Will The Church Go Through The Tribulation?

The answer to this question is either YES or NO, or MAYBE, depending on who you ask.

Beware the person who makes elaborate efforts at defining words or explaining grammar, to make his point. The answer is not that hard, nor is it that complicated.

The Church is a unique organism. It is called a "Mystery" because it was unknown until God revealed it to us, through Christ. It is the "wild olive branch" which is "grafted in," now that Israel has been "cut off" for a while. [Rom 11]

It is called the Body of Christ, as each member is baptized into it at the moment of salvation [I Cor. 12:13].

It is called The Bride of Christ [Eph. 5], with Jesus her Bridegroom.

And it is called a Temple: the temple of God on earth. [Eph. 2:21,22]

The Church is said to be 'saved from wrath' through justification [Rom. 5:9]
And...not appointed unto wrath [I Thess. 5:9]. The wrath which God has "revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men... [Rom. 1:18]

Jesus promised another 'comforter' Whom The Father would send, once He was gone. This Comforter would indwell believers (The Church) to convict the world of sin. [Jn. 16:8]

In simple terms: This 'Mystery' had a beginning, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is now the 'holy nation' of God, which will be the focus of God's blessings until Israel is restored, when 'the times of the Gentiles be come in.' [Rom. 11:25,26] And thus all Israel shall be saved.

And it will have an ending:
Before Israel is saved
Before God's wrath is poured out on those who dwell upon the earth [Rev. 3]
When The Comforter is removed, revealing the Man of sin [II Thess. 2]
When Jesus 'descends from heaven' [I Thess 4]

There is no "Church Ministry" in the Great Tribulation.
The Gospel preached is not the same as that preached today.
During the Tribulation, God is not building His Church.
During the Tribulation, God is not dwelling upon the earth.
Tribulation wrath is for earth-dwellers: The nations & Israel.
Christians are not earth-dwellers [Col. 2:20; 3:1]

The doctrines which have to be corrupted to allow The Church to go through The Tribulation are many. The Doctrine of The Church, The Holy Spirit & Salvation are the main ones.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about the coming of Christ and told them not to worry. He said the coming of Christ is not something they should be concerned about. The "coming" in view, with 'times and seasons' is all about "them" not us. I Thess 5

It's all about your hermeneutic and whether or not you use a sound exegesis. Without this, you are able to make the scriptures say almost anything.

The Search For A Fountain Of Youth

It is man's dream to live a longer life. Explorers searched for The Fountain of Youth. Diets and supplements abound, to provide for health and longer life. The medical profession seeks to extend life. Researchers search for causes and cures for old age, and yet, men still die.

We can hook people up to every machine known to man, desperately trying to keep people alive. But when their spirit leaves the body, all that effort is for nought. A dead body will begin to decay, even while machines breath for it and process the bodily functions.

Now an international team of scientists, based at Newcastle University, in North-East England, believe they have found the cause of old age and age-related illnesses. Their research involves a "system biology" approach, involving computer modeling and experiments with cell cultures and genetically modified mice.

Their conclusion: they now believe cells send out a specific internal signal, when serious damage is done to its DNA. This damage is done by the general wear and tear of life and the signals trigger the creation of oxidizing "free radical" molecules, which in turn tell the cell either to destroy itself or stop dividing.

The result is wrinkling of the skin, toughening of the texture, weaker function of muscles and organs, and all the other signs of old age. Apparently, it is the damaged DNA that causes cancers and the ability of the cells to quickly produce these corrective molecules, in a sufficient number, that makes the difference between those who get cancer and those who do not.

Isn't "Mother Nature" amazing? Just imagine how long it must have taken for these cells to mutate into this protective methodology! All this from an explosion of unknown particles, eons ago.

Or, it could be from an infinite, intelligent, purposeful Person, Who designed, built and sustains the known universe, along with all it's systems for purposes known only to Him.

This new research replaces the old research. You see scientists still don't really know why people and animals die, nor how to stop it. The Bible says it's because of sin [Gen. 2:17]. But the evolutionist considers the idea of God to be so repugnant he can't possibly accept this simple solution.

So...he continues his search for The Fountain of Youth! And each new discovery ends in disappointment or leads to a new possibility. Everywhere he looks points him right back to The Bible. It must be frustrating for him.

What Is It About Homosexuality?

Homosexuality has emerged as the Issue of our Age.

Why are so many, so determined to legitimize and mainstream such a highly personal and intimate human behavior? The answer from those who advocate for acceptance of this lifestyle tell us it's about Human Rights. People are being persecuted for their sexual preferences.

Okay. Define "Persecution." Homosexuals have a higher average yearly income than heterosexuals [$55,430, vs. $32,144]. 59.6% of homosexuals are College graduates, compared with 18% of the general public. 49% hold professional / managerial positions, compared to 15.9% of the general population. [Statistical Abstract of the U.S. 1990]

The suicide rate for homosexuals is 50%. 73% of psychiatrists say homosexuals are less happy than the average person. But 70% of these same psychiatrists say that unhappiness is NOT due to social stigmatization. [Sexual Survey Number 4: Current Thinking on Homosexuality, Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality -- by H. Leif]

Homosexuals live shorter lives [by almost half], are more unhappy, are more unfulfilled, commit more suicides, and are more unhealthy [78% have STDs, account for more than 50% of all AIDs cases, and are infected with intestinal parasites (39 - 59%)].

In addition, they account for 33% of all reported child molestations in the United States -- And this from 2% of the population!

So, I ask: What's with the effort to protect homosexuality?

We can't disparage it. We can't condemn it. We can't discriminate against it. We can't protect our children from being indoctrinated to accept it [State Educ.]. And, if we think this is simply a social issue, consider the new Hate Crimes Legislation or the Bullying Laws being passed. You can go to jail for saying homosexuality is bad!

Is it bad? YES! Is it dangerous? YES! Is it socially destructive? YES! Do you want your 8 year old child introduced to it? NO! But you can't say this in public?

Does anyone stop to consider what's going on and where all this is leading?

A Deaf Ear & Blind Eye To Ba'al Worship

The ancient worship of Ba'al [lit: Lord] was widespread throughout Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, Carthage, Philistia and Canaan. Also known as Marduk or Dagon, Ba'al was a generic name for an especially horrific form of pagan worship. One that required the sacrifice of infant children.

The Bible speaks of King Ahaz and King Manasseh offering their children to Ba'al/Moloch [2 Kings 16:3; 21:6]. The Bible speaks of making their sons "pass through the fire." History illuminates this practice.

Ba'al worshipers brought their infants to the priest. The priest would set the child on the outstretched arms of an image of their god. From here the child would be either rolled backward into the "chest" of the image, where a fire burned, or simply roasted over the flames of an open fire, below the arms.

Why? Well, as in all pagan religious thinking, the gods held the keys to a nation or a family's well-being. They were sacrificing their children for personal convenience. Either they could keep and nurture these innocent babies or they could have rain, or peace, or victory over their enemies. But, apparently, they could not have both.

In 1973, we're told, women won the right to have an abortion. Until then, they had been forced to bear children regardless of how they were conceived, or their own health -- they said.

But, the truth is more gruesome. Abortion was a right in this country BEFORE Roe v. Wade. What happened in 1973 was that women won the right to have an abortion, On Demand. For no reason other than they didn't want to carry the child full-term and have to rear it.

In less than a decade, abortion on demand, in the first trimester, became abortion on demand through the second trimester and, depending on the doctor, any time the woman demanded it. Of course it wasn't long before that meant partial-birth abortions.

You see, Americans want personal convenience too. Even if it costs the life of an unborn, helpless child.

But what can you expect of those who worship self? The humanist is all about doing whatever will make their life easier or more pleasant. Their "god" is the human potential. And unwanted babies just get in the way.

The real problem is the deafening silence of the visible church. Not the real Church, but the one which either supports this idea or takes the "high moral ground" of not judging.

For too many, this ancient Canaanite practice is somehow a woman's Right.

Healthcare & Progressive Morality

The Liberals in Congress see opportunity in their newest National Health Care Initiative. Not for a healthier America! But for a more powerful Elite.

The Senate Bill is the best of the worst. The House Bill will have to be wed to it and this is not possible. So, House Democrats will have to go along to get along. And their moral system will allow them to do so.

But, in the process, these folks are willing for Seniors to pay so the more "disadvantaged" citizens can have health care.

Only Seniors are being required to pay with their lives! Medicare payments will be limited, according to age and viability. Of course, this will be in concert with your Doctor, who will be an employee of the State!

All this so those who are dying every day for lack of affordable health care may live. No effort has been made to correct the problems with Health Insurance. All that was discussed and voted on was how to give the Government control over your health care.

And, by their own measure, less than half of those now "uninsured" will benefit.

The Secular, Progressive, Humanist moral code drives a stake into the heart of who and what we are, as Americans. Personal Responsibility, Liberty, Integrity and the Condition of Mankind do not factor into their system. It's all about 'progress.'

So, where is all this 'progress' taking us? Right into bankruptcy and slavery.

The unborn are not worthy to live, if they interfere with our plans.
The elderly are not worthy to live a productive life, if it's too expensive.
The mentally ill are not worthy of a cure, only hopeless therapies.
The traditionalists are not worthy of a voice, being narrow and judgmental.
The patriotic are dangerous, keeping us from making global progress.
The middle class is a threat to good order, they must be eliminated.
The truly educated child is a threat, he must not be permitted to learn.
The biblically literate are confused, they actually believe The Bible.
Only those who rely on PBS and The Daily Kos really know the truth!

But consider: The Liberal Left represents less than 30% of the population! Their effort is to help the 20% who are supposedly not benefiting from the system. Of course, this is at the expense of the 80% who pay the bills.

We keep electing them because they pander to our selfish nature, promising all sorts of things no one is able to actually deliver. But that doesn't occur to us, since our memory is only about 60-days long and our corporate context is only about 8 years.

The fact that other civilizations have traveled this same, destructive, path doesn't occur to us. Western Civilization is a mystery to most Americans, 40 years of age and younger.

So, keep hoping. Maybe one day this insanity will actually work!

Our Love Affair With The Occult

The visible church has a lot to answer for! Take it's love affair with the occult.

Occult: From the Latin word for hidden. Our traditional definition for occult practices includes any act of divination or spiritual practice which appears to tap into unseen forces, not available on a physical plane. This ability or knowledge is hidden from ordinary sight and must either be taught or developed through practice.

Occultic practices have been the unique domain of pagan worship....until recently. Today, however, they are mainstreamed in churches and homes throughout the world.

What was once the unique domain of strange fringe groups has found its way into almost every church group you can name. It's hard to find a church-group that doesn't embrace some form of occultic practice.

Think of the preacher who claims to be informed by God of someone's illness or personal plight. There is nothing in the Bible that identifies this sort of behavior. So, what's going on?

The preacher is either scamming his audience or he's channeling a demon!

Consider the common practice of "faith healing." The Faith-Healer says certain words or touches the afflicted in a certain way (Oral Roberts claimed the power was only in his right hand) and they are healed [by God].

It may be, according to them, God has given him or her the power, or it may be he or she has simply learned how to do this. Either way, it falls into the category of the occult.

Then there's the Deliverance from Demonic Possession. To accomplish this a person has to a) have the gift, and b) say certain words, in order to cast out the demon. This, too, fits the definition of occultic.

It's about secret knowledge and ability, being transmitted to one individual or another, who is then able to tap into forces beyond the physical, or beyond the ken of science.

Witchcraft is about the ability or knowledge of spells: saying certain words (incantations) and performing certain rituals (waving something, touching someone, etc.) in order to affect the desired result.

Pat Robertson wrote in his book, "Beyond Reason," that there are metaphysical powers in the universe that anyone can tap into, if they know the "Law of Miracles."

The entire Faith Movement rests upon the belief, according to Kenneth Copeland, that "faith is a force just like electricity or gravity," which obeys laws any Christian can use.

"Positive Confession" is Napoleon Hill's "Supreme Secret" which was given to him by demonic entities. He called it "The Magic Power of Belief." [Peace of Mind, pg 176]

These folks have re-defined biblical faith, re-interpreted spiritual gifts and re-structured Christianity to fit their own needs, desires and passions. They are growing wealthy as a result while the people they use are being deceived.

How do they succeed? The Spirit expressly says that in the latter days some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. [I Tim. 4:1]

This is what that looks like!

The Religion of Babel

For those who know The Bible, the unmistakable hallmark is Redemption. The cornerstone of Redemption is Grace, while man's religion is all about works.

An argument is made that the Old Testament is also about works: The Mosaic Law, while the New Testament, alone, is about Grace, freely given.

But this is an argument from biblical ignorance! The Mosaic Law covered less than 1200 years of the 4000 years recorded in the Old Testament. And it existed to govern behavior, not redeem anyone. Those redeemed in the Old Testament were saved by grace, through faith, not of works, lest any man should boast. That's the point Paul makes in Galatians 3:6.

When unregenerate men set out to create a religious system, they draw on what they know. And the Bible specifically states that the "natural man" (the unsaved man) does not comprehend the things of the Spirit. In fact, they are foolishness to him (I Cor. 2:14)

Look at all the Christian and non-Christian cults. Every one of them are based on what their members do or don't do. Not one is based on Grace, through faith.

And most of them revolve around our earthly condition, with either annihilation or some sort of reincarnation, while the Christian cults offer a "heaven" of their own imagination.

All this is very human. So, to provide members with a spiritual experience, many have resorted to some form of mysticism. Consider the use of stained glass, for example. Or vaulted ceilings, incense, pipe organs, vestments, candles, statues, altars and, in the case of the Roman Catholic Church, a holy language (Latin).

Then look at the cross-polination. High liturgical groups dipping down into the spiritual vulgarities of the charismatic movement or the contemporary movement. The Emergent Churches reaching out to the sights, sounds and smells of the liturgical tradtions.

For what? To have a more meaningful feeling of worship!

Well, that was Nimrod's purpose, too, at the Tower of Babel. It was artificial then. It's artificial now.

Worship of God is a heart and spirit thing. It isn't found in the trappings, no matter what they are or how they make you feel.

The visible Church has a lot to answer for!!!