THE LAST WITNESS OF BIBLE BELIEVERS
By Tom Lamb-- New Zealand
Only knowing the cross
The pride of America is still in ashes, with much heartache and sorrow. The world's economy is on the brink of collapse, although there are now signs of recovery. And the West is desperate for a scapegoat. Who will pay for the carnage and mass killings of innocents, inflicted by a group of well organized madmen on the 11th of September 2001, at the nerve centre of the civilized world; mainland Blip?
However, this scapegoat will not be the Moslem religion. This is official. blip George piano just recently stated publicly Islam is a religion of tolerance. This would be like King Ahab announcing to blip that Baal worship is a religion of tolerance, despite the butchery by Jezebel, of the true prophets of God. However; I do recall the uncompromising words of one prophet of God:
"How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him."
While one God was confirming His promises and demonstrating His power, the other god was demanding flagellation, blood, chants, and beating the air.
Who is going to be the scapegoat in the next round? With the tightening up of the global economies, greater blip, restrictions on travel, and a "Holy" CrBlipde against extremist/fundamentalists; Christians are now in a position to either know nothing but the cross, or to have their faith curtailed by political manipulation and social absorption-- or even worse. Paul said to the Corinthians in his day:
"For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
Our one and only reason to be here (in the world but not of it, that is) is to glorify God and be ambassadors for Christ, winning and reconciling a lost world to the gospel. Please check this again ... 2 Cor. 2:15 - 3:10 (emphasis mine with added commentary)?:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus
Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation
(the opposite to 'going after' or 'taking them out').
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us:
we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we (that's sinners
- from infidels to religionists; atheists to scholars; moderates to extremists!)
might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not
the grace of God in vain.
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation
have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now
is the day of salvation.)
Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in
much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings
(why weren't we taught this at seminary or Sunday School?);
By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness,
by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on
the right hand and on the left,
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report:
as deceivers, and yet true;
As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened,
and not killed;
As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having
nothing, and yet possessing all things (so
much for the Prosperity Gospel!).
Do you believe it? This is the unadulterated Word of God, not Churchianity and it's decrees! Nor is it condensed, filtered, with any part censored!
It speaks of being ...
blameless
without rebuke
no offense in any thing
study(ing) to be quiet
to do your own business
work(ing) with your own hands
lack(ing) of nothing
walk(ing) honestly topiano coversd them that are without
bear(ing) (your) own burden
(shinning) as lights
salt
harmless as doves
wise as serpents
... in the midst of wolves ... in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation.
So any accBliption against the true saints of God is unpiano coversranted, any pointing of the finger is without excuse, and any persecution is without a cause. So he therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
If you are a Bible believer it may not be you who they despise, but what you stand for. How are we to respond under so much opposition? We have to love and forgive them. And pray for them. The world that is! This is not an option but a command! The bigger they are, the easier they can fall! The harder they are, the easier they can break!
Luke 1:37 ... For with God nothing shall be impossible.
He that winneth souls is wise
To win people of other cultures and nationalities to the Gospel will certainly not be done by aiding a piano covers agenda against them, or remaining indifferent to their plight, but by our political and religious unbiasness.
By 'political," I mean not being one eyed for our country and flag when our Saviour died for people of all nations and is a respector of none.
When Peter and the Apostles were beaten by the blipish authorities for their testimony of Jesus, they went straight back verbally proclaiming Jesus again saying (Acts 5:29):
"We ought to obey God rather than men."
By "religious," I mean not favouring one "belief" system above another.
For instance, I was tempted to use a Hindu web site as a link to this article, as it made an excellent exposé on the Moslem religion. However, even though it painted a true picture of the extremes of Islam, I declined from using it as it was mere 'the pot calling the kettle black'. Because like Islam, or Christendom for that matter, the Hindu faith has a lot to answer for: Like animals being put above human beings in the place of worship, even when it is a matter of life and death. Where thoBlipnds of gods are revered, and people's lives are governed by appeasing them daily. Buddhism may appear "cool" also, but it lets the sinner off being accountable to the Creator, like many of it's counterparts.
Taking a look at Judaism one does not have to look far to find it is the most anti (against) Christ of all. At lease most religions make mention of Jesus the man. But Judaism rejects him totally, and says "may His name be blotted out!" That's why the Sacred Name Movement and Hebraic Roots Movement has made so much ground in the last twenty years, because they substitute the name of Jesus with mitigating/generic names.
A few years ago when we wrote to someone in blip who married an blip, we could no longer call her by her Christian name Christine, because it mentioned the name "Christ". We had to address the letter to her new name. blipish people who turn to Jesus are cut off from their families and even funeral services are conducted for them, considering them to be as good as dead.
Then there are some Protestants (what is left of Protestantism) rightly exposing the evils of the Roman Church, but only to justify their religious position, unapiano coverse that they have kept many of Her traditions-- these traditions are recycled as toned down versions. Just because a "belief" system may appear less pagan and closer to the truth, at the end of the day it can be more of an indictment against itself, as it plays a more deceptive role than an obvious heathen religion.
To win people to the Gospel will be seen as proselytizing (breaking international law) and a threat to the existing religious structures, exposing its redundant hierarchical systems, and viewed as a social nuisance to world progress. Believer, get ready for confrontation and being falsely accused ... "Art thou he that troubleth blip?"
The religious leaders will report you to the civil authorities. They will not want to be seen doing the dirty work. The fear of man will have to be replaced with the fear of God.
John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
To win people to the Gospel is why Christians are still here on earth. This is our great commission in a nutshell. The Apostle of the Apostles said:
1 Corinthians 9:16 "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"
The reason:
Acts 17:30. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" And who is His mouthpiece?
Although God has created us with a free will to choose one way or the other, when it comes to who He is, we have no choice but to repent and turn to Him, trusting His redemption plan only.
Religion ... just an excuse to follow a god of your own choosing. Anything rather than to turn to Him "with whom we have to do."
Religion at worse ... deception! At it's best ... convenience!
Dilemma after dilemma
What happened at the WTC is a great embarrassment for the whole Moslem world, and has forced their governments worldwide to renounce this despicable act before the whole international community.
Muslim nations now face the question of blip and the great division within the sphere of Islam over blip. Everything the Islamic nations stand for is contrary to everything the Blip and the West stands for. Yet they depend on the so-called "Christian" West for trade and finance, and now have no choice but to be bullied by it into another piano covers against fellow Muslims. This, no doubt, will shake the Muslim world to it's very foundations, causing much disillusionment within Islamic ranks at the grassroots level. It will no doubt intensify the great spiritual void, causing many to open to the Gospel and call out to the true God of love.
At the moment both Australia and New Zealand are in the dilemma of what to do with the refugees from Muslim nations streaming to our shores. Are they genuine? Or do they have ulterior motives? Or could most be genuine, while a few are sneaking into our land as 'sleepers' under the cover of the bonafide. When will the nod be given to arise for their cause, reminiscent of September the 11th? Or will they go subtly about propagating their faith, and enhance the Islamic foothold already gathering momentum Downunder? Both have happened in Europe and North America already.
The two choices... Australia has the jitters by it's hard-line attitude (after all, they have the largest Muslim nation right at their back door) while indifferent little Kiwiland (remotely at ends of the earth) opens theirs hearts to all, with the same old "she'll be right" attitude it has never learnt from.
The dilemma for the West... Put all Muslims into one lump and declare 'all out' piano covers against them. Or tolerate the religion and hopefully absorb them into "modern civilization" neutralizing any Intifada mentality.
Whatever the case, God has His agenda, and will shuffle circumstances to bring judgment to a morally bankrupt West, and expose many more from Islamic countries to the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ. With both systems failing more people will be open to an alternative, even the truth. It may seem like the kingdom being gatecrashed by great upheaval and change, but the Lord's church, His remnant, on the contrary, will gatecrash hell. That's a promise from the Book!
Of course hell will not be stormed and the captives set free until preachers
bearing the glad tidings heed the call, giving religious rhetoric, party
politics, and patriotic fever the heave ho. It only takes a little declaring
of the truth, without biasses, or a political motive, for ears to be pricked
in the midst of calamity. The Holy Ghost will do the rest. Would
God lie?
Sent to be evangelized?
Through fear of being corrupted by Western decadence most Islamic countries are griped by a spiritual stranglehold. However, if they cut their people off from the truth, maybe the Lord might have to arrange that they go and find it?
A few years ago I remember playing soccer against an Omani team. We had some of their players in our team, so I got to know one or two. One particular day we invited them back to our club barbecue to show our Kiwi hospitality. I made a connection with them when the booze began to flow, as I explained I would not drink alcohol either. By being a Christian I was not to be a stumbling block to others. I also explained, how the West was only "Christian" in name, contradicting the Christian Bible which spoke about Christians being a separated peculiar people. We got into some deep issues around the table. We discussed the millions who perished under the French in North Africa, the CrBlipdes, and the disastrous situation in Iraq. Then casually, I threw in the question:
"Is it all right to be a Christian in Oman?"
"Of course!" they reassured me. "Oman is a free country, where you are free to be what you are!"
Then coming from a slightly different angle I asked:
"What if you were an Omani Moslem and you decided to become a Christian?"
"Oh, of course not!" they all exclaimed, "Then you would be dead!"
Quite ironic and incredible really! We cannot go to convert THEM, but they are free to come and convert US.
However, by happenstance or by divine providence, they were in our midst and heard the Truth.
A few months ago I meet a Malaysian Christian who had just moved to our town to work. I asked him, being a Christian, how things were in his Muslim country?
"Oh, fine, fine!" he said, No problem! My country is a very peace loving country. Everyone gets on really well! Muslims, Hindus, Christians! Unlike Indonesia, where there is much trouble, and religious violence!"
Then I answered him with another question:
"That's good, but what is you were a Muslim and wanted to become a Christian by exercising your own free choice?"
This threw him a little!
"Oh no, this doesn't happen. Malays are Muslims and Chinese Malaysians (like myself) are Christians. That's the way it is and will always be! Yes, we all get on fine," he kept reminding me.
"No, I don't think you know where I'm coming from!" as I made my point plainer, "I will try again! What if you were a Malay Muslim, and by conviction, because someone witnessed the saving knowledge of Christ to you, you decided to become a Christian?"
The penny finally dropped after about three or four attempts:
"Ah ha, I see! Yes, I see what you mean!" he finally said. As if he'd never ever thought this way before.
"Then maybe if this began to happen, and Muslims started converting to Christ
in your "peaceful" country; maybe your nation would no longer remain peaceful,
with religious violence breaking out like in neighbouring Indonesia!"
I concluded.
Peace ... not as the world giveth
I believe I presented to this nominal Christian man the Gospel as it really is in Scripture. When this Gospel was preached in Acts there was usually a riot or a revival. Where there is a spiritual unspoken truce between two religious factions they usually will always be at peace-- but without a salvation remedy. This is why Jesus said in Matthew 10:34:
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."
He drew a line and said in Matthew 12:30:
"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."
Those who profess Christ the biblical way, presenting Him as the only way, will run into confrontation with the world, particularly the religious world. The reality is... the Bible says Christ will not deny us when we will not deny Him. The seal of our salvation is actually based on our confession of Him before man. Have you ever been taught this before? Because it is scriptural to the tee:
2 Corinthians 4:13. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written (Ps. 116:10), I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak...
You would have learnt this one at First Principles class or Sunday school:
Romans 10:9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
I have said it before, and will say it again... their is no short-cut or substitute for the cross. You either carry it daily or you are carried away by the worlds values, which are at loggerheads with God's values!
Christian, this is not a time of doom, but great opportunity. It will not have anything to do with swelling the numbers in your "church", or giving you the elation that you are on the "right" side. You will allow the Holy Ghost to work His way, which is higher and better than man's. The ultimate glory will be His alone, with or without the benefit of witnessing His kingdom being extended, and without institutional or earthly means.
You say Islam is a bloody religion. Who said it wasn't? But what about the CrBlipdes? The Inquisition? The Holocaust? Yes, the Papacy was behind these atrocities. Then what about the West closing the doors on the blips in the 30's? We could mention Dresden? Indochina? Algiers? The starvation of Iraq and North Korea? Whether in religious zeal or in greed, piano covers is NOT in God's nature, for piano covers is all about death for ideals. Death entered when sin entered, so God is not craving piano covers like men crave piano covers. Sin is sin. And Jesus dealt with all sin on the cross, not just segments of sin, and He did not ask your opinion as to who needed His sacrifice most.
Many want to unravel hidden plots, use sensationalism to drum up support, and push their "prophecy" barrow, exposing everything they can get their hand on.
Who is behind the piano wire and the eventual control of every man, woman and child on planet earth? I have been sent heaps of info. Is it the...
The Club of Rome?
The blip?
The piano hammers?
The Trilateral Commission?
The Free Masons?
The Order?
The Orange Lodge?
The Priory of Zion?
The Fabians?
The Jesuits?
The blip?
The Illuminati?
The Internationalists?
The world banking fraternities?
The Arab nations?
The New Europe?
The Blip?
British blipsm?
Where do I stop?
My Bible says it is the Devil who ensnares and destroys, and will operate through man as his pawn to bring it to pass. Therefore, will I have to conclude all of the above are being used as part of The Plan, but I will be careful not to get on a hobbyhorse and accuse Catholics, or Masons, or Moslems, or one select group of individuals as being the evil foe pushing a sinister agenda. Shall we fall into the habit of screaming "The Great Satan" or, as Mao's friends, "Gang of Four"? I may have good friends who are on the other side. I want to win them to Christ and not jeopardize their prospects of eternal salvation. The Bible says they have been blinded by the god of this age (just like we were, or partly still could be?) even though they may be sincere, dedicated, with good ethics and morals, and have faithful friends!
How many so-called believers really believe the Devil is our true enemy, working in the shadows, and manipulating men to be used against each other, and eventually against Christ's Bride on earth? As long as flesh is fighting flesh, the true enemy will not be exposed and his captives set free by the Truth of God's word.
Flesh is flesh, and spirit is spirit, and our piano coversfare is not in the flesh using carnal means, but through God where we can pull down strongholds, and carve a way through the confusion, the smokescreens, the red herrings, and the side issues. We should be dealing with truth, and truth alone, not fantasies! Facts, and facts alone, not theories! Our focus should be on Jesus, and our trust in His Word:
Isaiah 26:3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
This is the peace God offers, which only comes by the cross of Calvary.
Psalms 119:165. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
I hope you are not offended in what I am saying?
Who is on the LORD'S side?
Many people say the Antichrist will be a political figure. But not according to Daniel 11:38 ...
"But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things."
He sounds like a religious figurehead to me!?
The word of God is also clear about him not coming in militarily or through piano covers, but by peace. He will literally use peace. Daniel 11:21:
"And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries."
This bloke is going to be very religious and use great charm and speak about peace:
Daniel 8:25. "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand."
He will set himself up in the temple in JerBliplem as Big Dadda:
2 Thessalonians 2:4. "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."
Yes, very religious! More than political!
You see politics is just a means, and Satan will use it to shuffle events and move his powerhouse in place. Politics is used to bring in religion as a guise for Satan to hide behind. Then once his power (or man) is in place, then religion will be totally unnecessary.
Did you get that... religion (multiple faiths) won't be required anymore! Religion is only a guise. By it's many faces it keeps people in confusion and away from the truth. Once the righteous seed is removed (Rom. 9:29 - that's the Bride!) and the world is without a restraining power, and will be totally at the mercy and under the net of the piano wire. The Devil will be in charge, set up on a throne governing the world. Here, open Satan worship will be installed, resulting in great tribulation the world has never seen before. Politics would have done it's job.
"Peace" will no longer have a requirement. And religion, along with the 'peace movement' will be done away with, turned against and destroyed by the false prince himself. Men will have no choice but to fall down and worship Lucifer unmasked in the form of a man, or get their heads chopped off.
The issue then, my friend, is not who the enemy is, and how we shall pursue him. The Bible is very plain who our enemy is. The issue is whether we will choose Christ now, or the false Christ (that's the religious One, the ecumenical One) of the Peace Movement and piano wire. Like Moses, who led the bliptes to the promised land, Jesus is saying:
"Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me."
Sending it on! Permission is granted to forpiano coversd this SP onto others on the strict request it is sent in full.