Two Kinds of Anxiety

One should say anxiety about two different things. First the universal concern about the next life. To almost all this means what will become of my soul after death? Within this almost universal group there is usually a belief in a form of hell, or torment that must be avoided at all costs. I'll call this anxiety (in Protestant terms) "saved or not saved".

We're talking about a huge industry, all based on this concept. How big? It's bigger than the pharmaceutical industry, and that's saying a lot. Now how would I know about this mega industry? I should, I grew up in a family wracked by it. My mother and sister dreaded being sent to hell. My father handled this first anxiety pretty well. He believed we are saved "day by day".

Lots of people believe this. Your supply of grace is in kind of a leaky bucket. Before it all runs out, you pray for forgiveness, God saves you again, and you're okay for another day. I call this "24 hour salvation."

The religion industry likes both of these views. "Keep 'em worried and they'll be good." Plus, they'll give more money to the church. Salvation for sale? Why not? Everything else is.

But what about anxiety number two? Since I got past the mountain of anxiety over salvation (You're either His child or not. There are no part-children or "temporary" children), thanks to good Bible teaching. That leaves anxiety over your works. Not salvation-buying works, but works that we do in gratitude to God for saving us. Some day we will be rewarded for them.

I must confess I am subject to anxiety number two. It's too late now, of course, but my mostly-wasted life haunts me. There is a crown for those who love His appearing. This I do. But my resistance to the guidance of the Holy Spirit has been very great. God would have us do good. Why have I not done so?

The Ancient New Age

By the time of the introduction of the modern New Age movement, I was just starting to study the Bible. But I was naive enough to think this new way of thinking was just a fad, like the hippies, and would soon fade away. Poor ignorant me. I was to learn that it is as ancient as the serpent in Eden.

This is not to be a rant, just a rave, about the best source of understanding of this Satanic movement I have found under "one cover". The video linked below is the best analysis of the "We are gods" movement I have yet found. It destroys evolutionism and shows how Paul's prophecy of the latter days has started to come true. As you watch it, you will get information that would require great effort--and years--to obtain in any other way.

Watch Demonic Spirits and Angels of The New Age Deception!.

Why Doesn't the Bible End With the Gospels?

Since many Christians believe the Gospels are the ultimate in God's revelation, and preachers like to stay in Matthew, why go any further? Is the rest of the New Testament just an inferior add-on?

I have heard an avid church goer say that he avoided the writings of Paul! After all, they say, the Gospels are the words of Jesus. Meaning that the rest of the Bible is composed of mere mens' opinions and confused interpretations. "Stick with the Gospels!" is the war cry of many.

Hark! I hear the hoof beats of the ignorant. They are gaining on us.

Thanks to the wonderful Biblical thinkers online, you can read the works of Luther on up to those departing from the myth-inspired Corporate Church hacks. You don't even need a library card. I see another Reformation taking shape. Thinking (and Bible reading) Christians are departing from traditional, thoughtless, Babylonian-Greek mythology, and getting closer to the Faith Once Delivered.

Did the church shake off all the devil's lies when it departed from Catholicism? Has the devil retired from his role as the ultimate liar?

Starting with the Acts of the Apostles, to the book of Revelation, we see the wonderful development of the Church. It is not a re-treaded Israel, it is a new creation, hidden in the Old Testament. The church has a New Covenant and a very separate future. She has her own special letters. Like postal letters, we see who they are for by looking to whom they are addressed--"to the church in Phillipi", etc.

Israel will wake up from her God-induced sleep soon to a glorious future, but now we need to get to know God's revelation to His church. If your (job-scared) preacher can't get out of the Gospels, get a new preacher, or a new church.

A Dwelling for Demons

She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, Revelation 18:2, NIV

Are there haunted places? Revelation 18 says there are. I was watching a site on You Tube about just such an idea. But the horrible events that occurred to people there were said to result from the operation of ghosts. I can imagine an editor writing "Incorrect attribution".

That there are haunted people and places is a matter of record, both in the Bible and out. But, through cultural custom and habit we credit these events to ghosts. The spirit of Caspar is ever with us.

There is much to be gained from this error. It supports the idea that people are immortal in their "spirit form". Maybe evil ones come up from hell to torment people? Can these spirits be consigned to hell and yet inhabit old houses? Are they "playing hookey from hell"? Sounds like a title for a Roger Corman movie.

There is a much more serious result of the "ghost theory". It distracts us from the correct interpretation, which is demons and demon activities. Now we are upon familiar territory, a body of knowledge where both the Bible and folklore agree.

There are paranormal creatures, happenings, and even places. I doubt if there is a culture that does not believe this. Of course, in our anti-Bible culture, ghosts have been substituted for demons, making us alone in our ignorance. Even pagans know the reality of demons.

But what of places where demons are most at home? In the U.S., I nominate the state of West Virginia. This state is not demonic, but it does have a history where such activity is very evident. Unique petroglyphs and ancient Indian lore testify to this.

When the Bible and common knowledge agree, perhaps we should not ignore it.

See History of Native Americans in West Virginia.

Mr. Smarty Pants on the Bread and Wine Memorial and a Great Nation

Dear Smarty Pants,
I just read your item on the bread and wine of Melchizedek being a memorial. How could this be true, since the crucifiction of Christ took place over a thousand years in the future?

S.P. In man's time, yes, but in the time of God it had already occurred. In Revelation 13:8, Jesus is "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world".

Q. Where does God say, "I will make of thee a great nation"?

S.P. God says this to Abraham in Genesis 12:2 and to Jacob in Genesis 46:3. Again He says it to Moses in Exodus 32:10. This latter is a totally neglected passage, where God is so angry with Israel that He says He will destroy them and begin again with Moses. When Moses intervenes we see his true nature as one who loves Israel and intercedes for them--a strange yet beautiful moment.

Bread and Wine, a Memorial

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Hebrews 10:4

Evolutionist are everywhere, even in theology. We are told that the progress of humanity has taken us from the knuckle-dragging oafs of billions of years ago, to one of the great revelations of morality, the Ten Commandments. As if Adam and Eve were mouth-breathers.

The giving of the Law was not a giant step forward, but a revelation of God's perfection, told to those who had forgotten it. Long before the days of Moses, Melchizedek, the most-high priest, brought out bread and wine for Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20.

"You mean bread and wine as a memorial are older than the sacrifice of animals?"

Just as surely as Genesis comes before Exodus.

"What did you learn in Sunday School little one?"

"We learned that it is wrong to murder and steal."

True, but this was known from the times of Cain and Abel, from the times of Abraham. What kind of people need to be reminded of this?

The Fish Hamburger

A friend asked if I would like to go to a fast food place, and would I mind if some others went along. Of course, I did not mind , so off we went. The others were a young lady of perhaps eighteen, and a little boy of eight or nine. The girl's quiet, modest, manner reminded one of an older sister, or a governess. She was pleasant, but reserved.

I had known my friend since he was about nine. How can I describe him? He was 6 feet 4 inches tall, with a thick head of stiff red hair that stood up from it's part to give the impression of a speeding boat making waves. His voice was rather subdued and rumbling. It sounded as if it was coming from a distance.

He had a weakness for any idea that was humorous, especially in an absurd way. When I would say anything that appealed to this, he would laugh, then cry. He was a victim of humor.

We drove to an eatery I had not seen before or since. It was illuminated with soft yellow light, sodium lamps. They gave the impression that we were actors in a dream sequence of a high school play.

As we discussed what we would order, a car pulled in with a length of bicycle tire inner tube attached to its exhaust. It flopped around while making sputtering, vulgar sounds.

The soft yellow ambiance, as from millions of fireflies, combined with a gentle moist atmosphere to put me into a feeling of unreality. This was Eden, a temperature and moisture that was the most perfect I have ever felt.

The little boy, through his gentle, quiet manner, radiated innocence. Innocence was in the car and in the parking lot. We were all touched by it, as if immersed in a pool of warm water.

We often think of innocence as the absence of evil. And so it can be. But the innocence I felt that night had a positive element of its own, like pure white sand on a beautiful beach, or freshly fallen snow.

The little lad had made his decision. "I'd like a fish hamburger," he said. We laughed and ordered him a fish sandwich.

Years later I met the young lady. "You went with us to the restaurant!" she told me.

"Yes, and every time I think of that night, I want a fish hamburger."

She was amazed that I remembered the little boy's request. How could I ever forget? I would not have been surprised if his order had been delivered by an angel.