Seven Kings and Ten Kingdoms

Two of the most prominent prophetic books in the Bible concerning the end times are the Book of Daniel that is found in the Old Testament and the Revelation that is the Bible's final book of the New Testament.

Daniel was a Hebrew prophet who lived about 2,600 years ago. He received several visions from God that included the appearance of the Jewish Messiah, the invasion of Jerusalem by the Romans and their subsequent destruction of the Jewish Temple which occurred in 70 C.E., and events concerning the last days on earth.

The Revelation was written by the apostle John in the late 1^st Century C.E. The Revelation deals almost exclusively with the events that will occur on earth in the end times. Written in apocalyptic language, the Revelation announces the rise of a global government along with the appearance of a tyrannical world leader who will be known as the Antichrist.

Interestingly, both Daniel and John received their prophetic visions while living in exile. Daniel lived in exile initially under the Babylonians after Nebuchadnezzar's invasion of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., and then later under the Persians who had succeeded the Babylonians.

John lived in exile from Rome on a desolate island known as Patmos that was located in the Aegean Sea. John was sent there because he refused to renounce his faith in Jesus Christ and worship Rome's pagan gods.

Though Daniel and John lived in different eras, they both received identical visions of world events concerning the end times. Some skeptics have claimed that John's vision is so similar to Daniel's that he probably copied the prophet's recordings.

And though John's vision is similar to Daniel's, the apostle's vision contains information that isn't found in Daniel's recordings. For example, John saw the rise of a one-world religious system that was allegorized as a garishly dressed harlot that rode atop a scarlet beast that is symbolic for the coming end time global government. (Revelation 17)

What did Daniel see concerning the end time world government? He saw the rise of four beasts that were symbolic for world empires that would rise and fall before the end of time and the return of Jesus Christ.

However, the fourth beast that Daniel saw concerns the final kingdom on earth before the return of Christ. Unlike the three other kingdoms that were regional empires, the fourth kingdom will be a global empire. And according to Daniel, this kingdom will be an extremely violent one.

Here's how Daniel described the fourth kingdom: "After that, in my vision at night I looked and there before me was a fourth beast--terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns." (Daniel 7:7)

And here's how John described the coming world government: "And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion." (Revelation 13:1-2)

Daniel described this global government as authoritative and violent. It will possess the absolute power to destroy those it considers its enemies. And the ten horns he described represent 10 regional kingdoms that will comprise this world government.

John ascribed animal-like qualities to this global government. He described it as a leopard. Why? Because the leopard is a predatory animal that strikes quickly and can run extremely fast. The leopard symbolizes how quickly this government will assume power and spread across the earth. The bear's feet that John described represent the brute strength of this government and the lion's mouth represents the absolute authority that this government will possess.

Though this global government will feature 10 kingdoms or nation groups, why will it have only seven rulers? Daniel revealed that the supreme ruler of this government will arise who will "subdue three kings." (Daniel 7:24)

 

Who will this supreme ruler be? He will be the Antichrist. Why will he remove three kings? Most likely because they will represent a threat to his authority. Therefore, three of the remaining seven kings will each rule two kingdoms.

Both Daniel and John also revealed that this global government will persecute true Christians and put many of them to death. (Daniel 7:25, Daniel 8:24, Revelation 13:7) What's significant about that is the fact that this world government will be partnered with a religious system that will purport to be Christian. But this will be a counterfeit Christian system that true Christians will reject. And when they do, they will be persecuted.

According to John, the world headquarters of this religious system will be located in a city surrounded by seven hills. (Revelation 17:9) There are only two cities in the world that are surrounded by seven hills; Rio de Janeiro that's located in Brazil and Rome that's located in Italy. Rome is the world headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. And so John's prophecy reveals that the Antichrist will be both a political figure and a religious figure, something that Daniel never revealed.

When is this world government going to appear? It's going to take several years because 193 sovereign world nations must be convinced that it is in their best interests to trade their individual sovereignty for the safety and financial security of a new world order.

Currently, the United Nations and several affiliated groups including the Club of Rome, the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission are working with organizations such as the European Union, African Union, CARICOM, (Caribbean Community) the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, (SCO) ASEAN, (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) the Arab League, The Turkic Council and the Commonwealth of Independent States to design and eventually implement a new world order that will consist of 10 regional kingdoms or nation groups.

The major stumbling blocks to the formation of a new world system are manufacturing, trade, security, energy and currency. Obviously, some nations have a lot of those commodities while others have little.

And so, the greatest way to level the playing field is to drain money from wealthy nations and redistribute it across the world to lesser nations. And that's primarily being done through the deceitful schemes such as Climate-Change-Global Warming that are designed to impose punitive taxes upon wealthy nations that use a lot of fossil energy.

Climate-Change-Global Warming is nothing but a hoax that is designed to bankrupt wealthy nations such as the United States and redistribute its wealth to other nations via the U.N. Keep in mind that nations that are economically weak become subject to the influence of powerful nations and global organizations such as the U.N. The very fact that the U.S. continues to rack up colossal debt ($17 trillion) strongly suggests that this is planned to destroy America politically, militarily and economically.

Are we getting close to a world government? While we are probably at least 30 to 50 years away, it's coming. We already have a functioning World Bank, World Trade Organization, World Health Organization and a World Court. 

 

Besides Daniel and John, the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah, who lived during the 8^th Century B.C., also revealed that an end time world government is coming. (Isaiah 10:12-14)

Saul Mendlovitz, a member of the CFR and a director of the World Order Models Project (WOMP) said this concerning the inevitably of a global government: "It is my personal belief that there is an overwhelming surge in the direction of global polity and that a world state is emerging. Indeed, some of the policy elite are beginning to discuss a single world central bank and a single currency." Legitimizing Global Tyranny: Moving Towards World Government | Global Research

It's unknown whether Mendlovitz believes in biblical prophecy. As a member of the CFR, he probably doesn't. And yet by his actions, he and his comrades are unwittingly working toward fulfilling biblical prophecy. Indeed, we are living in prophetic times.

Are You Going to Heaven?

Unless you're an atheist, you probably assume that your spiritual home is going be in heaven once you die.

And if you're like most folks, your assumption is based more upon wishful thinking rather than upon hard evidence.

If you ask most people, they believe that they're heaven-bound because they've done more good things in their lives rather than bad things. They view eternal life as some sort of grand celestial scale; if their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds, then the scale tips in their favor.

That assumption is embraced by millions of people today--even many professing Christians. Unfortunately, that's not only an erroneous assumption, it's an extremely dangerous one.

How so? Because, according to the Bible, our own good deeds do not earn us a place in heaven.

What does the Bible teach? That we are rebels who "have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) As such, we are unworthy of heaven because we are condemned by our sins.

Then how do we get to heaven? Through faith in the Son of God Jesus Christ who came into this world 2,000 years ago in the form of a humble man in order to die on a cross for the sins of the world.

That's not some vain hope--that's a fact that was revealed by God through the ancient prophet Isaiah over 700 years before Christ appeared in the world. Here's what Isaiah wrote in the 8th century B.C.: "But he (Christ) was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

But if we have done more good deeds in our lifetime than bad ones, then why did Christ have to die for us on the cross? Because our bad deeds--or sins--are like a permanent stain upon our souls.

No amount of good deeds can wash away the stain of our sins. As long as that stain remains on us, we remain condemned in our sins. Then what can wash away that stain? According to the apostle John: "And the blood of Jesus, his (God's) Son, purifies us from all sin."(1 John 1:7)

Faith in Christ's death on Calvary's cross for our sins and His resurrection from the dead isn't about religion. Religion plays no part in our salvation and eternal life. In fact, religion has historically been the greatest obstacle to eternal life and heaven.

Why? Because religion mandates that eternal life is predicated upon adherence to good works, baptisms, customs, sacraments and rituals rather than upon faith in Jesus Christ. That's an unbiblical notion that the apostle Paul shot down in his epistle to the early church in Ephesus: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Do you believe that you're going to heaven? If you do, is your belief based upon faith in Jesus Christ? Or is it based upon either faith in a religious system or your own good works?

If it's based upon anything other than faith in Christ, then you're not going to heaven. As Christ Himself stated: "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins." (John 8:23-24)

Eternal Damnation

According to those who deny the existence of hell, a loving God would never send anyone to such a terrible place.

And they're correct. He doesn't send them there. Rather, they send themselves there.

What is hell? It's a spiritual prison where the souls of sinners are confined until the Day of Judgment.

Certainly, hell isn't a popular subject anymore, even among professing Christians who have increasingly dismissed hell in recent years as an outdated myth.

That's reflected in the attitudes of many pastors today who avoid preaching on the subject because they admit that hell makes their constituents uncomfortable.

Even the legendary Rev. Billy Graham has his doubts about hell's literal existence. In his book, Storm Warning, Graham said this: "Jesus used this symbol (fire) over and over. I believe that it (hell) means a thirst for God that is never quenched."

Contrary to Graham's claim, Christ never used hell as an allegorical term to describe someone's unquenchable thirst for God. Rather, he described hell as a literal place of torment.

In the Beatitudes, Christ taught this: "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." (Matthew 5:29-30)

If hell isn't a literal place, then Christ's admonition makes no sense. Why would he advocate self-mutilation as a solution to stay out of a place that didn't exist?

Furthermore, Christ taught more on the reality of hell than he did on heaven. In Luke's gospel, Christ gives the account of a narcissistic, wealthy man who rejected God during his lifetime on earth and ended up in hell. (Luke 16:19-31) 

And also in Luke's gospel, Christ gave us this warning: "I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him (God) who, after the killing of the body, has the power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5)

Some folks question hell's existence because they claim that it's never mentioned in the Old Testament. But they're wrong. It's mentioned frequently throughout the Old Testament and it's referred to as the spiritual grave or Sheol in Hebrew where the spirits of the dead are gathered.

Who goes to hell? And why? Only those who reject Christianity? Rather all people who die in their sins are consigned to hell. That's why Christ came into this world 2,000 years ago in the form of a humble man. He came as the everlasting atonement that God's infinite justice demanded to pay the price for our sins on a Roman cross that we couldn't pay.

Christ didn't come to start a new religion. He came as the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world that Israel's ancient prophets such as Isaiah foretold centuries before he appeared. (Isaiah 53)

No religious system can take away sin. No religious system can keep you out of hell, even for a moment. Only faith in Jesus Christ and His death on Calvary's cross for your sins (Romans 10:9-12) can keep you out of hell.

But you shouldn't confess Christ as Lord merely to stay out of hell. You should confess Him as Lord because of God's great love for you, in spite of your rebellion against Him. As the scripture says: "For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) 

The Hypocrite's Oath

Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn

"I will not practice what I preach."

"I will lie, obfuscate and misinform to cover up my true intentions."

"I will rape, pillage, steal and extort from those whom I claim to care about."

"I will make myself popular by telling people what they want to hear."

"I will become rich by demonizing the rich."

Perhaps the worst condemnation that Jesus Christ leveled against Israel's religious leaders 2,000 years ago during His ministry on earth was hypocrisy.

In His scathing denunciation of Israel's arrogant and corrupt spiritual leaders, Christ accused them of failing to practice what they preached. He also accused them of perverting God's law by introducing a blizzard of their own laws.

Here's a sample of what Christ said: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are." (Matthew 23:15)

And here's another example of Christ's wrath directed against the corrupt religious leaders: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Matthew 23:27-28)

What made Israel's religious leaders so contemptible was the fact that they used God to dupe their followers and gain wealth for themselves, much as modern prosperity preachers do.

They also sold out their enemies to the Roman government in exchange for political favors and protection. Their betrayal of Christ was an excellent example of that. They were only interested in money, wealth and power rather than honoring God and upholding His laws. And Christ rightly condemned them for that.

Certainly, hypocrites have existed throughout history. And they exist today in abundance.

Two notorious hypocrites are Bill Ayers and his wife Bernadine Dohrn, who are former Weather Underground terrorists who sought the violent overthrow of the U.S. government in the 1960s.

Ayers and Dohrn claim they hate capitalism and want Americans to have communism. They claim that capitalism has created a class of wealthy folks who oppress the poor by stealing their money.

And that's exactly what these two do. Both were employed as professors at distinguished universities where they earned enormous incomes. They also own a home in Chicago's exclusive Hyde Park neighborhood where the real estate is very expensive. And they both command big coin from speaking engagements.

To describe Ayers and Dohrn as repugnant would be a gross understatement. They don't care about the poor. They don't care about fairness. They don't care about equal opportunity. And they never did. They've made a fortune off of an economic system they love to demonize.

For Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn, it's all about money, power and fame. They are the modern Pharisees who don't practice what they preach.

But they count on all the stupid people to buy their into their con because stupid people are too dumb to see through their flimsy disguises.

Shame on them. And shame on all those folks who fall for their charade. 

The Cashless Monetary System

The RFID patch

Over 1,900 years ago, the apostle John received a vision from God concerning the events that will occur on earth directly preceding the return of Jesus Christ.

One of those events that John saw and recorded in his vision, that's contained in the Book of Revelation, concerns the rise of a new global cashless economic system that will be implemented by a powerful world government.

John revealed that this system will be instituted by none other than the Antichrist himself who will use this economic system to force everyone to swear allegiance to him--or else. 

Here's what John wrote: "He (Antichrist) forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name." (Revelation 13:16-17)

This mark will either be a bar-code or computer chip that will contain the personal information of each user. When a person uses this new embedded device to buy, sell, deposit money or pay bills, the chip or bar-code will immediately inform the business or financial institution of the user's identity.

Though many folks continue to doubt that such a system will ever be realized, the technology already exists to implement it. All that's lacking is a one-world government and a centralized banking system that will have the power to institute the new system.

This new system will be promoted as the ultimate solution to conquer identity theft and cyber-fraud. In addition, this new system will completely do away with violent drug cartels and other forms of organized crime that operate exclusively in cash. 

And this new system will protect against credit and debit card theft since it will utilize RFID technology to identify its users. What is an RFID? An RFID is a Radio Frequency Identification Device that contains a computerized bar-code and can be placed on the skin much like a tattoo.

Currently, RFIDs are used for a wide variety of purposes such as tracking merchandise and livestock. But the technology is being developed to integrate RFIDs with human DNA to create the ultimate identity imprint that can't be stolen, duplicated or counterfeited. 

The RFIDs will be mated to the specific DNA of each individual. If the patch is removed and stolen from a person, the RFID won't function because it will be severed from its host. Each patch will be programmed to operate only with the specific DNA it's matched with.

http://www.prophecyreviewonline.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=80649&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Does this sound like science fiction? It shouldn't. In many ways we're already living in a cashless society. Cash, coins and checks are slowly being phased out as more folks shop, bank and pay their bills online.

It's only a matter of time before the ultimate cashless society arrives under a global government. And that very well could come sooner rather than later.

Ghosts or Demons?

With Halloween rapidly approaching, interest in the occult is soaring once again.

Typically during this time of the year, some folks decide that it's cool to attempt contact with the spiritual realm though Ouija boards, seances or other spiritual methods.

Attempting to contact the spiritual realm through the occult is a very dangerous thing to do. Not only will that bring a curse upon those who practice the occult, it will bring them into contact with demonic spirits that will gain a legal foothold in their lives to deceive, oppress and in some cases even possess them.

Some foolish people dabble in the occult in order to make contact with deceased friends, parents or relatives. Others attempt contact with the intention of conjuring ghosts that will bring scares and thrills.

However, in reality ghosts are nothing but demons that serve Satan. Their objective is to promote Satan's lies that lead folks away from the truth of God's revealed word in the Bible and toward religious and spiritual deception.

People who have attempted to contact the spiritual realm through the occult often report strange experiences such as feelings of deja vu, nightmares, hallucinations, strange flashing lights, voices and wild mood swings. This reveals that they've come into direct contact with demons.

But the occult isn't the only door-opener to Satan. Hallucinogenic drugs and eastern religious practices such as astral travel, Transcendental Meditation, Hatha yoga and Kundalini yoga can also bring folks into direct contact with demons.

Tragically, even some Christian churches now teach occult methodologies under the guise of spiritual gifts. Two of those methods are creative visualization and remote viewing that are promoted by some churches as new, more effective ways to communicate with God.

But the Bible teaches us that the only way we are permitted to communicate with God is through prayer. Any other method comes from Satan and leads directly to deceiving spirits. And even professing Christians will come into contact with demons if they attempt to contact God through occult techniques.

Where does the Bible specifically condemn occult practices? In the Mosaic Law recorded in the Old Testament. For example: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must blameless before the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 18:9-13)

The Mosaic Law is part of God's universal law that everyone is held accountable to. Therefore, anyone who has violated God's law by attempting contact with the spiritual realm will come under God's judgment unless they repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

So don't get involved with the occult. It may seem like the hip thing to do this time of the year. But spiritual deception, oppression and even possession--isn't hip--it's hideous.

And neither is eternal damnation, which is where the occult inevitably leads its adherents to.

Why We Get Evil Leaders

During his ministry in ancient Israel 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ often used agricultural examples to explain spiritual principles.

For example, Christ explained that bad trees always produce bad fruit while good trees always produce good fruit. (Matthew 7:15-20) That example teaches us that folks who are righteous will do good deeds while those who are evil will commit evil deeds regardless of whatever they profess to be.

If you've been in the Christian church for as long as I have, then you understand Christ's analogy. There are those who profess to be Christians who don't act like Christians. Rather, they act like unrepentant sinners. And some of these folks are pastors and ministers.

Christ also used the example of hard, dry ground to explain the rebellious hearts of wicked people who refuse to repent of their sins and follow God. (Matthew 13)

Christ's analogies also apply to nations. The prophet Isaiah, who lived during the 8th century B.C., revealed that the nation of Israel that the Jewish Messiah would be born into would resemble a spiritual desert: "Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground." (Isaiah 53:1-2)

When Christ appeared in Israel over 700 years after Isaiah recorded that prophecy, the Jewish nation had an abundance of religion but very little faith. That was evident in the unbelief of the Jews who refused to accept Christ as their messiah despite the incredible miracles He performed throughout the land.

The Jews not only rejected Christ, they crucified Him even though he fulfilled the writings of their ancient prophets concerning the identity, life, ministry, death and resurrection of their Messiah.

As a result, the Jews brought judgment upon themselves and their nation, beginning in 70 A.D. when the Romans invaded Jerusalem and ransacked that city. And that judgment has continued to this day.

What agricultural example would Christ likely use to describe a modern nation such as the United States? I believe that he would use the analogy of a bad tree that produces rotten fruit. Why? Because America has turned her back on God and has spurned His laws and commandments.

As a result, America has become a wicked nation that produces wicked people. While that sounds harsh and unpatriotic, consider that America is a nation that has slaughtered 55 million unborn babies since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973.

That's a moral catastrophe. And consider that America increasingly celebrates sexual immorality and depravity (same-sex marriage) while persecuting those who oppose those sins. Also, consider that Christians are increasingly persecuted in a nation that was once considered the most Christian nation on earth. But not anymore.

As such, America's leaders are now a reflection of the people they have come from--corrupt, arrogant, mendacious, immoral, mean-spirited and even murderous. Barack Obama isn't an anachronism--he's the product of an evil generation that has turned its back on God.

Certainly, America isn't the only nation on earth with wicked rulers. Russia's Vladimir Putin is an evil despot who destroys his enemies and rules with an iron fist. And there are many others.

Shortly before He was condemned to crucifixion, Christ revealed to Pontius Pilate that earthly rulers are given their power from heaven above. (John 19:11) Why then, does God allow wicked rulers to assume power?

Because wicked people choose wicked leaders after their own hearts. In the case of Barack Obama, America has gotten a leader who's a mirror reflection of the people he came from. And that's a tragedy.

Things Taught By Demons

The Ecumenical Movement

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."--1 Timothy 4:1

One of the great fallacies concerning spirituality today is the popular belief that all religions are basically the same and they all lead to God.

While that sounds good on the surface, that isn't true. A simple examination of each major world religion reveals vast differences in how they view God; who they believe he is and what their adherents must do to obtain salvation and eternal life.

For example, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that in order for one to obtain heaven and eternal life, one must be baptized into that church and faithfully obey its sacraments throughout their lifetime. The Catholic Church emphatically teaches that there is no salvation outside of that institution.

Islam teaches that one must confess Allah as the one true god of the universe and dutifully obey all of its ordinances as revealed by the prophet Muhammad. Like the Catholic Church, Islam claims that salvation isn't possible for those who reject that religion. The Koran teaches that on Judgment Day, Allah will cast all the unbelievers into hell.

Rabbinic Judaism teaches that its adherents must faithfully adhere to the teachings of the Torah as interpreted by the rabbis. That religion also teaches that the more good deeds (Mitzvot) that Jews perform during their lifetimes, the better their chances are of gaining eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.

And eastern religions such as Hinduism and Taoism teach that their adherents must turn within to discover the truth of their divinity. According to these religions, salvation is acquired through mystical practices rather than obedience to a codified system of laws. 

We could go on and on. Obviously, religions aren't all the same, but they all do lead to the same destination. And that destination is hell.

Is that audacious? Consider that Jesus Christ nullified all world religions and their various claims to heaven with this statement: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the (Heavenly) Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Why believe Christ? Because He was telling the absolute truth. How do we know that? Because He fulfilled over 300 specific prophecies revealed in the Bible's Old Testament concerning the identity of the Jewish Messiah; His life, ministry, crucifixion for all sinners on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. 

Given that evidence, only a fool would reject it for the false promises offered by the religions of the world. Unlike true biblical Judeo-Christianity--which is a faith rather than a religion--the world religions offer heaven based upon wishful thinking rather than upon the ironclad evidential truth as revealed in the Bible.

Any religion that promises heaven without the cross is a religion that is authored and inspired by demons. And any religion that adds conditions to the cross (Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity) is a religion authored and inspired by demons.

There is only one true faith. And Jesus Christ is its author. If you truly desire heaven and eternal life, then put your faith and trust in the Son of God and follow Him.

However, if you value religious culture and traditions over evidential biblical truth, then follow whatever you want at your own peril. 

Remember though, that eternity is forever.

Christianity and Paganism

The Rosary

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!"--Galatians 1:8

Despite the many different forms of Christianity that are practiced throughout the world, there are really only two: True biblical Christianity that comes from above and its counterpart that comes from the world.

The true biblical form that comes from above is the faith that Jesus Christ revealed 2,000 years ago and was preached by his disciples and apostles during their journeys throughout the ancient world.

That form clearly teaches us that salvation is a free gift from God that can't be earned, bought or inherited. It must be received by faith. In whom? The Son of God Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul explained it best: "That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10)

Then there's the worldly form that teaches that salvation and eternal life are predicated upon adherence to man-made religious works, customs, sacraments and traditions. 

That form of Christianity is most commonly promoted and practiced by the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches. 

Unfortunately, that form has been increasingly embraced in recent years by some Protestant and Evangelical churches that have drifted away from the Bible. Evidently, these churches have forgotten what Paul wrote to the early church in Ephesus: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Was Paul's message only meant for the early Ephesian church? No, it was meant for every church that Paul and his fellow apostles visited in Asia Minor and Europe. 

Was that message merely Paul's own opinion on how to obtain salvation and eternal life? No, that was the message that Christ clearly taught during His ministry in ancient Israel. Here's an example: "For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) Here's another example: "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins." (John 8:23-24)

Historically, the Roman Catholic Church has never believed what Christ taught. Why? Because the Catholic Church embraces a different Jesus Christ who must be repeatedly immolated on Catholic altars for the remission of sin. 

That's the sacrament of the Mass that is unbiblical. The Bible clearly states that Christ was "sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people." (Hebrews 9:28) 

Then why does the Catholic Church teach the opposite? Because the Catholic Church misinterprets a lesson that Christ taught where He used His body and blood as allegorical examples of the word of God (flesh) and the cleansing atonement (blood) that we need to embrace by faith for eternal life. (John 6:53-58) 

Christ never taught that we must literally eat His flesh and drink His blood if we want eternal life. If that was true--and it isn't--then that would direct our faith toward a religious ceremony rather than toward Christ Himself for salvation and eternal life.

Any form of Christianity that denies that faith in Christ alone for His death on the cross for our sins and His resurrection from the dead is absolutely essential for salvation is a counterfeit form that can't save anyone.

And any form of Christianity that teaches that adherence to religious customs and rituals such as praying the rosary, wearing medals and scapulars or chanting ancient prayers are necessary for salvation is a pagan form that can't save anyone.

Just because the Roman Catholic Church has been around for nearly 17 centuries doesn't make it legitimate. In fact, paganism--which Catholicism is a lot closer to than Christianity--has been around since the dawn of history. 

And paganism remains illegitimate to this day in all of its forms. Even its worldly Christian forms.

When Ignorance is Deadly

The Ouija Board

Since Halloween is rapidly approaching, I think that it's a good idea to have a refresher course in history.

What history am I referring to?

The history of a young man named Roland Doe (a pseudonym) who grew up in Mt. Rainier, Washington in the late 1940s. 

What's so significant about Doe? He was a young teenager who acquired a fascination for the Ouija Board. After his grandmother died, Doe attempted to contact her via the occult device.

Doe evidently made contact with the spiritual realm. Soon after he began using the Ouija Board he began speaking in strange tongues such as Hebrew, even though he never learned to speak that language.

The furniture in his home also began to rearrange itself. And Doe even acquired the strange habit of speaking in deep male voices that were physically impossible for his young vocal chords.

Doe's behavior eventually became so violent and erratic that he was committed to a psychiatric hospital in St. Louis where he had to be chained to a bed.

But Doe's story had a happy ending. He was diagnosed as demon-possessed by two Catholic priests who delivered Doe of his unholy spirit via exorcism.

You probably never heard of Roland Doe. But you probably remember The Exorcist, the classic 1973 horror film that was based upon Doe's story. Though the film changed some of the circumstances involving Doe's predicament, it told the true story of a young person who became possessed by a powerful demonic spirit.

What does this have to do with Halloween? Many folks who are woefully ignorant concerning the Bible and God's laws will purchase Ouija Boards and attempt to contact the spiritual realm. In fact, you can buy these things in many department stores and even online.

God's law specifically forbids us from attempting to contact the spiritual realm. The Lord spoke to Moses and said this: "I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people." (Leviticus 20:6)

Though many folks believe that law only applied to the ancient Israelites, it applies to everyone because it's part of God's universal law that we are all held accountable to.

Certainly, not everyone who dabbles with the Ouija Board becomes demon possessed. But everyone who uses that occult device opens themselves up to demonic deception and oppression.

And they also come under a curse for violating God's law that forbids us from attempting to contact the spiritual realm via the Ouija Board, hallucinogenic drugs, magic, witchcraft, hypnosis and Eastern religions and their occult practices such as Transcendental Meditation.

Tragically, few people today believe in spirit possession. Even many professing Christians no longer believe in it despite the fact that their Lord Jesus Christ cast out many demons during his ministry in ancient Israel. If demon possession existed during the time of Christ, then why wouldn't it exist today?

In fact, demon possession still exists. And it remains a very serious problem. When you consider that we live in a world that increasingly rejects God and mocks His laws and commandments, it's not surprising that many folks see no danger in practicing the occult.

But there's great danger in it. Before you get involved with something as detestable as the Ouija Board, think about Roland Doe.

And then think about the horror film The Exorcist. That movie wasn't based upon fantasy--it was based upon a true event.

The Spirit of the Antichrist

"This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world."--1 John 4:3

Occasionally, I'm contacted by folks who are convinced that Barack Obama is the dreaded Antichrist that biblical prophecy reveals will arise in the last days directly preceding the return of Jesus Christ.

While I understand their concern, I can assure you that Barack Obama isn't the Antichrist. Why do a growing number of Americans believe that he is? Because America has never had such a president who is as hostile to those who embrace a Judeo-Christian worldview as Obama is.

Obama has used the power of his office to malign Christians and conservatives. He has used the IRS to hound and harass conservatives and he has even harassed military veterans by denying them access to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. during the current government shutdown. And his Department of Defense now equates evangelicals with Al Qaeda terrorists.

And Obama champions an anti-Christian agenda that includes the promotion of gay marriage, Palestinian statehood and expanding taxpayer funded abortions and contraceptives.

Though Obama isn't the Antichrist, he possesses an anti-Christian spirit. He hates Christians, especially evangelicals who he views as his worst enemy. During his first presidential campaign in 2007, he impugned Christians as morons who hate immigrants and cling to their guns and religion during difficult times.

Fortunately, we'll be rid of this wretch in three more years unless he somehow manages to suspend the constitution and declare himself president for life. While that sounds outrageous, I believe that Obama would do that if he could get away with it. And knowing him, he's probably thought of it.

Wicked leaders such as Barack Obama will continue to come and go until the ultimate wicked leader who the Bible identifies as the Antichrist appears.

His appearance is still several years away, but he's coming. He'll come from Russia (Daniel 11) and he'll be both a political and a religious figure (Revelation 17) who'll deceive the entire world.

And he'll be more than just a con artist such as Obama. He'll possess supernatural powers that will convince the entire world that he's divine. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10) His power will be so cunning that even many Christians will believe that he is Jesus Christ when he appears.

In fact, that's what the Antichrist is truly all about--a clever counterfeit of Jesus Christ. Anti means a substitute for the genuine.

Barack Obama then, isn't a substitute for Jesus Christ. He isn't the Antichrist. He's just a terrible leader. However, the real substitute for Jesus Christ is coming. And he'll really be terrible.  

Christianity Without Truth: Part II

Ecumenicism: Unity without truth

What is the Christian Church's greatest responsibility in the world? To preach the true gospel of Jesus Christ. If the church fails to do that, then anything else it does becomes vain and meaningless.

How vital is the gospel? According to the apostle Paul, this vital: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17)

The gospel reveals God's free gift of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ to all who are willing to accept it. It's a gift that can't be earned, bought or inherited. Rather, it can only be received by true faith in Christ's death on Calvary's cross for our sins and His resurrection from the dead.

Sadly, much of Christendom, circa 2013, has forgotten what its main mission in the world is. For some denominations, it's become feeding and caring for the poor. For others, it's become promoting gay marriage, joining hands with the anti-war movement or environmentalism. And still for others, it's building ecumenical bridges to world religions such as Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism.

There's a direct correlation between the explosion of moral depravity and violence throughout the world today and the declining influence of Christianity. Christianity is nearly extinct in the eastern world and is dying in the western world because the church has failed to "contend for the faith" (Jude 1:3) and keep that faith relevant to a hostile world.

Keep in mind that much of the eastern world that is now dominated by Islam was once dominated by Christianity. But when the church stopped contending for the faith, Islam swept in and began forcing Christianity out.

Certainly, we can weep for the misery and persecution that those few Christians who are left are enduring in the eastern world. But had Christianity continued to contend for faith many centuries ago, there would be no Islam in the world today. Because truth only prevails when the church is strong. And the church is only strong when its faith is strong.

Tragically, it was Christ Himself who warned that the church would wither and die in the last days preceding His return. Here's what He said: "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people." (Matthew 24:10-11)

Who are the false prophets that Christ warned about? They are the false Christian ministers, pastors and church leaders who substitute the true gospel for a hollow ecumenical counterfeit that can't save anyone.

To those who preach counterfeit gospels, Paul issued this stern warning: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!" (Galatians 1:8-9)

Sadly, there'll be a lot of professing Christians on Judgement Day who are going to be eternally condemned.

Christianity Without Truth: Part I

The Word of God

"But my servant shall live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."--Hebrews 10:38

Joel Osteen, who's one of the most popular prosperity preachers in the modern church, now claims that God approves of homosexuals.

According to Osteen: "I believe that every person is made in the image of God, and you have to accept them as they are, on their journey. I'm not here to be preaching hate, pushing people down. I'm not here telling people what they're doing wrong." (www.wnd.com--10/4/2013)

Osteen sounds more like a motivational speaker than he does a Christian minister. If he was just a motivational speaker, then his words wouldn't be so offensive. 

But as the pastor of Lakewood Church, one of America's largest churches that's located in Houston, Texas, Osteen's words are extremely offensive.

Osteen is a servant of Jesus Christ. As such, he has a moral obligation to preach the biblical gospel rather than a faux gospel contaminated by secular values. That faux gospel may attract many followers but it doesn't save any souls.

Christ didn't come into this world 2,000 years ago to give promotional speeches to make people feel good about themselves. Rather, He came into this world to warn people that they need to repent of their sins and return to God. And He reconciled human beings back to God through his death on Calvary's cross for their sins and His resurrection from the dead.

If Osteen claims that he's not here to tell people what they're doing wrong, then he's doing something very wrong by giving them the false impression that they can remain in their sins and gain eternal life.

Telling folks the truth that they're alienated from God because of their sins is the absolute right thing to do. And telling them that Christ takes away their sins if they're willing to repent and accept Jesus into their lives as their Lord and Savior is the absolute right thing to do. 

But that message isn't popular anymore in a nation that's become vile, wicked and immune from repentance. No doubt, if Osteen preached the biblical gospel that condemns the homosexual lifestyle (Leviticus 18: 22, Leviticus 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) he'd be soundly condemned as a hater and his church would be empty.

But he'd be right with God which is more important than being popular with the world. 

And on Judgement Day, folks such as Joel Osteen, who sold out Christ and perverted His gospel to gain favor with the world are going to be severely judged.

Or, as Christ famously stated: "So, the first shall be last and the last shall be first." (Matthew 20:16)

Indeed. Those who are first with the world will be last with God.

The Irrelevant Church

If the apostle Paul returned and saw what the church of Jesus Christ has become in the 21st century, what would he think?

Would he be pleased with stained-glass marble mansions featuring thousands of theater seats, jumbotron screens and brilliant klieg lights that light up expansive stages?

And would he be impressed by modern preachers wrapped in $6,000 Pierre Cardin and Gucci suits who dance and twirl and scream while waving their leather-bound bibles?

I doubt that Paul would be impressed with the modern church. Rather, I think he'd be shocked at what Christianity has become 2,000 years after he first began his ministry to the ancient gentile world.

And I think that Paul would see the common denominator between what passes for contemporary Christianity and the moral decadence that is destroying the modern world.

Many professing Christians would protest that Christianity has never had more resources than it has today in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ across the world. Those resources include social media and the internet.

But those resources aren't working. Why? Because nothing can replace the effective witness of the biblical gospel. How can we explain the success the early apostles such as Paul had in spreading the gospel, despite the fact that they had none of the modern technological amenities that modern Christendom enjoys?

Very simple--the early apostles trusted in the power of God's Holy Spirit rather than in their own power: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6) That's how the early church grew and spread throughout the ancient world.

If the modern church wants to reverse the moral decay that's rotting away the world like a deadly cancer, then it needs to stop trying to promote Christianity through gimmicks and entertainment and get back to spreading the word of God through the Holy Spirit. Nothing else will suffice.

Preaching the gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit is hard work. It isn't glamorous. In fact, it often brings persecution and even martyrdom. But that's the only way the gospel of Jesus Christ can effectively be preached to the world.

That's called contending for the faith. That's what the apostle Jude exhorted the early church to do. (Jude 1:3) 

And that's what the modern church isn't doing and hasn't done for nearly two centuries. That's why the world is plagued with wicked leaders, mass murderers, violence, sexual perversion, poverty, wars etc.

Christendom doesn't need any more of those lavish revival pageants, tent meetings or ecumenical crusades. Rather, the church needs dedicated believers who are willing to give up everything they own and sacrifice their lives to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost and the unsaved.

That's how the early apostles did it. And that worked. As Paul so aptly explained: "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." (1 Corinthians 1:17)

Amen. Church leaders, pastors and ministers--are you listening?