JESUS CHRIST: I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE

AS WE REALLY BELIEVE SO WE REALLY ARE

According to Greek philosopher, Democritus, “Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion.” Actually this statement itself is an opinion.

People may agree or disagree on various subjects due to their perception of reality. Whatever we believe about ourselves and the world has enormous implications for how we live our lives and the choices we make. As we really believe, so we really are. An example of this is certain radical Muslim fundamentalists who really believe that westerners are infidels. No one doubts that they really believe this, but the average westerner has a view of reality which dismisses it as untrue. Why do we believe what we believe and what is the source of our belief? Many of our beliefs are tied up with the culture we live in, where and how we were brought up, education, family, past experiences, our own individuality, biases etc. all sorts of influences have shaped our thought patterns and worldview. The big question is: What has shaped or continues to shape our view of reality which is not actually true or reliable, and how can we tell what is genuine reality? Is there a benchmark, an acid test to define and show us such a thing?

The anti-realism view states that there is no objective reality i.e. that there is no reality beyond the perceptions or beliefs we each have about reality. However the very statement that there is no absolute reality is itself an absolute ‘truth’ and therefore it is a contradiction in terms - what they call a self refuting statement.

Some claim that reality is subjective and that we can create our own reality through various reprogramming techniques to alleviate certain painful emotions. Old negative unhelpful beliefs (or feelings) like fear and guilt are substituted with new beliefs which supposedly cause new positive thinking patterns. These new patterns eventually replace the old ones so that a person will react and think positively rather than negatively when unpleasant and painful situations arise. It is all about feeling better about yourself and coping with the world around you on a subjective level. This method recognises some of the problems of the human condition and attempts to heal the brokenness many people feel, but it only deals with them at a certain level.

People seem to go round and round on the merry go round of life, trying this and that, looking for happiness, pleasure, contentment and peace. King Solomon with all his wealth and splendour tried everything he could think of - pleasure seeking, drinking wine, building houses and vineyards, making and planting gardens and parks, he had possessions, slaves, silver and gold, he concluded: And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2/10-11)

There is a persistent emptiness that many people feel despite material wealth and situation. For some this emptiness becomes so acute that it brings on serious depression. Interestingly despite many theories about the cause of depression none have been conclusive in their findings. Major depression is the number one psychological disorder in the western world. It is a growing problem in all age groups, and it affects every community. Depression is an epidemic, it will be the second most disabling condition in the world after heart disease by 2020. There is some excellent advice out there, but we can end up looking in the wrong places for healing, a bit like the Prodigal son. We can find relief or distraction for a while which gratify to a point, but then we are missing out on the real issue behind what is really wrong. The fact is that relapse is very common and many people do revert back into depression. The unwanted thoughts and feelings return and it seems hopeless – but is it?

Anything we can say about reality is in fact opinion since it falls within the context of flawed human understanding – no one is able to encapsulate reality since no one is perfect. How we deal with what portrays itself as reality is probably more critical than any of us realise. It would be a hopeless effort to define reality if it were not for one thing, that is to see that reality must be outside the human sphere and comes from what is perfect, totally unbiased and true.

Reality refers to what is real or true rather than what is false or delusional; in other words, truth and reality are synonymous.  The extraordinary claim of the Bible is that objective truth is actually a Person - Jesus Christ:  I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14/6)

There is much more against us which prevents our apprehension of reality than we may be aware of.  The Bible says that there is a spiritual element involved.  We humans have an inbuilt resistance and hostility to God that we may not even consciously realise.  The fact that reality came to us here on earth in the Person of Jesus Christ is resisted by many due to spiritual blindness and self-deception.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?  (Jeremiah 17/9)

The human condition is all twists and turns at every level.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!  Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!  (Isaiah 5/20-24)

Furthermore the Bible tells us that we have a formidable enemy - the devil, who is a liar, deceitful and evil to the very core and whose aim is to destroy human beings and keep us in unreality.  The "god of this world" i.e. the devil, is holding people captive in their minds to prevent them from knowing the truth (2 Timothy 2/6; Ephesians 2/2)

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God.(2 Corinthians 4/4) The whole world lies under the power of the evil one (1 John 5/19)

He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  (John 8/44) 

Pilate asked Jesus - "What is truth?"  He did not get an answer.  Some people ask the question but do not want an answer.  Jesus spoke about those who ask, those who seek, and those who find.  For those who really want an answer, there is an answer and there is freedom.  It is possible to know objective reality, but more than that, it is possible to know Jesus Christ subjectively person to person.  We can apprehend the awesome concept of a personal relationship with the creator of the universe through what He has done for us at Calvary.

Jesus Christ said:  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.  (Luke 4/19)

Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age. (Galatians 1/4)  

You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.  (John 8/32)

WITCHCRAFT AND THE OCCULT: THE DANGER OF DECEIVING SPIRITS

When people start to delve into spiritual things they very rarely realise that there is a danger from deceiving spirits. The world we live in is saturated by the occult from TV, films, books, media, psychic fairs and events, spiritism, fortune tellers, horoscopes etc. This leaves many who are uninformed in a very vulnerable position. From the casual participant in what appears to be harmless fun to the genuine seeker for truth, the danger cannot be exaggerated enough. People are literally entering into a minefield by dabbling in the occult and once entangled, it is extremely difficult to withdraw from the clutches of evil spirits which appear benign in the beginning.

Jesus Christ’s Own Words about His Divine Identity: 

We should not make the assumption that all spiritual entities are good. The Bible tells us that there are two kinds of spirits at work in the world, good and evil (unclean). The evil spirits are fallen angels who have fallen from grace and now serve Satan. When Lucifer fell he took a third of the angels with him (Revelation 12/4) and these are the beings encountered when people engage in occult practices. Evil spirits can imitate deceased loved ones and can give messages that people want to hear, they can give a sense of power and control, they can perform healings and miracles and manifest in all sorts of ways to give people what they want – initially at least. The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders..... (2 Thessalonians 2/9)

When God says do not in the Bible it is because we are dearly loved by Him. God wants to protect us from all evil things - His will is that we should to turn to Him. For instance only harm comes from lying, stealing, covetousness murder, things which the Bible tells us not to do (Exodus 20). The Bible says that people become defiled when they turn to mediums and spiritists etc. Jesus Christ called the demons unclean spirits and much of his ministry involved setting people free from their possession.

Do not turn to mediums or wizards; do not seek them out, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19/31)

If any turn to mediums and wizards, prostituting themselves to them, I will set my face against them, and will cut them off from the people. (Leviticus 20/6)

Although these nations that you are about to dispossess do give heed to soothsayers and diviners, as for you, the Lord your God does not permit you to do so. (Deuteronomy 18/14)

Moreover Josiah put away the mediums,wizards, teraphim,idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem…..(2 Kings 23/24)

No one shall be found among you…….who practices divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer,or one who casts spells, or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead. (Deuteronomy 18/10-11)

You are wearied with your many consultations; let those who study the heavens {astrologers} stand up and save you, those who gaze at the stars, and at each new moon predict what shall befall you. (Isaiah 47/13)

Satan’s activity is not restricted to the overtly occult. He and his cohorts rule over many areas in the world such as false religions, false churches, false preachers, political institutions and business at the highest level. It is often not clear cut where and how Satan is operating because of his devious tactics.

God’s personal name as it is translated in English is I AM (Exodus 3/14). Jesus Christ uses the same expression in his seven I AM statements about Himself:

I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger. (John 6/35)

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.(John 8/12; 9/5)

I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. (John 10/9)

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep. (John 10/11)

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies. (John 11/25)

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. (John 14/6)

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-dresser. (John 15/1)

Truly, Truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am. (John 8/58)

All who came before me are thieves and robbers. (John 10/8)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10/10)

According to the Bible Jesus Christ is the Messiah and salvation is through faith in Him alone. Christ means Anointed One - all others claiming alternative doctrines are dismissed as false teachers, false prophets and false messiahs. All other religions are totally condemned without reservation in the Bible. If this is true then Universalism (the teaching that all ways lead to God) is a lie of Satan. Concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden, God said to Adam: ".....the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die." (Genesis 2/16) - Satan’s emphasised contradiction to Eve was: "You shall not surely die" (Genesis 3/4). Who would you rather believe? Those participating in occult practices are "eating" forbidden knowledge, but what will the result of this be? Those who practice sorcery will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5/20). If they will not inherit the kingdom of God then there is only one other alternative, that is condemnation and hell (2 Peter 2)

Hell is prepared for Satan and his angels {demons} but that is also the destination of unbelievers unless they repent and turn to Jesus Christ (Matthew 25/41). The Bible speaks in terms of being lost and found (Luke 15/6-32), those who are perishing and those who are saved. (2 Corinthians 2/15)

God desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2/4)

Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5/7-8)

My warning is this – do not be deceived by anything or anyone claiming to be a god, a good spirit, a deceased loved one, an angel or anything else. Put your trust in Jesus Christ alone and test everything by the Bible. If you have been involved in the occult then ask God to forgive you and set you free. The consequences for the choices we make are eternal.

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html

you tolerate that woman jezebel: spiritual deception in the last days

JEZEBEL AND AHAB: BAAL WORSHIP VERSUS WORSHIP OF THE LORD

Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he took as his wife Jezebel daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. (1 Kings 16:30-32).

Prior to the reign of Ahab, King Solomon’s drift into idolatry set the scene for Israel’s spiritual degeneration, eventually resulting in Israel’s split into two separate parts, Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Jeroboam son of Nebat became king of the northern kingdom and he replaced the true worship of the Lord with idolatry. He made two calves of gold (Exodus 32), built houses on high places (places of idolatry) and he also replicated the festival at Judah. Ahab committed the same sins and set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal (the Canaanite storm god) which he had built in Samaria and he also made pole(s?) dedicated to the goddess Asherah.

The often used phrase "to walk in the sins of Jeroboam" was the negative example held up time and again against the evil kings of Israel. Ahab had gone down the wrong path and followed his immediate predecessors by committing the same sins. It was not "a light thing’" to walk in the sins of Jeroboam, but if that wasn’t bad enough, Ahab’s marriage to the Baal-worshipping Phoenician princess Jezebel took him to a different level of wickedness. He earned the dubious reputation of doing more evil than any of his predecessors:

There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. (1 Kings 21:25; 1 Kings 16:30-33).

Ahab was probably insecure because he felt he needed to make alliances with other nations to strengthen his position as Israel’s king. It appears that his marriage to Jezebel was for political reasons to strengthen relations between Jezebel’s father Ethbaal, king of the Phoenician empire and northern Israel. He was looking for his security in earthly alliances, something which always involves compromise. Ahab was also very selfish and immature. When he failed to acquire Naboth’s vineyard he went home resentful and sullen - He lay down on his bed, turned away his face, and would not eat. (1 Kings 21:4). Jezebel clearly had the knack of keeping Ahab happy by getting him what he wanted.



The Chilling Character of Jezebel 


· Jezebel was an enemy of Yahweh.

· She was idolatrous – Baal worship and Asherah worship

· She was a murderess – Jezebel killed off the prophets of the Lord. (1 Kings 18:4,13) The true prophets of Yahweh were her principle victims so that she could inflict Baal worship onto the population by force.

· She instilled great fear causing the remaining hundred prophets to hide for their lives in a cave. (1 Kings 18:13)

· The way that she acquired Naboth’s vineyard for Ahab is very revealing:

She was unscrupulous, clandestine, subversive and sinister; she had no respect for the rights and wishes of others; she was guilty of plotting and scheming against the innocent, involving others in her evil plans with lies and deceit producing false witnesses; she abused her power, stopping at nothing to get what she wanted, the result being Naboth’s death. (1 Kings 21:7-16).

· She patronized 850 false prophets of Baal and Asherah who ate at her table. (1 Kings 18:19).

· She issued a death threat to Elijah and instilled great fear in him. (1 Kings 19:2-3).

· She incited Ahab to do evil. (1 Kings 21:25).

· She was guilty of many whoredoms and sorceries (witchcraft). When Joram saw Jehu, he said, "Is it peace, Jehu?" He answered, "What peace can there be, so long as the many whoredoms and sorceries of your mother Jezebel continue?" (2 Kings 9:22).

· She was a seductress and attempted to beguile Jehu - When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out of the window. (2 Kings 9:30) {see also Proverbs 7 - the adulterous woman}

· She was described by Jehu as a cursed woman. (2 Kings 9:34).

THE WHEAT AND THE TARES





THE BOOK OF REVELATION - THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA 


Jezebel’s name comes up again in the book of Revelation:

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. (Revelation 2:20) .....But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call "the deep things of Satan”, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden;only hold fast to what you have until I come. (Revelation 2:24-25)

The church in Thyatira is commended for their love, faith, service and patient endurance (Revelation 2:19). This seems like a glowing report, but their toleration of "that woman Jezebel" meant that the judgement of God would result unless those involved in it repented. In contrast the Ephesian church is commended for not tolerating evildoers, that is by testing and exposing false apostles (Revelation 2:2). Some in the church at Pergamum who live "where Satan’s throne is" are also following false teaching by holding to the teaching of Balaam and the teaching of the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:14-15). Jezebel, the Nicolaitans and the teaching of Balaam have the same traits and the terms seem to be interchangeable. Nico means to conquer and laitan means laity, and so the meaning is to conquer or subdue the laity. There are a number of heretical factions within the end time church(es) claiming to have divine insight who are in fact agents of Satan. The phrase "the deep things of Satan" are attached to the name of Jezebel, so we can expect the traits of the historical Jezebel to be present in the end time church. There are many warnings in the bible about spiritual deception. The avoidance of testing and exposing false teaching is as good as condoning it, and those leaders who turn a blind eye are culpable before the Lord. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1). The wonderful gift of prophecy comes with awesome responsibility - the true church absolutely must have the gift of spiritual discernment for its survival (1 Corinthians 12:10).

The specific errors are: Food sacrificed to idols and fornication (Revelation 2:14,20). The Apostle Paul advised that food itself is neutral and that Christians should not be paranoid about eating food sacrificed to idols. There are some mixed messages to unravel about food sacrificed to idols in the New Testament. Participation in an idol feast would be wrong and this may be what Paul is alluding to at times (Romans 14:14; 1 Corinthians 8:4-8; 10:20-21, 25-27; see also Acts 15:29; Revelation 2:20). Some have linked this verse to Roman Catholicism and the doctrine of transubstantiation i.e. the doctrine that the whole substance of the bread and wine changes into the substance of the body and blood of Christ when consecrated in the Eucharist. The doctrine of transubstantiation would not have been known to the apostles, though it is indeed a wicked doctrine which perverts the sacrifice of Christ who died "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). It appears that this error of "food sacrificed to idols" was being committed by the literal church of Thyatira in some other way as it pre-dates the Roman Catholic doctrine by several hundred years (The Council of Trent in 1551), though of course it may also have prophetic implications for Roman Catholicism as some assert. The whole point is that whatever draws us away from true worship of the Lord is spiritual fornication and that there is no separation between the physical and the spiritual as in Gnosticism. Paul taught that nothing is unclean in itself but earthly desires are idolatry: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (Romans 14:14; Colossians 3:5). This follows on from what Jesus Christ said: …..whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and so passes on? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man.For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. (Matthew 15:17-19). Balaam’s error is also greed…. for the sake of gain (Jude 1:11). The money preachers of today are one example of Balaam’s error.

FALSE PROPHETS TODAY 

False prophets have always been with us and they are certainly here today. Jesus Christ warned that false prophets are a major sign of the end of the age:

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (Matthew 24:11 See also Matthew 7:15; 24:24; Mark 13:22; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1).

As with Jezebel, true prophets and prophecy are usually the first thing to be attacked by antichrists, albeit in a very subtle way. Rick Warren of Saddleback Church discourages the study of Bible prophecy as a distraction. He misquotes Jesus in 'The Purpose Driven Life’: "Anyone who lets himself be distracted [by Bible prophecy] from the work I plan for him is not fit for the kingdom of God (Living Bible)." This is an unbiblical statement considering that prophecy occupies 27% of the Bible and the church has been given the gift of prophecy by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 14:3). Jesus' actual statement had nothing to do with prophecy: No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62). This is how devious the enemy is in our world today and this is exactly the kind of deception Jesus and the apostles warned about in advance.

Religious syncretism is another problem. Ahab’s alliance with Baal worship is comparable to political correctness and the Interfaith Movement at the expense of the one true God. While we tolerate the "mixture" of different belief systems we are actually tolerating "other gods" which are an abomination to the God of the Bible (Exodus 20:3). Christianity stands apart from all other religions in that it claims the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and Saviour: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6). We can’t have it both ways; If the Bible is right, then all other religions must be wrong or vice-versa. A choice must be made - we cannot justifiably hold both opinions together:

And Elijah came near to all the people, and said, "How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Ba'al, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word. (1 Kings 18:21).

Were The 2012 Olympics An Occultic Event?

The 2012 Olympics in London were the 30th Summer Olympic Games. This number includes three Olympics that have been cancelled due to World Wars: 1916, 1940, and 1944. Hence the Roman numerals XXX representing 30. XXX also has a number of other meanings, amongst other things it is a well- known pornographic symbol, and significantly in Pythagorean numerology and in occult symbolism it is 666. Both XXX and WWW are occult symbols for 666.

Despite denying that the Olympic logo does not spell Zion, it is clear that the five objects do spell the word. The cost of the design for the Olympic logo was $1M! It has been said that a child could have designed the logo, but there is much more to this infamous logo than meets the eye. It seems simplistic and even childlike on the surface, but is in fact a very complex cryptogram. The YouTube link below has some very interesting observations about the geometric designs embedded within the Olympic logo which demonstrate a direct link to Satan. It has been speculated that the Olympic games was a huge occult ritual and that a major occultic event was planned for the Olympics. It is worth noting that in the satanic calendar the 20^th to the 27^th of July is a satanic holiday, July the 27^th being the Grand Climax Satanic Ritual:

In the Satanic calendar, July 27 is the Grand Climax of night after six nights of ritual. On this night there is a blood sacrifice, oral, anal, and vaginal sex are required, and a female or child victim is captured for Lammas day to be sacrificed on August 1, a high Sabbat Day and feast of the Sun god. Human and animal sacrifice is absolutely required on Lammas Day in Satanic ritual. (balaamsassspeaks.blogspot.co.uk)

The Olympics also coincided with the Jewish day of mourning, Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of the two Temples. The destruction of the two Temples took place on the same day – the ninth of Av - about 656 years apart. This year Tisha B’Av falls on the 28^th of July.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WahLTHQXF1k

Apart from the logo itself, everything to do with the Olympics was saturated in the occult. The God of the freemasons is Osiris (Hiram Abiff) who is Lucifer . According to legend Osiris’ body was cut into 14 pieces by his brother Set and scattered throughout Egypt. Isis found all but one of 14 body parts and Osiris was reborn, not to live in this world, but to live in the afterlife as king of the dead. The practice of mummification is said to have originated with this legend where the 14 body parts were magically reunited. Were these 14 pyramids with their capstone lights a symbolic coming together of the fourteen body parts of Osiris (Lucifer) at the Olympics? Below the pyramids were black inverted crosses in between the seats. Biblically the number five is associated with death, 2012 added together equal 5. In the occult the number 5 is the pentagram. The fourteen pyramid lights 1 + 4 = 5, or 13+1 are designed around the Great Seal of the United States as found on the dollar bill. Novus ordo seclorum on the dollar bill is Latin for "New Order of the Ages".

The practice of the Olympic flame or torch was reinstituted in the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam having originated in Olympia, ancient Greece approximately 2700 years ago. The tradition goes back to sun worship. Prometheus stole the sacred element of fire from Zeus, the father of the Gods and gave it to mortals. The torch is a symbol of enlightenment, something the New Age movement have very high on their agenda. In 2012 Ino Menegaki who played the role of "high priestess" invoked the sun God of ancient Greece Apollo in prayer before kneeling to light the torch as the sun's rays focused on the parabolic mirror:
"Apollo, King of the sun, and the Idea of light, send your rays and light the sacred torch."

The true identity of this "god" Apollo is revealed in the bible as Abaddon which is Apollyon in Greek meaning destroyer: They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon. (Revelation 9/11) The invocation said when the flame is lit is to Phoebus Apollo - Phoebus (shining one) Apollo (destroyer). The name of Lucifer means lightbearer and so the pieces of the puzzle fit together to reveal the fingerprints of Satan all over the Olympics.

If the above seems a bit "conspiracy theorist", when we examine the "Light of Olympia" invocation we can surely no longer doubt:

Sacred silence
Let the sky, the earth, the sea and the winds sound.
Mountains fall silent.
Sounds and birds' warbles cease.
For Phoebus, the Light bearer King shall keep us company.
Apollo, King of the sun and the Idea of light,
Send your rays and light the sacred torch.

Apollo God of sun
and the idea of light
send your rays and light the sacred torch
for the hospitable city of London
And you Zeus give peace to all peoples on earth and
wreath the winners
of the Sacred Race

Olympic Anthem:

Immortal spirit of antiquity,
Father of the true, beautiful and good,
Descend, appear, shed over us thy light
Upon this ground and under this sky
Which has first witnessed the unperishable fame.
Give life and animation to those noble games!
Throw wreaths of fadeless flowers to the victors
In the race and in the strife!
Create in our breasts, hearts of steel!
In thy light, plains, mountains and seas
Shine in a roseate hue and form a vast temple
To which all nations throng to adore thee,
Oh immortal spirit of antiquity!

The Olympic Games are an abomination to the Lord, but this is just a foretaste of the "abomination that makes desolate" spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Daniel 11/31; 12/11). It goes beyond irony that the Church of England should associate itself with the Olympics and its Luciferian connections. Nevertheless they issued special "prayers" (actually curses) to accompany the relay on its tour of England. These "prayers" were used by many of the Church of England's 16,000 churches as the torch passes through their communities or close by. The Bible says: Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5/11)

 

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

At the beginning of the Olympic promo film made in 2009 below there are white birds circling the stadium. These I assume are doves representing peace. At the end of the film these birds are black and form the shape of a pyramid from which they are released. Demons are symbolised as vile birds in the bible. This is very indicative of the way that the Antichrist will appear, bringing peace initially and then when he removes his mask he will reveal his true satanic nature, his so called "peace" will explode into terror. (Daniel 8/25; 11/21)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWwsxgXo7TE&feature=plcp

And when birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away. (Genesis 15/11)
And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. (Matthew 13/4, 19. See also Mark 4/4, 15)

"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! It has become a dwelling place of demons, a haunt of every foul spirit, a haunt of every foul and hateful bird; (Revelation 18/2)

The Olympic Games were loaded with occult symbolism and it seems that no detail was overlooked. This is very concerning because of the end time scenario depicted in the Bible. The word "antichrist" is made up of two roots:αντί +Χριστός (anti + Christos). "Αντί" can mean not only "against" and "opposite of", but also "in place of" and this fits exactly with the Bible narratives. For instance Lucifer said "I will be like the Most High" (Isaiah 14/14).

The term "antichrist" appears five times in the Bible. In the New Testament it appears in 1 John 2/18 where it refers to many antichrists and also to the end time Antichrist. 1 John 2/22 identifies the Antichrist as a liar who denies the Father and the Son.

…..and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist, of which you heard that it was coming, and now it is in the world already. (1 John 4/3)
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1/7)

From the above it is clear that there have been many antichrists (plural) in the past. These can be identified in history as people like Nero and Antiochus Epiphanes. In fact the Bible says …..the whole world is in the power of the evil one.(1 John 5/19) Biblically the spirit of antichrist denies Jesus Christ as God’s Son which is to deny the Father Son relationship and God’s plan of salvation through his only Son Jesus Christ. Peter stated: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16/16) but the spirit of antichrist denies such a fact.

While at the present time the Antichrist is here in spirit and influences people towards evil, there is to come the end time Antichrist, an actual person who will be the culmination and fulfilment of all the previous antichrists and who Satan will fully enter into. Satan has only entered one other person in history, Judas Iscariot (Luke 22/3; John 13/27) for a very short period of time. The Man of Lawlessness, the final Antichrist, is the second person who Satan will enter into for a period of three and a half years, half way through the tribulation. Both these characters share the title "Son of Perdition"

2 Thessalonians 2 summarizes the nature, work, coming, and revelation of the "Man of Lawlessness". This passage is often regarded as referring to same person as the Antichrist of 1 and 2 John.
The philosophy of a one world government (New Word Order) is no longer a secret agenda, it is openly spoken about by politicians and the worlds so called "elite" powerful people. This approaching one world government is a clear sign of the Antichrists imminent arrival onto the world stage (Revelation 13/13). There is an explosion of the occult all around us and there is also a massive falling away (apostasia) relating to Christianity which is predicted in the Bible (2 Thessalonians 2/3; 1 Timothy 4/1; Amos 8/11 ).

It is worth noting that the Bible is 100% correct prophetically up to this point in time so it would be very foolish to ignore it as a vital source of information which is history written in advance for our protection and warning.

Sooner or later Satan is going to put his plan of world domination into action literally as the Bible predicts. Such an event as the London Olympics may be a significant stepping stone towards this event since Europe will be his first target to be dominated. The Antichrist is called the Beast by both Daniel and John. This "beast" rises up out of the sea (sea meaning peoples or nations).

It is clear that we are in the end times and that the biblical events are definitely going to take place. The question is not if but when these events will take place and whether the 2012 Olympics and all the hype about the 21^st December 2012 were relevant to the timeline of the Antichrist . The New Age Movement put a lot of emphasis on 2012 as a time for a shift in human consciousness, but Satan is deceitful and it may all be a total diversion.

No one could possibly dispute that the Olympic invocation was satanic. Added to that, the obvious symbolism and the Olympic flame representing the lightbearer Satan carried a curse all around our country. Undoubtedly great evil was invoked through this event.

With such a formidable enemy, the only thing to do is trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only as it says in the Bible.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8/12)
See also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=O7yCppd4D1g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mrU0ZKg-9Y&feature=watch_response

Dear Reader – Do you have questions about Jesus Christ and how to be truly saved? If so, then please read my post: GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/gods-plan-of-salvation-through-jesus.html

THE WELSH OUTPOURING VICTORY CHURCH CWMBRAN - CULTISH PRACTICES AND CONCERNS FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS

VICTORY OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL

Victory Outreach International was founded in 1967 by Sonny and Julie Arguinzoni in Los Angeles. VOI is involved in church planting and development, rehabilitation homes and training centres in what they describe as “strategic cities around the world”. They claim to be one of the largest inner-city ministries in the world having expanded into a network of over 600 inner-city churches and ministries in over thirty countries. The “vision” of VOI is to evangelize and disciple “the hurting people of the world with the message of hope and plan of Jesus Christ.”

Victory Outreach International in the US has a mixed reputation and a significant number of former pastors and ex-members describe VOI in very negative terms. VOI has been described as a “spiritual pyramid scheme” with founder Sonny Arguinzoni and his leadership benefiting at the expense of the slave like labour of the lower members. The leadership of VOI have been accused of being grossly exploitative towards their vulnerable adult residents with little accountability. Ex members and former pastors describe VOI as cultish having authoritarian and manipulative regimes based on greed rather than the benefit of the residents. Ex-members have reported that they were forced to work long hours without pay and that they were deprived of basic needs like food, sleep, recreation time and were forced to live in overcrowded unsanitary conditions. There are testimonies about forced “approved” Bible studies and brainwashing techniques in order to keep residents in submission to the leadership. It has also been reported that residents are encouraged to defraud the welfare system for the financial benefit of VOI and are told to fill in DSS forms fraudulently.

All this of course is in the name of Christianity!

There is some substance behind these accusations:

“State officials in the early 1990s found many church rehabilitation homes to be unsafe and unsanitary. After only four of the 70 or so Victory Outreach facilities in California got a state license, the church withdrew all its license applications.”http://www.rickross.com/reference/victory_outreach/victory_outreach4.html

“On March 22, 2010, Victory Outreach Pastor Max Garza will begin serving a five month prison sentence for Aiding the Preparation of a False Tax Return.”

http://www.examiner.com/article/victory-outreach-pastor-sentenced-to-five-months-tax-fraud-case

There is negative testimony after negative testimony about VOI on the following web pages:

http://www.rickross.com/groups/victory_outreach.html

http://forum.rickross.com/read.php?8,77975

A testimony from former Pastor of Victory Outreach Peter Belaustegui:http://www.apologeticsindex.org/v01.html

http://www.killermovies.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-491695-victory-outreach-a-cult-exploiting-the-inner-city.html

http://hausercenter.org/npnews/?cat=22&paged=2

Victory Outreach International in Ireland fares no better with similar horror stories . It has been said that Victory Outreach in Ireland are “shepherding churches”where every detail of members lives are subject to the leadership whose total authority cannot be questioned. Much has been written about illegal fund raising of VOI in Ireland.

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/bakersfield-ca/T0TLAHTL9B5HU4G92

"Bible verses drilled into memorization, long periods of study and activity without rest, long repetitive prayer meetings, further teachings and so on. Leadership is unquestionable (using the same old verse used by all Bible based cults and false prophets out of context "Touch not the Lord's Anointed and do His prophets no harm" 1Chronicles 16:22 / Psalms 105:15)http://www.oocities.org/athens/parthenon/6528/cult.htm

http://dialogueireland.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/8899/

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/bakersfield-ca/T0TLAHTL9B5HU4G92

http://www.oocities.org/athens/parthenon/6528/cult.htm

http://dialogueireland.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/8899/

POINTS OF CONCERN ABOUT VICTORY OUTREACH UK

Victory Outreach UK is independent from Victory Outreach International, though it is run along very similar lines. The history of VO UK goes back to the 1960s when it was founded by David and Dinah Sansome MBE. Victory Outreach UK offers housing and rehabilitation to vulnerable adults, many of whom have suffered abuse; specifically those with drug and/or alcohol addictions, those on release from prison and homeless between the ages of 18 and 40 years. As well as housing, they claim to offer counselling, care and on-going support to help people integrate back into society. According to their own website, Victory Outreach UK have four properties in South Wales and accommodate young people from all over the UK. In 2009 the Sansomes handed the directorship of VO UK over to Richard Taylor, a former drug addict and convicted criminal, and in January 2010 Victory Church in Cwmbran was founded by Richard Taylor with former addicts and ex-offenders. Dinah Sansome was present at the launch of Victory Church and I understand that she continued to support the work for a period of time, though this is no longer the case.

We have a period of about three years only from 2010 in which to assess the situation at VO UK. This is a relatively short period of time compared with VO International. However even in that short period of time there are very serious points of concern.

On the home page of Victory Church Taylor is very defensive and directs criticism to those local churches who do not go along with the “Welsh Outpouring” due to theological issues and ecumenism. Victory Church is part of Elim and is ecumenical. It is partners with the Roman Catholic Church and the other major denominations which form “Churches Together”. However, the Roman Catholic Church preaches a different Jesus (2 Corinthians 11/4) and the other denominations are members of the World Council of Churches which are all compromising on important aspects of the Gospel. One must ask the question: Would a true man of God associate with those who promote doctrines of demons and a different Gospel? (1 Timothy 4/1) Taylor has modelled the “Welsh Outpouring” on Reinhard Bonnke's model for “blood washed Africa” which is based on inflated statistics, unverified healings and false teaching. In fact sixteen (? some reports say 14) people were crushed to death at one of Bonnke's Nigerian Crusades, so it seems that attendees found death rather than life on that occasion! Taylor has the same agenda for Wales as Bonnke, namely “taking Wales for Christ”. However Taylor's “blood washed Wales” does throw up many of the same anomalies as Bonnke's “blood washed Africa”.

Victory Outreach UK and Victory Church are inextricably linked; they share the same postal address in Cwmbran and have the same people in positions of authority. Richard Taylor and his wife Jill Taylor are Joint Directors of Victory Outreach UK. The Executive Officer of Victory Outreach UK is Andrew Parsons who is also Executive Pastor at Victory Church, and his wife Susan Parsons is the Finance Officer. Parsons is a bankrupt whose previous company in Auckland New Zealand, Contrast Designs Ltd (2008-2011), was struck off by the New Zealand Companies Office.  Neither Taylor or Parsons completed their theological studies at The Birminham Bible Institute.  Kenneth Brandie, elder Victory Church and Lead Pastor at Cwmbran is also a Trustee of Victory Outreach. Other Trustees are Campus Pastor and Facilities Manager of VO Robert Hart, Darril Dowden (? no information could be found about him) and Chairman, 74 year old retired solicitor Dr Anthony Weston who lives in Hereford.

I would suggest that this situation fails to adequately protect the vulnerable residents of VO. Victims of abuse do not easily come forward, usually because of intimidation and fear of reprisals etc. Apart from rules and regulations, residents are subject to a daily work programme at the manager’s discretion. TV viewing, music and literature is monitored by the management. Though it is stated by VO that residents can leave at any time, this is not actually the case since many are isolated and have nowhere else to go. The residents of VO UK are actually sitting targets for abusive treatment with no apparent checks in place for their protection.

http://www.vouk.org.uk/vouk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/UPDATED-GENERAL-Application-Form.pdf

Richard Taylor: “I have to be honest here and tell you I take no salary from our church and serve with no financial burden to our congregation.”   http://www.victorychurch.co.uk/the-challenge-of-large-church”

Taylor uses the word honest very loosely considering he claims to be a minister of the Lord! The fact is that Victory Church contributes financially to Victory Outreach UK. Taylor's salary therefore does come indirectly from Victory Church as does his house, his Jaguar and other benefits which contribute to his excessive lifestyle. Taylor and his wife, Parsons and his wife along with others employed by Victory Outreach UK do therefore benefit financially from Victory Church.

Another financial anomaly is that in 2008 Victory Outreach UK were ineligible for funding. Apparently this decision was taken by the SPRG Inspectors because the Sansomes would not compromise their faith and comply with the condition to remove scripture passages from the funded rehabilitation centres. VO's 2011/12 financial statement shows a figure of £413,649 for grants and donations – clearly VO are getting funding now. This funding is subsidising the extravagant lifestyles of Taylor and Parsons and the taxpayer is footing the bill! Perversely Taylor continually pleads poverty for Victory Church on his "outpouring" podcasts.

The number of houses available for vulnerable adults was reported as six by Radio Wales in 2009. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/allthingsconsidered/updates/20091220.shtml

According to the VO UK website, there are now only four houses available. Both Taylor and Parsons live in large houses owned by Victory Outreach. All the residents have been moved out of the Tredegar home and it is currently occupied by two managers. In VO UK's financial statement of 2011/12, the cost of vehicles was £81,187 and yet no ministry vehicle was purchased during that time. VO also picks up the tab for services to their private vehicles. The lifestyles of the leaders is clearly a very far cry from the vulnerable Victory “volunteer army” who live on benefits and probably far exceeds most of their local congregation. Whatever happened to the principle of …..being an example to the flock (1 Peter 5/3)?

It has been argued that the “Welsh Outpouring” must be genuine because so many ex-prisoners and drug addicts attend the nightly “outpouring” events. However the reason for this is that the residents of the Victory Outreach homes are coerced into attending all the events and are bussed to VC in Cwmbran and other "outpouring" locations. I have been informed that refusal to attend these events results in eviction. Someone commented on my previous article: “Essentially the same congregation travel to all the different churches and they boast great numbers whereas they are the same people.”  Like Bonnke's African Crusades, the “Welsh Outpouring” gives a false impression of numbers and success which no doubt attracts the attention of other deluded people who hope for “a touch from the Lord”, or those simply curious about what is going on. Another concern is that the vulnerable adults who attend every single “outpouring” event are subjected to hours of so called “worship” and false doctrine. Some have called the worship Kundalini Yoga because of the similarity to mantras which induces mass hypnotism, falling down backwards and other non-biblical phenomena.

Just as in VOI, the residents of VO UK attend compulsory Bible studies:

“They (the boys from the rehab homes) meet regularly for bible study but every day scripture teaching and study is essential in the homes.”

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=49165&forum=35&start=30&viewmode=flat

Rehabilitation homes and programmes for vulnerable adults combined with obligatory participation in a religious agenda is illegal.  By law those vulnerable adults who need this kind of support should not be forced to submit to a religious regime as a condition of receiving help (The Human Rights Act 1998). The question might reasonably be asked: What exactly are these vulnerable adults being exposed to and could their obligatory participation in the “Welsh Outpouring” be harmful to them?

Jeff VanVonderen: "Spiritual abuse occurs when someone in a position of spiritual authority, the purpose of which is to 'come underneath' and serve, build, equip and make a deity's or a god's people MORE free, misuses that authority placing themselves over a god's people to control, coerce or manipulate them for seemingly godly purposes which are really their own. "http://daviswiki.org/Recovering_From_Spiritual_Abuse

Reports continue to emerge about very serious abuse taking place against the VO residents. The comments on the link below are extremely concerning:

http://watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/richard-taylor-andrew-parsons-self.html#comment-form

Taylor issued "A WARNING FROM THE LORD" !!!!  “I have been warned by the Lord; the Lord spoke to me very clearly...........this is a warning from the Lord. You need to be in every outpouring meeting because there could be just one meeting, one moment which could change your life forever and you could miss it..............” This “warning” was reiterated three times! God would be very cruel indeed if it were possible to miss His touch upon our lives by missing “just one meeting – one moment”.  This is the way that the local members of Victory Church are spiritually blackmailed into attending every “outpouring” event, on top of which they also have regular church activities “cluster groups, church planting, academy on a Saturday morning and the preaching on a Sunday.”

In a false teaching entitled “The Favour of the King” based on Esther 5-7, Taylor encourages people: “Bring your enemy into the house of God – into the presence of the King.” According to Taylor, if you come to Victory Church and worship God enough times then your problems (which Taylor defines as your “enemy”) will be turned around by God.  However this is dependent upon “coming into the house”  i.e. Taylors meetings. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMfGGSFBUQw&list=PLhx3cjU7yKbWOrDrAd7r5hjRwnwHDS83T

The ridiculous notion that the favour of God depends upon attending Taylor's meetings is unconscionable, in fact in my opinion the opposite is probably true, but this is exactly what cult leaders do.  Biblically: …..where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18/20) But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6/6) The problem is that we cannot make a formula out of Queen Esther's example with King Xerxes and Haman to apply to our own situations. The Apostle Paul: I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. (Philippians 4/12) What would the martyrs and the persecuted church say about this teaching?

Special entrance cards have been issued to “regular supporters “ so that they can use the “academy door” and avoid the queues. Should believers make distinctions amongst themselves and give favour to those who regular givers as against those who are needy and vulnerable? The apostle James tells us that if the better off people are given advantages this is the sin of partiality (James 2/1-12). Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonoured the poor man. (James 2/5-6) The two class system at Victory Church is totally against the teaching of the apostles which says that we should have equal concern for one another. This is something that is reiterated again and again in the Bible because God himself shows no partiality (Romans 2/11).

Please feel free to write your own comments, even if anonymous, if you or anyone you know has had a negative experience with VO UK.

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. (Psalm 82/3)

http://www.gilstraplaw.com/articles_detail.sstg?id=40 sexual abuse Esudero ex pastor

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/25/victory-christian-center-abuse-scandal-chris-denman-_n_1914175.html

http://inthehat.blogspot.co.uk/2005/07/kilroy-accident-confirmed-rumor-of.html

http://www.reocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/6528/cult.htm

http://www.rickross.com/groups/victory_outreach.html

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/rbonnke.html

http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/2115308?backurl=/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/search?mode%3Dstandard%26type%3Dentities%26q%3D2115308

http://eliora.hubpages.com/hub/WELSH-OUTPOURING-DECEPTION-AT-CWMBRAN-RICHARD-TAYLOR

holy trinity church leicester: breathe - a picture of a deeper relationship with jesus or occult deception?

A critique of BREATHE

The Bible says that the breath of the Almighty gives life (Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4). The word for the Holy Spirit is Hebrew: ruach or Greek: pneuma. meaning literally breath, wind or spirit. Whenever this word is used it always refers to an action of God e.g. there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind (Acts 2:1-11).

The Bible references given on the Holy Trinity Website confirm that the breath of God accomplishes many things. (Paragraphs in bold text below are from Holy Trinity's website: http://www.holytrinityleicester.org)

Genesis 2:7: in the creation story God breathed the breath of life into the man and he came to life. The Hebrew word for 'breath' is the same word for 'spirit': ruach. God breathes His life giving Spirit into us.

Ezekiel 37: Ezekiel sees a valley of bones representing the state of God's people. God says to him" Prophesy to the breath; and say to it, 'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'" And as he does he sees the bones come together and come alive as people. Let's pray for God to do this for us as his people.

• Prophesy to the breath was a specific instruction to Ezekiel for Israel - he was in fact speaking out God's will. We have specific instructions from Jesus Christ to go out and preach the gospel to all flesh (Mark 6:15; Acts 16:10; Romans 1:15 etc.) The emphasis is on speaking God's word not breathing.

John 20:21: after the resurrection Jesus appears to his disciples and says, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit". As Jesus sends us out in mission we need to be breathing in his Spirit.

• God says that we already have the Holy Spirit if we are true Christians - there is no need to breathe in His Spirit (Acts 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:8). If we feel we lack anything from the Lord we need to ask (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9,13).

1 Tim 3:16: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." As we desire God to breathe his life into us this will involve us opening our lives to his life-giving word.

• The metaphor that Jesus Christ used was drink: "but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." (John 4:14) Water is a picture of God's word; the word drink has been replaced by breathe. See also Ephesians 5:26. We already have God's life in us if we are true Christians we cannot increase that life by breathing. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.(Romans 12:2)

Breathing helps us to understand how dependent we are on God's Spirit.

• Understanding comes from meditating on God's word and praying - the Bible says nothing at all about breathing as an aid to understanding. God accomplishes things through His Holy Spirit, not by any action of ours. My child, if you accept my words and treasure up my commandments within you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; if you indeed cry out for insight, and raise your voice for understanding; If you seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasures— then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:1-5) Paul wrote to Timothy:Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:7) See also Colossians 1:9.

Rhythm: each day we breathe about 20,000 times and the rhythm of inhaling and exhaling is the most elemental rhythm of our lives. This pattern of breathing can help us understand how a regular pattern of time with God provides a framework to our lives within which we can allow God to lead and strengthen us throughout each day. The rhythm of receiving from God, breathing in His Spirit, and then giving out as we live and serve in the power of the Spirit is what we are each called to.

• Several assumptions are being made in the above statement. Rhythm is associated with mantras and eastern religions it is not found in the Bible.

What is concerning about the above is that the emphasis is on our breathing, something never mentioned in the Bible as an aid to either gaining life through the Holy Spirit, understanding or as an aid to evangelism. Breathing has absolutely nothing in common with the Holy Spirit's creative power found in creation or the new birth. The Greek word is theópneustos (from theós, "God" and pnéō, "breathe out"). This action is always performed by God - the recipient does not receive it by breathing.

The author of BREATHE is an eisegete. Eisegesis is something which biblical scholars with any integrity take great care to avoid. In this instance a portion of biblical text has been introduced and the author’s highly subjective presuppositions, agendas, opinions and biases have been imposed into and onto the text to give a completely wrong interpretation. This interpretation would be completely unacceptable in any other discipline. Exegesis on the other hand is objective and draws out the meaning from a text in accordance with the context and discoverable meaning of its author.
It is clear that this teaching has not come from the Bible and this being the case we need to ask the question: Where does it come from? In fact breathing is one of the meditative techniques used by the Eastern religions and the New Age which are occultic. It is interesting how breathing is linked up to the Lord's Prayer at Holy Trinity - on the one hand Christ showed us how to pray but He never intended the Lord's prayer to be used as a mantra and He did not ever say that it should be accompanied by breathing techniques. Vain repetition is to be avoided as it is done by the heathen (Matthew 6:7). God hates the mixture (Deuteronomy 21:11). Truth and error are mutually exclusive in the Bible, we cannot mix the two together: A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough (Galatians 5:9).

When we are drawn into unbiblical practices that seem very spiritual we end up in deception and impurity (1 Thessalonians 2:3-5; 2 Peter 2:1). We must not accept such things uncritically because it is important to discern the vain reasonings of men against the truth of God (Romans 1:21). The danger is that our focus will be drawn away from Christocentric worship into pneumo-centric worship, but worse than that, that we will be drawn away from biblical truth into the worship of idols. There are readings but no real exegesis involved in Holy Trinity's BREATHE program. The Bible says: Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ) Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action) (2 Timothy 3:16 {Amplified Bible}). When there is a lack of exegesis there is absolutely no yardstick to measure between truth and error - this is very serious. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. (Hosea 4:6)

Contemplative prayer, centering prayer, meditative prayer, quiet prayer, breath prayers or contemplative breathing are all New Age meditation techniques, they are not biblical. Sincere people have argued that this technique helps them focus on God - our own hearts should not be the test of anything however - the Bible tells us: The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9).

Satan’s agenda is to somehow pervert and abolish truth and he is using these things as a Trojan horse as a way to bring unbiblical New Age practices into the church. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.(2 Corinthians 11:3) Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

Breath is an essential element of Hindu Yogic practices, it is called ‘Prana’ or the ‘divine breath’. Prana is for Hinduism the divine breath of life infused throughout the universe, the cosmic breath with which humanity has become out of tune. Any breathing techniques are potentially dangerous and according to experts they can cause psychological damage and even insanity. Yoga is an occultic New Age concept which is completely alien to Christianity.

As the word for air, (Vāyu) or wind (Pavana) is one of the Panchamahābhuta or five great elements. The Sanskrit word 'Vāta' literally means "blown", 'Vāyu' "blower", and 'Prāna' "breathing" (viz. the breath of life, cf. the *an- in 'animate'). Hence, the primary referent of the word is the "deity of Life", who is sometimes for clarity referred to as "Mukhya-Vāyu" (the chief Vāyu) or "Mukhya Prāna" (the chief of Life). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vayu

The Bible tells us that deception will increase and that there will be a falling away/departure/rebellion (the Greek word is Apostasia, English Apostasy; Strong’s number 646: a defection from truth) prior to the return of Christ: Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless oneis revealed, the one destined for destruction. (2 Thessalonians 2:3) Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. (1 Timothy 4:1) The very first sin when Eve ate of the tree of good and evil was because it appeared to be good for food, it was a delight to the eyes and it was to be desired to make one wise. (Genesis 3:6) Just because something appears and looks good and someone tells us the benefits of it (Genesis 3:5) does not make it right. Our criteria for truth must be God’s Word. When we do something spiritual it should always be in line with God’s word and breathing techniques are definitely not there. Satan’s intention is to deceive everyone and – to lead astray even the elect, if possible. (Matthew 24:24) There are many antichrists here already (1 John 2:18), but when the Antichrist finally appears he will be so powerful it will be very difficult to discern his teachings from the real thing. If Christians do not engage in exegesis then the battle will be lost for many.

His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3) If God’s divine power has given us everything we need as above then it is reasonable to question why Holy Trinity are adding their own extra biblical ideas.

The Biblical model is:
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:6-8)

Jesus Christ warned: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15,16)

The Apostle Paul: I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them. (Acts 20:29,30)

But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13)