Diabolical Doctrines

Diabolical Doctrines: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

27) Democracy is Christian and\or Godly

28) Family unity is a hallmark of true Christianity

29) Spouses are equal in marriage

30) All marriages are of God

31) "The Lord's Supper"

32) Jewish worship practices and traditions are important to keep

33) The dead in Christ are unconscious

34) The wicked are annihilated

35) Satan was once a good being

36) Immortality of the soul

37) The King James Version is the perfect Word of God

38) It is OK to use or display religious images, icons, and likenesses

39) Some are predestinated to burn in hell forever

40) One cannot see God's face and live

27) Democracy is Christian and\or Godly

Is it? Is it right that the ruled rule the ruler? What must the ruler then do? Simply rule as the ruled rule him to rule?

Again, we have misapplied truth here which is deceptive. Democracy is often almost synonymous with Christianity in the minds of many. Take the religious political right in the United States, for example. The truth is, democracy is a heathen form of government, not Christian at all. The Babylonian empire was heathen as were the Persian, Greek and Roman. Communism, socialism and all other forms of government other than theocracy are carnal, of men and of men's wisdom. Yet these are all under the sovereignty of and by the will of God just as God made Nebuchadnezzar the head of gold. Daniel said that God had given him a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. It is by God's determination that all kingdoms and nations exist or cease to do so. Today we live in the days of the feet and toes of clay and iron...strength and weakness, the two unable to adhere by nature, destined to crumble under the power of God as recorded in Daniel chapter 2. These are the democracies, the western nations which effectively rule the world at present.

Think of it! Ought the sheep to rule? Is that not the case in a democracy? The people elect whom they will. The government is representative of and a product of the people.

In communism, the wolf rules; in democracy, the sheep rule; in theocracy, the Shepherd rules. Which would you choose? Mankind has been given full opportunity to do things its way, independent of God, to learn folly and its consequence. Man has run out of ways and means and now is the time of the kingdom of kingdoms to be established and that, forever. Hallelujah! We will have the Shepherd call the shots and any competitors or gainsayers will no longer be able to gain the ascendancy. Their thrones will be taken away forever and the throne of righteousness upon which the King of Righteousness sits will be established forever because He reigns supreme. Then will be learned the value of living according to God's laws; then will be learned the value of submitting to God's authority; then will there be the beating of swords into plowshares; true peace without paper treaties will prevail; tears will be wiped away; doors will remain unlocked at night; insurance will be unnecessary; lawyers will not prosper at the expense of the victims; justice will be the norm and the wicked will be entirely rooted out for good. What a wonderful day is upon us...a day of theocracy wherein God rules, and men live in harmony with Him and with one another. A nightmare turned into a dream come true! Glory! Hallelujah!

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE TO THIS DOCTRINE: VOTE FOR GOD, NOT MAN; ACKNOWLEDGE THE RIGHT OF THE SHEPHERD AND NOT THE SHEEP TO REIGN OVER ALL.

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28) Family unity is a hallmark of true Christianity

"Anything that divides is not of God" the saying goes. But "Where does that saying come from?" is the question. Does it come from God, or does it come from the realm of darkness? I shall tell you that it comes from darkness, from Satan himself who savors the things that are of men and not of God.

We all want peace and unity...the whole world wants it. The problem is that the world would have it on its terms. Families desire unity. But can there be lasting and meaningful unity without truth and the Law of God established as the foundation in the hearts of all those concerned?

There is a church organization which strongly promotes family unity as though it were of prime importance. Actually, many church organizations try to work at it, but to no avail in terms of pleasing and obeying God. While the flesh seeks to be comforted, pampered and assured, the Kingdom of God comes to notify all flesh that unity for unity's sake and peace for peace' sake will not last, will not suffice, will not please God one whit.

There is not one testimony in Scripture which promotes family unity. Jesus Christ said: "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be those of his own household. He (or she) who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it (Matthew 10:34-39).

Can it be any plainer than that? The fact is that when Truth is introduced into the midst of any group of people, it is because the Lord Who is the Truth has visited. That group has had a visitation of the Lord. Truth comes only from Him for He alone IS the Truth.

We are not talking doctrine here. Many mistake doctrine for truth. The Pharisees had their doctrine, much of which was true. They believed in the resurrection, for example. Yet Jesus denounced them as a brood of vipers, hypocrites, whited sepulchres. Of many Jews, those claiming to be God's chosen, including Pharisees, Jesus said that they were children of their father the devil, liars and murderers (John 8:13-59). Therefore right doctrine is not "The Truth." It may be A truth but it is not THE Truth.

And the Pharisees had unity. How else could they have agreed with themselves as Pharisees, members in common of a sect? They were, as are many groups, a family of sorts.

Now when the Lord enters the scene, He enters to call one to repentance, the first step to worship, fellowship with, and service to Him. Rarely, though not unheard of, do all people pertaining to that call hear the call. Usually or often it is only one who comes out. And though many are called, few are chosen.

Yes, we could, and do often, if not always, wish that all could and would come at once. However, where then would be the test of the quality of obedience? Where would be the proof of sincerity? Where would be the forsaking of all things for the Lord? As Jesus said, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple...So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:25-33).

In the Scriptures there are indeed examples of household salvation. In Acts 10, we have the household of Cornelius believing. In Acts 16, we have the jailer's household believing. Paul makes reference to having baptized the "household" of Stephanas. However, this is not the norm. Jesus Himself was divided from His own household. It says that "even His brothers did not believe Him" (John 7:5).

When the Lord lays His hand on someone, it is to call that one out of an earthly family and into a heavenly one, from a carnal one to a spiritual one. He is calling one home. He is demonstrating to the world that this world and its welfare are not what it is all about, that the perishable is not where it is at, that man shall not live by bread alone, that we are destined for higher things.

Once His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. and a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You." But Jesus answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! for whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother" (Mark 3:31-35).

James and John, when called, while mending their fishing nets with their father, immediately left the boat and their father, and followed Jesus. How did the father feel? There he was, suddenly without sons to help him. Now that is not a problem as long as the father is in agreement. But what if the parents are not? Therein lies the conflict and sorrow. Therein comes the division. We do have record of the mother of James and John coming to Jesus asking that her sons would be granted to sit on His left and right hand in His Kingdom (Mt. 20:20,21). She believed. Thus she was not in opposition and likely neither was her husband.

And what could have been more reasonable than to earn one's keep and help the parents dutifully? There was a man whom the Lord had bid to follow Him. The man replied, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." What could be more proper and necessary and noble than to take care of one's parents in the most serious of circumstances in this world? Are we not commanded by the Lord Himself to honor father and mother? But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their dead" (Mt. 8:21,22). Sounds rather cold-hearted, does it not? Yes, we ARE to honor father and mother, as much as we are able, but, friend, when the time comes that the Lord calls you to express fellowship with Him, His call is the priority, quite above His general commandment.

Not that He calls you to break the Law. God forbid. Yet sometimes, in testing one's obedience, it will certainly appear to be so. Take, for example, when Abraham was called upon by the Lord to sacrifice his son, Isaac, his promised son. This act was typical of what the heathen idolaters practised..."passing their sons through the fire"...sacrificing their children. In Genesis 9:6, it says, "Whosoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." But Abraham knew he had to do it and obeyed. Nevertheless, his son was spared. So with parents, wives, children, siblings, friends... There will come a time when they too will be spared. They will know that their loved one was called and was faithful to that call. It may not be in this life that they know so, but know it they will.

But what if the called-out one fails to come out, responding instead to the pleadings of the loved and loving ones? Such is a disaster, a tragedy in all certainty. One of the reasons one is called out is because that one is called upon to be a sacrificial lamb on behalf of the rest of the family. Their salvation may well be impacted by the response and obedience or lack thereof of the one called. In trying to spare the family, the family perishes instead, as well as the one who declined the call. Yes, the grip of the flesh is formidable, the power of family blood and bond awesome, but where sin abounds, grace abounds more. Where the power of family blood is great, the power of the blood of Jesus is greater. Where the earthly father tugs at one's heart strings, the Heavenly Father purposes to create a new heart. That is part of the calling out.

There was the case of Joseph. Now if family togetherness in this world was so important, how is it that God used family division and strife to separate Joseph from his brothers and father for many years? How is it that while they meant it for evil, God meant it for good? How is it that the father did not even have the privilege, the partial assurance of knowing that his son was alive at least? How is it that he was allowed to mourn to the death over his son's alleged death when his beloved son was yet alive? But God does these things and no man can understand. Neither does the Creator answer to His creature, nor can any creature prevent Him. And was it not for good that Joseph was taken captive into Egypt? Not only was a family saved, but formed into a nation!

Let's take that a little further. Once that family was formed into a nation and cried out in pain because of the bondage, there was a child severed from his family, destined for that day when the Lord would deliver Israel. When forty, Moses had to flee Egypt for his life, leaving his family behind for 40 years, some of which he would never see in this life again, likely parents. Did they grieve? If alive at the time, surely. Did Moses not grieve? Only if he was hard of heart. Was there sorrow in parting? Of course! But these are God's ways and who shall argue with Him?

These things are impossible to accept by the flesh. The flesh is called to be denied, to be crucified, to be forsaken. That is why it is not easy, not easy at all. The flesh will fight with all the power it can muster. It will compromise, plead, reason, weep, threaten, promise, "love" (more on that ahead), do anything to preserve itself and loved ones. The last thing it will accept is death, in whatever form such may come. But The Resurrection power is greater and will prevail. While the spirit is willing and the flesh is weak, where sin abounds, by the grace of God, the impossible happens and the called-out one becomes faithful to the call. The called out one becomes chosen of God. Now on to faithfulness.

Can anything more wonderful happen to any creature of God, can more wonderful words be heard from anyone than to hear the Lord finally say, "Well done, called, chosen AND FAITHFUL one! Enter into the joy of the Father?" Can there be anything better than to have the pleasure and approval of the Heavenly Father? What a rhetorical question!

Yes, the price is great, but it pales in comparison to the reward that is waiting for that faithful one who takes up the cross. As Paul said, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Consider the sufferings Paul endured. Not only did he have to walk away from family and friends, but he had to endure great hardships for his Lord, as the Lord forewarned or promised him by Ananias, saying, "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My Name's sake" (Acts 9:16).

When the Lord called me out from family, causing division between me and family as He declared by Matthew in chapter 10, I must tell you that it was a bloody battle, and very painful. Many a tear was shed on both sides of the sword. But today, I can thankfully say that it was far more than worth the cost. I am so thankful that the Lord Jesus did not give up on me when I faltered and failed. I am so thankful that it was not up to me to gain the victory, but He was faithful. He is faithful now. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will make your calling good even when you don't believe. As it says, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." But before that, Paul also says, "If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us." It is indeed a death to forsake loved ones, family. However, "...if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him" (I Tim. 2:11-13).

Family unity, a Christian virtue, or hallmark, or mark of godliness? Not necessarily, and certainly not in and of itself, as many naming the Name of Christ believe. But if there is a call to walk with God and separate oneself unto Him, family unity will be not a virtue but a vice. To preserve family ties and favors over God is idolatry.

Finally, the battle complicates when those needed to be forsaken claim to love God themselves, and to believe in and serve Him. Surely Saul of Tarsus had that very same battle. His family most likely provided him with that great education he was so privileged to have, even to study under the famous Gamaliel. And now he would "throw it all away for some cult?!" (You can believe that Jesus and His followers were known as a cult. A cult is that which does not conform to the establishment, good or bad). Those who truly follow the Lord Jesus must necessarily bear His reproach "without the city." Jesus said that if the world hated Him, it would also hate those who followed Him. Paul declared that he had counted all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord.

And your family will implore you to heed them because they love you. And truly, they do. This is that "love" I spoke of earlier. As genuine and sincere as it may be, it is not the agape love, that ultimate spiritual love of which they speak. It is a parental love, a protective, even self-sacrificing "eros" love which even unbelievers have for their own ("Do not even tax collectors love..." - Mt.5:46?). Even she-bears have a love for their cubs, and female cats for their kittens. It is a "phileo" brotherly, affectionate love which mankind has for one another. But the agape love comes from God the Father and Him only. He IS that Agape Love. For the Love of God, we must heed the call away from family, and be prepared to be alone.

The father of our faith, Abraham, was called alone. As it says, "Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him" (Isaiah 51:2). The Lord had first appeared to him saying, "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you...and in you ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED" (Gen. 12:1-3).

And was Abraham's family "heathen?" It is widely reported among Bible-preaching circles that Abraham's family were idolaters, believing in many gods, that God separated him from them for that reason, calling him to worship the One True God. But did not Abraham seek a wife for Isaac from his own family? Did he not strictly warn his servant to be sure that Isaac married out of those from whom he had come out (Genesis 24)? (There are many such speculations and imaginations floating around, and that from pulpits of supposed spiritual leaders, without examination nor consideration). Why would Abraham risk or desire Isaac's contact with pagan worshipers? No, even Isaac's son, Jacob was sent to receive a wife from Abraham's family (Gen. 28:1-7) He came to receive two wives in fact...Rachel and Leah, and two concubines, all from whom would come the twelve tribes of Israel. Who can understand the ways of God?

If family unity were such an issue, how is it that Abraham had to cast out his own firstborn son, Ishmael, with Hagar his mother? Yes, we know the significance of that event, with hindsight and revelation from God through the apostle Paul. But consider that it WAS FAMILY, and God worked His will at the cost of family.

If family unity were so important, how is it that God divided Jacob and Esau when yet in the womb, appointing them to conflict in the future (Gen. 5:22-26; Romans 9:10-14)?

When it came time for Jacob to be delivered the blessing, as predetermined by God, how is it that Rebekah, Isaac's wife and Jacob's mother, moved Jacob to lie to and deceive his own father? How is it that in so doing, Esau would then seek his brother's life, and Jacob would have to flee his family? If family unity were so important, why did God, in His wisdom and omnipotence, do things that way, apparently coming against the very principle and fabric of family unity?

Are not these things for "family unitarians" to consider?

If family unity were an issue, how is it that Gideon came into conflict with his father when the call of God came on him? The conflict was so sharp, Gideon's life was on the line (Judges 6:25-32). Consider that God could have appointed someone other than a man's own son to tear down his father's altar of Baal. He could have done it any number of ways. But He didn't. Was Gideon tried? Did the Lord try him to see if he would forsake his father? He certainly did have to do so.

Family unity on earth is not what it is all about. Peter and the apostles declared that they had forsaken all for Christ, including wives and children. Family unity in Heaven on earth is what it is all about. Obedience to God, walking with Him, not in religion but in reality, in spirit and in truth is what it is all about. It is not about having and treasuring even those good, God-given gifts, but it is about worshiping God, loving Him with all the heart, and soul, and mind and strength.

And God is faithful; He is a generous rewarder. Consider that He did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all. "How shall He not with Him also freely give us all things" (Romans 8:32,33)? asked Paul.

What did Jesus say to the disciples who declared they had forsaken all and asked what they would receive? "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. And EVERYONE who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My Name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:27-30).

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE: REMAIN FAITHFUL TO YOUR EARTHLY FAMILY, ABOVE GOD, WHICH IS AS BUT A WISP OF SMOKE IN DURATION, OR GAIN THE FULFILMENT AND GLORY OF THE FAMILY IN HEAVEN. YOU CANNOT HAVE BOTH.

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29) Spouses are equal in marriage

"My wife and I have an equal partnership. We consult each other on everything of any importance. I do nothing without her nor she without me. If we aren't in agreement on something, we leave it. We are one flesh as the Lord said we should be. I don't tell her what to do and she doesn't tell me what to do. We work as a team. I don't believe in domination, like, I'm the boss, your head; you do as I say; submit.' We have a great relationship, don't we dear?"

To some ears, or many it seems, that approach may sound judicious, respectable, noble, godly, wonderful. So let us quote the Bible somewhat and see if we can accommodate those who speak such words:

"And the Lord God said, It is not good that the woman should be alone; I will make her a helper suitable for her" (Gen. 2:18).

"And Eve said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: he shall be called Man, because he was taken out of woman..." (Gen. 2:23)

"Wives, love your husbands, even as the church also loved Christ, and gave itself for Him...or perhaps, may I suggest, work as a team..." (Eph. 5:25)

"Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto an equal vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life " (I Peter 1:7).

"Wives, you need not submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Not any longer. It is a new day. You ought to submit to each other as a team. It is far better to be an equal partnership. However, if any should desire to submit, take turns...as unto the Lord." (Eph. 5:22).

"For after this manner in the old time the holy women also who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in equal partnership with their husbands: Even as Sara and Abraham called each other lord... Likewise, you husbands, be in perfect equality to your own wives; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the harmony and equal standing with each other" (I Peter 3:1).

"Let BOTH men and women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto men to speak if the women cannot. For neither are commanded to be under obedience, as the Law no longer applies. Let all things be done with just balance. However, if one wishes to speak, let all speak, that there may be fairness and equity in the house of God...better to have confusion than inequality. And if they will learn anything, let wives ask their husbands and husbands ask their wives at home: for it is a shame for women to not be allowed to speak in the church if men are permitted to do so. What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it unto you only?" (I Cor. 14:34-36).

Why the sudden dead silence? Or is it an uproar?

"Wives, you need not submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is not fit in the Lord, unless, of course, your husbands also submit unto you...equal partnership or nothing...that is now the way it is...children, follow the example of your mother and father...you needn't submit any more than do your mothers; thus you will know how to conduct yourselves when you marry one fine day. Unless, newer changes come yet again (Col. 3:18-20)...and oh, servants, equality also applies to you as with husbands and wives; you need not obey in all things your masters unless they treat you as masters too, and let it be with eyeservice, as menpleasers; with duality of heart, fearing God..." (verse 22).

"Let the man learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a man to teach, nor to usurp authority over the woman, but to be in silence. For Eve was first formed, then Adam. And Eve was not deceived, but the man being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding he shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and equality, as partners...arm in arm" (I Tim. 2:11-15).

"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is no longer Christ (they are equal); and the head of the woman is no longer the man (they are partners); and the head of Christ is no longer God, but all are in equality, partners" (I Cor. 11:3).

How about equality in all things:

"Does not even nature itself teach you, that, if a woman has long hair, it is a shame unto her? But if a man has long hair, it is a glory to him: for his hair is given him for a covering! However, if both have the same length of hair, then all is fair and good indeed. If you are to BE equal, you ought to LOOK equal" (I Cor. 11: 14,15).

"A virtuous man is a crown to his wife: but he that makes ashamed is as rottenness in her bones" (Pr. 12:4).

Now let's see: Were these verses written recently, or were they written nearly two millennia ago or more? If then, have they since changed, and if so, when did they change, and by whose authority? And if the purpose and meaning of verses concerning marital relationships have changed with the times, pray tell what other verses? What else can we now cast off? What indeed are we left with that we can confidently believe?

"Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us" the heathen piously proclaim, and the people imagine a pious and noble thing" (Psalm 2:1-3).

Ah, yes, this is indeed the Day of Liberty! Do you know why there are "equal partnerships" now proudly declared by husbands and wives? Because there are none! That's right, there are none. Wives rule. Women have usurped the authority over men and in some cases have subtly made men to feel and think that they (the men), have equality. (Please read The Man-Woman Dynamic and Diabolical Doctrine 25) "Women are ordained or called as ministers of God, in spiritual authority over men.") Men, for their part, have willingly abdicated their responsibility for faith and obedience to God by submitting to their wives, who have been deceived by the serpent from the day of Eve down to this present day. Believe it. Men have used their wives as an excuse for disobeying God from the day of Adam who said (and does say to this present day), "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat" (Gen. 3:12). Men do not believe, and therefore follow their wives.

"Well, you'll have to talk to the wife, the better half;' she's the boss, you know!" How often have we heard that said in wry humor, but as truthfully as anything can ever be said.

"I'm a good husband...I do as I'm told!" More truthful humor.

"You can tell she wears the pants in the family!" The truth be told, often it is not so obvious, but no less true.

"Sorry, I think it's a really good product, and I'm sure that it would help us a lot, and I'm all for it, but my wife says no.' Maybe some other time, okay?" Spoken out of earshot of the wife, of course.

"Well, I disagree with you, Victor; my wife lets me be the head of the family, don't you, dear?"

Why are men dying at an earlier age than women? I think it is because they have disobeyed God and heeded the serpent by their wives instead. (It was not that way at the beginning of the history of man but corruption has progressed to this day.) Satan became the prince of this world by seducing the wife who then, along with her husband, became as God, knowing good and evil, which the serpent promised would happen. God also confirmed that such had happened (Genesis 3:5, 22).

Dear seeker, the serpent speaks truth too. The problem is not what he says so much as why. And, man, do you think that the wife speaks good? Of course, she does! The Tree of Knowledge is of good as well as evil. But do you know the difference? Not if you are "in equality with your wife," you don't. I didn't. And wife, do you "mean well"? Of course, you do. And the road to Hell is paved with good intentions! Both of you must repent, take your rightful places, and obey God, not Satan.

Now, I'm speaking so-called Christian marriages, people. It is the women who decide all the important matters, matters which concern them particularly. I know. I've been there and was there for twenty-two plus years and did not know it until the Lord took me aside for three and one half years and revealed it to me. What a shock! And all those years I had the silly notion that I was head of the house! In "theor-ology" only! There, I've created a new English word, possibly.

(Why did I not use the word, "theory?" Because this is not merely a "secular" issue. In the Christian, Biblical context of life, (that which we call "theology"), we believe that husbands are supposed to be the head and we believe, therefore, that it IS that way if we ARE Christians. And we work to make it appear as it should be! But it really isn't that way at all! We deceive ourselves. Look around you and truthfully, soberly consider: What marriage can you honestly point to wherein the man is the true head of the house? Be honest and consider all. I know of no such marriage. Nor does anyone with whom I have discussed this topic).

Oh, yes, my wife did the cooking; she did the cleaning, general housework, grocery shopping; we had sex regularly (she did not deprive me in the flesh), and I drove the car. Amazing how driving the car can make you feel like you are in the driver's seat! Like wearing pants makes you feel like you are wearing the pants!

Equality of spouses in marriage is an evil premise. It is a doctrine from the serpent. It is unscriptural and has nothing to do with the Law of God whatsoever. It is a lie. It does not exist.

But the Day of the Lord is here now. He is here to restore all things. He has defeated the enemy and He will establish His Kingdom on earth forever. All will be in order as intended from the beginning.

Men, you need to forsake your wives. A man once said to me when I told him so, "Well, what about the Scripture that says, Husbands love your wives'; how are we supposed to love them if we forsake them?"

And I answer, "Is it not the same Author Who spoke the words, "Husbands, love your wives" through Paul the apostle, and, "If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whosoever does not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple?" Does He contradict Himself? Or was Paul speaking by another spirit?

I'll tell you men how we are to love our wives: We are to believe and obey the Lord. In doing so, we must forsake our wives, stop following them, obeying them, believing them, pleasing them, thinking we love them because we give them their way. John asks, "For he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (I John 4:20) And in agreement, I say, "How can you say you love your wife if you are not obeying God?" Jesus said, "He that has My commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves Me..." (John 14:21). If you do not obey God, you do not love Him. If you do not love Him, how can you say you genuinely love your wife? Oh, you may love her as a wolf loves a rabbit, or you may love her as one loves music; in other words you "love" her for what you get out of her. That is not the love we speak of now. The love we speak of now is nonexistent with fellow man, wife included, if nonexistent with God. In loving God, we love our wives, not in passion, not in emotion, but in spiritual reality. Emotion flows from there, not to be mistaken for love itself. Yet emotion can exist without the true love. Hollywood and unbelievers' relationships testify quite effectively to that. Romance...Rome...

"Marital Equalitarians" respond with yet another Scripture:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). Again, I say to you that it was the very same person who spoke those words along with, "Wives, submit to, obey your husbands." Was he confused? Was he a deceiver, a hypocrite, a fool? No, but those who wrest his words for their own pleasures are. Thus, they destroy themselves. And is it obvious to them? Not at all; quite the opposite, in fact. Things look like they are developing as they should or need to! "There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Pr. 14:12). In God's Word, that verse is repeated in 16:25. I wonder why. Oversight? I don't think so.

You may say, "But I do love God." You are known by your fruits and not by your words. If you forsake all for Christ's sake as He bids you to do, and do all those things He requires of you, then yes, you do love Him. Otherwise, you do not.

I did not love my wife all those years. I followed her, did as she said, allowed her to control me, deceived myself into thinking I was in charge, but I did not love her in that I was not being faithful and obedient to God. I was not listening to His Voice. Instead, I was listening for His Voice from her, trusting that she could hear more clearly than I. I did not want to take any risk or make mistakes. I was as the man burying the talent; we all have been; it is the legacy of Adam. Fear, the opposite of faith. Trusting man (the wife) instead of God. Unbelief. And there, Satan has you. In believing him, you reap terrible consequences, yet often thinking you are suffering for righteousness' sake. You suffer health-wise, financially, mentally, occupationally, socially, familially, in every way, because you do not believe God. With Adam, you have turned to trust your wife who with Eve, has trusted the serpent. Believing lies, you suffer Death and Hell.

What is Hell? Hell is the inability to believe and receive good. Are you in Heaven or Hell?

Man, are you prepared to forsake your wife and to avail yourself of hearing from God for yourself? If you are prepared to believe and obey Him, He will speak to you. If you wish to continue taking the easy way out and believing that your wife hears from the Lord for you, then you will continue to hear from, and be deceived by the serpent by her and not from the One you think you hear, and Whom you profess to serve. Nor is the wife to be blamed...you are.

Here is the sequence of events, still unfolding:

God spoke to the man; the serpent spoke to the woman. The woman was deceived; the man disobeyed God and followed her instead of Him. We call it "The Fall," or "Original Sin." Jesus Christ appeared to reverse the situation by the cross and resurrection. Now in this last day, man repents from believing his wife who is inspired by the serpent (as pious and faithful as it may appear to be). He turns to believe and obey God; the woman follows the man this time, and both are restored to Paradise. From there, all things are restored in due time. The reversal has begun. The Lord reigns supreme over all. Halleluyah!

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE: MEN, OBEY GOD AND SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY AS HE HAS ORDAINED IT. REPENT AND ERADICATE THE CONSEQUENCE OF SIN, SAVE YOURSELVES AND YOUR WIVES, BEING RESTORED TO EDEN!

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30) All marriages are of God

It is commonly assumed that because two persons are married they have, therefore, been put together in marriage by the will of God. It is therefore concluded that because God hates divorce (which He does), that there ought to be no divorce in any circumstances. Based upon that conclusion, they condemn or criticize those who must naturally and spiritually find their way out of a situation not ordained of God in the first place.

Now I recognize a danger here. God forbid that I should give some "fuel for the fire," and encourage those to divorce whom God has put together but who are experiencing trials and hardships in their marriage. There must be an earnest seeking of the Lord by husband and wife to determine the will of God in their marriage. Did He put them together or did He not? That is the question.

Why is there such a question? How is it that people can marry out of the will of God? If they do marry unrighteously, are they doomed to a permanent arrangement? Are they committed to "sleeping in the bed that they have made"? Does it say anywhere in the Bible that all marriages are of God and that therefore people should never divorce? What does the Bible have to say on these matters?

Jesus said, "And you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). Indeed, lies, when believed, bind and kill us. It is not the will of God that we should be bound nor dead. Jesus Himself claimed to BE the Truth, and He has come that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). He has come to make us free, not to be lawless, or selfish, doing our own thing, but to do His will.

It is the purpose of this paper to set free by the truth, those who are bound in believing a lie. In this case it is believing that a married couple must remain together simply because they are married. It is my conviction, and that supported by Scripture, that those who are married but not by God, are in fornication, regardless of papers and ceremonies and endorsements of men. In God's sight, if He did not put together, the union is a lawless one and the couple live in fornication. If so, then they ought to part, discontinuing their fornication rather than continuing it.

Let me ask you: Why would God tell us to not do something if it was not possible to do it? Did He tell Adam to not partake of the Tree of Knowledge for nothing? If it is possible to disobey God on a matter, He speaks to warn us of disobedience and its consequences. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he that believes with an infidel? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the Living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (II Cor. 6:14-16).

While this warning has many applications, it must certainly be a warning to believers to not marry unbelievers. If this warning does not apply to marriage, it does not apply to anything. Did not God warn Israel to not marry wives from the gentiles? Many are the passages in Scripture on forbidden marriage between God's chosen and the world, both literal and figurative. (Gen. 24:3; 28:1; Deut. 7:3; Joshua 23:12; Ezra 9, all; Nehemiah 13:25-27).

And if we sin in entering the forbidden, do we not sin in continuing? Does Paul the apostle say to the Corinthians, "Be not unequally yoked to begin with, but after that you have done it anyway, don't worry about it; it no longer matters?" Is not repentance about turning around and changing that which we do? Some think that because they now acknowledge something to be wrong, that such acknowledgment is enough. That is not repentance! Repentance is not merely acknowledging something to be sin; repentance is turning away from sin! Confession is not enough; mental assent is not enough; nothing less than change in behavior will do! "Well, yes, now that I have AIDS (or herpes, or syphilis), I recognize that promiscuity is wrong" one says, as he or she continues to hop into bed with whomsoever whenever he or she chooses. Or, "I thought there was nothing wrong with smoking, but years later, I have lung cancer. So now I know better" one says as that one continues to smoke.

What did Solomon do? It says that he loved many wives, many strange women, and married as he chose, quite contrary to the express command of God Who said: "You shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in to you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods..." (I Kings 11:1-13). And what happened to Solomon? It says, "...and his wives turned away his heart" (verse 3). He began to worship and highly honor their pagan gods.

Did it happen overnight? Did it happen in the first or second year? You may sit there five years later, saying, "See, I told you; I knew it! Nothing happened! I haven't backslidden. My wife (or husband) doesn't believe yet, but these things take time."

Yes, they take time all right. And as surely as the Lord said, "SURELY they will turn away your heart," so surely it will happen. As it says, "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods" (verse 4). I tell you, you backslid the day you purposed to ignore God and His laws. Your backsliding is not evident in feelings nor in outward appearances necessarily, at least not initially.

"There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" wrote the man who learned by bitter experience (Proverb 14:12).

You cannot dishonor God and His Word and then expect that He will make an exception, that He will keep you in your lusts and disobedience, in your wilful disregard of His laws.

How is it that we all justify ourselves, rationalizing that while others won't get away with it, we can handle it? "Oh, I won't let him turn me away...I'll be strong, I'll pray, I'll live a godly testimony before my husband and he will be won to the Lord...I just know it. I just really feel it is the will of God that we should marry. Didn't Samson marry a Philistine woman and it was the will of God? Mom and Dad, his parents were against it too but it was the will of God (Judges 14:1-4). How do you know it isn't the will of God here for me too? Please understand, I really love him, and he loves me. He says he doesn't have a problem with me believing. He believes in God too!"

Relentless, the daughter (or son) prevails; her parents cave in to her entreaties and reasonings. She marries the unbeliever. But what did God say, as just quoted above? "For SURELY (not 'chances are,' not 'maybe,' not likely,' not 'possibly,' not anything but 'SURELY') they will turn away your heart after their gods..." (Verse 2). What do you expect when you disobey God? Do you think Him a fool? Did He warn you for nought? Listen to me: Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived (next to Jesus Who was not merely man but God in the flesh)! You read his proverbs, his Song, the Book of Ecclesiastes, only samples of all that he spoke, wrote and did. He built the Temple of God. His reign was one of peace and glory, a glory greatly admired by all nations roundabout. They came from far just to hear his wisdom and found, contrary to the usual, that what they had heard of was less than what they directly discovered for themselves. Usually rumors are exaggerated; in this case, they fell short of the reality!

But we, in our youth, our idolatries, our ignorance and arrogance are undoubtedly wiser and more pious and stronger spiritually than Solomon! Oh no, we can handle it. "This is different; I have Christ within; he didn't" we tell ourselves and others. Let me tell you, we are all flesh, there is no righteousness with us, in and of ourselves, not in the days of Solomon, not today, and if we disobey God, we cannot justify ourselves in any way. God, it is written, is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). You can claim whatever differences you want, be they in you, in your circumstances or in that thing or person which you want. It will not do. Go against the laws of God and you reap the terrible consequences. There is no other alternative; I don't care who you are. You are not the sure one here; your feelings and perceptions are not the sure things here; the opinions and words of yours or that of others are not the sure things here. Only God and His laws are sure. As it says, "Let God be true but every man a liar" (Romans 3:4). And when God speaks, He does not speak for nothing; He is not a fool, nor a prankster, nor a liar. When He speaks, it is not mere opinion nor speculation. It is fact; it is Law; it is truth.

What happened in the days of Noah? "...the sons of God (believers) saw the daughters of men (unbelievers) that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose" (Gen. 6:2). That led to the destruction of the whole earth. Unholy, forbidden marriage is a terrible thing which brings terrible consequences. Have no doubt. And many no longer have that doubt, I soberly tell you.

Do you think that because you love someone, therefore it is of God? Think again. What did we just read of Solomon? Solomon, it says, "clave unto these (his wives) in love" (I Kings 11:2).

How is it that people can marry out of the will of God? The answer is simple: If one can steal, or kill, or commit adultery, or worship other gods, or do any other evil thing which is not the will of God, then it follows that one can also marry out of the will of God. The answer is simple. Show me anywhere in Scripture that this is not so, that all marriages are of God. In the meantime, I will continue to show you what the Scriptures do declare.

Jesus said to the woman at the well: "Go call your husband, and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly." (John 4:17,18)

Does not this Scriptural testimony declare that there are invalid marriages? This woman has had husbands, does have a husband and yet has no husband. And if she is an adulteress, able to commit adultery, is she not able to marry unlawfully as well?

Here are other words of Jesus: "But I say to you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery" (Matthew 5:32).

Here we have a testimony which clearly declares there to be grounds for divorce. Now, there is one interpretation to those words of Jesus that may hold true. That is this: By the Law of Moses, if a man had married a woman and later discovered that he had not married a virgin, he could rightfully put her away. Thus he would be doing so because of fornication on her part, having been committed premaritally.

The other most common interpretation of this verse is that it refers to a situation where one of the married partners commits adultery, thus defiling the marriage, which is therefore grounds for divorce. But Jesus did not say, "saving for the cause of adultery" but "saving for the cause of fornication." According to the Law of Moses, the penalty for adultery was death by stoning:

"And the man that commits adultery with another man's wife, even he that commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death" (Lev. 20:10).

"Now Moses in the Law commanded us, that such should be stoned..." (John 8:5; see also Deuteronomy 22:24).

There is a difference between adultery and fornication. Fornication, by definition, is voluntary sexual relations between two unmarried persons. The Hebrews included the meaning of adultery in their word for fornication so that it had a broader meaning. Adultery, by definition, is sexual relations between a married person and someone he or she is not married to, be it a single or married person. In adultery, marriage is involved; in fornication, not necessarily so. Where marriage violation was involved, the penalty was death. The penalty of death was not applied in all cases of fornication which did not include marital relations.

While sin is sin, and the wages of sin is death, there are varying degrees and kinds of sins. For example, there is a sin unto death and a sin not unto death, John says (I John 5:16). Fornication was not always punishable by death. In some cases, it was "punishable," or rather "resolvable" by marriage:

"If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her (sex outside of marriage - fornication), and they be found; then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he has humbled her, he may not put her away all his days" (Deut. 22:28,29). Notice also in the preceding verses, it is spoken of the same thing happening of one betrothed. Betrothal was as good as marriage. In that case, the offender was put to death:

"If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she didn't cry out, being in the city; and the man, because he has humbled his neighbor's wife: so shall you put away evil from among you" (22:23,24).

Jesus would not have brushed off adultery with a simple divorce, even if He had sent an adulterous woman away with forgiveness and no punishment (John 8). He was not there to punish, but to save from horribly punishing sin, from the self-punishment of sinners. But neither was He there to do away with the Law nor even treat it lightly. As He said, "Heaven and earth will pass but not one jot or tittle of the Law will pass."

The point is that when Jesus spoke of divorce, He was speaking of fornication and not adultery as the grounds. Now if the persons He spoke of are married, it is specifically a case of adultery, and He would have called it such. However, He mentioned fornication. Therefore, there is only one conclusion to be drawn: Those people were not married though married, but were in fornication with each other. How can they be married but not married? The marriage was put together by men and not by God (John 4:17,18). What God has put together, let no man put asunder, but what man has put together, independent of God, I say, let God put asunder, because it is fornication and not marriage. And He does, because the works and deeds of lawless man cannot stand. Anything against the ways of God cannot stand nor prosper. People are only truly married if God has put them together in marriage.

Let's take into consideration more Scriptural testimony. Open your Bible to Ezra, chapter 10.

I have said to you that acknowledgment or confession of sin is not enough, that repentance is more than that, that repentance is a change not only of thought but of behavior. Once you know what you have been doing is wrong, it is your responsibility to stop doing it. What did the children of Israel, when they realized they were in marital sin, do? They confessed, when confronted by Ezra. They said, "We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing" (verse 2). Then they said, "Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the Law" (verse 3). Then again they said, "As you have said, so must we do" (verse 12). And they put away their wives and children begotten of them. Yes, they did. It was partly because of taking unbelieving spouses that the wrath of God was upon them (Ezra 9:10-15). I can assure you that in true, active repentance with works, God's wrath was lifted, and blessing came instead.

Dear reader, seeker to do God's will, believer backslidden, did you marry an unbeliever? Are you married to one now? If so, you are in all likelihood married according to men, according to the dictates and desires of the flesh, and not married in God's sight. It does not matter if you were "ceremonied" in a church, pronounced "man and wife" by a pastor or justice of the peace. I don't care if your church frowns upon divorce in any case. You have not been created or brought to the faith of God to do the will of your church, your denomination, your pastor or your family, but to do the will of God. There will never be peace or blessing for you from God unless you obey. There is no other way.

Many are the pastors and churches who do not do the will of God, nor teach His laws faithfully. Of them it is written, "This people honors Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark 7:6).

"God calls us to peace; He calls us to love; you can't do that; you can't just up and leave your husband, your wife! God is not a God of division but of unity, of order, of reconciliation. This teaching is not of God; your notion is not from God but from the Devil!"

Please read some of my other writings on the website, particularly "Diabolical Doctrines" dealing with many teachings found in the churches which are anti-Scriptural, anti-law of God, antiChrist. Yet they are taught and imposed upon the people as God's truth and laws, or the next best thing to them.

"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men...full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition...making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things do you (Mark 7:8-13).

Is it hard to obey God? Yes and no. Hard for the flesh, but a joy for the spirit in Christ. However, He did not promise a rose garden nor a visit to Disneyworld. He did say, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross." That simply means, "You die."

"Die now for Me, obeying Me, and have your life, or keep your life, dishonoring Me and lose it thereafter (Matthew 10:38,39).

Yes, we do have to "sleep in the bed we have made." We do have to suffer the consequences of our sins, of our disobedience to God. When David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and then killed her husband, Urijah, terrible consequences came on him many years later, which he could not avoid. He had sown; he had to reap. But we are not to continue to sleep in the bed of sin. God forbid.

Tell me, what fruit did you have in disobeying God and marrying in the first place? Did you enjoy your fruits? Not only did you rob yourself in this life of the blessing of God, but you robbed the one you married of marrying someone else he or she might have married. Neverthless, "enjoying the pleasure of sin for a season" is no justification. As a believer, you should have known better. Hopefully, you will know now that to continue your sin will only reap more evil. But in repenting of your actions, perhaps God will be merciful to you, a sinner, and will forgive you, and, He "will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you. And you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the Lord your God, that has dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed. And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and My people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh..." (Joel 2:25-28 - read all of chapter 2; it is appropriate).

There is a hymn, the words of which I often recall and realize the truth of them: "Trust and obey, trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey" or something to that effect. So often have I known the sorrow of sin, and the release and joy of faith in and obedience to God and His Word. It's the only way...hard, yes, but alone rewarding.

And at the end you will say, "God is Faithful and True."

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE: HAVING THE PEACE AND PROSPERITY OF GOD BY BEING IN HIS WILL IN CELIBACY, OR IN HAVING THE WIFE OR HUSBAND MEANT FOR YOU, CHOSEN BY GOD'S WISDOM RATHER THAN MAN'S.

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31) "The Lord's Supper"

As with all things in creation, there is the dark side and the light side. "The Lord's Supper" has a mixture of truth and error. According to one writer, Lew White, in his book, "Fossilized Customs," the error part was present before Jesus' day, with the pagan Mithraists, worshipers of the sun, who held wafers of bread up to the sun to receive its rays. By pronouncing the words, "Hocus Pocus" and "Abracadabra," words that now sound silly and are spoken in fun, the bread was believed to be transformed and was "transubsantiated" into the actual presence of the sun. By eating that bread, the partakers would possess the powers of the deity. This pagan ritual is far more similar to the Catholic mass than is the event described in the gospels wherein Jesus had His last supper with the disciples.

The light side began with the Passover, about 3500 years ago. As the Israelites were about to be led out of Egypt by Moses, the man sent by God, they were commanded to slay a lamb, and with its blood to daub the doorposts and lintels of their houses. In their believing and obeying, the Death Angel would "pass over" their dwellings, sparing all the firstborn therein. The Egyptians were about to lose all their firstborn, both man and beast. This event would seal the deliverance by the Lord of His people from their Egyptian oppressors. Thereafter, each year, at the appointed time, the Israelites would keep the Passover in commemoration of this momentous event.

Not only would the Passover be a commemoration of what happened at that time, however, but it would also be a solemn feast signifying that which was to come. In the fulness of time, about fifteen centuries later, Jesus Christ, born a Jew, without sin, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, would lay down His life as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. His death on the Roman cross at the hand of the Jews would be the antitype of that feast instituted at the time that the children of Israel departed from Egypt with haste. His death, nearly 2000 years ago, is the fulfillment of "The Passover."

There is an overlooked fact concerning this feast. Although Jesus Christ died for all sinners, the Passover signified the saving of only the firstborn. If any of the families had not marked their doorways with blood, they would not have perished entirely. In fact, there could conceivably have been immediate families who would have remained untouched. If the father and mother were not firstborn, and their firstborn was no longer living, or if the parents had no children, nobody in that household would have died at the hand of the Death Angel. This would have applied to Egyptian households as well, and to all beasts involved.

The Passover signifies the saving of the firstfruits in this age, and not all peoples. God is not "attempting" to save everyone in this age and life, and doing such a miserable job of it because those He seeks to save are so "unsavable," their sinfulness being so much greater than His power and grace. Those who teach that unless one is saved in this life, he or she is forever damned, are in error. It simply is not so. While they interpret the Bible to say so, the Bible says no such thing; quite the opposite. (See "The Reconciliation of All Things") 

So when a loved one dies, the survivors try to rationalize that one into Heaven, or they grieve that he or she will never make it there, seeing as how he did not confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Either way, they subject themselves to illusions or lies, neither of which provides any true comfort. Only the truth can make one free. One way or another, in whatever circumstance we will find ourselves, we, with hope, seek security, deliverance, freedom. So, believe the truth. Only the truth, even if it is bitter, contains within itself the sure hope of better things to come, and ultimately brings freedom. There are yet other ages and worlds of deliverance for those who were not called and chosen in this life, in this world.

Now consider the great confusion concerning the Passover and what is commonly called “The Lord’s Supper”, some of which I will point out a little further on in this writing. Today, there are so many versions and ways of keeping this feast and commemorating this event. Men have religiously endeavored to observe the "Lord's Supper," partially according to their interpretation of the Lord's words which are found in the Book of Luke, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19; see also Luke 22:1-20; Matthew 26:17-29; Mark 14:12-25 and John 13:1-4). They are confused and have thus piled confusion on confusion. The ways of darkness are ever with confusion. Then come divisions with each side arguing their piece of confusion. Only with the truth can there be unity and harmony.

Is it not curious that on the night of the Passover meal that Jesus shared with His disciples there is no mention of a lamb, only bread and the fruit of the vine? I believe that is because the Lamb of God Himself was there, signifying that our sustenance is His body broken and blood shed for our sakes, and it is this spiritual food that we must partake of to have life.
 
Jesus is our Passover! As it is written, "Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:7,8).

Today, the Catholic Church "celebrates" the "Mass," in which the priest gives bread and wine to the congregants, this being called "Holy Communion." The Anglican, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and other denominations do likewise. The Catholic Church also teaches the occultish doctrine of "transubstantiation," saying that the "elements," that is, the bread and wine, are divinely, miraculously changed into the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ at the blessing and pronunciation of the priest. This is one version of "The Lord's Supper." But Jesus was not speaking literally. He was speaking figuratively. "I AM the Bread of Life,” He was saying.

He once told the disciples, "I am the living bread which came down from Heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world...Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in Him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from Heaven - not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever" (John 6:51-58). Just as water baptism in and of itself does not wash away a man's sins, neither do we receive the Life of the Lord Jesus simply by eating bread and wine, no matter how many times and ways blessed by a priest, no matter what "faith" they put in miraculous intervention, no matter how much they think they please God in their ignorance.

Jesus was speaking of our partaking of Him, in spirit and in truth. He was not teaching His disciples, or us, to be partaking in literal ceremony or ritual. He said furthermore, after the words above, "Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit Who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:61-63).

And what, or whom, is His body? Does not the Scripture teach that those who are His, those who are born again from above, those who are saints, the true Jews, the true Christians, they are His body, and members in particular (I Cor. 12; Romans 12)? And Paul warned the Corinthians that if they were not discerning the Lord's body, partaking of it unworthily, that is, variously abusing brother and sister in Christ, disrespecting Christ in those in whom He dwells, they were eating and drinking judgment to themselves. Because of that judgment, he said, many were sick, and even dead (1 Cor. 11:20-34).

When we forsake the assembling of ourselves together, we despise Christ, Whose body we are forsaking in the brethren (Hebrews 10:25; 1 Cor. 11:27-30). Cutting ourselves off, we cannot live, disconnected from the Source of Life. 

Now if we interpret the partaking of the Lord's body and thus, the "Lord's Supper," literally, we begin to wade into a quagmire of foolishness and contradictions to which there is no end. In fact, we conceivably could even descend downwards into the pit of cannibalism. Indeed, the early church was accused of cannibalism, when the heathen would hear of the figurative language used, interpreting it literally, as only the carnal mind does.

The Catholic Church holds their version of the "Lord's Supper" as often as they "celebrate mass," everyday and even more than once a day if possible, or every week on Sundays, or on any other day if necessary. I ask you: Was the Passover, an annual feast, to be celebrated, after its fulfillment, in a figurative sense at all, much less every day? Did Jesus intend that His last supper be performed in ritual and ceremony at all, much less every day? Are we compelled to keep these pagan-styled, superstitious ordinances as the Catholic Church interprets the Lord's words, lest we perish? The Catholic Church thinks so.

But what of the "Protestant" world? They are not such great "protesters" as one might think. They follow the injunction of the Catholic Church to keep Sunday, which Constantine decreed, rather than the Sabbath (the seventh day which God ordained), as the rest day. They often baptize infants, hold "mass," wear clerical vestments and collars, build elaborate, religious buildings called churches, hire ministers, called "reverends," and do most of the abominations of the heathen as do the Catholics.

Here is some of the confusion I alluded to earlier: Most "Christians" by far also believe in the literal keeping of "The Lord's Supper." Some keep it once a week, some once a month, some once a year, some as often as they feel like it. Some believe it should be kept with unleavened bread, others not. Some believe it should be kept only with unfermented grape juice, along with bread, while others use, and even insist upon fermented juice (wine). Some believe the bread should certainly be swallowed whole, without chewing, as do the Catholics, while others believe it can be chewed. Some believe it should be in convenient wafer style, while others believe that the participants should be sharing a whole loaf, and "breaking" bread. Some believe that only committed, water baptized members of the local congregation should be allowed to participate, disallowing even those of their denomination who belong to other member churches. Others go on the "honor system," allowing anyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ to participate, no matter what denomination. It is "mass" confusion, pardon the pun. The "Protestant" tradition of the literal partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine, called the "Lord's Supper," in whatever form, is a carryover from the Church of Rome, an interpretation of the carnal mind seeking to glorify the flesh in the name of worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Roman Church got their ideas from the Mithraists, the sun worshipers. In fact, this ceremony is not at all what Jesus intended, and only those who worship the Lord in spirit and in truth will know that what I say here is true.

The confusion by no means ends there. We also have "Easter," held once a year, supposedly the "Christian" version or "fulfillment" of the Passover. So now is the Lord's Supper Easter or is Easter the Lord's Supper?! How is it that nominal Christendom celebrates both as though they were pertaining to two different events, yet think they are the one and same event? The name "Easter" is the name of the pagan goddess, "Ishtar" or "Ashtoreth," the "many- breasted one," the goddess of sex, of fertility, of prosperity, fruitfulness, of success and happiness. Hence, we have the bunnies and the eggs, the pussy willows and such. The churches also teach and preach this Jesus, a god of physical prosperity and fertility (the Hagin and Copeland Word-Faith doctrine..."name it and claim it"), giving to get (the seed faith doctrine made popular by Oral Roberts but promulgated by most), a god of comeliness (their pictures...forbidden images, depicting Jesus as a handsome, attractive man) when truly, the Word of God, in Isaiah describes Him quite differently (Isaiah 53:1-5). In fact, they preach Ashtoreth, another Jesus, and give His Name to a pagan deity. We have confusion, which is the meaning of the word "Babel" and "Babylon."

The confusion and abominations don't end there. While the Lord Jesus is the Lamb (a clean animal) of God, the "Christian" world celebrates Easter with ham, the carcass of a pig (an unclean animal). Subtly, the world calls Jesus "the pig of God." It was a boar that killed a pagan god...some god...and so they eat this pig in his honor. 

As well, it is an affront to the Jews to be eating ham anytime, especially at "Pesach" (Easter or Passover), something biblically designated as unclean. In contempt of the Jews, the Gentiles partake. Yet Paul the apostle said of the flesh and blood Jews, "Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:28,29). Therefore, I do not care who you are; if you despise the Jews, you despise the fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whom you deem to be men of faith and of God. Indeed, you do despise God. Hitler, where are you? Babylon, Alexander, Rome, where are you? What happened to you, eastern Europe? And where will you Arabs and Muslims, who vow the destruction of Jews, be when all is said and done? Will you fare any better than Hitler? Don't count on it. Truly, count otherwise; it is guaranteed. Those who judge the Jews judge themselves and are found wanting. It is my conviction that Canada today is in dire trouble because they had shut the doors to the Jews who sought a haven when the Nazis sought their lives. Yet, it was the will of God that all these things should happen, that the nation of Israel might be reborn. 

The last time I kept the physical ordinance of "The Lord's Supper" was in 1977. I was told and expected by many evangelicals as well as Catholics that I would perish spiritually. I was told one needed to partake on a regular basis or one would die. Is this not utter superstition, and dependence on carnal ordinances and formulae, so contrary to the Lord's words of John 6:61-63? Are the Protestants, yea, even the evangelicals, any different than those against whom they are named to be protestant? As I write these writings, and my detractors read them, surely they say, "Aha! We told you so!" But notwithstanding their suspicions and accusations, I have not died, neither physically nor spiritually. The Lord has been with me, and has blessed my house and me, and He has blessed all those who have believed me in the Lord, of which, I admit, there are very few. But then, the walk with God is not at all about numbers; it never was. There were always few. Woe to those with numbers, who think to be right because so many stand together! There were few in Noah's day, and of that day the Lord spoke that this day would be very similar to it. People would be eating and drinking, sowing and reaping, building, marrying and giving in marriage until sudden destruction would take them unawares, as did the flood in Noah's day.

The Lord has built us an ark, and has sealed us in it, to keep us from the destruction of those who deem us to be fools. So be it. Our fate is sealed, and so is theirs. We say we believe; you detractors and opposers say you believe. We will each take our paths, and in the end, it will be manifest whom the Lord did love. Already have I seen His judgment upon so many who have opposed us. Many are dead. Do I revel in this? If I revel, I revel in the fact that God has been faithful, that His Words to us have been heard by us, and fulfilled by Him. I do not revel in the death of our enemies. I rejoice that the Lord has kept us from the power of the enemy and has, in due time shamed our enemies but blessed us. For this, we ought to be, and are, thankful.

We rejoice that, as we have been partaking of the body and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been delivered from the feasts of the heathen, such as Christmas, Easter, birthday celebrations and the like. We have been given to know that the shed blood and death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ have been so efficacious as to ultimately save all mankind (not just the self-righteous ones who "repented"). We have been granted wisdom in carnal matters, such as to deliver us from the delusions of those who think they can eat anything since the cross, contrary to Scripture. We have been delivered from the machinations of merchandisers, the servants of the enemy, who pollute our food and water and society in so many respects (Satan attacks spirit, soul AND body, "unbeknownst" to many who claim faith in Christ). We have been delivered from the confusion, the delusions, the works of men, the religious works which destroy all who participate. We have been blessed with the Rest of God, the Sabbath both within (in spirit) and without (the weekly Shabbat). We have been taught of God, whom we have been graciously and mercifully given to worship in spirit and in truth.

Praise the Lord, Who does all things well! Bless His Holy Name! Yes, His Name IS Yahweh, Yahushuah, Hayah, Elohim. He is the God of the Hebrews, the God of the Bible, the Creator of all things, the One and Only Lord and Savior of all mankind. This is the One of Whom I speak, whatever appellation you think I ought to use. In spirit and in truth do I love Him. For His sake have I forsaken all things, that I might walk with Him, as one. I walk with Him, and am so thankful that I do.

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE: WHAT PROFIT IS THERE IN THE FLESH? IS IT NOT RECORDED THAT FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN? IF YOU ARE IN CHRIST, WALKING BY FAITH AND IN OBEDIENCE, YOU ARE INDEED PARTAKING OF HIS FLESH AND BLOOD. THERE IS NO FURTHER NEED OF TYPES AND SHADOWS, WHICH BIND AND CONFUSE.

Victor Hafichuk

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32) Jewish worship practices and traditions are important to keep

This paper is not so much about a diabolical doctrine as it is about a false notion, which in the end can have the same consequences.

We have today, as in any day, a religious fad sweeping nominal Christianity. At any one time there are many. The one I speak of now is that of indulging in Jewish worship practices and traditions. Somehow people have determined that there are great blessings, and secrets or truths to be discovered therein. It is my belief that people are flocking to this thinking, simply because they are empty spiritually. They are unfulfilled in their churches and their systems of belief and worship; they are unfulfilled within.

This is a curious thing and sad. Here's why: "First Moses says, I will provoke you (the Jews) to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Isaiah is very bold, and says, I was found of them that sought Me not; I was made manifest to them that asked not after Me. But to Israel He says, All day long I have stretched forth My hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people" (Romans 10:19-21: Deut. 32:21; Isaiah 65:1).

Those people who are flocking or tending toward Jewish worship practices and traditions often, though not always, profess to be born again believers. The above Scripture passage declares that it is the believing gentiles who are to be provoking the unbelieving Jews to jealousy and not the other way around. But what we see is spiritually empty people going to those who are yet in their unbelief, demonstrated by the fact that they are still in their shadows and ordinances, and without the Reality. I would liken this to one who should be a teacher yet needs to go back to grade school as a student because he simply doesn't have what he should have. When some ought to be ready to take meat, it is necessary to feed them milk because they are yet carnal babes. (I speak of those who have once believed, who have been to grade school, and not of those who have never believed). Not only do those presuming to be believers do these things, but they also believe them to be the most recent and wonderful move of the Spirit of God in these last days. And of course, if they are blind and carnal, is it any wonder that they should be found thinking this way?

Jesus Christ came in the flesh 2000 years ago to fulfill those very things which religious Jews practise today. Henceforth, the Reality was made available for all. As Peter said to the Jews at Pentecost: "Repent, and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the Holy Spirit, for the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord your God shall call" (Acts 2:38,39). Now what does that mean? It means that one can be immersed in the Lord Jesus Christ, in God Himself. If so, what need is there of ceremonies, of types and shadows, of ordinances when one can have the Essence? Especially if in these things, one thinks to find the fulfilment that comes by faith and not by the works of the flesh?

Let me tell those who are searching: You will not find fruit in the grafted branch by partaking of the fruit of the branches long ago cast off. The fruit ought to be in the grafted branch. You must go forward and not backward, upward and not downward. You must seek the Lord God Himself and if you do so with all your heart, you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). "He that comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37).

He cannot be satisfied nor pleased with worship itself; He wants your heart and not worship, or else worship becomes an end in itself and therefore usurps the glory of God. When you indulge in worship practices, do not think for a moment that you are pleasing God. You are not. You are simply manifesting a religious spirit that likes to think it is in control of conduct before God and of pleasing God, thus pleasing itself.

This is not a condemnation of Jews, nor even yet of Jewish ceremony and tradition. When the Lord opens the eyes of the Jews and they believe, they will know the meaning of the words Jesus spoke to the woman at the well when He said: "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:21-24).

It should be noted that the second sentence of the above quote would appear, on the surface, to contradict what I am saying. However, it is manifest today, that since Christ came in the flesh, many gentiles have believed while the Jews have not. There are Jews in the flesh, and Jews in the spirit. "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God" (Ro. 2:28,29). The Jews in the spirit are the ones who indeed know what they worship, while the Jews in the flesh cannot and do not.

Whether you are a Jew in the flesh or not, if you are a Jew in spirit, you will know whereof I speak, because you will know what you worship. If you are in darkness as a Jew in the spirit, turn to the Lord with your whole heart, believe, obey and you will find the Way.

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE: YOU ARE ALREADY A JEW IF YOU ARE THE LORD'S. BE THAT LIGHT TO LEAD FORWARD, AND NOT THE ONE SEARCHING IN THE DARKNESS OF SHADOWS, WHICH ONLY FORETOLD OF YOUR DAY. SEEK THE LORD, IF PERHAPS HE MAY BE FOUND, NOT BEHIND, BUT AHEAD, NOT BENEATH, BUT ABOVE. HE IS NOT FOLLOWING, BUT LEADING.

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33) The dead in Christ are unconscious

There are those who believe and teach that when we die, we go into a state of unconsciousness or “soul sleep” until the time of the resurrection when the decision is made on our final state. There are several Scriptures they use and interpret according to their false doctrine to defend this error. They point to when Jesus referred to dead Lazarus as sleeping, then plainly declaring that he was indeed dead (John 11).

Jesus once said to the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection, “It is written, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.’ God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” So I say to those who believe this doctrine, “God is not the God of the sleeping, but of those who have been awakened from sleep.” He said to Martha, the sister of Lazarus:

“Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die [sleep].”

The new birth is one in which we are born of God, born again in the Spirit. Does God sleep? If He does not sleep, and we are in union with Him, born of His Spirit, then how can we ever sleep? Yes, in body we sleep; our body perishes for a time, until the resurrection, but our new birth in Christ, here on earth, has precluded death or sleep of the inner man. Only those who are religious, without the present reality of the union with Christ through His Spirit, could possibly believe the lie that the dead in Christ are unconscious, asleep, dead in spirit. Only those dead in spirit cannot spiritually comprehend the reality of eternal LIFE in Christ Jesus.

People, Jesus Christ and true Christianity are not a religion, but a living Person, God Himself no less. When He comes to dwell, in Person, within the believer, that person never sleeps again in Christ; in the flesh he sleeps (dies), but in spirit, united with Christ by the new birth, being a new creature, he is ever awake, along with the One Who keeps him and never slumbers.

The writer of Hebrews speaks of the reality of life and the awakened state from the dead of the believer as a fact in this life:

“But you are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24).

Did the Hebrews writer say we go to oblivion and unconsciousness? If so, who are these to whom we come when we are born again? We come to a city (a city of what – graves?), to the living (not dead) God, to the angels, to – pay attention now (does it say to dust and worms, or graves, or realm of darkness?) – “the general assembly and church of the first-born.” And to Whom else do we that are born again come? We come to the Judge of all (Who is the God of the living and not of the dead, as Jesus said in rebuke to the Sadducees) and to…here we go… “the spirits of just men made perfect,” not corpses or sleeping beauties. Nor was the holy writer speaking of theoretical or theological persons, or speaking of them outside of a time context. He was speaking of real, living, present people. Is God real and present? Are the angels real and present? Is Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, alive, real and present? If so, and they are, then why would God or the writer of Hebrews lump the living in with the dead, as the great assembly of witnesses to which we come when entering the Kingdom through the new birth?

The notion that God is in Heaven with the angels while Abraham and all other believers are unconscious is ludicrous. Why should they be unconscious, or dead? Why should Stephen be unconscious, having seen Jesus Christ alive in the world to come? Is he not a partaker of the Resurrected Life, Jesus Christ Himself? Of course he is. Therefore he is also partaker of the Resurrection, Who Jesus Christ is.

When Moses and Elijah met with Jesus on the mount, were they sleepwalking and talking in their sleep? The Adventists, under the devil-inspired leadership of Ellen G. White and her self-appointed successors, brush aside this event as a mere vision, as though visions of God are unreal or untruthful. Otherwise, they declare that Elijah and Moses never died. Then when it is pointed in Scripture that Moses did die, they say he was excepted. On what basis do they make that assertion? I will tell you on what basis: On the basis of their doctrine. They must explain away the testimony of the Scriptures to preserve and to defend their doctrine, which has no foundation in God. They make null and void the Law and the prophets by their traditions and teachings of the doctrines of men.

Now read this:

“And I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel showing me these things. Then he said to me, Behold! See, do not do it! For I am your fellow-servant, and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the Words of this Book. Do worship to God” (Revelation 22:8-9).

When the apostle John was about to worship at the feet of the messenger sent to speak to him from above, that messenger informed him that he was a fellow servant, of his brothers the prophets. I have this question to ask of those who hold this doctrine: “Was the messenger of God, who was sent from above, walking and talking in his sleep?”

Here are some other Scriptures demonstrating that those who pass on from this life in Christ are not unconscious or in “soul sleep”:

1) At Saul’s request, Samuel appeared to Saul and told him that he and his sons would die the next day, Israel being defeated by the Philistines, and that they would be with Samuel (1 Samuel 28).

One may argue that it was devils working by the witch to deceive. Why, then, was the woman so surprised and, indeed, alarmed at what she saw? Why did all those things spoken by the entity come to pass? Why was Saul rebuked again for his evils? Why did the witch need Saul’s description to identify Samuel?

2) There is the example of Jesus preaching to the spirits in prison, those who died in the flood, of which Peter spoke (1 Peter 3:18-20). To these, Jesus spoke after His resurrection, who were not unconscious or “sleeping.”

3) What of the souls under the altar?

“And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, Until when, Master, holy and true, do You not judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? And white robes were given to each one of them. And it was said to them that they should rest yet for a little time, until both their fellow servants and their brothers (those about to be killed as they were ) should have their number made complete” (Revelation 6:9-11 MKJV).

4) There is the gathering referred to in Scripture:

“And Abraham expired and died in a good old age, old and satisfied. And he was gathered to his people” (Genesis 25:8 MKJV).

“And these were the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred thirty-seven years. And he expired and died, and was gathered to his people” (Genesis 25:17 MKJV).

“And Isaac expired and died, and was gathered to his people, old and satisfied of days. And his sons, Esau and Jacob, buried him” (Genesis 35:29 MKJV).

“And he charged them and said to them, I am to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite” (Genesis 49:29 MKJV).

“And Jacob finished commanding his sons, and he gathered his feet into the bed. And he expired, and was gathered to his people” (Genesis 49:33 MKJV).

“And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people as Aaron your brother was gathered” (Numbers 27:13 MKJV).

“And die in the mountain where you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people” (Deuteronomy 32:50 MKJV).

Are we talking gathering dust and ashes into one great eternal heap, carcass by carcass, or do we speak of the Living God presiding over the living and not over the dead, in a dimension of which mortal men have little understanding without the life and Spirit of Christ in them?

5) There are those multitudes John saw in Heaven:

“After these things I looked, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palms in their hands. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb. And all the angels stood around the throne, and the elders, and the four living creatures, and they fell before the throne on their faces and worshiped God, saying, Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying to me, Who are these who are arrayed in white robes, and from where do they come? And I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and have whitened them in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple. And He sitting on the throne will dwell among them. They will not hunger any more, nor thirst any more, nor will the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will feed them and will lead them to the fountains of living waters. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Revelation 7:9-17 MKJV).

6) Paul spoke of being absent from the body and present with the Lord. If we are present with Him Who is Life, how can we be unconscious, whether in this life or the next?

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8 KJV).

I have had Seventh Day Adventists and others argue from the Scriptures, using many passages to press their points. The common comment they have is: “Even a child can see that!” Their comment exposes their death and darkness. They err, carnally interpreting the Scriptures by their doctrines of devils, not knowing the Scriptures by the Spirit of God or the power thereof. One can make the Bible say almost anything, if not anything.

I tell you this, and the Lord’s testimony is clear on this matter, that the most intelligent man can see nothing in Scripture, except it is revealed to him from above. Until then, he is in total darkness about any matter in Scripture. As Jesus said, “I thank You, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the sophisticated and cunning, and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight” (Matthew 11:25-26).

Why do men make such commotion about the departed falling into oblivion? What is their point? Can they say? It seems they simply take pride in having some kind of revelation that others don’t have, which does not exist except as a falsehood.

They can also appear more enlightened and kinder than other religious who preach eternal hellfire and torment. Compared to the prospect of never-ending torture, consigning souls to oblivion seems far more humane. Meanwhile, none of them have known the Life that now Is, which those who believe on Him partake of presently, being delivered from death and hell.

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE: THAT THERE IS LIFE (because it is life we speak of here), BEGINNING HERE ON EARTH, IN CHRIST, NEVER ENDING, ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE OF THE TRUE AND FAITHFUL WITNESS WHO DECLARED: “WHOEVER LIVES AND BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE (SLEEP).” How blessed is the truth; how blessed the one who believes!

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34) The wicked are annihilated

There are those who teach that the unrepentant wicked of this life will go to everlasting punishment, a never ending horrible torment, because they did not “accept” Jesus Christ into their hearts. Such is a diabolical doctrine taught as gospel truth, used to convert the simple, not by fear of God but by fear of the worst possible thing that man can imagine to happen.

There is another lie taught as truth. This lie is not as bad as the other, for it at least presumes to put the wicked out of their misery, asserting that it is quite pointless and very unreasonable to subject any living creature to endless torment. On the reasoning portion I fully agree. However, that the wicked will be annihilated is still a lie, no matter how sound the reasoning may seem to be. Yes, if there was no other alternative than the two above mentioned, it would be infinitely more reasonable to accept the second. But it is a lie because there IS a third alternative, which is not only an alternative but the design of God, testified in the Holy Scriptures.

That third alternative and very truth is that God is not willing that any should perish but that all men be saved (II Peter 3:9; I Timothy 2:4). And who can resist His will (Romans 9:19)? Certainly not the sinner who is a slave to sin and who is utterly dependent upon an Omnipotent Savior not only to cause him to do that which is right but to will it as well. As it is written, “...for it is God Who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). And, “He Who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it” (I Thessalonians 5:24).

Indeed, at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, as it should, and every tongue shall confess, as it should, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). If only one knee does not bow or if only one tongue does not confess, then the glory of God the Father will not be complete, will it? And who is the foolish man who will argue that the glory of God the Father will not be perfect or complete?

For further knowledge of the Scriptures on the topic of the salvation of all mankind, you may read our letters and writings in The Restitution of All Things.

Back to our subject from which we have temporarily digressed. The doctrine of the annihilation of the wicked is a lie. I think that a wonderful statement by the Lord Jesus quite conclusively puts away the validity of that notion. He said to His disciples, as He was sending them out to preach and to minister:

“And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that city!” (Mark 6:11; see also Matthew 10:14-15 and Luke 10:10-15).

Let me ask this: Who was more deserving of eternal damnation or annihilation than the Sodomites? Sodom and Gomorrah go down in history as the cities destroyed by miraculous intervention because their wickedness was so great. (Read of their vileness in Genesis 19.) Now if there is no eternal damnation, that is, torment without end, ever, then let us consider the possibility of annihilation in light of Jesus’ words. How is it that there is a tolerance degree or a “tolerableness” for Sodom and Gomorrah if they are only going to be annihilated? Why a judgment, and why a comparison of Sodom and Gomorrah to these other cities if they will all be consigned to annihilation? Are the proponents of these diabolical doctrines saying that Sodom and Gomorrah will “burn in Hell” [or be annihilated] but not as severely as will those cities who refuse to hear the gospel? For what purpose should some burn more or less severely than others if it is “forever”? To what purpose is there more tolerability for some than for others if they are only going to be completely disposed of?

Surely God is not served in continuing the sufferings of His creatures without end. Surely the thought of “I told you so” will not serve any good end for the sufferers, seeing there is no hope of redemption. Surely there is no profit to the saved. What? Do they need a reminder of the wickedness of their fellow man and loved ones? Do they need a memory of someone else’s sins and consequences thereof, seeing as how God has forgiven and forgotten theirs and would therefore expect them to forget their own also? And with such thoughts, knowledge and reminders, can they truly sing, dance, clap their hands, rejoice and praise God? How cruel! How diabolical! How cold-hearted! Not even devils can do that! But devils can certainly teach such absurd lies, and accommodate self-righteous and wicked men to believe them.

Take heart, dear reader, I too believed such nonsense until the Lord enlightened and delivered me from it, by the illumination of the Scriptures through His Spirit.

Back to the main topic from which I have again temporarily digressed. Yet I think there is a need for some context and discussion of relative topics. The idea of comparative tolerability summarily discounts any possibility of either eternal torment or annihilation.

Let’s take a look at Matthew 11:23-24: “And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to Heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

I have heard many people say God is fair, just, and loving, and that He leaves people without excuse before He exacts punishment or consequence. But here we have the Lord’s clear testimony that if God had done those same works in Sodom that were done in Capernaum, Sodom would have been spared the judgment of fire. Why? They would not have corrupted themselves as they did. But He adds that Sodom will yet have its day in judgment, a day of toleration beyond that of Capernaum which was not destroyed by miraculous intervention. Again, what need have we of tolerance and contrasting of degrees of unrighteousness if all are only going to burn forever or be annihilated?

And how can annihilation, the epitome of death, be the end, when God says that death is cast into the Lake of Fire?

“And death and hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:14 MKJV).

In other words, there is an end to death, a second death, which is also the end of sin and hell. Physical death is not final at all, except that it ends our short stint of existence on earth. Jesus Christ is the Omega, or our “Z.” Therefore He alone is Final and the Finality. Death is not final, but “finalized.”

The Scripture says that Jesus came to overcome death, the last enemy:

“For it is right for Him to reign until He has put all the enemies under His feet. The last enemy made to cease is death” (1 Corinthians 15:25-26 MKJV).

Consider the verses just before that one:

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruit, and afterward they who are Christ’s at His coming; then is the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He makes to cease all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:22-24 MKJV).

“So all will be made alive,” which means that death is not final. Jesus, Who is the Life and the Light of men, will be and is Final – “all will be made alive”!

Also, if death is final, why would He bother having keys for it?

“And the Living One, and I became dead, and behold, I am alive for ever and ever, Amen. And I have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18 MKJV).

Death is simply the absence of God – And God is Life; He does not make Himself absent forever. He is…THE RESURRECTION! That is what His work on the cross and the resurrection to new, imperishable life is all about, “...then will take place the word that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?’” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55 MKJV)

Man was created in the image of God. He was created by Perfection Himself. Therefore man will be brought to perfection...he who was “born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13).

Shall that which was intended for perfection simply be tossed into the universal garbage heap or incinerator? Would that not be a clear demonstration of failure on the part of One Who, by His very nature, and of Whom the Scriptures clearly testify, cannot fail? Oh, how man, in his darkness he calls light, fails to reason clearly with those faculties God has given him. But this is also the perfect design of God Who has subjected all of creation to vanity, not willingly, but because of Him Who subjected it in hope (Romans 8:20).

“But God doesn’t want a bunch of robots running around, zombies forced to love Him, so in His wisdom, He gave us a free will to choose for ourselves.” Sounds so magnanimous, does it not? There is only one problem: Those thoughts express the “magnanimity” of the Prince of this world, the consummate rebel who insists that we are “free agents,” having rights of our own, free to exercise those rights independently of God. The fact is that we lost all rights in the First Adam when he believed the serpent instead of God. In that day he died and lost everything. He became a bondservant to sin. He was cast out into outer darkness where was weeping and gnashing of teeth. He was made subject to the liar who has filled his head with all false notions of God and of God’s will and ways. He became putty in Satan’s hands. A free agent indeed! Slaves have no free will, and no right to choose anything.

But in the fulness of time, God sent His Only begotten Son to redeem Adam, and his progeny, from that bondage and to bring him into true freedom wherein, at the Name of Jesus, his knee bows, and his tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord (yes, Lord...in other words he is submitted to a Higher Power, not free to do whatever he chooses as though he were his own lord), to the glory of God the Father. Read the Diabolical Doctrine 20) "Man has been given a free will."

Annihilation? No. Eternal torment? No. Absolute redemption for all? Yes, to the glory of God the Father, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who loved us, and gave Himself not only for the chiefest of sinners (Saul of Tarsus) but for us all. Jesus Christ is rightly called our Savior and Lord, and greatly to be praised. Blessed be the Name of Jesus!

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE TO BELIEVING THE DOCTRINE OF ANNIHILATION: WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE HAS ABOUNDED MUCH MORE, AND ALL MEN SHALL ONE DAY REJOICE IN GOD, THEIR SAVIOR, TO HIS FULL GLORY. AMEN!

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35) Satan was once a good being

There is the prevalent doctrine that Satan was once a glorious angel, in harmony with the goodness of God. The primary Scriptures used to support this fallacy are those of Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, interpreting Lucifer as Satan. However, see what the Scriptures themselves say:

Ezekiel 28:11-19 MKJV
(11) And the Word of Jehovah came to me, saying,
(12) Son of man, lift up a lament over the king of Tyre, and say to him, So says the Lord Jehovah: You seal the measure, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
(13) You have been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the ruby, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the turquoise, and the emerald, and gold. The workmanship of your tambourines and of your flutes was prepared in you in the day that you were created.
(14) You were the anointed cherub that covers, and I had put you in the holy height of God where you were; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
(15) You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until iniquity was found in you.
(16) By the multitude of your goods they have filled your midst with violence, and you have sinned. So I cast you profaned from the height of God, and I destroy you, O covering cherub, from among the stones of fire.
(17) Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you have spoiled your wisdom because of your brightness. I will cast you to the ground; I will put you before kings, that they may behold you.
(18) By the host of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trade, you have profaned your holy places; so I brought a fire from your midst; it shall devour you, and I will give you for ashes on the earth, before the eyes of all who see you.
(19) All who know you among the peoples shall be astonished at you; you shall be terrors, and you will not be forever.

We see no evidence here that Lucifer is Satan. In fact, there is contradiction. First, Ezekiel speaks of the king of Tyre. Tyre was a city that exists to this day. Satan was never a human king on earth, except that as the prince of this world, he has been king everywhere on earth. Satan was never the “anointed cherub.” Jesus said the Devil was a liar and murderer from the very beginning:

“You are of the Devil as father, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not abide in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44 MKJV).

Even as is declared before sin ever was:

“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” (Genesis 3:1)

A question that arises is, “What beginning? Mankind’s? The earth’s? Heaven’s?” The answer is quite simple: “The serpent’s (Satan’s) beginning.” Isn’t that the most logical, relevant and reasonable conclusion?

Then there are these verses that are incorrectly cited to prove Lucifer is Satan:

Isaiah 14:4-17 MKJV
(4) you shall take up this song against the king of Babylon and say, How the exacter, the gold gatherer has ceased!
(5) Jehovah has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers
(6) who struck peoples in wrath, a blow without turning away, ruling the nations in anger, a persecution without restraint.
(7) All the earth is at rest and is quiet; they break out into singing.
(8) Yea, the fir trees rejoice at you, the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since you have fallen, no woodcutter will come up against us.
(9) Hell from below is moved for you, to meet you at your coming. It stirs up the dead for you, all the he-goats of the earth. It has raised from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
(10) All of them shall speak and say to you, Are you also as weak as we? Are you like us?
(11) Your pride is brought down to the grave, and the noise of your harps. The maggot is spread under you, and the worms cover you.
(12) How you are fallen from the heavens, O shining star, son of the morning! [The KJV says, “Lucifer”] How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!
(13) For you have said in your heart, I will go up to the heavens, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.
(14) I will go up above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.
(15) Yet you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the Pit.
(16) Those who see you shall stare and closely watch you, saying, Is this the man who made the earth to tremble; who shook kingdoms;
(17) who made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed its cities; who did not open the house for his prisoners?

To whom were these words spoken? To the king of Babylon. That was Nebuchadnezzar, who had it all. He did battle with and conquered all nations about him. God made him that head of gold, as Daniel told him, and gave him great glory and power over the greatest empire in history, more than any other emperor:

“You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of Heaven has given you a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wherever the sons of men, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens live, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all. You are this head of gold” (Daniel 2:37-38 MKJV).

How can anyone rationally and specifically equate this passage to Satan? Who can say the Bible says that Lucifer and Satan are one and the same? Where? How? Let us not read men’s doctrines into Scripture.

Therefore, these are facts to show, by the Lord’s own words, that Ezekiel and Isaiah were not speaking of an angel that was “good” then went “bad.” Satan was never “good.” There was never a “good” dragon. Jesus said so. Let’s believe Him and get the confusion out of our lives, a confusion that carnal men have come up with as explanations for things they do not understand. We err when we read into the Bible things that simply are not there.

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE TO THIS DOCTRINE: DOES IT REALLY MATTER ALL THAT MUCH IF SATAN IS LUCIFER OR NOT? THE IMPORTANT FACT THAT IS ESTABLISHED IS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. HE REIGNS SUPREME OVER ALL THINGS THAT HE HAS MADE, BOTH GOOD AND EVIL (ISAIAH 45:7). NOTHING IS OUT OF CONTROL; YOU CAN COUNT ON GOD 100%.

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36) Immortality of the soul

There is much confusion on this matter. Here is the answer we gave one who asked us if we believed in the immortality of the soul:

You asked if we believe this (a good question). Here is what the Scripture teaches on that point:

“Who alone has immortality, dwelling in light which cannot be approached, whom no one of men have seen, nor can see; to Whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:16 MKJV).

Since God alone has immortality, men have it only when brought into union with Him:

“But when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and when this mortal shall put on immortality, then will take place the word that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?’” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55 MKJV)

Without Him Who is life, there is no life and no immortality. With and in Him, there is no death. He said so to Martha (John 11:24-26).

Your problem, in part, is your definition of death. So you argue that Jesus gave a definition of death, in that He called Lazarus’ state of death, “sleep.” But are you not reading into the purpose and meaning of His communication? For example, He said, “Let the dead bury the dead.” Shall those who are physically and mentally unconscious bury others who are also unconscious? Obviously not.

If you are going to attribute validity of definition to Jesus as you do, then take all His words, not only some. Obviously, His direction to let the dead bury the dead defies your definition of what He meant in His speech concerning Lazarus being asleep, does it not?

Here is another example of your error in defining death. Adam and Eve died the very day they ate of the Tree of Knowledge. This I know because God said so:

“But you shall not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17 MKJV).

In the very physical day they ate, they died – they were cut off from the spiritual life and harmonious consciousness of God. When He came looking for them, they were fearful, ashamed, hiding, conscious of nudity, blaming others, and giving excuses; pain and sorrow were suddenly upon them; they were cast out of the Garden of Eden, forbidden to partake of the Tree of Life, and where they went and toiled by the sweat of their brow, the ground was cursed - all marks of the state of death. They died that day, the day they ate, and not when they shed their earthly dwellings or vessels centuries later. When they physically “dropped dead,” that was simply their termination of physical presence here on earth.

While on earth, they were still conscious, even as the dead to whom Jesus referred, saying, “Let the dead bury the dead.” But they were cut off from God’s life – they were dead.

Concerning, therefore, immortality, you confuse existence with life. Just because those unbelievers who physically die go on existing in the next realm does not mean they have immortal souls. Because existence does not end in this world does not mean immortality. They are simply the dead being buried by the dead. Both those with and those without bodies are dead.

This does not mean that unbelievers who die do not have value or are not important to God. Otherwise, why did Jesus Christ die to be their Lord and Savior? It also does not mean they are literally sleeping, as we know sleep.

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE TO THIS DOCTRINE: RATHER THAN ARGUING ABOUT WHETHER MEN HAVE IMMORTAL SOULS, YOU WILL LOOK TO HIM WHO HAS THE VICTORY AND HOLDS THE KEYS TO HELL AND DEATH, WITHOUT WHOM THERE IS NO LIFE, WHETHER IN THIS REALM OR THE NEXT.

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37) The King James Version is the perfect Word of God

Is the King James Authorized Version the Perfect Word of God?

There are those who believe only in the King James Version of the Bible. They declare that all other versions but the KJV are corrupt or fall short in some way. Most of these declare that the KJV is perfect, to the letter, without error. Such a notion is the result of nothing more than ignorance and pride, which serve to breed idolatry. I will prove, in this writing, that those who worship the KJV as being the perfect Word of God are in error.

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38) It is OK to use or display religious images, icons, and likenesses

While God prohibits making or having images in a context of worship, cults, as those who do their own thing outside of Him, often make or have them. Whereas these things are seen by man as godly, and indicative of piety, they are a sure sign of false religion and a continuation of pagan traditions and practices dressed up as “Christian.” These are the very things the children of Israel were told to completely destroy, a command that is indicative of how truly odious to God, and dangerous to man, these things are.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to give us life, not empty and deceptive representations. In the beginning He sent out His disciples and apostles, who, being raised as Jews and knowing the Law, did not have or use images, and likewise taught the Gentiles to abstain from the "pollution of idols." Paul said to the men of Athens, a city full of idols (which are the product of men making God in their own image):

"Then being offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like gold or silver or stone, engraved by art and man's imagination. Truly, then, God overlooking the times of ignorance, now He strictly commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:29-30).

True faith is knowing and seeing God as He is, and not as men imagine Him to be. The latter is the works of men (cults), the paths of the destroyer. The former is the rock on which His church is built. We cover this topic in greater depth, with more explanation and practical examples, in Religious Images, Icons, and Likenesses.

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE: IF YOU KEEP GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS OF NOT HAVING ANY IMAGES, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING DUMB AND POWERLESS IDOLS, YOU WILL BE FOLLOWING HIM, AND WILL, THEREBY, BE ON THE PATH TO KNOWING AND BECOMING LIKE HIM, THE LIVING CREATOR, RATHER THAN LIKE THE LIFELESS IMAGES CONCEIVED BY MEN.

"The images of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but no voice, they have eyes, but they do not see; they have ears, but no hearing; and there is no breath in their mouths. Those who make them are like them; and so is everyone who puts his hope in them" (Psalms 135:15-18 Bible in Basic English).

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39) Some are predestinated to burn in hell forever

True Hope for Netherlands Reform Church Members and All Calvin Doctrine Victims

This article contains the true answers from God for those who believe, or were taught, the false doctrine from Calvin that God has predestinated them to burn in hell forever, time without end. There is a time to stop drinking from the poisonous doctrines of men mixed in with Biblical Truth, and to start drinking from Jesus Christ alone, Who gives the water of life freely to whosoever wills.

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40) One cannot see God's face and live

Seeing God and Living

Interpreting the Bible requires spiritual revelation. A case in point: It is written that no man can see God’s face and live, yet many have done that very thing - it requires spiritual enlightenment, rather than a literal understanding, to know what God means. Then there are the wicked who profess to love and serve Jesus Christ, yet carnally interpret the Scripture to condemn those who have seen Him, not knowing they condemn themselves.

CONCLUSION OF DIABOLICAL DOCTRINES

It will be these arguments against the prevalent doctrines of devils and not the doctrines themselves which most religious "Christians" call diabolical. So it was in the days of all the prophets and even of the Prophet Himself Who laid down His life which was cruelly taken from Him by those who thought they were doing God service. It is always the true who are left outside and alone, not the false; it is the true who are stoned by word and deed, not the false; it is the true who are hated, not the false. The day of vindication is now here and all things are now being reversed so that all is right side up. The day of the Lord is here. Repent, all those to whom it is given. Again, I say, repent.

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Diabolical Doctrines: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3