A Time for Awareness

  The following is an interesting dream I had a few years ago. I was being analytical in my dream rather than just being an observer as is usual for me. I rarely feel fear in my dreams but a month or more ago I was feeling threatened in a dream. I remember thinking to myself this is a dream and I can come out of it and I woke up.

From 2018:
"Although  I am usually an observer  during my dreams, in the last few weeks I've had dreams where I'm analyzing my situation. A week or so ago I dreamt that there had been/ was about to be an EMP incident, solar or nuclear I'm not sure. I was taking an inventory of what I had and how to protect it in faraday bags. For some time I've been concerned about our power grid and how vulnerable we are to an EMP incident.

In last night's dream I was with a group, family or friends, not sure which. We had been told that we were to be forced to take a chip. My associates didn't seem to be very concerned about it but I was packing to get away. I was being rather analytical as to what I would be taking. My cell phone and charger and my tablet and charger. I was very specific in that these were small enough to be carried. I was packing enough clothes to last a day or two. I vaguely remember meeting up with one of my friends and asking are you really going to take the chip and he answered in the affirmative. Then in that between sleep and waking up I remembered my solar chargeable audio Bible and decided to include that as well. Interesting as it should have been first to pack.
I felt no fear and either of these dreams just a sense of needing to be prepared."

Fast forward to March of 2021, a time for discernment and to pay attention to the prompting from the Holy Spirit.

A couple Bible verses come to mind:

Matthew 10:16 KJVS
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

1 Peter 5:8 KJVS
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour::

Is the Mormon Doctrine of Eternal Progression Biblical?

Joseph Smith is often credited with the quotation "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become," however, it is not found in “The Book of Mormon.” Nevertheless this profession of faith is found in other declarations including “Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.” Doctrine and Covenants 132:20

The Mormon teaching of Eternal Progression, that a man can become a god, contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture that God has no beginning or end and that there is only one God.

Through His prophet Isaiah God makes the statement “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God,” Isaiah 44:6 and Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me." God further states through the Psalmist, Psalm 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” There are many more passages detailing the uniqueness of God including Isaiah 43:10, 44:8, 45:5,14,21,22 and 46:9.

The doctrine of Eternal Progression is promoted through the twisting of specific scriptures such as John 10:34, “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” Jesus was quoting Psalm 82:6, “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” Digging a little deeper, Psalm 82:7, “But ye shall die like men, and fall (naphal) like one of the princes (sar).” The Hebrew verb naphal that is translated as "to fall" carries many meanings including cast down, cease and die, but in this context it means die. The Hebrew noun masculine sar that is translated as "princes" means a ruler of some kind such as an official, captain or prince.

John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God “ contradicts The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, "In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God." Jesus, not the Gospel, is the Word. Jesus was and is with God and is not a created being of God. The noun masculine Logos that is translated as “Word” has many meaning including the most appropriate one “the Divine Expression (that is, Christ)” John 10:34 has incorrectly been taken out of context as proof of godhood. By changing John 1:1 Jesus is reduced to being created rather than God so indicating that man can become His equal.

The doctrine of Eternal Progression harkens back to the Garden and the serpent's deception of Eve as described in the Bible. Genesis 3:4-5 4, "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

Eternal Progression appeals to pride as evidenced in the fall of Lucifer, Isaiah 14:13-14, "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High" With great pride Lucifer falsely claims that he will be like the Most High and therefore be equivalent to God. As is was thousands of years ago so it is today, Eternal Progression appeals to human pride by promoting the same falsehood as in the Garden, that we can attain godhood.



The doctrine of Eternal Progression is convoluted. Spirit children are born to God and his goddess wife. After a war in heaven one third of the spirits become evil and have no chance of obtaining bodies. Those who merit it are born on earth. There are several biblical concepts that have been incorporated in the schematic. One third of the spirits are evil, there is a paradise and a Spirit prison Hell. A first resurrection followed by a millennium and a second resurrection leading to a judgment. There is a second death for the sons of perdition, Satan and his followers.

There are three kingdoms for those not deserving the second death. There is the Telestial kingdom for the wicked people of the world. There is the Terrestrial kingdom for honorable people who didn't accept Mormonism. And finally the Celestial kingdom for those who have reached godhood exultation and were married in the temple.

There are numerous websites providing instructions for achieving Eternal Progression including 2015 Lesson Manuals, Chapter 13: Preparing for Eternal Progression, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young. According to this lesson, “We are able to progress as we increase in knowledge and experience.”

The heavens cited in Eternal Progression have nothing in common God’s Word. The very humble Apostle Paul refers to the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:4, “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” Paul never claims to be the man caught up to paradise, actually Paul has a thorn in the flesh “lest I should be exalted above measure.”

The first heaven is Atmosphere and populated by Birds and clouds. The second heaven is the Celestial Heavens containing Stars, galaxies; the vastness of the universe. The third heaven is beyond Space-time and is where God dwells.

Determining the increase/ decrease in the number of practicing Mormons required compiling statistics from several sources. Mormons have a very active evangelical effort and have converts in a many countries. Often former members are kept on the roles after they resign or are excommunicated.

Richard Packham used the US government related to the census in reaching the conclusion that “Thus it appears that there are more ex-Mormons than there are Mormons. The Mormon Church leaders are using the Internet to maintain membership. An example is the video is “Top 5 Myths and Truths about Why Committed Mormons Leave the Church.”

The Mormon teaching of Eternal Progression is not Biblical and appeals to pride. There always was and is and always will be only one God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Twisting of Scripture either to elevate man or to denigrate Jesus as being only a creative being is false and is reminisce of Jesus' parable concerning building on shifting sands.

Jesus tells Christians to take up our cross and follow Him and Mormonism tells members that through the false teaching of Eternal Progression they can become gods. As Christian apologists we should be knowledgeable about this doctrine when talking with Mormons as this is something that they strongly believe in/ hope for. Being told one can become like god if they are “worthy” encourages a works dogma rather than justification by grace. It teaches prideful reliance on self rather than humility and dependence on God. By adhering to false doctrine Mormons are rushing through the wide gate that leads to destruction.

We need to pray for those captivated by the false doctrine of the Mormon Church. Teaching that men will become gods deceives not only current Mormons; it is being spread throughout the world by Mormon missionaries.

The LDS Scriptures include The King James Version of the Bible so there is common ground between Christians and Mormons. When talking with Mormons it is important that we bring out the Biblical truths found in the KJV that challenge the false teaching in their other scriptures. We must share with Mormons that Jesus is the only way to a relationship with the God of the Universe.

Anarchy follows as a consequence of poor government”. In the US, you think?

Isaiah 3:1. "For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water."

Concerning Isaiah 3:1-5, “In that day the Lord will take away the responsible leadership that the people had depended on. The loss of bread and water may refer to famine conditions, but here bread and water probably symbolize essential leaders, as suggested by the following verse. There will be a lack of capable, mature leaders in every walk of life. It will be a time of oppression, anarchy, insolence, disrespect, and insubordination.” [Believers’ Bible Commentary]

Here in the United States we have had a seven your experiment with a community organizer attempting to run what was the most powerful country in the world. Not only does the POTUS demonstrate his incompetence on a daily basis, his sense of reality is questionable as he hypes global warming as a greater threat than terrorism. Of course there is a likelihood that global warming will be used as just one more asset in the toolbox of the advocates of a one world government.

The following posts are from Facebook and I do not have the name of the contributor. However, they are too good not to share:

1944: 18-20 year olds stormed enemy beaches, parachuted behind enemy lines, charged into battles and almost certain death.

2015: 18-20 year olds need 'sate zones' on college campuses to protect their fragile emotions from •offensive• WORDS.

People born before 1946 are called - The Greatest. Generation,

People born between 1946 and 1964 are called - The Baby Boomers.

People born between 1965 and 1979 are called - Generation X.

And people born between 19ff0 and 2010 are called - Generation Y

Why do we call the last group - Generation Y?

Y should I get a job?

Y should I leave home and find my own place?

Y·shotild.1 get a car when I can borrow yours?

Y should I clean my room?

Y should l wash and iron my own clothes?

Y should l buy any food?

I’ve often said that the generation that saved the world from the evil of Nazism was not only the greatest generation but the last great generation. The 50s were not only a time of Ozzie and Harriet, it was the start of the civil rights movement. The 60s with the sexual revolution and drug culture started our country on a slippery slope to destruction. War protesters and declining morality finally culminated in the far left liberal agenda. Not only does it seem like this country is being run by left leaning children, it seems their agenda is one of self-hatred. 

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.