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Friday, July 10, 2009

The Breaking Dam

Well, for someone who hasn’t felt like posting for so long, I’ve got ONE LONG POST to put up today. It is truly like a breaking dam, because it is a culmination of things that I have been noticing and studying for about a year. And they all go together, so there’s no way to talk about just one at a time. Bear with me, too, because it will be difficult to bring these things together on paper the way they come together in the lightning fast brain. There will surely be moments when you wonder if I have begun to write fiction, but I hope to make it cohesive by the end.

The first thing I want to mention is the scriptural command for testing a prophet to see if he/she is truly from the Father or not. There are two criteria, though many people stop at the first. Deuteronomy 13 says that a true prophet’s words will be proven. In other words, if he says something is going to happen, it does. But that is not enough, because even the demons can give someone a prophecy and then make it come true. The second test is to make sure that what the prophet says and does lines up with the Word. If a prophet says something will happen, and it does, but then he tries to lead you away from the Bible, he is a false prophet. This is important, and we’ll come back to it in a bit.

Next is something I have been discussing with Laurie for a while (I am just referencing where the topic came up- she does not necessarily agree with anything I am saying here). We have both noticed a trend recently in Hollywood to use movies with certain amounts of prophecy in them. The problem is that usually there is a little tiny bit of something from the Bible followed by a ton of anti-scriptural claptrap. At first I speculated that it was merely to draw people and their money to the box office because prophecy is currently a hot topic, but now I believe it is part of the whole deception of the end times. Some of the movies we discussed were The Day the Earth Stood Still, Angels and Demons, and Knowing (and now the previews for 2012 due out in November). Anybody with a passing knowledge of scripture can likely pick out the connotations in these movies. The disturbing part is that those who aren’t acutely knowledgeable in the scriptures can very easily be led astray. This is another reason is it VITALLY IMPORTANT that you know your Bible.



One very prominent idea in the movies and media right now is that of alien-led exodus from the planet. The premise is generally that we have destroyed the earth through our actions (global warming, pollution, religious based wars, etc.) and the aliens must come down and either save us all, or ‘rapture’ a select group to start over on the new earth. Norm Franz has a DVD called Report From Roswell: Unraveling the UFO/Alien Phenomenon that I think every believer truly, truly needs to see. It is only $14 at his website, or it does have permission to copy on it if someone has a machine that can make copies (mine only does CD’s). In this DVD, Norm uses the lens of scripture to examine things such as the alien autopsy, ufo sightings, and different cults that believe that aliens are our gods. Many of these cults have an end-times theology of aliens coming to earth to rapture us away!

What interested me in this video in the first place were all the recent blog discussions of aliens and how they could be demons. Most specifically was the discussion Ace had about the mating of the ‘sons of God’ with the daughters of men in Genesis 6. This discussion was a great example of why when we don’t understand something, we need to go back to the original languages. There is already so much confusion and so many false teachings because of the many Bible perversions that are sold (I’m not picking on anybody, just stating a fact). If you read this passage in the Hebrew, the translation is ‘heavenly beings’ or those who dwell in the realm beyond earth. This understanding is important for 2 reasons. First, we know they were not ‘christians’ because as I wrote last year, we did not have the power to become the sons and daughters of Yah until after the once-for-all sacrifice of the Lamb (John 1), who was called his ONE and only begotten son. Instead, a good way to explain it would be to compare the phrase sons of God with the phrase sons of man (or in this verse, daughters of man). The difference between them is the realm in which they dwell. Because some languages have only one word, like son, while others have several variations with different meanings, there can be something lost in the translation. That does not mean that the scriptures are translated in error, only our ability to understand them fully is at fault.

Secondly, we see here that they mating of these two created offspring. Anybody with any creationism training knows that two different species cannot mate together. Even before I knew what evolution was or was old enough to be concerned, I remember a Sunday school teacher saying that two species cannot mix, and this was good evidence that we were created special and stayed that way. The reason this is important is that many heresies were formed from the theology that Yah could not impregnate a woman, so that Yeshua was either fully divine or was fathered by someone else and Yah just orchestrated it. Obviously the sons of God, or celestial beings, looked like humans. This will be important later on, too.

In this discussion over at Ace’s blog, it was mentioned that many reports have been made by women claiming to have engaged in intercourse with (and sometimes being impregnated by) aliens (or demons). The importance of the head covering is discussed by Paul to be for the benefit of the angels, or heavenly beings, and the discussion went along the lines of wondering if that were to do with this joining of the two. The head covering serves as a sign that you belong to Adonai and are therefore off limits, so to speak. There is no indication in the scriptures that the sons of God cannot tell the difference between men and women, thereby necessitating a sign. Rather it would seem that in this explanation, the covering is a sign of belonging to Yah and his order of things, which makes you ‘untouchable’.

Remember also that Satan was at one point a good guy and that when he fell, he took 1/3 of the angels with him. If the theory is correct that what people are seeing as aliens are actually demons, or fallen angels, it poses some questions. When we talk of demons looking like aliens, or vice versa, we get a picture in our minds of weird looking creatures with big heads and black eyes, and it makes you wonder why anybody would want to have intercourse with something like THAT! Why didn’t the women in the Bible run screaming from the sons of God? Why didn’t the babies come out looking like science fiction characters (because the only difference noted in the Bible is that they were giants)? Why would someone today want to have intercourse with an alien?

And then I saw something in these Hollywood movies that made complete sense to me, kinda connecting the dots. In one, the aliens (demons) disguised themselves as humans. They were walking around just like everyone else until the end, when they took off the masks and ‘surprise’, it’s really aliens. There are plenty of people who say they are believers but who don’t know the Word, or who have mixed cultural Christianity with so many other things that there is no longer a label for it, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they believed that ‘God’ sent aliens in a spaceship to rapture them away (2 Timothy 4). But what about those who do know, because we are told that the deceptions will be so great that even the elect might be led astray. It’s hard to imagine church people lining up for a UFO ride, believing it was scriptural. But then I re-read 2 Corinthians 11, where we learn that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. Can he take on any disguise he wishes? What if the alien suits are the disguise and the demons really look like people, and will reveal themselves as such when they stage their own second coming? How else would you explain masses of people being deceived into thinking the devil was really the Christ himself (Matthew 24:5)?

Many, many people are expecting a rapture from this earth. Could it be possible that Satan will come first, posing as the Messiah, in the very same way? But surely we would know Jesus if we saw him. Well, how would you know? By the pictures painted hundreds of years after his death? By his charismatic personality and the miracles he performs? How will you really know him? What if the deception is crafted to look different to each person? The false messiah might look like the Mahdi to Muslims, the Maetraya to New Agers, and whatever people are expecting or believe in, including aliens. And he may look like Jesus to those who think they know him but don’t. We will know him as a true prophet if what he says happens, and if he follows the Word. In the same way, we will know the counterfeit by his failure to agree with the Word.

Not only do we need to know the scripture to know the signs of His coming, but we need to know the scriptures so that we can detect the fake! If Satan comes in disguise, he will still tip his hand by going against scripture, because he is by definition the lawless one. I have read recently that there is noting to prevent the return of Christ, but I disagree and think this is a dangerous heresy. We are given a list of things that must happen before our Christ returns. There are events like an increase in earthquakes, famine, and wars that are the beginning of birth pangs, but those have been happening all along. They can be hard to pin down as fulfillment of prophecy, and unfortunately many will see anything close to one of these occurrences as a sign. But we have also been given very specific, one-time events to tell us for sure of the times we are in. If we don’t know these, it can be easy to fall for what is given as a counterfeit.

BEFORE the return of Christ....
1. 2nd Thessalonians 2 says the son of perdition had to be revealed before Yeshua will return. I have not yet figured out how this works in with the pre-trib rapture theory (one of the reasons I don’t agree with it), but it fits perfectly with people believing the first thing that arrives on earth being the saviour. We know that false christs will arise first based on the chronology of Matthew 24.

2. Yeshua said that we will see the Abomination of Desolation before his return (Matthew 24:15-16). That means he will not show up and go to Jerusalem to the place of sacrifice first- the antichrist will. The antichrist will set himself up as the one to be worshipped rather than giving glory to the Father. There is also a warning that many will flee to the wilderness in Judea once the false messiah is revealed. If the true Messiah of Israel came first, what reason would there be for any of them to flee?

3. After the revealing of the antichrist, there will be tribulation like has never been before (Matthew 24:21-22). There will be no mistaking that we are in the tribulation. It also says the days must be shortened for the sake of the elect. If we have been raptured away to heaven, why does it matter to us how horrible things are on earth? Obviously, we will be here, both because of this promise that time will be shortened for our sakes, and because this sign happens before the return of Christ.

4. After the tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shine (Matthew 24:29-30). The stars will all fall and the heavens will be shaken. We need to be careful of trying to fit something into this description that doesn’t go, because even the false christs will be able to perform signs. Yeshua’s signs will not happen until the signs above have happened (23-25).

5. Yeshua said when he returns, it will be like a flash of lighting across the sky that everyone will see at once (Matthew 24:26-27). He specifically said not to believe those who would say he is in one place or another. I used to think that we would all see it at once by TV, but that doesn’t make sense because the Bible says EVERYONE will see him coming. What about those without TVs? I think instead that the TV will be a means of deception, broadcasting the arrival of others in specific places, and people will go ‘here and there’ to see him. Yeshua specifically said not to do that.

Given the number of ‘prophecies’ being circulated that aliens will come to earth to save us one way or another, and the expectation of many of the Messiah's imminent return, the ideas of Satan coming in a disguise and leading people to believe he is the true Messiah is not much of a stretch. Especially since so many don't know what to look for other than 'perilous times'. Rather than avoid these movies with false prophetic messages in them, I think we ought to know what delusions are being presented so that we can avoid them ourselves and hopefully help others who might be deceived. Unfortunately, many in the church believe one of three things about demons:

1. They are not real.
2. They are real, but do not exist in our realm.
3. They exist in our realm, but cannot touch or affect us.

All three of these theologies are wrong. To prove it, read 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:11, and James 4:7. The devil and his army are real, and they are working feverishly to try and take as many away from salvation as they can (Revelation 12:12, 13:7). What easier way to deceive the world than to take the little bit of knowledge they have of something and twist it into a shape they don’t recognize as darkness? Satan has long taken that which Yah made and tried to counterfeit it...why would the Second Coming be any different?

9 comments:

laurie said...

EXCELLENT summary, Amy! You connected many many dots well.

On a slightly different tangent - remember Todd Bentley? He and others frequently describe "being taken in the spirit" and then go on to describe things that sound EXACTLY like alien abductions!!! Hell's demons take all forms to deceive.

I think there is NO doubt that aliens/demons will play a part in the great deception and Hollywood is helping to prepare the masses to accept this.

motherofmany said...

Laurie,

That very idea was in the Norm Franz DVD. He talks about the difference between actually casting out demons, and being 'slayed in the spirit'.

I think, too, with the many false prophets in the church today, it is important to remember the requirements of a prophet. Many of these guys are living lives full of sin, yet they are calling others to righteousness? And their followers defend them to the death, but they don't realize that in doing so, they are FORSAKING the real Messiah!!!!!

When a situation finally comes to light, like Todd Bentley, suddenly the paradigm shifts and we hear calls for mercy and forgiveness. The Bible never says to show mercy and forgiveness to a false prophet. Makes me think of the women who are always learning but never come to knowledge and are therefore taken captive by the deceiver (2 Timothy 3).

motherofmany said...

I should point out, too, that there is a difference between those who are studying and praying and who may be wrong about something, and those who claim to have Word from the Lord on a matter that doesn't line up with the Word.

A good example of the first would Jan Markell. She is right-on scripturally about the signs of the end, the role of Israel, and the heresies in the church. I disagree with her on the rapture (she is a pre-trib believer), but she is honest about the fact that it is simply her perpsective and that she could be wrong.

An example of a wolf in sheep's clothing to me would be Rick Warren. A person need not come out and specifically state that they are a prophet...telling people things that God wants them to 'hear' is prophecy (simply teaching would be to go over the scriptures, not add cultural perspectives to make the message timely- that the role of a prophet). This guy is steering people down a road of destruction, but his followers are nearly hypnotized by him and will tear apart any who speak against him. And rather than admit that these are his conclusions or hunches and he might be wrong, he just turns against his detractors by using the 'feelings' gospel.

laurie said...

We don't have that particular Norm Franz video tape. It sounds like a good one, I'll be ordering it this week!

And, yes, I agree there is a mountain of difference between someone who simply obeys Jesus command to watch and those that act or claim to be a prophet.

Jerry said...

Your posting is well written and well received. I left the “pre-trib” arena back in the early 90’s and I’ve never looked back… there are just too many weak points and flaws in that position, and deep down inside, pre-tribbers know that – just like my own sister told me “… I want to believe it because I don’t want to go through all the pain and suffering…”. Well, at least she admitted it and I still love her with all my heart, and I will always defend her…

Anyway, stay with it, you’re right on track with the alien bit, the deception and the coming false messiah.

Just as a footnote: I really liked the movie KNOWING. Yea, I know, it’s absolutely full of Biblical heresy and will do an absolutely wonderful job of deceiving the weak minded and Biblical ill-literate, but God will protect His own.

I have to admit, the reason I liked the movie so much was watching the earth being destroyed in the end… I see that part as being somewhat Biblically accurate when our Father said that He would never again destroy the earth water, but would – the second time – destroy the earth with fire…

Remember, Hollywood is simply another way of saying Holly Tree which is my understanding that that is tied in with what “witches” use to help “cast spells” on their subjects.

Again, well written… Jerry

Jerry said...

Your posting is well written and well received. I left the “pre-trib” arena back in the early 90’s and I’ve never looked back… there are just too many weak points and flaws in that position, and deep down inside, pre-tribbers know that – just like my own sister told me “… I want to believe it because I don’t want to go through all the pain and suffering…”. Well, at least she admitted it and I still love her with all my heart, and I will always defend her…

Anyway, stay with it, you’re right on track with the alien bit, the deception and the coming false messiah.

Just as a footnote: I really liked the movie KNOWING. Yea, I know, it’s absolutely full of Biblical heresy and will do an absolutely wonderful job of deceiving the weak minded and Biblical ill-literate, but God will protect His own.

I have to admit, the reason I liked the movie so much was watching the earth being destroyed in the end… I see that part as being somewhat Biblically accurate when our Father said that He would never again destroy the earth water, but would – the second time – destroy the earth with fire…

Remember, Hollywood is simply another way of saying Holly Tree which is my understanding that that is tied in with what “witches” use to help “cast spells” on their subjects.

Again, well written… Jerry

motherofmany said...

Jerry,

I think everyone would agree with your sister that we don't want to go through it. I have said many times that I would love for the Father to prove me wrong. But to make Matthew 24 fit with pre-trib, they have to put in inflections that just aren't there. I also held to it for a few years (I had not heard of it until about 1997) but I realized that by doing so, I was leaving myself to be unprepared for what was coming by turning my eyes away from what I didn't like.

I agree that the depiction of the earth being destroyed by fire in Knowing is very powerful...I love The Day After Tomorrow for the same reason. Even if the plan was to support their environmental propaganda, they made it feasible and realistic to believe in a world-wide, instant flood. Especially if you melt all the polar ice at once! It also shows an ice age forming very quickly instead of taking thousands of years.

I didn't realize that about the word Hollywood- thanks for the info!

Ace said...

Hey Amy,

I read this over the weekend but didn't have the time to post. Good job stringing things together.

I agree with the whole demons are aliens thing myself.

Will be back to read more later.

Many Blessings :)
Ace

Anonymous said...

Hello Friend,

So glad to see you posting again even if I am late in visiting(Hubby returned home 12 July and been busy ever since)...

Now onto this post, GREAT GREAT GREAT...

I always find it interesting that some in the Church cant seem to wrap their souls around the fact that Satan and His demons are real.. There have been incidents in my life that proves it to be true, I just thank the Lord for His protection each and everytime I was faced head on with something evil and powerful that one could not explain the chill of knowing what was being fought... If that makes sense.

In regards to the EOT, I have found the book of Revelations to be growing more and more open to my own eyes and heart for those that will be left, and the troubles that will come... I am tired of folks saying oh well its all going to happen whats the point of doing anything about it... all I can say is ALOT!!! We are still commanded to stand fast and not give one ounce to the devil... I mean look at what is already going on in this world because of us so called Christians just letting things go to the way side... SIN is so rampant in CHURCH its enough to make any heathen look at us crosseyed and say "YOU WANT ME TO BELIEVE IN THIS GOD OF YOURS, WHEN YOU ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN I".

Does my heart ache at the travesty of everything around me YES, but do I rejoice that no matter what happens the end result is glorifying the Lord with all my heart and my soul... Many countless days I wonder why the Lord would have anything to do with me when I screw up so many times, and why He continues to bless me, when I am just me... Jeannie and then I wonder why me and not my brothers and sister who turned from God and no longer believe in Him... Its humbling to say the least and just typing this up now brings tears to my eyes and sadness to my soul for my family....

Anyhow I can see I have dragged along... and should free up the blog here but HEY ITS GREAT TO SEE YOU BACK!!!

Jeannie

PS: You can visit me here now

http://thenestinghouse.wordpress.com/