WHY NO ARTICLES FOR A FEW MONTHS?

    For the past few months, I have been silently observing, and listening to the voices of the Christian Church.  I have listened to the popular radio stations on which programs such as Focus on the Family, In Touch, Insight For Living, etc are hosted.  I if even for a moment, just wanted to take a step back and make sure that the things we have been writing on this site are a clear view of what Christianity in America is and has become.  I think for a moment in time, I just didn't want to believe that on such a wholesale level the Church has fallen prey to the most loudly proclaimed and foretold deceptions, and the most clearly defined lies that the Devil would perpetrate on it in the last days as foretold by the scriptures.  I must confess I am grieved tremendously by the things I have been listening to. The teachings of the Word as pointed out on every page of this web site are being raped and pillaged on such a severe level, that on occasion I had to shut the radio off and just plain weep for the things I have heard.  Anyone who knows me would affirm that I wouldn't just say that to make my point seem more heartfelt than it is, I mean I REALLY weep, with real tears welling up in my eyes.  

    I listened to one of the above programs bring a financial advisor on to the show, and dedicate a half hour to the reasons why it is God's will that you leave a significant portion of your estate to the ministry, including that leaving your whole estate to your children is not a good thing because "it could make it so that they don't have to work anymore, and they could lose their motivation."  I was so offended by this statement being made by a respected Christian organization!  That, coupled with the fact that the program was just about to close, I had to shut it off.  I couldn't even listen to the final 5 minutes of the program I was so appalled by the things they were saying, and the things that their words manifested.  The level of "frenzy feeding" for money now being witnessed on these programs, (programs already taking in some 150 million a year without your estate), is just astounding!

ALBERT MULLER, JANET PARSHEL: THE CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW...

    Money was not the only subject upon which I have had to just shut the radio off either.  For example, the President of the Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), Albert Muller (hopefully spelled correctly) has a program that airs each weeknight at 10 PM EST.  On this program he discusses current events, gives his viewpoint on them, and attempts to define what he believes should be the Christian world view.  On this program, night after night I have listened to this high level, high visibility Christian, tout the deeds of the American Government overseas as, you may have guessed, a divine mission appointed by God in these last days, specifically, to bring the world into submission to the principles of "freedom and liberty", thereby making a "safer" and of course, a more Godly world.  He proudly proclaims; "I am not a passivist" and gives a consistent set of ideologies justifying the belief that Jesus Christ is in support of War.  I have heard him out and out justify every single point on which the war in Iraq has been questioned.  He can sit there on his show, and with I imagine a straight face, proclaim that America is on a mission of self defense in the middle east today.  The mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners, the lack of WMD in Iraq, the lack of proof of even one single reason stated as to why our troops are dying there carry no weight for him.  The fact that the American Government dropped the search for Osama Bin Laden, and high-tailed it into Iraq to pursue a war of opportunity, luring the terrorists of the world to go wreak their havoc on the innocent people of Iraq, and so on and so on...  With a passionate fervor, (or with a blind ignorance), this "leader" of the Christian world dismisses any and all truthful discussion about the misleading information we were given, and the amazing hypocrisy of this government's policies.  

    When a caller pressed him on the issue of the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners, he quickly cut the caller off, and mentioned a bunch of things that terrorists have done to people, such as the beheadings we have all heard about in the news, and said something to the effect that he wasn't going to feel that bad about it in light of these things.  What is that? Revenge and "pay back"?  Eye for an Eye? Justification of brutal inhuman acts committed by a "holy" nation, because of what Godless evil men have done?  What about the fact that the prisoners in question are merely Soldiers that were ordered by their government to defend their land, and that they aren't even the men that committed the car bomb attacks and the beheadings?  Is he actually saying that it is ok to commit brutalities on Iraqi prisoners of war  because of things that Syrian, Jordanian, and Afghani terrorists have done? We haven't even discussed yet the deaths of 10 times as many Iraqi citizens, who are NOT terrorist, ten times the amount that died on 9-11.  Is anyone thinking that it is ok with God that Iraqi citizens are the ones that are taking the "payback" for 9-11?  Does that in any way at all line up with the Christian way of thinking?  Does that sound anything like; 

• Matthew 5:38-48  You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say to you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him two.  Give to him that asks of thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

    He (Albert Muller) has countered opposing views with cliché statements such as:  It is "anti troop" to oppose the war in Iraq.  In so doing he, like the current leadership in America hide behind the troops, using them as a strong manipulation to support their view... no, their mission.  In fact, the current Administration hides behind the troops more than anyone.  It is amazing that people's sensible and legitimate arguments fall prey to this kind of foolishness.  I find it much more "anti troop" to blindly ignore the needless death of about 1000 of our young men and women so far, and to use them as a shield both literally, by using them as a lure in Iraq to "draw the fire" of the world's terrorists, and in conversation, by dismissing any opposing view by saying "That is anti Troop".  Yet when the truth comes knocking in a debate, George W. Bush, Albert Muller and men like them do exactly that. (a position the American Christian Church seems totally ok with at this point, I guess since they believe it protects their own lives and properties and estates) 

    To disagree with the war in Iraq is not anti troop, it is in fact PRO Troop to want our soldiers back where they belong, here in our Country guarding OUR borders as they were intended to, not carrying out the dirty work of arrogant Government officials who wish to meddle in the affairs of other countries, and exploit their natural resources for their own financial gain, or because they threatened to trade on the Euro.  It is PRO Troop to wish for our men to be safe at home with their families rather than to enforce the Imperialistic viewpoint of "freedom and liberty" on a country that was both founded, and has existed for thousands of years as something entirely different than that.  Do the people of the world deserve the "freedom and liberty" to decide which type of Government they wish to have in their own land?  Apparently not, according to the Christian Coalition, the Republican and Democratic parties, and men like George Bush and Albert Muller.  And again as we have repeatedly stated, it goes far beyond a certain or specific group of individuals in both the government and the Church.  This mentality has captured the hearts and minds of a vast majority of the 21st century Christian Church.   

    There is also a Woman named Janet Parshall, (hopefully spelled right), who conducts a program that attempts to sound like an intelligent reporting entity, and a Christian program at the same time.  This program is currently given mostly to the host's cheerleading of George W. Bush's world view, as she hails him as some kind of a dynamic Christian leader, and verbally slams anyone who calls in to disagree with any aspect of this president's philosophy.  We don't waste any time trying to figure out if this president's beliefs are sincere, it is not our job to do so, but by the same token it seems equally as troublesome to blindly support a person's claim that they are right with God, especially in light of Jesus warning that: 

Matthew 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  

    Do these people realize that this President went into the middle east and told a Muslim leader that we serve the same God? Is it the fact that he is President that causes them to ignore that this man can not even quote a simple verse of scripture correctly?  Do they really not see that this man knows very little about the Faith that they themselves have been preaching for years?? The programs that Christian Program Directors put on the air are obviously based on ratings, current accepted ness, and in the case of Christian broadcasts, by their ability to bring in donations.  All of the programs mentioned here are very definitely speaking the American Christian voice, there is no denying that.  In light of the contents of these programs today, we believe there is real deep trouble afoot, and that the things prophesied about in scripture are very truly coming to pass!  These developments are the ones we attempt to point out in the article "Warfare Theology and the coming 4th Reich"  see that article for more astounding information!

TRUE MANIFESTATION OF THE GREAT DECEPTION...

    Over and over again we listen to good "God fearing" people, (and we mean that), blindly dismiss the lies and treacheries that have been committed in recent years, even in spite of the fact that when I look into their eyes while talking to them I see the truth, that they are consciously deciding to ignore these truths, and to blindly support their country, which seems like the right thing to do, yet falling into an even deeper treachery as they do.  I have real concern... no fear, for my fellow Christian like I have never had in the history of my walk.  I fear that not only are there millions of people falling prey to these things, but that I too could be dragged into believing them at some point in my life, knowing that no man is above the wiles of the Devil or his deceptions.  As we have stated many times here, the Church is locked in the heat of a vicious battle right now that quite honestly, it doesn't realize it is in, and it is NOT the War on Terror!  The American Christian just can not conceive of the idea that HIS country is one of the Kingdoms of this world, and that like all others, is under the influence of the Devil until the Angels of God proclaim, as promised in the book of Revelation "The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ".  (Rev 11: 15) He holds fast to the idea that America is a "holy nation" ordained by God to perform a mission in the world, and he will not be confused by the facts... at all. Why?  The Question of why leads me to the purpose of this article. 

    For months I have struggled on how to word this document, how to get the information across in the most clear and reasonable way, and to make what I consider to be the most important statement I have made in my Life,  (with the exception of "Jesus Loves you"), in a way that some will actually make it through the article, and hopefully even feel the tug of the holy spirit on their spirit to take up their cross and join THIS battle!  I have a decent vocabulary, as do the others that write for this site, but in the interest of making it so that every single person who opens our pages can understand the material, we make a conscious effort to make these documents easy to read.  So, what is that most important statement?  The statement is the Title of this article.. JUST LAY IT DOWN!

STRIKE ONE, THE LOVE OF MONEY... 

     I have stated on this site before that I believe the Devil has had to perform a myriad of tasks before pulling the Christian population into his final attempt to destroy them and make them share his eternal fate, and make no mistake about it, this is his ONLY mission.  He knows full right well that he will be utterly destroyed in the end, and all he is really concerned about is to drag as many down with him as possible.  It really sheds light on him doesn't it?  That in the end, our enemy is nothing more than a falling criminal, who wishes to drag as many down with him as he can before he is done?  The sooner that Christians realize this, the sooner they will be able to grasp the hideousness of his plans, and the skillfulness with which he is now carrying them out.  So what are the tasks he needed to perform within the Church in order to prepare them for the last leg of his plan?  

    As discussed in  "The Blessings Of God" article, The love of Money has infiltrated the Church today to such a degree, that most Christians are in a position where 90% or more of their time and energy is spent accumulating wealth, maintaining their wealth, upgrading, nurturing and enjoying their "stuff" while throwing the Lord a couple of hours a week, usually in time spent edifying themselves, (Church) never really having time to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, all the while calling the things that they live for "the blessings of God".  By calling these things the blessings of God a Christian is surely tricked, lured, and deceived into feeling totally ok about making them the center of their lives. This we believe was the paramount task the Devil needed to perform, and after many failed attempts, it appears he has finally succeeded with that step.  Try telling an American Christian that God does not "bless" his children with money, possessions, luxury and all manner of wealth, and you will be met with some very strong words of rebuke.  Why did he need to accomplish this?  The answer to that question is found in the gospels of Mathew (6:24), and Luke (16:13):  "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."  Jesus knew the heart of man, and of all the things that he warned against, his warnings were never more certain than the ones he issued about money and wealth.  There are no shortage of other verses of scripture to support the Holy Spirit's disdain for seeking, accumulating, and living to pursue money, such as:  

• 1 Timothy 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 

• 1 Timothy 6:5  Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

• 1 Timothy 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

   And look at the outcome, (most sincere and honest readers will admit the following statements are both true and verified by their own lives). The outcome is that the Church, like the world here in America has become so fond of it's money, wealth, luxury, and extravagant living, that we don't find it surprising at all that Christians are deliberately ignoring the deceptions surrounding the country's deeds in other lands.  They have so obviously been given the impression that they were in some way directly threatened by Iraq, (which is an entirely indefensible notion), that they "don't really care why they went into Iraq" (and that is a quote) because "those guys will come over here and KILL US!!"  Given the complete decimation of the Iraqi Military in 1991 under the older Bush, and the rag tag band of militia that were left guarding that country, and the slipshod 90 mile capable missiles they were able to haphazardly lob into Israel and Kuwait, I don't think it's difficult for a reasonable thinking person to acknowledge that this land was no more threatened by the people of Iraq in 2002, than it was by the destroyed German army at the end of WW2.  Not to mention the fact that the terrorists of the world hail from just about every middle eastern country BUT Iraq, such as Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Palestine, Libya etc. 

THE RESULTS OF EARTHEN TREASURES... 

    The Love of their Lives, Money and wealth, is causing Christians to condone and support some pretty hideous deeds in order to be assured they will continue to be able to enjoy their "way of life" doesn't it?  What hideous deeds?  Well for instance, the deaths of an estimated 120,000 Iraqi citizens since the beginning of the current occupation by the American Government, to which we might add the deaths of thousands of Women and children, and furthermore not to mention, that these men, women and children had absolutely nothing to do with that which brought us into war in the first place.  And how about the lies that were told by our leadership in order to take advantage of the Deaths of some 3000 Americans on Sept 11, to accomplish objectives they clearly had long before that occurrence?  What would the American Christian say about the circle of friends that is currently benefiting from the war in Iraq, namely the former business partners of Dick Cheney, the people of Halliburton?  Virtually every phase of the operations in Iraq are supplied, transported, and supported by Halliburton and its subsidiaries. Over 12 Billion dollars have been made by them up to this point. 

    If America is acting on behalf of its citizens and "bringing about justice" for the families of the folks who were killed on Sept. 11, why so many resources and so much money and expenditure in Iraq?  Osama Bin laden is not in Iraq, he is in either Pakistan, or Afghanistan.  Why has he not been brought to justice?  Does the most sophisticated and technologically advanced government in the world expect the intelligent people of America to believe that they really can not find this man?? If they can't find him, maybe it is because they have as few as 15000 troops in Afghanistan, where the attacks of 911 originated, and over 130,000 in Iraq where the 2nd largest Oil reserve on the planet was being guarded by a mere 250,000 Iraqi Soldiers?  

    The truth is America can not find Osama Bin Laden, and wipe out the remainder of Al-Qeda because if they do, the "war on terror" and subsequently their ability to trample into any country in the world that they choose will be tremendously weakened.  And mark these words carefully, Iraq is not the last country that America will invade under the blanket of "the war on terror" either.  And while America accuses other countries of shabby allegiance to this country, because they don't supply troops to the war, the truth is that no reasonable leader in the world is going to send troops into an endeavor that in no way benefits its people, because Halliburton and its subsidiaries own most of the contracts there. 

    Finally, I think the most pressing and ominous questions, which will surely face the Christian at the time appointed to all men is, why would a Christian, supposedly a citizen of the kingdom and household of God, condone or support the entire concept of the current worldwide American military activities, when they are at best based entirely on revenge, unfounded accusations, and speculation, and at worst founded in Greed, financial gain, and control of the 2nd largest oil reserve on the planet, a "War of opportunity" in a country who's leader announced that he was going to trade on the euro miraculously just prior to America's decision that he was a "brutal dictator" and needed to be ousted? How did "The war on Terror" turn into "the liberation of the Iraqi people"?  

    Is it possible that Christians really don't see the myriad of truths that have been made manifest since the American invasion of Iraq? Is it possible that they don't see that Saddam Hussein was no less a brutal dictator when America was in full support of his rule during the Iran / Iraq war? America didn't decide that Hussein had to be ousted because he was a brutal dictator, because American Government officials don't care at all who is a brutal dictator and who is not, it made the decision that he had to go when he announced that he was going to trade on the euro, an act that would have had serious consequences for the dollar. I don't see how it is possible that these things have escaped the ears and intellects of the American Christian Church, and the Church's support of these things is a very serious act of Adultery against the master on both a personal scale between the Christian and his Lord, and on a much wider scale between the Church and the Lord Jesus Christ, because this government has the complete support of just about every big name in Christianity today.

STRIKE TWO, THE LOVE OF THIS WORLD...

        This accomplished condition by the enemy, sets the stage for the next step of the deception we have been sounding the trumpets about here at 11th Hour for the past 13 Months.  The second stage of the foretold destruction of the Church is the Love of this world.  Make no mistake about it, the 21st century American Christian loves his life, he loves his stuff, he loves his country, and if holding on to that stuff (the blessings of God that is), means that his Country needs to wipe out other countries of people, then so be it.  And think of that previous statement being made by Bible believing Christians - "those guys will come over here and KILL US!!"  This kind of a statement shows the true nature of what the Church has become more than any, in that it is spoken from a standpoint that clearly states that this life really is what matters to them.  In spite of the knowledge that Jesus promised us not a life of wealth and privilege, but rather a life where we would be hated, mistreated, beaten, bruised and hated by the world, a life in which we are to rejoice in this treatment, knowing the reward and the outcome, that he will deliver us, and that we will be vindicated in the end, the Christian world turns to the American Military to protect and keep it alive at ANY cost, including truth and integrity, so that it can continue to enjoy the life they have built for themselves.  In spite of the following words spoken by the disciples and the Lord, this is the mentality in the Church today, this is the legacy of the 21st century Church. "They loved their lives even unto the end."  

• Matthew 10:22  "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.  

• 1 John 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  

• Matthew 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

• 1 Corinthians 4:12  And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

    Which part of the nature of the servant of Jesus Christ does the Church not understand? What happened to the common everyday Christian understanding that the World is not our home?  What happened to the definition of Holiness, which is SEPARATION from the world? The 21st Century Christian has become a political activist who preaches the Gospel of America, and has placed his citizenship in the kingdom of the USA on an equal par with his citizenship in the Kingdom of God, and not only that, feels really good and even passionate about it.  As we have stated before, these conditions set the stage for the circumstances described in the articles on this site, "Warfare Theology and The Coming 4th Reich" and  "The Gospel of Convenience" and also we might add, the ones described in the book of Revelation, Chapter 17.  

THE FINAL STAGES OF APOSTASY...

    As the Christian Church melds into the world, and unites itself with the political dignitaries of the day, such as how George W. Bush rode the Evangelical Christian vote into the White house in 2000 by simply stating that he was one of them, (a statement the Church has been taught for decades not to question or "judge") in spite of the words of Jesus who said "You will know them by their fruits" (Mat 7: 16 & 20), proves beyond a doubt that the very deceptions foretold in the scriptures, are coming to pass on a wide scale. (also foretold).  

    Gone are the days when it was a well known fact in the Church that the politicians in America, and every other country for that matter, are boldfaced liars, and that they do things that are far far from the heart of the Word of God.  Gone are the days when the people of God in this country truly didn't care much for possessions, and money, and luxury, but were still the happiest people on the face of the Earth.  The days when the Church had true authority in Christ, and engaged the enemy where he should be engaged, in their prayer closets and in prayer meetings of the Church.  Today the church has given up it's great spiritual power for a life of avarice, luxury, and compromise with sin, and as a result has lost it's ability to really see changes in the world as a result of it's prayers, and has now been forced to resort to Political activity to bring about change in their world.  Instead of the powerful circumstances of great moments of the manifestation of God in their lives in the form of the miraculous change of circumstances as a result of prayer, they now resort to explaining away the lack of power in their lives by altering their doctrine to accommodate that loss.  

    The most astounding thing about all this is that folks feel so secure in their Churches, and have placed their leaders on such high pedestals, that they have even DRASTICALLY reduced their time in the word, or they read the word with glassed over eyes.  For there is NO WAY a person is reading the word, and holding to the idea that political activity, and aligning themselves with the Leaders of our time, is in line with what God has said, or believing that money is the way that God blesses his children in spite of all that Jesus said about that, and that supporting War in the name of God, is the way that a Christian should live and believe.  As I said, no one reading and HEARING the words on the pages of the Bible could believe these things are of God.

STRIKE THREE, THE LOVE OF DARKNESS...

    Very clearly on the pages of this website, has the concept of "Loving Darkness" been explained, but in the interest of making sure that it is seen by everyone who comes here I will go through it yet again.  Incidentally, for those of you who choose to read every article on this site, I understand that there are a significant number of repetitions here, in fact these three sections you have just read are almost identical to the ones in "The Gospel of Convenience" article, but knowing the real possibility that folks who come here may only read one or two articles before they turn away from the words, we feel it is needed, and we apologize to you who endure it.  There are three or four concepts on this site that are the most important issues facing the Christian today, and the repetitions are only made in an effort to have them catch the eye of most people who come here.  So, in trying to communicate what we are seeing in the world today, and to bring to practical understanding the concept of loving darkness, I will place an excerpt from our article The Gospel of Convenience here: 

BEGIN EXCERPT...

    What is the love of darkness?  Is it the love of things that are evil and being clear about that?  Is it to be a person who is a murderer, robber, or someone who cheers on evil and isn't ashamed to say so?  No Brothers and Sisters it is not.  That is being lost with this present world, much like those who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah, or those who lived at the time of the flood.  That is much different than the "lovers of darkness rather than light" that Jesus spoke of.  Let's define both darkness and light...  

Matthew 6:23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness. 

    Jesus is talking about knowledge here.  The eye is significant of our "ability to see" in this verse.  the "light that is in us" that Jesus describes here, is knowledge. darkness is deception, and what he is saying could be rephrased as.. "If even that which you DO believe is right, is totally wrong, how great is your darkness? You're darkness would be especially dark if even the thing that you believed was right was wrong.  Then, both that which you think is right, AND that which you think is wrong are ALL wrong, then you have no right in you.  Confused?

    Let's try this, we as evangelical Christians, who read and understand the Bible know that, for instance, the practice of worshiping Saints and the Virgin Mary, that the Catholic Church exercises is Idolatry.  So if the average Catholic believes that worshiping them is good religion, we believe that even the thing that he thinks is right is wrong.  So we would therefore conclude, that a person in this Church is even MORE lost than the world, because he thinks he is right with God, and therefore is ok, but he is taken in Idolatry. See what I am saying here?  

    Jesus said that if even that which you believe to be right is wrong, then you are in a worse state than he who doesn't know anything.  I am saying that concerning their views on America, and its place in Prophetic Scriptures, and it's place in the world, the American Christian church is in darkness, because they believe the deeds that America does are holy, when in fact they are basking in hypocrisy, lies, deceit, and in some cases, outright maliciousness.  They are governed by men who seek only to become more and more wealthy, and are doing it in the name of our Lord.  Here is another example of when Jesus uses the term "light" to describe knowledge... 

John 8:12 Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.   

    There are two different uses of the word light here, one in the phrase, "I am the light of the world" and one in the phrase "the light of life"  I think most folks would not have to struggle to understand that when Jesus said that he was "the light of the world", he was saying that he is the one who manifests the secret sins of men's hearts, and that the "light of life" spoken of by Jesus in the Gospels, is the "knowledge" of life, I.E. that he is the salvation of God.  

    There are scores of instances when Jesus used the word light to indicate knowledge or understanding of things.  This is the darkness I am talking about when I say "the love of darkness".  I believe that Americans today are VERY taken in the darkness that America is a Godly nation, and that most of them "don't want to hear it" when the evil of the country's deeds are described. When talking to a man (not Christian) about the war in Iraq, I said to him, "doesn't it bother you that we have been given 4 different stories as to why we went in there, and that none of them have as of yet been proven truth?" his response to me was, "I don't really care why they went into Iraq, Saddam is a bad man, and so it is a good thing."  

    With this statement, this man swept under the carpet three things we were discussing, 

1. That we were deceived about why we went to war with Iraq. 

2. That there were innocents being killed daily there. 

3. That the war in Iraq, had nothing to do with "the war on terror" as described by the American government.  

    This is one form of "Loving Darkness."  He doesn't want to discuss or even consider the fact that they lied about it, that innocent people were dying, and that this war had nothing to do with the war on terror.  He just wants to think that America is good, and whatever stance needs to be taken to hold that belief will do just fine for him.  In speaking to Christians, it is even more startling than this man.  They also "don't want to hear" the truth of the things going on in the world.  They wish only to believe that America is good and that its ok for them to go to war "In the name of Christ." 

    This is exactly what I have been describing here, Christians in America today (not all of them) do not want to know that there are terrible atrocities being committed by their government, they don't want to look at the fact that their leader bears fruits that are far from the heart of Jesus Christ. Jesus said "you will know them by their fruits." yet the Church of Christ would rather sweep it all under the carpet, with statements like, "We aren't supposed to judge our leaders.",  "America is a Godly nation." "We are supposed to pray for our leaders."  Even though not one of these statements include accepting leadership that betrays the word of God.  They choose to love the  darkness of "not knowing" the truth.  By refusing to look at the truths that are SO evident in our world today, so many American Christians would rather just ignore, and turn "blind eyes" to the truth.

END EXCERPT...

WHAT DID JESUS SAY?

    Now would be a good time to look at what Jesus said about these things.  We don't need to re-state the scriptures concerning money, as we have done that on this site repeatedly.  But perhaps an examination of what the Lord said about this world and about our relationship to it, could shed some light on the idea that political activity should be the method by which the church engages the world.  Jesus was most definitely a passivist, contrary to what Albert Muller and the war supporting Christians in this country think, he was not a "patriot", he was not a "zealot", he did not have a stark raving sense of nationalism such as that which now burns in the heart of the American Christian because of the tragic circumstances of 9-11.  

    The zealots in Israel hoped to follow Jesus, they even hoped that he would lead them to a military victory over the Romans.  Barabbas, the man who was released INSTEAD of Jesus was a  zealot.  He was arrested for killing a Roman auxiliary according to Church history, an act of "patriotism".  If it is not obvious to any Christian that Jesus was not in line with the thinking of these men, I would hardly know what to say to you, but we will endeavor to make the point.  

    Jesus never ever told his people anything that even resembled rising up, EVEN TO OUR OWN DEFENSE!  Rather he spoke of how love and forgiveness would abound in his servants.  He spoke of a manner that was meek and lowly, that took the lower seats in the house, that spent NO time chasing after money and wealth, and most of all, he NEVER taught that revenge would exist in the hearts of his servants, (The obvious course of action now taken by the American Government), but rather that they would be persecuted and killed, and that furthermore, they would rejoice in this, knowing that it was a clear manifestation of the sons and daughters of God.  

    Why oh why does the American Christian not see that he screams injustice when the Muslim men "kill in the name of God" yet shout their support and cry "God bless America" as this country now engages in that exact same activity in its "fight against the axis of evil"?? What I am saying is that only one taken in the blindness of darkness could participate in that serious a hypocrisy and not see it plainly!  Only a people who's hearts are bathing in hatred and revenge, could so betray their Savior to this degree! 

    The Greek word from which we get the term "Apostasy" in it's original meaning is "to betray".  While the average Christian walks through his life thinking that Apostasy describes a generation of people who have abandoned their faith, and are therefore evil, he doesn't even realize that the betrayal that is occurring in the concepts that I just mentioned betrays the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ FAR more than walking away from him does, because it puts to open shame the name of Jesus, as well as Christianity as a whole.  

    Think about it!  All the Muslim world as a whole sees of Christianity today is the image that America projects, since this is the only country that claims to be a Christian one.  When you consider that in light of the fact that America tells the world that it can not develop Nuclear weapons, yet is and has been developing them for decades, we see that the world sees only hypocrisy as the representation of Christianity in the world!  How do these facts slip by the average Christian as he shouts "God Bless America", as he kneels down and prays to his God, and congratulates him for making such a great nation?  Here again, are a few of the words of Jesus on these matters.

• Matthew 5:43-46  Ye have heard that it hath been said, you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.  But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

• Matthew 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Sorry, I couldn't help including another money scripture here.

• John 15:18 - 16: 2  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.  But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.  If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.  He that hates me hates my Father also.  If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me:  And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.  These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.  They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God a service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

    Brothers and Sisters, these are some of the most basic and foundational verses of scripture on which the Christian religion is based.  Most of us knew these scripture verses in the very early days of our salvation.  When did these words escape the hearts of the followers of Jesus?  Some folks talking with us about these things say we have lost our faith in America, we are bashing and condemning the Church.  "There is no Love in what you are saying" is one we hear quite often.  

    On the contrary folks, there is a tremendous amount of Love in what we are saying.  We are well aware of the anger and contempt that fellow Christians feel toward us for the things we have said here.  Yet we continue to speak knowing that it is our call to do so and that if even one Christian sees the errors currently set to destroy the Christian Church, changes his attitudes on these things and truly "comes out of her" in this respect, pertaining to the church's support of the government, and the Christian's love of money and wealth and earthly pleasure, we will have performed a most noble task!  We will be despised, we will be condemned by the people caught in these deceptions, we may even some day be killed for the words that we have spoken here, but as we have stated over and over again on this site, followers of Jesus Christ are called to speak the truth with no regard what so ever for the earthly consequences of that speech, knowing that the Word of God is our witness, knowing that Jesus said "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." (Mark 8:35)

JUST LAY IT DOWN!!!  

    The final point and purpose of this article is this..  Today's Christian is heavily involved in political activity and support, trying to bring about a Godly world, when that is exactly the opposite of what Jesus said to do.  The Church in America today doesn't seem to understand that they WILL legalize same sex marriage.  They WILL continue to kill millions of unborn children each year because they don't want to live up to the consequences of their actions.  They WILL continue to deny the existence of God with their own foolish theories that arrogantly proclaim that he could not possibly exist.  They WILL be exactly as the generation of Noah until the day he entered the ark, marrying and giving in marriage.  They WILL continue to remove all references to God that exist in public life. It is absolutely futile to attempt to bring about spiritual ends by carnal means, and as long as the Church continues to look more and more like the world, it is certain that Jesus will not be honored by them, and his will can not be performed by them!  Is there still any question about what am I saying?  

    I am saying this -  JUST LAY IT DOWN Brothers and Sisters!!  We are not going to bring about God's kingdom on this earth.  We are not going to shove the principles of righteousness down the throats of the world with the mighty American military, especially when that military is in the hands of some of the most hypocritical men the world has ever known. We have been invited by Satan himself into the arena of political activism because it is his home turf, and we are taking that invitation willingly!  By entering into that which is evil, do we not become evil ourselves? (sound familiar?)  The Devil has influencing control over the kingdoms of this world and that is made clear in scripture in the book of Revelation where it says, the Angels of God will proclaim... 

Revelation 11:15 "The kingdoms of this World have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever"   

    Those words are said at the end of the second woe, toward the end of time.  Knowing we are not there right now forces us to admit that as of right now, the kingdoms of this world are under the control of Satan, no bones about it.  There is no denying that truth here Brothers and Sisters.  To do so, we believe, will carry tremendous consequences for the Christian at the end of time.  

    Lay down the money and wealth, lay down the false belief that the political tides are going to turn your idea of God's way.  Lay down earnestly hoping and desiring to win these battles in the political arena.  Lay down your signs and pamphlets, pick up the Bible, put on the armor of God, and fight the battles you deem worthy to fight in the spirit of prayer, and see your victory in the spirit of power and holiness. Yes the message of this article is exactly what the title describes it to be, pertaining to the world, pertaining to political activity, pertaining to America being a "holy" nation.  Why doesn't it bother the 21st century Christian that they believe scripture never mentions America?  I hear them say it all the time, yet they don't realize that there is no "great kingdom" mentioned at the end of time that will be Godly and bring about God's will here on earth.  There is only one great, powerful, mighty, rich, influential, dominating kingdom in the end of time, and it does not wear the outfit that America fancies itself wearing in the world today.  America stepped on to the Prophetic stage in massive fashion when it took position in Iraq.  Brothers and Sisters,  JUST LAY IT DOWN!!! 

In Christ, F.E.Reilly

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