup design used in ancient times for drinking wine. It featured a handle for the cup at the bottom and the handle looked much like a stick. The golden aspect itself was altered again to conform to the needs of the natural gas flame.
The actual, original golden cup was later sold by the project to the Czar of Russia, Czar Nicholas. In 1917 during the Russian revolution the Communist government took possession of it. The cup has remained in Russian hands but in 1997 was reportedly offered for sale by the Russian government to help pay off Russia’s foreign debts. This author has not been able to determine whether or not the cup was actually sold or not. It is only known that the cup is still in existence…
The are just too many coincidences when we compare the characteristics in the scriptures relating to the woman called “Mystery Babylon — “Mother of Harlots” with that of Ishtar of Babylon and the Statue of Liberty.”
Quote: “The origin of the cult of Mithra dates from the time that Hindus and Persians still formed one people, for the god Mithra occurs in the religion and the sacred books of both races, i.e. in the Vedas and in the Aesta…After the conquest of Babylon this Persian cult came into contact with Chaldean astrology and with the national worship of Marduk. For a time the two priesthoods of Mithra and Marduk (magi and chaldiei respectively) coexisted in the capital and Mithraism borrowed much from this intercourse…
As Mithraism passed as a Phrygian cult it began to share in the official recognition which Phrygian worship had long enjoyed in Rome. The Emperor Commodus was publicly initiated. Its greatest devotee however was the imperial son of a priestess of the sun-god at Sirmium in Pannonia, Valerian, who according to the testimony of Flavius Vopiscus, never forgot the cave where his mother initiated him. In Rome, he established a college of sun priests and his coins bear the legend “Sol, Dominus Imperii Romani”…
The first principle or highest God was according to Mithraism “Infinite Time“; this was called Greek: Aion or Saeculum, Kronos or Saturnus. This Kronos is none other than Zervan, an ancient Iranian conception, which survived the sharp dualism of Zoroaster; for Zervan was father of both Ormuzd and Ahriman and connected the two opposites in a higher unity and was still worshipped a thousand years later by the Manichees. This personified Time, ineffable, sexless, passionless, was represented by a human monster, with the head of a lion and a serpent coiled about his body. He carried a scepter and lightning as sovereign god and held in each hand a key as master of the heavens. He had two pair of wings to symbolize the swiftness of time. His body was covered with zodiacal signs and the emblems of the seasons (i.e. Chaldean astrology combined with Zervanism)…
As evil spirits ever lie in wait for hapless man, he needs a friend and savior who is Mithra. Mithra was born of a mother-rock by a river under a tree…The hero-god first gives battle to the sun, conquers him, crowns him with rays and makes him his eternal friend and fellow; nay, the sun becomes in sense Mithra’s double, or again his father, but `Elios Mithras is one god. Then follows the struggle between Mithra and the bull, the central dogma of Mithraism…
Man is now created and subjected to the malign in influence of Ahriman in the form of droughts, deluges, and conflagrations, but is saved by Mithra. Finally man is well established on earth and Mithra returns to heaven. He celebrates a last supper with Helios and his other companions, is taken in his fiery chariot across the ocean, and now in heaven protects his followers. For the struggle between good and evil con tinues in heaven between the planets and stars, and on earth in the heart of man. Mithra is the Mediator (Mesites) between God and man…”
Mithraists “battled on Mithra’s side against all impurity, against all evil within and without. They believed in the immortality of the soul; sinners after death were dragged to hell; the just passed through the seven spheres of the planets, through seven gates opening at a mystic word to Ahura Mazda, leaving at each planet a part of their lower humanity until, as pure spirits, they stood before God. At the end of the world Mithra will descend to earth on another bull, which he will sacrifice, and mixing its fat with sacred wine he will make all drink the beverage of immortality. He will thus have proved himself Nabarses, i.e.”never conquered”…
The members below the degree of pater called one another “brother,” and social distinctions were forgotten in Mithraic unity. The ceremonies of initiation for each degree must have been elaborate, but they are only vaguely known lustrations and bathings, branding with red hot metal, anointing with honey, and others. A sacred meal was celebrated of bread and haoma juice for which in the West wine was substituted. This meal was supposed to give the participants supernatural virtue. The Mithraists worshipped in caves…
Three times a day prayer was offered the sun towards east, south, or west according to the hour. Sunday was kept holy in honor of Mithra, and the sixteenth of each month was sacred to him as mediator. The December 25 was observed as his birthday, the natalis invicti, the rebirth of the winter sun, unconquered by the rigors of the season.”
Quote: “Description: Queen of heaven and earth; Benevolent Goddess of fertility, vitality in general, the moon, music, song, healing and sexuality; Life-giving power; Mother of Deities; Begetter of all; Source of all life; Personification of nature; the Star from Whose vulva flows all life; She Who represents the life which leads to death and rebirth; Queen of Nineveh; Ever virgin Warrior; Lustful-one; Divine wanton; the Promiscuous; the Compassionate Prostitute; Mother and Guider of humanity; anciently wise Judge and Councellor; Lady of prophetic vision; Star of prophesy; Mistress of the winds.”
Quote: “In the ancient Near East, Ishtar was an important and widely worshiped mother goddess for many Semitic* peoples. The Sumerians* called her Inanna, and other groups of the Near East referred to her as Astarte. A complex deity, Ishtar combined the characteristics—both good and evil—of many different goddesses. As a benevolent mother figure, she was considered the mother of gods and humans, as well as the creator of all earthly blessings. In this role, she grieved over human sorrows and served as a protector of marriage and motherhood. People also worshiped Ishtar as the goddess of sexual love and fertility. The evil side of Ishtar’s nature emerged primarily in connection with war and storms. As a warrior goddess, she could make even the gods tremble in fear. As a storm goddess, she could bring rain and thunder.”
Quote: “Another interesting feature about the temples of Inanna was that a set of her priests, those known as the Gala priests, were thought to be those who had deferred from the traditional gender binary and were known to adopt female names.
There are also accounts of the servants of Ishtar in Akkadia who were thought to dress in female clothing and performed dances in her temples. Ancient Akkadian stories also suggest that the parties involved may have also been homosexual—a glimpse perhaps into how little issue sexuality and gender identification was in early Sumerian and Akkadian society.”
Quote: “Ishtar’s primary legacy from the Sumerian tradition is the role of fertility figure; she evolved, however, into a more complex character, surrounded in myth by death and disaster, a goddess of contradictory connotations and forces—fire and fire-quenching, rejoicing and tears, fair play and enmity. The Akkadian Ishtar is also, to a greater extent, an astral deity, associated with the planet Venus. With Shamash, the sun god, and Sin, the moon god, she forms a secondary astral triad. In this manifestation her symbol is a star with 6, 8, or 16 rays within a circle. As goddess of Venus, delighting in bodily love, Ishtar was the protectress of prostitutes and the patroness of the alehouse. Part of her cult worship probably included temple prostitution. Her popularity was universal in the ancient Middle East, and in many centres of worship she probably subsumed numerous local goddesses. In later myth she was known as Queen of the Universe, taking on the powers of An, Enlil, and Enki.”
Quote: “Before ancient religious reformer Zarathustra (Greek name Zoroaster) gained influence in the region during the 6th century bce, the Iranians had a polytheisticreligion, and Mithra was the most important of their gods…the god Mitra (the Indian form of Mithra) appears both as “friend” and as “contract.” The word mitra may be translated in either way, because contracts and mutual obligation make friends. In short, Mithra may signify any kind of interpersonal communication and whatever establishes good relations between people. Mithra was called the Mediator. Mithra was also the god of the sun, of the shining light that beholds everything, and, hence, was invoked in oaths. The Greeks and Romans considered Mithra as a sun god. He was probably also the god of kings. He was the god of mutual obligation between the king and his warriors and, hence, the god of war…The most important Mithraic ceremony was the sacrifice of the bull…
from the tail of the bull and from his blood sprang the first ears of grain and the grape; and from the genitals of the animal ran the holy seed which was received by a mixing bowl. Every creature on earth was shaped with an admixture of the holy seed. One Mithraic hymn begins: “Thou hast redeemed us too by shedding the eternal blood.”…
But, awakened by the sudden light, the creatures of the dark emerged from earth. A serpent licked the bull’s blood. A scorpion tried to suck the holy seed from the genitals. On the reliefs a lion often is also seen. With the bull’s death and the creation of the world, the struggle between good and evil began…
the human soul came down from heaven. It crossed the seven spheres of the planets, taking on their vices (e.g., those of Mars and of Venus), and was finally caught within the body. The task of human life is to liberate one’s divine part (the soul) from the shackles of the body and to reascend through the seven spheres to the eternal, unchanging realm of the fixed stars. This ascent to the sky was prefigured by Mithra himself, when he left the earth in the chariot of the sun god…
The initiates were organized in seven grades: corax, Raven; nymphus, Bridegroom; miles, Soldier; leo, Lion; Perses, Persian; heliodromus, Courier of (and to) the Sun; pater, Father. To each rank belonged a particular mask (Raven, Persian, Lion) or dress (Bridegroom). The rising of the Mithraist in grade prefigured the ascent of the soul after death. The series of the seven initiations seems to have been enacted by passing through seven gates and climbing a ladder of seven steps. Each grade was attributed to one of the seven planetary gods. The zealous Mithraist gradually passed the spheres of these minor deities and finally reached the region of the fixed stars…”
In the wake of many disappointing elections in the United States and upheaval in Brazil because of their elections; in light of what is happening worldwide as the rumblings of war grow louder and longer such as in Tigray of Ethiopia, Ukraine of Europe, Taiwan, and the Middle East; and in the reality of tyrannical governments, such as China’s and Myanmar’s and North Korea’s, continuing to constrict and clamp down more tightly on their people, it is powerfully clear that we must live in the truth of 2 Peter 3:10-18.
“10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.14Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless…17You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
Think about that. The heavens are going to disappear with a great roaring, crashing sound, and all will melt with extreme fire. And all the earth, everything held too dearly right now, will be loosed from the word of God’s great power, and will burn with an unimagined intensity until liquified, and will never be found again even if one sought to find it.
What then are we holding onto so tightly?
The affect of the knowledge that God’s kingdom is coming and that we are very much apart of it, and the hope of a new heavens and new earth and the conclusion of the present world is to be the cause of an inward change in us that in turn causes an “up-turn” of inner beliefs that leads to an alteration in outward behavior (https://biblehub.com/greek/391.htm). And this modification of behavior is to be one of holiness and reverent devotion to God. Verse 12 then goes on to explain that as we live out this holiness and reverence we will be “looking for and hastening” the day of God. To be “looking for and hastening” means we are eagerly and expectantly looking for this culmination of all things, and are earnestly desiring it above all else. It is not that we bring it into being by anything that we do or say or think. No. But it does mean that we are looking for it with every fiber of our being, our hearts singing and singly looking for it, awaiting with intense eagerness the coming of our King and His kingdom.
Dear reader, this is what God would have us doing now. He does not want us full of gloom and doom because of the disintegrating of this dying world and the death even of America. He does not want us disillusioned because of corrupt politics. He does not want us distracted by elections and talk of election fraud nor because our candidate did not get elected.
There are those who have tried their best recently to resuscitate America. They have poured their hearts, their time, their energy, their prayers, their money into saving her. The same is true also of other nations of this world such as Tigray, Myanmar, Brazil, Ukraine, Russia, China, Taiwan, Israel, Canada, and the list could go on indefinitely. But these nations are passing away, and we must not forget that God is still in charge. He sets up leaders and nations, and it is He who brings them down, even by bringing to power those we know are unworthy (Job 12:23; Psalm 75:7; Daniel 2 and 4). And we must not forget that this world is passing away! It is all being “loosed” as God intended long ago when He first created it. It is apart of His magnificent plan. This is that moment. This is that time.
Dearly beloved of Christ, our great God, Savior, and coming King is reminding us that He is “loosing” the world – He is letting the world go. And as He lets this earth go, we are to let it go too. It is time. And we are therefore, according to 2 Peter 3:14, to “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless…” This means we are to be morally blameless, untainted by this world, faultless, and at peace – whole in our minds, hearts, and our unity with each other as the body of Christ.
Let us not get caught up in the error of the wicked that Christ cannot possibly be coming soon (2 Peter 3:1-7). Let us not become cynical or sarcastic regarding the eternal hope that we have. Let us not become weary and lose our mooring, our anchor and become like a helpless ship stuck on the sands of the shore. It is imperative that we keep our eyes on Jesus, our hopes in the coming of our Lord alone, and our minds set on things above and not on earthly things. Jesus warned us of all that is happening so that we would not be taken unawares, we would not be taken aback, we would not lose hope. He lovingly told us all we need to know in order that we might remain steadfast, firmly rooted in Him, planted upon the solid rock foundation of the eternal faith of the unchanging Christ.
Fear not little sheep, our Shepherd knew this day was coming, this valley of the shadow of death. There is nothing new in this to Him. He is in charge. He is in control. The devil can do nothing but what God gives him leave to do it. Thus, as Isaiah 50 states, 7“…the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.” Rest in this unchanging fact, and “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity!
HolyLight Ministries 