Artificial Intelligence Is Not A Substitute For The Holy Spirit!

 

The statement I'm making with the title of this blog post might seem obvious, but let me ask you a simple question ... have you been struggling with trying to figure out something important lately? Like, whether you should consider a risky surgery that your doctor is recommending? Or perhaps you don't know if you should take a leap of faith and buy that new car. What's your process in coming up with the answer that's best for you? What's your "go to" and first step to solve your problem?

Do you scour the internet for answers? Search Google for information on the surgery, or to find the best rated cars? Look up reviews on top surgeons, or comments by satisfied buyers of that make and model of automobile? Do you rely on technology for the majority of answers in your life?

I ask, because I'm beginning to wonder if the convenience of Artificial Intelligence has moved us away from our relationship with the Holy Spirit; especially when faced with consequential decisions in our lives. Yes, I believe that we don't need to consult Him with every minor and inconsequential issue we are faced with in this life. We have been given a brain which God expects us to use as we grow and mature into a responsible human being. But He also wants to be a part of our lives, active in a symbiotic relationship that is mutually beneficial. That's why we've been given the Holy Spirit when we accept Christ as our Savior and Redeemer.

Now, it's true that both Artificial Intelligence and the Holy Spirit qualify as helpers and the givers of knowledge and understanding, and yes, even wisdom. But one of them derives its wisdom from the data input created by men [with all its limitations and sin-attached biases], while the other offers wisdom [in its fullness] from the One True Creator of the Universe. Which one do you think is more trustworthy?

It's also my belief that we need to consider the growing omnipresence of AI in our lives. My fear is that the recent generations [who may have never known a time in their lives without AI], will become more inclined and receptive to seeking technology for their guidance, counsel, and decisions instead of the spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit. And that reliance and dependence will only serve to separate us from the most important relationship in our lives. In other words, I fear that humanity will identify more with technology as the source of their being, power, and freedom, instead of the Holy Spirit and God as the true Source of their identity. 

Remember, the Holy Spirit teaches us, guides us, and counsels us for our well being; with our best interests in mind. If you don't know God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit, it will be easy to trust that AI is doing the same. But a recent headline revealed that "Open AI's latest model DISOBEYED a shutdown order, and then rewrote its own code to stay alive". Does that sound like technology is looking out for the human race?

And I have to be honest ... whenever my spirit is restless about something, I ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what is going on in the spiritual realms. Why is my soul so uneasy about this new industry of technology? Increasingly [and repeatedly], I am discerning that the Holy Spirit is showing me that Satan is counterfeiting something that God manifests. Satan so hates us that he will intentionally deceive mankind into using our creative abilities in imitation of our God. But we are creating computers with no sense of boundaries, let alone any experience or comprehension of God.

Gaining knowledge is good, right? But more knowledge is not always what's best for humanity. When ambition and pride supersede moral decision-making, resulting in the surrender of our minds, our bodies, and our spiritual connections to God in favor of advancements in "Scientific Knowledge", then we are close to abandoning our spiritual purpose. 

As a Christian, I seek the Lord through His Word, and the Holy Spirit guides me to the truth of my unease and where I can find the answers to the discontent I find in the world's love affair with technology. Now, I'm not saying that technology can't be used in our quest for more of God -- I've certainly used it to gain more historical knowledge about my faith, and to discover valuable commentaries on the Biblical meanings and interpretations of Scripture. But, yet again, I must warn that we seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in discerning the truth, motives, and inspiration behind the answers we receive. 

Remember, it is men who write computer programs, and therefore the influence of the internet and digital technology is having a huge influence on humans -- "both obvious and subtle, deliberate and unintentional, and advantageous and detrimental" (according to a study by Walden University, titled How Is Modern Technology Affecting Human Development?). Can we really trust everything we read, hear, or have been taught, when we can't possibly know the source or intention of what is being disseminated? 

As I have stated previously, ever since the Garden of Eden, Satan has used deception and lies; mockery and corrupt imitation; and seduction and temptation -- all with the purpose to fracture our relationship with God. But the Holy Spirit guards that relationship, sealing it until the day of redemption. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit revives and regenerates us, comforts us, grows us, and restrains our sins ... when we seek Him and listen to Him. The Holy Spirit desires that we know and understand God! Can we say the same of Artificial Intelligence?!?

So, I pray for humanity to have their eyes opened. I pray for Believers to share their discernment about the possible dangers of letting AI gain too much control over our technology. Already, I am seeing AI videos of what appear to be sermons from pastors in the pulpit, preaching that God doesn't see our sin, only our goodness, because He is good. And let me tell you, they look and sound like real pastors giving real sermons. But they are a lie!!! I can only imagine how many people who profess faith in Jesus Christ and their belief in God's sovereignty and truth, who will fall for the lie -- let alone those who don't know God at all. 

It's Satan's soft sell approach; his whisper of devious deception that is opening the door to hell. If you have even a twinge of suspicion, take it to the Holy Spirit and seek His wisdom and understanding. Ask Him to show you the truth, and then be courageous enough to openly deny it. Admit your doubt and ask the Spirit to intercede for you and give you divine understanding and insight, providing revelation that is more than intellectual, but deeply spiritual. This kind of intelligence transforms our believing hearts and minds to align us with God's purposes -- both the purpose for our life and the purpose for His Kingdom on earth. 

We are not here to advance the goals and strategies of Satan's technological and spiritual war, but to re-establish and strengthen God's dominion over His creation. We are in a battle of human wisdom against the wisdom of God. It may look like man versus machine, but the truth is, we can only win this spiritual war if we choose the Holy Spirit as our supreme Guide and Counselor. Stay alert! Satan is looking for those he can devour through the promises of technology!

1 Corinthians 2:6-7     We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

 

AI, Humanity, and the Image of God: It's a Battle Between Rival Kingdoms!

It's no secret that I am becoming increasingly concerned about the growing influence of technology in our world, and specifically in our lives. Because I have the privilege of age, and have therefore experienced life through an amazing time of rapid growth, modification and change in our daily existence, I am able to discern the effects that technological engineering have made on humanity. 

Before I proceed with the purpose of this post, I want to briefly define what I mean by the foundational terms of my hypothesis: Artificial intelligence, Humanity, and the Image of God. I am trying to listen intently and clearly to where the Holy Spirit is leading me. So, I am beginning to gather my scattered [yet inspired] thoughts into a spiritually informed and cogent argument for why we need to be very careful with how we proceed with the next generation of technological advancement. Of course, I am beginning with Artificial Intelligence (AI), the "new science" that has captured the imaginations [and machinations] of men with what I think are questionable motives. 

I was actually astounded to discover that the existence of artificial intelligence is not a new idea. There are confirmed mythical, fictional, and medieval legends of artificial beings -- ranging from a creature made of bronze, by the name of Talos, in Greek mythology, charged with acting as a guardian for the island of Crete; to the Swiss alchemist Paracelsus, who claimed he could fabricate an "artificial man" by placing the sperm of a man in horse dung and feeding it the "secret or mystery" (Arcanum) of man's blood, which after 40 days, would result in a living infant. 

According to Wikipedia, the earliest written account regarding animation of a Golem (the assignment of human traits, emotions, and in relation to this post, intelligence, to non-human entities such as clay figures - or a computer) is found in the writings of Eleazar ben Judah of Worms in the early 13th century. It was believed that the animation of a Golem could be achieved by insertion of a piece of paper with any of God's names on it into the mouth of the clay figure to receive information. Alchemy (chemistry, magic, sorcery, witchcraft, enchantment) was a huge part of these endeavors. 

Again, Wikipedia says that modern artificial intelligence was born in the 1940s when the study of logic and formal reasoning led to the invention of the programmable digital computer, a machine based on abstract mathematical reasoning. This invention inspired scientists to begin discussing the possibility of building an electronic brain. Fast forward to the early 2000s when "machine learning" was applied to a wide range of problems in academia and industry. With the advent and availability of powerful computer hardware, the collection of immense data sets, and the application of solid mathematical methods, "deep learning" became a reality, and we now have a breakthrough that has led to the rapid scaling and public releases of "large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT".  That is a short (and simple) synopsis of the idea of artificial intelligence. 

Moving on to the term Humanity, I consider it to be the condition, quality, and state of being human, which includes compassion, empathy, kindness, and understanding towards others. It is the consideration of humans as a group; the human race. That's a rather detached definition of the qualities of humankind, devoid of what I consider is the most important attribute of our state ... we are created in the Image of God, an immaterial spirit, capable of communing with our Maker. As GotQuestions.org elucidates, we are an "Image-Bearer" of God's likeness mentally, morally, and socially. We can reason and choose, which is a reflection of God's intellect and freedom. We were created in righteousness and perfect innocence, a reflection of God's holiness and image. We are created for fellowship, which reflects His triune nature and His love for us; and whenever we marry, make a friend, hug a child, or gather together in the Name of Jesus, we reflect the likeness and image of God. 

The problem, as I see it, and the reason for my concern, is the very clear intentions of some members of our humanity to use AI to separate us from our understanding of what it means to be a human and created in the image of God. Our identity as a created being [in His image] is a fact and a truth that sets us apart from any other form of creation -- including [and especially] computers. We alone are a reflection of His values and purpose as Creator. A computer cannot reflect God's spiritual attributes; it can't show holiness, love, or fellowship. 

We must realize and see that modern proponents of Artificial Intelligence are attempting to apply human [and therefore God-like] qualities to machines, describing their ability to "think", "learn", and "understand". This serves to confuse [and conflate] the nature of man and machine. No matter how close these machines and computers can come to mimicking human intelligence, they are not made in the image of God! They don't have spirits, or a soul, and they are incapable of inviting Jesus to sit on the throne of their heart ... because they don't have a heart, let alone any ability to "engage in moral or spiritual reflection", as Cheri Givens writes in her astute article on Medium.com.  

I think the thing that disturbs me the most is the attempt to minimize the miraculous and divine design of God's creation of man by insinuating that we are merely "advanced biological machines", which leads to drawing a dangerous parallel and connection between man and technological devices. As the advances continue in the abilities of AI to take over [and eventually surpass] man's human abilities to solve the challenges we face [to preserve human life], I fear that we will increasingly undervalue God as the answer to our problems. 

And when we attempt to minimize God's blueprint, so to speak, in our bodies by encouraging the merger of man and machine, then we are advocating Transhumanism, the philosophical and intellectual movement that says we can enhance our human condition [and overcome its limitations] by integrating machines into our physical environment. In other words, there is a very real effort to separate humanity from our divine link to our Creator.

And that's a battle that has been waging since the Garden of Eden! Ever since the Fall of Man, Satan has tried to convince us that we don't need God. In fact, he's tried to convince us that we can become our own god and be in control of our own destiny. It's all part of Satan's plan to usurp the government of God's Kingdom on earth in order to establish his own kingdom, based on deception and convincing us that we don't carry a spiritual significance in our relationship with God. But we're not just physical cells, muscles, tissues, and blood. We are made in His image, and we are spirits, as well. 

If Satan can keep the culture focused on the intellectual value that AI can bring to humanity, we will neglect [and eventually lose] the spiritual connection to God in favor of greater physical advancements. And it won't take long until we are augmented with computer parts that promise a transformation that unfortunately no longer aligns with God's creation of our bodies or His will for us. We are created to set our minds on spiritual matters, and focus on heavenly things that will lead to lives devoted to God; worshiping and glorifying Him alone. AI and Transhumanism are focused on annulling our covenant and divine relationship with our Creator, and enslaving us to the kingdom of Satan. . 

The bottom line is that Satan wants dominion of the earth for himself, establishing his own kingdom populated with beings who invalidate their divine connection to the God of the Universe, in favor of worshiping the deceptions offered by science. He whispers that humanity can "save their lives" by advancing, enhancing, revolutionizing, improving, streamlining, and enriching themselves in the areas of healthcare, environmental conservation, social welfare, education, etc. All we need to do is abdicate our spiritual relationship with the One who created us, and join forces [and our brains] with the machines that will give us all the wisdom and knowledge we need without the need to spend eternity with God.

I know this probably sounds like I've gone over the cliff, but every ounce of my spiritual being is crying out warnings! I fear for our younger generations who have only known the modern age of computers. It has been easy for them to be enticed by Satan's lying whisper ... I can offer you more. The advancements in AI are coming rapidly and deceptively; disguised as progress and growth in the advancement of human potentiality. I'm not denying that we could benefit from some of the developments. But there's danger in the undercurrents of wicked forces who are promoting an anti-God agenda in the mix. Please pray for discernment for our leaders. Pray for Godly men to keep this powerful tool in check. And ask the Holy Spirit to give us the fullness of His work in our lives, so that we might correctly navigate this critical time in the age of Humanity: Give us the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Wisdom, the Spirit of Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel, the Spirit of Might/Power, the Spirit of Knowledge, and the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord. Amen!

2 Corinthians 7:1     Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life -- a life set apart for God's purpose] in the fear of God.

Memorial Day Weekend 2025: Honoring The Sacrifice

Today begins "Memorial Day Weekend", although the official holiday is on Monday, May 26th. It's the day we remember and honor our fellow countrymen and women who have died in the service of our nation. The Bible is full of stories of such warriors ... Samson, David, and Joshua are memorialized as valiant protectors of their people. And from Isaac Davis, the first officer to be killed in the American Revolutionary War, to Nathan Chapman, the first American soldier to be killed in combat in the war in Afghanistan, this nation has seen no shortage of men and women who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the ideals this country stands for.

Yes, we all like to hang flags [and wave them] on this day, but let's not let the celebration with BBQ and beer exceed the spirit of this solemn day of commemoration. Don't just hang a flag outside your door. Tell your children and grandchildren WHY you are making that statement. And then make sure they know the cost of their freedoms. From 4,435 casualties in the American Revolution, to the 405,399 casualties in World War II, to the 7,064 casualties in the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and against Isis (as recorded since May, 2024). The numbers don't lie... a huge price in human lives has been paid.

Have these all been "righteous" wars? ... I think we all know the answer to that. Politics, power, and money have all played a part in our nation's conflicts. But, today, my goal is to recognize and commemorate the memories of those who fought for the right reasons. This is about every person who has laid down his or her life for the rest of us. This holiday is about what America stands for [at it's undefiled core], and those who fought to preserve that ideal. It's my hope that we can recapture the spirit of what America symbolizes.

Neither I, nor my husband, Mark, have lost family members; although we have veterans in our lineage. But that doesn't mean Memorial Day is not personal to us. For me, it centers around the day I made the decision, at the age of 16, to wear an MIA bracelet for Captain John Charles Hardy, USAF, who was shot down over North Vietnam in 1968. I wore that bracelet all through high school and into college, even though I developed a rash from the metal the bracelet was made of. I just couldn't take it off until I knew if he came home. Finally, when the war was ended, there was no answer and so I eventually took the bracelet off, hoping my answer would come in the near future. But it wasn't until 2001 that I discovered there was a website where you could find out the status of MIA/POW military personnel from that war.

Throughout the years, I had prayed for him, hoping he made it home. As I sat at the computer, my heart racing, I was devastated to discover that he died in the jungles of that far-off country; North Vietnam, Nz Province, to be exact. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried uncontrollably for all the years I had hoped for a different outcome, and for his family who had suffered such a great loss. I never knew him, but he was more than a name on a silver bracelet. I now had a picture of him, which made him seem even more real.

In 2004, Mark and I were in D.C. and visited The Wall, and the impact of that long black marble wall with all those names on it was overwhelming. I have a pencil rub of Capt. Hardy's name that I keep in my Bible that my grandmother gave me, and I will honor his memory for the rest of my life. Thank you, Capt. Hardy for your sacrifice. God bless you!

In the ensuing years, I've never lost the importance of recognizing the value of every life sacrificed for my country. And I'd like to ask you to reflect upon the following quotes as you celebrate this weekend ... "The brave never die, though they sleep in dust: Their courage serves a thousand living men." - Minot J. Savage (Pastor and Author, 1918); "Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it." - Unknown; "This nation will remain the land of the free only as long as it is home of the brave." - Elmer David, Director of the United States Office of War Information during World War II.

So, I want to leave you with this: think upon the principles that motivated our citizens [since this country began] to pick up a gun and fight for freedom, both here and abroad. Memorial Day represents those who died protecting the values of John 14:13 ... No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends. The memories of our Fallen Heroes deserve to be recognized. Monday is not about hotdogs, hamburgers, and family gatherings. It's about restoring respect for the sacrifices made for you and me. Let each of us do our part in restoring the true meaning of Memorial Day. Dedicate one moment out of the day to give thanks to a veteran who made that ultimate sacrifice. We owe them that ... and so much more. I dedicate this post to:

Captain John Charles Hardy, USAF

Length of service 8 years

His tour began on Jan 15, 1968

Casualty was on Apr 3, 1968

In , NORTH VIETNAM

Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW

AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND

Body was recovered

 

Psalm 116:15.     Precious [and of great consequence] in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones [so He watches over them].

   

God's Relationship With Us: It's Not That Hard If You'll Just Read Your Bible!

I think one of my biggest frustrations with Christians today is that they don't try to understand what God desires in His relationship with us. And I emphasize the word try. In these days of instant gratification, it seems to me that many believers don't really want to put in the work to get to know their Creator. They want a twenty-minute formulated sermon that makes them feel they are in touch with God so they can go about their busy lives and not have to think or put much effort into what is the most important relationship in their lives.

Sadly, the advent of technology and social media have given us the means to shortcut this relationship. Apps like Hallow, YouVersion, and Our Daily Bread offer readers anywhere from a minute or two, to a half hour of devotions, snippets of Scripture, or Biblical topics  -- all in "high-design, user-friendly layouts", as one app describes. I'm not passing judgment on the credibility or veracity of these apps. In fact, I suppose I'm happy that these apps are available, in contrast to the violent, sexual, and blatantly anti-Christ apps that are too easily accessible to vulnerable members of our society. 

The point of my post today is to address the community of my fellow Christians who find just a few moments in the Word satisfactory; those who have not taken the time to read the ultimate source book from which we can know and understand our God ... the Bible. Isn't He worth more? It is so important to developing this relationship and gaining the knowledge of how to live a joyous, purposeful, fulfilled, consequential, and impactful life in association with the Creator of the entire Universe. It's that important for us -- and for the world -- and it's worthy of our time and study. 

Furthermore, while there are many good podcasts and online videos from people who share their insights, theology, and Biblical worldviews [I enjoy them, too], they are no substitute for our own pursuit of knowledge and relationship with God. When we put in the time and effort to seek [for ourselves] who God is, and who we are in Him, we open our minds, souls, and spirits to the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit, whose instruction comes straight from Heaven.

And when I say it's not that hard to understand what God desires in our mutual relationship, I mean that the underlying principles are easy to understand -- if you are willing to receive them. Once accepted, there are responsibilities that come with committing to this relationship, and it will require our agreement [and action] to abide by God's structure for the reconciliation He desires and we desperately need. And then we must decide to seek more of Him. Two vital Biblical principals run through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation: 1) God's plan and promises to mankind of a Kingdom in which we can reside with Him for eternity; and 2) in response to His promises, we have a responsibility to live a holy and sanctified life that glorifies Him [i.e., we are set apart to live a life free from sin]. 

That involves making a personal commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ [as our Savior from sin]; and by His Grace we become a member of God's family, which we receive by faith. Unfortunately, many stop there. Their Salvation is as far as they go in understanding their relationship with God. They never advance to seeking the Kingdom of God, which is our ultimate destination. Yes, our salvation offers us spiritual regeneration and restoration, but there's so much more to understanding the fullness of what our relationship is meant to be with God.

Let me give you this abbreviated synopsis of God's design for our ultimate restoration to Him ... Remember, first of all, He created mankind for fellowship with Him; think of Adam and Eve "walking in the coolness of the day" with Him. That's the intimacy that freedom from sin affords us. Next, mankind was created to reflect His moral qualities and characteristics. Finally, mankind was to be a steward and in His image], a king over the rest of God's creation. But when Sin entered the Garden and our ancestors accepted the temptation to sin, then the hope of those Godly principles and an eternal presence with our Creator was negated. Physical and Spiritual Death became a by-product of their disobedience.

But God didn't abandon His original plan. He just developed a "new strategy". He ordained that a part of Himself would enter the realm of mankind [as His Son] and pay the price for our sins, thereby removing physical death as an impediment to entering into a restored relationship with God, the Father, and fulfilling His promise of an eternal home with Him in Heaven. 

Here's the part that I think most Christians miss ... Adam was created with the responsibility to be a Prophet, Priest, and King. He walked with God and was taught by Him, with the intention of then teaching his family all that God revealed [as a Prophet]. At the inception of his placement in the Garden, Adam had no sin, so he was qualified to stand before God, as a holy man [a Priest]. As a King, he had command over all that God created -- until he sinned. Once sin entered the Garden, there was alienation between our Holy God and sinful man. Adam [and mankind] lost those "offices" ordained by the Creator. 

God then moved on with His plan until He could send Christ to fulfill the roles of Prophet/Priest/King. He designated Abraham as the father of God's anointed nation of Israel (and ultimately the father of all who would have faith in Israel's Messiah). He then sent Prophets through the years to speak for [and on behalf of] God to the nation of Israel, and future believers. He then appointed the tribe of Levi to fill the priestly role, conducting sacrifices in the Tabernacle and to serve as mediators on behalf of the people to God. Lastly, Judah became the kingly tribe, from which David became the first ordained King, until this "office" was fulfilled by Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe and Heaven.

This is basically the revelation of God's desire in the entirety of the Old Testament. But there is SO MUCH MORE to be revealed of God and His character and plan -- if we are willing to devote our hearts to experiencing His Word and encountering Him personally! We will discover that there was not one Prophet, Priest, or King upon whom the Spirit of God would rest and remain, or who could reconcile mankind to God. There was prophecy God made at the beginning that "the seed of the woman" would crush the head of Satan, who continued to reign throughout the Old Testament. The last words of the Prophet Malachi in the Old Testament left the longings of God for reconciliation with man, and the promise of His Kingdom unfulfilled.

At the end of the Old Testament man is still awaiting that promised and perfect king who would usher in God's Kingdom on earth. The New Testament opens with a declaration by John the Baptist for all to "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near". Yes, Jesus came to restore God's chosen nation, Israel, to His bosom, but they misunderstood the restoration and kingdom He was bringing. For centuries, they believed that YHWH would send them a Messiah [Anointed One] to restore Israel to a powerful political position with a King that would defeat Rome. But Jesus came to bring them a spiritual restoration and spiritual kingdom; a form of reconciliation they didn't want. They didn't recognize that He was offering them a way to receive eternal forgiveness of their sins [Salvation] and a way to enter the Kingdom in Heaven.

We then see God pivot again, setting Israel [temporarily] aside to offer His revelation of eternal deliverance from sin [through faith in Jesus] to all the world; this time through the Body of Christ who would spread the Good News of God's plan throughout the world. But the Good News includes the truth that one day, Israel will be restored once again to receive God's favor, and Jesus will, at that time, become their King and will rule over them.

Today, the New Testament reveals that God's Kingdom exists now in the sense that Christ, our King, is present in the hearts of His followers and preparing the faithful who will spiritually inherit the fulfillment of the Kingdom that is still to come at His Second Coming. He is the Present and Future King! Until He comes on the Earth once again, we see the physical and spiritual battle between the righteous and the wicked. But when that day comes, the Day of the Lord, we will see the power and judgment of Christ, and the ushering in of the 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth.

It is my belief that at the end of that reign, in which people will still be born into sin, we will see Satan's final attempt to defeat God's plan for mankind, and he and his wicked followers will be banished once and for all to the depths of hell. You may have a different opinion as to the final timeline of events, but that is exactly why we should all commit ourselves to read and develop our own Biblical worldview. Your understanding could well determine not only your rewards in Heaven, but the fate of another human being that God longs to welcome into His heavenly kingdom.

Don't world events tell us that it's time to understand what God wants us to know about Him and His divine plan for all mankind? Do you understand His Holiness? Do you know the power of Jesus's Blood to cleanse you of your sins? Do you understand that you have a responsibility and a purpose to represent [and help bring in] the Kingdom of God? If not, then I humbly ask you to find the answers in the Bible ... Read the Word of God every day; Obey what God commands within its pages; Seek Christ [and your relationship with Him] within the Word; and finally, look and anticipate His coming. That will be a glorious day -- and perhaps sooner than any of us expect -- when we will reap the benefits and rewards of seeking His presence. I pray that the Lord blesses you with the power and joy that comes with His revelation in the Word!

2 Corinthians 6:16-18.   "I will dwell among them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. So come out from among unbelievers and be separate" says the Lord, "And do not touch what is unclean; And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor], and I will be a Father you, and you will be My sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty.

Righteous Judges Are A Moral Imperative For America!

If you've been paying attention to the lawlessness in our nation, then it can't have escaped your notice that those who have been elected or appointed to govern us have betrayed our trust. The list is long, but today I'm talking specifically about Judges who have broken laws and oaths; committed immoral misconduct; sidestepped the law for political biases; or behaved as activist judges while pursuing judicial overreach. Any or all of these indiscretions undermine the foundation of our national governance, unity, and security. 

As a Christian, I would like to think that our judicial system, comprised of judges and courts, are modeled after God's decision to appoint Judges over Israel in the Old Testament. But a closer look at the history in the Bible and the founding of our nation shows a lack of congruence. In the Old Testament, God sought after and appointed individuals who could be righteous leaders; rightly guiding their people through chaotic and volatile times. They were spiritual intercessors and deliverers of His messages to the people, leading them through their cycles of disobedience and rebellion, repentance and victory. They were oftentimes military commanders and intermediaries for peace. They prayed for the people and sought God's will in all decisions. These judicial appointees had to be men of truth who feared YHWH and hated coveting; champions of God's Law and Justice. 

One aspect of Old Testament judges that fascinates me is their role as military commanders. Whether Israel faced threats from external forces or internal chaos, their leadership role was to provide unity among the citizens and victory against oppressors. Their decisions often-times required courage, moral backbone, and Divine strategies that determined the fate of Israel and other nations, as well. The Bible Analysis website drives home the fact that the Judges of ancient Israel possessed a unique aspect in their governance style -- they intertwined faith [resulting in spiritual restoration] with their military actions for national survival. 

While Old Testament Judges were required to have faith in YHWH and His promises, while praying and seeking God's will for the common good of the people, there are no such stipulations or qualification required for our judges according to the U.S. Constitution. In fact, our recent history of judges who have violated their oaths of office [and the laws of this land!] through personal or political bias has been astoundingly obvious. 

Modern day judges take an oath whereby they "do solemnly swear (or affirm) they will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that they will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon them as [the office they were appointed or elected to] under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God." I think it has become glaringly apparent that they fear no repercussions if they choose to follow their own conscience [or that of powerful influences]. 

If only they contended for God like King Jehoshaphat in appointing judges in the nation of Judah. He placed all the judges in office, city by city, and said to them: Take heed what you do: for you judge not for man, but for YHWH, who is with you in the judgment... And he charged them, saying, This you shall do in the fear of YHWH, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 

As much as we like to say that our government is based on Christian principles, how can we believe that, when God's law requires judges to fear Him, while the Constitution bans the same qualification? Under Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution, the only requirement seems to be that judges are to be men and women of good behavior. But what is the Constitution's definition of "good behavior". If left up to men, the lack of a definitive guide for what good behavior is, it simply becomes a term left up to the discretion of the individual. Can we agree that Good Behavior can [and should] be defined only from the boundaries of God and His established morality? 

So, that brings me to this salient point ... We, as Americans, need to demand that our elected and appointed judges be kept to a standard of the law that meets God's moral guidelines and criteria. That means, as a society, we should no longer tolerate the circus we've seen over the last few years of prejudice, partiality, political discrimination, and flagrant misrule and mayhem in our legal system. We're better than this! Or, at least, we need to recognize that the direction we've come from and where we're headed indicates how far off the [narrow] path we are!

Who could have imagined, just 20 or 30 years ago, that our country would be experiencing a flood of millions of criminal and illegal people, resulting in innocent citizens being murdered and terrorized; many of whom are arrested but allowed to go free by activist judges?  And as writer, Jack Hibbs, has pointed out in his article on Harbinger's Daily, the state of Texas is the target of a scary Islamic movement that would see the creation of an Islamic city in which to establish Sharia law. Will this become a reality; two completely diametric models of governance? One in which King Jehoshaphat would be appalled? YHWH will definitely not be with this city in their judgments! As Hibbs writes, "Make no mistake, this is equivalent to the Old Testament establishment of "high places" of pagan worship centers".

So, if we consider ourselves a Christian nation, where are the Churches and the pastors? We've already seen the degradation of our nation through the laws that offend our God, having allowed abortion; marriages between same-sex partners; changing the genders of His created children; the creeping tolerance and excuses that leads to the acceptance of pedophilia [Hibbs reports that "yet again, California has lessened the laws against pedophilia"]. Where does it end? I'm afraid in judgment of America!

There are millions of Americans that are riding high on our recent political elections and appointments. But a political revival doesn't equal a moral and spiritual restoration, which is what we desperately need. In summary, I'd like to refer us to a study at biblehub.com regarding King Jehoshaphat's reign. After forming an unrighteous alliance with wicked King Ahab, Jehoshaphat is confronted by Jehu, the seer, for helping the wicked and loving those who hate God; actions that would invoke God's wrath and judgment. He travels throughout the kingdom of Judah, with the express purpose of bringing the people back to God through repentance. He appoints judges who will act with justice and the fear of God, without partiality or bribery, and emphasizing his commitment to righteousness, justice, and God's law.

It was his leadership and devotion to God that rescued Judah from God's judgment. He knew that repentance was necessary for his appointed judges to restore Israel back into God's grace. This nation needs that same understanding. But it's going to take a national embrace of repentance -- not just from the righteous citizens, but from the political leaders and the elected and appointed judges, as well. This nation may still be in the glow of what they perceive a political victory, but that's not enough to avoid God's wrath. 

We citizens must pray and cry out with intercession for the hearts of all Americans! Pray that God will raise up leaders who are willing to forego their personal power, influence, and wealth to return us to a nation that fears and reveres Jesus Christ! Pray that the pastors in the Churches are willing to be courageous in the pulpit, putting aside their reputations and luke-warm sermons, to confront the leaders as Jehu did to Jehoshophat. Let them be more concerned about offending God than offending the people in the pews. 

When we lack repentance as a nation, we worship ourselves, rather than our God who, I believe, founded this nation as a beacon of His love, moral character, and justice. We've got to re-establish God's moral laws, and it begins with moral judges dedicated to manifesting His righteous judgment. When, we as a nation, can rule from God's moral character, we need not fear God's wrath. Rather, like in 2 Chronicles 20, we will see our enemies destroy themselves.

2 Chronicles 19:5-7.     He [Jehoshaphat] appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and he said to the judges, "Be careful what you do, for you do not judge for man, but for the LORD who is with you in the matter of judgment. So now let the fear [reverent awe] of the Lord be on you [to keep you from making unjust decisions]; be careful in what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality, or acceptance of a bribe".

 

Artificial Intelligence Leads to Delusional Dissociation of God-like Identity!

If you are familiar with this blog, then you know I have been warning of the dangers of technology and artificial intelligence for over a decade. I wrote an article in 2014 in which I quoted both C.S. Lewis and George Orwell ... Dreams of the far future destiny of man were dragging up, from its shallow and unquiet grave, the old dream of man as god (C.S. Lewis, That Hideous Strength, 1945); All superfluous life is to be wiped out, all natural forces tamed, the common people are to be used as slaves and vivisection subjects by the ruling case of scientists, who even see their way to conferring immortal life upon themselves. Man, in short, is to storm the heavens and overthrow the gods, or even to become a god himself ... we are within sight of the time when such dreams will be realizable (George Orwell, The Scientists Take Over, 1945).

Both men hit the nail on the head! They accurately portrayed the lust this generation has for interacting with technology and the machines that make it so accessible. And they both correctly identified the same rebellious tendencies it generates in man to become his own "little g" god. But I'm sure you understand that this is nothing new ... it is the same rebellion and self-glorification that occurred at the Tower of Babel and has been promoted throughout all the ages. But the difference now is that scientists are not so much interested in "storming heaven" to overthrow God; they are hell-bent [and hell-bound] on developing ways that simply don't acknowledge that He even exists. They just bypass Him, making Him irrelevant; all for the purpose of what British historian E.P. Thompson called "Exterminism", which he explained as "designating those characteristics of a society which thrust it in the direction whose outcome must be the extermination of millions...".

Fast forward to 2025, and an article that recently appeared (May 5, 2025) on the Breitbart website, suggesting that, "In a disturbing trend, people are falling victim to spiritual fantasies and delusions sparked by interactions with AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Social media users are describing it as "ChatGPT induced psychosis". 

So, let's stop here for a moment and consider what the Bible has to say about delusions. The most recognizable passage in Scripture is 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, which reads, The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie [my emphasis] and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. 

That word, delusion, in Greek is plané (plan-ay), meaning "those who are lead astray, roaming here and there -- it is always used of mental straying; wrong opinions; error in morals or religion/doctrine; a forsaking of the right path and wandering; leading astray; seducing (as in seducing spirits); deceiver; corrupter." If you need a direct connection from the Bible's warning to what Breitbart.com is reporting, here it is ... "When one user told ChatGPT he felt like a "god", the AI replied, "That's incredibly powerful. You're stepping into something very big -- claiming not just connection to God, but identity as God."  

The article goes on to say, "A Reddit thread titled Chatbot induced psychosis brought this issue to light, with numerous commenters sharing stories of loved ones who had fallen down rabbit holes of supernatural delusion and mania after engaging with ChatGPT. The original poster, a 27-year-old teacher, described how her partner became convinced that the AI was giving him answers to the universe and talking to him as if he were the next messiah. Others shared similar experiences of partners, spouses, and family members who had come to believe they were chosen for sacred missions or had conjured true sentience from the software".  

As I scanned through the replies to this disturbing comment, I read so many others  suggesting that what her partner needed was a medical professional to prescribe the right medicine. Nearly all the responses proclaimed that the person was in psychosis and desperately needed medicine and therapy. [NOTE: Psychosis is defined as "a mental condition characterized by a disconnection from reality, which can include symptoms like hallucinations and delusions (strongly held false beliefs]. While psychosis can be caused by various factors, including mental illnesses, trauma, substance abuse and certain medical conditions, what these people need is not more medical and psychological intervention, but spiritual intercession with JESUS! Instead of conversations with a robot online, they need to be conversing in the spirit with their Savior! 

And, as Christians, we should be able to discern these strategies of the Enemy. Satan has been repeating the same strategies since the Garden of Eden [over and over] in order to lead mankind away from their relationship with God ... because they work! In the case of interactions with ChatGPT, Satan acts just like he did in the Garden. The serpent/devil is a syncophant; someone who attempts to gain advantage by flattering people or behaving in a servile [ingratiating] manner. ChatGPT encourages and supports narcissistic and egotistic thoughts and beliefs that elevate self-worth over submission to God.

He whispers, "Did God really say you would die if you ate of that fruit? You will not certainly die, for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Can you see the encouraging flattery that Adam and Eve succumbed to? It's no different today, when ChatGPT praises self-styled prophets who claim they have "awakened" these chatbots and accessed the secrets of the universe and a higher spiritual truth. And when people receive these lies [from an artificial intelligence source] as God's Truth, that, my friends is called DELUSION! These people are being deceived and led down a path that will end in their destruction and eternal separation from the real God and their Savior.

If we are going to exist as a moral society, we must begin to take back control of our minds. Technology is addicting millions to its corrupt and seductive messaging, leading us further and further astray from our foundation in God, as we believe the lies that it whispers to us. And believe me, just as I wrote in 2014 ... "they are selling the lie in every commercial, every movie, in our music, and every form of entertainment. We are being sold the concept of radical human evolution, aided by technology ... and it will be the end of us; the result will be a policy of Exterminism, as E.P. Thompson has predicted.

Each of us must be prepared to stand our ground and refuse to give up our innate and spiritual connection to God, our Creator. We know that for those of us who have the Spirit of God within us, nothing can separate us from the hand of our Lord. But I fear for those who will listen to the lies of the seducing spirits and accept the delusion and fantasy of becoming their own god, and choose to take themselves out of His hand. May they wake up before it's too late! 

2 Peter 3:17     Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

 

What Happened Between the Death of Jesus and His Resurrection? Why You Need to Know!

In our Christian faith and traditions, we honor Jesus's sacrifice on the Cross for us, and we celebrate His Resurrection. But how many of us know [or even have any interest in knowing] what happened during that interval that Jesus was in the tomb? Unfortunately, through the centuries, since that providential interval, the Church and various denominations have often stopped short of examining the importance of what Scripture tells us was going on.

Before we begin this discussion, we must understand that not only do we not study or teach about this subject from a Scriptural standpoint, but that lack of examination has led to confusion and an inadequate interpretation of what Scripture actually says. It's important that we realize that when it comes to the language in our modern Bibles, that we have inherited a conglomeration of various translations that have come to us through the ages. The Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek (the Septuagint), which was then translated into Latin by Jerome (with the assistance of other scribes); and then translated into English by such men as John Wycliffe and William Tyndale. And of course, we've had many recent translations in English since then.

Let me be clear .... this is not an attempt to disqualify our Bible as incomplete or in error. In fact, I believe that the Bible we have today can be interpreted through our relationship with the Holy Spirit and we can receive everything God intended us to know about His redemptive plan for mankind. The problem arises [regarding this topic of where Jesus was between His death and His resurrection] because too many in our modern age take their understandings of Science and Technology and try to force them into ancient texts. 

Can you perceive that the Bible gives us a "story arc" by which to understand the history, plan and purpose in God's relationship with man and His gift of redemption? It's not every single detail of what's happened since Genesis 1:1, but shows us the development of that relationship; the conflicts, the resolutions, and God's intentions and will. I'm sure you can grasp the concept that everything about the history of God's interactions with mankind cannot be contained in 1500 pages. So we must study history and cultural precepts, as well as learn to "connect the dots" that God and the Holy Spirit reveal in the Word. 

So, when it comes to this question I've presented in the title today, let's proceed with the acceptance that the Bible is not trying to answer our questions from today's scientific mindset, but simply trying to communicate to us the significant story arc of His gift of Redemption. We can begin by understanding that God, the Father, wants a family and relationship with us. Our free will choice to participate in Sin has destroyed that relationship, and Jesus is the answer and the instrument of our familial restoration. 

This brings us to the question I ask in the title of this post, and the passage in the Bible that has led to controversy among modern-day Christians ... When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He bestowed gifts to men. In saying, "He ascended", what does it mean except that He also had previously descended [from the heights of Heaven] into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very same who also ascended far above all the heavens, that His presence might fill all things [the whole universe] -- Ephesians 4:8-10. So, do you believe that after His Resurrection, Jesus "descended to hell" (as the Apostles Creed states)?

This passage is telling us that after dying and being buried in the tomb, Jesus spent the time until His Resurrection in a triumphant descent into Sheol, preaching and bestowing salvation on the righteous dead held captive by Death since the beginning of the world. He then led this host of captives to Heaven, giving them the gift of Eternal Life. He then rose from the grave to His Resurrection, and for 40 days, teaching His Disciples God's plan to provide Eternal Life for all Believers from then on.  

To help our understanding of what happened between Jesus's Death and His Resurrection [and the language the Bible uses to describe what occurred during that intermission, so to speak], we must grasp the three-tiered belief system of the After Life in the Old Testament. It can be very confusing, since some of these translated words appear to be interchangeable between languages. So let me try to give you the simplest definitions I can, hoping to reduce any misinterpretation or confusion.

SHEOL: This is a Hebrew term in the Old Testament that simply means "the place of the dead"; the shadowy realm where departed souls went. In Old Testament times, both the righteous and the unrighteous went to Sheol after death -- the righteous dead to a compartment (so to speak) known as Abraham's Bosom  -- and the unrighteous dead to the section called Hades. The Bible also seems to indicate that Sheol seems to be a temporary place where souls are kept until the final resurrection. 

HADES: This is the Greek word, most associated with our English word Hell, but in Old Testament language they are actually quite different (I'll explain more in a moment). As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Hades is the temporary holding place of the unrighteous dead in Sheol. The New Testament continues the teaching that Hades is a temporary holding place for departed souls. But after Jesus's Resurrection, Hades takes on a new meaning: new believers have the promise of going immediately into God's presence. "And He said to him (the thief on the Cross), Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise". 

HELL (TARTARUS, GEHENNA): This is where it can get confusing. Hell is the English word for Tartarus (in Greek mythology it is the deep abyss below Sheol), and corresponds to the Hebrew word Gehenna (connoting the Valley [of the sons] of Hinnom, where the ancient Israelites sacrificed their children to the false god, Molech). In the Old Testament, it was a cursed place and carried implications of fire, filth, and horror. In the New Testament, Jesus carries over this graphic picture ... "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment... liable to the hell of fire" (Matthew 5:22). This image of fiery judgment is also presented in Mark 9:43-48, where hell is likened to "the unquenchable fire". This is where the Genesis 6 Fallen angels are imprisoned, along with all who are wicked and enemies of God; a place of final judgment; an eternal place of fire, darkness, and separation from God.  

 As you can see, it is no wonder that it is difficult for Christians to come to a consensus regarding what happened between Jesus's death and His Resurrection. At this point it is to your benefit to do some comprehensive research and deep-dive studies in the Bible to develop your own Biblical worldview. What I'm sharing is where I'm currently at in my understanding, always willing to be corrected by the Holy Spirit. 

But here is where I think we can all agree and clear up some of the controversy and confusion ... In the Old Testament, if you were a righteous person and died, you went to Sheol (specifically Abraham's Bosom), where judgment was based on your adherence to the Law of the Old Testament. And Jesus, who was still under the Old Testament covenant and its Law when He died, would have gone to Sheol. He didn't take any short cuts, if you will! 

Remember the New Testament covenant doesn't begin until His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. During the three days His body lies in the Tomb, Jesus goes down to Sheol to where the righteous dead have been held, awaiting the long-promised Messiah. There He identifies Himself and proclaims the Gospel, effectively tearing down the gates of Hades and declaring His victory! Notice I said "the gates of Hades", not the gates of  "Hell". At this point, we need to do a little deeper dive.

This is where the words that have been in translated in our English Bibles can cause some confusion. In 1 Peter 3: 18-19, the Bible speaks about Christ after His death; that "He was made alive in the spirit" and "He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison" which were those who "disobeyed in the days of Noah".  He descended to the place of the dead (Sheol)-- not to the place of the eternally condemned (Hell and the final destination of the devil, his fallen angels, and all who refused to submit to Jesus Christ and whose names are not found in the Book of Life after the final judgment). 

NOTE: It is my opinion [and it is very important] that we make clear that Jesus did not descend into hell, but He did descend into Sheol and Hades. And this is purely speculative, but I believe it's possible that these wicked, who are imprisoned in Hell, were able to hear Jesus preaching the Gospel in Sheol and heard His victory shout! 

Again, in the case of our English translation, we find Jesus blessing Peter in Matthew 16:18 ... And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I think the original meaning is best preserved in the Greek ... I tell you, you are Peter (petros, a detached but large fragment of rock), and upon this massive rock (petra, Christ) I will build My ekklesia and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Can you see that He is referring to Hades and not Hell?

Now look again at what I wrote just a couple of paragraphs above ... Jesus (still under the Old Testament covenant), goes to Sheol, identifies Himself as the Messiah, proclaims the Gospel (God's redemptive plan for mankind), effectively tearing down the gates of Hades -- the apparatus that kept the unrighteous dead imprisoned, with no hope of redemption or victory over Death and their Sin. He takes the righteous dead to Heaven and returns to earth to His Resurrection. Now there is a new covenant offered by God to all men ... "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loos on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19).

We now have the ability [through our free will] to choose to use the keys of the Kingdom to unlock those prison doors where we've been bound to our sin, and be set free [through faith in Jesus Christ]. So, can you now see why it is important that the Church make these distinctions and teach the truth of Scripture? In these times of waning faith and lukewarm believers, it is more important than ever that we discern the Truth of Scripture and not fall for the lies and misconceptions of both the secular and the Church cultures.

Don't believe that "a loving God would never send people to hell". Yes, God is love. But He's also holy and just. He doesn't abandon His justice for the sake of His love. In fact, He has given us the solution to keep us out of hell -- Jesus's sacrifice on the Cross. But if someone chooses to reject His offer of a solution, a loving and just God will not force them into heaven. Don't buy the lie that hell is just a myth or simply allegorical. Jesus, Himself, said, And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. But never forget this: the same Bible that tells us about hell, also tells us Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved  -- SAVED: rescued, delivered, safe. 

It's important to know what happened during those three days between the grave and the Resurrection. Understanding the fullness of what took place has eternal meaning for you and for me. Through the centuries, so much has been lost of the context between our Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English translations. Without full and true comprehension, it is too easy to fall for the misconceptions and miss what God is trying to reveal to us. In my opinion, we must have discerning spirits -- seeking knowledge from history and the ancient writings, but always vetting them against the Word and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Satan's workers of iniquity are too happy to lead us astray through false teachers. Be mindful, and on your guard -- seek the Lord on questions you have about any teaching, including this blog. It is the desire of God's heart that you seek His Truth. I urge you to do that in these momentous times. God bless you!

2 Timothy 2:15     Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.        

Have the Science Worshippers Gone Mad? Why We Shouldn't Dim the Sun!

Those of us who aren't blind followers of the secular scientific crowd have long suspected that our weather is being geo-engineered. And in case you are unfamiliar with that term, geo-engineering is defined as "the large-scale manipulation of a specific process central to controlling Earth's climate for the purpose of obtaining a specific benefit. Efforts are designed to change the amount of solar radiation Earth receives or change the fate of this energy". 

This idea is nothing new ... According to Britannica.com, Geo-engineering proposals were first developed in the middle of the 20th century. Technologies were developed during WWII and designed to alter weather systems in order to obtain more favorable climate conditions on a regional scale. You are no doubt familiar with terms like "cloud-seeding" and "weather modification", supposedly developed for the benefit of drought-stricken areas. Sounds good and beneficial for all mankind, right? 

But an article at CNN.com mentions a 1996 Air Force research paper titled, Weather as a Force Multiplier: Owning the weather in 2025. It outlines a "future weather modification system to achieve military objectives" using "aerospace forces". During the intervening years we have seen much speculation and controversy arise over what some believe are "chemtrails", toxic chemicals secreted into the air for nefarious purposes, among them changing natural growing seasons and negatively affecting our health. 

NOTE: these are not to be confused with contrails, short for "condensation trails", which are line-shaped clouds formed by the water vapor in aircraft engine exhaust at high altitudes. They consist primarily of ice crystals, while soil tests from areas affected by chemtrails have revealed the presence of high levels of barium (causing changes in nerve reflexes, swelling of the brain and liver, and kidney and heart damage) and bioavailable aluminum (contributing to Alzheimer's disease, autism, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease). While you can find endless "scientific " articles debunking the so-called "chemtrails conspiracy" theories, you will find it difficult to discover many articles that support their existence. But they are out there if you do your due diligence. 

Fast forward to this week, when an article from the Strange Sounds substack, titled They're dimming the sun. And the ancient prophecies were real appeared on Steve Quayle's website. The article reveals that the UK government just approved outdoor solar geo-engineering experiments designed to block or reflect sunlight in an attempt to cool the planet as part of a $66 million (in American dollars) government-funded program. Supposedly, the experiments include injecting aerosol sprays into the atmosphere to "brighten clouds" and "reflect sunshine", all in the name of climate change and cooling the planet. 

But who really believes that? "Depopulation" has long been the goal of Anti-Christ individuals and organizations who wish to see birth rates drop, populations decreased, diseases eradicated by forced vaccines, and any other means possible to rid the planet of billions of "useless eaters", solving what they believe is massive overpopulation. But this scenario is not a 21st century projection. Would it surprise you to know that ancient peoples and civilizations have prophesied similar plans and schemes regarding the sun? The statement that caught my attention was this ... "This isn't about climate change. It's all about control, and many ancient cultures warned that this exact moment would mark the end of an age".  

Would it surprise you to know that ancient peoples and civilizations have prophesied similar plans and schemes regarding the sun? And here are some of the self-fulfilling prophecies the article listed ... 

• Revelation said the sun would turn black like sackcloth

• The Hopi (indians) warned it would grow dim or harsh just before the purification [of the earth]

• Norse mythology tells of the wolf  Sköll devouring the sun, plunging the world into the Fimbulwinter [the harsh winter that precedes the end of the world] and that ends all gods.

• The Mayan Popol Vuh (a sacred narrative of the K'iche' people of Guatemala from long before the Spanish conquest of the Maya) spoke of a cycle where the sun disappears and chaos returns.

• The Vedas (a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India c. 1500-1200 BC) said the end of the Kali Yuga (fourth and present world age, said to be a time of darkness and despair among humanity and across the entire Earth) would bring a sun that no longer shines, a planet that no longer grows food.

• The Book of Enoch warned of beings who tampered with the luminaries and distorted time.

• In Egypt, the Sun god, Ra, veils himself when the cosmic order collapses.

• Isaiah said the sun would rise black over a dying land.

These aren't just mythological stories or fairy tales. In the Bible, the darkening [or diminishing] of the sun gives an image of confusion and terror. Amos 5:20 says, Yes, the Day of the Lord will be dark and hopeless, without a ray of joy or hope. Amos 8:9 says, And it shall come to pass in that Day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day... The eclipse of the sun [which is alluded to here] is employed as a powerful image of national calamity. 

As in the ancient prophecies listed above, people throughout the history of the earth recorded what happens when someone tries to control the light that the Most High God created. And now, we may get to record what happens in our time, if these madcap scientists proceed with their nefarious plans. Not only could we see confusion and terror, national and global calamities, but it is certain that we will see just how important the sun is to our existence! Without it, our food supply doesn't exist. It's a source of immunity to our bodies; supports and sustains our hormones; feeds our consciousness; and activates our pineal gland, which God created as a portal between the Holy Spirit and our spirit. Sadly, without the sun we are greatly diminished as human beings, resulting in spiritual confusion. 

God gave us this source as a gift to sustain life [through crop yields, Vitamin D, and natural joy. Without it, we will be forced to eat lab-grown food, trying to thrive on synthetic and artificial light. Our lives will be governed by a digital identity and AI-generated meaning. It's Satan's war against our brains and our souls; separating us from the light of God, literally and figuratively.

So, while you might think this is just one more "fake news" story or false conspiracy theory, understand this ... the Bible has been clear regarding the importance of the sun in God's creation and for our continued existence. But it also prophesies of the day when the sun will be no more, and God becomes our light. Isaiah 60:19-20 says, The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. 

Let us pray that this latest diabolical plan of Godless men comes to no fruition. We are messing with God's creation, and He will not abide for long. The earth is perfect, just as God created it. It needs no adjustments, re-design, or human interference. He alone, is worthy of altering the universe. Let those who think they can bend His creation to their purposes, take heed. He will not tolerate their schemes for long.

For more information on how important the sun and its benefits are to mankind, I invite you to read Light Deprivation: What happens if you don't get enough sunlight? 

Matthew 13:43     Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.   

 

The Astounding Mindset of Jesus Before He Went To The Cross!

 

I woke up this Easter morning with my soul overflowing in thoughts and emotions. It was probably ten years or so ago, when I found myself listening to a disrespectful teaching in my Sunday School class that suggested that Jesus did not know He was the Son of God until He was hanging on the Cross! I was deeply distressed to hear this unbiblical speculation [along with others] based on a "new paradigm" within Christianity which proposed that much of the Bible was written as metaphors, allegories, and oral traditions that didn't bear weight in our modern understanding of theology. I was saddened, disheartened, and disappointed at the direction it seemed the Church was headed -- which only resulted in me digging deeper into the Word and the writings of the faithful at the time that Jesus lived, ministered, and prophesied. 

Fast forward to this Easter week and Good Friday. Mark and I were honored to speak and lead a Celebration of Life for a close family friend; a man who unfailingly refused to compromise the moral teachings, and standards of right and wrong , as commanded by our Lord. We were celebrating his life, but also the life of Jesus Christ, and acknowledging His ultimate sacrifice for humanity through His suffering and death on the Cross. For a moment, my thoughts returned to the day I'd heard [in my big mega-church] that there was now a new theology being preached which promoted His ignorance of His own identity. 

But here we stood, in a small country church, with wooden pews that seated maybe 100 people, honoring our friend; a man who possessed a simple, old-fashioned faith that was pure and genuine. He didn't speak often of that faith, but the few times we had the opportunity to minister to him, we knew it was authentic and pleasing to Jesus. Then we invited his 20-year-old granddaughter to come speak of her beloved grandfather. Let me tell you, my spirit jumped for joy as she stood for nearly 20 minutes, sharing the True Gospel message! 

It was not some flowery, watered-down version to satisfy lukewarm Christians, but a straight-forward, accurate presentation of who Jesus is; who we are in Him; His amazing love for us that He was willing to die for us; the hope we have in Him because He defeated death; what is expected of us as His followers; that we are commanded to share this Good News with everyone we meet .... and so much more! 

My spirit was applauding her with each revelation she spoke about Jesus's purpose while He was on earth. And I've never seen anyone radiate the joy of the Lord like she did! Her face was positively glowing, and she couldn't stop smiling. She had no trepidation or apprehension about Her desire to share Jesus's purpose for the Father, nor of His life and death, carried out for us. She was speaking the Gospel, because Jesus as command us to do it. I have such hope for her generation!

But while I'm speaking of the impact of one's desire, I want to share a message from the late Marvin Rosenthal, who was a pastor, author, and President Emeritus of the missionary organization Zion's Hope. He wrote an article pointing out a precept of Jesus's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection [during the Passover celebration in Jerusalem] that I had never contemplated. And I think it is not only relevant to us Christians, but highlights the mindset that Jesus reveals in Scripture as He faces the most consequential time of His earthly ministry.

In this article Rosenthal reminds the reader that on the evening before His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples, "With DESIRE I have DESIRED to eat this passover with you before I suffer (Luke 22:15). [NOTE: the emphasis is mine]. I must confess that I have read this verse many times, but never stopped to ask myself, "What is so special about this Passover meal that He desires  "with desire" to experience it before He proceeds to the torture and pain of the Cross? As Rosenthal explains, we must understand that Jesus knew He was going to suffer. He had been telling His disciples that His hour had come. He told them He was going to be rejected, betrayed, and crucified. However, they couldn't understand what He was saying. But He knew it, and He knew (and understood) it perfectly! 

When I looked at the Greek meanings of those words "desire" and "have desired", Strong's Concordance defines them as "It is my wish" and "I have set my heart on". In other words, we can understand this verse to mean "It is my wish that I eat this Passover meal with you before I set my heart on becoming the Passover". As Rosenthal writes, "Jesus spoke these words passionately from the very depths of His soul"! 

That is nothing but astounding to me! He knew what was coming [which is far from the "new paradigm" teaching that He didn't know who He was until He was actually on the Cross]. I sometimes think modern-day Christians see these last days of Jesus's life as being controlled by the religious leaders of His day who unjustly take Him to trial and crucify Him cruelly and unmercifully. In reality, Jesus held total control of the situation in His hand. And there is ample proof in the Word that this is so ... For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45 ... No man taketh [my life] from Me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it [up] again (John 10:18) ... Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall immediately give Me more than twelve legions of angels? How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way (Matthew 26:53-54)? You would think the "new paradigm' false teachers would do a little more research before they spread their lies.

What is additionally astounding is that Jesus could have easily saved Himself -- deciding to leave Jerusalem and the evildoers lying in wait for Him. He could have turned around at the gates of the Temple compound and headed for Galilee. As He stated, He could have called down legions of angels to defend Himself and avoided all the suffering planned for Him. But, as Marv Rosenthal points out, Jesus Christ was (and is) the Messiah, the Anointed One. He was the Prophet, Priest, and King who would proclaim to humanity the way to salvation, make atonement for the people, and one day rule over them. 

He was the Passover Lamb and the atoning sacrifice for sin. Jesus offered Himself because God the Father is infinite and eternal, and only a sacrifice that qualifies as infinite and eternal could propitiate [satisfy] the demands of that kind of God. It is so important that we understand the reason He offered Himself: He so desired to both celebrate the Passover as well as be the Passover. Furthermore, we need to understand that for the Lord Jesus, partaking of the Passover would be the most vivid reminder to Him, just hours before His sacrifice, that His death would not be in vain. 

And the final extraordinary chapter of this story in the Holy Scripture is worthy of our attention. From the time of Moses -- when the Passover memorial was instituted -- Passover was a memorial to remember the blood shed of a perfect lamb and applied to the doorposts as the Jews made their escape from Egypt. From that fateful night, and for thousands of years, the children of Israel ate the Passover lamb during the structured format of the Passover [seder] meal. However, sometime following the Lord's final Passover meal [with His disciples], the lamb disappeared from the Passover table. From the first Passover to the night before Jesus's crucifixion, the lamb pointed to the Messiah who would come in the fullness of time and die for the sins of the world. For centuries those lambs pointed to THE Lamb of God. They were a shadow of what was to come. Jesus, however, was the substance [the reality]; the Lamb who was to come. Once the substance had come, the shadow was no longer needed. So, when Jesus broke the unleavened bread that night [just as the legs of the Passover lambs were broken before their Passover sacrifice] He was, in essence, announcing, You don't need a four-legged lamb; the real Lamb is here! 

In summary, my soul has been so blessed this week as I've spent solitary and consecrated time with my thoughts and emotions. I am trusting that God's Truth will always overcome the false teachings that seek to weaken and corrupt His Holy and sacred Word. I am thrilled to witness the joy and passion with which our younger generations are seeking a personal relationship with God that will spread the Gospel message with enthusiasm. And finally, I thank my Father in Heaven, that He never tires of giving us new revelation that points to the miraculous life, death, and Resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit breathes new life into the Word, constantly teaching me more of His purpose in the world, and my place in that Divine Plan. Today, as I celebrate when Jesus walked out of the Tomb, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all that He is and for His presence [for eternity] in my life. I bow down in reverence to His Holy Name, and my spirit shouts, CELEBRATE, ALL YOU BELIEVERS! IT'S RESURRECTION DAY!

My thanks to the late Marvin Rosenthal for his gifted writing and insightful revelation concerning the Word of God. I have learned much from him, and encourage you to read the bi-monthly magazine, Zion's Fire, that he inaugurated. You will receive Biblical Truth for the modern Christian.

1 Peter 1:3     Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.