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THOUGHTS & COMMENTS

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2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;

reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2Tim 4:)

MINISTERS, PREACHERS AND THEOLOGIANS

In my studies and articles I group all together into one, huge ugly lump. That is I criticize and put them all down equally.

Or, at least, so it seems.

That is not my intention, though I can see no other way to read what I have written.

So in order to correct and explain my view, I am writing this.

Firstly, lumping everyone in a group without meaning everyone is not unusual. It is done very often, and is in fact hard to avoid.

And, as a matter of fact, it is a Scriptural practice as well. For instance, the Bible speaks of the Jews harassing Jesus and ultimately killing Him. We know this is not exactly correct. The Disciples were Jews; over 6,000 Jews were converted to Christianity at one time; and there are other reports of Jews not fitting into the mold formed for them in Scripture.

In the same light, we know there are many who call themselves "Christian" who do not even know Jesus, nor could they care one whit one way or another about Him.

In this same vein I refer to Pastors and Theologians.

There are many who have given their life for the Gospel, and who have poured over the Word most of their life in deep prayer to learn what God has to say.

And there are many Pastors who are intently concerned about the care and feeding of the lambs placed in their fold.

As I read and hear what they have to say I can feel the deep concern they have, and the intense study they have undertaken in order to give their sheep the best of "feed."

And I have heard long sermons and studies by Theologians who try to extract every bit of Truth from the Word, looking into areas that are far beyond my comprehension or access.

Yet I see these same Pastors and Theologians stumble over Traditions they try to avoid, and be deflected into dark alleys of ignorance.

And I become angry!

I can't understand how they can miss the headlines placed before them while they study a flyspeck for hidden meanings.

I suppose that is what Jesus meant when He said the Pharisees; "Strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."

On the other hand there are Theologians and Pastors who either intentionally, or foolishly, twist the Gospels to suit their own wills, or slash the Word in effort to bring themselves financial gain, or study the Scriptures (as well as nonsensical writings and commentaries) in effort to disprove the Bible, and/or God.

These people are so obviously on the wrong path that anyone with a small candle of Light can recognize their ignorance. And anyone who follows them would not notice a "burning bush" on a hilltop because they are so blind.

No, my concern is not for the "willfully ignorant," but for those who are following fireflies and think they are "the Light."

You may have heard of Will 0' the Wisp, or Jack o' Lantern? In legend these creatures (like elves) carry small lamps with which to lead people astray into the marshes, often with a promise of gold, where they either drown, or are enslaved.

My concern is for those who are earnestly seeking God, but do not know where, or how to find Him. Many of these become hopelessly lost in the "swamps" of the cults and false religions. There is not much that can be done for them as it will take the Lord to call them out of their misdirection.

But there are others on the right road who do not see the warning signs along the way because these signs have been covered over with a sack entitled "Doctrine" and "Tradition." These are the same sacks that blinded the eyes of the Jews in Jesus' day, and are yet covering the eyes of the Jews til today.

These searchers for God are not Theologians, nor do they have any knowledge or understanding of the Scriptures; And they know it! So they turn their attention to their Pastor who is supposed to be experienced and knowledgeable in such things.

And well they should.

The problem is that the Pastor is often in no better position to understand the Word (though he may know the Word and have it memorized, every jot and tittle), and he knows he doesn't have that understanding.

So these Pastors turn that part of Scripture study over to "experts" in the field and concentrate their own efforts into other areas such as ministering to the sick, prayer, preparing sermons, keeping the church running properly, and naturally his daily living and family requirements.

He is, after all, but a man.

And it is to be expected.

As an example, you may go to the doctor for your general check-up and minor ailments; but you do not expect him to diagnose mental illnesses or perform open heart surgery.

The Doctor will refer you to a Specialist for such things.

But what if the Specialist misdiagnoses your problem, or makes an "error" in judgment? Who is to blame? The Doctor? The Surgeon? You?

According to the Bible, when it comes to your Spiritual health and destiny - You are to be blamed.

At the Judgment there will be a multitude of "Christians" who will point to their Pastor in effort to avoid their punishment. And there will be another multitude of Pastors who will point to their teachers and the Theologians who's advice they followed.

But it will none of it be of any avail. We must all stand or fall according to own "works." I know that's a nasty word in your church; but I didn't say it - God did. It's just another of the warning signs, like "Overcomer," and "Diligently," and "Bear your cross," and "Crucify your flesh" that has been covered over with sacks of Doctrine.

Theologians, on the other hand, will have nothing at Judgment to point to but other Theologians and Traditions, just as did the Pharisees.

However, none will stand, because God's Word is very clear concerning His will for us. If we miss it, or pass over it lightly because we were told that it didn't mean what it said, we will have to bear the consequences.

Jesus said He will not leave His Disciples "Comfortless" and without help in understanding His will. He Said He would send a Teacher and a Guide. And this Guide and Instructor would explain everything and show us just what we are to do.

If you have received this instructor, then whatever other people tell you, no matter how important, respected or knowledgeable they are, you will not be dissuaded or turned aside. And along with this you will know you in fact have received the Holy Spirit because you do know and understand the Scriptures.

And this will be a comfort to you, because without the Holy Spirit you are none of Christ's, even though you hear that the Bible says otherwise; while with the Holy Spirit you know you are on the right path and that He will make it ever so clear to you when you veer to the left or to the right.

If you are following His leading.


If you wear a soldier's uniform, but you never take commands and just go you own way; are you in fact a soldier?

For thirty years I read the Bible and analyzed God's Word - yet when I received the Holy Spirit I discovered that I knew nothing. Oh, I learned a long time ago about the foolishness of Traditions and wondered why people were still believing such things when there was such overwhelming evidence against them. But, after all, look at how the world has taken hold of the most bazaar theories and calls them facts.

But, that's the world! Surely the church wouldn't be so foolish, would they?

The church is made up of ordinary, ignorant people who think they are very wise. And so is the leadership of the churches. And I am no different.

And, apparently they are not listening to the Holy Spirit any more than is the world, nor was I.

Or, are they?

This is my question, and my dilemma.

I can see the fallacy of the Traditions being preached. Even to my carnal nature these showed up like mud spots on a clean white sheet. And I wondered why others can't see them. For a time I doubted my own observations; after all, who am I to question the great minds of the world?

Then I decided that, even if Traditions and Doctrines are wrong; so what? What harm can believing in foolishness cause, after all, the essentials are there, and the results are the same, aren't they?

Then I received the Holy Ghost, and it was like being hit with a hammer. Suddenly I saw how these beliefs were keeping dear people I love (as well as myself, though I am totally undeserving of God and His mercy, where in my estimation, they are worthy) from moving on in God and may well be keeping them on the path to hell while thinking they are on the way to Heaven.

I was mad! I was mad at the church. I was mad at Preachers. I was mad at Theologians. I wanted to know why these people didn't tell us about the Holy Spirit and what He would mean to us. I wanted to know why these "Super Christians" who supposedly are the channel to God had not been telling me the Truth, or how they could sit back and let everyone go to hell while pretending that it was the road to Heaven. I assumed they knew the Truth, and just wasn't telling anyone about it.

I realized that for me it would have done no good to tell me the Truth. If I had known, I would have just felt worse about myself and been suicidal.

But what of everyone else? What about you!

Maybe all this means nothing to you because you are only a pretend Christian to begin with and don't believe any of this anyway.

Or maybe you have received the Holy Spirit and know just what I am talking about, but don't know what to do about it.

We all have a purpose in this life. That is what we are told, is it not?

That is false.

We are all but worms and no more than dust, destined to die and return to dust. This is the vision God gave me, and it has been a comfort to me.

Has this Truth been hidden in the Scriptures so therefore unknown to the Theologians? Is that why we haven't been informed?

Not likely.

7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Gen 2:7)

19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Gen 3:19)

17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Gen 2:17)

[ Do you see anything missing here? It appears that God forgot to discuss Adam's fate with the Theologians because He forgot to add one little detail, that is that Adam and all his descendants would burn in hell for ever and ever. And maybe I missed it, but I didn't see anything about Adam having an immortal soul or spirit, just dust and sweat. Did you find it? Or is it just the wisdom of the Theologians that it has been revealed to?

Oh well, you can't expect God to remember everything, can you?

But I digress and that is another subject.]


With the Holy Spirit we have Life, and with that Life an understanding of God, and His purpose for the world, and for us.

So why don't the Pastors and Theologians know this!?

I am certain there must be multitudes of people, especially Pastors and Theologians who are being led by the Spirit; yet few to none that I can tell have been able to see beyond Traditions. Oh, they may see one or two errors, and when they discover it, they change to another Tradition - but none seem to be hearing the Truth!

Why?

I have asked God, in tears, about this; but I have received no answer as yet.

My assumption is that it's to be kept a Mystery until the Endtime. I believe little by little through the ages the Scriptures have been opened (and often confused or misinterpreted) to individuals we call Saints, Theologians and, very often, Martyrs for the Faith.

And now the scriptures are to be opened wide for all who are willing to see and understand.

I say "willing" because there are many people (I would venture to say almost everyone) who do not want to hear the Truth. Jesus and the Apostles battled this very problem, as did Moses, and even God Himself. We say: "Give me wisdom, but don't tell me anything I don't want to hear or that is unacceptable to my friends and family." In other words, we want to appear wise in the eyes of others without having to risk being offensive.

God does not use "worthy" people for His purposes. The more worthy a person is, the less He can use them. And if He scrapes the bottom of the barrel for leftover scum, He will find me.

And He did. And He has.

I believe there are thousands of people out there (and I am not referring to the Manchild) who have been given the Holy Spirit and Scriptural understanding like myself. I think it would be fascinating to locate them and hear what they have been given, because, though I have been given a lot (so it seems to me) I am sure there are a lot of things still hidden from my view. Every day Truths and Awarenesses are given to me; far more than I will ever have time to write.

So, why don't the Pastors and Theologians know the Truth? I suppose they, those who are sincere, just have not had the Truth revealed to them as yet.

At least I will settle for that explanation until a better one comes along.


IS THAT ALL?

God asked Solomon what he wanted most of all. Solomon asked for wisdom with which to govern God's people.

What would you have asked for?

Because God respected Solomon's request He not only gave him wisdom, but wealth and fame besides.

I think of how wisdom is such an abstract thing, at least in our eyes it is. What is wise to one person is foolishness to another.

Religion is a case in point. One person's beliefs are highly esteemed by himself and others of his own faith. But another person of another faith will likely condemn that belief, and the person holding it.

I think of the Catholics and the Protestants. They have a history of trying to annihilate each other or anyone else who believes slightly different from themselves, even though they worship the same God.

Consider Northern Ireland.

Another example of conflicting wisdom is in one person's field of interest in contrast with another's. A nuclear scientist may idolize the wisdom of another nuclear scientist, yet poopoo the learning of, say, a botanists who has far more expertise in his given field.

And then we have Heaven's Gate. Here we have forty highly intelligent and relatively well to do people (at least so I have heard) making a judgment call that seems to the rest of the world extreme insanity.

I'm sure you get my point without belaboring it any farther. Wisdom is relative.

If you had the opportunity to be given wisdom, which wisdom would you ask for?

As I see it, there are two forms of wisdom, and even three.

One form is wisdom as I would see it in my own eyes. I use Heaven's Gate for an example. In their own mind they were very wise. In fact, they were so wise that they believed the rest of the world were fools to not follow them. I am speculating of course; but their ultimate behavior does not leave much else to assume.

And that very behavior shows that they not only considered their wisdom as just, but had the faith in their wisdom to follow it through to the end.

They were wise in their own eyes.

Others I see as wise in their own eyes are such people as Joseph Campbell, Bill Moyer and the 200 members of the Jesus Seminar.

I name these in particular because they are in the forefront of their fields having an ever broadening field of influence.

These, like so many of the schools of today, purport to have the "truth," while they elaborately and abundantly sell myth and falsehood. They persuade their listeners that they possess facts, which they have in fact, but it is blended with fantasy in effort to convince us that Truth is foolishness.

These are very knowledgeable and intelligent people. They are not putting on pretenses (as far as I know) but honestly believe what they say is true, and want everyone else to believe as they do.

If you know what I am talking about, then I don't have to explain. If you don't know what I am talking about, it would be pointless to try and explain.

Another form of wisdom is what I would call "eye service" wisdom. This is wise in the eyes of others.

These people know full well they do not know what they are talking about, or at least they know very little about the subject in question. Nor do they care to know anything about the subject. What is important to them is that people think they know everything about the subject.

These are people with answers. They have an answer for everything. They do not ask questions in effort to learn because that would show their lack of knowledge. And that would never do.

You might think of them as a large book with a fancy cover, but all the pages are blank.

And there is yet a third form of wisdom. This wisdom has nothing to do with the possessor, and everything to do with Him who possesses. This is True Wisdom that comes from God through the person.

This Wisdom can not be learned. This Wisdom can not be bought. This Wisdom can not be claimed. This Wisdom can only be accepted and applied. If the person in possession of this Wisdom claims it as his own, he loses it and his wisdom becomes foolishness.

This Wisdom cannot be obtained by the wise, least of all the wise in their own eyes. Nor can this Wisdom be recognized as wisdom by the wise.

Only those who have Wisdom without possessing Wisdom will recognize it for what it is.

If you wish to be wise in the eyes of others; or if you wish to be wise in your own eyes, then this is not a form of wisdom you desire.

This form of Wisdom does not supply answers, at least not answers that will be accepted by others.

An example of God's Wisdom is the parables of Jesus. To the Wise the parables bring understanding and guidance. To the carnally wise they bring confusion and distortion. (Matthew Chapter 13)


ARROGANCE SUPREME

I read Commentaries and hear sermons where someone is explaining the Bible. Many are entertaining, and many are informative. I enjoy hearing them and reading them.

But there are times I have to just grit my teeth and even scream on occasion.

When a preacher has the gall to say, after reading what God has said; "He didn't really mean to say that, what God meant was....."

Another such statement that gets me off my seat is when a preacher will add to what the Bible says. For instance he may be talking about the Prodigal Son, and then he may add what the father was thinking, what the son really meant, and so on.

If the preacher says he is using the story to illustrate a point he is making or some such; in other words he makes it clear that what he is adding or changing is his own, and not actually what God is intending to say, with that I have no problem.

As I have said before; Pastors, like parents and teachers are in a position of power and their words carry much more weight than most other people's. They have placed themselves in that position, so therefore they should be extra careful to assure their words are accurate and clear. It is stepping on weak soil when they come near confusing their own words with the Word of God.


PROMISES

I'm not married, so as far as I know I have no children. But there are many out there who do. For those who do, I would like to ask you a question.

You put out a lot of effort, I'm sure, to bring those kids into the world. I mean, just the birthing of them must have been not only painful, but expensive and time consuming.

If it were not for you, your children would not even see life at all. Am I correct so far?

Assuming I am, and now that you are stuck with the burden of children, if that is what they turn out to be, do you have to make promises of good things to come, that is rewards, in order to get them to do what is best for the family, themself, and you?

It appears to me this is often the case. The child is likely to do nothing, yet still thinks because he is your child, you owe him anything his heart desires.

From what I have seen in many families (not all mind you but plenty), the parents have to make promises, and be very careful to keep them, but the child makes few, and those he makes, he doesn't feel he has to keep in order to get the reward promised to him.

Am I close?

If I am close at all, is it right? Is this the way a child should behave?


Then why do we, as God's children, do that to Him?


DEALING WITH SIN

Man has several ways for dealing with sin.

The most popular way is to deny sin. Most do this by also denying God, that is His existence. Some of these may believe that God created the world, and us, but after this had been accomplished He either died or lost interest in His creation.

Another way many deny sin is by accepting that sin exists, and accepting dire consequences for sin - but they deny sin, or at least the consequences of sin exists for them. Many people fit into this category and don't even know it. Some of these live their life feeling guilty for their sin, but are unable, or unwilling, to do anything about it. And there are others who believe they were guilty, but no longer feel a need to do anything about it because of something they have done, or that someone else has done. One example of this is believing that Jesus died for their sins, so therefore they no longer have to be concerned about sin. There are those in this category who believe this principal is applied to all believers; and others who believe this applies to those who perform certain rituals or obey certain ordinances; while there are still others who believe this Grace (forgiveness) is applied to just a selected few, of which they are one.

There is yet a third way that man deals with sin; which is to ignore it. Those who ignore sin may be broken down into believers and nonbelievers. Believers may live their life in guilt either feeling unable, or unwilling to do anything about the sin that will ultimately result in the consequences they fear.

Man has many ways of dealing with sin.

God has only one. (Rev 20:11-15)


KING OF THE WORLD

What young boy hasn't dreamed of being President of the United States? Probably a lot of them, like those in England who would rather be King of England. Or perhaps it's Chancellor if Germany or Czar of Russia.

Children dream for the top. Why dream for anything less?

I wonder if George Washington dreamed of being President when he was chopping down the cherry tree. Or Abraham Lincoln as he split his logs. Or Jesse James when he.... oops, wrong story.

There has been many great and notable leaders of the world. There has been the Pharaohs of Egypt, the Caesars of Rome; Alexander the Great of Greece, and Hitler of Germany.

Perhaps our daydreaming youth dreams of being one of those great world rulers.

But there is one yet to come who will put all the above to shame. There is one who will be so mighty, and so perfect in all his ways that the world will fall down and worship at his feet.

No, I don't mean Jesus. I don't mean the Christ.

I mean the Anti Christ.

How would you like to be this great ruler?

Those who do, and those who follow him will suffer his rewards.

And the ones who resist him, that is resist him to death, will rule and reign with the Greatest of Rulers. I don't think I have to tell you who that is.


MIRACLE OF DAVID AND GOLIATH

In my mind one of the most interesting miracles of the Bible is the story of David and Goliath. In 1 Samuel Chapter 17 we read how David took a single stone and killed a giant. Goliath was well over 9 feet tall and a warrior from his youth. David was but a teenager and untrained for battle.

But David had faith in the living God of Israel.

David slew Goliath.

Nothing that I have said is news to you. You have heard the story many times. It is an amazing story indeed - but not actually a miracle. This incident can easily be explained by science, and is completely believable.

No miracle.

Yet there was a miracle performed that day, and it always amazes me that it is so completely overlooked by preachers and teachers when they relate this story.

Take a close look at verse 9. Notice that whoever loses the battle between Goliath and whoever comes forth to fight him, their entire nation would have to be servants of the winner.

Now, if you were the king of Israel, wouldn't you only allow your best man to fight that champion of the Philistines? Would you let an unknown kid go forth to represent you and your entire country?

As far as we know there were only two people in all of Israel with the courage and the ability to take on such a challenge. Saul the king was one. Obviously he was not willing, and therefore assumed not able to meet the challenge.

The other is the king's son, Jonathan who had (or at least will have had) proven himself courageous, if not capable of meeting the challenge.

In fact there was only one person in that entire camp not qualified, or experienced, or equipped to go to battle in any way.

Yet Saul allowed that one child to go.

Does that make sense to you?

Wouldn't you question such a piece of information such as this?

I would; and I do.

In fact, if there was one portion of the Bible I would call into question and doubt, I think it would be this one.

Yet it seems to be overlooked entirely.

And that in itself can only be attributed to one thing.

It's a miracle.

References

6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Gal 1:)

8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Rom 8:)

11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.(Rev 20:)