What The World Needs From Us

     I am officially back from my vacation and I have to tell you that being removed from my normal environment has given me a new perspective on the role of us Christians in the world. You see, Mark and I were in the company of a group of nearly 20 people, most of them years younger than us, and only one woman who was a fellow Christian. We had some good, long talks with her about our faith experiences, and it was interesting to find that she was pretty well versed on spiritual warfare, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and walking in spiritual gifts. The concept of Inner Healing and Deliverance, however, was unfamiliar territory, but she was not adverse to seeing their significance in spiritual healing.
     But other than this one encounter, everyone else wasn't too keen on revealing what they felt about a relationship with Jesus; shying away from any religious discussion. But, as always, when your goal is to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God, Jesus will give you the opportunity to sow a seed or two. And there was a particular conversation that Mark took part in that captured the interest of several thirty-something's one night at dinner. Let me share the gist of it ...
     First of all, you need to understand that my husband has a keen interest in understanding the historic religions of the world and how they relate to Christianity. It is important to have a knowledge of what came before Christ so that one can intelligently [and accurately] represent how our God is superior to the gods of other religions. In doing his research, he has become quite well-informed about these lesser gods, knowing their names and becoming aware of their existence and influence upon the people of today. Therefore, he has no hesitancy in engaging in a discussion with the Millennial generation, who proudly display these gods upon their bodies in the form of tattoos. In fact, it never surprises me when he asks these younger people about their tattoos, because he has a genuine interest in knowing if they are aware of the spiritual doors they are opening.

     One such discussion took place with Mike, a videographer that was quite an interesting young man. In his mid-thirties, he had come out of the snow-boarding culture, and had developed a successful business in film and video. That night at dinner, Mark noticed that he had quite a prominent tattoo on his left forearm, and asked Mike about it. "Why do you have Ahura Mazda on your arm?" Mike was amazed that someone would actually know who this entity was, and in case you are unfamiliar with this god, let me give you some insight.
     Ahura Mazda, whose name means "wise lord," was the most important god in ancient Persian mythology. When the religion known as Zoroastrianism became widespread in Persia around 600 B.C., Ahura Mazda became its supreme deity. This religion was founded by the religious leader, Zoroaster, who taught that Ahura Mazda was an omniscient god and creator of the universe. Zoroaster also taught the existence of angels, demons and saviors, ideas that can also be found in Christianity, Judaism and Islam -- all religions that came later.
     But back to Mike, and how this ancient god came to be permanently etched on his arm. Mike admitted to doing psychedelic mushrooms in his younger days and said that he did them for about a year, without any unusual affects... until the night that an entity appeared to him, attacked him, and frightened him nearly to death! That began Mike's search into the spiritual realm, various religions and gods. Instinctively, he knew there was a supreme being, but could get no answers from Christian pastors about the entity that attacked him or what god it might be serving.
     So he began an investigation into the oldest god there was, which led him to the Sumerian texts. Sumer was the southernmost region of ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq and Kuwait) which is generally considered the cradle of civilization. The name comes from Akkadian, the language of the north of Mesopotamia, and means “land of the civilized kings”. The Sumerians invented one of the first writing systems, developing Sumerian cuneiform writing (impressed on clay tablets) by about the 30th century BC. The earliest literary texts appear from about the 27th century BC. 
     As far as their religious belief system, the Sumerians believed there were four creator deities, and under them were the seven gods who "decree the fates." These were An, Enlil, Enki, Ninhursag, Nanna, Utu, and Inanna. These were followed by the 50 "great gods" or Annunaki, the children of An. Sumerians believed that their role in the universe was to serve these gods. 
     So, in his search for answers about a god to serve, Mike ended up tattooing Ahura Mazda and Enki on his arm, determining that if they were among the first gods to be worshipped, they had supremacy. And when my husband could intelligently discuss these gods with him, without condemning him, Mike was willing to listen to what Mark had to say about the "Most High God".  Mike's question was, "Where do I go to find out about him"? And when Mark's answer was, "He's the God of the Bible", Mike shared his distrust of what Christians had presented to him in the past, because it was always dictatorial, rigid, and repressive -- and they were always unwilling to accept that there were other gods.

The Most High God amid His Divine Counsel

     When Mark was able to point him to Psalm 82, which places the Most High God in His Divine Council, in the midst of the [little "g"] gods, where He proclaims, "You are gods, sons of the Most High", and then takes him to Deuteronomy 32:8, where the Bible tells us that the Most High God divided mankind, fixed the territories [nations] according to these "sons of God", appointing them over the nations while He took Israel as His people, then Mike became interested in knowing more about this Most High God. He was no longer the tyrannical God that religious Christians had demanded he must accept. Mike's sense of curiosity and very real desire to understand the origins of mankind and the spirit world made it easier for Mark to introduce the character and sovereignty of the God we Christians serve.
     It was a small, first step in getting Mike to reconsider the Bible as a credible source of information about God. There was no need to press him for more; it was not yet the time to explore fallen angels, satan, or Jesus as his personal savior. That could come after he was able to receive and accept Jehovah, Father God. But he no longer viewed the Bible as a negative, restrictive book, nor the God of the Bible as a tyrant. And he had certainly never met a Christian like Mark. 
     And in this exchange, it suddenly became clearer to me why Jesus chose to teach in parables. He was trying to overcome the religious rules and legalism of the Pharisees, who were so restrictive in their interpretation, and appeal to human instincts and spirits as He introduced the Kingdom of God. Mike had made it clear that "Church people" weren't accepting of him or his questions, and Mark laughingly told him they weren't always receptive of his ideas either. But he made it clear that the god on Mike's arm was no match for the God we serve. And when Mike heard that our God helped deliver people, just like him, who were being attacked by these entities from the spiritual realm, he was even more interested. And so were the five or six other Millennials at the table, some of whom had experienced similar attacks.
     You see, this generation has been raised on the internet where anything that can be imagined is possible. So, they are bombarded with fantasy worlds, demons, artificial intelligence, and all the spiritual doors those avenues have opened. When, we as Christians, try to present God as we've made Him within our Church walls, they can't identify. We must speak to them in their own terms and from their areas of interest. Just like Jesus's parables, we have to show them a God that relates to their experiences. The unbelieving world doesn't need our sermons and certainly doesn't want to hear "The Word says". They first have to know who "the Word" is before what He says can mean anything to them. We must relate to them at where they are, instead of demanding that they relate to us in all our religious ways. We must engage with them, looking for ways to introduce them to a God that is interested in them. From there, Jesus will give us the opportunities to take the next step, and the next... always bringing heavenly purpose into their earthly circumstances. 
     It's my prayer that Mark can keep in touch with Mike and answer the questions that will inevitably come. It's a long distance between Texas and Utah, but we serve a God that arranged that divine appointment in Montana. Let's see what what He orchestrates next.

1 Timothy 2:3-4   This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
          
    

The Women's March: The Jezebel Spirit In Action

     The contrast couldn't have been more stark -- the Pro-Life March in Washington D.C. last week was respectful, loving, and celebrated the life of an unborn child.  On the other hand, the (Million) Women March, just days before, was hostile, hate-filled, and had a decidedly anti-God spirit about it.  And it is that spirit that I wish to examine today.
     First of all, as a woman, I must say that I found very little in common with the vitriolic speeches I saw being performed by "celebrities" at the Women's March.  And honestly, if this was supposed to be about solidarity among all women, it was a dismal failure from my perspective.  Although founders of the march stated its purpose was not to be an anti-Trump rally, it very clearly became one.  And when pro-life women were not allowed to join the march, then it was quite obvious what this was... an Activist rally of a particular stripe.  If you called yourself an activist for abortion, or an activist for the LGBT community, or an activist for the Black community, or an activist for any cause that was anti-Christian ... then you were welcomed with open arms.
     It was obvious to me that aggressive feminism was on parade, with racism and political bias marching in step.  And it was blatantly obvious to me that the Jezebel spirit was all over this confluence of angry women.  And frankly, it is time we have a discussion about the influence of this most powerful combatant in our spiritual war with the dark side.

Jezebel and Ahab worship
at the altar of Baal

     Yes, there is a demonic spirit that bears the name of an actual woman who existed in the Bible. This woman is considered one of the most wicked in Scripture and here are the simple facts of her life:  Jezebel was the daughter of Phoenician king Ethbaal, who also served as a priestess to Baal worshippers. King Ahab, most likely for political reasons, took Jezebel as his wife during either the tenth or ninth century B.C. Phoenicia was a much more worldly and cosmopolitan civilization than Israel, which might explain Jezebel's rebellion against the conservative lifestyle of her new home.
     Ahab began worshipping Baal upon his marriage with Jezebel, and even built a church to Baal (1 Kings 16:32). In fact, the Bible tells us that Ahab  “sold himself to do evil” (1 Kings 21:25), and he “did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him” (1 Kings 16:30). For her part, Jezebel brought hundreds of Baal prophets to the country. Her defense of her native religion was so fervent that she ordered the extermination of the prophets of Jehovah, the Israelite God. Even the famous prophet Elijah fled once he discovered that Jezebel had a personal vendetta against him.
     Jezebel is also famous for her involvement in the death of Naboth, a righteous man who refused to give up the inheritance of his family land to the King. Ahab was unsuccessful in negotiations for Naboth's field, so Jezebel stepped in and found conspirators who accused Naboth falsely of a crime that resulted in Naboth being stoned to death. Ahab accepted the wicked acts of Jezebel, and because of Ahab and Jezebel’s shocking murder of Naboth, God condemned them both.
     Ahab would die in battle, while Jezebel continued to hold some influence over the land. When she got word that Jehu was coming to kill her, she applied makeup and dressed herself in fine clothing. (Jehu was the King of Israel, noted for exterminating the house of Ahab at the instruction of Jehovah). Some believe that Jezebel's adornment was an attempt to seduce Jehu or to die in a dignified manner. In any respect, she was pushed out of the window and her body was eaten by dogs (2 Kings 9:30–37).
     But the world had not seen the end of Jezebel. Because the real life Jezebel was such a willing student of the false and evil god, Baal, her spirit became a very powerful tool for Satan to use throughout the centuries, and we saw her on full display during the Women's March in Washington D.C.  Let me explain further... As I have written in the past, a careful study of the Bible reveals different kinds of spirits; some of which I would call "purpose spirits" -- the purpose of a spirit of anger is to provoke a person to act out in rage; a spirit of murder's purpose is to get someone to commit murder; and a spirit of lust, a spirit of rejection, or a spirit of pride all have purposes with which they are charged to perform for Satan.  But there are overlords in the demonic kingdom; ranks and hierarchies of demons that we encounter in spiritual warfare: rulers, authorities, principalities, powers, forces, dominions, princes, etc.  They are the smartest and most cunning of Satan's evil spirits, and Jezebel is one of the highest-ranking in his evil kingdom.
     She is able to attack and influence people in more than one way.  In other words, she has many strategies to gain the power that she craves, and her sphere of influence knows no bounds --- marriages, churches, and yes, even whole societies can be transformed by her evil designs.  And I want to show you how the traits of this Jezebel spirit were evident among the hundreds of thousands of women who participated in the Women's March...
     The Jezebel spirit will try to infect and contaminate a person in the same way that the real-life Jezebel infected King Ahab with her evil intentions.  People will say and do some of the most horrible things, but yet find some way to rationalize it and think they are perfectly justified in doing what they are doing. This spirit will play some of these people like fiddles, like a puppet on a string, with the puppet master being the Jezebel spirit itself.  The personality traits of someone exhibiting the Jezebel spirit are the following:  vileness in speech; lustful and seductive; prideful and narcissistic; judgmental, critical, condescending, and demeaning; combative and confrontational; cannot tolerate constructive criticism; hates anything associated with Christianity or Biblical values of a woman.

Actress Ashley Judd

     I believe the following remarks by those who played prominent roles in the March will demonstrate the personality traits of the Jezebel spirit:  "I am a NASTY woman"; "We are here to be NASTY"; "Our p-----s aren't for grabbing".  These are all remarks made by actress Ashley Judd as she cunningly professes to be protesting the mistreatment of women by sexual predators.  But, sadly, I believe that her molestation as a child opened a portal for the Jezebel spirit to come in; the spirit that ultimately convinces that child fragment of Ms. Judd that it's okay to be angry and strike out in retaliation for the injustice done to her.  But the Jezebel spirit operates with maximum pride. As a result, it will try to infect the host with that same kind of pride.
      And I'm sure you've seen Madonna's rant during at least one news cycle.  Her profanity-laced speech is pure Jezebel.  And Scarlett Johannsen's speech displayed the narcissistic attitude of the Jezebel spirit:  "Before I can support you, Mr. President, you must support me!"  Each speaker was infused with self-righteous anger and professed to speak for all women.  The Jezebel spirit worked perfectly in that environment... all the speakers knew how to talk the talk, and draw impressionable people into a web of distorted and hate-filled tirades.  They all had charismatic energy that had a powerful effect upon the crowd, whipping them into a frenzy.  And the leaders were all sharp, intelligent, attractive people.  And those are the kinds of people that the Jezebel spirit targets; people who like to be out front; controlling and dominating people -- just like Queen Jezebel, herself.
     But here is what we need to see; here is the devastating effect that the Jezebel spirit has had on our country and society ... When you combine the power that this spirit has to emit a seductive, charismatic type energy off a person, and then it attaches to a person who is naturally attractive, sharp and intelligent, you have a very deadly combination that this spirit can work with to achieve its ultimate goal. And that goal is to get total control so it can then work to take down and completely destroy either a person, marriage, church, ministry, friendship, company, a government, or a country.
     Just like the Phoenician princess Jezebel, who was a high priestess of Baal, this spirit seeks to infiltrate (like Queen Zezebel did Israel), and once in, it seeks to attack, undermine, and destroy everything in its path, taking absolutely no prisoners. It’s goal is total death and destruction. Plain and simple. Its purpose to to cause major dissension, strife, and chaos.  The Jezebel spirit will go after anyone in a leader position (that's why there was so much hate displayed against President Trump at the March).  It will have a mocking attitude about the spirit (hence the jokes about Trump's appearance).
     But the bottom line is this ... we have given far too much ground in our society to this evil and hateful spirit.  We see her influence in the worship of abortion, worship of unnatural relations between the sexes, worship of radical feminism, and the ensuing confusion in gender identity.  We have allowed this seductive spirit to lure us into a false sense of pride about women's issues, and Jezebel has established a stronghold in this toxic environment; a stronghold from which she launches major attacks on the family unit, upon unborn children, and upon the sanctity of marriage.

Jezebel and her prophetesses

     I know that defenders of the Women's March will declare that is was all about respect and equality; an opportunity to present hope and optimism for women of all ages and ethnicities.  And, in no way am I insinuating that women deserve less.  But to this woman, it felt rife with evil and hate. The women I saw (who say they represent me) appeared demanding and manipulating. And when I see signs that read,  "If Mary (Magdalene) had had an abortion, we wouldn't be in this mess!", then I know in my spirit that I am seeing the blasphemous spirit of the priestess of Baal.  She is alive and well in the 21st Century.  And we seeing her in women who reject holiness, and who indulge in self-worship.  And as alarming as this may sound, the goal of the ancient Jezebel is being broadcast by the Jezebel spirit in this Age: that the false god of Baal be worshipped at the same altar as the True God... and the sacred rite of abortion is the sacrifice he desires.
      I want to leave you with a quote by Landon Shott, who ministers with his wife, Heather:  Jesus's words in the New Testament (Revelation 2:20) were, "Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess." In the New Testament, Jesus noted the spirit behind the woman Jezebel. Theirs was toleration of the spirit by the ignorance of it. I believe that the spirit behind the woman, Jezebel, is the very same spirit at work in our nation today. This spirit is bringing the same destruction to the political sphere and God's house, the church, through compromise, self-worship, immorality and a removal of the prophetic voice (prophets). We must be spiritually discerning at what is going on in our nation. We can't link good causes with evil spirits. We cannot compromise with a Jezebel spirit. We can't align with it; as Jesus said, "We can't tolerate it!" We need to expose this spirit, confront it and defeat it through prayer and humility. 

1 Kings 21:25    "But there was none like unto Ahab, who sold himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up."

   

     

The History of Christmas

     I don't want to be a Scrooge this Christmas season, but I must tell you that it is encouraging to me that our society and culture are beginning to deal in Truth.  With each passing year, we are accepting that the origins of our Christmas celebrations have less to do with Christ, and more with ancient rituals and even pagan practices. While most Christians, like me, have no problem with honoring our Lord's birth this time of year, there are a growing number of Believers who recognize that Christmas, as we know it, evolved out of the Roman tradition of Saturnalia, a festival honoring their god of agriculture, Saturn, on the winter solstice.

A 1783 painting, titled "Saturnalia" by Antoine Callet

     The date of Saturnalia, -- December 25th -- was celebrated as "the birthday of the unconquered sun" and was also a convenient way for Emperor Constantine to combine his pagan beliefs with his newly self-professed Christian faith.  It was also a way for him to exclude the influence of the believing Jews from the new Christian faith, by declaring the day as a Christ Mass. Though we now celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ, we don’t know the exact date, or even the year of his birth. And during Saturnalia, children would often be given gifts of wax dolls – an act with a rather macabre history itself; the dolls were used to represent human sacrifices that Rome had given to Saturn in the past as payment for good harvests. Boughs of certain trees and other plant matter were also common gifts during Saturnalia, and were used to represent bounty and good harvests. So, while I like the idea that gift-giving at Christmas time is associated with the gifts of myrrh, frankincense, and gold that were presented to the Christ child by the three Magi, the reality is that the pagan beliefs were the original impetus for gifts.
     Legend has it that stocking stuffing is rooted in the charitable donations of Saint Nicholas, the forerunner to our Santa Claus.  Nicholas believed that childhood should be savored and enjoyed – but in a time where boys and girls younger than 10 had to work to support their families, this wasn’t always possible. So he decided to ease their burden, and gave what he could in homemade food, clothes, and furniture. The bishop even gave out oranges, which would have been very rare and expensive in Lycia, where he lived. The problem became where to leave these gifts so that the children would find them. According to legends, he then saw girls’ stockings hanging above a fireplace, and ol’ Saint Nick (to paraphrase) thought “Why not?”.  From then on, children would hang stockings up hoping that Saint Nicholas would visit them that night.
     But there is another legend that pre-dates the good bishop.  The practice can be traced back to Scandinavian countries that still held their Pagan beliefs. Children would leave their shoes full of carrots, straw, or other similar foods for Odin’s mythic horse, Sleipnir. When Sleipnir ate the food, Odin would leave candy or other treats in their place.
     Then there is the issue of wreaths and Christmas trees. Although many Christians might say these items are separate from belief in Christ, God still has something to say about our festivals.  Jeremiah 10:3-4 says, For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold...  In fact, Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church.  Early Church fathers, Irenaeus and Tertullian, omit it from their lists of feasts, with Tertullian writing, “The pagan Romans clad their door posts with green and branching laurels.  In the Saturnalia, presents come and go. There are gifts and banquets … yet Christians should have no acquaintance with the festivals of the pagans.”  And then there is God, Himself, who says in Amos, Chapter 5, I hate, I despise your feast days...
     And we can't ignore that the evergreen was also known to have represented the same values to a variety of cultures, including the Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. The worship of trees was also very common in European druidism and paganism. In Christian tradition, trees were often put up in December to serve the dual purpose of warding off the devil and allowing a perch for whatever birds still remained. Evergreen trees decorated with apples and wafers were also used in Christmas Eve plays during the Middle Ages to represent the tree from which Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Now, I know that no one will admit that we are worshipping our Christmas trees, here in the 21st Century.  But, if we were honest with ourselves, they have become idols.  True, we do not bow down physically before the Christmas tree, but when you consider that they have become a matter of the heart, and how much emphasis we put on them as a symbol of the time we say we are worshipping Jesus... well, sounds like idolatry to me.
     Then there is the tradition of mistletoe, which has an interesting story.  The Greeks believed that Aeneas, the famous ancestor of the Romans, carried a sprig of mistletoe in the form of the legendary golden bough. In Eddic tradition, mistletoe was the only thing able to kill the god Baldur, since it had not sworn an oath to leave him alone. Amongst other pre-Christian cultures, mistletoe was believed to carry the male essence, and by extension, romance, fertility, and vitality. The history of its popularity as a kissing agent is unknown.
     These are just some of our most endearing Christmas traditions, and I know that there are many of my fellow Christians who do not feel the same as I do about the holiday.  They will tell me, "Fine, I recognize that some of the origins of our modern Christmas celebration come from pagan rituals. But that's not what it means to me, and God knows my heart.  He knows that Jesus is the reason I celebrate Christmas". While I respect their decision, it's not that easy for me.  Because the worship of false gods and idolatry were intertwined with these rituals and festivals, my spirit has a tough time sharing a celebration of my Savior's birth with any other idol or deity.
     The final factor for me is not what the celebration of the Christmas holiday means to me, but what does it mean to my Father in Heaven?  And I want to interject this thought ... Although there is no instruction in the Bible to celebrate the birth of Christ, I don't think He condemns us for wanting to honor our Lord and Savior. But, I don't think it pleases Him that we can so easily dismiss the connections between the Christmas holiday and its pagan roots.

      How is it any different than the justification the Israelites gave for worshipping the Golden Calf? Read Exodus 32:1-6, and see if there isn't a valid comparison.  Didn't the Israelites set something up for their pleasure, and declared that it was from God? Weren't they worshipping a representation of a pagan deity, and had the arrogance to say “it shall be a feast to the LORD”?  Didn't they celebrate, claiming they were thinking about God as they brought gifts, drank and made merry? Personally, this is what I think we do with the holiday of Christmas.  And I understand how difficult it is to separate our hearts (our flesh) from what pleases God.  Nobody enjoyed the emotions and sentimentality of the Christmas season than me!  And if I say, BUT GOD KNOWS MY HEART and my heart is focused on Jesus... aren't we then making it about US, and what we want, NOT what God has asked us to do.  Are we offending Him by celebrating our own man-made feast, rather than His appointed Feasts?
     I know this is a tough subject, and I do not wish it to cause division in the Body of Christ.  It is a decision that must be made by each individual -- how you choose to honor the birth of Christ is something you need to be certain about in your spirit.  But you should be honest and uncompromising; don't let the Enemy convince you with sentimental memories and nostalgia. Don't let him combine man's pagan rituals with the holiness of the Christ child, and persuade you they are one and the same.  And one secular website even proposed this idea: "Christmas is the one time of year where everyone (or nearly so) is friendly, generous and gets along with each other, [so] does it matter the inspiration?"  (To read an article from this perspective, click here). In other words, why doesn't all mankind just ignore whether the inspiration for Christmas comes from the birth of the Christ child or from an assortment of rituals honoring a variety of false and pagan gods, and just all enjoy the merriment and good cheer?  That might be fine for the non-believer or agnostic, but if you are a Christian you must ask yourself this question ... Would God agree?  

Matthew 15:8-9    This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

A Spiritual Perspective On Gods and War

      Our national commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor was a fascinating look into history and how Americans viewed the events of the day.  During my research I found an interesting article relating how Navy Admiral Chester William Nimitz, the commander of the Pacific Fleet during World War II, regarded that horrific attack from a particularly Christian position. Then I began thinking about wars in general and how they might be observed from the spiritual dimension, and the intriguing possibilities that the Bible presents when we take a closer look at a pivotal event in the Old Testament.  My mind was racing, and I'm not sure I can connect all the dots, but let's see where my thoughts take us...

     Let me begin at the beginning.  In the gift shop at Pearl Harbor, one can purchase a small book by Admiral Chester Nimitz, titled "Reflections on Pearl Harbor".  In the book, Admiral Nimitz relates that he received a phone call while attending a concert in Washington D.C. on Sunday, December 7, 1941. It was President Franklin Roosevelt telling him he was now Commander of the Pacific fleet.  Admiral Nimitz flew to Hawaii to assume command of the Pacific Fleet and landed at Pearl Harbor on Christmas Eve, 1941. There was such a spirit of despair, dejection and defeat--you would have thought the Japanese had already won the war.
     On Christmas Day, the Admiral toured the scene of wreckage and carnage; sunken battleships and navy vessels were everywhere.  The tour boat returned to the dock, and a young helmsman asked what the Admiral thought of all the destruction.  Admiral Nimitz replied, "The Japanese made three of the biggest mistakes an attack force could ever make -- or God was taking care of America. Which do you think it was?"
     If you are a history buff like I am, I wanted to know what the Admiral saw as mistakes.  Here they are.  Mistake #1: The Japanese attacked on Sunday morning. Nine out of every ten crewmen of those ships were ashore on leave. If those same ships had been lured to sea and been sunk--we would have lost 38,000 men instead of 3,800. Mistake #2: When the Japanese saw all those battleships lined in a row, they got so carried away sinking those battleships, they never once bombed the dry docks opposite those ships. If they had destroyed the dry docks, we would have had to tow every one of those ships to America to be repaired. The ships were in shallow water and could be raised. One tug could pull them over to the dry docks, where they could be repaired and at sea by the time they could be towed to America. And there were already crews ashore anxious to man those ships.  Mistake #3: Every drop of fuel in the Pacific theater of war was in top-of-the-ground storage tanks five miles away. One attack plane could have strafed those tanks and destroyed the fuel supply.
     And that's why Admiral Nimitz made the statement that the Japanese either made three of the biggest mistakes an attack force could make -- or God was taking care of America. So that got me to thinking ... do we really believe God has a vested interest in taking care of, or protecting, nations?  And if He does, is it all nations, or are there specific ones He protects, and others He rejects?  We know that Romans 13 tells us that there is no authority in a nation, except from God; and that which exists has been placed there by Him.  But that is specifically about human government of a nation.  Is there a spiritual component, and what part do other gods play in the history of nations?
     Now, that last comment might throw you for a loop.  As a Christian, why would I even consider the existence or the importance of other "little g" gods?  First of all, because they do exist!  God spends a large portion of the Old Testament warning the Israelites, His chosen people, against following other (false) gods.  But where did these other gods come from; and how does that play into Israel being "chosen" by God to be His people; and finally how does that fit into my thoughts about a spiritual perspective on war?  Hang on, I'm going to take you on a wild ride!
     I am a huge fan of Dr. Michael Heiser, an American Biblical scholar, who earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages. He has opened up the Bible to me, by providing the Hebrew context of our English language Bibles, and offering interpretations that English-only commentaries are lacking. By providing the meanings of words and concepts from a uniquely Hebrew position, the Bible expands and increases in scope; broadening our understanding to deeper levels.
     Such is the understanding of the word Elohim. Most Christians understand that it is the most common word in the Bible for YHWH, The Creator.  But did you know that in Hebrew, the word Elohim can have both singular and plural applications. Think, in English, something like:  Look at that deer (singular); or look at those deer (plural). Well, in Psalm 82, we get a clear example of Hebrew grammar in verse 1:  God (Elohim) stands in the divine assembly; He administers judgment in the midst of the gods (elohim). It cannot be denied; it is as plain as day, or as Dr. Heiser says:  The God of the Old Testament was part of an assembly -- a pantheon -- of other gods.  
     But where did these others gods come from?  I'm going to give you a very short explanation, knowing that this topic could take days to explore (and I hope you do).  But put very simply, God, as Creator, is responsible for creating these other gods, who in the ancient Semitic world, were known as sons of God (Hebrew: beney elohim), divine beings with higher-level responsibilities or jurisdictions. Obviously, God would have hoped that they would play by His rules and exert their responsibilities in a holy or righteous manner.

     These elohim will come into play in the familiar story of the The Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. We know that humankind came together (under the tutelage of the elohim who had been given jurisdiction over them) to build a city and a tower that would reach to heaven.  It was a confederation of nations (and elohim), come together to usurp the power and dominion of Elohim (God). We know that God confused their languages and scattered them from Babel over the face of the whole earth. But it is Deuteronomy 32:8-9 that reveals God's ultimate actions:  Remember the days of old .... When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when He divided mankind, He fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.  But the Lord's portion is His people, Jacob (Israel) His allotted heritage. 
     It is very clear from this passage that YHWH's dispersal of the nations at Babel resulted in his disinheriting those nations as His people.  In effect, He decided that the people of the world's nations (at that time) were no longer going to be in relationship to Him.  He would begin anew, and enter into covenant relationship with a new people that did not even exist yet (Israel).  This idea is astounding and monumental in understanding much of what the Old Testament tells us.
     NOTE:  Several versions of the Bible erroneously translate verse 8 to say, according to the number of the sons of Israel. That is a wrong translation, because Israel didn't exist yet. In fact, Abraham had not even been called yet!
     So, what does this have to do with our discussion?  As odd as it might sound, Scripture is telling us that after the Tower of Babel, God decided to keep the peoples who would become the nation of Israel for Himself, while the rest of the nations were placed under the authority of members of YHWH's Divine Council, the elohim of the divine assembly mentioned in Psalm 82:1.  In other words, the other nations were assigned to lesser elohim as a judgment from the Most High for their actions at Babel.
     I'm now going to take a huge leap to modern times and try to connect the dots. When we understand that from that moment in history until now, the nations of the world have been under the jurisdiction of lesser elohim, we can see the history of the world's wars from a different and spiritual persecutive. These lesser elohim were in rebellion against God at Babel, and nothing has changed.  They inspired the nations under their jurisdiction to battle against other nations, in a never-ending quest to reach that designation of Most High.  That's why history has seen nations conquering other nations, and borders being defined and re-defined.
     And when you consider that during the last world war, you had both the Germans and the Japanese vying to be the Master race, it's not hard to imagine the lesser elohim in the spiritual realm working their plans, trying to convince the leaders of these wartime giants that they had a divine calling.  In fact, Emperor Hirohito of Japan believed he and the Imperial Family were divine descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu.

      Although there are some modern scholars who are doing their best to deny that Adolph Hitler had any connection to the occult or evil organizations, one need only look at his "Final Solution" for extermination of the Jews to see a correlation between the disinheriting of the lesser elohim and their nations, and their hate for the nation God would claim as His own.  There is plenty of evidence to suggest that Hitler was interested in the occult, magic, and the paganism of his Germanic roots.  He is said to have marked extensive passages in a 1923 book, titled Magic: History, Theory, and Practice, including one that reads, "He who does not have the demonic seed within himself will never give birth to a magical world".
     One can also look to the emergence of ISIS and their hatred of Israel to see the influence of their lesser elohim, Allah, and his influence against the Most High; Elohim, the Creator. Hopefully, you can see how war and gods are inherently intertwined. The Old Testament is full of stories of God warning the Israelites (His allotted portion of the world's people) against being influenced by the other nations and their false gods (lesser elohim). That same pattern has occurred throughout history and we have seen ample proof of this model of rebellion during the wars of the last century. As crazy as it may sound, we live in a world governed by other gods who have become hostile rivals in the wake of YHWH's judgment against them at Babel. They are still in rebellion and influencing the leaders under their jurisdiction, in a constant attempt to replace the Authority of the Most High God.
     But back to Admiral Nimitz's hypothesis. If the people who would become Israel was the only nation that God kept for Himself, do you think it is possible that He will take care of us? That's where we have to once again go to the Bible for the answer. In the Old Testament, God says in Genesis 12 that He will make a great nation of Israel, and "I will bless those who bless you (Israel), and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed". So the nations that stand by Israel; support and honor her will be blessed by God.  And in Joel 3, God makes it abundantly clear how he will deal with nations who dishonor His inheritance:  "I will gather all nations and will bring them down into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and there will I deal with and execute judgment upon them for their treatment of My people and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and because they have divided My land."
     So, all nations are not Elohim's chosen; nations will receive blessings or curses depending on how they treated Israel. And we are grafted in as His inheritance, His children, if we have faith in His Son, who came to deliver Israel from her rebellion. And until the day His Son returns, the lesser elohim will continue in their own rebellion, still trying to execute the plan they initiated at Babel. But their judgment is sure, and it will be swift. Peace will not reign on this earth until the Prince of Peace comes in final judgment of all who oppose, disobey, and challenge the Authority of the Most High.  When Jesus says. "there will be wars and rumors of wars", He is prophesying a truth of the human existence. But I praise God that we know one day it will end. And what a glorious day that will be!

Psalm 89:5-7    Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of God is like the Lord, a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?


   

Burning Man 2016: Can A Christian Find God At A Pagan Celebration?

"DaVinci's Workshop"
Burning Man 2016 Theme

    Once again, the images coming out of the festival called Burning Man remind me of a New Age Woodstock; or as one attendee described it, "It's kind of like the Star Wars bar scene in a Mad Max movie". It is variably called, "a counter-culture phenomenon"; "the largest pagan celebration in the world"; and "an experience of spiritual connection".  But connection to what, or whom?
    Larry Harvey, the founder of the Burning Man Festival on the Summer Solstice in 1986 says, "I've never believed in a Supreme Being, but I do believe that Being is Supreme.  That's a subtle distinction; but a spiritual notion".  Really?!?!  Harvey, in case you haven't guessed, is a self-professed atheist, and his statement has about as much substance as "the nothingness" in which he believes.
     But an interesting fact about Burning Man appears to be that more and more Christians are attending, and I was curious to see how the event was represented, both from a cultural perspective and a spiritual viewpoint.  This year's theme was Da Vinci's Workshop, and the symbol of this year's festival was DaVinci's Vitruvian Man.
     The Burning Man website described the 2016 festival as "inspired by the Italian Renaissance, when an historic convergence of inspired artistry, technical innovation and enlightened patronage launched Europe out of medievalism and into modernity. Our story will focus on ... humanist ideals, a rediscovery of science, and funding from a newly moneyed class of entrepreneurs [which will fund] a revolutionary cultural movement that [will] redefine Western civilization. Five centuries later, we will attempt to recreate this potent social alchemy by combining Burning Man art, maker culture and creative philanthropy to make Black Rock City the epicenter of a new renaissance."  I think I can sum up that high-sounding characterization in a few words ... Man as Creator; creating a bridge between science and spirituality.
     DaVinci himself called his symbol "The Magical Proportions of Man", and explained it like this:  "The outstretched arms and legs of a man form a square and a circle: the square symbolizes the solid physical world and the circle the spiritual and eternal. Man bridges the gap between these two worlds."   So ... I wanted to know how it was possible to seek true spirituality while attending a festival that is described as "notoriously hedonistic. There are naked people, and a lot of sex, drugs, alcohol, and all-night raves. But for many, Burning Man is also a spiritual pursuit."

     I read over a half-dozen accounts (and watched a documented film version) of people claiming to be Christian, who have attended the Festival over the last few years, and I guess I wasn't surprised to find a wide difference of opinion.   Here is what George Otis Jr., president of The Sentinel Group (a Christian research agency), wrote of his experience in the year 2000:  "On Saturday night, the hell-themed [festival] reached its crescendo in the form of a drama....These people were literally celebrating the fact that one day they would enter hell. To simulate their journey, the camp’s center stage was transformed into the "Vestibule of Hell." The guest of honor was none other than "Papa Satan."....As the lecherous Papa Satan bowed in mock chains before a placard reading "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved," a group called "Idiot Flesh," [supposedly Christians] dressed as hooded executioners, began to play a discordant dirge accompanied by flashing strobes. When the crowd started its torchlight procession toward the Gates of Hell and an eerie, sculpted castle called The City of Dis, I sensed an unmistakable chill in the air. Our march had been joined by unseen, malevolent guests....nudist and a moving sea of devil banners [also] moved around us....At the tri-tower City of Dis, our descent into the Inferno reached a demonic sanctuary....While massive loudspeakers pumped out a hellish bass tone accompanied by tormented screams....people dressed as demonic insects celebrated by copulating with other captured souls. It was a scene that looked as if it had been plucked from a horrific nightmare. Mesmerized by the evocative music, the performers began to chant, "Devil’s delight, fire tonight!" Wood piles inside the towers of Dis were ignited, causing orange flames to belch forth from the eyes and mouths of demonic gargoyles built onto the turrets. As the heat became more intense, the entourage danced around the towers. Satan had defeated the church."
     Then in 2015, the website Christianity Today, featured an article written by Dr. Rick Richardson, an Anglican priest, and Associate Professor of Evangelicalism at Wheaton College, a Christian Liberal Arts college.  Dr. Richardson attended the festival at the invitation of his son, who did not connect with the organized church.  At first he saw the gathering as one big party, which he concedes it was, but soon found himself praying for a young woman whom he sensed had a broken heart.  I will let him finish telling you about his encounter:  "I prayed for the presence and power of God to heal her heart and fill her and use her in the lives of others. At the end of the prayer time, she wept and expressed that she had come 1000 miles to hear that word from God. I told her about Jesus’ love for her and she responded over the next several days, becoming open to Jesus for the first time in her life."  

A worshipper praying to her pagan god, Osiris,
at Burning Man 2013

     Dr. Richardson continued, "Here is one thing I have already discovered. Many of the people driving the rise of these new spiritualities that mix Buddhist, Hindu, Native American, and New Age ideas, come from the church. That’s right. They are the formerly churched. And they are not hostile to their background. Not at all. It just never captured them ... but [they] are still hungry for spiritual connection and meaning. Nature abhors a vacuum, and these new spiritualities are filling the spiritual vacuum left by unsatisfactory church connections."
     But what spirits are they connecting to?  Just because you're having a spiritual encounter, you can't assume it is with YHWH! Or maybe that doesn't really matter to the attendees!
     Then there was an interview on the documentary video I watched with a woman pastor in a tent called "The Freedom Lounge".  The film admitted that this was the "charismatic" flavor of the presence of the Church at Burning Man.  She said, "We invite [the people] to have an encounter with the One who made them.  When they meet the Holy Spirit, which we call the Spirit of Truth, they are rocked!  Personally, I am a follower of Jesus, and that's where my power comes from.  But I am seeing that there is a lot of anger here about the structure we put around the Church.  When we show them they can have a personal encounter, and feel the presence of that Love, and get filled up with it, then they have a spiritual connection that is very real".
     Okay, so that leaves me with a couple of questions ... Is the move from pure self-indulgence in 2000, towards spirituality in the last couple of years, centered in ecumenicalism?  In reality, isn't humanism what's really being worshipped?
     In my research, I had no problem finding quotes from attendees who expressed that they listened for the voice of "the Spirit", and had a spiritual encounter.  Remember the Anglican priest from Wheaton College, the Christian college?  He also said that many of the values of Burning Man are "worthy of Scripture, including radical inclusion (what Christians call grace!), community effort, civic responsibility, and leaving no trace on the environment. Burners also practice a culture of gifting (everyone brings a gift to the community, reminiscent of the Body of Christ) ....  If we can learn from spiritually diverse Burners why they have embraced new and alternative spiritualities, and if we can learn from Christian groups who are reaching them, maybe we could see a new Jesus movement in this decade, not unlike what happened in the 60s".
     But the question, for me, becomes who is influencing whom?  Because there is no room for compromise when it comes to the One True God.  So, is this just another attempt by "the Church" to appear accommodating to alternative spiritual paths?  And then there are the stories and images of attendees seeking portals; worshipping idols and false gods; making sacrifices to honor the earth ... all things that God detests.  Yes, we are to engage with the world by taking the message of Christ to them.  But I think we flirt with danger when our priority changes from speaking God's unyielding Truths to trying to understand and appeal to alternative spiritualities.
     Unfortunately, this approach is very appealing to our youth, the unchurched, and those recently disillusioned with religion.  But here's what it looks like to me:  Combining mysticism, rationalism, and humanism with an alternative form of Christianity in order to create a new definition of "church", "faith", or "spirituality" still looks like paganism to me.  And, in the end, I just have to ask, Does this please The Most High God?

Ezekiel 20:7    Then said I unto them, Cast away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

In Their Own Words: War Has Been Declared!

   

     This is a very difficult post to write.  My heartbreak over the terrorist attack in Florida comes from the depth of my human faculties.  And I will admit that my flesh and my spirit discern this tragedy from different perspectives.  I want to try to describe to you what is going through my mind, as well as what is being revealed to my spirit.  This is a convoluted and divisive situation, and my opinion is full of twists and turns.  I fully expect that my viewpoint will not be universally accepted, whether one is secular or Christian.  But this is an exercise of trying to figure out exactly where I stand on multiple issues, and I hope it will give you pause to think about your own faith and our shared humanity.
     I had a heartfelt discussion this weekend with a very dear friend who happens to be gay, and who came to this country from Israel as a teenager.  He told me that "it was the Constitution and Bill of Rights that inspired him to become a US citizen."  His maternal grandparents survived the Holocaust camps, and his father fought in the Israeli War for Independence in 1948.  Both his parents served in the Israeli military, fighting in the Six Day War in 1967 and the 1973 Yom Kippur War.  The spiritual war against God's chosen people has been imprinted on his DNA.
     My friend told me that his grandparents' experiences in the camps, along with their survival and the tenacity and sacrifice of his parents (to give him a better life) has given him both strength and conviction regarding his faith and our freedoms.  He told me that having survived Hitler's murderous regime, his grandfather "continuously warned that what happened with the policy of appeasement by governments, and that [the] hatred of Jews and Christians would happen again during my lifetime."  And now, we see evidence of that in Orlando, Florida.
     Coincidentally, you may have easily dismissed the killing of singer Christina Grimme in Orlando just one day prior to the travesty at the Pulse Club.  Allegedly, police now suspect that her murderer traveled from St. Petersburg to Orlando, a distance of some 107 miles, with the specific intent to kill the contestant from NBC's 'The Voice" -- possibly because of her outspoken Christian views.  Here is an excerpt from her webpage:   In the western world, especially American civilization, when asking for a person's religious standing, the most common response you will encounter is simply "I'm a Christian." Most people subtly just think to themselves "Oh, okay good. I was worried for second." But as I have traveled to Israel recently, fervently prayed and studied Scripture, and examined the culture around me, I have found that when someone says "I'm a Christian," I should be more worried for their soul than if they said "I'm an atheist."
     Before you stone me to death with your subconscious judgment, let me explain. If you will, come explore with me what it should look like when a person claims Christianity. Come with me, and let's take a look at the most overused word in the English language. What is this "Christian" stuff all about anyway? 
     Here was a young woman who obviously took her faith seriously, and was beginning to ask serious questions about what it means to be a Christian.  I suspect that she was becoming outspoken and challenging her generation to start recognizing their position in the Kingdom of God.  And the Enemy needed her silenced.  So can her untimely death be associated in anyway with a jihadist terrorist who slaughtered so many of the gay community in Orlando?  I think it can, and here is why.  It is time that we Christians understand the reality of a single Bible verse.  It is Revelation 12:7 and here is what it says:  Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back.  

     We must see the events of the past few days for what they are ... part of the devil's strategy in the ongoing spiritual war.  And this war is being conducted on multiple levels.  If we try to limit the scope of Christina's murder and the murders at the Pulse Club  by calling them hate crimes or a terrorist attack; or by calling for more gun control, then we fail to see the "bigger picture", if you will.  They must be seen from the viewpoint of the war being waged in heaven.  The men who committed these atrocities -- one who hated a young woman's Christian faith, and one who pledged allegiance to ISIS -- are both soldiers in that war, infected with the ideology of a false god, doing that god's will.
     I have heard news commentators saying that the nightclub murderer was "inspired by a foreign terrorist organization".  The truth is that he was inspired by a spirit commanded by the devil -- one of the ranks of the Enemy's army that Paul refers to in Ephesians, Chapter 6.  And being the Father of Lies, satan can use his influence to convince our leaders that this is a hate crime; or because of the easy availability of guns.  There are those who will say that we are losing this war because of political correctness.  That is only partially true.  We are losing this war because of our spiritual ignorance!
     As a nation, we are failing to connect the dots.  We need to see that these active shooters -- the one who attacked at the Gay Center in Tel Aviv, Israel; or the two in Orlando; or the one who attempted to attack the Gay Pride Parade in Los Angeles yesterday -- are soldiers in the army of satan.  They are demonized followers of a false god.  To get sidetracked with how to accurately "label" the atrocity is a distraction and part of the devil's strategy to keep us chasing our tails.  When a shooter shouts "Allahu Akbar" before beginning his deadly rampage, then it is crystal clear that he is glorifying his satanic master, and worshipping a false god in his holy war.
     As I said earlier, this spiritual war is attacking our faith on different levels.  I would be insincere if I did not address the facts that these attacks are coming against the gay community.  I'm sure there are those Christians who will determine that this is an act of God's judgment against the LGBTQ community.  That is a verdict that I, personally, cannot make.  God loves His creation, and desires that no one be lost. He "is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).  I have no doubt that He is grieved over the loss of those men and women in Florida.  And, as a Christian who has gay friends whom I love with a heart like Jesus's, I mourn those who have died because a false god is promoting "a month of conquest and jihad".
     That being said, hear me clearly ... I am not saying that I approve of a sinful lifestyle -- anymore than I excuse the sinful lifestyle choices that I have made in my past.  There is a common saying:  Love the sinner; hate the sin.  I know that the Bible does not say that in those precise words.  But it does say: And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.  I know that whoever does not love, does not know God, and I believe cannot show God to others.  So it is my belief that I am to show mercy for the sinner, while maintaining a healthy hatred of sin and its effects on a person.
     God, on the other hand, can perfectly love and hate a person at the same time. This means He can love him as someone He created and can redeem, as well as hate him for his unbelief and sinful lifestyle.  Therefore, I leave it up to Him to work that out, while I try to continue to show others the benefit of my salvation and redemption.
     But because our actions in this physical world (and the battles in the spiritual world) affect and influence each other, I am left wondering just how the flagrant defiance of those involved in the Gay Pride parade in LA will effect satan's allies in this world.  Make no mistake!  I do not believe God approves this rebellion against Him.  But I also believe that this month of Ramadan has special significance for those wishing to sacrifice their lives to their false god.  And demonic orders are being given in the spiritual realm to those responsible for carrying them out on the earth. Homosexuality is "illegal" in sharia law and according to Islamic law, homosexuals are subject to being thrown off the top of a building, then stoned.  It has been reported that anti-gay messages, attributed to ISIS followers, are now appearing on Twitter and other social media sites.
     So, as a final summation, my thoughts and emotions are still in turmoil.  I deplore the loss of human life, and I believe God grieves for all His creation.  But I see this heinous act from my spiritual consciousness.  This is part of something much bigger than what we see before our eyes.  It stretches beyond a single gunman in a nightclub in Florida.  It extends all the way to the heavenly realms where a war is being waged between God's angels and satan's demonic followers.  Jesus has defeated the devil, but the conquered enemy hates the presence of God, and will use his influence to command his generals and his soldiers to kill and destroy.  In history, Christian warriors used their weapons of faith in God's Truth, and perseverance in battle to overcome the power of pagan idolatry. We must do the same today.  But we must realize that we have access to the power that raised Jesus from the dead; and the Enemy's demonized soldiers are no match.  There is a war being waged -- and we better recognize the purpose and goals of our enemy; those both in this physical world and in the spiritual realm!  The war in heaven is being manifested on earth.  Our enemy has declared his intentions and, as Christians, we can no longer ignore him or neglect our responsibilities in God's Kingdom on earth.  Be courageous and stalwart!

Revelation 13:7     "The beast was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them.  He was given ruling authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation,"

The Battle Is Right Before Our Eyes

     For those who think spiritual warfare is simply a theological concept, with no real-world application, then I invite you to open your eyes and ears to what is going on around us; it's in the headlines nearly every day.  Have we become so blinded that we merely blow off or ignore the implications of what is being reported?

     Take today for instance.  It is June 6th ... or 6-6-16, if you will ... and the day that Satanists have claimed as a day of celebration to their god.  Simply put, it is a sacred day to them for worshipping satan.  And it is a salvo in their spiritual battle plan; an aggressive act in satan's campaign to win the spiritual war here on earth.
     But how many of our countrymen -- or fellow Christians, for that matter -- will even take notice?  Who will understand what this means and act appropriately to defend against this vigorous attempt to defame and defeat YHWH?  In case you don't know the details, here they are:  The religious sect which calls itself The Satanic Temple plans on placing the five points of a Pentagram star around the city of Lancaster, California, located in northern Los Angeles County.  Spokesmen for the group claim that "drawing this symbol around the city represents a solemn promise from the Satanic Temple of Los Angeles to stand with the good people of the City of Lancaster and struggle for their constitutional right to individual liberty, freedom of expression and the separation of church and state in the community".
     Here's what we all need to understand ... this display of rebellion against God is no different than the Enemy's plans that have been revealed and recorded in the Bible.  I just finished reading the Book of Jeremiah, and I could not help but identify with the ancient prophet's frustration over the blatant disobedience and defiance of God's commandments to those who professed to follow Him.  Just like in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the people of our nation have followed after, and are worshipping, false gods.  But do we understand that these gods are not just names of "things" we idolize like celebrities, houses, and cars, or carnal pursuits such as wealth, fame and power?  Do we realize that behind these idols are spiritual entities that are very real and their desire is to influence and control you to win the war?

Bel, aka Marduk

     In Jeremiah, the prophet records numerous warnings from YHWH about the destruction coming against nations and the gods they worship; the spiritual entities that satan has placed over them in governing positions.  Jeremiah 48:42 says, Moab will be destroyed as a people because he has exalted himself against the Lord.  Jeremiah 50:2 records these words from YHWH: Announce to the nations; proclaim and raise up a signal flag; proclaim and hide nothing.  Say: Babylon is captured; Bel is put to shame; Marduk is devastated; her idols are put to shame; her false gods, devastated.  Again, Jeremiah 51:44 says, I will punish Bel in Babylon.  I will make him vomit what he has swallowed.  The nations will no longer stream to him; even Babylon's wail will fail. 
     It is important that we get this!  Bel and Marduk are not just some wooden statues that the nations bow down to.  And Babylon is more than a city and a nation. They are real spiritual entities -- gods, although false -- who involve themselves in the lives of real people and in the existence and actions of nations.   They were able to influence God's chosen people and induce them to rebel against God and turn aside from their covenant with Him.  It is no different today.
     As noted prophecy expert Paul McGuire tells us, "Currently in America there is intense competition among various belief systems, religions, philosophies, and ideologies. This competition is expressed openly as different groups and faiths seek to promote their belief systems and win converts to their religion or cause."  That is what happened as the Israelites entered the Land of Canaan and became exposed to the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites; and later when they were taken into captivity in Assyria and Babylon.  They were introduced to the gods of these other nations, who are every bit as real as YHWH.  But they are not the One True God and they are under the guidance and supervision of Lucifer, the fallen angel who proclaimed himself the god called Satan.
     So, now in 21st Century America we find ourselves inundated with all kinds of false gods vying for our attention and our worship -- Islam, Mormonism, Scientology, Hinduism, Buddhism, Satanism, Wicca, and Paganism to name just a few.   As Mr. McGuire points out, "Wicca, along with witchcraft and paganism, is currently the fastest growing religion in America. Islam is also a fast growing religion. Christianity, and specifically Evangelical Christianity, is declining faster than most people realize."  Do you get that?  Can you see that the battle lines have been drawn and these other gods have their troops engaged in battle plans like encompassing entire cities within a Pentagram and dedicating the people and land to the devil?
     What are God's people doing?  What is our battle plan?  Are we actively praying against the influence of these other gods?  Are we asking YHWH how He wants us to execute against His enemies?  Do we know how to defend against the enemy's attacks?  This generation of Christ-followers have been lulled into "Christianity Light" for too long, and are woefully unprepared, as the Body of Christ, to take on the Enemy forces who have centuries of plans and victories under their belts.  Our world is going to be shaken like we've never seen, and the self-centered gospel that has been the center of the Modern Church will offer little defense.
     It is time we fight back, putting on the full armor of God, and seek the help of His heavenly host as we stand our ground against the onslaught of evil coming our way.  Take a moment to pray against the Satanists around this nation who will be performing their evil rituals today.  Ask God to send an army of angels to surround any areas claimed for this false god.  Picture the battle in the spiritual realm, and know that it is real!  We must start seeing with spiritual eyes and get in the fight!  We need to recognize when the Enemy is advancing, call on the Lord, and engage in the battle with Him!  Are you willing to join me in this mission?

Isaiah 54:17   "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from me,” says the Lord." 

"The All-Seeing Eye": Searching For The Light & Immortality -- Part 1

     As I grow older, I am amazed at the unfolding of knowledge that God is granting me.  As my husband, PLW (Peace-Loving Warrior) likes to tell me, "It's like the layers of an onion... God peels back one layer at a time, revealing what we need to know for that season.  But we are always aware that there is another layer, just waiting to be peeled back, and giving us fuller knowledge of Him."  There are times I mourn that I didn't seek Him earlier in my life; I sometimes think I will run out of time before I know all I want to.
     That's why I am in awe of the younger generation who is on fire for God, and who is able to use the technology of this age to reach out to the youth and young adults with the Gospel Message.  But they inspire me far beyond fulfilling the commission we are all called to.  They are more bold and adventurous in seeking out the "fringe" topics that older, more mature Christians shy away from.
     They are unafraid to speak about demons, and the supernatural, and spiritual warfare -- all within a Scriptural context, mind you.  They seem to see things more clearly than those of us who have been influenced by church doctrine and "religion".  They are more pure in their willingness to believe God -- not just believe IN Him.  By that, I mean that they believe that Scripture means exactly what it says; not the contaminated and diluted interpretations that our various denominations have succeeded in convincing us is God's Truth.  They believe the Word is Truth, and are unafraid of accepting its veracity -- even if it points us to unconventional understandings of God's Power that is beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature.  They have no trouble in believing that we serve a BIG God!
     That's why one of my favorite podcasts to listen to is The Fourth Watch with Justen Faull.  Justen is part of that younger generation, and he is not only strong in his faith, but continues to edify and instruct me on topics that are Biblically sound and relevant to the craziness that we are witnessing in the world.  But, perhaps most importantly, he is able to speak God into his generation, and in a way that captures their attention, while telling them of His Truth.
     Recently, I listened to a podcast on a subject that not only fascinated me, but appalled me.  It centered around a popular conspiracy theory about "The All-Seeing Eye".  Justen and his guest speaker, Ark of DestinyLabs.com,  conversed on the resurgence of ancient shamanistic practices that involve the Pineal Gland in our brain.
     Before I go into the shocking information that was revealed on the podcast, we should understand why there is so much fuss over the Pineal Gland.  A simple definition of this gland is that it is "a pea-sized conical mass of tissue behind the third ventricle of the brain, secreting a hormonelike substance in some mammals."  Medical websites refer to it as "a nearly mysterious gland"; located deep in the center of the brain; shaped like a pine cone and involved with sleep/wake patterns.  Doctors tell us that the pineal gland secretes a single hormone—melatonin (not to be confused with the pigment melanin). This simple hormone is special because its secretion is dictated by light. Researchers have determined that melatonin has two primary functions in humans—to help control your circadian (or biological) rhythm and regulate certain reproductive hormones.  They also say it was once known as "the third eye".  I have news for them -- it still is!
     After listening to the Justen Faull podcast, I began to do some research on the Pineal Gland, and it led me down some fascinating and frightening trails.  I wanted to know why it's designation as "the third eye" would have significance to us as human beings, and as Christians.  Today, in Part I on this topic, I want to give you some information on the history and symbolism that surrounds the Pineal Gland.  And then, in Part II, on Friday, I will take you down the disturbing paths that this research led me.  I am by no means telling you things that you could not easily discover yourself; and these are not my original ideas.  But I found this entire topic compelling as I began to connect the dots.
     Did you know that there is actually a website called Third Eye Pinecones?  I'm not kidding!  This site reports that "throughout the span of recorded human history, Pinecones have served as a symbolic representation of Human Enlightenment, the Third Eye and the Pineal Gland... its spines spiral in a perfect Fibonacci sequence in either direction, much like the Sacred Geometry of a rose or a sunflower."  I would like to think that the creators of this website give credit to God for the repetition of this Fibonacci pattern throughout nature, but nevertheless, I found their site fascinating in its rich narrative regarding the Pinecone and its connection to the Pineal Gland and the All-Seeing Eye.
     And this site confirms the information found on the aforementioned medical websites ... Our “Pine”al Gland is shaped like (and named after) the Pinecone; is at the geometric center of our brain, and is intimately linked to our body's perception of light.  And not surprisingly, this website reports that the Pineal gland is considered by many to be our biological Third Eye, the "Seat of the Soul," the “Epicenter of Enlightenment” -- and its sacred symbol throughout history, in cultures around the world, has been the Pinecone.
     In addition to spiritual consciousness and enlightenment, pinecones have also historically been used as symbols of everlasting or eternal life. Ancient Assyrian palace carvings, dating back to 713-716 BC depict four-winged God-like figures purposefully holding aloft pinecones, or in some cases, using a pinecone to pollinate their depiction of the Tree of Life -- a tribute, perhaps, to both the Pinecone’s immortality symbolism and its role as an icon of enlightenment.
     Interestingly enough, the pinecone is depicted in many other cultures, as well -- The Egyptian Staff of Osiris, dating back to approximately 1224 BC, depicts two intertwining serpents rising up to meet at a pinecone. Modern scholars and philosophers have noted the staff’s symbolic parallels to the Indian “Kundalini,” a spiritual energy in the body depicted as coiled serpents rising up from the base of the spine to the Third Eye (Pineal Gland) in the moment of enlightenment.  Shiva, the most prominent god in the Hindu tradition, is consistently depicted with a head, or coiled hair, shaped in marked similarity to a pinecone and interwoven with a serpent or serpents.
     In yet another culture’s tribute to the Pinecone as symbolic of spiritual ascension and immortality, a statue of the Mexican god “Chicomecoatl” (“Seven Snakes”) again depicts the deity offering forth pinecones in one hand, and an evergreen tree in the other.  Romans later built an enormous bronze sculpture, the “Pigna,” in the shape of a huge pinecone three stories tall. According to a popular medieval legend, the sculpture stood on top of the Pantheon, as a lid for the round opening in the center of the building's vault. The Pigna is confirmed to have served as a large fountain overflowing with water next to the Temple of Isis in Ancient Rome.  However, the gigantic statue now sits directly in front of the Catholic Vatican in the “Court of the Pinecone.”
     One theory proposes that the Pinecone was actually the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, purported in Genesis to have been eaten by Eve at the urgings of a serpent, and leading to the eviction of mankind from the Garden of Eden. This concept proves particularly provocative given the consistent reappearance of pinecone images with serpents and snake references across cultures.
     I was particularly pleased to see the Bible referenced on this website, as follows:  "The Bible itself alludes to pinecones and the Pineal Gland on several occasions, sometimes quite specifically. Beginning in Genesis, Jacob wrestles all night with God, and is commanded to change his name to Israel. The Bible then records the following:  And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Peniel the sun rose upon him -- Genesis 32:30-31.  (Literal Biblical translation of the word “Peniel” means “Face of God”).
     In another interesting passage, Matthew seems to provide an uncannily similar description of the Third Eye as the texts of the Yogic and Hindu spiritual traditions. This verse is also interesting because the Pineal Gland is the only part of the brain that is “single,” not possessing a left and right hemisphere.  The passage in Matthew 6:22 reads, The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be single, your whole body shall be full of light."
     In giving a complete history of the Pineal Gland/Pinecone/Third Eye connection, this website provides the conspiracy theory that points to the presence of pinecones in Freemason architecture and symbolism as another example of organized spiritual oppression. Theorists believe the Freemasons fully understand the spiritual significance of the Third Eye, and regularly pay iconic tribute to it, while continuing to placate the masses with a doctrine of religious and cultural dogma.

The staff of Osiris

     Pinecones regularly appear framed in Freemason Octagons, on the ceilings of Masonic Lodges; and Large Freemason sculptures on the side of the Whitehall Building in the New York Financial District goes so far as to depict two enormous intertwining snakes spiraling up to a pinecone overlooking Battery Place (which is strikingly similar to the Staff of Osiris).
     There are many who believe that the Third Eye/Pineal Gland is the source of the psychedelic Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in our bodies.  They believe that large amounts of DMT are released in our bodies during heightened states of spiritual consciousness, such as birth, death and near-death experiences -- or, for those who seek spirituality in other places besides our God -- perhaps during the awakening of our Kundalini in a moment of Enlightenment.  A synthesized version of DMT, or plants containing DMT, are often used as recreational psychedelics, or in religious ceremonies, and a drug called Ayahuasca is now a popular street drug among some youth in America.  Users often report intensely entheogenic ("generating the divine within") experiences of spiritual awakening, contact with entities of supernatural or spiritual origin, and the dilation or compression of time.  The website says that it is worth noting that among reports of thousands of experiences with Ayahuasca, the Serpent is documented as the the most commonly appearing archeatype in their spiritual/psychedelic visions.
     It is easy to see the symbolism that is interwoven through our knowledge of the Pineal Gland.  It is a real gland in our bodies, and it serves a specific purpose in helping us to perceive light.  The Bible certainly seems to allude to it, but I believe it is in reference to the Light, with a capital "L".  And it is equally apparent that satan is attempting to mimic the power of God's Light, and has tried to present a deceptive resemblance to entice mankind, down through the ages, to come towards his unholy light -- which only leads to spiritual darkness.  On Friday, I will connect these dots and show you exactly how the Enemy is tempting modern man to fall for his lies, as they seek immortality and his false light, and why there is so much intense interest in the Pineal Gland today.  You won't believe where I am taking you!

John 1:9    "There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man."