Rapture!

 

The purpose of the following is to outline a systematic study of the scriptures to determine the major differences between two biblical terms commonly referred to as the "Rapture" and the "Second Coming" of Christ. The position I have taken in this study is one referred to as a "Pre-Tribulational" view. That being that the True Church, or the body of Christ will be raptured prior to the judgments we see in the Book of Revelation.

*Rapture
**Second Coming/ Day of the Lord/ Day of Christ

**Revelation 1:7
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."

*Revelation 4:1
"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter."

**2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand."

**Joel 1:15
"Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come."

*2 Thessalonians 2:7
"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."

*1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

*1 Corinthians 15:51-52
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

**Joel 2:1-3

"Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them."

The scriptures below have the Greek word "harpazo" in common in the King James Bible. (The actual word rapture is not found in scripture. The Latin word is "raptus".) This is where many theologians have come to use the term "Rapture"...in the sense that it can be interpreted as a "snatching away" or a "catching up" of all born again believers prior to the seven year period of the judgment of the earth known as the Tribulation.

*Harpazō...Strongs definition;
"catch (away up) pluck pull take (by force)
To sieze"

Matthew 13:19 - When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and *(catcheth away) that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Acts 8:39 - And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord (*caught away) Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

2 Corinthians 12:2 - I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one (*caught up) to the third heaven

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.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 - Then we which are alive and remain shall be (*caught up) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Revelation 12:5 - And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was (*caught up) unto God, and to his throne.

The following outline is from the notes of C.I. Scofield on the Day of the Lord. This period of judgment is synonymous with the "Second Coming".

"The day of Jehovah (called, also, "that day," and "the great day") is that lengthened period of time beginning with the return of the Lord in glory, and ending with the purgation of the heavens and the earth by fire preparatory to the new heavens and the new earth Isa (65:17-19 Isa 66:22 2Pet 3:13 Rev 21:1.) The order of events appears to be:

(1) The return of the Lord in glory Mt 24:29,30

(2) the destruction of the Beast and his host, "the kings of the earth and their armies," and the false prophet, which is the "great and terrible" aspect of the day Rev 19:11-21.

(3) the judgment of the nations Zech 14:1-9 Mt 25:31-46.
(4) the thousand years, i.e, the kingdom-age Rev 20:4-6.

(5) the Satanic revolt and its end Rev 20:7-10.
(6) the second resurrection and final judgment Rev 20:11-15 and

(7) the "day of God," earth purged by fire 2Pet 3:10-13."

I hope you find this outline to be of value in your personal study of the scriptures.

Dave Jacobs  

  Backwoods Home Missions               Jennifer O’Neill Ministries 

Let me close the same way the Apostle Paul does in his Epistle to the Romans. 

"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."  

My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart. 

Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen 

The Real Message

"And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst." (John 8:8-9)

Most of us are familiar with this passage of the scriptures in the King James Bible. I believe most people have no problem with the principles that Christ was teaching, not only to those involved, but for our society today.

A couple more thoughts comes to my mind as I read this. Do you think Jesus could also be trying to teach us to hate our own sin more than the sins of others?

Also, could he possibly have written, as he stooped down---"as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"...
for all have sinned, and come short of the 

glory of God;"?

And now, as Paul Harvey used to say...the rest of the story!

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Let me close the same way the Apostle Paul does in his Epistle to the Romans. 

"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."  

My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart. 

Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen 

Running With the Enemy

 1 Corinthians 2:1-2

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

In his book titled "The Tragedy of Compromise", Ernest Pickering goes indepth on the dangers of laying sound doctrine aside for the sake of unity. He wrote during a period in church history in which there was a dramatic schism between Fundamentalists and the Neo-Evangelicals. 

The real tragedy of compromise is that when the true Gospel is watered down by adding works (which is what Catholicism does) to the finished work of Christ on Calvary, many are led down that broad path which leads to destruction. (Matthew 7:13)

Neo-Evangelicals, although their hearts may be in the right place, fail to recognize the fact that by associating with heresy in an attempt to win souls, they are actually contributing to the confusion. We all know who benefits when confusion is added to the mix.

1 Corinthians 14:33
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

2 Corinthians 2:11
"lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

In an article titled "Billy Graham and Rome" on the Way of Life Literature website, we are given great insight into the dangers of the Ecumenism practiced by Neo-Evangelicals.

To emphasize this point we see in an excerpt from the article the following statement.

"Those who fellowship with Romanism put a stamp of approval--unwittingly, perhaps, but just as surely--upon the false gospel preached by their Roman Catholic friends."

It appears that those who advocate for Ecumenism have either overlooked scripture, or they "willingly are ignorant" of what Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:6-11,

"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

The Bible is very clear, as well, that by holding hands with the world in an effort to advance the Gospel we, in effect, become the enemies of God. We see in James 4:4 the question that Neo-Evangelicals must address,

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

Here is a link to the aforementioned article from the ministry of David Cloud and The Way of Life Literature ministry.  

Billy Graham and Rome 

Let me close the same way the Apostle Paul does in his Epistle to the Romans. 

"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."  

My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart. 

Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen 

Angels of Light

 

5 min. read 

Part 9 in the Challenges series 

(2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

As we continue in this study of the challenges that the Church is facing going forward, we'll build on the emergence of false Christs, and the deception that inherently follows. 

False apostles and deceitful workers are not just ministering in the pulpits of America, they can be found in other aspects of the ministry as well. We have already touched on the fact that false doctrine is being reinforced by the praise and worship music being welcomed with open arms by many liberal congregations. Unfortunately, this same music has been accepted by ministries that have, for the most part, been extremely evangelical in years past. These ministries have also been historically sound in the "fundamentals" of the faith. 

What undershepherds need to be aware of concerning this type of music, is the "mystical" undertones that it represents. Rather than glorifying God and exalting Christ, it leans more towards catering to the flesh. Moreover, as we will see, it is a vehicle designed to move the church away from traditional teachings and cause its congregants to seek "spiritual experience". 

Once again, what we see is this move reinforcing what Jesus said in Matthew 24 about deception by "signs and wonders". Those worshipers referenced in Matthew 24 are susceptible to deception by the fact that they are basing "truth" on "spiritual experience", rather than sound Bible doctrine. 

Michael Stoebel of Regis College and the University of Toronto has this to say about Mysticism. 

"Mysticism, like spirituality, is a vague word in contemporary culture, used in multiple ways in diverse settings. It can stand for anything esoteric, mysterious, otherworldly or occult-like, and is often used in reference to exceptionally strong aesthetic and religious feelings. This usage has been the norm in modern times. In 1911 Evelyn Underhill, an influential British scholar of mysticism, noted this ambiguity and described mysticism as “the science or art of the spiritual life."

Stoebel continues,

"Perhaps the most prominent aspect of mysticism in its modern sense is that it is a spiritual experience that can stand apart from institutional religion. Indeed, the noun mysticism was coined only in seventeenth-century France. Prior to this time, there existed just an adjectival form, drawn from the Greek mystikos, meaning “secret,” “hidden” or “private,” which qualified certain scriptures, rituals and theology of the Christian religion as “mystical.” These various contexts of religion functioned to engage an adherent in an unusually intimate (“mystical”) relationship with and awareness of the Christian God."

Examining this statement closer, we can glean two important aspects of "mystical religion" and its teachings. 

First of all we see Underhill stating that, "the most prominent aspect of mysticism in its modern sense is that it is a spiritual experience that can stand apart from institutional religion." Secondly, lifting the last sentence that Mr. Stoebel made we can examine it in the context of what we see happening in contemporary worship music today. Once again we read;

"These various contexts of religion functioned to engage an adherent in an unusually intimate (“mystical”) relationship with and awareness of the Christian God."

The article by Mr. Stoebel referenced above, is concerning the teachings of Evelyn Underhill. She, as we see, was very influential in circles of mystic teaching. Notice once again her description of mysticism. She refers to it as “the science or art of the spiritual life."

In this world science, art, and religion constitutes a large percentage of any culture. If an artist can capitalize on this fact by capturing a large audience in both areas of art and the spiritual life, no doubt that artist is going to have a long and prosperous career. There is certainly nothing wrong with a successful career in any endeavor. That being said, let's examine the road that many artists in the Contemporary Christian Music may be leading churches in the areas of doctrine, thelogy, and individual worship. 

If we examine the music of the Bible -- the Psalms -- we will notice a sharp contrast between how the writers approached God then, and how the praise and worship writers claim to be approaching him today.

One prominent artist, claims that she has been "using her gifts to lead people into the presence of God." 

Moses wrote in Psalm 90:7-9

"For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath:we spend our years as a tale that is told."

David writes in Psalm 51:3-5,

"For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me."

If we contrast the worship of the saints of God in the inspired Word of God and the writers of today's praise and worship we will begin to notice the mystical elements of modern songs. We will see, not penitent souls realizing how great that grace is in light of our sinfulness, but rather what Underhill referred to as an unusually intimate (“mystical”) relationship with and awareness of the Christian God."

This mode of thinking helps perpetuate a lopsided gospel in a sense. "Another gospel" that focuses primarily on the love of God, and tends to ignore the judgment of God. There is no mention of sin and repentance. 

In essence, the lyrics lean more towards the false teachings of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. It also promotes the "little gods" doctrine that originated in the Garden of Eden. This philosophy will be even more apparent going forward in the drive towards ecumenicalism and the One World Religion of the end time.

The purpose of this study is to bring awareness to the methods and the devices that our adversary uses to replace sound doctrine with false teachings. I will link to a video that goes quite a bit deeper into the study of how contemporary praise and worship music is undermining the theology of the professing church. 

Modern Worship=Western White Magic Hypnotism?

Let me close the same way the Apostle Paul does in his Epistle to the Romans. 

"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."  

My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart. 

Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen 

An Air of Deception

 5 min. read 

Part 8 in the Challenges series 

(Ephesians 2:2)

"wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:"

(Matthew 24:3-5, 11, 24-25)

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before." 

At this point in the study, a person might be asking why we would be interested in the fact that mystic teachings have entered mainline evangelical churches. The answer in short is that those teachings ultimately direct an unsaved person, that is seeking truth, away from the truth, as opposed to bringing them to it. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

If a person is presented with a mystical "experience", instead of a genuine conversion, he has a false hope of salvation. That individual is believing a false gospel through false doctrine; therefore he or she has only a false profession of faith.

That is the reason Paul warned Timothy (2 Timothy 4:3) that in the end time a religious people would not endure sound doctrine. The Greek word here translated endured in English is anechomai. Thayers definition is "to hold one's self erect and firm". I believe that this is the point Paul is trying to make in 2 Timothy 4:3. As the incursion into a body of believers by mystic teaching (or by any other means) occurs, those believers are moved away from a "firm" stand on sound, fundamental teachings from the word of God. 

 Paul was extremely familiar with these incursions. Remember, at this point in Paul's ministry, he had fought many battles and had kept the faith. He had to continually warn the churches he had planted about the false doctrine of the Gnostics, the Judaisers, and the legalizers. In Acts 20:29-31, Paul speaking to the Ephesian elders at Miletus had this to say. 

"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."

We see him speaking to the body of believers in Galatia concerning false teachers. In Galatians 1:6-9, Paul is not mincing his words. 

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But 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. As 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."

I believe it would profit those that are interested in exposing this false teaching in evangelical circles, to pivot away from the term Mysticism, and refer to it as mystic teaching. Mystic in the sense of it being either felt or experienced. Something that is "worked up" from within. That is the "essence" of mystical teaching and why it so appealing to the flesh. That is why we see those people mentioned in Matthew 24 being so easily deceived by the signs and wonders. They are programmed by the "mystical" to believe only that which they can see or feel. 

The main danger that is presented to a "church" that has adopted mystic teachings, is the fact that they are attempting to worship a mystical Christ. 

Attempting to present "another Jesus" as we will see Paul speaking of later. Mysticism, as it is being taught in any major Middle Eastern religion, within the confines of that body of adherents, presents no threat to sound Christian doctrine. The problem this presents to the professing church however, is that by mingling these teachings with, and trying to make them fit Bible doctrine -- you inevitably arrive once again in Babylon. That's why we see the book of the Revelation referring to this end time religion as Mystery Babylon. 

We see in the verses above from Matthew 24 that deception is a part of Satan's end time game plan. We see the word deceive being used by Jesus as he answered the Disciples question about the end of the world. This deception will be accomplished by false prophets and false Christs performing real miracles. 

Therein lies the furtile end time field. Through the preparation of the hearts and minds, through mystic teachings, the false prophets will deceive many. Jesus had spoken of the harvest fields being ripe with few laborers available. These same fields are now ready to be reaped by false prophets with a false Jesus. Paul warned those in Corinth in his second Epistle Chapter 11 by referring to, "another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel."

Ultimately, we see the prince of the power of the air working his plan of deceit masterfully, an air of deception...if you will.

We certainly see the worship of another Jesus emerging within Contemporary Christian Music. A mystical Christ. A Gnostic Christ. False Christs that Jesus himself said "shall arise".

One of the best series of documentaries available about the rise of Mystery Babylon is available on line. I will provide a link here. These videos are exceptionally researched and produced by Spencer Smith and his team. These videos are a must see for those interested in Bible prophecy concerning the end times. Check this ministry out and consider supporting them financially. Great channel!

Third Adam: Missionary Spencer Smith 

As we continue in this study, I will be providing links to more videos on this channel that I have found to be extremely enlightening about the false doctrine and the blurring of the lines between Middle Eastern Mysticism and sound Christian doctrine. We will also look at the vehicle that is driving this global end time deception. We certainly see the worship of another Jesus emerging within Contemporary Christian Music. 

Stay tuned. 

Let me close the same way the Apostle Paul does in his Epistle to the Romans. 

"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."  

My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart. 

Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen 

Voices in the Winds

 

5 min. read 

Part 7 of the Challenges series 

                             The Wind                                        

                                    by
                  Robert Louis Stevenson

I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass--
        O wind, a-blowing all day long,
        O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all--
       O wind, a-blowing all day long,
       O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
      O wind, a-blowing all day long,
      O wind, that sings so loud a song!

          A Child's Garden of Verses, 1885

               (Poem in the public domain)

(John 3:8)

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."

Jesus himself, who taught many times in parables, in John 3 uses the wind to explain the miracle of the new birth to Nicodemus. The instruction comes by way of using something that Nicodemus does understand; to help him come to the understanding of the spiritual things that he doesn't.

Man has long realized the power of nature to instruct and guide in the areas of life concerning his existence. This particular poem by Robert Louis Stevenson can be found in the collection "A Child's Garden of Verses". Published in 1885, it has been referred to as one of most influential literary works in history. We see from the website www.robert-louis-stevenson.org

"A Child's Garden of Verses is a book of poetry for children. Stevenson dedicated the poems to his nurse Cummy (Alison Cunningham), who cared for him during his many childhood illnesses. The collection includes some of Stevenson's most famous poems, including “The Land of Counterpane”, “My Shadow and “The Lamplighter”. Of course, the above poem, "The Wind" is included in the collection also.

There is certainly nothing at all wrong with the concept of using nature to teach children. As a matter of fact, God's word is rife with that concept. We see creation mentioned throughout scripture as a method that God uses to teach man about his Creator.

(Psalm 19:1)
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."

We see Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, describing that those who chose to disregard nature and creation as a testament to God's existence and glory, were thereby without excuse. Mankind will not be able to use ignorance as a defense on the day of judgment.

(Romans 1:19-20)
"because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"

As we continue the Challenges series, we will continue going somewhat deeper into how Mysticism has taken a foothold in the doctrine that is being taught in many churches. As previously mentioned, it has crept in gradually and initially had taken a seat on the back row. One of the major tools it has employed to slide in the backdoor, has been through the ministry of music.

The old, doctrinally correct hymns, are being replaced by "songs" that appeal more to the fleshly pampering of the soul.
The songs, in and of themselves, would not be so dangerous were it not for the fact that along with the introduction of this music, come the winds of Mysticism.

For the sake of time, we'll go into more detail later about the reasons these comments about music have been introduced. Mysticism blowing in on the winds of worship. Suffice it to say at this point, that many of the mainstream artists involved in modern worship music, are themselves heavily influenced by the teachings of Eastern mysticism. As the case is with the devices of the enemy that Paul spoke of, they look harmless enough on the surface.

With the many and varied voices in the winds of humanity, it is very easy to be blown off course spiritually. Let's endeavor to allow the wind to continue to be a teacher, but let us look to the word of God for that "still small voice".

(Ephesians 4:14)
"that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"

(Nahum 1:3)
"The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."

(1 Kings 19:12)
"and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

Let me close the same way the Apostle Paul does in his Epistle to the Romans. 

"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."  

My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart. 

Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen 

The Serpent’s Path

 5 min. read

Part 6 of Challenges

(Genesis 3:4-7)

"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. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."

We see the serpent here making his case after he had asked, "Yea, hath God said? in the first verse. We see the first tenured professor teaching class, and his first student and adherent was here introduced to the wonderful world of Mysticism. This new philosophy brought along with it immediate rewards -- as it continues to do today for all the pragmatic students drawn to it. We see the bad news in this verse.

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)

We see the good news here.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Visit the website for the Center for Contemporary Mysticism and you will be warmly welcomed. I'm sure that these folks are a group of wonderful people that are more than happy to help you down, to what seems at least to them, a magical path. They appear to be a sincere organization that offers some alternative ideas to "Yea, hath God said".

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
                                  ~ Teilhard de Chardin

"A doorway to many paths" is their, I assume, motto if you will.

This philosophy is not much different than Middle Eastern mysticism. That religion teaches that regardless of which side of the mountain you are climbing from, ultimately the top is where everyone converges. Or something to that effect.

Mysticism is an invitation to asking yourself many questions. The only questions that the proponents don't want you to ask is -- how does the philosophy align with scripture? They already assume that you have rejected clear Bible truth and have started on your own "path" toward your "truth" and enlightenment. Their philosophy is geared towards this mode of thinking.

In Christianity you have to worship the God of creation. In Mysticism, as with a number of false teachings, you get to journey down whatever path helps you discover the god within. Seems good on the surface. They would not have you bother with verses such as these.

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 16:25)

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:" (Matthew 7:13)

Mysticism is a man-made religion. It is designed to cater to the flesh. Inner gratification apart from Bible truth. The "ways" could be construed as the "many paths" Mysticism speaks of. Unfortunately the Bible says they all end in death.

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Mysticism says you can become a god from within. Notice Chardin says you are already naturally a "spiritual" being. God's word says we are dust...earthly.

James 3:15 sums up Mysticism in just a few words.

"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish."

A wonderful thing about God is that he created us with free will. The ability to reason and decide for ourselves. I want to make this perfectly clear. I have no animosity for, nor am I trying to belittle or even proselytize anyone who has decided to go down the path of Mysticism. Where the problem comes into conflict with evangelical Christianity is when the philosophy of Mysticism begins blurring the lines of sound, fundamental, biblical teachings.

As a matter of fact, I would strongly urge anyone who has explored Mysticism to check out what God's word says about life and death. I know that there are many who have trusted others with their spiritual well-being and have not explored Christianity's teachings. Trust the One that created you, rather than man's philosophy of Mysticism.

This incursion into the church has been subtle, as was the approach in the Garden. It has all the allure of wonderful fruit, and it is being delivered by silver tongues.

We will close by comparing what Chardin had to say about being created as spiritual beings, and see how that is just a back door approach to what the serpent said when answering Eve, "your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods".

Moving along in the series, we will look at Mysticism and how it has gained entrance. Not only has it's philosophy entered, but it's teachings are being welcomed with open arms.

Let me close the same way the Apostle Paul does in his Epistle to the Romans. 

"To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."  

My dear friend, if you have never received Christ as your Saviour, would you do so today? Pray this from your heart. 

Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you were buried and rose again the third day. I ask you now to forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and save me. Amen