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THE CHURCH TREASURER RESIGNS
The day the church treasurer resigned the church asked the local grain elevator manager to take the position. He agreed under two conditions.
That no treasurer's report would be given for the first year.
That no questions be asked about finances during that year.
The people were surprised but finally agreed since most of them did business with him and he was a trusted man.
At the end of the year he gave his report.
The church indebtedness of $ 228,000.00 has been paid.
The minister's salary has been increased by 8%.
The Cooperative Program gifts has been paid 200%.
There were no outstanding bills.
And there was a cash balance of $ 11,252.00!
Immediately the shocked congregation asked, "How did you do it? Where did the money come from?" He quietly answered: "Most of you bring your grain to my elevator. Throughout the year I simply withheld ten percent on your behalf and gave it to the church in your name. You didn't even miss it"!
"Do you see what we could do for the Lord if we were all willing to give at least the tithe to God, who really owns it?"
And so the new treasurer had made his point. (See Malachi 3:10)
THE AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION WEB SITE.
The Earth Charter's Unholy Ark
Berit Kjos
Contributing Columnist
April 22, 2001
That may be true. But this global contract, which outlines the needs of the planet and the "responsibilities" of its human inhabitants, points to a mandatory choice that differs radically from the Christian position. "Fundamental changes," it tells us, "are needed in our values, institutions, and ways of living." The old ways are out. A new set of beliefs, values and behavior must unify "the one human family" and ensure lasting peace.
The Ark of Hope -- built to carry the Earth Charter -- fits this agenda well. In contrast to the original Ark of the Covenant which housed the Ten Commandments, today's imitation mocks God's truth and honors the world's spiritual alternatives. Now on a pilgrimage to inspire reverence for the earth and support for global socialism, this profane replica brings new images and affirmations to the spirit of Earth Day, April 22, which happens to be Lenin's birthday.[1]
At first glance, the new Ark looks just like the familiar paintings of the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant. A 49" x 32" x 32" wooden chest with carrying rods on each side, it brings to mind the Israelites forty-year journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the promised land. Back then, God was teaching His precious people to understand His holiness and their need for uncompromising purity before Him. Only the Levites could carry the Ark, and this select tribe could only lift it by the attached poles. Nothing profane or unholy could touch God's sacred ark, for it signified His glorious presence among His people.[2]
Aside from their shape and name, the two arks have little in common. The website for the Earth Charter Initiative tells us that "the carrying poles are fashioned like unicorn horns which, according to legend, render evil ineffective." Apparently, the ark's message is based, in part, on a Harry Potter-like faith in earthy magic and benevolent occultism.
The five painted panels of the Ark are decorated with "indigenous symbolism celebrating Earth and all her living elements." Like the Native American medicine shield or the quartered circle of contemporary witchcraft, "each panel visualizes a season, a direction [north, east, south & west], one of the five elements, and a universal symbol." The top panel celebrates the magical symbols of the world's earth-centered religions.
It all makes sense! In a world that hates Biblical absolutes and loves its own illusions of unity and peace apart from God, symbolic art becomes a powerful tool for change. For "image and form have the power to transform consciousness," explains Sally Linder who designed and painted the ark. "The artwork the students created, and the Ark itself, carry a powerful message of peace, goodwill, love of Earth, and healing."[3]
With today's emphasis on "honoring the past and imagining the future,"[4] many see nothing wrong with redesigning the "memories" of the past to reflect their vision of the future. Many environmental visionaries have called for "new stories"[5] that replace the old truths and redirect our values. The message of the counterfeit ark serves the purpose well. It puts new meaning into old memories and usurps the honor inherent in the original. But that's part of the UN plan. There is little appreciation for God's law and His treasured covenant (the binding agreement He made with His people long ago)[6] in our pluralistic, postmodern age.
To fill the vacuum, even staunch Communists such as Mikhail Gorbachev call for spiritual revival. They envision a union of religions, all molded and conformed to a global, earth-centered spirituality. The gods, spirits and pantheistic forces of indigenous religions fit right in. Long a promoter of the Earth Charter and its socialist regulations, the former Soviet ruler knows well that strategic visual images inspire the masses and speed transformation. [See The State of the World according to Gorbachev]
So does Maurice Strong, the powerful founder and leader of the Earth Council. Though usually hidden behind the scenes, Strong is no minor player in this global contest for the minds of the masses. He led the UN Environmental Programme, directed the 1972 and 1992 UN Conferences on the Environment and Development,[7] founded Planetary Citizens, directed the World Future Society and founded and co-chaired the World Economic Forum. He is a member of the Club of Rome, trustee of the Rockefeller Foundation and Aspen Institute, a member of the UN Commission on Global Governance, and Senior Advisor to the World Bank as well as to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. [See Towards A Rapid Reaction Capability for the UN].
Maurice Strong has been working closely with Steven C. Rockefeller, professor emeritus of religion at Middlebury College.[8] Rockefeller has chaired the Earth Charter Drafting Committee since 1995 and has, apparently, linked a part of the Rockefeller fortune to the promotion of the Earth Charter's Initiative. If the Charter wins the consent of "the people," it would only be a matter of time before its rules would replace the rights granted by the U.S. Constitution. American sovereignty and our treasured liberty would fast fade. It's happening already. [See Trading U.S. Rights for UN Rules]
Few globalists have advanced the Earth Charter and its message more zealously than Robert Muller, former Assistant Secretary-General of the UN. He led the design team for UNESCO's Global Education Project and helped pave the way for "lifelong learning" -- a cradle-to-grave education system embraced by the United States through Clinton's Goals 2000 and the Bush administration's "Leave No Child Behind."
Muller's World Core Curriculum, used as a pattern for learning in nations around the world, matches the spiritual message of the Ark of Hope. Inspired by occultist Alice Bailey's spirit guide, it calls for schooling in planetary citizenship long before a child learns his or her national or local identity.[9]
I first heard Muller promote the Earth Charter on June, 21, 1995 at a UN celebration at the University of California at Berkeley. In his keynote message he described three stages in the history of the United Nations:
"The first period took up human rights.... By 1980, suddenly climatologists warned us that climate might go berserk.... This is the third period. Now Earth is number 1. ... [W]e must deal with rights of the planet.... There will be an Earth Charter.... We need ... a universal declarations of duties and responsibilities."
He admitted that the charter must be flexible, one that can be interpreted according to the world's changing needs and perceptions. For "what is right today may not be right tomorrow."
When Muller finished and prepared to answer questions, a man asked, "In a pluralistic world, would a centralized institution tend to become insensitive to ideas other than its own? If the UN becomes involved in spirituality, could it cause church-state violations?"
Though the man sounded polite, his questions triggered strange reactions. An angry woman in audience shouted: "In Oklahoma we saw the result of men who hate our central government." She stormed out.
Then Muller's showed his irrational intolerance and deep resentment toward U.S. sovereignty: "The US behaves like the first 13 states behaved in the days of Washington. Diversity is beautiful, but these differences cannot condone saying as the US says, 'I'm right and all others are wrong! ... To h___ with it!"
Enraged, he turned away from the platform and refused to answer any more questions. Could such arrogance be the norm among the champions of the Earth Charter? Will the oppressive spirits of the new world order lead to a unity based on absolute compliance to totalitarian standards?
Throughout the Bible, God warns us that man's timeless pursuit of pagan gods and demonic spirits will bring disaster:
"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget... Otherwise... your heart will become proud.... You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.'... If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods...you will surely be destroyed." (Deuteronomy 8:10-20)
Does that "good land" sound like America today? This warning was given to ancient Israel, but God tells us in Corinthians 10 that these principles hold true for us today. Re-inventing the Old Testament's most sacred treasure and using it to promote "other gods" is outright blasphemy (a politically incorrect word that few dare use today).
But our mighty "God will not be mocked." (Gal 6:7) We don't know how He will work out the details of His final plan, but those who trust Him can count on His promises. When the King of the universe tells us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," we can reply with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Heb 13:5)
Endnotes:
1. See Saving the Earth and http://www.earthcharter.org/earthcharter/charter.htm
2. http://www.earthcharter.org/events/arkofhope/release2.htm
3. Ibid.
4. President Clinton, 1997, State of the Union.
5. Go to Chapter 1: Under the Spell of Mother Earth and "find" Thomas Berry.
6. Jeremiah 31:31-34
7. In His opening speech at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development, Maurice Strong said, "...current lifestyles and consumption patterns of the affluent middle class - involving high meat intake use of fossil fuels, appliances, home and work-place air-conditioning, and suburban housing - are not sustainable. A shift is necessary, which will require a vast strengthening of the multilateral system, including the United Nations."
8. http://www.earthcharter.org/events/arkofhope/release1.htm
9. Read about Muller's occult beliefs and influence on education in Brave New Schools, Chapter 2
This article comes from "THE GENESIS NETWORK" web site.
MYTHS OF EVOLUTION
Evolution is Science, Creation is Religion
This myth infers that evolution explains the real world of science and human experience while creation relates to some etherical realm of spirits. It is equivalent to saying that creation is a parable -- something that didn't really happen --but it teaches some moral principles. This favorite put-down of atheistic evolutionists discredits biblical creation for the majority who are unfamiliar with Scripture. Everyone knows the Bible contains parables and visions and that it does explain things about spirit beings. But the Bible, from cover to cover, records very real historical events that happened and will happen in the real physical world where Science can study natural phenomena. The Bible frames all it's teachings on real historical events --some of them miraculous. These supernatural events occurred in real history, in spite of some remarkable explanations from fools who have said in their heart, "There is no God!" Creation is a series of supernatural events that the Bible says happened in real time, in real space and to real matter. Nothing in Scripture permits us to view these events as parables. God said He made it All in Six Days.The Bible Tells WHO not HOW.
Like most myths, this is a half-truth. Unlike evolution, biblical creation identifies the creative force that caused it all. Evolution has yet to identify any productive cause. The belief that random chance can produce good has no basis in logic or science. Most important, scientific HOWS are of little consequence in understanding origins --we want to know what happened HISTORICALLY. The Bible is full of HOWS that tell the ways of our all-wise, all-powerful sovereign Creator. The HOWS of creation teach us the Miracle-Worker's purposes. The HOWS of creation are just as important as the HOWS of all other Bible events. God said He made it All in Six Days, that's HOW.
Experts can Harmonize Evolution with Scripture
All such harmonizations are an illusion because evolution and the Bible are fundamentally opposite in the structural elements they propose. The time frame, the sequence, the events, the purposes, the reasons, the methods, the processes -- everything is opposite. More important, the physical explanations carry incompatible meanings. God said He made it All in Six Days. That doesn't harmonize with any evolutionary mixture.
It doesn't really matter which view you hold.
From all appearances this myth seems to be true. Creation believers and evolution believers work and live successfully in all walks of life. Both of these contradictory worldviews cannot be true; one of them is giving their believer a false perception of reality, false values, false self-image, a false view of God, a futile lifestyle vs. purpose and meaning in life, moral relativism vs absolutes, a foundation for humanism and atheism vs. a foundation for Bible doctrines. What difference does it make? Do you agree? God said He made it All in Six Days. Believe Him! This of all myths should be one that concerns us all. The majority of church attendees today feel that it doesn´t matter what you believe. Just believe that God did the creation. The truth of the matter is that if the foundation to a building doesn´t really matter, the intensity placed in building it would be left out. The foundation is the "Beginning" as Genesis is the book of beginnings. If you and I as Christians do not think it matters what our faith is founded on, we are in more trouble than we thought. We must be concerned about why we believe and what we believe. If we reject biblical creation we will soon begin to question other miraculous works of God.
Insisting on Recent Creation Turns Scientists off God.
Yes, it will turn SOME scientists away from God. So will the virgin birth, the deity of Jesus, the miracles of the Bible and every supernatural intervention in the physical world of man's experience where Naturalism claims that science reigns. But believing these material, historical events is the ONLY WAY to come to God. Why would we bring scientists to some wimpy imitation of God? Why not show them the God who, "revealed His almighty power and invisible attributes" (Rom.1:20) by working ONLY supernaturally during creation. Creation was the one opportunity to display the extent of His power, uninhibited by any divine or delegated limits He later imposed on Himself. Even little children understand if they will FIRST BELIEVE. Even scientists CAN'T understand if they won't FIRST BELIEVE.
We should remain open-minded to all views.
This sounds like good advice --Christians should be considerate of others. More important than considerate, Christians are believers --they believe God. If God has spoken and has told us the truth, then we better believe Him. To not believe God after He has told us the truth is not optional. Open-mindedness to God's words is essential, but if we persist in willful ignorance we commit the disastrous sin of unbelief. Ironically, openmindedness also hardens into a firm position. We will find that what we won't believe, we can't believe. Unfortunately unbelief is never stationary, it's a slope. If we reject biblical creation we will soon begin to question other miraculous works of God. God said He made it All in Six Days. That's not very open-minded of Him.UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE
by Stacia Byers15 April, 2001
This Sunday many Christians will commemorate the resurrection of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Why is this important?
The Apostle Paul (who saw the risen Christ) states it is important that Jesus truly did rise again because, if Christ is not raised, your faith is foolish we are of all men most miserable. (1 Corinthians 15:14,17). After Jesus rose from the dead, He met with His disciples (including the authors of the books of John and Matthew; and Peter, who informed Mark). He commanded them to tell others about the Creator who came to save the world from the Curse of sin (Matthew 28:19?20, Revelation 4:11, 5:9). Then, He returned to heaven to prepare a place for those who believe in Him (John 13:2,3).Following are some claims that have been made by those who deny Jesus actually rose again, and who need to explain why the tomb where He lay is now empty:
- Jesus just fainted while on the cross, later revived in the cool tomb and then left. But Jesus would have had to unwrap Himself from the grave clothes, push aside the stone (which was too heavy to be moved by a single man) across the entrance to the tomb, and then walk past the soldiers outside. An almost-dead-by-crucifixion man would have been too weak to do this, and would have been stopped by the guards. Further, the Roman soldier had pierced Him with a spear while He was still on the cross, and the blood and water that flowed from this wound showed that He was truly dead.
- The disciples stole Jesus body and then lied, saying He arose. But the disciples would not have made it past the tomb guards without the guards noticing them. Most of the disciples later died for their belief that Jesus arose, they would not have died, rather than recant, for something they knew to be a lie.
- Either the Romans or Jews removed Jesus body from the tomb. But these two groups of people had no reason to do so, in fact, they would have wanted a body in the tomb to stop any stories that Jesus had risen. And when the followers of Christ began saying that they had seen Him alive, the Jews or Romans could have shown the Christians' claims to be false just by producing the body yet they didn't.
- The story that Jesus rose from the dead is just a myth or legend. But the Gospels were written between 25 and 65 years after the crucifixion of Christ far too little time for a myth to develop because eyewitnesses to the events were still around at that time to answer any questions.
How can we be sure?
- Just as science cannot prove that Jesus rose from the dead, it also cannot prove that God created everything in six days. In fact, science can't prove any event from history, because it is limited in dealings about the past. Historical events are known to be true because of reliable eyewitness accounts. Similarly, there are reliable eyewitness accounts that Jesus tomb was empty after three days, and that He later appeared to as many as 500 people at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).
- Most importantly, we know that the Resurrection is true because God, the most reliable eyewitness of all, who never lies and knows everything, tells us in His Word that these things happened. As Paul says, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3?4, emphasis added).
- Just as we accept that Christ rose bodily from the dead because of the clear Words of Scripture, we also accept that God created in six normal-length days because of the clear Words of Scripture (Genesis 1, Exodus 20:8?11). Conversely, if we cannot believe God created in six earth-rotation days though the Words in Genesis state this, then how can we insist on believing the Words in Scripture concerning Christ's bodily resurrection?
As we contemplate the real meaning of Easter at this time of year, let us also remember how important it is to take God at His Word!
Thy word is true from the beginning. (Psalm 119:160).
COPYRIGHT © 2001 Answers in Genesis Ministries International
www.AnswersInGenesis.org The following is from the Answers in Genesis web site.
Noah at the Ark
In Genesis 7:4 we read of the time when God told Noah that in seven days He would judge the Earth with the global catastrophe of a Flood. This illustration is to remind people that the door of the Ark stood open for seven days.
Noah probably was standing at the doorway preaching to people telling them that they needed to come through the doorway to be saved. The Bible relates that only eight people went through that doorway, Noah and his three sons and their wives. There were possibly millions of people on the Earth at that time, but all were drowned by the floodwaters. All but eight people rejected the clear Word of God.
DID JESUS SAY HE CREATED IN SIX DAYS?
by Ken Ham, AiG-US Executive Director
August 25, 2001
A rather vehement old-Earther wrote recently and claimed: a twenty-four [hour] understanding of the creation days was never stated explicitly by Jesus. Well, did Jesus anywhere clearly state that the Earth was created in six ordinary (approximately 24 hours each) days?by Ken Ham, AiG-US Executive Director
August 25, 2001
See why linguists also say: Genesis means what it says
Dr Charles Taylor
Dr Taylor, an Australian linguist, conducts an in-depth study of each of the first 100 Hebrew words contained in Genesis 1:12:4a. It is an extra-ordinary look at how the Hebrew text is meant to be taken literally.
When confronted with such a question, most Christians would automatically go to the New Testament to read the recorded words of Jesus to see if such a statement occurs.
Now, when we search the New Testament Scriptures, we certainly find many interesting statements Jesus made that relate to this issue. For instance:
1. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. (Mark 10:6).This makes it clear that Jesus taught the creation was young, for Adam and Eve existed from the beginning not billions of years after the universe and Earth came into existence.
2. Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you, Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words? (John 5:45-47). In this passage, Jesus makes it clear that one must believe what Moses wrote. And one of the passages in the writings of Moses in Exodus 20:11 states: For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. This, of course, is the basis of our seven-day week, six days work and one day rest. Obviously, this passage was meant to be taken as speaking of a total of seven literal days based on the Creation week of six literal days of work and one literal day of rest.
In fact, in Luke 13:14, in his response to Jesus healing a person on the Sabbath, the ruler of the synagogue, who knew the law of Moses, obviously referred to this passage when he said, There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day. The Sabbath day here was considered an ordinary day, and the six days of work were considered ordinary days. This teaching is based on the law of Moses as recorded in Exodus 20,where we find the Ten Commandments the six- day Creation week being a basis for the Fourth Commandment.
One could consider many more passages that certainly imply that Jesus taught that He created in six days, but are there any explicit passages?
I believe there are. However, one has to approach this issue in a slightly different manner. Why just go to the New Testament to try to find out if Jesus stated He created in six days?
Why not the Old Testament? After all, Jesus is the second person of the Godhead, and has always existed.
First, Colossians makes it clear that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was the one who created all things: For by Him all things were created that are in heaven, and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Colossians 1:16-17).
We are also told elsewhere in Scripture how Jesus created: By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth For He spoke,, and it was done. (Psalm 33:6,9).
As well as this, we know that Jesus is in fact called the Word: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:1-3).
So Jesus, who is the Word, created by speaking everything into existence.
Now, consider Exodus 20:1: And God spoke all these words, saying, Because Jesus is the Word, this must be a reference to the preincarnate Christ speaking to Moses. As we know, there are a number of appearances of Christ (theophanies) in the Old Testament.
John 1:18 states: No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. There is no doubt, with rare exception, that the preincarnate Christ did the speaking to Adam, Noah, the patriarchs, Moses etc.
Now, when the Creator God spoke as recorded in Exodus 20:1, what did He (Jesus) say? As we read on, we find this statement: For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day.
Yes, Jesus did explicitly say He created in six days. Not only this, but the one who spoke the words six days also wrote them down for Moses: Then the LORD delivered to me two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain from the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly (Deuteronomy 9:10).
Jesus said clearly: He created in six days! And He even did something He didn't do with most of Scripture. He wrote it down Himself. How more authoritative can you get than that?
Even if someone is convinced that God the Father was the speaker in Exodus 20:11, the Father and Son would never disagree. Jesus said in John 10:30: I and my Father are one. [neuter one in the essence of deity, not one in personality].
Jesus said"Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?" John 5:45-47 KJV Jesus confirmed that "it is a foolish claim to believe the New Testament without also believing the Old Testament including Genesis. Jesus Himself accepted the Pentateuch as literal and inspired history. To reject the Genesis accounts of Creation and the Flood, for example, is tantamount to rejecting Christ as the omniscient Son of God." (Dr. Henry Morris' footnote on John 5:45-47, The Defender's Study Bible)
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