Today, points are shared on atheism, “the great controversy,” and various end-time prophesies from the Bible. For the Christian believer, atheism is no advance or development to a higher level for mankind; rather, it is a breakdown, collapse, and return to earlier stages of pride and psychological dependency that existed before enlightenment by Jesus Christ through the gifts of Pentecost. Atheism signals opposition to, and removal of necessary spiritual focus that enables, and ensures the growth and prosperity of mankind will be in agreement with the character, nature, and substance of divinity. Here, atheism is responded to as the belief that academic study, formal discourse, and science may not legitimately include, or make appeals to concepts of divine agents and authority to explain cause, composition, origin, or process for carnal, natural and social phenomena appearing in the earth. In denying the existence of divinity, and disqualifying the use of prophecy, atheism also promotes blasphemy, disbelief, iniquity, lack of sacred knowledge (we say, ignorance), persecution of those who express faith, and humanity continuing in bondage to sin. The accomplishments of modern astronomy, medicine, science, and technology notwithstanding, it remains that the influence and operations of sin can not be correctly identified, completely eliminated, or even successfully resisted relying only upon finite tools that merely give expression to flesh without also acknowledging sacred spirit. Human history has shown, apart from GOD, such devices as structured debate, empiricism, genius, intellect, logic, rhetoric, and theory will never be enough to remove sin and wickedness from mankind upon the earth. Consider the following Scripture and the discussion provided below: And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13: 4-10, King James Version, KJV) One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (required profile information not shared) posted:
Christians, now that the gospel is spread to the ends of the earth, what gives with the rise of atheism?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24: 3-14, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Once We Know Better? (07/01/2016); To Study the Book of Judges (09/09/2015); More About the Trinity? (03/30/2015); Salvation for Atheists? (06/14/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); How To Love GOD? (03/24/2013)
“Anonymous”, while proclaiming eternal purposes, forthcoming sacred events, ongoing divine operations, and the immutable will of GOD, the holy writings also describe the process and responses to divinity that will appear among created beings and living creatures. Many aspects are reported in detail of what has been called “the great controversy between Christ and Satan.” Included are the increase of secular knowledge; upsurges of apostasy (falling away), disbelief, false doctrine, and heresy among Christian believers; tribulation; men becoming sealed with marks that identify them as belonging to either Christ or Satan; a Satanic army being mustered; and the removal from the earth of those who are “ripe” for harvest at the appearing of Jesus Christ (some say, the Advent, the Rapture, the Second Coming). Only those anchored in mature faith that has been nourished from rebirth through sacred knowledge, fellowship with experienced believers, continuing sacred practices (we say, sacraments), unselfish service, and heartfelt worship, will be able to withstand the onslaught against the church during the end times. The church will even appear to be totally cast down and destroyed, before the indisputable victory of Jesus is acknowledged by all. Consider again how some of this is stated in the language of the Bible:
(1.) Daniel 12: 1-4, King James Version (KJV): 1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
(2.) Daniel 7: 15-16, KJV: 15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
(3.) Daniel 7: 19-22, KJV: 19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; 20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. 21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
(4.) 2nd Timothy 3: 1-5, KJV: 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
There is far more that could be said, must be carefully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, (5.) 2nd Timothy 3: 13-17, KJV: 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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