Has God sent unbelievers a strong delusion? I say yes and ask "What part is due to organized religion?"

I've long been intrigued by the verses Matthew 12:31-32, “31, Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32,And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

Backing up a few verses seems to hold the answer. Matthew 12:24, “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” Here the Pharisees were ascribing the work which Jesus does/ did in the power of the Holy Spirit to Satan which is “a sin unpardonable here or hereafter.” And today those who hold to the truth of the Word are often demonized and those who pervert it are honored and well rewarded.

In a world which seems to be upside down, where good is called bad and bad is called good, how much of this delusion is due to the Pharisees today? Most religious organizations have sold themselves out to gain their nonprofit status under IRS, 501c3 Christian churches, ministries and organizations. According to an article that has been floating around the Internet, “the Christian church has been gutted. It has had his heart and all of its inward parts removed just as completely as the slaughter house animal on its way to being dismembered for market the church can say nothing and do nothing.”

 Paul admonishes church leaders in second Timothy 4:2 to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Rather, Paul’s message in second Timothy seems to be very relevant today. 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “3, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4, And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fable.”

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, “10, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11, And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12, That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

In my opinion, today that the majority of people are so deluded by Satan and his minions in organized religion that they are rushing down the wide path that leads to destruction.

Do not render evil for evil

Throughout the Bible we are admonished not to seek vengeance, not to return evil for evil. The prophet Isaiah often quoted God in this respect. Ultimately, there will be justice done.

Isaiah 63:4, “For the day of vengeance is in mine heart (H3820), and the year of my redeemed is come.”

H3820 - the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything

In Genesis we read of how what seems to be evil in the lower story is used for good by God in the upper story.

Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

As an aside,e are warned against double hearted people in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 23:7-8, “7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.” Strong’s has two definitions for heart in this single verse, H5315 and H3820

Not returning evil for evil is further reinforced by Paul in Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Jesus taught that it’s easy to love your neighbor, however, you are to love your enemies as well. Matthew 5:43-44, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, 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;”

In my opinion, when we return evil for evil we harden our hearts and can become obsessed and lose our joy. Often evil is returned for evil when there is unforgiveness. If we cannot forgive others, how can we expect God to forgive us?

Hebrews 4:7, “Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden (G4645) not your hearts.”

G4645 - render stubborn: - harden.

Was Being Transported to Galt's Gulch a Humanist’s Version of the Believers Rapture?

Ayn Rand’s bestselling 1957 novel “Atlas Shrugged” was/ is very prophetic of the current political and economic decline throughout the world. Ms. Rand wrote of the power of the pull and the destructive looter mentality; a marriage between politicians and failing businessmen with a victim mentality. Add to that a pervasive anti-capitalist attitude on the part of many.

With thanks to Wikipedia, Rand's stated goal for writing the novel was "to show how desperately the world needs prime movers and how viciously it treats them" and to portray "what happens to a world without them" The lead up to the election of 2012 was a feeding frenzy of the Republican candidate, Mitt Romney. Gov. Romney was demonized for his business successes.

Ms. Rand has often been demonized as she was an avowed atheist and the man in her life was reputed to have connections to the Nazis. That said, her work was and remains an analysis of socialist mentality out of control.

The question, “Who is John Galt?” is the plaintive cry of desperation read throughout the book. While it seems a cry devoid of hope, in my opinion and it also carries with it a hope for something better.

Galt's Gulch, also known as Mulligan's Valley or Atlantis, was a valley that became home to many of the “movers and shakers” of industry. These were industrialists who through risk-taking and hard work had built businesses that were being sucked dry by those referred to as looters. The industrialists decided to go on strike and would disappear into Galt’s Gulch. After these individuals went on strike there would be nothing of valuable left to loot from their businesses. Any salaries or benefits were paid to employees and all debts were paid off. Those business still intact failed shortly for want of someone capable of running them.

John Galt provided entree into Galt’s Gulch. He was a Pied Piper of sorts not only to the leaders of industry but to blue-collar workers who wanted to live and work on their own terms. These were people who desired to be surrounded by like-minded people and separated themselves from the masses. Interestingly enough, several of the residents of Galt’s Gulch started businesses in the Valley, however, greatly reduced in magnitude. Also, the residences operated on the gold standard rather than paper money.

Years ago I was on a chat room where I compared Galt’s Gulch to the believer’s rapture. I was ridiculed because of Ms. Rand’s atheism. While I suspect that were she alive Ms. Rand would deny any religious overtones to her book “Atlas Shrugged,” I wonder. Here was a group of people willing to give up everything for an existence with people with the same values.

New Age redaction of the trials of Job

In his book “Deceived on Purpose: The New Age Implications of the Purpose Driven Church” Warren B. Smith demonstrates how passages from the Bible have been hijacked to promote a near New Age message. Mr. Smith quotes the following from Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? “ Both Job and Isaiah are used as an examples of “The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.”

“Rick Warren wrote: Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope. In the Bible, many different people expressed this hopelessness. Isaiah complained, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.” Job said, “My life drags by—day after hopeless day” and “I give up; I am tired of living. Leave me alone. My life makes no sense.” The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.”

Smith, Warren B. (2011-06-21). Deceived on Purpose: The New Age Implications of the Purpose Driven Church (p. 49). BookMasters. Kindle Edition.

To be certain that Mr. Smith quoted Mr. Warren correctly I read the same passage in this best-seller. Ref: Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Kindle Locations 430-435). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Years ago The Purpose Driven Life became a runaway bestseller. Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church is an evangelical Christian megachurch located in Lake Forest, CA. Mr. Warren has become a celebrity and facilitated one of the presidential debates in 2008. He is currently involved with Pope Francis in creating one huge body of Christianity. Pope Francis is courting the Eastern Orthodox Church trying to bring them under the umbrella of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Warren is promoting something called Chrislam, can you say the coming One World Religion?

Mr. Warren quoted numerous Bibles in his bestseller and often uses “The Message” by Eugene Peterson. This redacted version of biblical truth has been criticized. A quick Google Search provided this article. "What kind of message is

THE MESSAGE?”

http://www.crossroad.to/Bible_studies/Message.html

What both Mr. Peterson and Mr. Warren fail to point out is that Isaiah was rather frustrated as he was finding the prophetic role that God had assigned to him was being ignored by the very people he was trying to warn. This I can identify with!

As for Job, his despair was due to great loss of family, wealth and health which were temporary. Job never lost either his commitment or devotion to God. Job gives the believer one of the greatest testament in the Bible, Job 19:25, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” (KJV)

The same verse in The Message goes, “Still, I know that God lives—the One who gives me back my life—and eventually he’ll take his stand on earth.” So Mr. Pearson has exchanged the concept of my Redeemer for God and the latter-day for eventually. 

Christ at the Checkpoint, the Trifecta of the Scorners, the Fools and the Simple

2 Timothy 3:15-17, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

Today, an increasing number of people and/or organizations are questioning these very biblical verses/principles. The organization, Christ at the Checkpoint, is certainly no exception and is likely part of what’s being called the emergent church.

Proverbs 1:22, "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?"

Jan Markell is a frequent contributor to the Rapture Ready website. Her article on the organization, Christ at the Checkpoint is a very good read.

'"Jesus Isn't Coming Back to "Occupied Territory"'

http://www.raptureready.com/featured/markell/37.html

Ms. Markell says it best, "Here we go again. Another Christ at the Checkpoint (CATC) conference is set to launch March 10-14. It's another tragic event that tells half-truths and hardly the entire story. The theme is "Christ at the Checkpoint III: Your Kingdom Come." It's based on the Lord's Prayer and how Christ would approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today."

CM commented concerning scorners, "To make a mouth" and referenced to Proverbs 14:6, "A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth." Jesus' brother James has more to say about wisdom, James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” By promoting replacement theology, those aligned with CATC are most assuredly mocking God’s wisdom and pronouncements in His unconditional Land Covenant.

Proverbs 21:24, "Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath." Add to that Proverbs 19:29, "Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools." No one can say that they were not warned.

More for the fool, Proverbs 15:2, "The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness." And even more, Proverbs 15:14, "The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness."

As for the Simple, he is one who lacks discernment and is receptive to most everything. Here, another first by James is applicable. James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

Satan,fallen man, the church and the Holocaust

So just who was responsible for the Holocaust? Was at the culmination of the thousands of years of plotting and scheming by Satan that started in the garden? Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Was it “The Everlasting Hatred” of the Edomite’s and Ishmaelite’s? As an aside, the Edomite’s were the descendants of Esau and often battled the Jewish nation and/ or often allied themselves with whoever was fighting Israel, The Book of Obadiah is a one chapter book that really shows the anger of God. Jeremiah 49 predicted utter destruction of Edom as did the Book of Obadiah. Amos 1 also told of their destruction. Eventually the Edomite’s became absorbed in desert tribes, “a people whose name and language had perished. Obadiah’s prophecy had been fulfilled.” Origen (3rd century A.D.) Surprisingly enough, during the Great Tribulation the remnant of Israel will seek refuge in Edom/ Petra and will be supernaturally protected there.

Was it the Roman Catholic Church and who was/is responsible at least in part for the heresy of Replacement Theology? Was it the Reformers who never completed the Reformation and also allowed Replacement Theology to creep into the Protestant churches?

What of the concordats between the Roman Catholic Church and Adolf Hitler and Mussolini? By these agreements the church was not to interfere with the state and vice a versa. Pius XII earned the less than desirable title of “Hitler’s Pope.” The Roman Catholic Church has attempted to redact history, however, there are many, many pictures available demonstrating a very cozy relationship.

Was it the Christian church that failed to speak up? What of the ordinary people who claimed to have no knowledge of the ongoing Holocaust?

What of the United States and other countries that turned away Jewish refugees attempting to unload from ships?

Was it due to the adherence by most to the theory of evolution whereby man is only an animal? The theory of evolution has reduced God's creation, man, to the status of an animal. There is little value placed on the unborn and millions are slaughtered in the womb every year.

Currently, anti-Semitism is spreading throughout the planet like an out of control plague. So what made the Holocaust possible; fallen man.

Global Warming/ Climate Change, the Stuff of Political Hacks

Can the left get any more out of step with reality? Last “Wednesday at a ceremony to appoint Texas lawyer Shaarik Zafar to be special representative to Muslim communities, Secretary of State John Kerry said it was the United States' Biblical ‘responsibility’ to ‘confront climate change,’ including to protect ‘vulnerable Muslim majority counties."’ Here is the video link in which Kerry twists the Word to fit the left’s agenda.

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2014/09/03/Kerry-The-Bible-Commands-America-Protects-The-Planet-For-Muslim-Countries

The show “The Five” on FOXNEWS is one of the few shows I watch on a regular basis. Bob Beckel usually is the lone lib on the panel of five. He made a statement that is, IMO, even beyond far left thinking. “Climate change is so much more consequential than ISIS ever was it’s like putting the United States military up against the boy scouts,” He went on to say “I have people that I think scientifically have a good argument other people say they have a good argument, we disagree with it,” And added, “But the idea suggesting that ISIS is more important than climate change is just absurd, as far as I’m concerned.”

And then there’s Al Gore. From a 2010 article, “How inconvenient is this news? Former vice president Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, bought a gated $8,875,000 ocean-view villa in Montecito, Calif., where Oprah Winfrey also owns a mansion, the Los Angeles Times reports.” The ice cap that was supposed to have melted away by now is still there much to the chagrin of Al Gore; I thought the oceans were going to rise, enough said.

Recently Bill Nye “the Science Guy” debated Ken Ham “Creation Museum” on "whether creation is a viable model of origins in today’s modern scientific era." Bill Nye seems to equate being a creationism and/ or the denial of Climate Change (formally known as Global Warming) with being technologically inept. 
  
Talk about one side only. “Climate Change Denial, Creationism, and Other Bad Science Don’t Deserve Equal Consideration in Science Journalism.”

http://www.themarysue.com/how-we-report-on-science/

In my opinion, these in the left worship at the altar of global warming/ climate change as they do at the altar of abortion on demand and the altar of evolution. I get the definite impression that the Libs consider Christians to be against science. Perhaps if they would peruse CM’s “Beyond” commentaries…

So much for the political hacks/ celebs who use climate change/ global warming as a soapbox and/ or as a moneymaker.

An interesting and balanced article dating more than 10 years ago is “Facts disprove warnings about global warming” by William Robert Johnston

http://www.sitewave.net/news/s49p1354.htm

"Global warming data FAKED by government to fit climate change fictions" by Mike Adams is just one of many articles exposing the falsification of data to make a case for global warming.

http://www.naturalnews.com/045695_global_warming_fabricated_data_scientific_fraud.html

So what do I believe about global warming? I definitely believe that someday there will be major global warming, however, it will be at God’s timing and direction. The weather has been rather out of control in the last several years; that is out of man’s influence via carbon footprints rather under the control of God.

Against the Assyrians God declared, Isaiah 30:30, "And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones."

Luke 21:11, “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”

Acts 2:19, "And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:"

A picture is worth a thousand words: 
<img src="http://conservativetribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014-09-09-Ice-Cap.jpg"