Monday, November 21, 2011

What is the role of an elder?

In the church today, there is much confusion over who has the authority within the church, or what the Biblical model of governance looks like. In this article from Desiring God, pastor John Piper lays out succinctly what the Bible teaches concerning the role of an elder/overseer/bishop/pastor.

What is the role of an elder?





A Pastor's lament on Twilight

This movie seems to be taking America, and our youth by storm.  And it seems strongly appealing to women, because of its strong message on Romance and the theme of validation of personhood.  But are the answers it's giving really Biblical?  And what of the occult nature of the film, is it okay for Christians to watch and enjoy, or to be obsessed with such a topic?

Some people will make the case that Twilight is simply fantasy.  Fantasy is a powerful thing, because it engages the person's imagination and feelings, and now with movie media, it may employ fantastical effects and music, which manipulates the emotions.  Many of today's movies and TV series employ the use of these computerized effects with music to manipulate the audience and bring them in line with the message of the movie.  And emotions are a powerful thing. 

Some may make the case that Twilight is no different than C.S. Lewis' use of fantasy.  But here's where the difference lies, in Lewis' chronicles of Narnia, they employ analogies to convey Biblical, spiritual truths to children, as Aslan was an accurate analogy of Christ dying for the sins of Edmund (the world; Jn. 3:16).  But Twilight is using occult ritual, belief and lore to teach about the "un-dead," those cursed to live an eternal darkness, yet it is portrayed in the movies as being a good thing to be on the side of darkness and eternally accursed (Is. 5:20)!

Wicca is known to be one of the fastest growing religions in America today. Our kids' exposure/desensitization to witchcraft/sorcery and magic that has appeared exponentially on TV shows today. It's one of Satan's tools, people are indoctrinated through movies.



"We know that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." 1 Jn. 5:19



"in which you formerly walked, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience." Eph. 2:2



These verses tell us that Satan controls the world (remember when he offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world), and that he is presently working in the world.



Acts 19 speaks of when Paul was in Ephesus, a great center for witchcraft, sorcery and astrology, and tells how in verse Acts 19:19, a mass number of Christians who had not yet renounced witchcraft renounced and burnt their magical papyri, totalling 50,000 days wages.  Even though this people had accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, and were now indwelt with the holy spirit, they had not renounced their association with or practice of witchcraft, of 'daimon guides,' who were spirits that took up residence within the people, and brought other daimons in the name of serving the practitioner.  After seeing the failed attempt of an exorcism performed by non-believers in the name of Jesus, the believers saw the reality of the message of Christ, and of His complete authority over demons (by their own admission), they then renounced and burnt their books which instructed them in the ways of the demonic.1 



The Apostle Peter warns believers: "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert, your adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Ptr. 5:8).

Why would Peter need to warn believers about being devoured by Satan? Wasn't he defeated on the cross? Don't they have the Holy Spirit in them? How does Peter, being inspired by the Spirit (2 Ptr. 1:21) write this for believers? Clearly there is a danger for believers to be 'devoured' by Satan. Or what about the man handed over to Satan for the destruction of His flesh but the salvation of his soul?


Some say that the Twilight series is just harmless fantasy.  Pornography is also fantasy. Is it okay for a Christian man to enjoy pornography? Any believer would clearly say no. There have cases where people have received demons through their involvement with viewing/delighting in pornography. How is that different from viewing/delighting in a movie about occultic creatures, such as Vampires (the eternally damned, unchristian) who twist and pervert the truth.

What does scripture state about our entertainment choices, upon which we are to think/"dwell on"?

Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Does this fit the Twilight movies? Is this something we would watch for entertainment with Jesus? I'm not trying to anger anyone, but get people to think through the issues. 

I am trying to warn against something that is quickly sweeping through the church. What happens when church leadership embraces the demonic? Is God pleased with such things?

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

For His people, the Church, God commands us to come out and be separate.  He doesn't tell us it's okay to enjoy movies about Satanic rituals and child sacrifice.  What agreement does light have with darkness?  what agreement does Christ have with Belial?  "Come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord.

1 John 5:20-21


20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.



Footnote:
1 Arnold, Clinton E., 3 Crucial Questions about Spiritual Warfare.  Baker Books: Grand Rapids.  1997.  p. 91-92.

"[O]ne magical text explains how to perform a ritual in which "a daimon comes as an assistant who will eat and sleep with you."  This being is then described as "a god; he is an aerial spirit which you have seen."  Once the door is opened, others invade the life of the person: "He will quickly bring daimons [for a banquet], and for you he will adorn these servants with sashes.  These things he does quickly."...  If prior to, and even subsequent to, their conversion, believers in Ephesus were engaging in this sort of magic - summoning spirits and inviting them into their lives - how would the apostle Paul have responded?  Surely he was not blind to this phenomenon.  Was providing these people with instruction in the Scriptures enough, or was more direct intervention required on occasion? (Arnold, p. 92).

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Media Attempt to Cover Up Obama Comments on Israel

God, in His providence, revealed the true heart of Pres. Obama on the nation of Israel and the Jewish people.

Media Attempt to Cover Up Obama Comments on Israel





Friday, November 11, 2011

Death Throes of a Monstrous Regime

While all eyes have been on Libya and Egypt, a more insiduous, strategic development has been taking place in the country of Sudan (known in Ezek. 38:5 as Cush).

Death Throes of a Monstrous Regime





Thursday, November 10, 2011

Dominion "Entering into a New Season"

Dominion "Entering into a New Season"

The article attached to the above link is a disturbing expose of some of the theology of the Dominionist movement, the New Apostolic Reformation, which is perverting the gospel of grace, into an Islamic-like religion, or like the Crusades led by the Roman Catholic Church which slaughtered millions of Evangelical Bible-believers.






Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Russian FM warns against any mil... JPost - Iranian Threat - News

Russian FM warns against any mil... JPost - Iranian Threat - News


And so here we have it from the horses' mouth. Russia has warned that there will be devastating [retaliatory] consequences if Israel strikes Iran. This is setting the stage for the battle outlined in Ezekiel 38, which will precede the 70th week, or 7 year peace treaty put in place by who the scripture calls the Beast, Man of Lawlessness or the Antichrist.

Maranatha!

Sola Sisters: Interview With A Former Professional Astrologer

The Sola Sisters posted a timely blog in view of Halloween, I wanted to post the link to here:

Sola Sisters: Interview With A Former Professional Astrologer: Posted by Christine Pack Former professional astrologer Marcia Montenegro wrote an excellent pamphlet several years ago for the well respe...

Recent List of Quakes

If you've been watching the news, and paying attention over the past several years, this continual shaking of the earth is continuing along with the other prophetic signs of Matthew 24, and other Biblical scriptures.




Oklahoma shook up with a 5.6 Quakes and 10 aftershocks: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/11/06/52-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-oklahoma/

Mark 13:9-10 9 "But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. 10 "The gospel must first be preached to all the nations...

Mark 13:12-14
12 "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 "You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14 "But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains...

Mark 13:20-30 20 "Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 "And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is there'; do not believe him; 22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 "But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance. 24 "But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, 25 AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. 27 "And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. 28 "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 "Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

Geologic Evidences for the Genesis Flood - Answers in Genesis

Does the stratification and fossils we see in the Grand Canyon and other places evidence evolution or a global Noahic flood. This article by Andrew Snelling, Ph.D. takes a look at this...

Geologic Evidences for the Genesis Flood - Answers in Genesis





Monday, November 7, 2011

The Modern Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

At his site, Grace To You, Pastor John McArthur addresses the New Aposotolic Reformation (NAR), Rick Perry's prayer event and the sites and sounds associated with the like...

The Modern Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

‘Israel planning Gaza attack to avoid Schalit ... JPost - Defense

‘Israel planning Gaza attack to avoid Schalit ... JPost - Defense

So claims the Hamas spokesman... which the Muslims are looking for any excuse to fight with Israel, especially as the end goal of their religion is annihilation to the Jewish people (ethnic cleansing) and global domination, forcing the world to submit to sharia law.

Islam is pressuring, bullying its way into American legislation, forcing its way to take over our country. In the religion of Islam, the religion is combined with government. There is no seperation of church and state. And there is no freedom of speech. In Sept., Compassdirect reports that a 17 year old boy was executed by beheading for becoming a Christian.  And this is what is awaiting our nation, as it continues to favor Islam who puts to death its enemies, while it continues to remove priviledges and protection from Christianity, which teaches its adherents to love its enemies.

But the end-times quickly unfold before us, as tensions mount with Israel, and the Muslim nations surrounding her make threats and gloat, for in the eyes of man, her doom is certain. But these naitons don't take God's word into account. They have been deceived by the evil one to do his bidding, and destroy God's chosen people.

Isaiah 17:1 predicts the complete annihilation of Damascus, one of the longest continually inhabited cities on the earth. Since it has never suffered attack of this sort historically, we know this prophecy for its demise is in the future. And with the Muslim strongholds, its Muslim presidency and the threats it is now making on Israel, we see it appears to be fulfilled in the near future. Verse 14 of this chapter goes on to tell us:
14 At evening time, behold, there is terror! Before morning they are no more. Such will be the portion of those who plunder us And the lot of those who pillage us.

Scripture tells us that it is going to happen very quickly, and never before in history was it possible that such an attack could be made so quickly. In the ancient Roman empire, when cities were beseiged, the invading armies would build seige works and erect them against the city, and it would take months to capture a city and take its citizens captive or into exile. But now, through the technology and weapons man has developed, a large city can be largely or entirely destroyed overnight. With the surrounding circumstances, it makes the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy entirely possible at any moment.

Another reason that this is a big deal is that this will set the stage for the battle of Magog, where Russia descends, partnered with Iran and other Muslim nations named in Ezek. 38. The rapture of God's church is not dependent on any sign, but shortly after the battle of Magog, the LORD is going to return his work to the nation of Israel, where they will enter their 70th shabua prophesied in Dan. 9:27. This is also the seven-year treaty of the one known as the psudo-Christ, the world teacher pronounced, awaited and heralded by the new age movement.

As these events quickly unfold before us, we know that the time is short. Satan and his legions are working feverishly to deceive the masses, and to divide and deceive the Church. Time is short, and if you have never sought forgiveness for your sins, and trusted Christ as your Lord and Savior, do so now, and begin to read God's word, and obey what God tells you through it. (Rom 3:23, 6:23, 10:9-10).