All The World
2.24.2009
Something’s been bothering me lately - actually, for quite a long time. I hadn’t thought about blogging it, but after Evan’s blog, debunking some popular and sensational conspiracy theories, I thought I’d use the power of the pen. You may or may not agree with what you read hereafter - but that’s okay, ‘cause I know I’m right, haha!
In all seriousness, I truly believe there’s a danger of which many are ignorant, and I hope to shed some light on it.
Revelation 13 issues a very solemn warning: “And all the world marveled and followed the beast.” To contextualize a bit, Revelation 14 states that those who follow the beast “shall be tormented with fire and brimstone." The skeptic-father of a friend mockingly declared, “You’re going to be deceived, it says all the world, you’re in the world, aren’t you? You can’t escape the deception!”
As if that’s not sobering enough, Christ warns that there will be such great deceptions in the last days that, “if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Mt. 24:24) Add to this His somewhat cryptic, rhetorical question, “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Lk. 18:8) and it becomes clear that this is a serious matter.
In response to these warnings, some have seen it their particular responsibility to warn people of end-time deceptions, counterfeits, and things of this nature, working untiringly to uncover the true intentions of the papacy (the beast-power of Revelation 13), it’s works, and the perceived support system surrounding it (e.g. secret societies, paganism, rituals, etc.).
If one desired, one could go to an entire lecture-series primarily focused on the origin of certain fraternities, their roots in papism, and their perceived roles in modern politics. One could listen to quotes from leaders in these societies, politicians, religious leaders, even the pope himself, that betray the intents of the of the church and it’s co-conspirators. You can return, night after night, to learn about satanic symbols, secret rituals, connections with the occult, pagan traditions, its influences in pop culture, sacred rites performed by these organizations, and on, and on, and on...
Some of this information is true, some is merely fanciful surmisings. However, that’s not what concerns me. What concerns me is the overall obsession with this theme. It doesn't take a genius to realize that a multi-week series of meetings that follows the lineage of deception in Catholicism is a bit suspect. After all, didn’t Revelation 13 warn us about “following” the beast? Sound like a stretch? Keep reading.
Immediately after His warning about deception, Christ said “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” (Mt. 24:26). Notice He says not to even go look into it. There’s a danger in even pondering and holding company with deception.
Remember the story of the Garden of Eden; how Adam and Eve had the whole garden, full of God’s wonders and creations that testified of their creator? Perhaps that wasn’t exciting enough - perhaps it was a sincere mistake - either way, Eve wandered away to the vicinity of the garden with the tree inhabited by Satan. Did she think she was in any danger? No. In fact, it wasn’t until a short time after she’d eaten the fruit that she realized what she’d done. And all this could have been avoided had she simply not gone wandering around on the devil’s ground.
The threat is not only to those who are openly wondering after the beast. It is possible to become so obsessed with the study and unveiling of deception as to be to be unwittingly wondering along after the beast. All this begs the question, "How much is too much?"
Satan will use anything to distract the mind from God and heavenly themes, even the study of his own deceptions. If the primary theme of our study and interest is the deceptions of satan, then in a very real way, he has taken our attention from God, and we’ve begun following the beast. The Bible tells us that God “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness.” (1 Cor. 4:5) It’s not for us to search out Satan’s deceptions - the God has already revealed what we need to know in the scriptures. Would our time not be better spent searching out the “deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10)?
"The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions... None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict... Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God.” - The Great Controversy, p. 593-595
Wow. Conversation over, if that's not clear enough, I doubt any case would be found compelling. The scriptures are our only safeguard. The Bible lays out, with unmistakable clarity, the answers to every deception we’ll face - study the Bible, know the scriptures! Familiarity with deception is not a safeguard. It’s not through the study of counterfeits that banks verify bills - but through knowledge of the genuine. Knowledge of the scriptures is our only safeguard against deception.
“Oh, but it’s necessary for us to know these things to awaken the church and bring revival!”
This will never bring revival. True revival is a response to God’s goodness and this begins by beholding God, not the devil and his agencies (Isa. 6). Revival brought on by a cerebral awareness of spiritual danger leaves the heart untouched and unreconciled to God. This kind of revival, like Judas’ repentance, is motivated by fear of consequences and is insincere and insufficient (Judas was aware that consequences existed, as well should we, but they should not the motivation for revival).
In fact, there’s some very serious dangers in preaching extra-Biblical theories (I know some won’t approve of my use of that word, but forgive me, I don’t know what else to call them). The teaching of these theories bothers me more than their pursuit, because of the effect it has upon it’s audience(s). The dangers come on two fronts:
The Believing Audience:
Satan wages war upon the beautiful, simple truth of God by any means available. Always seeking to thrill the senses and enthrall the imagination, he strives at every turn to inhibit our ability to appreciate and contemplate God’s simple truths.
As if the sensationalism from 21st century pop-culture isn’t enough, we bring that same mentality into the pulpit by presenting mysterious secrets of organizations, and the obscure influences of occultism, exciting the senses and entertaining the imagination of the hearer. The result is that these people find the simple truths of God’s word dull and uninteresting in comparison with the scandal and mystery of the papal system. In a not-so-figurative sense, the beast has captured their wonder.
I have seen people who can scarcely defend their faith from the Bible, who are easily excited and become animated by the discussion of the papacy, secret societies, and conspiracy theories.
The second front is the Non-believing Audience, and the effect had here is, I believe, even worse:
For the skeptic, these teachings simply give grounds for disbelief and ridicule. Why risk turning someone away with extra-Biblical teaching, when they may have been compelled by the truth of God’s Word?
For the neutral hearer, it may be one of three things:
a) unbelievable, in which case they join the skeptics.
b) compelling, in which case they join the Believing Audience.
c) or maybe even offensive, which is worse than the position of the skeptic.
Consider the red heifer...
When I was about 9-years-old, I heard that a red heifer had recently been born and that this was the first red heifer in thousands(?) of years (I don’t remember exactly - but it was a long time). In the small Adventist circle we were in, this created quite a stir as it was believe to be a key part of Satan’s plan to deceive the Protestant world. It was expected that the heifer would be sacrificed soon, somehow uniting Protestants with Israel, commencing a world-wide ecumenical surge. Of course the Catholic church was in the middle of this somehow.
Now, here we are, 16 years later. The average life-span of a cow is 7-14 years (can you believe I actually looked that up...). But even if they really pampered Bessie, and she’s still alive, they missed their shot, because according to Leviticus 19, she’s supposed to be 3-years-old when they sacrifice her.
Now, do you suppose a teaching like this will build or shake the confidence of your hearer? It certainly didn’t build my confidence. And if this teaching is wrong, is it such a stretch to think perhaps other teachings of the Adventists are wrong too? Perhaps the papacy isn’t the antichrist. Maybe they were wrong about the identity of the lamb-like beast. And so we clumsily hang sound Biblical truths on a line made of extra-Biblical theories.
At this point, you may be wondering if I’m suggesting we quit preaching any form of apocalyptic message. God forbid! The Adventist movement exists only because of it’s apocalyptic message. The warning against receiving the mark of the beast is central to the 3-angels messages of Revelation 14. The identities of the beasts of Revelation 13 are undeniable. The world must know that a Holy God has begun the work of Judgment and that we’re in the midst of a war between good and evil - and if adventists don’t preach this, who will?
We simply need to devote our focus to the scriptures. Think of the dollar bill again. If your ability to avoid counterfeit bills is wrapped up in your intimate knowledge of counterfeits, one needs only make a counterfeit with which you’re unfamiliar in order to dupe you. But if you’re intimately familiar with the original, no number of counterfeits, no matter how carefully crafted, could fool you. Our safety isn’t found in being savvy of Satan’s work - but in being intimately connected to our Savior.
On whom is your focus? Do you spend more time seeking to know and understand the nature and character of a Holy God, or the Holy See?
What excites you? Are you passionate about the connection between faith, righteousness, and obedience, or would you prefer to study connections between Catholicism, secret societies, and government officials?
Where do you search for truth? Do you “search the scriptures daily,” or do you search internet forums and news articles daily?
Jesus said “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” That word ‘Sanctify’ in that passage can loosely be translated ‘prepare’. It’s God’s word that prepares us, sanctifies us, secures us. Extra-Biblical theories serve only to excite, distract, and jeopardize our minds.
Whatever your position, search your soul, question your motives and interests, and ask yourself, “Can Jesus say of me, as He said of His disciples, that, though in the world, ‘They are not of the world...’” (Jn. 17:16 & 17)? Because you can rest assured, all the world will follow the beast, whether they know it or not.
In all seriousness, I truly believe there’s a danger of which many are ignorant, and I hope to shed some light on it.
Revelation 13 issues a very solemn warning: “And all the world marveled and followed the beast.” To contextualize a bit, Revelation 14 states that those who follow the beast “shall be tormented with fire and brimstone." The skeptic-father of a friend mockingly declared, “You’re going to be deceived, it says all the world, you’re in the world, aren’t you? You can’t escape the deception!”
As if that’s not sobering enough, Christ warns that there will be such great deceptions in the last days that, “if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Mt. 24:24) Add to this His somewhat cryptic, rhetorical question, “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Lk. 18:8) and it becomes clear that this is a serious matter.
In response to these warnings, some have seen it their particular responsibility to warn people of end-time deceptions, counterfeits, and things of this nature, working untiringly to uncover the true intentions of the papacy (the beast-power of Revelation 13), it’s works, and the perceived support system surrounding it (e.g. secret societies, paganism, rituals, etc.).
If one desired, one could go to an entire lecture-series primarily focused on the origin of certain fraternities, their roots in papism, and their perceived roles in modern politics. One could listen to quotes from leaders in these societies, politicians, religious leaders, even the pope himself, that betray the intents of the of the church and it’s co-conspirators. You can return, night after night, to learn about satanic symbols, secret rituals, connections with the occult, pagan traditions, its influences in pop culture, sacred rites performed by these organizations, and on, and on, and on...
Some of this information is true, some is merely fanciful surmisings. However, that’s not what concerns me. What concerns me is the overall obsession with this theme. It doesn't take a genius to realize that a multi-week series of meetings that follows the lineage of deception in Catholicism is a bit suspect. After all, didn’t Revelation 13 warn us about “following” the beast? Sound like a stretch? Keep reading.
Immediately after His warning about deception, Christ said “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” (Mt. 24:26). Notice He says not to even go look into it. There’s a danger in even pondering and holding company with deception.
Remember the story of the Garden of Eden; how Adam and Eve had the whole garden, full of God’s wonders and creations that testified of their creator? Perhaps that wasn’t exciting enough - perhaps it was a sincere mistake - either way, Eve wandered away to the vicinity of the garden with the tree inhabited by Satan. Did she think she was in any danger? No. In fact, it wasn’t until a short time after she’d eaten the fruit that she realized what she’d done. And all this could have been avoided had she simply not gone wandering around on the devil’s ground.
The threat is not only to those who are openly wondering after the beast. It is possible to become so obsessed with the study and unveiling of deception as to be to be unwittingly wondering along after the beast. All this begs the question, "How much is too much?"
Satan will use anything to distract the mind from God and heavenly themes, even the study of his own deceptions. If the primary theme of our study and interest is the deceptions of satan, then in a very real way, he has taken our attention from God, and we’ve begun following the beast. The Bible tells us that God “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness.” (1 Cor. 4:5) It’s not for us to search out Satan’s deceptions - the God has already revealed what we need to know in the scriptures. Would our time not be better spent searching out the “deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10)?
"The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions... None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict... Satan is constantly endeavoring to attract attention to man in the place of God.” - The Great Controversy, p. 593-595
Wow. Conversation over, if that's not clear enough, I doubt any case would be found compelling. The scriptures are our only safeguard. The Bible lays out, with unmistakable clarity, the answers to every deception we’ll face - study the Bible, know the scriptures! Familiarity with deception is not a safeguard. It’s not through the study of counterfeits that banks verify bills - but through knowledge of the genuine. Knowledge of the scriptures is our only safeguard against deception.
“Oh, but it’s necessary for us to know these things to awaken the church and bring revival!”
This will never bring revival. True revival is a response to God’s goodness and this begins by beholding God, not the devil and his agencies (Isa. 6). Revival brought on by a cerebral awareness of spiritual danger leaves the heart untouched and unreconciled to God. This kind of revival, like Judas’ repentance, is motivated by fear of consequences and is insincere and insufficient (Judas was aware that consequences existed, as well should we, but they should not the motivation for revival).
In fact, there’s some very serious dangers in preaching extra-Biblical theories (I know some won’t approve of my use of that word, but forgive me, I don’t know what else to call them). The teaching of these theories bothers me more than their pursuit, because of the effect it has upon it’s audience(s). The dangers come on two fronts:
The Believing Audience:
Satan wages war upon the beautiful, simple truth of God by any means available. Always seeking to thrill the senses and enthrall the imagination, he strives at every turn to inhibit our ability to appreciate and contemplate God’s simple truths.
As if the sensationalism from 21st century pop-culture isn’t enough, we bring that same mentality into the pulpit by presenting mysterious secrets of organizations, and the obscure influences of occultism, exciting the senses and entertaining the imagination of the hearer. The result is that these people find the simple truths of God’s word dull and uninteresting in comparison with the scandal and mystery of the papal system. In a not-so-figurative sense, the beast has captured their wonder.
I have seen people who can scarcely defend their faith from the Bible, who are easily excited and become animated by the discussion of the papacy, secret societies, and conspiracy theories.
The second front is the Non-believing Audience, and the effect had here is, I believe, even worse:
For the skeptic, these teachings simply give grounds for disbelief and ridicule. Why risk turning someone away with extra-Biblical teaching, when they may have been compelled by the truth of God’s Word?
For the neutral hearer, it may be one of three things:
a) unbelievable, in which case they join the skeptics.
b) compelling, in which case they join the Believing Audience.
c) or maybe even offensive, which is worse than the position of the skeptic.
Consider the red heifer...
When I was about 9-years-old, I heard that a red heifer had recently been born and that this was the first red heifer in thousands(?) of years (I don’t remember exactly - but it was a long time). In the small Adventist circle we were in, this created quite a stir as it was believe to be a key part of Satan’s plan to deceive the Protestant world. It was expected that the heifer would be sacrificed soon, somehow uniting Protestants with Israel, commencing a world-wide ecumenical surge. Of course the Catholic church was in the middle of this somehow.
Now, here we are, 16 years later. The average life-span of a cow is 7-14 years (can you believe I actually looked that up...). But even if they really pampered Bessie, and she’s still alive, they missed their shot, because according to Leviticus 19, she’s supposed to be 3-years-old when they sacrifice her.
Now, do you suppose a teaching like this will build or shake the confidence of your hearer? It certainly didn’t build my confidence. And if this teaching is wrong, is it such a stretch to think perhaps other teachings of the Adventists are wrong too? Perhaps the papacy isn’t the antichrist. Maybe they were wrong about the identity of the lamb-like beast. And so we clumsily hang sound Biblical truths on a line made of extra-Biblical theories.
At this point, you may be wondering if I’m suggesting we quit preaching any form of apocalyptic message. God forbid! The Adventist movement exists only because of it’s apocalyptic message. The warning against receiving the mark of the beast is central to the 3-angels messages of Revelation 14. The identities of the beasts of Revelation 13 are undeniable. The world must know that a Holy God has begun the work of Judgment and that we’re in the midst of a war between good and evil - and if adventists don’t preach this, who will?
We simply need to devote our focus to the scriptures. Think of the dollar bill again. If your ability to avoid counterfeit bills is wrapped up in your intimate knowledge of counterfeits, one needs only make a counterfeit with which you’re unfamiliar in order to dupe you. But if you’re intimately familiar with the original, no number of counterfeits, no matter how carefully crafted, could fool you. Our safety isn’t found in being savvy of Satan’s work - but in being intimately connected to our Savior.
On whom is your focus? Do you spend more time seeking to know and understand the nature and character of a Holy God, or the Holy See?
What excites you? Are you passionate about the connection between faith, righteousness, and obedience, or would you prefer to study connections between Catholicism, secret societies, and government officials?
Where do you search for truth? Do you “search the scriptures daily,” or do you search internet forums and news articles daily?
Jesus said “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” That word ‘Sanctify’ in that passage can loosely be translated ‘prepare’. It’s God’s word that prepares us, sanctifies us, secures us. Extra-Biblical theories serve only to excite, distract, and jeopardize our minds.
Whatever your position, search your soul, question your motives and interests, and ask yourself, “Can Jesus say of me, as He said of His disciples, that, though in the world, ‘They are not of the world...’” (Jn. 17:16 & 17)? Because you can rest assured, all the world will follow the beast, whether they know it or not.
all the world
2.23.2009
Something’s been bothering me lately - actually, for a really long time. I didn’t really consider it blog material, but after Evan’s post about some popular misnomers (worth reading, by the way... Evan’s blog I mean, not the misnomers...), I started toying with the idea. You may or may not agree with what I say, but hear me out. I simply can’t stay silent any more, so here goes...
Revelation 13 contains a very solemn warning by saying that “...all the world wondered after the beast.” The skeptic-father of a friend mockingly declared, “You’re going to be deceived, it says all the world, you’re in the world, aren’t you? You can’t escape the deception!”
As if that’s not sobering enough, Christ warns that there will be such great deceptions in the last days that, “if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Mt. 24:24) Add to this His somewhat cryptic rhetorical question, “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth,” (Lk. 18:8) and one really begin to wonder what our odds are.
In response to these warnings, some have taken upon themselves a particular responsibility for warning people of end-time deceptions, counterfeits, and things of this nature, working untiringly to uncover the true intentions of the papacy (the beast-power of Revelation 13), it’s works, and the supposed support system surrounding it (e.g. secret societies, rites, ceremonies, etc.).
If you so desired, you could go to an entire series primarily focused on the origin of certain fraternities, their roots in papism, and their perceived roles in modern politics. You could listen to quotes from leaders in these societies, politicians, religious leaders, even the pope himself, that betray the seditious intents of the of the church and it’s co-conspirators. You can return, night after night, to hear about satanic symbols, secret rituals, connections with the occult, pagan traditions, influences in pop culture, sacred rites performed by these organizations, and on, and on, and on...
Now I have a problem with all this. Didn’t Revelation 13 warn us about wondering after the beast? If you look up that word ‘wonder’, it basically means to marvel at or behold. Immediately after His warning about deception, Christ said “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” (Mt. 24:26). Why? Because there’s a danger in seeking out and dwelling on deceptions.
The threat is not only to those who are openly wandering after the beast. It is possible to become so obsessed with the study and unveiling of deception as to be to be unwittingly wondering along after the beast.
Satan will use anything to distract the mind from God and heavenly themes, even the study of his own deceptions. If the primary theme of our study and interest is the deceptions of satan, then in a very real way, he has taken our attention from God, and we’ve turned our. The Bible tells us that God “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness.” (1 Cor. 4:5) It’s not for us to search out Satan’s deceptions. Would our time not be better spent searching out the “deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10)?
“Oh, but it’s necessary for us to know these things to awaken the church and bring revival!”
This will never bring revival! True revival is a response to God’s goodness and this begins by beholding God, not the devil and his agencies (Isa. 6). Revival brought on by a cerebral awareness of spiritual danger leaves the heart untouched and unreconciled to God. This kind of revival, like Judas’ repentance, is motivated by fear of consequences and is insincere and insufficient.
II. Creating a culture
The thing that bothers me more than this pursuit of the latest deception, is the effect it has upon it’s audience.
Satan wages war upon the beautiful, simple truth of God by any means available. Always seeking to thrill the senses and enthrall the imagination, he strives at every turn to inhibit our ability to appreciate and contemplate God’s simple truths.
As if the sensationalism from 21st century pop-culture isn’t enough, we bring that same mentality into the pulpit by presenting mysterious secrets of organizations, and the obscure influences of occultism, exciting the senses and entertaining the imagination of the hearer. The result is that these people find the simple truths of God’s word dull and uninteresting in comparison with the scandal and mystery of the papal system. In essence, the beast has captured their wonder.
I have seen people who can scarcely defend their faith from the Bible, who are easily excited and become animated by the discussion of the papacy, secret societies, and conspiracy theories.
“Okay, so how then can we safely identify Satan’s deceptions?”
Quite simply, return to the Scriptures. Think of a dollar bill. If your ability to avoid counterfeit bills is wrapped up in your intimate knowledge of counterfeits, one needs only make a counterfeit with which you’re unfamiliar in order to dupe you. But if you’re intimately familiar with the original, no number of counterfeits, no matter how carefully crafted could fool you. Our safety isn’t found in being savvy of Satan’s work - but in being intimately connected to our Savior.
Rest assured, all the world will wander after the beast. But though we be in the world, we need not be of the world.
Revelation 13 contains a very solemn warning by saying that “...all the world wondered after the beast.” The skeptic-father of a friend mockingly declared, “You’re going to be deceived, it says all the world, you’re in the world, aren’t you? You can’t escape the deception!”
As if that’s not sobering enough, Christ warns that there will be such great deceptions in the last days that, “if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Mt. 24:24) Add to this His somewhat cryptic rhetorical question, “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth,” (Lk. 18:8) and one really begin to wonder what our odds are.
In response to these warnings, some have taken upon themselves a particular responsibility for warning people of end-time deceptions, counterfeits, and things of this nature, working untiringly to uncover the true intentions of the papacy (the beast-power of Revelation 13), it’s works, and the supposed support system surrounding it (e.g. secret societies, rites, ceremonies, etc.).
If you so desired, you could go to an entire series primarily focused on the origin of certain fraternities, their roots in papism, and their perceived roles in modern politics. You could listen to quotes from leaders in these societies, politicians, religious leaders, even the pope himself, that betray the seditious intents of the of the church and it’s co-conspirators. You can return, night after night, to hear about satanic symbols, secret rituals, connections with the occult, pagan traditions, influences in pop culture, sacred rites performed by these organizations, and on, and on, and on...
Now I have a problem with all this. Didn’t Revelation 13 warn us about wondering after the beast? If you look up that word ‘wonder’, it basically means to marvel at or behold. Immediately after His warning about deception, Christ said “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” (Mt. 24:26). Why? Because there’s a danger in seeking out and dwelling on deceptions.
The threat is not only to those who are openly wandering after the beast. It is possible to become so obsessed with the study and unveiling of deception as to be to be unwittingly wondering along after the beast.
Satan will use anything to distract the mind from God and heavenly themes, even the study of his own deceptions. If the primary theme of our study and interest is the deceptions of satan, then in a very real way, he has taken our attention from God, and we’ve turned our. The Bible tells us that God “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness.” (1 Cor. 4:5) It’s not for us to search out Satan’s deceptions. Would our time not be better spent searching out the “deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10)?
“Oh, but it’s necessary for us to know these things to awaken the church and bring revival!”
This will never bring revival! True revival is a response to God’s goodness and this begins by beholding God, not the devil and his agencies (Isa. 6). Revival brought on by a cerebral awareness of spiritual danger leaves the heart untouched and unreconciled to God. This kind of revival, like Judas’ repentance, is motivated by fear of consequences and is insincere and insufficient.
II. Creating a culture
The thing that bothers me more than this pursuit of the latest deception, is the effect it has upon it’s audience.
Satan wages war upon the beautiful, simple truth of God by any means available. Always seeking to thrill the senses and enthrall the imagination, he strives at every turn to inhibit our ability to appreciate and contemplate God’s simple truths.
As if the sensationalism from 21st century pop-culture isn’t enough, we bring that same mentality into the pulpit by presenting mysterious secrets of organizations, and the obscure influences of occultism, exciting the senses and entertaining the imagination of the hearer. The result is that these people find the simple truths of God’s word dull and uninteresting in comparison with the scandal and mystery of the papal system. In essence, the beast has captured their wonder.
I have seen people who can scarcely defend their faith from the Bible, who are easily excited and become animated by the discussion of the papacy, secret societies, and conspiracy theories.
“Okay, so how then can we safely identify Satan’s deceptions?”
Quite simply, return to the Scriptures. Think of a dollar bill. If your ability to avoid counterfeit bills is wrapped up in your intimate knowledge of counterfeits, one needs only make a counterfeit with which you’re unfamiliar in order to dupe you. But if you’re intimately familiar with the original, no number of counterfeits, no matter how carefully crafted could fool you. Our safety isn’t found in being savvy of Satan’s work - but in being intimately connected to our Savior.
Rest assured, all the world will wander after the beast. But though we be in the world, we need not be of the world.
blah blah blog
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At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga.
Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat facere possimus, omnis voluptas assumenda est, omnis dolor repellendus.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga.
another test
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat facere possimus, omnis voluptas assumenda est, omnis dolor repellendus.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga.
Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat facere possimus, omnis voluptas assumenda est, omnis dolor repellendus.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga.
just one more - or two or three
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat facere possimus, omnis voluptas assumenda est, omnis dolor repellendus.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga.
Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat facere possimus, omnis voluptas assumenda est, omnis dolor repellendus.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga.
