Opus 2022-073: Have It Both Ways

Let me teeter on the verge of heresy for a moment.

There are certain questions regarding salvation that keep coming up.  I am not going to weigh in on the question of the millions who have never heard the gospel.  What I am looking at today is the question of the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Most people I talk to either state or imply that the law and sacrifices could not save you from your sins and grant you eternal life.  In one sense that is obvious because nothing you do through your own effort guarantees you eternal life.  You cannot be saved by works.  The problem comes when people equate the sacrificial system with works.  This is based on the teaching of the New Testament that we are saved by grace, through faith.  Jesus Himself said,

(Joh 14:6 KJV)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Their reasoning is that Jesus had not shed His blood in the days of David and Solomon so there was no way to the Father.

The big problem with that position is that the Old Testament is constantly referring to atonement that can be had through the sacrifice in the temple.  How do we put this together?

Here is where the heresy swings our direction.  Look at this verse,

(Rev 13:8 KJV)  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.

It would seem to me since God is outside time that He could apply the blessings of the shed blood to those who lived before Jesus.  In this thinking the blood of the sacrificial animals becomes a type for the death of Jesus.

Jesus died on a certain day.  His death applies to all sin from that time forward.  Why would it not be a possibility that it could also be applied to the past.  If you read the Old Testament you will find many references to the fact that a sacrifice is pointless if it is not accompanied by faith.  They may not have known the terminology but they understood the concept that blood must be shed but it was the sincerity and repentance of the heart that gave it force.

So don’t worry about Abraham, Moses, Isaiah and the rest.  Jesus died for them too.  They may not have known all the details but they understood that salvation came as a gracious gift from God.

homo unius libri

Opus 2021-269: You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet

One of the worries the remaining free and thinking Americans have is that the federal government will mandate everyone be vaccinated.  This, of course, could become a reality by simply having the grocery stores refuse to sell you food unless you had The Passport.  I am sure I am not the only one who has been watching this develop ever since they started requiring masks and the threat that no one should be able to buy or sell if they did not have a mask.  I wrote about it.  Others wrote about it.  This kind of talk brought to mind the Biblical concept of the Mark of the Beast.

Many of you will be familiar with the Bible verse,

(Rev 13:17 KJV)  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Add to that the idea of how the mark will be issued,

(Rev 13:16 KJV)  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Prophecy is funny that way.  It predicts the most unusual things.

For a number of reasons I am not convinced this is the Mark of the Beast.  It could be but there are certain requirements involved.  What is on my mind at this point is the persecution that is coming.

Americans have funny ideas about persecution.  We think we are going through hard times when the power goes out for a day.  We think we are going to die when toilet paper gets cleaned off the shelves.  We wonder if Satan is out to get us when our property taxes are raised.

We have a lot to learn about persecution and I am afraid that the lessons are on the way.  One of the books I am reading is Ecclesiastical History by a man named Eusebius Pamphilus.  He wrote in the fourth Century A.D.  Although the book is not specifically about persecution he cannot tell the history of the early church without talking about the martyrs.  These were Christians who were arrested and persecuted simply because they refused to bow down to Caesar and say a simple prayer to him.  

Most people have heard about Nero feeding Christians to the lions.  I have seen it dealt with in movies and there are a lot of political cartoons that follow the meme.  As many popular ideas about history, this picture comes far from the whole truth.  It seems that the encounters with the lions were after assorted other tortures and that often the animals were not fatal so there was more that came after.  One victim, Blandina, went through this,

“And thus, after scourging, after exposure to the beasts, after roasting, she was finally thrown into a net and cast before a bull, and when she had been well tossed by the animal and had now no longer any sense of what was done to her by reason of her firm hope, confidence, faith and her communion with Christ, she too was dispatched.” p. 179

And this was after she watched her two children tortured and killed.  

You say this could not happen to us today.  Really?  I think you have a higher opinion of your fellow man than is being demonstrated by the videos on You Tube.  The mob had a place then.  Take the case of Pothinus who was over 90 and sickly.  I won’t go through the torture aspect, but get a feel for the mob.

“After this, he was unmercifully dragged away and endured many stripes, whilst those that were near abused him with their hands and feet in every possible way, not even regarding his age.  But those at a distance, whatsoever they had at hand, every one hurled at him, all thinking it would be a great sin and impiety if they fell short of wanton abuse against him.  For they supposed they would thus avenge their own gods.” p. 174

Here was an old man, being manhandled by the police, already beaten and the mob was getting their jollies by kicking, slapping and throwing things.  If you can’t see that happening in modern America then you have not been watching.  Notice that they were avenging their gods.  Christians today are at odds with the gods of our culture, so expect the worst.

Two outcomes I wish for.  First, that the violence and persecution that seem to be coming would not happen, and second, that when it does I would stand tall for truth and righteousness.  Both are tall orders.

Eusebius.  Ecclesiastical History.  Grand Rapids:  Baker Book House, Reprinted 1989.

homo unius libri

Opus 2021-056: Thalidomide Anyone?

I do not plan on taking the vaccination for the China virus.  Of course they might tie me down to force it, but if I am free to make the choice, then no.  Although there might be other reasons if we were sitting over coffee, let me share two.  One is rational and based on science.  The other is pure opinion.

I think the vaccines being offered now are incredibly dangerous.  There is a reason why the FDA has had a long process of approval for new drugs.  One of the big ones is long term side effects.  There is no possible way that the drug companies have had the time to thoroughly vet these medications.  There is a reason they demanded shelter from law suits.  Think thalidomide.  You can do a search for it but to make it brief, it was prescribed to pregnant women for morning sickness.  I guess it worked.  What was not realized was that it also caused severe birth defects.  It is still used in treatment of leprosy and skin cancer but they learned the hard way that pregnant women should not take it.  

I am not planning on getting pregnant but I think it safe to assume there will be other side effects from these vaccines down the road.

The second is totally personal.  I have never taken a flu shot.  At 68 I was still working on a daily basis with middle school students, a population not know for being healthy.  I went through long periods where some would deliberately cough in my face hoping to make me sick so I would stay home a few days.  It didn’t work because I had been coughed on for years, by the best, and I had developed an immunity.  The body works that way.  The China virus is just another version of the flu.  Will people get sick?  Yes.  Will some die?  Yes.  Will I be one of them?  Hard to tell.  Do all medications have side effects?  Yes.  

I prefer to take my chances with my God given and strengthened immune system rather than put strange chemicals in my body.  Will these vaccines save some lives?  Probably.  So does the placebo.  Will it kill a few?  Yes.  Will the vast majority feel sicker from the side effects of the vaccine than they would from the disease feared?  There is not way to prove that but I believe it is true.

So I don’t plan on taking it.  Of course I am expecting that the Progressives will find some way to force the issue.  They will come up with regulations that will make it impossible to get our teeth cleaned if we cannot prove we had the vaccine.  It is to protect us and the hygienist.  They will have a special tax surcharge for those who are not vaccinated.  After all we should pay our fair share.  They will set up your credit cards so they will not work if they don’t have vaccine verification.  They need to protect the compliant.  The methods are unlimited.  If you think it was irritating to have people take your temperature when you went into a building then get ready for the vaccine screening.  

(Rev 13:17 KJV) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Interesting times, yes?

homo unius libri

Opus 2021-033: Chips without Salsa

My grandparents were paranoid.  They went into a panic when FDR forced everyone to get a social security number (SSN).  There were so many of them that the Feds were forced to include legislation making it illegal to use the SSN for any purpose other than their social security account.

What was the fuss all about?

(Rev 13:17 KJV) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

And notice that modern technology strikes again.  When the SSN was given out it was printed on a piece of paper you carried in your pocket.  Now we have talk about chipping everyone.  After all, if the chip with its RFID identifier is implanted in your forehead then when they take your temperature to let you in the building it can check to see if you have been vaccinated.  The technology is already in place.  Think of pets that are being chipped so they can be brought home.  Think of the way in which media can track your movements by the chip in your phone.  When it is in your forehead you are good to go.

Notice what Revelation says about that in the previous verse,

(Rev 13:16 KJV) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Hysteria you say?  Paranoid you say?  Keep in mind that observation that just because you are paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you.

How is it working out for you?  Have you been to the doctor lately?  Have you filled out any paperwork for anyone?  What is always one of the blanks?  SSN.  Most people are not aware that they can refuse to share it.  The nice secretary will argue with you but eventually give in.  In addition it is the law now that when your children are born they are required to be assigned a SSN.  That has come into effect since my children were born.  The needle keeps moving and the next place it will penetrate if your right hand or forehead.

One of the disturbing things about prophecy is when it seems to be so right on 2,000 years later.

Are you still laughing?

homo unius libri

Opus 2021-001: The Two P’s of the New Year, part 1 of 2

As we close out the year we can admit it has been a wild ride.  My forecast is that next year will make this look like the calm before the storm.  I am still praying for a miracle in the presidential election.  Call me a dreamer.  I can live with that.  Although I have my times of dragging spirits, I refuse to live in fear.  Although I consider myself a realist and in some definitions a cynic, I refuse to embrace “Woe is me!”

I live in two worlds.  The secular world does not look good.  I see the Progressive* state flexing its muscles and going into overdrive to curtail our liberty.  I am expecting an attempt to use the vaccine to implement Revelation 13:17.

(Rev 13:17 KJV) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

We are already hearing and seeing it.  Qantas Airline has announced it will require proof of vaccination in order to fly internationally.  American corporations have received the green light to fire people who don’t get the vaccine.  There are many voices out there trying to bring all American to heel.  If America goes, so goes the world.

Even if the vaccine does not become the mark of the Beast there is plenty of clear evidence that the new administration and its handlers are going to do everything they can to make prosperity and liberty words of the past.  Their desire is to tax the middle class out of existence and get everyone on the government dole.  They want to disarm us.  They are already well on their way to brainwashing our children.  The future is glum if you are an optimist and devastating if you are paying attention.

*(Liberals, educators, socialists, communists, crony capitalists, elites, Rinos, Democrats, leftists, Never Trumpers, Antifa, etc.  Another word for swamp dwellers)

To be concluded...

homo unius libri

Opus 2020-168: A Mask Instead of a Chip

I am wondering if I met the Beast today. 

I am not a conspiracy nut, or at least I don’t think so.  I don’t see the deep state behind every computer glitch nor do I see Soros or Rothschild behind every fool.  Today I began to wonder.

It started off at the bank.  I took a mask with me because I needed to sign some paper work.  At the door I read the fine print and it said customers did not need to wear a mask, so I didn’t.  What I found amusing was that they required me to use hand sanitizer before I entered.  Okay.  I can do that.  That was not what amused me.  What rolled my eyes was that after my hands were germ free I had to reach out and open the door using the same door handle that everyone else was using.  Then when I got inside, I was asked for ID.  I dug out my driver’s license and laid it on the desk thinking the clerk would look without touching or use gloves.  No.  She just picked it up.

So far I am having fun with the nonsense.  Then my wife, being my wife, decided that she needed to stop at a new Mexican place just up the street.  When we got inside I was told that if I did not have a mask I would not be served.  My wife had her mask in her hand, not on.  They said nothing to her.  We left.  I was not allowed to buy or sell.

This brings me to the chilling part about the Beast.  The Beast of Revelation will set things up to demand toeing his line.

(Rev 13:17 KJV) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

My wife said that our only major grocery chain, H-E-B, has made a corporate decision to require masks even in areas that have not government mandate.  Okay.  I still have the little store I went to yesterday but what if they do the same?

I know.  It is only a mask.  It isn’t a computer chip or a mind altering vaccine.  It is just a mask.  I can even make a joke of it by wearing a bandana.  It is still a government action that is closing in on me saying, “Wear this mark to show your submission or you will not be able to buy or sell.”

We live in interesting times.  No, I do not think that a mask is the Mark of the Beast.  At this point I can probably have food delivered if I want to go that far, but I view this as a trial run by the government and a chance for me to work through some realities.  Like, what happens when your credit card also requires your Covid Vaccination Number to be processed?

Again, we live in interesting times.

homo unius libri

Opus 2020-110: Monday Pulpit: Chips of the Beast

If you are a Christian and getting nervous pat yourself on the back.  If you are not a Christian and wonder why Christians are getting nervous it is because you haven’t read the book.  I am referring to a growing voice calling for every person to carry an ID to show that they have been vaccinated.  For the Progressives* this is a dream come true.  It will allow them to expand their control to levels that the average citizen cannot comprehend.

Most people have seen the number 666 used in ways they may not understand.  Others have heard of something called the “mark of the beast”.  These are flags that are found in the Bible to designate the final world government that is prophesied to arise to destroy God’s people. 

You need a little Bible quoting to get this.  Keep in mind that this was written thousands of years ago.  There are a number of references to beasts in Revelation but one we are concerned with is in chapter 13.

The prophecy says that everyone will be required to receive this mark.

(Rev 13:16-17 KJV) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

When you hear people talking about government issued, digital ID and doing away with cash this verse pops into people’s minds if they are familiar with the Bible.  Notice that you will not be able to buy or sell without this mark on your body.  The ideas being put forward by Bill Gates and Dr. Fauci fit right into this scenario.  Where does the 666 come from?

(Rev 13:18 KJV) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

You have seen the memes that have German soldiers stopping people and examining their papers.  If you have never traveled much you might not realize how much other governments are already doing this kind of thing.  In most countries the police have the right to stop you any time and demand your “papers”.  If you travel you will often be required to turn in your passport at the desk of the hotel or at least have it registered. 

One of the reasons I am against a government issued national ID is because of the ability it gives the government to track you and control you.  Picture how this would go if all your transactions required a chip to complete.  Some little man with a Napoleon complex, sitting in an isolated office who has just had his wife humiliate him in public will be able to decide if you should be able to buy a ticket to leave on vacation.  If you think the IRS or DMV are hard to deal with just picture dealing with something like this.

If you have nothing to hide and are happy with your cable and six pack, it is possible that you will never notice...until you do and then it will be too late.

Don’t let the hype over another flu season allow you to give away your liberty.

*(Liberals, educators, socialists, communists, elites, Rinos, Democrats, leftists, Never Trumpers, etc)

homo unius libri